The Best Cafes in Bath (By A Local!)
As a long-term resident of Bath, I have spent my time discovering the best spots for coffee and also the best coffee shops to actually get work done in. In my round-up of the best cafes in Bath to work from, you will find my top spots for a cup of coffee where you can actually get some work done!
Whether you are a student, a freelancer or a digital nomad, you will be sure to find a spot for you!
As a master procrastinator, I am incapable of working from home. I don’t know what it is, but the moment I’m home — even with my laptop out or my books ready — I end up distracting myself. Literally, with anything. I’ll watch Netflix, I’ll cook, I’ll make tea, I’ll make coffee, I’ll make more coffee. I might have a nap. I might just stare at my computer screen blankly…
Either way, I am the kind of person who has to go somewhere else to work. Since our campus library doesn’t allow hot drinks, that’s out. After all, I need caffeine to function. *shakes from lack of coffee*
So, over the years, I have probably worked in most (if not all) of the cafes in the city. Here are my top picks for the best cafes in Bath!
I have detailed, for ease of reading, about the drinks, food, workability (e.g. availability of plug sockets, free WiFi), best times to go and also whether or not they have vegan or dairy/lactose-free options.
If you’re visiting Bath and looking for fun things to do in the city, then check out my post on unusual things to do in Bath!
Best Independent Cafes in Bath
Bath has its fair share (and probably someone else’s too) of independent cafes, and I love it! There are SO many to choose from that it can feel a little overwhelming, so here are my personal favourites that you need to add to your Bath itinerary.
Society Cafe
Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB
In my first year of university, I lived down the street from Society Cafe. It’s probably good I wasn’t quite as caffeine-addicted as I am now, otherwise I would have been even more broke than I already was.
Drinks: The coffee in Society Cafe is excellent — my choice is usually their almond milk latte. If I’m not in a coffee mood (which is rare, but does happen), their oat milk Venezuelan hot chocolate (which is vegan!) is always my pick!
Food: Society Cafe does have a cold cabinet, but in my personal opinion, they excel at the cakes! With lots of options for the lactose-intolerant (like me) or vegans among us, they are my first choice if I want something sweet. The vegan chocolate and banana cake is my favourite, and I can never visit Society Cafe without having it!
Workability: The main upstairs area doesn’t have many plug sockets, but it does have a huge table that’s perfect for group work! The side room and downstairs are better if you are working on a laptop and will need somewhere to charge it. Their WiFi is free, and the speed is good!
When to go: Not weekends! Any other day you will find space for working, but on the weekends they will generally be full. They close at 6:30 pm on weekdays, which gives you plenty of time for an afternoon of working too.
Mokoko Coffee & Bakery
6 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY
Mokoko does incredible coffee, but the real reason to come here? Their pastries! If you’re a lover of baked goods, then Mokoko needs to be high on your list of cafes to visit in Bath.
Drinks: You can never go wrong with a flat white (almond milk for me), but their matcha is also excellent. They source their coffee from a variety of locations around the world, and you’ll always find the coffee they’re offering is incredible!
Food: As I said above, PASTRY HEAVEN! The almond croissants are delicious, and I’m pretty sure I dream about the cinnamon rolls. Whatever you go for, it’ll be tasty!
Workability: Mokoko does have a fairly spacious first floor with larger tables, but it wouldn’t be my first choice of location for a working spot. Due to its location just steps from Bath Abbey, it tends to get a fair few tourists visiting. This is more of a “hang out with friends and eat tasty pastries” kinda cafe!
When to go: Any time is good, and they are open from 9am to 5pm. If you want the full choice of baked goods, going earlier will be better as they’re often running low near the end of the day.
CASCARA
3 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG
I first wandered into CASCARA on a cold afternoon with a craving for a hot, strong coffee, and immediately had that thought of, “ooh. I’m going to be back here a lot.”
CASCARA has one of the prettiest façades, and the cafe is also entirely plant-based. If you’re looking for the best vegan café in Bath, this is it!
Drinks: Lots of options here! Beyond coffee, they also do tasty smoothies and juices, which are great if you’ve already hit your caffeine limit for the day. Fancy an iced coffee in the summer? Their salted caramel iced oat latte definitely does the job, or you can opt for the protein packed iced vanilla protein frappé! And during the winter time, their mint hot chocolate is an absolute must. Yum!
Food: This is where CASCARA properly shines. The entire menu is vegan, but it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to prove a point about it. It’s just… good food. You’ve got a mix of brunch options, pastries, and cakes, all completely plant-based.
Workability: They consider themselves “laptop friendly”, which is great! Upstairs is much more work friendly, but just be sure to be considerate of how long you’re staying (compared to how much you’re ordering).
When to go: CASCARA close fairly early at 4pm (4:30pm on a Saturday), but are open from 8am every day (except Sundays which is from 10am), so it’s a great spot for a morning coffee or a lunchtime treat.
Worth knowing: CASCARA is closed on Mondays. Another thing to note is that all their food is 100% vegan. This is ideal if you’re a vegetarian or vegan and want to go somewhere that is totally suited to your dietary requirements! A lot of their food options are also gluten-free
Looking for some of the best cafes in London? Check out my post on the most instagrammable spots in the city!
Best Chain Cafes in Bath
With both big chains and large chains, you can find these coffee shops both in Bath, around the UK and some around the world. These are the ones that I feel are the best cafes in Bath that you can be really productive from!
Boston Tea Party
8 Alfred St, Bath BA1 2QU
Drinks: For the tea lovers among us, Boston Tea Party (BTP) is your spot! With lots of varieties on offer, you are sure to find one you love. They also do great coffee and a delicious chai latte.
Food: This is definitely where Boston Tea Party excels! Their food menu is amazing. Everything says whether it’s vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free and the staff will be able to advise you on other dietary requirements. If you’re looking for healthy then the brown rice porridge (vegan) is absolutely delicious and if you’re looking for comfort food then their full English breakfast is the best!
Workability: BTP actually has two Bath locations, but for working you definitely want the Alfred Street one! With lots of tables, decent WiFi and enough plug sockets, it’s one of my favourite places to work outside of the city centre.
When to go: Just like Society Cafe, go any day but the weekend! The weekend (especially around lunchtime and in the early afternoon) is busy with people brunching, and it’s a huge pain for them when there are very few spare tables and someone is taking up an entire booth by themselves and sat there for hours!
Colonna & Small’s
6 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HT
It feels weird to put Colonna & Small’s under “chain cafes”, but technically it is! Colonna & Small’s opened back in 2009, founded by Maxwell and Lesley with a very specific mission: to make people actually think about their coffee. They now have their own roastery in Bristol, plus another Colonna & Small’s in London, too.
This place is for people who care about coffee. Like, really care.
The whole space was designed around showcasing exceptional coffees and starting conversations around them, which sounds a bit intense, but in reality just means you’re drinking something that’s been made with a lot of care (and by people who really know what they’re doing).
It didn’t take long for the wider world to catch on either. Colonna & Small’s built a bit of a reputation internationally, and in 2016 it was named Best Coffee Shop in Europe.
Drinks: This is proper speciality coffee territory. Everything is brewed with precision, and the baristas clearly know exactly what they’re doing. A single-origin espresso here is a whole experience, clean, complex, slightly intimidating if you’re used to just ordering “a latte please”.
If I’m not in the mood to analyse my drink, the flat white with oat milk is always a safe, excellent choice. They rotate coffees regularly, so there’s always something new to try.
Food: Food isn’t the main focus, but what they do have is very well chosen. Think tasty pastries and cakes that pair with your coffee, not overshadow it.
Workability: This isn’t a “use as a coworking space” kind of café. You come here to drink proper coffee brewed perfectly, not to caffeinate while finishing your essay.
When to go: Weekdays are best if you want to properly enjoy it without feeling rushed. Weekends can get busy, especially mid-morning.
Worth knowing: This is a coffee shop for coffee connoisseurs! While you don’t have to be a coffee snob to enjoy their drinks, it can feel a little overwhelming if you’re usually more of a Starbucks or Caffè Nero kinda person.
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