Carlisle Coffee-and-Cake Crawl

Carlisle has a range of independent cafes and bakeries serving coffee and cake. The town's historic quarter, city centre and Georgian houses are home to these establishments.

1. Foxes Cafe Lounge

Foxes Cafe Lounge is an independent licensed cafe and lounge in Carlisle's historic quarter near the castle. It serves brunch, breakfasts and sweet treats. The cafe pours Bruce and Luke's coffee, a Carlisle-roasted brand started by the cafe's own founders.

2. Cakes & Ale Cafe

Cakes & Ale Cafe is an independent cafe set within the Bookends bookshop in a Georgian house near the cathedral. The cafe has a garden to the rear. It serves homemade cakes and light lunches, with vegan cake and fruit scones available daily and gluten-free options.

3. Whytes Bakery and Kitchen

Whytes Bakery and Kitchen is a family-run bakery, kitchen and gelateria in the city centre, established in 2013. The bakery bakes by hand and makes its own gelato. Coffee is supplied by Thomson's of Glasgow. The kitchen produces homemade cakes, bread, scones and preserves.

4. The Arches Coffee House

The Arches Coffee House is one of Carlisle's longest established independent family-run cafes, on Fisher Street for over 30 years under the same ownership. The cafe serves teas and coffees alongside homemade cakes, scones, soups and light bites.

5. John Watt & Son, The Cafe on Bank Street

John Watt & Son, The Cafe on Bank Street is a cafe attached to John Watt & Son, Carlisle's oldest coffee roaster and tea blender, trading on Bank Street since 1897. The cafe serves its own freshly roasted coffee alongside light snacks, cakes and freshly baked scones. The coffee is roasted in-house.

6. John Watt & Son Espresso Bar & Roastery

John Watt & Son Espresso Bar & Roastery is an espresso bar and working roastery where John Watt & Son roast their 100% Arabica coffee on a 15kg heritage roaster. Customers can have a coffee and a cake while watching the day's roast. The full retail range of coffee and tea is sold here. The coffee is roasted in-house. The cafes and bakeries in Carlisle offer a range of coffee and cake options. Each establishment has its own unique character and offerings.

Common questions

What type of coffee does Foxes Cafe Lounge serve?

Foxes Cafe Lounge serves Bruce and Luke's coffee.

Does Cakes & Ale Cafe have outdoor seating?

Cakes & Ale Cafe has a garden to the rear.

Where does John Watt & Son roast its coffee?

John Watt & Son roasts its coffee in-house at the Espresso Bar & Roastery.