St Lawrence Centre Cafe in Ipswich

Back again for the beef stew and dumplings although hot outside you can't beat this old favourite meal in lovely surroundings. Unfortunately the bell tower housing the oldest bells in Christendom cannot be rang at present due to ongoing structural work.

Best stew and dumplings in town served with love and care. large café but can be busy lunchtime, dogs welcome but must be at the entrance end.

Ive now brought a varieety of people here and they all have returned , great value , good clean food and for a good cause , simplyu must go

If you like stew and dumplings then this is the place for a reasonably priced meal in a large community café inside the church. Super staff and friendly, dogs allowed in the first half of the café.

The 15th-century church has the oldest set of church bells in the world. The church was reopened as a community restaurant. Large open café pretty quiet with lovely cakes especially the carrot cake also try the beef stew and dumplings, very good.

Excellent food, such good value, lovely staff and a great venue. Lunch for two adults and two children with drinks for just over £20.

Cheapest tea in Suffolk supporting people who should be supported in a beautiful old church in the centre of the city. Homemade everything looked and tasted terrific. My husband's sausage toastie on wholemeal with caramelised onion chutney came with a generous salad and crisp garnish for the princely sum of £3.95. His Lemon Drizzle sponge was a decent slice and tasty. Think a WI fete and you won't be far wrong. Come. Enjoy.

We visited recently for coffee and cake.which were both delicious. Ipswich is very short of decent and well priced cafes. This is by far the best in the town centre. Not only that, you are supporting the team and very special people who work here, so it really is a win win all round.

Called in today for brunch - could not fault the service, the staff have a smile and polite conversation with everyone. Good quality food and service. Requested an item on the brunch to be substituted for something and they readily obliged. Coffee brilliant! The best cafe in Ipswich - would highly recommend. Thank you

Caron and the team really pulled out all the stops and created a wonderful 2 course meal for my Red Hatters Ipswich. 20 ladies came together in order to celebrate my Hen Lunch and forthcoming wedding. Lovely food and a wonderful occasion. We were taken care of beautifully and just had such an amazing time. Our grateful thanks to you all.

WE called here for coffee and were so impressed that we returned for lunch. The food is absolutely great, and the staff are all very friendly. If we ever go to Ipswich again, we shall certainly visit this cafe.

Popped in for a bite to eat and coffee. Very good food and reasonably priced. Staff very friendly. Would visit again when in Ipswich

Lovely old church that has been transformed into a community centre & café run by Realise Futures. Excellent cakes, friendly staff and good value food all in beautiful surroundings. Why anyone would queue to be ripped off at Costa when there are places like this in the town centre I cannot imagine!!

Food is very tasty and scones are perfect very friendly staff I work there as well and I feel happy going in especially because people I know go there.

Excellent for coffee, tea, sandwiches and cakes. Being a deconsecrated church, it is light and airy and it’s nice to feel that the old building still has such a useful purpose. Plenty of space to sit. Do buy a “suspended coffee” with your own food and drink: this excellent idea means that those in need can get a free hot drink.

Community cafe operated by Realise Futures. Great value drinks and snacks including Paddy and Scott's coffee and excellent fresh cakes in a unique setting. The beef stew and dumplings is excellent, I highly recommend!

The surroundings are different (church) but that adds to the experience. The menu is basic but large and the portions are good. Excellent cakes option and all gluten free

I visited with my husband st Lawrence cafe. When you can buy a fruit scone, slice it easily into three good size portion and share is very rare. Truly the best cafe to sit and chat, good place for meeting new friends. The staff are so happy and welcoming too. We highly recommend this cafe.

Went into this place by chance that my 3yo is obsessed with churches and I was hungry. Its lovely. The staff are so accommodating for custom orders. GF foods available. Priced well. Supporting people with disabilities. Small children's area with toys. A delight!!!

Popped in for lunch for a first time visit and had the stew and dumplings, have to say one of the best meals I've ever had, cheap and lovely staff working for an excellent cause. Would 100% recommend!!

After never noticing this place I was told to come here by a friend and now we come here often. The food is delicious and fresh and there's a cute little area with toys for children. Highly recommended!

I recommend a latte & a cheese scone. Fair prices, friendly & efficient staff, beautiful architecture, variety of food items, dog friendly, comfortable place to have a rest, meet with friends or read a book.

We must have walked past this church in Ipswich on numerous occassions without realising it is a Cafe.What a find, Homemade meals at very reasonable prices in an excellent location.Staff were very welcoming and the service was very quick indeed.we will definately be returning.if in Ipswich give it a look you will be suprised.

Fantastic cafe, had the beef stew and dumplings took me back to my grandma's cooking was delicious. The staff are so welcoming and friendly a real treat and I will definitely be back 10 out of 10 well done

Beautiful setting in the centre of town. Enjoyed a latte and a fresh panini. And took away two slices of cake for later! Friendly and efficient staff, clean tables and plenty of comfy seating. Will certainly return ☺️

Had a lovely homemade cottage pie & veg. Very tasty, especially the meat. Portions generous. Staff welcoming. Service fast. Interesting venue.

Run by volunteers (?) And excellent value without frills. Serves breakfasts, snacks and light lunches. Best scones in Ipswich. Prefer it to characterless and pretentious chains.

MY son booked his daughter's birthday lunch here for 6 children. The staff provided a good variety of finger food and drinks for the girls. This is a great setting for a birthday lunch/tea and the staff are really accommodating.

This was recommended when I came to Ipswich. Automatic doors to this lovely old church making it easy for wheelchair users. The scones are very good indeed and probably the cheapest and best cup or mug of tea you can get in the town! Free wifi, friendly staff.

A nice place to go whilst shopping in town . Very handy for everything. Lovely coffee and gorgeous cake and sumptuous scones . The menu is just spot on , no frilly bits , just honest to goodness food . Don't expect tablecloths and silverware ! The staff are considerate and helpful . Worth a try if you need a nibble .

Great little cafe , great supporting a good cause.Excellent paddy & Scott coffee. Lovely fresh food good selection, quick service

Cuando en la ciudad solíamos ir para el té y pasteles en la costa, mi hija me sacó a la calle Lawrence porque vio un folleto en la puerta. Cuando llegué y vi el café dentro decidimos quedarnos para una taza de café. No estoy seguro de la configuración, si es administrado por voluntarios o no, pero el servicio era bueno, y es muy razonable. Gran selección de pasteles y té, también sopas y platos recién cocinados. También hacer el desayuno.

Don't go after 2 as thay had no food. We went for a late lunch. Thay said that thay had no food not even sandwich.

En la iglesia fuimos hace unas semanas como uno de los cerdos fue expuesta, no probar café, ya que estaba muy lleno, dijo que intentaría otra vez.

This is a gorgeous building, and very reasonable in price and quality. I had to queue forever to be served which was not so great but all in all I would try it again.

Just walking in to this place is inspiring - beautiful, totally unique interior, and a great goal and attitude that comes through. Comfy chairs and an extra pot of hot water with my tea on a hot day!

Me parece un lugar bastante Ipswich difícil encontrar pequeños cafés independientes, encantados de haber tropezamos St Lawrences. Bastante básico pero un menú de bocadillos recién preparados y bien presentado. Era una pena que una confusión con el orden que dejó mi compañero esperando un rato pero pronto corregido.

Lugar encantador para tomar una taza de té con amigos! La comida es deliciosa y barata. El personal es amable y servicial. Bien merece una visita!

me and friends are now using this place as a regular haunt on wednesdays as it's friendly. relaxed good honest home made food much better priced than chains, Staff are friendly, helpful and yes the food is more than worth waiting for as yes sometimes as like when it gets really busy you do have to wait but the food is like ambrosia the food of the greek ancient gods. well worth a visit as the place is spacious. great for wheelchair and buggy users without putting others out or getting in way. The Staff are more than helpful and always greet us with real wonderful smiles. me and friends love this place.

St Lawrence's is a lovely medieval church that has been put to another good use. It has a nice atmosphere, as repurposed churches often do. The coffee and sandwiches are good and the service is friendly. Some of the smiley staff have learning disabilities and it's also nice to support them. I like to sit reading the improving texts on the walls and enjoying the beautiful stained glass windows while drinking my cup of coffee!

My mother and I were shopping in Ipswich visiting friends who live near there. Stopped for a cofee and snack and, on another shoppers recommendation, and after my mother had recently lamended that she hadn't had a decent cheese scone in ages, I orders two scones - one each. A great choice as they were so big we shared one betweeen us and kept the other for supper. A great atmosphere to the place and everyone so friendly. Keeop up the good work and great food.

Normally a quiet place with limited cooked foods but at reasonable prices and it helps a good charitable cause too so you can eat knowing your helping others too. Plenty of seating. Clean and sometimes have a bit of a wait for food but it is done fresh then and there.

Great place! It's in the church, very spacious and it has its own, special charm. The food is fresh and delicious, amazing cakes! The place is quiet as it's not very popular as chains are. Prices are so low that I'd say it's a crime! Definitely great place for a coffee/tea or/and a snack. One of my fav in town!

Always a nice selection of food here, the soup is especially recommended but you can get anything from sandwiches to a full meal and very reasonably priced. Plenty of seating and never feel rushed, a good place to go for a relaxed meal or snack and time to talk too!

When my friend suggested a coffee and cake here, initially l must admit l imagined a dark, airless cafeteria set in a dusty church. How wrong l was! The space is clean, light and bright with huge stained glass windows. Also there seemed to be a calmness about the place that hits you as soon as you enter. A world away from the hubbub of hurried shoppers and workers outside.As this was only a mid morning catch up l didn't look at the menu but l know they do a selection of snacks and lunches. Instead we had tea and a HUGE scone each. I had a fruit one which had the addition of mixed peel, giving it an added depth of flavour. My friend chose a cheese one which she said was yummy. As l was going back to the counter to get another sugar for my tea, l overhead someone asking about the scones and she was advised that they are made on the premises daily. You could definitely taste the difference compared to other café scones that are half the size and as dry as the Sahara. Plus, compared to other cafés in the centre of town, the bill of £6 for two pots of tea and two tasty scones, was very reasonable. An enjoyable hour and a half spent in a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.

An ideal 'pitstop'in Ipswich. Very simple and fresh choices served in a brilliant centre, at affordable prices and by very friendly staff. One not to be missed.

Went here today with friends for lunch. It was just perfect. Wonderful setting, delightful staff and excellent food. Four of us ate and drank for under £20. The two varieties of homemade soup were both excellent....piping hot and bursting with flavour and served with the most gigantic cheese scones I have ever seen. The panini arrived with homemade coleslaw, crisps and a salad garnish and was as good as any my daughter has had elsewhere, and her friend's tuna mayo sandwiches were equally good.Loved the friiendly atmosphere and beautiful setting of the old church. This is now going to be the only place we will have lunch when shopping in Ipswich. Fantastic .

St Lawrence Centre cafe is run by Realise Futures catering in a converted church which " houses the oldest ringing church bells in the world". The organisation says "Realise Futures Catering is social enterprise and part of Realise Futures CIC. Realise Futures provides products and services that create opportunities for people to succeed in work, learning and life." My wife and I have eaten there on several occasions. The food is traditional English, there's usually a special hot meal of the day on the board. Good quality and good value for money.

hot and tasty food served by friendly staff. marvellous soups and very tasty jacket potatoes. it's a popular place to eat and i can see why. not expensive but good value for money.

This was my first visit to the St Lawrence Centre Café and I will certainly back. It’s a lovely setting, a café in an old disused church that had been closed for many years.The food was excellent, not overly expensive at all but it was certainly tasty and lots of it. The coffee I had was up to the standard of Costa Coffee (if not actually better!) and the staff were lovely and friendly, very helpful and all with the aim to please.

Lunches and teas are the staple menu (such as baked potatoes, paninis, soup, sandwiches and cake) but the daily specials are a full and generous meal well cooked and great value - this converted church is light and airy and the tables are uncrowded - it is disabled accessible whether wheelchair user, deaf, autistic - they are helpful and welcoming. As a social enterprise some of the staff have additional needs, themselves. It has a friendly and lively atmosphere.

We've been coming here for a while, and it has recently been declared our de facto lunch venue of choice when out in Ipswich. The hint is in the name, as this is a former Church now turned cafe. Its also a socail enterprise business, providing worthwhil work for folk with more challeneges than some of us.But you should go there because its good, not just because it has a strong ethical base.For the price of a Starbucks you can have a rich, thick, filling home-made soup with the nutrients fighting to get out and into your tummy! Served with a very large granary roll or a mini baguette of your choice, with butter of flora.The plated dinners arrive creaking under the weight of the meat and several veg, Traditional winter nosh with lots of comfort value!Today a trio of ladies on the next table enjoyed a fantastic variety of several filled baguette rolls between them, all looking fresh and colourful. (the rolls, not just the ladies!!) The BLTs were clearly a top choice. Baked potatoes are very popular too, with various fillings, and my preference is the chilli or chicken curry for a lunchtime spud.A customary range of snacks, hot and cold sarnies and light lunches are available - all at reasonable prices - but for us it has to be the home made soup.every time.Desserts are of the cakes and puddings variety - all good hearty stuff.All sorts of cleintelle mingle here from the la-di-da to the local office lunchers, to the OAPs to the young mums and students. All welcome.Service is with a smile,and a chat while they are serving you or clearing your table.

If you're in Ipswich and you want to have a coffee, lunch or, as I did this week, a fantastic Christmas lunch, then do try the St Lawrence Centre Cafe in Dial Lane.The Centre is open from 9.30am every day except Sunday and offers great a range of drinks plus a delicious menu; it is the perfect place to meet up with friends. Definitely a 'must see’ when you are in town and the prices are incredibly competitive.The staff are friendly and helpful, everywhere is clean and bright and it's accessible to everyone.Do give it a try. You'll be glad you did.