Brightlingsea Cafe Lido

Promenade Way, Brightlingsea, Colchester CO7 0HH, United Kingdom
$$$ Cafe
(45 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Welcome to Brightlingsea Cafe Lido, an inviting spot nestled along the picturesque Promenade Way in Brightlingsea, Colchester. This charming cafe perfectly blends the warmth of a local gathering place with the delightful flavors of homemade fare, making it an ideal destination for those looking to indulge in casual yet satisfying dining while soaking in serene views of the lido.

At Brightlingsea Cafe Lido, you'll discover a relaxed atmosphere complemented by friendly service that creates a sense of community. Customers often rave about the cafe’s cozy seating, both inside and out, making it a perfect brunch spot after a refreshing walk by the water. The cafe's decor captures a light and airy feel, ideal for those sunny days when you want to embrace the delightful seaside ambiance.

The menu at Brightlingsea Cafe Lido is a delightful selection of classic cafe fare, highlighted by scrummy cakes, freshly prepared rolls, and creative vegan options, catering to all dietary preferences. Many patrons have praised the cafe's scrumptious cakes, particularly the bread pudding and lemon drizzle, which are a must-try for any dessert lover. Diners can also enjoy hearty choices like the cheese and onion toastie, generously filled and prepared to perfection, alongside well-cooked chips that add a satisfying crunch to your meal.

Customer reviews echo the warm sentiment of the experience. Davina Bamford describes it as a "lovely café" with an appealing range of vegan milks and the perfect location for enjoying a sweet treat. David Sargood reminisces about his lunchtime visit with a large party, commending the prompt service and the charming views from the verandah. His words encapsulate the essence of the cafe, where good food meets a welcoming setting. Additionally, Tracy Donaldson highlights the bustle of the cafe yet notes the team’s commitment to friendly service and efficiency, even during busy hours. It’s this blend of quality and warmth that keeps visitors coming back.

If you're looking for a place to unwind and enjoy unpretentious but delicious food, Brightlingsea Cafe Lido is the place to be. With its remarkable location, inviting atmosphere, and a menu that simply exudes comfort, you’ll find it hard to resist the temptation to return again and again. Whether you're a local or a traveler passing through, make sure to stop by this lovely cafe, grab a cup of exquisite coffee, and delight in a slice of cake while experiencing the heart of Brightlingsea.

Service options
Outdoor seating
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Live performances
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol
Coffee
Free water refills
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Catering
Seating
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

45 Reviews
Davina Bamford

22 Sep 2025

Lovely café with vegan milks and cupcakes on offer. Friendly staff and seating inside and out.

kirsty Vince

18 Sep 2025

Great cakes. Food was good, chips were cooked very well. £4 for a flat white is steep considering the size of it and lack of frothiness in the milk but other that.

David Sargood

21 Jul 2025

Visited at lunchtime with a party of 7 and sat on the verandah overlooking the lido on a sunny day. Perfectly good simple menu and scrummy cakes. The service was prompt especially when you consider this is a small place and rolls etc are prepared fresh. The young waiting staff were friendly and really tried. We will return !

adrian vincent

08 Jul 2025

What a terrific cafe! The bread pudding is delicious and my wife thought the lemon drizzle was great. Unusually the coffee was good too. Very friendly into the bargain. It was bright and blustery yesterday not many people about but the cafe was full. Somewhere this good must get packed in the summer. There is a huge menu on the wall with vegetarian options. Will we return. Absolutely next time we are in Brightlingsea

LOFC Robbo

05 Jul 2025

Lovely little Cafe and polite friendly staff. Cheese and Onion toastie was spot on and generously filled and Sausage bap really tasty. Good value and a good choice.

Tracy Donaldson

11 Jun 2025

Really lovely little cafe, friendly staff and loved the book swap. We had chips, scrummy cake and cup of tea and coffee after a walk. Very different to when I was a little girl many years ago! Even though it was really busy, all the female team were all on top of it and smiling, will definitely be back!

Beverley Pilgrim

09 Jun 2025

Gorgeous Cafe in a great location! Bacon baps/chips all delicious and the coffee excellent!! We popped in here for lunch recently and look forward to returning soon. Lovely staff who were friendly and so helpful. Well worth a visit.

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