Take a tour of some of the best coffee shops as recommended by Rob Butterworth, owner of Butterworth & Son, of Bury St Edmunds
Running a coffee roasting business for more than two decades means I’ve spent a fair bit of time on the road – sourcing, tasting and visiting cafés that serve our coffee. And truthfully, that’s one of the best parts of the job.
I’m lucky to see how much thought, care and creativity goes into the coffee scene here in East Anglia. From coast to countryside, these independent spots make up a vibrant and passionate community. Every time you stop in, you’re not just getting a great cup, you’re supporting local businesses doing what they love.
So if you’re looking for somewhere new to explore this summer, here are a few of my favourite spots. These places don’t only serve a great cup of Butterworth’s but are well worth the visit in their own right.
Roots Café at Rougham Estate
If you’ve never been out to Rougham Estate in sunflower season, you’re missing something special. Right in the heart of it is Roots Café, a welcoming spot set in the Blackthorpe Barn complex that’s open all year round. Our signature blend, the 4Bean, is served as house espresso, alongside homemade cakes and a seasonal menu. It’s a proper community hub for walkers, cyclists, families and four-legged friends alike. A great place to pause, refuel and soak up the view.
Applaud Coffee, St Peter’s Street, Ipswich
Just a stone’s throw from the Ipswich waterfront, Applaud is tucked into the town’s historic Saints quarter, a spot full of character and charm. Inside, it’s all colourful interiors, local artwork and a peaceful courtyard garden. It’s a real haven for creatives and coffee lovers. They serve up consistently excellent espresso, fresh seasonal bakes and always a warm welcome. You’ll also find our retail bags on the shelves, so you can take a bit of Applaud (and Butterworth’s) home with you.
Wright’s, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, Helmingham Hall Gardens
Wright’s began life in Bury, serving up ‘posh cheese toasties’ and seasonal salads from a humble market stall. Since then, it’s grown into three distinctive cafés across East Anglia, each with its own character, but all built on the same foundations. What ties them together is attention to detail: relaxed spaces, quality ingredients and great service. I often drop in for an espresso and one of their signature toasties, which never disappoint.
Honey + Harvey, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Melton and Colchester
A name most coffee lovers in Suffolk will already know, Honey + Harvey has built a solid reputation over the years. Across all locations, the atmosphere is consistently bright, modern and quality-driven. They care just as much about their food as their coffee, from house-made cakes to hearty brunch plates. You can always count on a perfectly-made flat white, served with care by a team that truly knows their local crowd.
The Black Dog Deli, Halesworth, Yoxford and Saxmundham
A cherished part of Suffolk’s food scene since 2013, the Black Dog Deli has grown into a small family of delis known for flavour, craft and community. Part deli, part café, they’re full of flavour, literally. Their sausage rolls are the stuff of legend and they know how to pour a proper Butterworth’s coffee. Whether you’re on a beach walk in Southwold or picking up picnic bits in Walberswick, Black Dog never misses.
The Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester Meadows, Cambridge
This one’s further afield but absolutely worth the trip. The Orchard has been serving tea and coffee since the early 1900s. Rupert Brooke and Virginia Woolf used to sit under these very trees. It’s deck chairs and dappled light, long conversations and simple pleasures. Coffee or tea paired with scones here, under the apple trees, is a kind of peace you don’t often find.
Harvey & Co, Rendlesham and Vida.Haus, Suffolk
Rendlesham is one of those spots I always recommend to anyone heading out for a day in nature. Just outside Woodbridge and right near Rendlesham Forest, Harvey & Co is a proper stop-off. Whether you’re fuelling up before a hike or swinging by for a pastry and coffee after a morning in the trees. Everything’s baked fresh on site, from sourdough loaves to buttery viennoiserie, toasties and brunch favourites. Their second café at Vida.Haus brings the same flavour to a more contemporary, wellness-focused setting.
Share your coffee moments with us
This summer, we’re celebrating memorable coffee moments. Whether it’s from a café, out on the road, or in your own back garden, we want to see it. It’s also a small way to celebrate independent businesses and support local.
Post a photo, reel or story on Instagram and tag @butterworths. We’re picking weekly winners all summer long. Each winner will receive a bag of our seasonal Summer Coffee.
Butterworth & Son coffee roasters and tea smiths are based on Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds
Owner Rob Butterworth’s job takes him around the world visiting coffee farmers to source great coffees
Visit butterworthandson.co.uk