Caffè Aurora, Holbeach

With summer in full swing, it’s time to get out and about in the countryside to discover the wealth of tea and coffee shops Lincolnshire has to offer. We recently paid a visit to Caffè Aurora in the market town of Holbeach.
Opened just 18 months before our visit, this modern café, popular for its selection of homemade cakes, biscuits, savouries and all round range of desserts, is already well-known for offering customers a friendly face and a welcoming chat.

Cormac and Sophie O’Hara own and run the business, which has a sophisticated but true café themed interior. Decorated by ex-hotelier and owner Cormac himself, this is a place of colour, comfort and cleanliness. We paid our visit on a rainy day, so the establishment was like a ray of sunshine. As soon as we entered we were met by the cozy atmosphere and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. My colleague and I were shown straight to our table, reserved next to a window with a delicate display of coffee, teas and teacups, fitting perfectly with the overall theme and appearance of the café.

We were offered a quick tour of the café and shown the counter, which presented the specials and soup of the day, along with the selection of homemade cakes and desserts. Rather than being given a menu or made to stand and look up to a wall menu, we were handed a unique board displaying the variety of sandwiches, milkshakes, toasties and drinks available. A small yet memorable personal touch by the café. It’s the little things that make a difference.

With a fresh pot of tea and a latte, we sat down to browse the choices of lunch and breakfast foods. Being a big fan of breakfast myself, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all breakfast items were served throughout the day. A café after my own heart! After much deliberation I chose a chicken, bacon, tomato and Italian herb panini served with homemade coleslaw, and my colleague chose a sweet chilli chicken and cheese panini with coleslaw. We were both happy with our meals, both of which were tasty and filling: perfect for a weekday lunch. Everything is freshly made in the Caffè Aurora kitchen.

When we had finished the meal, we were joined by the owner and manager of the business for a quick chat, giving us time to prepare for dessert. After a good natter, a drink and my hard thinking about which cake looked the best (a very difficult choice) we both chose our preferred sweet treat meeting other customers whilst doing so.

Many customers are known to travel from far and wide for a slice or three of cheesecake and a cup of hot coffee. A recommendation from the “cheesecake lady” solidified my choice of strawberry peanut crunch cheesecake while my fellow diner opted for the Rolo cheesecake. Both indulgent and a lovely end to a tasty meal.

Quickly becoming one of the region’s favourite places to meet, Caffè Aurora already boasts a Certificate of Excellence and 5-star review rating from TripAdvisor, a 5-star rating from Facebook reviews and a 5-star rating for Food Hygiene.

For a delightful lunch which is excellent value, this high-quality family business is well worth a visit.

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