Cafe (British)

Though it uses the same word origin as the term "café", it is distinct from the more European style of coffeehouse or bar. A British cafe does not usually serve alcohol. It is commonly an independently owned business; the only notable chain of roadside cafes is OK Diner since the demise of Happy Eater in 1997 and Little Chef in 2018.

Menu

A British cafe typically offers fried or grilled food such as an all-day "full cooked breakfast", which may contain a combination of ingredients such as fried egg, bacon, black pudding, bubble and squeak, hash browns, baked beans, fried bread, toast, grilled tomato, burgers, sausages, mushrooms and chips. Hot and cold sandwiches may be available, such as a bacon butty or sausage sandwich. A range of other cooked meals may be available, such as steak and kidney pie, a full roast, liver and onions, or pasta dishes, with a cooked dessert such as apple crumble and custard.

The main drink in a cafe or greasy spoon is usually tea, especially "builder's tea" (a nickname for a mug of strong black tea, such as English breakfast tea, usually served with milk and sugar and typically robust and flavourful with a brisk character and a dark red colour). However, coffee is also available and some cafes have espresso machines, particularly if they are Italian or Greek owned.