Heading out for a day’s retail therapy can involve careful planning, where to go to find what you’re after, but just as important is deciding where you’re going to stop for that all-important coffee, lunch or tea ...
Hay-on-Wye is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, with its exciting selection of independent shops, many of them book shops of course - from Murder and Mayhem to the Poetry Bookshop - and at the town's biggest bookshop, Booths' you'll find a cafe that's just as much of a destination for those in the know. A perfect place to stop for coffee, cake or lunch.
Richard Booth's Bookshop Cafe/01497 820405
Situated at Kiosk 3, My Coffee Corner lets you enjoy a truly continental, pavement cafe scene, full of ambience and atmosphere, synonymous with continental Europe. Here, traditional Italian machinery is used by fully trained baristas to craft gourmet hot and cold beverages made with 100% organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified ethical coffee.
theoldmarkethereford.co.uk/01432 268654
A Hereford institution. When four amateur cooks embarked on the challenge of creating the best possible burger, they had little idea it would lead to a permanent restaurant. But, having won the title of Best Burger in 2014 in the UK, they set off to Las Vegas to compete on the international stage, where their Butty Bach burger won them the seed money for the restaurant. Where better to enjoy a winning lunch or dinner after a day out shopping.
thebeefyboys.com/01432 359209
Where you'll find breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, so whatever takes your fancy when you decide to take a break from pounding the streets and in pursuit of retail therapy, King Street Kitchen should have just the thing to hit the spot. James Gourmet Coffees when a latte or espresso is just what you want, or a selection of quiches and seasonal salads for lunch. And a tempting selection of cakes baked by talented baker Helen, offers a choice of traditional and modern cakes, with something vegan and gluten usually on the counter.
kingstreetkitchen.co.uk/01432 272001
Another great place to take the weight off in Church Street. Always busy serving a tempting selection of cakes, lunches, brunches and breakfast, with vegans and vegetarians catered for, and everything sourced as locally as possible.
rocket kitchen, Hereford, Church Street/01432 271892
The ideal spot for anyone in search of a vegetarian-friendly cafe offering vegan and gluten free options. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Little Black Dog is open until 11pm serving its popular dinner menu.
5, The Mews, St Owen Street/01432 263451
Mandy Moos, Ross-on-Wye
"Such a warm friendly environment greets you as you walk through the door. The food is exceptional, good home cooked meals. You can even take well behaved dogs in the cafe as well, there isn't many places you can do that nowadays." Trip Advisor review.
Mandy Moos, 9 Cantilupe Road/01989 769454
Perfect location in the heart of the city, whether you want a quick coffee stop or a delicious and more leisurely lunch. Choose from ". Espressos, lattes, our signature Bicerin ( traditional hot drink native to Turin, Italy, made of espresso, drinking chocolate, and milk served layered in a small glass.) and more, carefully prepared using the finest Arabica coffee from Illy. And to go with your coffee, tea or Green and Black’s hot chocolate we offer a mouthwatering array of Chelsea buns, scones, cookies and cakes all made by us.
cafe@allsaints.co.uk/01432 370415
The Snugg, Bromyard
"Having recently moved to the delightfully quaint town of Bromyard I have discovered a real gem of an eatery. This unpretentious coffee house would put many high-end London coffee houses to shame. Under the professional and friendly stewardship of Hanna, the service, coffees and food (ranging from delicious cakes, pastries and tasty hot delights) is first class and faultless." Trip Advisor review
facebook.com/thesnuggbromyard/01885 482331
and its sister
An independent coffee lounge using local suppliers and high quality ingredients home made food and cakes always available. Dog friendly.
The perfect place to stop if you've headed to Ledbury in search of beautiful soft furnishing fabrics at Tinsmiths or Scandinavian style at Hus and Hem, or you're visiting the town in search of a more leisurely pace and a tempting selection of independent retailers.
facebook.com/the-snugg-ledbury/High Street, Ledbury
Oakchurch is the definitive Herefordshire one-stop shop. Go to visit the Food Hall, and you'll be tempted to stay all day to explore everything on offer in this unique out-of-two shopping experience - as well as food, you'll find fashion, homewares and a great selection of greetings cards and wrapping paper, not to mention an impressive toy department. And, of course, Berries Restaurant, fully licensed and serving freshly prepared food from breakfast to lunch and on to afternoon tea, with sandwiches, snacks and beverages available all day.
oakchurch.net/restaurant/01981 500125
Church Street is one of Hereford's hidden gems, a go to for anyone in search of the unusual, and leads from High Town to the cathedral, and it's also the location for La Madeleine, a beautiful family-run cafe where French cuisine is the starting point for the menu, whether breakfast, lunch or supper. This is a must-visit in the summer months, when the gorgeous sun-trap of a garden behind the cafe offers an oasis from city life.
la-madeleine.co.uk/01432 265233
The Merchants House, Leominster
Leominster proves a magnet to antique hunters and those in search of the quirky, the individual and the vintage. But you'll need stamina to visit every emporium in town, or a great place to stop and re-fuel, refresh and take the weight off for a while. And where could be more appropriate than a tea shop set in a beautiful black and white building, with an adjoining antiques showroom. serves homemade lunches, snacks and cream teas and the upper floors are home to our antique centre.
The Merchants House has the additional benefit of an enclosed walled courtyard where you can enjoy your snack, coffee or cream tea. In the Winter months, we have an open fire in the main café area to enjoy.
themerchantshouse.org/01568 616141
The Courtyard Cafe Bar
Well worth a detour from Hereford’s main shopping areas - just a short walk across Edgar Street from The Old Market. You’ll find a lovely airy space in which to sit back and enjoy a restorative coffee, or pop in for lunch - their quiches and salad selections are always popular.
To secure a table, booking is advised, and at particularly busy times, ordering may be limited to pre-booked tables only.
courtyard.org.uk/cafe-bar/01432 346525
Family Restaurant at The Hop Pocket
The restaurant at the Hop Pocket allows you to enjoy morning coffee, a light farmhouse cooked lunch and of course our scrumptious homemade cakes. Our food is freshly prepared and cooked on the premises.
The Farmhouse Family Restaurant is open from 10am to 5pm every day that the Craft Centre is open, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. Lunches are served between 12 noon and 2pm. Either side of lunch coffee, tea and homemade cakes are available.
Sundays are all about a traditional roast and home made gravy. The restaurant also offers a child friendly menu and toddler friendly bowls.
thehoppocket.com/01531 640323
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here