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

No music, definitely not a kids play area - that's for fast food restaurants not nice tea shops - pretty china, clean tables, strong coffee, good tea in a pot that doesn't spill over the table.

Food that isn't all cakes and pastries. It's really hard to find tea shops that sell things other than heavy carbs.

Good luck OP.

but they were both marvellous, one that suggested the other one, and the other one for providing the service.

Food that isn't bread, cake, quiche, pastry etc - I.e. something that is protein and veg. Like Pret salmon or chicken salads.

I'm not coeliac but I can't tolerate bread or cake or anything heavy-carb-based like that. So often with family and friends I have to sit there with just a cup of coffee while they eat cakes or sandwiches.

I'd love fish, chicken, salad type things.

Definitely no dogs inside.

Much prefer table service to standing at a counter.

A lot of high chairs, buggies and big family groups would put me off.

Why? And why would a park be quiet? Surely that is one place you can respect noise from kids. Some people have noisy neighbours too. I really wish there were more quiet public places. Even libraries near me are not quiet! They are more like crèches 😭

That wouldn't really be a tea shop though, would it?
I associate tea shops with a place to meet someone for a quick cuppa and chat over a slice of cake or a tea cake, or somewhere to go to after a day out just to have a quick sit down and refresh.

In your position, since you say it's happening often, I would think my family and friends would choose somewhere that offers cakes etc and salads/light meals e.g. a cafe.

I agree about no music, it is really annoying.

Loads of people on this thread have suggested omelettes, scrambled eggs, salad, soup, etc. Not sure why you object to my suggestions but not all the others!

It just happens to be the post I read as I was scrolling through MN at a time when I can reply, not just read. Please don't take it personally.

Cheese scones.

@43ontherocksporfavor no, asking for a manicure or a troup of dancing dogs is unrealistic. No music or quiet music in a tea shop is not!

Fair enough, but if you do read the thread, I was just the most recent in a long list of posters making similar suggestions.

I wouldn't stop a whole group from going somewhere just because I couldn't n eat there. It's not a rare experience for me, unfortunately. Many pizza places, sandwich shops, places like Costa etc don't cater at all for people who don't want/can't eat bread, cake, and so on.

Funnily enough old style cafes (that do mugs of tea and egg and chips etc) often do have some nice, if basic, non-bready options (eg omelette, tuna or chicken salad, etc)

I will confess to not having read all 29 pages, but even just on P1, it just shows that what appeals to one person puts another right off

Just do what appeals to you (but I do agree about not ruining a lovely coffee cake with walnuts, nor ruining scones with dried fruit )

Perhaps you could open a niche place for gluten-free vegans with large, noisy families, who hate dogs and love loud music? You could serve coffee and savouries.

Then the rest of us could go to the tea shop

My ideal, not everyone's admittedly - Dog friendly, where the dogs have bedding you can borrow, biscuits, water bowls, and lots of fuss.
Decent coffee and home made cake.
We found a place just like this on holiday and I've said when I retire, I'd love to do exactly this, have my small dog friendly cafe by the sea!

Space, some places cram you in so it's a struggle to get into a seat

Fine bone China cups and saucers, unmatching and vintage is fine and quite cute for a tea shop. good tea, no catering tea, Taylor’s of Harrogate at the minimum or regional equivalent. Proper teapot, not a metal one. Nice cakes, home made and generous portion. Toasted currant tea cakes.

Whoever said carpets and table cloths has never ran a tea room - totally impractical for cleaning ditto real napkins. Also hot chocolate using real chocolate isn’t really doable unless you have a lot of cooker space which is generally at a premium if you do breakfasts, soup etc. I do think locally sourced produce is important now.

Also hot chocolate using real chocolate isn’t really doable unless you have a lot of cooker space which is generally at a premium if you do breakfasts, soup e

It can be made in the mug/glass.

Plain scones are so boring, but then I also love walnuts! 😂 You just need to have a variety - you will never please everyone.

I’m outraged at the coffee but no walnuts comments. Coffee and walnut cake rules.

Space for prams

Walnuts are evil. They taste of paint.

A good range of loose-leaf teas, served in teapots which pour well, with a tea strainer, a jug of cold milk if required and, importantly, an additional pot of hot water to add to the second cup you pour, in case it has over-brewed. All the best tea shops do this.

No music, definitely not a kids play area - that's for fast food restaurants not nice tea shops.

I agree. Also, no UHT milk, under any circumstances.

Gluten free! We’re hardly ever catered for safely and it’s so upsetting. Coeliacs matter too! 😆