Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park?
There are a number of options for parking in Halstead:
Do I need to book a table?
We do recommend that you book a table to avoid disappointment. We can sometimes get very busy and as we are only little it does not take long to fill up. However it is not the case that you must book - often we are able to seat everybody who turns up to visit the cafe.
Do you take group bookings?
We take bookings for up to 6 people. There are a number of reasons why we don’t accept bookings for groups larger than 6. We try hard to create a relaxing and friendly ambience and find that larger groups can sometimes disrupt this. We are also situated in a small building and so we do not have the space to seat large groups all together. Also, the kitchen is not set up to serve large numbers of dishes all at once.
Do you cater for people with food intolerances and allergies?
A lot of our dishes can be tweaked to cater for those with food intolerances and allergies. For example, we offer gluten free bread which can be substituted for any bread element on our menu. We also offer homemade gluten free scones. Please inform us if you are allergic to any food items before you order. A member of the team will be happy to talk you through the menu options. We cannot guarantee the absence of allergens in our dishes due to food being prepared in our kitchen where allergens are present.
Take a look at our gluten free menu
Do you cater for vegetarians?
A lot of our dishes are vegetarian or have a vegetarian option. These are labelled as (V) on our menu. Examples include the ever popular Welsh rarebit, eggs Florentine and our vegetarian breakfast which is also great as a healthy yet hearty cooked breakfast option.
Take a look at our menu
Do you cater for vegans?
Yes we have a vegan menu with a variety of dishes on including smashed avo, mushroom truffle toastie and our vegan cooked breakfast.
Take a look at our vegan menu
What time do you serve breakfast until?
We now serve breakfasts all day. Everything on our menu is available all day. We close at 3pm and last food orders are at 2.45pm each day.
Who makes the cakes?
It is a team effort. We make all the cakes ourselves. Frank bakes all of the scones. The cakes are displayed on the front counter and there is a note by each to tell you who made it.
How accessible is the Cafe?
There is step free access to our courtyard, via the side alleyway. There is a corner at the entrance to the courtyard which most wheelchairs are able to get round, but larger wheelchairs may not be able to fit.
There are two steps down to access the inside of the cafe through the front door. There is a further step to access the main cafe.
There are three steps down to the toilets (handrails are provided).
If you would like to visit to view the accessibility of the café before making a table reservation we will be only too happy to show you around. Please call us on 01787 475647.
What happens with the books?
You can browse, borrow or buy the used books. You can borrow a book for up to one month - we just need to take some contact details from you. You can browse all of the books during your visit. And most of the books are for sale. They all have a price sticker on or just ask us if you’re unsure of the price. Half of all proceeds from books goes to charity.
Take a look at the charities and local causes we have supported via our book sales.
Which charity do you donate the book money to?
We change the charity we support regularly. Since we opened we have donated over £1,500 to various charities and local causes including Book Trust, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Childrens' Charity and the Ramsey Academy Library and Learning Centre refurbishment. You can see all of the charities we've supported on our charity support page.
Do you accept book donations?
We will happily accept book donations so long as they are in good condition. Half of the proceeds from book sales go to charity.
Take a look at the charities and local causes we have supported
Do you do gift vouchers?
Yes we do offer gift vouchers in £5, £10 and £20 denominations. They make a great gift for someone special. We also offer gift vouchers for our Afternoon Tea, either with prosecco (£24.95 per person) or without prosecco (£19.95 per person). Just pop into the café and one of the team will be able to arrange gift vouchers for you.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, we accept all major credit and debit cards including American Express. We also accept contactless payments.
Do you do takeaways?
Yes we are able to offer most of our dishes as a takeaway as well as hot drinks and cakes. Please note, during busy times there may be a little wait for takeaway dishes. We will always give you an estimate of how long it will take.
Do you allow dogs in the café?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in our courtyard (although not inside the café). You can access the courtyard via the side alley (just next to our front door). We even have dog blankets and bowls.
Do you serve alcohol?
Yes we are fully licensed and offer wines, ale, lager and prosecco. Take a look at our board for this month’s choice of wines and beers.
I’m in a rush, how quickly can you prepare my food?
All of our dishes are freshly prepared and so we cannot guarantee your food will be ready quickly, especially during busy times. If you are in a rush please let us know and we will be able to give you an idea of how long it will take to prepare your meal.
Can I buy one of the board games?
The board games are there for all of our customers to enjoy and so they are not for sale. You are always welcome to play them during your visit to the Cafe.
Have a different question?
Please contact us if you have any queries about The Little Book Cafe. You can call us on 01787 475647 or email us [email protected]
There are a number of options for parking in Halstead:
- There is free parking opposite Halstead Hospital in Hedingham Road in the little car park next to the allotments. There is also free parking in the layby by the allotments and also on the road outside the hospital. It is then a 5 minute walk to us along Hedingham Road.
- There is free parking for up to 1 hour on Halstead High Street.
- There is free parking for up to 2 hours in the Solar car park behind the Co-op. From this car park it is a 10 minute walk up the High Street to us.
- There is a pay & display car park in Chapel Street, behind Sainsburys. You can claim 1 hour refund when you spend £15 in Sainsburys. It is a 5 minute walk to us from this car park. It is free to park in this car park after 3pm.
- There is another pay & display car park in Butler Road.
- There is a small car park on the opposite side of Hedingham Road to us. It is permit holders only Monday to Friday but at other times it may be used free of charge by anyone. Just make sure you park in one of the marked bays.
Do I need to book a table?
We do recommend that you book a table to avoid disappointment. We can sometimes get very busy and as we are only little it does not take long to fill up. However it is not the case that you must book - often we are able to seat everybody who turns up to visit the cafe.
Do you take group bookings?
We take bookings for up to 6 people. There are a number of reasons why we don’t accept bookings for groups larger than 6. We try hard to create a relaxing and friendly ambience and find that larger groups can sometimes disrupt this. We are also situated in a small building and so we do not have the space to seat large groups all together. Also, the kitchen is not set up to serve large numbers of dishes all at once.
Do you cater for people with food intolerances and allergies?
A lot of our dishes can be tweaked to cater for those with food intolerances and allergies. For example, we offer gluten free bread which can be substituted for any bread element on our menu. We also offer homemade gluten free scones. Please inform us if you are allergic to any food items before you order. A member of the team will be happy to talk you through the menu options. We cannot guarantee the absence of allergens in our dishes due to food being prepared in our kitchen where allergens are present.
Take a look at our gluten free menu
Do you cater for vegetarians?
A lot of our dishes are vegetarian or have a vegetarian option. These are labelled as (V) on our menu. Examples include the ever popular Welsh rarebit, eggs Florentine and our vegetarian breakfast which is also great as a healthy yet hearty cooked breakfast option.
Take a look at our menu
Do you cater for vegans?
Yes we have a vegan menu with a variety of dishes on including smashed avo, mushroom truffle toastie and our vegan cooked breakfast.
Take a look at our vegan menu
What time do you serve breakfast until?
We now serve breakfasts all day. Everything on our menu is available all day. We close at 3pm and last food orders are at 2.45pm each day.
Who makes the cakes?
It is a team effort. We make all the cakes ourselves. Frank bakes all of the scones. The cakes are displayed on the front counter and there is a note by each to tell you who made it.
How accessible is the Cafe?
There is step free access to our courtyard, via the side alleyway. There is a corner at the entrance to the courtyard which most wheelchairs are able to get round, but larger wheelchairs may not be able to fit.
There are two steps down to access the inside of the cafe through the front door. There is a further step to access the main cafe.
There are three steps down to the toilets (handrails are provided).
If you would like to visit to view the accessibility of the café before making a table reservation we will be only too happy to show you around. Please call us on 01787 475647.
What happens with the books?
You can browse, borrow or buy the used books. You can borrow a book for up to one month - we just need to take some contact details from you. You can browse all of the books during your visit. And most of the books are for sale. They all have a price sticker on or just ask us if you’re unsure of the price. Half of all proceeds from books goes to charity.
Take a look at the charities and local causes we have supported via our book sales.
Which charity do you donate the book money to?
We change the charity we support regularly. Since we opened we have donated over £1,500 to various charities and local causes including Book Trust, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Childrens' Charity and the Ramsey Academy Library and Learning Centre refurbishment. You can see all of the charities we've supported on our charity support page.
Do you accept book donations?
We will happily accept book donations so long as they are in good condition. Half of the proceeds from book sales go to charity.
Take a look at the charities and local causes we have supported
Do you do gift vouchers?
Yes we do offer gift vouchers in £5, £10 and £20 denominations. They make a great gift for someone special. We also offer gift vouchers for our Afternoon Tea, either with prosecco (£24.95 per person) or without prosecco (£19.95 per person). Just pop into the café and one of the team will be able to arrange gift vouchers for you.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, we accept all major credit and debit cards including American Express. We also accept contactless payments.
Do you do takeaways?
Yes we are able to offer most of our dishes as a takeaway as well as hot drinks and cakes. Please note, during busy times there may be a little wait for takeaway dishes. We will always give you an estimate of how long it will take.
Do you allow dogs in the café?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in our courtyard (although not inside the café). You can access the courtyard via the side alley (just next to our front door). We even have dog blankets and bowls.
Do you serve alcohol?
Yes we are fully licensed and offer wines, ale, lager and prosecco. Take a look at our board for this month’s choice of wines and beers.
I’m in a rush, how quickly can you prepare my food?
All of our dishes are freshly prepared and so we cannot guarantee your food will be ready quickly, especially during busy times. If you are in a rush please let us know and we will be able to give you an idea of how long it will take to prepare your meal.
Can I buy one of the board games?
The board games are there for all of our customers to enjoy and so they are not for sale. You are always welcome to play them during your visit to the Cafe.
Have a different question?
Please contact us if you have any queries about The Little Book Cafe. You can call us on 01787 475647 or email us [email protected]