Why not a cafe?

Tea houses versus cafes. What is so great about either? Well to be honest I've only been to two cafes in the UK, both in Edinburgh, so I don't have a lot of cafe reference. I did enjoy the two cafes that I stopped in during my time in Edinburgh, however they were two very different cafes, and both incredibly busy. I think the main difference between cafes and tea rooms is that they have different atmospheres. Both are very busy, but I've generally found cafes to be more noisy.

From what I've noticed here, cafes aren't as much as a 'thing' as they are in mainland Europe and North America (it could be that they are and I've just not noticed). Big coffee shops like Costa, Starbucks and Nero are starting to become a bigger thing here. From what I've heard they've just started cropping up everywhere in England and the UK over the last ten years, big chains that is, not little independent places. Now some people I've spoken to in passing and at work speculate that this could be because of the fascination with Americana. All things American here are fascinating, and occasionally looked down upon and hated, but fascinating nonetheless. You can't walk through a major city centre these days without finding some sort of American Sweet Shop. Ok, that might just be Leeds, but there is more than one of them which I think is crazy. It's a bit of a novelty, but the large coffee franchise has taken off. Starbucks here is just like backhome: overpriced and busy as heck. So if I'm on a weekend wander about the country side and fancy a hot drink, where am I going to stop really? It's not going to be an overpriced coffee shop that charges 3-5 pounds for a cup of coffee or a fancy tea. Heck no! I'm stopping at the quaint-looking tearoom that is going to serve me an afternoon tea including scones, jam and clotted cream while I sit at a quaint table in their quaint establishment -all for the same price of one beverage from Starbucks. Chances are it's also going to be more relaxed than a coffee house or a cafe too.

I found at the two cafes that I went to there was a very limited variety on the menu. Usually simple sandwiches (all containing mayo which makes them non-options for me) and soups. Sometimes, if you're lucky there might be a cold quiche or something on the menu as well. Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my carrot, parsnip soup and hot chocolate at the Elephant House in Edinburgh, however it was noisy. It felt more like an eatery than a place to stop in and have a nice relax. That being said, I shared a table with an interesting fellow... and I digress.

Back to menu variety then. The menus at many tea houses I've visited have had a variety of things. Yes, a variety. Gone are the days where you walk into a tea house and can order only tea. You can also order, milk, coffee, expresso, hot chocolate and the really fancy ones also do milk shakes in the summer. In addition to scones with accompanying, fattening yummies, you ca also order, paninis, toasties, sandwiches, soups, sometimes breakfast, cake, and other goodies. Sometimes you can get different types of tea. And almost all of them serve it up on either fancy or quaint china (plates and such, not real china usually).

So why go to a tea house if you don't really fancy tea? Why not? Just order something else. I do the same thing every time I go to anything that resembles a coffee shop as I definitely don't drink coffee at all.

Almost every time I go a new place I end up finding myself a little tea room to sit and have a cuppa. It happened by accident at first. I needed a place to stop and look at a map and come up with a game plan. From there it has become almost like a hobby (although infrequent). Highlights of my tea house obsession so far:

Cooper's Cafe

Ok, so this is technically a cafe, if you must call it that. But I love the place anyway.  This place had only been open 10 weeks when I found it. Loved it immediately. I was just stopping in for a cuppa and a place to sit and found a gem while visiting Skipton!

Edinburgh. 

This was at Holyrood palace. It says cafe, but I'd say it was more like cafeteria style. It wasn't at all busy when I was there, but that could have been the time of year and day.

Hebden Bridge

 Look at this place. It's gorgeous. There are flowers everywhere. I might not have found this one on my own. The town crier told me about it. Great range of food on the menu too. http://www.tandcakes.com/

Afternoon tea anyone? 

Fruit scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream

Mmmmmm...mouthwatering. 

Skipton: Cooper's Cafe returns! 

Cute outdoors table right on the street! 

 It was so great the first time that I had to come back and bring a friend.
Clearly I'm very happy to be back at this little gem. Yes, even though technically it is called a cafe. I maintain it's more of a teashop....well maybe not if you see their menu. What was very quiet my first visit was absolutely booming my second. All of the tables inside were full. In full swing and now with support staff this place is a success!

Bowness-on-Windermere

 Great little place to stop. Since Bowness is a tourist town in the middle of the Lakes District there are tea rooms everywhere. In three blocks we found three! This one looked the best. It was really busy inside. We got the second last table outside. Luckily for me, it was also the table in the shade! Yes, I resisted the urge to take yet another picture of my afternoon tea.


So I guess perhaps I haven't been as picky about tea rooms versus cafes so far. Turns out I've been to four cafes, I've just been thinking of them as tea rooms. Who knew? I think it's just because I have been drinking tea a lot of tea. Well, when in England... Cheerio!