What do you want from a teashop?

[littleteapotandcake]

I'm at the very early stages of looking at taking over a teashop in a small seaside town. I would interested in finding out what you like or don't like when you visit or any advice from anyone who has done/is running a teashop now. TIA

Good coffee!
Proper napkins
Variety of vegan options
Nice loos and baby changing facilities

I love mismatched china and old slouchy arm chairs.
A tea pot instead of a tea bag.
Homemade cakes traditional and modern in big sizes!
Make Mum's feel very welcome, particularly new mum's who are off and can come regularly I apologised once for my daughter getting muffin over the floor the owner said that's what they are paid for and I'm not to worry.

A good barista. Home made cakes, comfy seating. Free newspapers. Not full of people working on laptops nursing one cup all day and taking up tables for 4.

. Home made cakes. Great service. Nice crockery.

Gluten free cake options so I can enjoy it with my family

Maybe a book shelf or lending library too

I'm living abroad at the moment and the thing they do well here is a small play area for children in many of their coffee shops. It makes such a difference as kids do not like sitting still and I do!

I'm assuming a lot of their toys are just from thrift shops but it's enough to distract the little ones while I sit in peace.

As for a teashop, real china plates & cups (mismatched) makes the tea so much nicer and a really good selection of cake. Smaller cakes for the children or those who don't like to eat as much and a massive wedge for me!

Good luck with the business. A teashop and a cavery Sunday dinner are the things I'm missing most about being away 😄

Choice of fruit or not fruit scone
Tea pots/ coffee pots
If slouchy arm chairs - ensure they are cleaned down the cracks. 😵‍💫

Coffee cake. No walnuts :)

Proper portions of cream and jam if you're serving cream teas.

YY to vegan sandwich fillings. Doesn't have to be anything too exotic, but something like houmous and salad or roasted peppers would be a good option for everyone. Make sure any spread is vegan too, of course. A couple of vegan cake items would be good for customers with dairy and egg allergies too.

Oh and dog friendly, you'll get the dog walkers all winter then.

Clear the tables, wipe them down and wipe the floor regularly please. Nothing more off-putting than used crockery, cutlery and sticky tables.

Space between the tables too, I don't want to be a witness to the table next to me's personal conversations.

Cheese scones

Tea in a tea pot.
Home made cakes.
If there are scones, several types of jam, butter and clotted (never whipped) cream on offer.

Gluten free options!
A collection of kids books or some colouring that they can be distracted by
Weird and wonderful ornaments

Cheese free savory options, lighter lunch option. Teapots, decent cake, friendly service.

And an above post has reminded me, no dogs indoors. (Allergies)

Decent size cups, don't mind paying a good amount for a coffee but feel out out when it arrives in a tiny little cup.

Homemade cakes, quiche, toasties, salads, open sandwiches.

Newspapers and magazines to read.
No high stools or benches to sit on, has to be comfortable chairs or nice sofas.

Specials board to tempt me in when I've tried everything on the menu.

Not too hot and definitely not too cold.

If dogs are allowed they must be kept on the floor. I'll leave a place if I go in and dogs are sat up on chairs or owners laps up at the table, it's vile.

Sugar cubes (hate the sachets)
Proper teacups
Jugs for milk

Gluten free options which are stored and prepared safely to reduce any risks of cross-contact. It's so frustrating when somewhere offers GF and you turn up all hopeful and find GF cakes next to non-GF or supposedly GF stuff cooked in the same fryer as non-GF. If you can't offer safely then don't offer!

It doesn't have to be! Not everyone wants wet dog next to their cake and tea !!!

Or any dogs for that matter. Outside tables for dog people.

Definitely no dogs. Places that don't allow dogs are getting rarer.

I have my own dogs so not a dog hater before anyone says that, I just want to go out and eat somewhere without animals everywhere.

Clear allergy labelling and a willingness to allow children with allergies to eat their own food in the cafe along with other paying guests if their needs can't be catered to.

Warm and cosy. I hate it when cafes leave the door open and you’re sitting inside with your coat on

Fresh cakes and not everything out of a packet - had a disappointing tea with the clotted cream in a plastic tub, butter in packets, the scones cold.
Mismatched china is fine but make it pretty, not like you've collected a few school cast offs. Charity shops are full of pretty china.
Hot hot tea, with generous amount of milk and extra hot water. Fresh cakes and pastries, scones. Nicely laid tables.
If you are going for a sea theme make it classy, not tacky.