The Old Bank Tearoom in Waveney

Having walked past this establishment many times when visiting the numerous charity shops in Bungay, and observing patrons enjoying an enticing looking afternoon tea, my wife’s birthday was the perfect opportunity to try out this tearoom. The helpful waitress asked us to choose our sandwiches from the menu for our lower tier, and then a scone (savoury or sweet) from another varied selection, and finally a cake from the display on top of a nearby cabinet. Whilst of all these items were prepared in the kitchen, our hot drinks were brought to the table for us to savour. The waitress then brought out the afternoon tea stand filled with our food, and a very nice touch was the birthday candle on the cake on the top tier of the stand. The food was very nicely presented and more importantly tasty, the décor of the establishment was quirky but quaint, and the vintage crockery and champagne flutes completed the experience. Would we come here again? Most definitely yes.

Very slow service with no explanation why .. eventually we were told there was a problem in the kitchen . 3 almost finished their cakes and no scone for me so I cancelled my order .. rolling of eyes by the waitress ! They did offer a free scone to take home but it was too little too late. Not busy but felt chaotic.

Had a surprise birthday gathering, arranged by my mum. We don’t live in the area but it’s a central point to meet family, & the staff there were so lovely; so accommodating & friendly. Prepared the table with birthday confetti & balloons, as well as making a cake. The food was amazing - there aren’t many places that give you a choice of flavoured scones! Highly recommend. Five stars. ✨

just had an excellent lunch today at the old bank tearoom .The food and service was as always very good. well worth a visit

Really quirky tea room (in a great way). We visited for my wife’s birthday and the table had a balloon and birthday confetti on it when we arrived. The waitress was brilliant as was the food, would definitely recommend.

what a fantastic hidden jem -wen't today for afternoon tea it was my wife's birthday and we had a lovely decorated table with a balloon food was 100% faultless and the staff were superb Would definitely return even given a birthday card as we left -a lovely touch

I was recommended by a family friend and I couldn’t have picked a better place myself. We hosted an afternoon tea for my best friend’s baby shower and from the first phone call, Charlotte and the staff were friendly, warm, attentive and beyond helpful. The venue is eclectic and beautiful with something to look at in every corner. Our table was elegant and we were kindly given exclusive use of the main space. The food was exceptional and bountiful. I’m not sure I have ever seen so many cakes and scones. Everything was fresh and delicious and the staff even organised for us to pack up the leftovers so nothing delicious went to waste. The staff were incredibly attentive to our table and yet also discreet. They helped me hang decorations and catered to allergens with zero issue. Every guest commented on the great food and service. I would not hesitate to book any future events here. Just a wonderful venue with really wonderful staff! Thank you.

What a lovely birthday lunch we had for Dad! The staff of The Old Bank, Bungay couldn’t have done more for him! Surprise balloon, card and table decorations and delicious food all made it a very special time for us. Thank you so much!

Our Rating is 5 Beautiful Cream Tea, in perfect surroundings… A touch of elegance and delight…. Staff could not be any more helpful and kind… Thank you

Absolutely lovely place to have discovered. Visited today with my boys, my husband and my in-laws. We were all delighted with the tea rooms, the staff, the atmosphere and the food. The staff could not have been more welcoming and accommodating. As a party of 6 we called ahead to book a table which I would definitely recommend doing as this is clearly a popular place. Still it never felt over crowded or too busy for the staff to be able to be attentive to all. We all enjoyed our visit so much that we plan to return tomorrow to enjoy again. Highly recommended.

Lovely, reasonably priced, tea/coffee shop with delicious cakes and pleasant staff. We have visited several times since it opened and certainly shall be doing so again.

Had afternoon tea as a belated Mother’s Day celebration. The sandwiches were lovely and made fresh. There were crisps and salad to go with them. There was a choice of scones, which was great. I chose the cherry Bakewell and my mum had the apricot. Both were delicious. Then we had a choice of cake which was also delicious. The server was really helpful and friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. We sat in a small room at the back which was perfect as my mum has hearing difficulties and background noise makes it harder for her to hear. The room was very cosy and added to the atmosphere of a vintage afternoon tea. I would definitely go back and would recommend this tea rooms for anyone wanting a special afternoon treat.

A most appreciated welcome on a very wet day taking my coat and drying it.The food was amazing i had soup and a well filled beef sandwich and husband had scrambled eggs and ham. Proper tea. The service was above and beyond n9t found very often.

Visited the Old bank tea room today. What a lovely warm welcome. On a cold day the soup and sandwiches were a delight. Plenty of filling and great crisps and salad on the side! Friendly service and even a takeaway sausage roll. We will be back!

4 of us booked the managers office so we could FaceTime our friend in Australia to wish her Happy Birthday. The staff were so helpful, thoughtful and attentive, the delicious cheese& cranberry scone and the walnut & cheese scone were spot on, warm and scrumptious. Our friend thoroughly enjoyed ‘being there’ with us and the staff respected our privacy without ignoring us, the whole experience was perfect. Thank you and very highly recommended.

Visited Bungay and after looking round the charity shops came across the old bank tearooms. Looked very inviting from the outside. Warm welcome and amazing eclectic interior. Advised very quickly and helpfully that as it was 15:40 it was tea, coffee and cake on offer. Coffee was lovely cream and milk on offer. The cake choice is amazing and delicious. We will be back earlier sometime to try the lunch. Thank you

Took my parents (both with long term health conditions) and the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating and supportive. (shout out to the waitress that was there on 12th Nov until close that helped my Dad with the stairs!!). Really blew us away. Food was very good and generous portions. Decor really unique. Only feedback would be to make the coffee a bit stronger. Highly recommend in you’re in the area

We hired the whole place out for my sisters birthday. Fantastic service, great atmosphere, very competitive prices and the food and drinks were amazing.

Beautiful food. Lovely staff. Mackerel pate was wonderful. My friend had smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches in granary. Glass of Prosecco. Mint tea and cake .perfect.

Outstanding little gem of a cafe. Catered exceedingly well for a coeliac. The palma ham, melted goats cheese and walnut salad with a maple dressing on gf toast was delicious, enormous and exceptional value. The gluten free scone cream tea tasted as delicious as it smelled. The waitress was lovely and very kind, patient and helpful. The surroundings were fun and very entertaining. A very enjoyable experience and one we are keen to repeat.

Stumbled across this wonderful place just in time for lunch. I ordered one of the specials; Goats cheese, walnut and Parma ham salad… absolutely delicious!.. will definitely be going back!

We travel all the way from Norwich just to visit this wonderful cafe. Staff are so kind, caring and attentive. The music creates a wonderful ambient relaxing chilled out environment. There is a special menu. always have a look as there are always some treasures...

This is such a gem, a quirky cafe serving lovely food (and alcohol!) The staff were attentive and kind. I would highly recommend it.

Taken for late lunch by good friend, and WOW. All home made food, delicious homemade soup, best garlic bread I have ever tasted. Amazing staff, ultra clean, characterful decor, and so friendly. Deserves every support possible. I shall be back!

Visited for the first time at the weekend with my mother as a Mother's Day treat. The food was absolutely delicious and the service excellent. We will definitely be back!

Great mothers day afternoon tea, with a glass of bubbles too. Sandwiches fresh and full of fillings. And oh wow the choice of cakes delicious

This tearoom is quaint and quirky, beautifully decorated with lots of lovely features. The staff were so friendly and efficient, they made us feel special and valued. The homemade cakes were delicious and there was a huge variety too. All in all we had a...

Have been a few times with local friends and meant to review it well before this (apologies). Pleasant staff, fresh cake, relaxed and entertaining surroundings, great choice and not one dish / pastry / meal that has disappointed... now a regular part of my visits...

Fantastic chef and super welcoming staff. Travelling up from London to a meeting I stumbled upon the Old Bank tea rooms in Bungay where I went for afternoon tea. - I was hungry, £17 for a tower of tasty fresh to the plate food and...

This is a great little place with lots of character. You can enjoy top quality, home cooked breakfast, lunch or tea in wonderful art deco surroundings. Rachel and her team are extremely friendly and accommodating. We chose a cherry Bakewell scone with clotted cream &...

Stopped for coffee and Danish pastry and were so impressed we came back for lunch. Quirky and inviting.

Lovely atmospheric tea room in the centre of Bungay. Really pretty Gatsby decor. Superb service and immaculately clean. The scones were the best ever. Highly recommend.

This tastefully decorated café is wonderful. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The cream tea was delicious with oodles of cream and jam. Highly recommended

The cream tea & scrambled egg on toast was absolutely Devine, lovey atmosphere, Excellent service from charming Staff

This place is centrally-positioned in Bungay &, while not purely vegan, does really good vegan scones & brownies - & has plant-based milk.

Had an excellent gluten free cream tea, so good had to check it was not the same as my husband's scone. Can really recommend this tea room with excellent service, value and ambience.

We live in Beccles not too far away and walked to Bungay, we booked ahead of time for Afternoon Tea, we have passed many times and said we need to come here, we loved the setting in the old bank and atmosphere created in there,...

Lemon drizzle cake to die for, miss at your peril. Friendly staff, gave us a tour saw the vault room etc, all cakes made on site, superb. Decent cuppa too. Voila.

Had tea and tea cake. Very interesting beautiful room lots of nice vintage china Lovely friendly staff value for money

Traditional tearoom...lovely scones, both cheese and cream and jam. Nice setting of the old bank. Staff very friendly.

Staff/ service wonderful, felt Covid safe. Food outstanding I had a sandwich and took cake home for later

Visited Bungay out of curiosity while on holiday in the area so glad we did came across this gem of a tearoom. Lovely 30's / 40's decor with jazz music playing gently in the background the food was brilliant and of very good quality, good...

Post lockdown the tables are arranged with good spacing with staff adhering to government guidelines. Soft 40s style music in keeping with the decor, creating a lovely atmosphere. A great selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes, all freshly prepared. A delightful afternoon.

Lovely friendly staff, good service, great tea and cakes. Liked the ambience and it was air conditioned!

Our first meal out since pre COVID restrictions in March. All possible hygiene measures were in place. Our waitress reassured us that only one person dealt with food preparation. And the food was delicious and well presented. 'Eat out to Help out' discount applied to...

Afternoon tea. Love the vintage surroundings, plates, tea pots and cutlery. The staff were brilliant and very friendly. The afternoon tea was really good, you choose the sandwich, cake and either a fruit or cheese scone. We went for the smoked salmon, cream cheeses and...

We absolutely loved this fabulous friendly tearoom. There is the bonus of the arts and crafts and collectables tucked away on the other floors of the building It needs people to visit and support so that it remains as a resource for local people and...

First class service, lovely atmosphere, the afternoon tea is always delicious 100% recommended if ever in bungay

Lovely ambience to this restaurant, in an old bank! Oak panelling...lace table cloths...bone china! The earl grey tea was good, seved in a china teapot. Lovely homemade cakes. But an added interest are the display cabinets downstairs, exhibiting woodcraft, jewellery etc.Then upstairs a space is...

We happened across The Old Bank Tearoom by chance. Fabulous lay out with embroidered table cloths, floral china and vintage tables and chairs. Great selection of cakes including several home made gluten free options. Really good service and fantastic ambience! Highly recommended!

My friend and I wanted a long overdue catch up and booked afternoon tea at the Old Bank in Bungay. It was wonderful! Everything fresh and home made. The teapot was topped up at intervals, while we relaxed and chatted. The owners were attentive and friendly and overall our visit was most enjoyable.

I was treated to an afternoon tea at this tasteful tearoom for my 60th birthday.What a find! The lady who served us was so kind and attentive. The food was second to none.The ambiance was perfect. We all felt like we had been transported to another era ,we will return without a doubt and will be recommending this lovely little place!!

Like stepping back in time, a delightful lunch by the window. Delicious freshly made mushroom soup served with fresh bread. Service was excellent our order arrived within minutes. A warm welcome from the staff. Will return :)

Popped in this morning and enjoyed the freshly baked cheese scone and pot of coffee. Wonderful surroundings of a bygone era. Friendly and pleasant staff. Well worth a visit!

Nice little cafe. Friendly staff. Enjoyed a cream tea scone and a drink. Liked the quirky feel of the place, although it could benefit from some softer lighting.

We took our daughter-in-out for lunch to celebrate the start of the holidays at the school where she works. The Old Bank was recommended to us by a friend who had been there.

Lovely old building, very pleasant service. Cakes to die for. The highlight was to visit the basement to see the original old bank vault.

We went to Bungay on a friday .We found this cafe with a retro

Wandered in off the street at midday and managed to get a table for four. We all had the cream tea, 2 had the strawberry cream tea with coffee and 2 had the savoury cream tea. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fabulous quaint tea room in Bungay. The staff are wonderful - friendly, attentive, they can’t do enough for you. The food is fabulous especially the cream tea. It’s to die for!! If you go to Bungay, pop in here for tea & cake!

Beautifully appointed with vintage linens, dishes & tableware, afternoon tea is quite an event. Finger sandwiches, crisps, large scones, various cakes, jam, butter, clotted cream- generous portions elegantly served. Yum! Friendly and courteous service. Locally made crafts upstairs and a bank vault downstairs.

A real 1920s style tea room. Very well decorated and with great taste down to the last detail. Friendly and helpful people. Very good selection of food, including vegan. Nothing too much trouble. Sure if they have the ingrediants available they will cook it for you. A must if you are in the area

We were led to The Old Bank Tearoom by TripAdvisor and what a find. This is the quintessential tearoom complete with very friendly, efficient service; vintage tablecloths, china and cutlery; delicious food and quirky surroundings. My friend asked for gluten free bread and there was a choice - she opted for the generous cheese scone. I had a cheese and chutney sandwich, delicately served. Tea arrived in a china pot. It would have been rude to have turned down the opportunity of cake; my coffee and walnut was light, tasty and moreish.

A very nice old fashioned tearoom with good food well presented. Quick but discreet service and a good family environment. Well recommended

Enjoyed a very filling afternoon tea with friends today. Great that there is a varied choice of sandwich fillings and that you can choose which filling you prefer and what type of bread you want. Thoroughly enjoyable

Visited here with my mother for lunch. Food is great, home baked and freshly prepared. Plenty of choice on the menu, reasonable prices with friendly, helpful staff.

Called in here today for tea , and was greeted by a lovely lady couldn’t do enough for you, we had sweet scone with jam and cream and savoury scone which were both warmed and delicious , plenty of tea, highly recommend.

My second visit, the being around two years ago. It was equally as good as the first time around. A great setting which works well with the vintage furniture and crockery. The background music fits the style of the place too. Afternoon tea was beautifully presented with great sandwiches, scones and generous portions of home made cake. Staff were extremely attentive. Would visit again.

What a lovely place - our afternoon tea was the best we’ve ever had and the staff were very friendly. Most of the cakes are made inhouse and we couldn’t fault anything - tasted like proper home baking. Lots of quaintness to the building and if you like antique items there are lots to see and buy if you wish. Will definitely return.

My early Mother’s Day treat today at this old tearoom, Bungay. Fresh delicious tea, sandwiches, very good huge scones, jam and cream. But coffee and walnut cake excellent.

my mate Jimmy and I are retired and meet up on a weekly basis to explore East Anglia and to find the best sausage rolls. Our trips have taken us from Southwold up to Hunstanton and about a dozen places in between. We took lunch in the Old Bank Tearoom and asked for sausage rolls. The charming waitress was able to offer us some but only after explaining that they contain nuts and mustard and she checked that we were not allergic to either. My days, were they good sausage rolls! Our policy is to eat first and then discuss, we assess on two counts, value for money and taste and then aggregate. These were the best on value by miles, two smallish rolls, but costing a mere £2.00 the pair. As for taste, simply delicious. The taste of the nuts and mustard give these a flavour boost and so far in our quest, these sausage rolls are simply the best

Booked the Old Bank for a double birthday celebration afternoon tea and couldn’t have made a better choice. The surroundings, staff and food were fantastic. We were not rushed and the price is very good for an afternoon tea of this standard.

This tearoom offers excellent service, wonderful home made food and a very friendly atmosphere. We had the home made soup and a cream tea and both were very good and at a reasonable price. I particularly liked the hand embroidered table cloths and the charming selection of pretty china that both added to the old world ambience. It also has an art gallery and an antiques and collectables showroom Highly recommended

This tearoom was recommended by one of the girls and it did not fail us. Very calm, not rushed, there was 11 of us and we did make noise but not asked to calm down, automatically done by us. Pictures taken by staff for us and them. Crackers available, always festive. I have a festive scone as part of my afternoon tea and it was delicious. Menus can be gluten free as well so a friend is going back with her mum and I will be going back with my mum. I am vegetarian and they catered for me lovely, had to pre-order my sandwiches but you choose your scone and cake on the day so lovely choice available. Thoroughly recommend, a lovely time was had by all.

Coffee and cakes are excellent and light lunches and sandwiches are also serviced. the conversin of the former Midland/HSBC bank has been done very well, keeping the character of an old style bank built in the days of solidity and good materials. We have been for coffee and cake a number of times when in Bungay after lunching lightly nearby in the Castle Inn

Wow to date my best afternoon tea ever, and I am fussy, the atmosphere, music in background, friendly staff go along way without delicious food to boot, sandwiches fresh made on arrival , fruit scones with mixed peel delightful, plus cheese scone with chutney , choice of cakes , and tea with tea leaves ... definitely be back

Great cake selection, good for tea time or light lunches but I wouldn't go there for a meal. Lovely trimmings if you like the twee vintage thing. Bit too much for my tastes - literally with old cutlery that has lost it's chrome plating. Overall a good touristy tea shop.

My friend and I went there for lunch couple of weeks ago. It's a lovely place with the ole fashioned tea sets that we love. We both had the mushroom soup with a sandwich, which was very tasty. We were deciding weather to have a piece of cake or not saying we couldn't eat a whole slice. The lady said we could half if we wanted. Which is what we did.The staff are lovely, very polite and helpful. There are different things to buy. We will always go back as it's so lovely. Thank you to all the staff.

Would recommend this tea room. Lovely atmosphere. We only had tea and cake but will go back with the family for afternoon tea.

Having been to The Old Bank previously for an excellent afternoon tea but knowing they have a very small kitchen I wondered how they would cope with organising a baby shower afternoon tea for over 20. Well I shouldn't have wondered as they coped splendidly. The sandwiches, scones, tea and cake served on the eclectic mix of china were the usual top notch fare and the service was outstanding. We were warmly welcomed and felt that nothing was to much trouble. Thank you The Old Bank

Came across this quaint tea shop whilst visiting Bungay. It was as if we had stepped back in time the whole atmosphere of the old converted bank was just simply wonderful. We indulged in an afternoon cream tea and loved every mouthful. The staff was very pleasant and nothing was too much trouble. Im sure anybody that took the time out to visit this delightful place would not be disappointed.

Just had the most amazing gluten free afternoon tea! Knowledgable regarding coeliac disease, freshly baked cakes, scones and so tasty.

Full afternoon tea is exactly what is says. Sandwiches were delicious. The scone was light and very fresh. Cake was just a bit too much and had to take it home with me! Well presented. It was a relaxing and refreshing experience shared with friends.

This is a great tearoom. Excellent food and the service was wonderful. Some out of the ordinary cakes for a change. The mismatched china was lovely. It was also nice to browse their antiques and craft items. You could also go and see the old safe from when the building was a bank and you could still see much of the wood panelling and original features. Pity we found it on our last day away as we would have liked to have visited again. It will be top of the list for next time we are in the area.

We wandered into The Old Bank, not for something to eat or drink, but because of the display of objects for sale. After a chat with the delightful owner who showed us the old bank vault in the basement, we bought a lovely little mirror.

If you have oversees visitors and are ANYWHERE near Bungay, make this top of your list for a truly, quintessentially 'English' experience. Expect Miss Marple to sit at the next table. The leaf tea is served very correctly and yet without pretentiousness in an eclectic mix of bone china teacups, and the cakes - homemade- are mouth-wateringly delicious. Well worth the drive - however far away you may be.

We have been here for two wedding anniversary celebration Afternoon Teas, both absolutely fabulous. There is a good choice of sandwiches, scones both sweet and savoury and excellent cake choices too. The cake portions are far from stingy, and for a small additional cost you'll get a little portion of strawberries too. If you're definitely set on trying the afternoon tea it is worth booking as the team room is popular for good reason. Definitely recommended.

We had afternoon tea and it was lovely. The service was very good and the two ladies were very pleasant. We will go again.

Often take 4 generations of our family to this delightful tea room. The staff are so kind and attentive.

I visited today with my husband and two friends what a fantastic place, Customer Care could not be faulted, scones were the best we had tasted. It was so interesting lots of lovely things to buy, it is really worth a visit we will certainly be returning that you for making our visit so memorable

The Old Bank Vintage Tearooms is tastefully furnished with furniture and crockery to match its name. Above all the service given is exactly what we expected from a quaint Suffolk town. Quite a serene atmosphere, not rushed but nevertheless busy. Homemade cakes and freshly prepared sandwiches are excellent and served with a smile.

A very pretty tea room. We were welcomed with warmth and a friendly smile. No problem with a gluten free diet, I had the 'special tea' this consisted of a sandwich with a choice of filling and side garnish, a choice of gluten free cake and the most delicious scone with jam and cream. The pot of tea - also delicious was 'topped up' at no extra cost. Altogether a lovely experience, I only wish it was nearer my home!

A group of 4 of us stopped for teas and coffees. Lace tablecloths and china cups. Decent tea and coffee. Attentive but unobtrusive staff. All very nice.

So many times we have gone past, and said 'we really should try The Old Bank Tearooms' and finally we did. So glad. We popped in for coffee and crumpets, tea and teacake, and all were delicious. The staff couldn't have been nicer, all in all we were very pleased indeed.

Lovely old fashioned tea room. Can’t beat a cup of tea in a china cup. Food was lovely. Plenty of choice and they were willing to change things to suit us. 1930’s / 1940’s music playing in the background add to the charm. Lovely and friendly ladies. Definitely worth the journey.

Have been here several times before and been reasonably satisfied except for today. I ordered a scone and out came a muffin, sweet, lots of sugar served with jam and butter which was not a good combination. I was told it was a Mary Berry recipe, not impressed as it was not a scone (can recommend her scone recipe). Did not eat it as it was far too sweet and not what I had ordered. When will owners realise that customers might actually know the difference and give them what they actually ordered? It will be a very long time before I go back.

We go once a month took friends we had a mini platter which was soup and sandwiches plenty for your money very friendly always pop in when we go to Flixton to get milk going again this month can't fault them

We came across The Old Bank quite by chance when visiting Bungay recently. The interior has an "old world" charm and vintage table linen and crockery is used to great effect which adds to the nostalgic ambiance. Wonderful coffee ( I find it so difficult these days to find an establishment that serves good, honest, freshly brewed coffee in a cafetiere), and a great selection of wonderful cakes. The hostess was very welcoming and friendly. An all round very enjoyable experience.

I had booked this for a pre Mother's Day outing on the Saturday of Mothering Sunday weekend. Don't think you normally have to book but I'm glad I did as we were assured of a table and it was fairly busy. My Mum is Coeliac which I had mentioned when I booked, most options were available wheat free so we didn't have any concerns. Love the odd matching crockery and all presented on traditional tiered Tea Stands. Would definitely recommend and hope to visit again.

Delightful. On the sunny side of the street. Good range of teas, coffees and home made cakes. Tasteful decor and...