What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Loft
Review
About
The Loft is a modern tearoom with a vintage vibe! It is located in an Edwardian sail loft in the coastal village of Tollesbury in Essex. As well as serving freshly ground coffee and loose leaf teas, we provide freshly home cooked food and delicious cakes. We ensure to have at least one gluten/dairy free/vegan option. We use local ingredients wherever possible. One of the endearing features of Tollesbury is the tide that can be very high and can reach the steps of the tearoom (don't worry there is a side entrance) so you may need to check the tide time if you park your car close by!
Features
CUISINES
British, Contemporary, Diner
Meal types
Lunch, Brunch, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Beach
Digital Payments
Dog Friendly
Family style
Free Wifi
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Takeout
Visa
Waterfront
Is this a diner?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 3:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 - 15:00
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11:00 - 15:00
Friday
11:00 - 15:00
Saturday
11:00 - 15:00
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4.8
208 reviews
Excellent
177
Very good
24
Average
3
Poor
4
Terrible
0
Christine M
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • friends
What a charming, welcoming place this is. We were served after seating and had a lovely freshly made soup with crusty bread and butter, followed by a slice of delicious home made bread pudding. The ambience was set off by two children quietly playing a game in the corner and two more couples who had been walking on the sea wall. The owner even gave a couple’s dog a treat, making time for a leisurely chat in the meantime. Overall a great experience in the lovely village of Tollesbury. I will definitely return.
Written 26 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michael b
United Kingdom22 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
We chanced upon The Loft during a Sunday afternoon at Tollesbury, in need of refreshment after a wonderful lengthy walk along the sea wall. We ordered a mug of tea each and shared a slice of fruit cake. Prompt service by the efficient and personable staff was complemented by the rustic, comfortable and ornate interior. The tea really hit the spot, freshly brewed and of the strength that we like. The fruit cake was quite delicious, moist and with the even distribution of fruit one would hope for; the lovely proprietress confirmed that it was home made, as are many of the other delicacies on offer in the interesting and somewhat ambitious menu.
The Loft is a real gem, a small scale outfit in which the owners genuinely take pride, and rightly so in view of the lovely experience we enjoyed.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah O
London36 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
Lisa and Dave are so inviting that you could easily bask in their cosy, warm and friendly surroundings all day long. They truly create a very special place, somewhere that stays in your mind and sticks to your heart. Their food is fantastic. I find a small savoury selection is a true sign of a confident master chef. The patties are the very best I’ve tasted, the cheesey scone was delicious and the soup was packed with flavour! The cake selection is phenomenal - even if you are full, take a mini selection of treats or a slice of cake home otherwise you will regret it! I fondly dream of a pattie, a good ol’mug of tea, whilst soaking up the warmth of love and soft reggae music that exudes from The Loft.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa goddard
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review, we are so chuffed that you love it all as much as we love providing it. We are blessed to have the customers that we do, and so grateful that you would take the time to let everyone else know about us!! Thank you x
Written 24 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julia E
United Kingdom6 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
You would be mad not to go! Lovely is a bit weak to describe this hidden gem. Choose a mug of tea and a home made sausage roll that comes with a free squish with the cafe hound. Brilliant place
Written 11 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa goddard
What a lovely review! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Written 13 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter C
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
The Loft provided a fantastic spread of food and the use of their room for our family birthday celebration. Ample savouries for all tastes and delicious cakes for 12 hungry adults and 9 children. Nothing was too much trouble for David and Lisa. Highly recommended and look forward to returning to the Loft not least to sample their sausage rolls.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Thank you so much, it was a pleasure to meet you all. A lovely day was had by everyone!
Written 25 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Naughty_Pink
Essex5 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
I LOVE this place.. everything about it is just wonderful. The couple who run it are friendly, its homely, its quirky, its vintage & retro. When its quiet (a rarity!) we go through the vinyl & play records. Conversation flows throughout the place as its so open. The micro menu is divine but don’t expect main stream anything.. its like a kitchen from home.. relaxed & sometimes when customers finish a cake, that one may no longer be on the menu. Its what happens when a chef is good at what they do & everything is homemade. Chose something else.. be flexible. If its busy, be patient. This is a place I take as many of my friends to as I can because it is 5* always ❤️ and its dog friendly
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie168
Hertfordshire30 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
We had the most superb salt beef bagels , beautiful cakes and well made coffees accompanied by a very warm welcome.
It was simply perfect. We would heartily recommend The Loft where you can indeed have tea by the sea.
Written 28 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Thank you so much for your lovely review, hope to see you again soon!
Written 6 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catherine R
Chelmsford6 contributions
Mar 2024 • family
Relaxing laid back cafe. Lisa and Dave are so welcoming. Even Marvin the resident dog didn't mind daring his dog biscuits. New York Bagel is so tasty. Excellent selection of home made cakes.
Written 24 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia
London6 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Have visited The Loft many times, good atmosphere and great food, freshly prepared not the place to go if you want a quick meal. Last Thursday took friends for lunch ordered drinks, mackerel pate & sandwiches. Hot drinks arrived promptly but one hour later we still had not received our meals and although we had warned our friends the service was slow, over an hours wait was really too much considering it wasn't busy. Please, please improve on your service otherwise you will loose your regular customers who really love what you are doing at The Loft !
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaTheLoft
Patricia, I am so disappointed to hear this, we pride ourselves on preparing all food to order to maintain optimum freshness and quality. The staff that were working that day have no recollection of there being a long wait and were unaware that you were unhappy with their service. I can only apologise, hope to see you again soon.
Written 25 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
H9979PJrobertw
25 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Visited The Loft for the first time and had a lovely friendly welcome from Rosie when we arrived. The coffee was full of flavour and the breakfast rolls freshly cooked by Dave and tasted delicious. The service from Rosie was excellent throughout and we will definitely return again soon.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fourtyromantic
9 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
Friendly cafe with amazing artwork covering the walls. Relaxed slow service which allows time for conversation, admiring the views and artwork.
Everyone's food in our group was marvellous. I don't really want to let the world know as I may not be able to get a table in the future !
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa goddard
What a lovely review, you've summed up perfectly what we strive to achieve! Thank you
Written 25 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bradders500
Brentwood2 contributions
Mar 2020 • couples
Popped into The Loft just before closing today and had the most scrumptious freshly prepared mackerel pate with thick granary toast and a very welcoming side salad, homemade coleslaw and selection of crudites.
Absolutely delicious. You must go and try it.
GAB 3rd March 2020
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthStar817818
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • family
Had coffee and cake. Lovely, so bought a selection home for the family. Really good. Different options than you might find elsewhere. Gluten free and vegan options as well. Orange and almond, apple and cinnamon, Lemon and turmeric (lovely - who knew that was a good combination). We live in Colchester so not too far away. Will definitely be back.
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AliH8691
666 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
We came just after they'd closed for the day but they still kindly did us tea and cakes which were really good. The man and lady running this cafe seemed lovely people...really accommodating. They even organused the sunshine! 🌞 Very much hope to return.
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
Thank you so much, we look forward to seeing you again!
Written 6 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark C
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Friendly, quirky, fabulous cakes and light lunches. Best little care/tea shop in Essex! The decor is retro, with delightfully mis-matched 60' and 70's cups and saucers. Classy backgrouns music from an original "Dansette" record player. Love it!
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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