The place where I grew up. For most of my life Dundee wasn’tv a bustling hub for artsy young folk- at least not as far as I remember. We’ve had a few vintage clothes shops come and go, but none of them ever seem to be able to stick it out. In the last couple of years, however, I’ve noticed a shift. Exchange Street, which previously housed little more than one cafe and the local youth sexual health clinic, was suddenly full of cute little independent shops catering to people my age. Today I’m going to talk to you about a few of my favourites across the city.
The Flame Tree Cafe
This wee cafe used to be called Coffee Exchange, but is now a busy little cafe that’s had just the right amount of hipster treatment. Their menu caters to all diets- especially vegans. They took off last year by being the only place in town to sell rainbow bagels, but have maintained their popularity with their vegan BLT (which I absolutely recommend). They also do a great range of smoothies and frappes. I had the lime, coconut and matcha one and it was top notch.
Follow them on instagram.
Heart Space Whole Foods and Yoga
I’ve been looking to try aerial silks for some time now, but living out in a small Scottish city means that new trendy health and fitness classes take a bit longer to get here. Heart Space are both a whole foods shop and a yoga studio. They offer a wide range of yoga and pilates classes, and have recently added aerial silks to their programme. Heart Space is the first place you should go if you’re looking for those tricky little ingredients that are harder to find in your regular supermarket. They also stock bread and fruit and veg which is locally sourced. They even have a juice bar! They recently also opened a second shop in St Andrews which is almost as instagrammable as the one in Dundee.
Follow them on instagram
Spex Pistols
Last year I was out for drinks with friends on the Westport, a street with lots of great (and cheap) independent bars and shops, when I noticed a shopfront I’ve never noticed before (although the boutique has been there since 2012!). It was tucked in beside an antiques shop in the shadow of a pub, but you couldn’t miss the massive painting of a woman in a pair of cat-eye glasses. Every time I’ve asked someone where they got their gorgeous frames for, they’ve said ‘Spex Pistols’. Spex Pistols is a boutique specialising in quirky and vintage glasses frames- definitely beats the bargain shelf at your local Specsavers!
Check out their instagram
Duke’s Corner
Duke’s has been around for a wee while now, but it’s a recent discovery of my own. Dukes is great for food, a couple of drinks, or a full blown night out. They have a great, mid-priced lunch menu and a great range of cocktails. Their drinks are a bit on the pricey side, so I’d suggest starting or finishing your night there if you’re on a tight budget. On the weekends they’re open til 2:30am with a dance floor that is more chilled out than your average nightclub, but still fun. They also show sports, do live gigs and this Tuesday they’re inviting you to bring your dog along for lunch!
Check them out on Facebook
