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Oranges & Lemons is a charming café nestled in the serene locale of East Bergholt, Colchester. This hidden gem is renowned for its exceptional home-cooked meals and a delightful atmosphere that captures the essence of cozy dining. Visitors rave about the Full English breakfast, praised for its perfect cooking and generous portions, as noted by eager patrons like Vicky Batchelor. The quality of their coffee also stands out, served at the ideal temperature with a variety of alternative milks that cater to diverse preferences.
Lunch options, described as “amazing” by Alan B, come out swiftly, embodying efficiency without sacrificing taste. The goats cheese and beetroot salad, highlighted by Jayne Rowley-Evans, is not just a meal but an experience—worthy of any upscale restaurant. Desserts, particularly the cakes, are consistently described as “to die for”—a must-try for anyone visiting.
While the atmosphere remains inviting, some guests like Irina C have noted occasional lapses in staff attentiveness, which could be refined during future visits. Nonetheless, the overall vibe remains warm and welcoming, making Oranges & Lemons a perfect spot for a casual gathering or a relaxing brunch with friends. The adjoining shop adds to its charm, offering cute items that complement the café experience.
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Amenities & More
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Reviews for Oranges & Lemons
Review highlights
Based on 472 reviewsOranges & Lemons is widely regarded as a charming and cozy café, nestled in a quiet corner of East Bergholt. Reviewers frequently praise the consistently high quality of home-cooked food, highlighting generous portions and dishes that range from satisfying full English breakfasts to restaurant-worthy salads and exceptional cakes. The café’s inviting and relaxed atmosphere is another common highlight, supported by friendly, polite staff who generally provide prompt service, even during busy periods. Additionally, the on-site shop offers a pleasant shopping experience that complements visits. While most guests appreciate the attentive nature of the team, occasional feedback notes moments when staff appeared distracted, suggesting room for improvement in attentiveness. Overall, Oranges & Lemons is celebrated for its delightful ambiance, tasty homemade offerings, and welcoming environment, earning it a reputation as a local favorite worth revisiting.
What a hidden gem!!! Best cooked breakfast we’ve had for a long time. Portions were spot on! We both had the Full English for a late brunch on a rainy day and everything was cooked to perfection. The cafe itself is a delight! Coffee ..... absolutely perfect temperature and great quality with a selection of alternative milks available. Highly recommend!!
Amazing experience, although they were very busy nothing was too much trouble in finding us a seat and then going through the menu. Our cooked lunch was served within 5 minutes of ordering. We certainly rate this as No1 in the local area and we hope to make many other visits to taste more of there home made cooking.
Oranges & Lemons is a lovely little hidden gem in a quiet area of East Bergholt with home cooked food. The goats cheese and beetroot salad was restaurant worthy and the cakes are to die for. Never a disappointment whenever I go a lovely friendly place to meet with friends plus the shop is an added bonus.
Food was soooooo good! And the atmosphere was lovely and chill. The staff were very quick and polite and the shop has the cutest things!
Nice place.Very cosy. The food is good.Lovely cakes. Staff were friendly but weren't very attentive. My friends and I had to look for staff to get some attention on 2 occasions , they were too busy talking to each other. There were at least 3 of them in a shop. Hopefully, staff will be more attentive next time I go there.
A delightful old fashioned tea shop/cafe plus an assortment of decorative finds and some gorgeous clothing. It is a must visit if you're in the area for coffee & cake or something more substantial. The "gifts" are the sort of things you want to treat yourself with - I bought a gorgeous little tortoise that fits onto a plant pot
This cafe's great quality food is one thing, but the atmosphere and staff are something that does need mentioning as well! We felt extremely welcomed, and really well looked after; food and coffees were amazing. Highly recommend a visit for full english or veggie version- both are fab!
This is a gorgeous place to eat and chatter with friends... Food is super scrummy!! And as you enter the cafe you are greeted with a lovely shop with lots of beautiful things... You can also purchase plants and garden statues....... This is a Must Do if you are in or near this location...... I will definitely be visiting again before I go back home to Australia
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Quick info
Opening hours
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday (Today) 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Wednesday 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Thursday 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Friday 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday Closed
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