Everyone knows you can get a fantastic cream tea in Cornwall (see our blog post here for ideas), but what about those of us who need a good coffee to get us going in the morning? More and more cafés seem to be investing in coffee machines and staff training these days, but we’ve chosen 5 independent cafes around North Cornwall that have taken it one step further. Forget Costa and Starbucks – for a very special caffeine hit, call in to one of these great coffee shops and prepare to be impressed. Do you have a different recommendation? Drop it into the comments below.
Cherry Trees, Padstow PL28 8AQ
This is a quirky, cosy little spot overlooking the bustling Padstow harbour, and despite the wealth of nearby cafes it remains very popular. The cakes are to die for, and they offer some interesting light lunches too. All that aside, they do a mean cup of coffee from their freshly ground beans and do a roaring trade from their takeaway window. Dog friendly in certain areas.
Bellinis, Bude EX23 8BB
Popular with locals and tourists alike, Bellinis is a great Italian cafe and bistro on Queen Street. There is very strong competition for cafes in Bude, but for tasty coffee Bellinis just comes in first for us. They also have a great range of cakes, including dairy and gluten-free options. Dog friendly.
Chapel Cafe, Port Isaac PL29 3RG
Chapel Cafe is a small family run cafe based in an old chapel at the top of Port Isaac. They offer many bistro food options that can rival some of the famous restaurants in Port Isaac and their shop is stocked with interesting art and pottery, but they wouldn’t be on this list without offering seriously good coffee too. Their own speciality coffee blend roasted in Penryn is a sure-fire hit, and you can even buy it from them online once your withdrawal kicks in. Dog friendly.
Relish, Wadebridge PL27 7QN
Coffee aficionados know this is a great place for a great cup of coffee. Relish has now been going for over a decade, and while they have a good range of light bites (including vegetarian friendly options) and have a fancy delicatessen to browse, the highlight has to be their coffee – not surprising when they’re owned by an award-winning barista. If you’re lucky with the weather, you can even sit out in their sunny patio area. Dog friendly.
Liberty Coffee, Launceston PL15 8BD
Almost nestled under the tower of Mary Magdalene church, just outside the town centre, is this friendly unassuming little cafe. You won’t find the widest choice here – no huge, creamy, frothy vanilla mocha-lattes – nor is there a huge range of food (unless you venture upstairs to Jericho’s bistro). What you will find however, (in our humble opinion), is the best coffee in Cornwall made by people who really know their trade. Comfy sofas and books complete the atmosphere. Highly recommended! Dog-friendly.
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