Earsham Street Cafe in Waveney

Well what do we say, we eat here about once a week, and never have a bad meal. The people who serve you are always friendly, and tidy. Tables are always nice and clean, lunch time you get a bite size menu as well as main menu, and, they generally have a couple of specials on the board. Best book a table before you go there, or you might find they are full and cannot get you in, and you might find yourself sat next to a pop star as we once did!!

Very disappointed when I met a friend there for coffee and cake. We had not booked, but there was a spare table. We ordered and the food and drink was fine. However, the cafe was very busy and more people were coming in looking for tables. We had a terrible glance from a waitress, as if to say, when are you going, and then suddenly another member of staff, put the bill on our table, unrequested. My friend said, how rude 🤦‍♀️ I also thought it was extremely rude. We had been there 1 hour, so we most certainly had not been there all service period.

Absolutely delicious toasted egg and bacon sandwiches and coffees. Done to perfection. Perfect start to the day!

We came today but had to leave and find somewhere else as it was so cold in the cafe. I have enjoyed the food and coffee in the past so it was a shame to not be able to stay. People go to cafes to sit and warm up - you really do need to heat the place at this time of year! I had planned to come regularly so if you sort this out you'll have a regular customer. Feel disappointed.

On a rainy day, desperate for a cup of tea, we happened upon this cafe. It was busy but we were made welcome and given a comprehensive menu. The wide choice of homemade cakes attracted us and were delicious. We will certainly return!

Ordered a cappuccino I received a very milky drink with froth on the top. I couldn't taste the coffee more like a latte. I left most of my coffee and at £3.30 very expensive for hot milk.

Didn’t know cafe mainly for vegetarians etc. so was disappointed with menu, I’m sure this was adequate for some but not for someone who’s hungry. I ordered a plate to be shared, quantity was not adequate for one let alone two. Unfortunately we were seated inside which was extremely hot and cramped, so try to get a table outside. Despite my reservations I’m sure the food is of good quality if not quantity.

A real find! It doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside there is tasty food, well presented, and friendly staff. We had coffees and a sandwich, freshly made. And they allow dogs as well. Nearly forgot... and clean toilets.

Great service and food. Menu choices and variety excellent. Very pup loving - ours treated like a VIP. She really enjoyed the hair and hen chews! Local and free range focus. Just superb.

What a place! Yummy cakes and treats as well as great breakfasts, this place is quality. It also has a courtyard at the rear for enjoying whatever has grabbed your attention off the tempting menu. A deservedly popular place to meet and chat with friends and family. The coffee is excellent too, and they even have a loyalty scheme!

Excellent breakfast. Best ever. Food hot and very tasty. Service excellent..Staff friendly, polite .

This is a wonderful little find. I’ve been 3 times since discovering it a couple of weeks ago. The scones are amazing, delicious posh pop and super friendly staff. The ambience is wonderful too.

Amazing food, incredible deserts & cakes and a lovely traditional environment. Quite expensive, but the quality is there. Good alternative meals also, with Vegan, Veggie and gluten options. Really friendly staff, busy little place, which if it's a great weather weekend I would advise booking a table as it appears to be a busy place. Outdoor undercover seating too

Come here regularly with family/friends/work. Great place for a coffee, cake, lunch and brunch! Reasonably priced, always busy so make sure I always book. Great that you can bring dogs too. Little gem for Bungay.

This is not the type of cafe you can just pop into, you have to book! We have tried visiting this cafe on two occasions as we were in the area twice unexpectedly and were turned away which is fair enough if the cafe is busy but on both occasions (we’d hoped on the first visit it was a one off) the attitude of the staff are unfriendly, seemingly annoyed if you haven’t booked and certainly not accommodating ie offering a table for coffee and cake but saying the table is only free for an hour! Just a bad dismissive attitude, shame the owners can’t think outside the box and change the layout and size of larger tables that could’ve been narrower to fit more people in or cover the outside space but hey ho we won’t make the same mistake for a third time!

I had the full English breakfast a couple of weeks ago and it was so good I had to return today for another! Really good value, everything is free range, beautifully presented and simply delicious. As always, a very warm and friendly welcome, attentive service and staff who are excellent in making sure you are well looked after from start to finish.

We have been visiting ESC for a few years now and there has never been a time when we have not been very happy with the food and service. It’s such a pleasure to go there. The food is amazing. We love it. Good job we don’t live too near as we would be there every day. Spring and summer is gorgeous in the garden. Cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful find.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday. (You might not get in as its very popular) I’m gluten free and at this place I had a choice of meals which doesn’t happen a lot , Good range of vegetable dishes also. They have heated outside area if you bring your canine family members. Even in January it was warm enough with their outside heaters and option of blankets. The food was beautifully cooked . Best lunch I’ve had out for quite a long time.

Just been to Earsham Street Cafe, Bungay for one of their delicious taster evenings. Every morsel was delicious. We have no idea how they make so many foods we don’t usually eat, all so delicious, tasty & enjoyable. The staff are so welcoming & helpful....

Superb lunch, service, ambiance. The quality ingredients and combination of flavours are amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. Thank you

Met a friend for coffee and cake. Long queue waiting to pay that meant you couldn't get to tables nor toilets. Very long wait to be served, waitresses appeared stressed. Received cakes then a good 15 minutes until coffee arrived. Food and drink very nice...

Excellent food , comprehensive menu , great service , lovely ambiance, staff efficient & accommodating, would recommend

Called in for lunch today with my wife. We ordered the Marsh Pig platter for 2. This is a poor excuse for a platter at £1995, with a tiny amount of ham and a few slices of 'salami' along with 3 pieces of cheese, some...

We didn’t know Bungay (I last visited 35 years ago) so we asked some locals what they considered the best cafe to be. They said this one, so we tried it. We were so glad we did. It is fabulous. The service is efficient and...

Having visited and thoroughly enjoyed it previously, we were very disappointed with the slow and disjointed service today. It was so bad one couple actually walked out after waiting in vain 20 minutes for someone to come and take their order. We had to wait...

We had lunch at the cafe this afternoon, which was delicious, I had the lamb tagine and my husband had the belly pork, then we had the blackcurrant and coconut tart with ice cream. The service is warm and very friendly, the food is outstanding....

We had a very fine morning break in the café. It’s a very nice space with a good atmosphere. Service was good. Coffee and cake were excellent. Happily go there again.

Never fails to deliver. Ventured out again post pandemic and sat in the courtyard. The court yard was well prepared with heaters, blankets and cushions and tables well spaced out. Felt incredibly safe and comfortable. Food and service was impeccable as always.

Dropped in for a birthday tea. Nice atmosphere and good , attentive staff. We had a lovely cuppa but the cakes were disappointing. The selection was not the most exciting. There was the ubiquitous carrot cake and then three sponges but all fruit flavours. The...

Lovely food, great service and a welcoming atmosphere. We enjoyed a two course lunch which was delicious and we will definitely return!

Wonderful little cafe in the centre of Bungay. We have 2 positive experiences to review.. The first being the very special cake which was made for my dads 60th birthday. A delicious sweet potato lemon and ginger cake was made, which catered for a multitude...

We enjoyed delicious, imaginative food (especially from the specials board) and the service was efficient and friendly. Nice atmosphere and they even went the extra mile and put a candle on my wife's dessert when they found out it was her birthday! Will definitely return.

Friendly, dog friendly with great food and service to match. Lovely locally sourced ingredients and freshly made food.

Amazing market and perfect weather all topped off by a morning coffee break at Earsham Street. Plenty of room despite the town being so busy and the staff engaging and helpful. We are a bit demanding- know what we like and one Coeliac but they...

Arriving just before noon, seated in rear garden our order simple. One macaroon, one scone, two slices of toast. Tea for two, coffee for one, arrived long before the food. A very surly waiter responded to our enquiry, where is our food? It's on the...

We went here from trip advisor reviews. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the outside courtyard where we sat was lovely. We opted for the breakfast and although it was good quality ingredients I personally didn’t feel it was value for money. On reflection....

We accidentally found this wonderful place, and since that time have been regularly visiting from Gorleston. The garden is amazing and plants so well cared for. The staff so well trained and polite. The food is amazing. The chef is really good. We have enjoyed...

On our first visit to Bungay, we came well prepared with expectations that this would be the nicest place for lunch, and it was indeed nice, though we had to book our spot in pleasant terrace garden area for the dog to be able to...

We had a lovely visit to this charming cafe this afternoon. The staff were all incredibly welcoming and friendly. We were lucky enough to get a table in the courtyard garden and had the most delicious gluten free lemon polenta cake and a rich chocolate...

Thank you to the Earsham Street Cafe for a fabulous experience today. As an introduction to Bungay for my friend I couldn’t have chosen better. Hot, tasty, thoughtful food, great value plus kind and thoughtful service. We so enjoyed our meal. You’ll need to book...

Always a treat to visit and lovely courtyard for doggy frineds. Cakes yummy and meals are extra special.

Me and hubbie nipped in here today for lunch. We were greeted straight away and shown to a table. I had the courgette, potato and herb soup with soda bread roll which was absolutely amazing. Hubbie had bacon, Brie & red current sandwich which he...

Lovely staff who are warm and welcoming. Great food, great coffee and they cater for all tastes. Wonderful cakes, I can recommend the vegan cake. AP.

Great food, plenty of choice. Very friendly staff. They have gone over and above in their attention to being Covid safe. Delicious hot chocolate. We went for lunch 1 day and back the next day for breakfast.

Having visited just by chance wow what a find. As it was a Tuesday morning early I was surprised we were asked if we had booked a table luckily we had the last table. The Bacon sandwich which I had was the best bacon ever....

We stopped off in Bungay looking for a sandwich snack and found the Earsham Street Cafe . We were surprised and delighted to find a relatively extensive menu. My partner and I chose different things and both thought our choice was fresh,ly made, delicious and...

Fantastic place for either cake & coffee or lunch, lovely surroundings inside or out . Outside is under cover with heaters if needed, dogs welcome. Homemade cakes & great refreshingly different lunch menu .

A new find for us, we've eaten in there a couple of times... however we've had three of their takeaway taster menus that are 'finished off' at home. All have been really good and are highly recommended. It's like a meal out, but at home....

I ordered an afternoon tea for mother's Day and it was a great hit for a great price. It was delivered between the times they said. 10/10 and certainly worth the top marks on TripAdvisor. The food menu looks great and a good price too including delivery. My mother and I use to take my nan to earsham Street cafe before covid. Nice outdoor area and friendly staff. When all this Covid crap is over, I will certainly visit again.

Moussaka with potatoes and salad was delicious. Big portions, excellent value for money.As we are shielding we look really forward to our Saturday supper especially as it is delivered by chirpy Mike.

We have now experienced two of their 6 course tasting evenings provided as a takeaway during the lockdown. They are themed: in December it was Christmas and in January it was Syria. Both were perfect in the choice of dishes (vegetarian options available), packaging, ease of preparation, quantity and blend of flavours. All courses are made on the premises. They are excellent value for money at £20.95 per head and a percentage of this is donated eg to the UNICEF Syria appeal.We have travelled in Syria and thought the food from the Earsham St Cafe food was very authentic, and in fact, tastier than we ate in Syria!In February, the theme is Morocco. I would recommend booking now on the website. You will be in for a treat.

We have tried these meals for the last two weeks and they have been superb. Very reasonable size portions and great value for money. Well done Mike & Gemma keep up the good work

We were staying in Beccles and we had read recommendations with regards to this cafe. It was full and we had not booked. We were asked if we would consider sitting outdoor which was under cover and we were happy to do so. We could see they were very busy and we were not in a rush. We enjoyed our coffees and bacon sandwich which was cooked to our exact requirements which is a rare and pleasant surprise. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful although busy and managed to have some good banter with us. It was the best coffee we had tasted since Saturday & we took two enormous fruit scones home ( which were delicious). Not bad at all at £12 something, even for us Yorkshire folk! I understand the baking is done on the premises too, another plus. Very Covid aware and clean.

Great lunch and service. I had the goats cheese and root veg tart with seasonal salads and my other half had a bacon and Brie sandwich. Everything was really tasty and filling! Lovely garden covered up and heaters too.

Pleasant little cafe but not that special I would love to know why they think a flat white is worth £3..20

We had a fantastic afternoon tea in the garden area. The staff were lovely and everything was fresh and home made. The scones and sausage rolls were particular highlights

We have been to several of these themed evenings before so were thrilled when they started to do them again.It was great that there is now a takeaway option which we had.The food as always was delicious and unusual and came with full instructions on how to heat up or cook.We shared with friends in our garden who also rated the food highly.We will definitely consider their next one ( Mediterranean) at the end of September.

I wanted to write a review as, whilst I have really enjoyed every visit to the cafe during the daytime, we have just had the most delicious food as part of the Palestinian tasting evening and it seems only fair to tell people how great it was! Six courses, starting with Labneh and salad, then spinach pie, stuffed red pepper. Bedouin lamb (chickpea tagine as vegetarian option), lemon and pomegranate cake, and a very nice biscuit to finish. Everything was full of flavour and perfectly prepared. Serving it up at home was all very straightforward too. Absolutely delicious - looking forward to the next one!

Prior to lockdown. First class service, very attentive even though extremely busy as very popular. They have a reward system when you order you get a stamp on your card which leads to free offerings. It is a cafe, restaurant and cake bakery with many homemade dishes. We went for tea, coffee and cake and had menu envy when we saw bacon baps being served to a couple on another table.

lovely little place, nicely decorated and homely. Found the staff to be very pleasant and accomodating. Would return just for the cake

My wife, son and I cycled from Geldeston to Bungay having done our research. In these difficult, unprecedented times the café is doing a great job in serving excellent coffee (my wife and I are self professed coffee snobs!) and a good range of cakes.We had two coffees, 2 slices of cakes and a cream and jam scone. I firmly believe in the ICS,independent coffee shops, and this is a stand out!Carry on doing what you are doing. Thanks The Cleaver family Nuneaton

This is a lovely old buidling with handsome tables. All decor very well maintainted, great loos, nice crockery etc. All you want in a cafe in fact. We were served in a freindly and efficient way and had a delicious earl grey tea and proper carrotty carrot cake. Nicer than the many South Norfolk market town and village cafes that we frequent.

Visited on a packed Wednesday lunchtime - it's incredibly popular with ladies (of a certain age) who lunch, and having had the food it's easy to see why. Lovely service, nice atmosphere. Only negative comment was the ham hock 'pate' was actually pressed ham hock in the smallest ramekin I've ever seen. Accompanied by toast and chutney, it still made a nice lunch, and at £6.25 it wasn't expensive - and I guess the clue was in the price - but a hungry man would have grumbled. If you are dairy/gluten free or vegan, it's an easy place to go - every special was annotated re whether it was or could be made 'free from'. Nice way to do it.

This is a nice, friendly cafe with a great selection of snacks, hot meals and cakes. They look after veggies, vegans and gluten free. Lovely coffee too.

A cafe really worth visiting if you’re in the area. Dog friendly - sit outside in a sheltered covered area. Dog blankets and treats offered as well as blankets for the owners. Good tasty food with vegan options and not silly prices for vegan food! Very friendly and obliging staff too !

Very good cafe. Although busy staff are very attentive. God food and drinks. Very good for lunch as well as tea and coffee

The fact that whenever we go here it is always busy says it all. Very popular eatery. Terrific food and friendly staff. If you visit be sure to buy a jar of their carrot chutney!

Enjoyed the most delicious Christmas lunch today at this first class cafe.Lovely atmosphere, very relaxed, excellent, attentive service and the food was superb.Chose the three course option from a very tempting menu. Not an easy choice because everything on the menu looks amazing! However, went for the soup of the day; carrot, parsnip and ginger; the turkey and cranberry plait for main, including wonderfully fresh and perfectly cooked vegetables (offered more during the meal) and for dessert, sticky clementine sponge with orange yogurt and cranberry compote. My partner had the salad of bacon with Baron Bigod Brie, the slow roasted confit of Duck Leg, and the Brown Sugar Meringue. It was so good, It may have to be done again before Christmas to try something else on the menu! The imagination and execution of the dishes is something to behold. The staff are exceptional.Thank you for a most enjoyable and satisfying Sunday afternoon.

We come here regularly. Today was the Christmas market but we arrived about 2.30 and found a table. Lovely Christmas garlands in the window. Had Earl Grey with lemon which offset the sweetness of Peanut butter and Caramel cake. My partner had Festive Chocolate Tiffin laced with brandy, which he pronounced very sweet and rich; but good! Nice touch is that they always give you a small piece of flapjack with your hot drink. Yum!

We drove through this little town on a Monday morning and found the Earsham street Café. The staff were really freindly and the service was great. The lunch menu looked fantastic but we decided to go with tea and scones which were delicious. Certainly worth a visit !

Recommended by several friends for our visit to Bungay - interesting little place. It was a Saturday lunchtime and everywhere was really quiet on the streets . They were all in Earsham Street Cafe ! Really nice place and buzzy atmosphere - extensive menu - sandwiches using real bread and good portions - no room for desserts ! Very friendly service too from the young staff !

Tea & cake or lunch, it's always good, just wish I could go more often. I particularly like the varied specials menu at lunchtime, I have yet to have had a meal that I haven't enjoyed. A big well done and thank you to all.

Enjoyed a thoroughly delicious lunch at this super place today.

My wife and I had lunch - we arrived before 12 and our lunch order was taken a little after 12. It wasn't particularly busy during the two hours we were there. The food took some time to arrive but was good when it did. I had asked the staff member for a glass of water to go with my meal. The staff member forgot this and only remembered when she came over a full fifteen minutes later to ask if everything was OK. We finished the first part of our lunch and said we would like dessert. The staff member cleared away and we waited for her to come and take our dessert order. She did not return and eventually (after fifteen minutes) we had to highlight to another passing staff member that we were waiting to make a dessert order (though by the time we did this my wife had already suggested leaving without dessert). The first staff member then returned and asked whether we had ordered dessert (it is difficult to think that she did not already know that we hadn't). Lunch, which should have taken about an hour and a quarter/half, took just under two hours for a small hot dish and a dessert and coffee, precisely because of the inattentive service. We enjoyed the food (though my wife thought her soup bread was from a packet and her cake too sweet) but the experience was spoilt by the service. I provided a gratuity on payment because of the quality of the food but in hindsight should have reflected the service in this. There were always very long gaps between conversations with our server and no-one else came and asked us if we were OK or made any eye contact - everybody just looked too busy to care.

Today was the first time I have visited the cafe. I’ve often walked past and thought it looked lovely. So my friend and I decided to try it. It was a lovely sunny day and we decided to sit in the courtyard. It’s a really nice spot until someone visits the toilet outside and then you can hear everything they are doing, which is really off putting when you are trying to eat food.

This is a popular place but I don’t know why, I asked for a full English breakfast, my mother asked for a small one, after waiting ages for them to arrive they were the same size, and both burnt, ok I did ask for no mushrooms and no tomato’s but there wasn’t much on the plate, and it was burned, I was very disappointed, we complained and got our drinks free, not much compensation considering the cost of the food, others may like this place but I won’t recommend it to anybody

We visited this cafe many times during our stay in Suffolk.

This is a great place for morning coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea. Homemade cakes, scones and delicious savoury tarts are just part of an interesting and varied menu.

Had a lovely girls lunch in June- delicious food and great staff. Returned with grandchildren in July for coffee and cake!

We had lunch here for the first time after being recommended the venue by friends.

We had an hour before our bus came and went for a snack. The menu is not very good for lunches,a bit hoists toity so ordered the cold platter of cheese and meats with granary bread( which is charged at £1 per slice) thinking it would be quick. Well 20 minutes later we got it and it was very disappointing. 2 little bits of ham a couple of round salami meat and some sort of dried beef? They brought the bread out and I had to ask for butter! The tea was good.Service slow. The 2 pieces of lettuce,some mixed salad,a few olives and beetroot. Bill was £23. Far too much for what it was.

Same old, same old. Just lovely, as ever - grub, service and ambience out the back in the cool evening breeze.

I frequent this cafe and introduced it to a friend new to the area who was just as impressed with the cafe that I always have been. Always lovely service, good coffee and fabulous cake.

We arrived, 2.30, grateful that we found a lunch stop on a Monday. Lunch until 3. Sat at a table for 6 and was abruptly asked to move to a cramped table for 4. Where they going to get another group at 2.30? Well maybe, but they didn’t. It so put us off we nearly walked out!

With a dog you expect to eat outside but we were shown a table that had NO shade and it was 31C. We walked out, no this is not people or dog friendly, Shame as we live locally.

It was a sunny day though not too warm and we were delighted to be able to sit outside in a very pretty sheltered garden. The coffee was good and the tiny flapjack which came with it was great. The cheese scone was lovely and fresh but rather disappointing as not enough cheese. Next time we will try a bacon bap as the bacon smell was very enticing. We will certainly go again.

Had a weekend camping nearby and googled dog friendly places for breakfast and we are pleased this little gem popped up.

As in Bungay to look at an Antique shop, popped in on the off chance. Coffee excellent, I had a sausage roll, my wife watched! . The service was friendly and very helpful to the point that they introduced us to their themed evenings. Currently on a waiting list to hopefully attend one. Will then have a better feel for their other menus.

We've been here many times, more of a regular. The food has always been spot on, never had anything to moan about and the staff are very very good. There taster nights are a dream and I just wish they would produce a cookery book - it's that good

Lovely friendly and helpful service. I had very sore throat and although soup is not usually served before 12 they understand my problem, and happily served me soup which was delicious.

Booked a table for lunch because of the good reviews on here, and so pleased we did. The food was delicious and the service was very good. Both my friend and I opted for the specials board options, creamy tagliatelle, and mushroom and cream cheese pie. The quality and flavours could not be faulted. The prices are very reasonable and well worth what you pay. We also had cake, which was lovely, with lots of choices. Really nice laid back atmosphere, will definitely be returning!

A lovely, light and airy cafe with plenty of tables inside and some in a glass covered courtyard out the back.

Had tea and scones. Wow how soft and melt in your mouth fruit scones. If in Bungay you must try here.

Nice and cute cafe but left disappointed with service and quality of food. For the price of the sandwich i would expect something a bit more fresh and hearty than a Tesco pre'packed sandwich. Sadly this didn't hppen. Very thin pieces of bread, not much filling and the filling that was there just tasted like a blitzed sandwich filling jar. I asked for chicken, chorizo and mayonnaise and the filling was literally like baby food. I left still hungry! Told a staff member when I paid my thoughts and was just told 'Oh right'. Outrageous what you charge for something that is no better than a £1.99 garage sandwich.

We stopped in here on the Sunday of the May bank holiday and lots of Bungay was quiet. This place was packed when we arrived and understandably so. The food was lovely with a broad menu. The staff were friendly and the service was great. Would definitely stop here again

Visited the cafe quite by chance when in the town, and was impressed by the variety of items on the menu, and wished we lived closer to be able to come and experience one of the themed evenings. The cheese scone and sausage roll that we had with our excellent coffee were both very tasty and served by cheerful welcoming staff.

Well priced and nice sized portions in a friendly pleasant place in Bungay. Staff are warm and welcoming

Having booked a table a week ago for my birthday lunch we were delayed by an hour. The staff were wonderful, the food amazing and there were no problems at all. Please go here and share a platter, it is truly gorgeous.

Went to the Earsham St Café for lunch recently and was disappointed on various levels. Not a good start when the young waitress brought our soft drinks holding the glasses with her fingers inside! Has anyone taught her this is not on? I expected tasty wholemeal bread, but it was thin sliced bread with no flavour...there are so many good bakeries in the area, it seems you are missing a trick here. The side salad was uninspiring, limp lettuce and not much else. The waitresses were very pleasant but all or nothing, ie eager to take orders initially, then a long wait for dessert order to be taken.. I used to come to the café a lot some years ago, under different management, because the menu was interesting and varied. This time, however, it was a disappointment.

Just a quick lunchtime snack of Coffee and Cheese Scone, the menu looked delicious and the cakes were very tempting too.. It was very busy with some tables booked, it's certainly a place I'd like to visit again and have something more substantial..