The Square Orange, Keswick

The Square Orange is plucked straight from continental Europe and plonked in the most English of settings - the Lake District.  It is clearly inspired by the café culture of France and Italy, offering time to sit with a coffee or a cool draft beer. 

The only thing missing is an old frenchman smoking away in the corner (not that that would be allowed today, even in France). 

The coffee is very good (I had a latte).  It comes from Absolute Coffee, a roastery I am not particularly familiar with (although I know of the owner Youri, who has been kind enough to recommend a few places on the readers' recommendations page).

There are fresh pastries available and the daily papers.  There are also plenty of board games, including chess, Pictionary and Connect 4, the last of which kept my partner and me occupied for some time.

There are also options for a cooked lunch, focussing on "stonebaked pizzas".  Despite the food and the alcohol, this still feels very much like a coffee shop (if it didn't, it wouldn't be in this blog). 

On doing my usual pre-visit research I noticed a second and larger Square Orange in Kendal.  However, on writing this entry (about a month later) I couldn't find any mention of it, and must assume - sadly - that it has closed down.

If that's the case then it's a real pity, because the Square Orange in Keswick (the only one remaining) is a friendly, relaxing and welcoming place.  We very much enjoyed killing an hour or two here. 

A very decent coffee shop which I am delighted to recommend.

Keswick Square Orange
20 St. John's Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5AS

Website: http://www.thesquareorange.co.uk/