It’s hard not to get excited about a good cup of coffee and a cake. The UK has become a nation of coffee lovers in recent years. According to the British Coffee Association, we drink around 55 million cups of coffee per day – that’s a lot of ‘Joe’!
It seems North Wales has caught the coffee bug too. More and more quirky, local, coffee shops are opening up across the region, each a thriving and growing success story.
But what is it that draws us to into independent coffee shops?
They give us the opportunity to sit back and chill out, watch the world go by, chat with friends, indulge in a good book, or even catch up with work – all whilst enjoying a great coffee made with quality roasted coffee beans and a professional Italian espresso machine. You just can’t beat it.
Dotted along our bustling high streets, hidden away in country villages, and all within easy reach of the stops along the Conwy Valley Railway, you’ll find an amazing selection of North Wales’s finest local coffee shops.
Here’s our pick of the Conwy Valley’s coolest coffee shops. It goes without saying they’ve got great coffee, great conversation and great settings, too.
DUE TO LOCAL LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS, SOME VENDORS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED OR OPERATING LIMITED OPENING HOURS. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE VISITING.
Providero Fine Teas & Coffees
112 Mostyn Street, Llandudno
Providero started life as a small, mobile coffee business in an old Citroen van, before getting its first high street outlet in Llandudno Junction back in 2014.
A proven success and a hit with the locals, the Providero team raised £30,000 via a kickstarter campaign to set up a second shop in the seaside town of Llandudno. The team’s mission is simple: to bring gourmet coffee and the finest loose leaf teas to North Wales. We think they’re doing a fabulous job!
The setting is contemporary and stylish – it’s true to say that Providero just oozes cool. Providero coffee is made from freshly roasted Heartland Coffi beans (another thriving local business) and their freshly baked cakes and light bites are incredibly moreish.
The Olive Grove Deli & Cafe
81 Station Road, Deganwy
Got a dog with you and fancy a coffee? Head to the Olive Grove Deli & Cafe in Deganwy. This family-run dog-friendly coffee bar and delicatessen is close to Deganwy station – they serve a good cup of coffee with a selection of speciality flavours and syrups.
Plus, if you’re in the area, it’s a great place to grab lunch or brunch. Their homemade paninis and breakfasts are rated by locals, made with locally sourced meat from nearby Anglesey. Gluten and dairy-free cakes are available, so there’s something to suit everyone.
L’s Coffee & Co, Llandudno Junction & Conwy
71B Conway Road, Llandudno Junction & 7 High Street, Conwy
L’s Coffee & Co was established in 2010 and is owned by husband and wife team Lisa and Gaz. Both branches serve Fair Trade coffee and tasty cakes. They have a light food menu to satisfy every craving, from snacks (think breaded garlic mushrooms and dip) to a range of paninis and wraps for lunch – but the coffees and smoothies steal the show.
Just a few minutes walk from the train station in Junction, get to L’s between 3pm and 4pm where you can buy 2 coffees and get a free piece of cake. The Conwy branch has a lovely bright outside courtyard which is great for a chilled out summer afternoon.L’s is super dog-friendly, and they often have treats to give to their fluffy customers, too!
Caffi Contessa, Llanrwst
Ancaster Square, Llanrwst
The go-to for coffee in the centre of Llanrwst? Caffi Contessa, of course! A real friendly, local cafe, it serves up delicious, freshly brewed cups of coffee and flavoured speciality teas.
If you’re hungry, they do a great value breakfast (including a great vegetarian option) and home cooked meals. Their tea cakes are raved about online and we’re not surprised – they really are to die for!
Alpine Coffee Shop, Betws-y-Coed
Station Approach, Snowdonia National Park, Betws-y-Coed
The Alpine Coffee Shop is a cafe with a cause. Supporting an endangered-ape charity in Cameroon through profits raised and donations made at the shop, your americano will be making a difference!
Alpine serve palm-oil free, tasty coffee, loose leaf teas, smoothies and homemade, free-range food. You’ll also be able to check out their permanent art exhibition which shows photographs and oil paintings to showcase the issue of apes in crisis.
We love Alpine Coffee and have so much support for the tremendous difference they’re making to these magnificent creatures – make sure you pop in for a cup of coffee and cake to support a great cause.
Isallt Coffee Shop, Blaenau Ffestiniog
39 Church Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog
For a brew with a view, visit Isallt Coffee Shop. Perched just above Blaenau Ffestiniog train station, the cafe terrace has breathtaking views of the mountains and quarries that surround the town.
They serve up home-made cakes, lunches, juices and great quality slow brew coffee. Prices are reasonable, the food is great and the setting is spectacular – what more could you ask for?
Those are our favourite coffee stops along the Conwy Valley Railway line but we’d love to know about yours – share your favourite refuelling spots on our Facebook or Twitter pages.