Afternoon delights at Thea Caffea

Tucked away down a narrow alley in the heart of the city, you’ll find a secret courtyard home to a very special cafe: Thea Caffea. With its chessboard tiling, lemon yellow walls, chandelier and fresh flowers, it offers a stylish sanctuary away from the busy shopping streets which surround it, making it ideal for a relaxed lunch or a traditional afternoon tea. My friend and I visited Thea Caffea for lunch on a Thursday recently, as we were due for a catch-up and we love any excuse to spend time at this quintessentially English tearoom. Our visit coincided with their Spanish ‘Englishman Abroad’ week, so we also had the opportunity to sample some of the Spanish-themed specials on offer. I decided to try the Spanish platter, which featured patatas bravas, cold meats, sardines and Spanish salads, while my friend ordered from the regular offer, opting for the Eggs Royale from the brunch menu, which is served until 2.30pm. My plate was the perfect taste of Spain for a weekday lunch, it was fresh and authentic and felt like a real treat. We also both enjoyed some of the wonderful loose leaf teas on offer, which came in beautifully quirky teapots for each of us, and we couldn’t resist a slice of the freshly baked lemon poppyseed cake to finish. It was gorgeous! As well as seasonal specials, the Thea Caffea menu features delicious salads such as the warm goats cheese, spinach and beetroot salads, open sandwiches, homemade tarts and light meals such as the Lincolnshire Poacher Rarebit, made with delicious local cheese. Whether you’re looking for a cosy place to relax over tea and cake, a lunch date venue or the full traditional afternoon tea experience – complete with tiered serving platters and specialty teas and champagne – Thea Caffea is the ideal place. Find out more about the seasonal specials at Thea Caffea on their Facebook page or here.