We visited Bury St Edmunds Midgar Coffee for lunch, and this is what we thought

With the coat and scarf season in full-swing, there is nothing better than escaping into a warm, cosy café to enjoy your favourite drink.

After concluding my shopping venture, that’s exactly what I was in search for on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

Relieved, I didn’t have to walk far – about 250 feet from Bury St Edmunds town centre – before I found my comfort blanket: Midgar café.

Nestled between a string of independent shops, I was greeted with a warm, orange glow beaming through the large steamed-up windows.

As I stepped into the St John’s Street coffee shop, the Scandinavian-style interior was a striking contrast to its name Midgar – a gloomy, fictional metropolitan city from the Final Fantasy video game.

However, I was informed the name derived from the previous owner, who after a year of running the business, handed over the keys to Stuart Hansord in July 2022.

Despite its name, the place was anything but gloomy – it was bursting with customers, welcoming staff and lots of cute plants (a must for me).

After a quick scan, I picked my spot by the window, which was decorated with hanging lights (another must for me), more plants and a view of the main street – it turned out to the perfect place to unwind, relax and watch the world go by.

Despite recently doubling in size, the café was struggling to fit all the customers, with many queuing to get their caffeine fix – something I also needed, so I quickly joined the back of the queue.

It gave me time to scan the menu, which offered customers with the choice of eight toasties, bagels, cakes and pastries as well as freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and milkshakes.

The toasties were made with bread from an award-wining bakery, The Friendly Loaf.

Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options were also available, including five alternative milks – a very big plus for those with different dietary requirements.

Although the menu was small, the choice wasn’t easy. The toasties had unique combinations with smoked pancetta, burrata cheese, tomato and basil as one option or goat cheese, roasted peppers, green pesto and salad as another.

However, I opted for a classic tuna cheese toastie and a flat white – all just for the price of £9.95.

It is important to stress that the hot drinks menu – although also not overwhelming – had unique choices such as the cocosin latte (I was told it’s a strong coffee with coconut oil and cinnamon, with the caffeine slowly releasing throughout the day).

Again, tempting, but I think it would have been a better option as my morning coffee. It’s also something I have not seen locally, so it’s a good place for people wanting to try something different.

After making myself comfortable, I didn’t have to wait long for my order to arrive (around 5-10 minutes) – very impressive for a café where the door kept swinging with customers walking in and out the whole time I sat there.

Already impressed with the service and the interior, I couldn’t wait to dig into the food and I was not disappointed when I saw my order arrive.

Let’s start with the coffee. I was greeted with a beautifully crafted rosetta floating on a perfectly frothed milk. The flavour was smooth, with no horrible aftertaste

Although, I prefer a dark roast, this flat white was vibrant and naturally sweet.

I didn’t feel the need to reach out for a glass of water to wash down the taste, so another plus. It’s ideal for those searching for something less strong.

The toastie was well-presented. It had that perfect crunch, with the cheese perfectly melted with the tuna.

I was worried about the toastie being soggy or falling apart because of the mayo as well as too overwhelming because of the cheese, but Midgar has struck the perfect balance.

I could taste each individual ingredient without one overwhelming the other.

The toastie also came with a small side of salad, which was drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil – a fantastic combination, which added an extra kick of sweetness.

Although, the size of the toastie was not too big, it left me feeling completely full.

After finishing my delicious lunch, my plate was cleaned quite quickly, however, I didn’t feel rushed by the staff to leave – something that happens quite often nowadays.

I sat for a little longer observing the world outside whilst I finished my coffee.

Midgar is the town’s gem. It’s an ideal spot for people from all sorts of walks of life.

If you’re looking for a place to send some emails off, read a book, meet with a friend or simply watch the world go by, this is must-try place.