FANCY a bite to eat? Our town is home to a number of independent cafes, each offering something completely different from the rest.
If you're feeling a bit peckish this summer, why not visit one of Basingstoke's many independent cafes?
The town boasts a variety of unique cafes, catering to the various needs of the community, from vegetarian selections to gamer-friendly gastro set-ups, these five independent cafes cover all bases and will keep you well fed and watered this summer.
In no particular order:
Willows owners Mark and Anita Lincoln (Image: Mark and Anita Lincoln)
Willows Coffee House
https://www.willowscoffeehouse.com/
Located at the bottom of Church Street, Willows is a popular destination for coffee lovers in the town.
The community-focused and dog-friendly independent speciality coffee shop fast became a community hot spot after it first opened its doors on August 8, 2020, during the height of the Covid lockdown.
Serving up specialty coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cakes, the shop also sells local produce and crafts made by individuals and businesses in Basingstoke and Hampshire and even hosts numerous community live music events, activities and classes.
READ MORE: Meet the new owners of a much-loved coffee shop in Basingstoke town centre
Vemillion director Emma Manners
Vemillion
For the vegans among us, Vermillion in Chineham Shopping Centre may be the one for you.
Basingstoke’s first 100 per cent vegan cafe, Vermillion boasts a wide menu including a selection of coffees, cakes, ice creams, slushies and milkshakes.
Uniquely, the cafe is decorated in original African artwork, which is available to purchase.
READ MORE: See inside Basingstoke's vegan-friendly café as it finally opens
Dice Tower Gaming cafe owners Scott Malcolmson (left) and Martin Robertson (Image: Contributed)
Dice Tower Gaming Cafe
https://www.dicetowercafe.co.uk/
Another unique premise, the Dice Tower Gaming cafe in the Red Lion Hotel is a haven for all things pop culture.
Visitors can snack on pizza and popcorn while enjoying themed drinks and playing their favourite board and video games like Monopoly, Halo and Dungeons and Dragons.
With numerous upcoming events including ‘Magic Mondays’, it’s certainly one to consider during those drizzly summer days.
READ MORE: Board game cafe announces expansion after huge success
Staff at the Cafe Dome (Image: Mark Paine)
Cafe Dome
https://www.facebook.com/TheCafeProjectBasingstoke
If you want to eat fantastic food while also contributing to a good cause, Cafe Dome is for you.
The Café Project Basingstoke is a charity, set up to help and support young adults with learning disabilities, through providing training and experience.
A cost-effective menu boasts coffee, breakfasts and much more, making it easy to see why the Cafe Dome is so popular.
READ MORE: We tried the highly recommended Cafe Dome in Brighton Hill
Mr Munch (Image: Newsquest)
Mr Munch
https://www.facebook.com/mrmunchfestivalplace
There are some things that are synonymous with Basingstoke - a roundabout covered in red men, a statue of, well, let’s move on from that, and of course, Mr Munch.
Located just outside the Church Street entrance of Festival Place, Mr Munch is a family-run cafe which has been in Basingstoke since 1982.
A classic greasy spoon, serving quality breakfasts at reasonable prices, it’s the Ronseal of cafes and we love that about it.
READ MORE: 'We ate at the cafe which has been serving delicious breakfasts for 41 years'
Which is your favourite on the list? Have we missed any you like? Let us know in the comments.
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