Essence Cafe in Bath and North East Somerset

We visited this place very recently as thought it would make a change from spoons etc. The cafe is very small.we didnt get a hello or any kind of welcome..anyway we sat down and asked for a menu only to be told it was on the board by the order counter. There was a blackboard with about 5 items..So I assumed it was just the specials board..So I asked what else they did but I was told quite abruptly that there was nothing else on offer. I did fancy a jacket potato with beans, or a bacon sandwich or a fry up..So I said to the lady that I didn't want either of the 5 items on offer..She preceeded to say rather rudely.."Well that's enough" lol... Needless to say we left without ordering. This is the worse cafe in MSN..No wonder they had to move up the corridor to somewhere half the size..Essence cafe..A smile doesn't hurt plus to offer 5 items only plus cake is ridiculous In future will stick to spoons or jacarandas

Popped in today with a friend. Lovely atmosphere and decor, relaxed, friendly staff and extremely tasty spiced ginger and plum cake. Will definitely go back and recommend to others.

This is my first, and only, port of call in MSN for hot chocolate, cake or snack. Super food and super friendly service from owners and staff. They take an interest in their customers. Highly recommended.

Such friendly, hospital staff. Lovely community sociable place. Lovely coffee, lovely cakes and treats.

Decent bacon sandwich, although would have been a more pleasant experience - especially in Winter - if the heating had been on. Or felt like it was!

We desperately wanted a break from the repeat & rinse routine of working from home so popped here for a treat. Staff were welcoming but most of all - we felt safe. Everyone is kept at a safe distance, strictly cleaned & people must sanitise their hands on the way in. Thank you to all the hardworking staff ensuring that customers can enjoy time out of the house safely during this pandemic. It didn’t feel as stressful knowing that all the precautions were being taken to avoid unnecessary risks - we truly had a lovely time!

Stopped here on passing through after a lovely weeks holiday staying in Somerset. Unfortunately after making our way to an outside table we got abruptly asked to walk the 5 metres back to sanitise our hands, on explaining that we carry our own and would of done them once seated got rudely told to use their gel anyway, this we did to avoid being made to feel even more uncomfortable. Then we asked if it was dog friendly as it was a bit fresh outside to be then just snapped back at us"outside" by the miserable waitress. We then decided we would leave as I won't be spending money in such an unfriendly establishment! Perhaps the waitress is in the wrong job!

I visited Essence today for a cup of tea and a piece of cake with my mum. The staff were all in high spirits and very attentive on a festive Christmas Eve. There was a great selection of cakes to choose from, the brownie was delicious and my chai latte was one of the best I've ever had. Would highly recommend this lovely cafe for a light bite to eat or cup of tea and cake!

Lovely food. From lovely people. In a lovely little town. :). It was deliciouse and i quite enjoyed my time there, it was realxing and it just helped me calm down after a stressful day at work.

I have been drawn back to Essence so many times and have introduced several friends to it. Service always friendly but not obtrusive. Tables not too close together - you can talk! Cakes home made and always very tempting. Savoury menu limited but they do what they do very well rather than trying to over reach. Ice creams - lovely.

I like this cafe but it’s not buggy friendly, the manager/owner is extremely rude and I don’t find the food to be at a reasonable price, I have been here a few times and the owner purposely moved the tips box into view when paying. She definitely didn’t get a tip from me

A local cafe very friendly staff and good food, we have been there for breakfast (not full English) their Eggs Benedict are excellent also poached eggs on toast with bacon. There are also delicious cakes and coffee.

Good range of flavours, choice of wafer or waffle cone. £2.60 for an ice cream in a waffle cone which I thought was good value, and the ice cream was very tasty.

When visiting Midsomer Norton we found this super cafe and enjoyed delicious drinks and cake. The coffee was outstanding, as was the drinking chocolate. There was a good selection of sublime cakes. The gelato looked wounderful! We’ll be back.

I often stop in at Essence for a quick coffee and slice of cake (always delicious). They are so welcoming and always make an effort to accommodate the pram inside, which I really appreciate - it can be tricky finding places to sit with a baby in tow. Food is lovely and reasonably priced, and the staff are always friendly. My favourite coffee spot in MSN!

I went out to Midsomer Norton in late August and took a light lunch in the Essence Cafe which is just at the entrance to the Holly Court shopping mall. This looks to be primarily an ice cream parlour but they do also serve cooked meals though the (limited selection) menu is rather hidden at the end of the counter. Indeed, the menus on the tables show only the ice cream selections available and no food at all. I ordered a panini with a cappuccino and got change out of £8.50. So it was reasonable value and certainly tasted OK.There is a notice on the counter stating 'table service' - always good to get that clarification. There is small customer toilet which was very clean. This cafe has a 4* 'scores on the doors' hygiene rating from BANES. There are about 50 seats inside with a few more out in the corridor. The only real comment to make is that if this establishment wants to be a cafe and not just serve ice creams then they should advertise that fact better.

We'd walked from the Welton end of the high street looking for a place for a coffee. It was about lunch time and all were full until we came to the Essence. There were just a few customers but it looked clean and inviting.We had a toastie but not the best we'd had. The coffees were a tadd weak.The staff were friendly and helpful.The choice was limited and I felt a little expensive. Perhaps that's why the other cafes were full and this one wasn't.

Came here with my family for a cup of tea and a piece of cake on a Saturday afternoon. The cafe was very quiet so we sat by the window which looks out to the high street. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming.

This lovely cafe is a little gem in the busy High Street. The staff are always friendly, service impeccable and the cafe is very clean. Delicious breakfast menu, light lunches and wonderful cakes, with a varied selection of teas and coffees. What more could anyone ask for? The perfect place to meet friends for coffee, or have a meal on your own. I love this place!

Had a lovely lunch - paninis and toasties. Deliciously served with fresh salad and crisps. Just about had room for a ice cream tub with sprinkles and a mini doughnut!! Great friendly service. Will definitely go again! Thank you

Went here with an eight year-old an hour before closing. We sat down to check the menu and were told by the lady serving "To be honest, we don't serve food after four, but you can have a sandwich that was made earlier "

My 83 year old grandmother and I stopped for lunch today. We initially sat outside to avoid the difficulties of her navigating the wheelchair through the cafe. Staff insisted we sat inside in the warm and helped us to an easily accessible table through a wider doorway. Much appreciated! We both enjoyed coffees and simple, but perfectly executed jacket potatoes! Thank you Essence Cafe for making us feel so welcome.

Another nice cafè in Midsomer Norton, good breakfast roles, nice drinks and really good cakes, fairly priced.

Food good service good a few more menu choices would be good, cakes over priced. Friendly staff and loyalty card good idea

Decided to visit this cafe today at around mid day. All we wanted was a coffee and a toasted tea cake. We were told we could not have one as it was lunch time even though the cafe sold cakes,toast,toasted sandwiches etc but they were not prepared to toast a currant bun which takes two minutes. We always prefer to spend our money in Independant shops and cafes but at least with chain cafes you are not told what you can have and when. We walked out of the cafe and found somewhere else to have a coffee. In theses times when people do not have much money to spend on eating out I would have thought a business would not turn away customers.

This is a lovely cafe. Since being under new management, who have extended the premises considerably, it has gone from strength to strength. The food is excellent and reasonably priced. with a very friendly staff. The management and staff are amazingly friendly and concerned that the customers should have a good experience. They even stop and have a friendly conversation, even though they are busy. Highly recommended!

my 11yr old and myself stopped off for a quick treat whilst in norton. Lovely little cafe, friendly staff. decorated lovely, clean and tidy. Good menu. Will be visiting again

always we get lovely service when We go in. Staff are friendly and chatty and are always keen to help 👍🏻 see you son🙋🏼‍♂️ Toni and Madalina

We opted to visit The Essence Cafe today when our usual Saturday breakfast destination was shut over the Easter Break. It is a jolly little place with an impressive display of scrummy cakes. The coffee is made with care by extremely friendly and attentive staff. Was quite surprised by a previous review that there was an issue when ordering off menu. My husband asked for 2 rashers of bacon, two poached eggs and bread and butter. Which was not a problem.

Not the best of menu options available. Nothing really plain and no flexibility i.e. Tuna and sweetcorn cannot just have tuna so assuming already made up. Would be good to have some tuna, cheese or egg etc so you can order! £15 lost income as didn't order anything because of this inflexibility.

We are locals and have gone from popping in for a cuppa once in a while to going in practically weekly! The staff are truly wonderful ; incredibly friendly and genuinely remember you which is so nice.

Very friendly staff, great coffee and amazing cakes! Such huge portions that even when shared with a friend we couldn't finish it. Loyalty cards available too.

Visited for lunch in a party of four. All were delighted with the quality and value of the food provided. All day breakfast was very nicely cooked and paninis were large enough to share! Service was excellent with very friendly and efficient staff and café was clean and tidy. Worth giving it a try if you haven't already!

Have visited here 4 or 5 times whilst in M-S-N for coffee and cake over last 4 months ! Always brilliant friendly attentive service- even after episode of us breaking a cup and coffee all over floor. Certainly on our " come back to visit again and again" list.

Love it, not a wide menu but great food & good prices. A great local cafe that has recently been extended it is modern & my favourite place to have dinner in MSN 🍴🍴🍴☕️☕️☕️

Popped in for lunch (all-day breakfast) on Saturday - fantastic food, worth the wait as it was cooked to order. Staff all very friendly and helpful. Very clean and tidy, which was especially impressive as we were in at the end of a clearly busy morning/lunchtime period. Good range of snacks, light meals and lunches on the menu, all at very reasonable prices.

Visited here this morning with my young daughter. Ordered at the counter and was given the option to pay then or later. Received our order very quickly. Loving the vintage looking cups and saucers!

Having been invited to my son in law's 40th birthday celebration it was the icing on the cake to have the cold buffet supplied by this privately owned outfit. The food was superb - wide and varied - fresh and gorgeous. The desserts were to die for and the sandwiches divine, If you are ever in Mid omer Norton, make sure you give them a visit. I certainly will.

We met the as a group for morning coffee. The staff were friendly and helpful. They were not worried that we came in bit by bit. The cakes were lovely. Will go there again