Southampton does not have a long list of independent places, but there are some sweet spots that you need to know.
The Muse Coffee Co.
It will be hard to miss the pink cafés located on Portswood Broadway and London Road called The Muse Coffee Co. This place is popular for its aesthetically pleasing interior and cosy atmosphere, a perfect place to catch up over a cuppa.
Of course, Muse has the classic list of espressos but original brews too, such as Christmas in a Cup and Mama Drama which you can enjoy on their comfy sofas and chairs.
You cannot miss out on the lengthy list of waffles and pancakes with flavours you can’t resist; Biscoff; Oreo; Yin Ying (half milk, half white chocolate). There are also plenty of savoury dishes for breakfast and lunch too, including a special children’s menu.
Mettricks
Mettricks is another café dotted around Southampton. It has a homely yet quirky interior, inspired by “Grandma Great’s living room”, and an outside seating area.
It is known for its high-quality food which is locally sourced and made from scratch. If you’re feeling lazy, you can even order their delicious dishes to your home.
On top of this, the company hosts amazing events such as jazz nights and children’s art workshops. It is also a political platform to support, for example, Ukraine and International Women’s Day through panels or live music.
The Nest Coffee House
Vegan and Vegetarian people, this is your holy grail. The Nest Coffee House is an independent café and is renowned for its delicious doughnuts, cakes, and coffees. The sweet treats are freshly baked every morning and the coffee is even locally sourced! It has an ongoing list of unique and fun flavours for each month; White Chocolate Biscoff; Jammie Dodger; Maple Glazed.
The interior is bright and modern with neon signs and trendy posters. Furthermore, you cannot forget to mention the lovely staff members, who are always smiley and bubbly.
Lastly, you can enjoy their mouth-watering menu from your living room as you can take away or order delivery.
Café Thrive
If you are not feeling sweet, then Café Thrive has the savoury menu for you. This café focuses on sustainability with a fully plant-based menu and compostable takeaway cups and containers.
Although there is a line of treats waiting for you on the counter, their hearty meals are their speciality. This café truly thrives in providing tasty breakfast and lunch dishes such as the Mediterranean Cashew Cheese wrap/sandwich or the Asian-inspired salad bowl.
Halladay’s Tearooms
Pink and Frilly are two words to describe the vintage interior of Halladay’s Tearooms. You are instantly at ease with its cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
It goes without saying that they are famous for their cream teas, which couple up nicely with their extensive list of hot drinks. The afternoon tea does not disappoint. It is served on a three-tier cake stand and filled to the edge with scones, cakes, fruit, and sandwiches. No wonder it has a minimum of two persons.
As well as this, they serve a wide selection of breakfast and lunch options like English breakfast or a fish finger sandwich. If you are looking for a place that screams those nostalgic childhood meals, this is the place for you.
