Cafe 21

4.5 ( 273 reviews )
Checking... 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM See Hours
£10–20
21 Trinity St, Colchester CO1 1JN, United Kingdom
+44 1206 626646

Cafe 21 is a delightful haven tucked away at 21 Trinity St, Colchester, and it has rapidly become a local favorite. The ambiance is charming, with lovely outdoor seating amidst greenery, making it perfect for a respite during your day. Customers rave about the diverse menu options, which cater to various dietary preferences, including plenty of vegan and gluten-free choices. Signature dishes, such as the welsh rarebit and jacket potatoes with coronation chicken, have garnered high praise for their flavor and portion sizes.

Reviewers like Laurie Maclean highlight the friendly and attentive staff, who contribute significantly to the welcoming atmosphere, encouraging patrons to return frequently. The cafe’s commitment to quality is reflected in the delicious food served at reasonable prices—an impressive feat in today's dining landscape. The enthusiasm for their lovely teas and indulgent desserts, notably the strawberry heaven waffles, adds to Cafe 21's appeal.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch like the tuna flatbread or enjoying a lazy afternoon with friends, Cafe 21 offers an experience that makes you feel valued. This charming cafe is sure to become a cherished spot for anyone visiting Colchester.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • No wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves coffee
    • Has free water refills
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Brunch reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For Cafe 21

Laurie Maclean
Jul 3,2025
I've lived in Colchester most my life, so I'm annoyed that I just recently found this absolute gem! So in the last month we have visited 4 times as I don't think I'd get better elsewhere! Lovely menu with plenty of different options and I'm making my way through the lovely teas. The food we have received has been just perfect and delicious. Pretty outside seating and also lovely inside. And the absolute kicker is the value, so much good quality food for a very reasonable price. We won't go anywhere else now and also the lovely staff who are so welcoming and friendly. Lovely young girl always asks what we are up to for the rest of the day and she genuinely seems interested, absolutely wonderful thanks for making our weekends just perfect!
K19 Singh
May 19,2025
Amazing food. Great friendly place
Louise Ring
Apr 30,2025
This cafe has a lovely garden with shady areas. The staff are all very welcoming and attentive. We had a quick lunch (tuna flatbread and tuna jacket potato) which were both great and good value.
Saran Vj
Apr 21,2025
It’s a lovely place with a very cozy environment, and the food portion sizes are good. The customer service is very friendly. The only disappointment was that the breakfast beans portion size was too small, with only 2 tablespoons. Apart from that, everything is good.
Ari Senthil
Apr 14,2025
This cafe is by far the best one in town centre. The waiting times for a table aren't that long and I usually get served promptly. The staff are quite friendly and accommodating as well. The barista with the stretched septum makes lovely coffee! It has a wide range of vegan and gluten free options that cater to customers' dietary needs and preferences. I'd recommend the welsh rarebit and jacket potatoes with coronation chicken. The dessert menu is quite lush as well, especially the strawberry heaven waffles.
Annet Kachaenko
Apr 6,2025
I ate homemade lasagna and salad with salmon. I drank a cappuccino without caffeine. I liked everything very much. Friendly and smiling waiters, food is prepared very quickly, which is a fundamentally important factor for me.
Wiebo Grobler
Mar 31,2025
Been here a couple of times. In summer the back garden area is lovely. The staff is friendly and the food fresh and tasty. They always have some delicious quiches on offer. We sat inside this time round and had full English breakfast which was delicious and very filling. Coffee was also a decent size unlike some places. Staff is very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended.
Natasha Mills
Mar 9,2025
Enjoyed a delicious lunch here in the pretty little garden, shaded from the hot mid day sun. The staff were supper attentive and our order was ready very quickly. The food was really good and reasonably priced. I especially enjoyed the smoothie. Would definitely come back here, a real little gem.

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