Getting to go out to a restaurant or café still feels like a gift, even now, many months after lockdown restrictions have ended.
It’s always been nice to get away for a few hours and enjoy a meal, but even more so after spending so long wishing for that very thing. Since restrictions were lifted, my sister and I have made a point of heading out to a café or restaurant to catch up, to take advantage of what we’ve missed out on over the last couple of years.
After a little bit of shopping, this time we headed to a café that’s tucked away down a side street in Liverpool city centre - but definitely not one to be missed. My sister and I, along with my nieces (both under two-years-old) visited Bramleys Cafe on Tarleton Street, just a stones’ throw away from the likes of Primark, River Island and Kurt Geiger.
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With the need for space for two prams we weren’t entirely optimistic that we’d get a table, but the group of ladies working behind the counter were quick to shuffle things about and after a small wait we were seated - prams tucked carefully in corners where we could still keep an eye on our things. Two highchairs were also made available to us, which proved a life saver with two unruly girls determined to run about - if Cocomelon wasn’t being played, of course.
A few copies of the extensive menu were hung on the wall next to our booth, which made it easy enough to decide on what we fancied. The menu features everything from a traditional breakfast and bacon on toast to burgers, baguettes, pies and more.
I opted for the £7 Traditional Breakfast, which came with an Old English sausage, bacon, fried egg, beans, plum tomatoes, hash brown, black pudding and toast. My sister went with the £8 Cumberland Breakfast, which features Cumberland sausage, bacon, fried egg, plum tomatoes, hash brown, mushroom, beans, black pudding and toast. From the small number of children’s meals available, we opted for chicken nuggets and chips, a classic if there ever was one.
The small café, which has around 10 tables inside and a couple outdoors on a sunny day, was busy on a Saturday morning to say the least, but that didn’t stop the top notch service we received. We were able to order quickly and without too much fuss, and our food arrived so fast I couldn’t quite believe it.
The ladies bustling about the café food taking orders and delivering dishes to booths were cheerful, welcoming and made us feel like part of the family straightaway. There were a number of clear regulars who wished the staff goodbye by name too - a clear sign you’ve found a winner, in my books.
I was impressed with the large breakfast, which arrived steaming hot and looking the part of a classic English breakfast. The bacon, egg and sausage were cooked to perfection and the hash brown added that perfect greasy-but-amazing taste you deserve to have with your brekkie.
The Cumberland breakfast was much the same, according to my sister, though I was glad to have the option to avoid it, since I’m not a big fan of mushrooms or Cumberland sausage.
While my nieces enjoyed their chicken nuggets and chips - it certainly kept them quiet, anyway - the breakfasts must have looked appealing, since half of mine was demolished by a curious two-year-old.
Overall, I’d give Bramleys Cafe 4 stars out of 5 after our visit with top marks for its great food, friendly service and inviting atmosphere. You can find Bramleys Cafe at 29 Tarleton St, Liverpool, L1 1DS.
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