I tried the Essex cafe that was so good it made people put away their phones

It’s very rare these days to go into a coffee shop and not see rows of people either sitting typing away on their laptops or studiously ignoring their companions by scrolling intently on their phones. But I managed to find one – on Mersea Island.

The Art Cafe is located at the bottom of West Mersea’s High Street on the coast road leading down to the River Blackwater. The cafe itself has large folding doors that open out completely, giving the cafe a light and airy feel that compliments the gorgeous paintings on the walls – hence the cafe’s name.

I was welcomed in and directed to a table where I sat down and was able to soak up the atmosphere for a few minutes before being handed a menu. There was a wide range of tempting choices on the breakfast menu, including a full fry-up or a vegetarian version – I was very hungry – but in the end, I opted for the toasted ciabatta with bacon, poached eggs and mustardy mayonnaise.

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I paired it with a white Americano, my go-to coffee order. While I waited, I watched the world go by for a little while, enjoying people watching and seeing the animated conversations being held at some of the outdoor tables.

One lady was even writing – by hand. This made me feel a bit guilty as I got out my laptop to do some work, breaking the calm serenity of the cafe, but no one seemed to mind too much.

The Art Cafe in West Mersea
The Art Cafe in West Mersea
(Image: Anna Willis)

But soon my food arrived, and it only took one bite before I ascended to a new plane of existence. The dish was amazing. The mustardy mayo was a touch of genius, complementing the poached eggs perfectly.

I also appreciated the bacon, which was crispy but also good quality, giving it the perfect texture as well as richness. The coffee was a good complement to my lunch, strong enough to be a little boost to help me with some writing.

The cafe had such a nice vibe I felt welcomed and unrushed, even as I stayed for over an hour writing after I’d finished my lunch. It was a fantastic experience and I’ll definitely be returning to the Art Cafe the next time I’m on Mersea Island.

The Art Cafe is located at 2 Coast Road, West Mersea.

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