The Novel Coffee Shop
Quick info
About The Novel Coffee Shop
On London Rd in Southend On Sea, The Novel Coffee Shop combines a cafe with a second-hand bookshop, run by Mencap and staffed by people with learning disabilities. Shelves hold used books, CDs, DVDs, and some vinyl alongside the coffee shop counter. Sandwiches and toasties, including vegetarian options, sit alongside homemade cakes displayed on site. The space takes walk-ins rather than bookings, and a step-free entrance serves visitors with mobility needs. Dogs are welcome inside, and high chairs are available for families with young children. It opens Monday to Saturday during the day and stays closed on Sundays.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention second-hand books, homemade cakes, Mencap-run shop and sandwiches and toasties.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention second-hand books, homemade cakes, Mencap-run shop and sandwiches and toasties.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff at this Mencap-run café and second-hand bookshop, where the cakes are the most named food. Diners describe homemade cakes, a big lunch, and a selection of sandwiches and toasties with vegetarian options, often calling the food good value. Several browse the donated books, DVDs, CDs and some vinyl while having a coffee or tea, and one mentions a nicely bound leather volume of plays. Many note that the shop supports people with learning disabilities, and one reviewer with autism found the staff patient. One parent describes children being entertained by the kids' books. The main complaint is a single one: a reviewer says their disabled daughter, studying with a friend, was pushed out of her seat so others could take the table, which showed no sign of being booked. Others describe a relaxed, homey place to sit alone with a book or with friends, and one reviewer returned for lunch twice in one week and left books to donate.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff at this Mencap-run café and second-hand bookshop, where the cakes are the most named food. Diners describe homemade cakes, a big lunch, and a selection of sandwiches and toasties with vegetarian options, often calling the food good value. Several browse the donated books, DVDs, CDs and some vinyl while having a coffee or tea, and one mentions a nicely bound leather volume of plays. Many note that the shop supports people with learning disabilities, and one reviewer with autism found the staff patient. One parent describes children being entertained by the kids' books. The main complaint is a single one: a reviewer says their disabled daughter, studying with a friend, was pushed out of her seat so others could take the table, which showed no sign of being booked. Others describe a relaxed, homey place to sit alone with a book or with friends, and one reviewer returned for lunch twice in one week and left books to donate.
Featured reviews
- Brad
“I was led to believe they close at 4pm. I turned up at 3.30pm to find it closed. Unreliable, like too many bookshops.”
- Tracey Willis
“Great little coffee shop, that also sells 2nd books. Cakes look devine.”
- Caroline Cockell
“This is the number one shop in Southend for price and helpful staff that are volunteers. Go and support them!”
- Gavin Lucraft
“The novel coffee shop is a wonderful establishment, the food is excellent they do very nice cakes. The service is also excellent the staff are very friendly and helpful and patient which helps if you have autism. The atmosphere is very relaxed and homey I like the novel coffee shop because not only is it a great place to visit but it helps people with disabilities feel included I live. Away from Essex but the next time I am in Essex I will definitely be visiting the novel coffee shop shop for a coffee and a slice of cake”
- Dennis Gane
“Lovely place to have a tea or coffee. As a visitor, I wasn't aware of the Mencap organization. So this establishment is also benefiting people with learning disabilities.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
- Popular for good for working on laptop
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Dogs allowed outside
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Casual
Show more amenities
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Dining options· 2
- Lunch
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Cafes near The Novel Coffee Shop
- The Glasshouse Cafe4.52030.4 miOutdoor seatingReservations
english breakfast, outside terrace seating, sausage and bacon sub roll
- 0.4 mi
liver and bacon, full English breakfast, generous portions
- Wake Cup Cafe4.7960.6 miOutdoor seatingDelivery
full english breakfast, smashed avocado on toast, afternoon tea for two
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Novel Coffee Shop | 4.583 | — | second-hand books, homemade cakes, Mencap-run shop |
| The Glasshouse CafeOutdoor seating · Reservations | 4.5203 | 0.4 mi | english breakfast, outside terrace seating, sausage and bacon sub roll |
| Clarence Restaurant & Cafe | 4.6147 | 0.4 mi | liver and bacon, full English breakfast, generous portions |
| Wake Cup CafeOutdoor seating · Delivery | 4.796 | 0.6 mi | full english breakfast, smashed avocado on toast, afternoon tea for two |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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