Quaint and traditional - that's how I'd sum up Refectory Coffee Shop. Tucked away in the City United Reformed Church off Windsor Place, this charming little diner is the perfect hideaway for enjoying a coffee or quick bite to eat before work.
With its muted colour schemes, low lighting and austere furnishings, Refectory Coffee Shop reminds me of what Thatcher-era Britain would have been like, and I mean that in the most complimentary way - I tire of glossy, contemporary chain coffee shops (that means you, Costa, Starbucks, and Cafe Nero), and often search for good ol' home-style food at modest prices.
The ladies who man the shop are absolutely lovely. Not sure how busy it gets in the early hours and around lunchtime, but around 10 am, it was a quiet haven from the surrounding bustle of Queen Street, as a few patrons flipped through their daily newspaper and enjoyed cups of tea with their meals. read more