The Café Racer, Salthouse, Norfolk
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 A special entry to mark this blog's 61st description of a cosy coffee shop (any excuse). This time - for the first time - it's not a coffee shop but a fabulous van. |
The Café Racer wanders the North Norfolk coast, but is found most days at Salthouse beach, near Cley. It is a beautiful Citroën 2CV, bought by the owner complete with gas-powered coffee machine. It's all very romantic... perfect for a sumptuously hot mid-summer Saturday.
The driver/owner/barista told me this is a full time job. Sitting on the beach working out how many cups this friendly chap has to sell to pay his way, I realised how deserving he is of an entry in this meagre blog. What a gutsy plan, and how pleased I am that little vans like this not only exist but thrive. Surely this kind of venture hasn't been possible since the days of blacksmiths and weavers?
In fact coffee vans (and carts) are popping up around the country, with a number of companies offering to turn ordinary vehicles into something that produces a good cuppa.
There are no chairs and few typical coffee shop comforts. But what you get is a friendly face, good hearty coffee freshly ground in the van (provided by local Norwich firm Wilkinsons) and, surely, the best view of any of the preceding 60 establishments listed here.
Café Racer
(no fixed abode, but regularly at Salthouse beach)
North Norfolk coast
6 Comments
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Welcome to Cosy Coffee Shops, a blog dedicated to seeking out terrific independent coffee houses. Some are particularly comfy and relaxing, some serve outstanding coffee, some have both. Most serve drinks that are ethically sourced (for example, Fairtrade). We've visited everywhere at least once. Read more about this blog...
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We're back in Norfolk in June so will be trying his coffee again and will report back with total honesty.
The best coffee, the best service, one of the best locations in Norfolk. Who could ask for more. I've had many cups of hot flavoursome coffee from this van in all weathers.Visit and try some for yourself.
I saw this coffee van parked on the outskirsts of Holt in 2006 so my wife and I stopped for and bought two lattes . I'm sorry but it was a total disappointment; the coffee was bland and the milk had been steamed to boiling so we both got burnt tongues! It was so bad that we drove a little way along from there, stopped the car and threw the coffee in a bin. Maybe the owner was having a bad day? Despite this, next time we are in the area we may pluck up the courage and try another one in the hope that it has improved.
The best coffee to be had any where in Norfolk, I visit Julian the owner on a very regular basis. Please visit him at Salthouse, one of the nicest and most genuine people I have the pleasure of meeting.
On a bright and blusty day, whilst visiting my Aunt in Holt, we visited Salthouse and I had a riving cup of coffee on the beach. Friendly service and beautiful location.
Hey Tom, great entry, What a lovely little place Norfolk is with such romantic little things as coffee vans on deserted beaches. it makes me want to go home! beautiful! i love your photo of the landscape in the background with the van in the car park. its lovely. you are quite the photographer these days mate!