The Lemon Witch Kitchen - Southend-on-Sea

My last stop of my day in Southend is this quirky little café, just down the road from The Mad Hatter Tearoom, The Lemon Witch Kitchen (who’s logo is a witch…with half a lemon on its head) is lovely from the second I step in the door and the smell of fresh crepes hits me (you may not know this but I LOVE crepes) and throws me back to memories of Swirls (now unfortunately closed) and their Nutella Swirl Bannana masterpiece but let me tell you,  the Lemon Witch equivalent, called a ‘Cheeky Minion’ is just as good if not better! A warm crepe filled with Nutella, topped with banana slices and dusted with icing sugar? Perfect!

There are a few things I really love about this place. The tiny wooden signs that cover the walls baring slogans such as ‘life begins after coffee’ or ‘happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life’ it gives you a smile as you look around the room but my favorite thing has to be the wooden tables dotted around the room all have their middle slat painted in chalkboard paint and a little cup of chalks on it, prefect as a distraction for the little ones as the café’s social media shows or to literally illustrate your point!

They are proud to offer gluten free options for all of their crepes and the chalk board behind the till shows that they do special events for holidays like the Valentines Day cookie and crepe decorating. I love the relaxed, stripped-back feel of the bare wood and wire lampshades in the room and I’m very tempted to fall asleep on the really comfy sofa here, after all the goodies I’ve had today, especially because its raining outside and so cozy in here!

A comfy, relaxing place for a snack and a cuppa, if I lived closer, I’d never leave!

Twitter: @lemonwitch17

Facebook: /Lemon-witch

Instagram: /lemonwitch17

Website: lemonwitch.co.uk

Address: 17 Queens Road, Southend On Sea, SS1 1LT

The Mad Hatters Tearoom - Southend On Sea

As a crazy Alice in Wonderland fan and a lover of tearooms, when I was researching places to go in Southend and came across The Mad Hatters Tearoom, I knew I had to go there and see it for myself! I was not disappointed, this beautiful little café is wonderfully themed from the second you step in the door and come face-to -face with a large collage of clocks, teacups and pots, red (or white?) rose and that all important lock and key . I feel like a child stepping into wonderland surrounded but big murals of the characters and quotes from the book there‘s even a teapot collection on one wall to rival my own! The problem with visiting several cafes in one day means I have eaten in two places already (yes…I’m fat) so I’m not very hungry and I’ve had enough tea (if there is such a thing), its lucky though, otherwise I wouldn’t have ordered the delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows in it that is now on the table in front of me. That would be a tragedy; this is a really great hot chocolate!

I always love the little details in places like this and there are some lovely ones in here, such as the three- tiered cake in the glass-fronted cabinet by the counter, one layer in pink and purple stripes with a big smile on the front (guess who?), one with an ‘Eat Me’ label hanging from it and the third is a green top hat with biscuits on it! Even the tips sign on the counter has the quote “you’re entirely bonkers but all the best people are” around its frame. I love the menu here too, with specials such as ‘The Jabberwocky’ and ‘The Mad Hatter Surprise’ which is ‘a brillig combination of frumbious delights that will make you say “oh frabjous day! Callooh callay!” The more I look around, the more I spot, like the framed sign behind the counter that reads “curiouser and curiouser”. This tearoom reminds me of Alice’s Tea Shop in Sevenoaks (which, looking back, I realize I never wrote about) but aimed at a slightly older customer. Id be happy to bring a family member of friend here for  tea of go all out and have a massive costumed Tea Party!

Suitable for anyone and everyone, this café is heaven for all Alice in Wonderland fans and the child inside all of us and the perfect place for a mad hatter’s tea party.

Website: madhatterssouthend.co.uk

Facebook: /madhatterssouthend

Twitter: @madhatterssos

Instagram: /madhatterssouthend

Address: 2 Queens Road, Southend on Sea, SS1 1 LU