Bread Source in Broadland

Reasonably priced excellence. Rich and unique coffee that's cheaper than the big chain places. Cakes are amazing with lots of unusual options as well as the classics.

Not by been to Aylsham for many a year, but drove through Easter Sunday and pulled in to get a coffee to go. Greeted by super friendly staff who chatted away nicely and we took our coffee and sat in the sun enjoying the day. We chatted about some of the lovely food in the shop and went back and picked up some prepared rolls (I personally recommend the Gord cheese one). This review is purely about the great coffee and great food we had, I can’t comment on silly things like do they cater for dogs ( take your dog to a park, not a coffee shop) and do they cater for people with specific dietary requirements ( don’t moan when the world doesn’t bend to your niche requirements) - This place does fan coffee and fab pre-filled rolls, give it a go and don’t read all the reviews!

Wonderful bread and pastries. It's pricey, but that's what it costs to get good artisan bread. You are paying for the time taken to make great bread. If you want something cheap, go to Tesco down the road. For all the negative complaints about dogs, why do people think it ok to bring dogs into a food establishment? I wish we could go back to pre-covid days when dogs were not welcome!!

I had been looking forward to trying Bread Source. Their window display of fayre always looks delicious. On a cold day, this is possibly not the place to go if you're looking for hot food. There was a limited selection at the time (1:15pm). Nothing is made to order. Working out in the cold, the only thing available were toasties (of which there were only two left). They took a really long time to cook, which was inconvenient. They do not have a microwave for savories- something to consider possibly. There were at least 3 staff members behind the till, none of whom seemed to have any sense of urgency. That's not brilliant when you're stopping for a 20 minute lunch break. The food was on the expensive side and boxed up with no way of containing any heat. Having said that, the sausage roll was delicious even if it was served cold and the jam donuts were praised on site for their filling. The atmosphere, waiting for a long time, for two simple toasties was dull in what is a large space with little interaction. It's the little things. The shop is not the best for traffic flow with the till directly at the point of entry/exit. You feel compelled to rush your choice to get out of the way. Whether eating in or taking out, perhaps the focus should be on the service. It disappointed me. Perhaps that's not usual practice.

We stopped for a coffee, whilst in Aylsham, the staff were friendly and polite, but the service was quite slow, and the coffee when we got it was barely luke warm. The toilet was overly clean, floor very wet, hand drier very dirty? Marks where hands go and a suspicious smear on the wall.

In a nutshell extremely disappointing & over priced. 2 x luke warm coffees, 2 x Almond & Chocolate Croissants. Both Croissants were as dry as a bone. I took mine back and replaced with a pain au chocolat which was even worse, literally like cardboard, again this was returned. Clearly these were not made fresh. This time I asked for a refund since was absolutely disgusted with the whole experience. Lets hope I get the refund since I was not asked to swipe by debit card. Otherwise I`ll be on the phone. If I`m being hones like with a lot of these businesses, they have become complacent I think.

Have been a fan of Bread Source for a number of years. Today things just were not acceptable. Incredibly and unacceptably slow service. In the time I was waiting I was thinking of cutting my losses and going to Starbucks.

Lovely bread ,amazing cakes great coffee 🎂 served by friendly staff what more could you want.

Excellent coffee and pastries. Took home sour dough loaf and sausage rolls, absolutely delicious. A real gem of a shop

Lovely sourdough bread. Excellent coffee. Edit - the decaf beans have changed and are nowhere near as good as the 'Caravan' beans they used to use. On the plus side, the cakes are excellent, especially the vanilla glazed doughnut and the lemon and poppy seed cake (IMHO).

Do not go there if you want something that is gluten free. Absolutely nothing there that is gluten free, when questioned the staff said their freezer is too small. They manage at the Cathedral refectory though that can be a bit hit and miss. Never managed to get anything there, POOR

Great place too stop and unwind. Just to relax and have a coffee or tea with a pastry. Lovely staff, dog friendly and great selection of foods.

Always friendly good service never in a rush to push you out when they want to close highly recommend

Really nice sweet and savouries treats. The cinnamon buns were really good and the lemon and poppy seed cake was delicious. Prices were as you'd expect for an independent bakery serving fresh goods. Will definitely come again!

Favourite artisan bread source..... Polite and helpful service Well worth stopping off in the town for a tea (£2/pot)

Friendly, helpful staff. Great coffee, efficient service and excellent whole meal sourdough. Nicely presented shop and cafe. Thanks

Awesome little coffee shop, great coffee, vegan/dairy free options available, really good muffins! Would recommend.

A great place to get your bread. I love this place. I also use the one in Norwich.

This is my favorite place to have lunch in Aylsham, both the food & coffee are very good and I love the casual laid back atmosphere. The sourdough loaf and poppy seed lemon cake, is a personal favourite to take home and both are truly lovely.

We have a well behaved dog and asked if we could bring him in. We were allowed to bring him in but only allowed , with a definite frostiness from the staff, to sit on a bench designated for takeouts and only allowed to have our coffee in a cardboard cup and eat our cake from a paper bag. We were made to feel like social pariahs. As there are two areas in the space separated by a wall surely the smaller area could allow dogs. They must be losing a great deal of customers. Not inclusive. Definitely not recommended.

Tasty food and good coffee, but cup size is too small. A large option would be good.

Lovely selection of delicious cakes!

As a regular customer I'd usually give it 4 or 5 stars - generally like everything about it, but today the coffee did a real nose dive, bitter and a sort of thin, not milky frothy sort of mouth feel - don't know why it should have suddenly changed. The snacks were lovely but without the delicious accompanying coffee I don't feel inclined to return.

Incredible croissants! Bread Source bread is famous in Norfolk for high quality, today was my first croissant in the Aylsham cafe & it did not disappoint. The tea was delicious too. In a bright, clean space this place has you licking your fingers for every last crumb.

This is one of the best cafés I've ever been to! I came here early on a Wednesday morning with my wife and daughter for her second breakfast. We ordered an oat flat white each (not for the hobbit!), which was perfectly made - and that's from a coffee snob! The selection of vegan-friendly bakes is excellent; having genuine choices at this level of quality is a welcome change. We enjoyed a cardamom bun and a banana muffin - both also toddler approved! We did need to make use of the changing facilities for our daughter, which were super clean and well equipped. The cafe generally had a great family vibe - I did note just the single high chair, though. Overall, you need to come here if you're a vegan looking for top-notch craft coffee and bakes in a super clean, chill space!

So disappointing. I live locally and loved the old Bread Source. It was friendly with a lovely atmosphere that made me want to go in for a coffee etc regularly. I can’t fault the quality of Bread Source’s food - it’s delicious. But I’ve tried going for coffee etc a number of times and each time I feel the same: the staff are not interested in you as a customer in my experience (especially weekend staff) - I don’t feel welcomed and I just don’t feel like they care about the coffee or products; the windows are *always* steamed up so you can’t see outside or in and it’s just not remotely inviting; the acoustics are terrible - it’s noisy and the speakers need adjusting; the layout is incredibly frustrating- queues across the entrance and as you have to stand further back to let people in and out you then can’t see the food, and in the summer so many flies on the cakes! We were so excited about this opening up in Aylsham but it’s such a disappointment to the extent that I hardly ever go now unless we want a take away sourdough loaf. So much room for improvement- please look into it. From a very disappointed resident.

I go to Bread Source in Aylsham every Saturday to buy bread and scones. The food is good but some of the staff can be incredibly rude.

Very busy Saturday lunchtime difficultly getting a seat.Good coffee.

Came across this bakery while visiting Aylsham for a few days. So many amazing looking cakes and pastries. Bought the lemon and poppy seed cake..the best i have ever eaten and staff lovely too

Lovely sadly sold out of savory goods

We go there when we are in alysham. We have a coffee and hot chocolate it is very nice and we take out some sausage rolls for tea. I would recommend it.

Great bakery, lots of lovely cakes and great coffee. A little expensive but quality worth it. Helpful and friendly service

Amazing toastie and Cinnamon donut.

The best cafe experience in Norwich!

Had to ask where my cup of tea was after 10 mins waiting.

Good bakery. Sometimes struggle to find seating as so popular.

A little chilly but a good cup of coffee

We went in for another one of their lovely sourdough loaves and realised they also do lunch. My husband ordered a toastie with ham, bechamel and cheese. The bechamel was missing. I had a sausage roll. No option for it to be warmed up offered, no condiments available and to top it all there were no clean knives left. Have you tried to cut your cold sausage roll with a wooden knife? Happy to go back for bread but not for lunch

Sadly it has no gluten free or lactose free options, so I couldn't even try a drink, but the doughnuts looked fantastic, and were huge! And prices I'd say were reasonable.

Best bread and patisserie in Norfolk!

We went to the Aylsham branch on a cold wet Sunday and it was buzzing. Great staff, amazing food and tip top coffee. This company deserve to do well.

Fantastic pastries and coffee every time! One of Norfolks finest!

Lovely bread nice atmosphere good service

consistently great coffee and great buns

Great coffee, and the staff are always lovely..... HOWEVER, I have to mark them down for the fact that there are always flies on the cakes and pastries that are on display! Even in the middle of winter. Needless to say I don't purchase food.

Lovely selection of breads, cakes

Third day in of our holiday and forth stop at this delicious bakery serving amazing coffee ! The two young ladies today (Friday 25th) was a sheer delight ! served with amazing smiles and joyous chit chat , was at the end of the day also , what a true pleasure to receive such service ! I've placed the date on as I truly hope these ladies get recognition as they are a true asset 🫶

Stumbled onto this little gem when we cycled the Bure Valley path. So many things I wanted to try but we didn't have a bag with us for a take away! Both sweet and savory dishes on offer. Staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.

Love this place. Top notch all round.

Lovely place for a coffee. Cosy ambiance. Friendly staff and always willing to help.

Lovely coffee and great pastry. Keep up the good work!

They are in a very good place. I like the new location.

Always great bread, mini pies, cakes, pastries and brioche. Not cheap, but you do get exactly what you pay for here. Didn't stop for a coffee but it smelt good while in the queue for the bread. I found it fascinating that it's recently moved to what used to be Clarke's the old drapers/ironmongers in the square and breathed even more life into an already vibrant town square. I do like Iike what they've done with the facade, just stripped it down to bare wood and left it like that.

Spectacular coffee, amazing sandwiches and superb cakes.... What more do you need!

So lovely. A great addition to the town. Spacious inside with the best pastries and coffee. Love it!

Highly recommend. Outstanding, bread, carrot cake, coffee, lovely staff and atmosphere. It was the first time that we have been to their new bigger premises, we will be back soon!

I wish there was a branch in my home town of North Walsham! But the bread is delicious and the staff so friendly

Simply makes the best bread in Norfolk.

Great bakery; excellent croissants, brownies and other cakes & pastries. Also coffee to go.

Very good quality. Bread was lovely but so were the cakes. Would recommend, definitely worth the price.

Real bread here, stuff that tastes like bread should, don't pass it by!

Friendly service and great bread and pastries!

Pastries are always good from bread source, only draw back from the Aylsham branch is that because it's quite small you need to get in quick before they run out!

Best coffee in town and lady who works there always has a nice welcoming (smile if it wasnt for the mask) 😂

Very friendly and helpful staff with amazing breads and cakes.

TOP NOTCH Bakery; coffee excellent too !

Fantastic service, never had any issues, really friendly as well! Recommend ordering in advance (via website)!

Fantastic fresh bread selection, and a very friendly team too. The multigrain batch is a particular favourite. Their pain au chocolats are seriously delicious too and pretty big!

Fantastic shop served by lovely people. What more could you ask for!

This is possibly the best bakery in Norfolk, certainly the best I’ve found! Definitely worth a visit.

Always delicious and Kim, the manager, is a delight! Beautifully crafted artisan breads and pastries, plus a little coffee bar that my children used to really enjoy eating their cinnamon buns in - until lockdown! We have been regular customers since they opened in Aylsham and feel very blessed to have such a lovely bakery on our doorstep.

First visit and delighted with the excellent wholemeal sourdough. Amazing taste with a good crust. Looking forward to returning and sampling some other loaves.

Incredible bread just amazing, excellent business this branch has excellent coffee lively market town location. Bread reminds me of markets in rural France, just world class.

This marvellous bakery has now added to the cinnamon buns and amazing bread by making doughnuts! Tasty comforting and the best I have had. What a treat in these dim and dismal days

This is for the branch located in the Alley Norwich I have just had the BEST sausage roll I have ever eaten! Staff helpful and friendly great coffee need amazing If you are visiting Norwich visit any branch and you will not be disappointed

Top quality bread & cakes, coupled with delicious coffee make this a natural choice for breakfast and lunch.

So lucky to have such a high quality artisan bakery so local. Every bread & pastry I have tried in here have all been of the highest quality. Need to get time to pop in for coffee & toast in the mornings as that smells divine! Such a fabulous, local business, my favourite though is the raspberry & pistachio pastry!

Lovely food....I adore the cinnamon buns/whirls, so tasty it’s untrue! Love the Norwich shops as well.... Well done guys, great place!

The cinnamon bun was massive and delicious! Coffee was lovely and soft drink of ginger beer was equally good. Sough dough loaf lasted all of that day! Going back soon!

How wonderful to come across a genuine bakers! Visiting From Australia we came across this gem as we explored Aylsham. It is so exciting to find a real bakers these days selling amazing bread! The baking on offer on the counter looked delicious! We will be back to try!

Freshly baked pastries and bread, good prices, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere

The best coffee for miles, bar none. Great bread, warm and friendly service, and the golden chocolate brownies are delish.

Superb tea, cake and customer service.

Bread Source is a really high quality artisan bakery in Aylsham. It’s rightly very popular with locals and visitors and it has a friendly community feel. The coffee is excellent and is always well made by great staff who cope with busy periods so well. They’re always welcoming and friendly - it’s an uplifting place to visit. It is small though, which is part of what makes it special.

Absolutely loved the choice of artisan toast in this shop! Quirky little cafe with warm environment and delightful breads!

I came in after a poor experience in the Tea Shop opposite. I received friendly and efficient service, would return any day.

Wonderful bread and a perfect place to meet friends for coffee and tea.

Amazing croissants. Great coffee!

Fantastic old bakery. As you walk through the door you are hit with a great aroma. There are a few tables if you wish to have a coffee and a cake. Large range of breads and various sweet treats. The cherry and fransepan is one of my favourites.

Bought a rye & wheat loaf, good flavour and texture. Has kept well. However the coffee was ordinary (possibly spoilt by full fat milk) and the cakes were solid. Service friendly.

The whole meal sourdough bread is delicious and the also serve a good cappuccino. Friendly staff with only issue being to remember to take cash to pay.

We bought a lovely loaf of bread and some delicious pastries for coffee back at the holiday cottage. Everything we purchased was really good and I wish we lived closer so I could try more.

This is first and foremost a bakery and the bread is wonderful. I regularly buy the sourdough, baguettes, white and brown tin loaves, brioche and croissants and they are all, always, excellent. I less often indulge in the pastries -- cinnamon buns, custard tarts, almond croissants etc -- but it requires all my willpower to resist.

Lovely bakery, amazing pastries! The almond croissant is the best I’ve ever eaten!! The cinnamon buns are amazing too! Furthermore there is a “all you can eat” formula (with different kind of bread, jam and butter) at fixed price.

Friendly staff, easy to chat with.

Great fresh bread shop and cafe. Get there early as they sell out early. Sourdough particularly good, also do danishes etc and cakes.

Popped in on Saturday morning for coffee and a pastry. The almond, pistachio and raspberry danish was absolutely delicious. Seating-wise it was a little stressful as there is only one large shared table (or bench seats) and it was very busy, but we did manage to squeeze in. Decor is lovely and really light and open (very Scandi). We also purchased a donut to take away but weren't as impressed as the custard filling was odd tasting (I think they must use sour cream for it ?), but all in all, delicious and a beautiful place for pastries and coffee! We didn't try any bread but it looked fab.

Bread, pastries, cakes and excellent coffee from down-to-earth coffee on a Sunday morning. What more can you ask for?

I love sourdough and the Bread Source did not disappoint. I bought a lovely wholemeal loaf which was delicious and chelsea buns which were so soft and tasty. I wish I lived in the area as I would be a regular visitor!

The cafe and the one in Norwich and the bread outlets are excellent although it is quite small and should look to open up into the small garden. The staff are very friendly and always smiling.