Coffee Break: The 10 Best Cafés in Lancaster

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Every student needs a caffeine boost, and luckily, there are plenty of fabulous cafes in Lancaster to choose from!

For students living and studying in the picturesque town of Lancaster, you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to coffee and cake.

What’s even better, is the fact that the cafes are all super close to your luxury student living, so you don’t have to travel for your coffee fix.

We’ve done our research and tasted all the cakes, sipped all the coffees, and found you the best 10 Cafés in Lancaster!

1. The Whale Tail

78a Penny St, Lancaster LA1 1XN

The Whale Tail

Whether you’re after a tasty breakfast or a wholesome lunch, The Whale Tail bags the top spot for our top cafés in Lancaster!

They have delicious dishes created from the very best vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free fresh, seasonal local produce.

As well as this, they like to use fair trade and organic ingredients where possible, which is a total bonus!

Want to start the day off right before lectures? We’d recommend their full breakfast deal with organic smoked tofu, Lincolnshire sausage, fried egg, and loads more.

You can even build your own breakfast if you want to get creative, all washed down with a hot cup of coffee.

2. Vincenzo’s Coffee House

St Nicholas Arcades, Church St, St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster LA1 1NB

Vincenzo’s Coffee House

Ready for another caffeine fix? This is one of the best cafés in Lancaster known for their Italian-style menu.

This independently-owned coffee house is open 7 days a week located in St Nicholas Arcades, adjacent to the Arcades’ car park.

Their menu includes breakfasts, paninis, salads, fresh pastas, and even homemade pizzas – yummy!

Guess what? They also have a range of homemade cakes, desserts, and their famous homemade scones, perfect to accompany your coffee.
Vincenzo’s is just a short 2-minute stroll from your luxury accommodation, perfect for a quick breakfast in the morning!

3. The Old bell

Bashfull Alley Centre, Bashful Alley, Lancaster LA1 1LF

The Old bell

Still looking for some cafés in Lancaster? The Old Bell is a cute independent café with a real personal touch.

Their full breakfast has amazing reviews from customers, not to mention the great value for money!

Just a 4-minute walk from your luxury accommodation, you can visit The Old Bell for a quick coffee and then head to your lectures.

Sometimes, there’s nothing like a nice traditional breakfast to start your day off right – it’s the best.

Highlights on their menu include the ham and brie bagel, and you need to try The Old Bell breakfast, it doesn’t disappoint.

If there’s one thing that The Old Bell brings, it’s character!

4. The Music Room

Sun St, St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster LA1 1EW

The Music Room

The Music Room is such a hidden gem and as a student, you’re bound to absolutely love it here!

It’s the definition of cute, with a picturesque mezzanine and great coffee to match.

The ambiance is great, and the vibe is fabulous in this delightful little corner off the beaten track!

If you’re looking for good coffee in a relaxed environment, The Music Room is the place to be.

5. The Courtyard Café

St John’s Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6ST

The Courtyard Café 

This Café is run by St John’s Hospice Catering Limited, all profits raised go back to support the care at St John’s Hospice.

It’s open 7 days a week from 10am-3pm and they serve hot daily specials, scrumptious cakes, home-cooked lunches, and freshly ground coffee.

Their breakfast menu is served from 10am to 11:30am with some amazing breakfast sandwiches.

Choose from three rashers of bacon, local specialty sausages, free-range eggs or 2 slices of bloomer toast.

Although their menu is simple, it’s effective, delicious, and it all goes to a great cause.

6. The Hall

10 China St, Lancaster LA1 1EX

The Hall

Open from 10am-4pm, The Hall is rated as one of the best Cafés in Lancaster serving freshly baked cakes and delicious desserts.

But this place is more than a café, because they serve savoury foods and alcohol until 9:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays!

Their menu of seasonally rotating coffees come from Atkinson’s Vintage Roasters next door and they were even semi-finalists in the UK Barista and Latte Art Championships!

The Hall is nothing short of quirky, perfect for a change of scenery after a hard day of studying at uni.

Just a 3-minute stroll from your luxury accommodation, you’ll be able to grab your caffeine fix in no time!

7. The Herbarium

5, 7 Great John St, Lancaster LA1 1NQ

Cafés in Lancaster The Herbarium

Ready for some quirky tea? The Herbarium is another one of our chosen Cafés in Lancaster with lots of character.

The plant-based café and bar is based on two floors and serves coffees, smoothie bowls, breakfasts and a selection of pastries and cakes.

With friendly staff, the food is as tasty as can be, perfect for a tired student after a super long day at the library!

It’s a cool chilled vibe and we’d highly recommend the mushroom cheese toastie and the vegan breakfast.

8. Buccelli’s

29 Church St, St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster LA1 1LP

Bucelli's Cafés in Lancaster

Run by the friendly owner Bruno who originates from Rome, all the food and drink in this café is influenced from his heritage and traditions.

Their products are all about the Italian and Mediterranean lifestyle, fresh, light, tasty and scrumptious!

Enjoy a large range of products in their delicatessen from pasta, sauces, coffee, cured meat, cheese and vegetables.

Just a 3-minute walk from your Prestige luxury accommodation, get ready for the tastiest pastries around!

9. The Radish

 24 New St, St Nicholas Arcades, Lancaster LA1 1EG

The Radish 

The Radish is one of the Cafés in Lancaster known for their amazing salads, we’d also recommend their cheese toasties too.

It’s a great place for healthy options and ideal if you want to grab a sandwich in between lectures.

Everything is fresh and there’s a vast array of flavours, not to mention the friendly staff!

10. The Cornish Bakery

 53, 55 Penny St, Lancaster LA1 1XF

The Cornish Bakery Cafés in Lancaster

Two words…Cornish and Bakery, what more could you want as a student in Lancaster!?

People come here for their fresh buttery pastries, hand-roasted coffee, and specialty bread.

Their pastries are prepared overnight and baked on the same day which means they’re super fresh and ready!

We’d highly recommend you come here for a sweet treat, just to get away from the hustle and bustle of uni and fully relax.

We hope you found these coffee break ideas useful! Sometimes, there’s just nothing better than a nice hot cup of coffee and a pastry. As a student, it’s really important to relax and focus on your wellbeing, so check these places out. If you’re in need of some essential pasta recipes for students, check out our latest blog here.