Childhood Memories In A Café
With the weather closing in, and winter forcing itself in through the front door I find myself feeling too cold, too often. So upon entering the Coffee Barker café in the Castle arcade you might be able to understand how happy I was to be greeted with a warm pot of tea, comfy sofas and an cwtchy atmosphere.
With the lights turned down low, I could not help but be reminded of the local pub you visited on holiday – which has to be the highest complement from me since my most fond memories occurred in such settings as a child. While I didn’t go for the classic Diet Coke which would accompany the salt and vinegar crisps I enjoyed as a kid, the big pot of tea was just what I wanted on the day.
Did I get a little too excited by the tea pot itself? Yes, but the overall aesthetic of it was too perfect to ignore. Especially when you could get 4 cups out of one pot. As I looked around clutching a warm cup, I just found myself getting sucked into their establishment. Every detail seemed curated to make the place perfect. The tables outside gave off French dining, the cafe sofas emulated Gilmore girls, and the bar out back gave off dark academia/ speakeasy vibes. A complete sensory journey.
The staff were all incredibly friendly, and service was quick. I’m honestly amazed at how clean the place was as well, especially when they serve coffees and hot chocolates with the rims slathered in chocolate! If you had a friend who was obsessed with chocolate, you just have to bring them here. But for those with a savoury tooth, they serve sandwiches, potatoes and salads alongside their cakes which all looked delicious. The soup in particular caught my eye, possibly because of the cute bowl, but probably because I’m obsessed with good soup.
I had not been to the coffee barker before but was incredibly glad I stopped by. It is definitely a place I could have a good gossip in and, by the looks of its partner the Rum and Fizz, a good cocktail at. While we are not in proper Christmas season yet, my visit made me wish we were. I would definitely recommend the place if your looking for a date spot, or post exam treat with friends, or even to impress your parents with if they visit you at uni.
My Ratings:
Price 3/5
Food and drink 3/5
Area 2/5
Atmosphere 5/5
Service 5/5
Words by Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)
Faded Memory
The Coffee Barker cafe has always been a go-to for me if I have people coming into town to visit me, it’s one of those ‘I know a place’ places.
If you asked me last year my thoughts on Coffee Barker I’d say one of my favourite places, even if you’d asked me at the beginning of this year. The interior is great, it really has that dark academia vibe, that can make anyone feel like the smartest person in the room. But the prices have gone up and the selection of baked goods down. I am a coffee shop die hard, there is nothing in life I want more than a big coffee and a pastry or a Victoria sponge, and so it’s very painful to me to say but Coffee Barker – maybe not worth it anymore if you’re just going for a coffee. Their actual menu though, chef’s kiss. If I ever say no to a doorstop bacon sandwich I need to be sectioned.
This being said, the Barker chain is incredible. Rum and Fizz has my heart until the day I die, whoever the interior designer is, I want to be your friend. Who on earth would think to put portraits on the ceiling, it’s just so cool. And the cocktails, I have first and last named a lot of people in this bar because of those cocktails. And these people know how big a pot of tea should be, if its not the size of my head I don’t want it.
My Ratings:
Price 3/5
Food and drink 3/5
Area 5/5
Atmosphere 5/5
Service 4/5
Words by Poppy Adams (@_poppyspantry)
For more information about the Coffee Barker cafe visit their instagram and website , and their other establishments:
Rum and fizz website and instagram;