Food review of Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Rooms 2023

To get stuck into the real stuff listen to locals. The people on the ground who actually know their onions. 

That’s what I’ve done this week. Everyone who’s been raves about Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Rooms. From the twee setting, to the lovely staff and bodacious plates of food, it seems this place, overlooking the village’s Guildhall at Market Place, can do no wrong. 

A little-known fact. If it feels like you’re invading someone’s front room when you set foot inside, it’s because you are.  

The cute cottage, with its characterful idiosyncrasies, wonky beams, and secret garden was indeed owner Amanda Mortimer’s home up until lockdown. 

She lived in one of the most sought-after Lavenham locations for two decades. And seven years ago, after being hospitalised for 15 weeks with life-threatening sepsis, had an epiphany – telling her mum (who lives four doors up) she would turn her place into the tearoom of her dreams. 

Amanda admits she never would have left her career and the stability of a steady income behind had she not faced death head-on. But also says it’s the best thing she’s done. Despite the long hours (she’s open every day) this place is everything she wished for and more. And she loves the buzzy little business to her very core. 

This passion permeates every part of Lavenham Blue. As we entered (minding our heads on the tiny front door), the small team beamed in welcome. And the place echoed with happy chatter and the tinkling of teaspoons on china. 

Staff knew regulars (and their dogs) by name.  

Amanda was out back in the open kitchen, throwing herself into sandwich making.  

The whole place felt...happy. Content. Which is more than you could hope to wish for on a Monday. 

READ MORE: Head here for an amazing Sunday roast

If the Disney-verse were called upon to imagine a quintessential English tearoom with bells and whistles, Lavenham Blue wouldn’t be far off in its cartoonish perfection. 

Lacy cloths adorn tables. Black and white family photos and decorative plates fill the walls alongside artwork by talented Lienne from nearby Posy gift shop (she also makes delicious fudge). A gramophone sits in one corner. Wheels of freshly baked cakes tease from a sideboard under weighty glass cloches. 

We took one of the coveted window seats, beside a rather impressive display of fancy teapots – from a knight rearing on a steed, to a French chateau – noting how busy it was for a Monday. A Monday! If we hadn’t booked we really would have been taking a chance on a table. 

Perusing the menu, toes tapping to the 1940s soundtrack, we immediately knew we were going to split the signature afternoon tea (£22.50pp) and ‘everything’ ploughman’s (£15). Other fare ranges from a cup of Bovril or Ovaltine, to toasted crumpets, teacakes made specially for Amanda, deep-filled sandwiches, and savoury or sweet cream teas. 

As someone who recently baulked at paying nearly £15 for a quiche and measly bit of salad at another Suffolk café, I can tell you this place is excellent value for money – especially taking into account the quality and provenance of produce.  

Bread is from Sparling and Faiers, a stone’s throw away, Casey’s Cakes make all the big cakes, and Amanda’s 75-year-old mum bakes the scones and cupcakes. 

The selection of teas, coffees and soft drinks is more than ample. And a thoughtful touch is the inclusion of a timer with hot drinks. There’s also a little glass bell on each table to ring for a top-up of hot water. I was a little overzealous with this I have to admit. Apologies to our fabulous server who immediately came to my beck and call when I was just having a little play! 

The tearoom’s own cafetiere coffee blend was smooth, rich and (ideal for my friend) not too strong.  

My peppermint brew (ordered to offset the greedy feast that awaited) also hit the spot. 

So, to the food. Of which there was plenty. An eye boggling amount, in fact. 

My parents are always complaining about cafes and tearooms having too much sweet stuff, so the ploughman’s would be right up their alley. 

READ MORE: We have found the perfect Suffolk pub

Every inch of the oversized dinner plate was filled. With sweet, thickly cut local ham. Wedges of very decent crumbling Cheddar and smoked cheese. A slab of granary bread. Curls of salted butter. Tiny pickled onions. Salad. Slivers of apple crowning a local pork pie. Very nicely seasoned coleslaw. And, tying it all together, spoonfuls of pickle. The gloriously gloopy, slightly spiced ploughman’s pickle was particularly good. 

Afternoon tea was a joy to behold. Loaded with the kinds of things your nan might have rustled up of a weekend, using recipes passed down through the family. A tea made with generosity and love. 

Stacked to bursting (and accompanied by a cake fork and dainty spoon) this three-tiered beauty had plenty to bestow on this pair of greedy diners. 

Sandwiches (egg and cress, ham, hummus and beet, cream cheese, smoked salmon) were just-made, super fresh, and filled right to the edges. 

A surprise came in the form of a warm, savoury sage and onion cupcake with a beetroot bottom and cream cheese topping. Neither of us had had anything like it before. Very tasty indeed. 

Amanda’s mum’s scone was next level. Again, served warm, it had a toothsome crust, soft, bouncy middle with just the right amount of sweetness, and arrived with ripe strawberries, jam packed with whole fruit, and a vat of clotted cream, which billowed voluptuously from its pot. 

At the very top of the stand was a quintet of cakes. As I already said, these aren’t ‘fancy’ cakes. But they really are the kind of cakes you actually want to eat. Ones that taste of something (they’re not all fur coat no knickers). 

I never order chocolate cake because I've been disappointed by it more times than I can think of. Whoever makes it with hot chocolate powder, or by adding 2tbsps of cocoa to their mix thinking it will be ‘OK’ needs to take a long hard look at themselves! 

Casey’s Cakes’ version is the business. A not-too-sweet buttercream sandwiched between two plump rounds of devilishly chocolatey sponge. Yes. Thankyou Casey’s Cakes! 

Her lemon drizzle was equally delightful, bursting with fragrant zest in the crumb, and offset by a lip-puckering zing on top. 

Amanda’s mum’s carrot cupcake was nicely spiced. I’m not a fan of cream cheese frosting, so fully appreciated the fondant topper, though some may find that a little sickly. 

Neither of us are trifle fans, but agreed the pot of strawberry jelly, sponge, fruit, custard and cream sparked joy. 

And we rounded off with spoonfuls of chewy-centered, cream and fruit-laden meringue. 

Did I mention there’s a lot of food? We went home with a goody bag. And we went home with big, stupid smiles on our faces. And we went home and immediately told everyone we knew they HAD to come here.  

Amanda has created something pretty darn special. Something she is rightly proud of. And we will be back! 

Lavenham Blue Vintage Tea Rooms is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm. Although walk-ins can be accommodated there may be a wait, so bookings are highly advised. Call 01787 248295.