The Commons Community Kitchen and Cafe at The Minories

One of my favourite Colchester cafés - nice bright indoor space, art on the walls, with small children's area with crayons etc. Outside has a lovely spacious garden. Very kid friendly, food is great, prices reasonable.

Art gallery is exceptional, but the food is not up to the same level. Portions were small, salad undressed and the kids pasta was inedible. Really overpriced too, such a shame.

A great place to have a breakfast or lunch. Very pleasant staff and good quality food. Although in the town centre it is still quiet in the garden. Best thing about it is the chance to buy Wilkin and Son preserves especially the ones that you don't tend to find in the supermarkets.

I usually love Tiptree tea rooms, but this one let's the side down, regularly! Visited at the end of Feb on a Saturday afternoon at 2.10pm. Was ignored for ages so sat myself down where I pleased. I had observed that there were a few customers sat outside, as the weather was nice. When I eventually saw someone at the counter I went up to place my order. There didn't seem to be many staff, possibly 3, and they all appeared a bit frazzled. I asked if I could order a sandwich and was told 'no, only cakes and scones'. I accepted this as they had probably had a busy lunchtime, however an apology would have helped. But, I was astounded when the same person went to a table that had just arrived and took an order for hot food! Someone needs to organise this tearoom a little better, as they then told every successive customer there was no food at all, just drinks. As they don't close til 4pm, there must gave been a shortfall in the days takings. I can appreciate that they may have run short after a busy lunch, but with better stock ordering and understanding of their footfall patterns, they would have managed better.

The Minories Gallery has a long, important & very intrinsic history in the Colchester arts scene. Well worth a visit to see it's seasonally changing displays, ranging from sculpture, traditional painting to digital media, & concerts. The adjoining garden cafe & folly summerhouse should also not be missed. On the wall of the main gallery building is an official Blue Plaque, dedicated to the town's first female doctor & founder member of Colchester Arts Society, Ruth Bensusan-Butt...