By Saraya Haddad (Co-Chair, 2024)
Cafes
Yorks
Location: 15 High Street
Situated a mere three minutes walk from the Shakespeare Institute, this modern spot is where chic meets rustic, as breakfast and brunch classics are given an elevated twist. If like me you would give your life, your earnings, and potentially even your cat for avocado on toast- Yorks is the place for you. Their pièce de résistance is the “Marrakech Avocado Toast”, a Mediterranean flavour-packed take on the Millennial cult classic.
MOR
Location: Unit 22, Bell Court
You can find this sourdough paradise in the heart of Bell Court. This bakery and cafe offers an array of breads, pastries, sweet treats and MOR (no pun intended).
Plantarium
Location: The Minories, Henley Street
If you are vegan or veggie, or even if you're not, you should absolutely pay Plantarium a visit. This quirky cafe is 100% vegan, offering delicious coffees, lunches and sweet treats (don't even get me started on their Biscoff cake) that prove vegan food can be exciting, and just as flavoursome as non-vegan cuisine.
The Food of Love
Location: 37 Henley Street
A famous playwright once wrote “If music be the food of love, play on” (who was it again, Christopher Marlowe?). Found just around the corner from Plantarium, The Food of Love is the place to go for affordable and yummy lunch. While they have a sandwich and baguette menu, you are also welcome to design your own. What's not to love?
Shakespaw Cat Cafe
Location: 6 Union Street
The holy grail of Stratford-Upon-Avon for all crazy cat lady’s out there, this vintage haven brimming with fluffy guests is a must. Meet Bottom, known for his permanent resting bitch face, Horatio, known for his heart of gold, the triplets: Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt (don't worry the worst tragedy to happen here is a fight over Dreamies) and many other purrfect pussycats. Sip a Meowacinno and feast on a quintessential British afternoon tea while making sure Bottom doesn't steal your scone!
Prospero Lounge
Location: 24 Bridge Street
I've put this at the end of the cafe section because really, Prospero Lounge could easily be popped in the restaurant section as well. From delicious breakfasts, lunches, teas and coffees, to a cosy yet spacious nighttime dinner, cocktails and lounging space, Prospero’s has it all. Their artsy 1920s inspired decor, Regency style chandeliers and range of comfy seats and sofas perfect for sprawling create the ultimate lounging atmosphere.
Restaurants
Corte Campana
Location: Unit R7 Stratford-Upon Avon
*Note- they may be in their new location by the time of BritGrad, which is ten seconds away from the current location. New location: Unit 17 Bell Court
Corte Campana offers mouth-wateringly good Neapolitan pizza. The owners describe themselves as ‘Three Southern Italian men… on a mission to bring the authentic taste of Neapolitan pizza’ to Stratford-Upon-Avon ‘via a sustainable baking approach'. They can easily make the majority of their pizzas vegan or gluten free. If you're feeling creative, design your own pizza out of the ingredients they have on offer! You can also buy ready-to-eat pizza by the slice from just £2, perfect for when you're in a rush and need a quick pick-me-up.
Zoo Sushi
Location: 3-5 Cooks Alley, Wood Street
With its quirky and inviting decor, Zoo Sushi has (in my opinion) the best sushi in Stratford. They also have (in my opinion as a self-proclaimed Bubble Tea connoisseur), the best bubble tea in Stratford. Alas, I'm sure Shakespeare wishes he was alive right now to try Zoo Sushi’s delicious Japanese menu and bubble tea found just two minutes from his childhood home. If sushi is not your thing, do not fear, they also have an array of hot dishes such as ramen and katsu curry.
Sabai Sabai:
Location: 19 Wood Street
Christened after the Thai word for relaxed, we can guarantee this is the perfect place to unwind after a busy conference day. Packed with spice and flavour for both those who like their food hot and those with a milder palate, Sabai Sabai offers a gastronomic experience of Thailand. This of course is as close as you are going to get to the Thai sunshine from Stratford-Upon-Avon, and their plentiful menu has options to suit a variety of dietary requirements. If you are looking for a romantic date spot, this is the place.
The One Elm:
Location: 1 Guild Street
Like Prospero Lounge, The One Elm is one of those places that fits into a number of categories. A rustic pub downstairs and outside, and a more formal restaurant upstairs, The One Elm has all on offer. A hidden gem a mere stone’s throw away from Shakespeare’s Birthplace, this modern and airy meets early modern chic pub-restaurant is one of my favourite places in Stratford. There is a reason it is our chosen location for our quiz night on the 14th June; we simply love their food, drinks and warm atmosphere.
Pubs
The Phoenix
Location: 38 Guild Street
Rising from the ashes of a serious lack of aesthetic outdoor spaces in Shakespeare’s hometown, we have The Phoenix. 100% independent (which is rare for pubs these days), this location’s indoor space is plush, modern and full of character. Outside you'll find stairs leading to a jungle-themed rooftop terrace. Bonus: Their pizzas (vegan options available) make this leafy paradise complete; so good that Eve would find them harder to resist than that pesky apple.
The Windmill:
Location: Church Street (opposite the Shakespeare Institute)
Located a marathon away (ten second walk) from the Shakespeare Institute, The Windmill’s wooden beams and roaring fire can help a Shakespeare enthusiast immerse themselves in his world (or as close as we can get to it half a millennium later). If you are seeking a quintessential “British pub experience” look no further.
The Garrick:
Location: 25 High Street
While we are on the subject of old English pubs, a trip to Shakespeare’s hometown is not complete without a trip to The Garrick. Named after the man credited with making Shakespeare the “celebrity” he is today, this pub is arguably Stratford’s oldest, with its timber frames dating back to the 1400s. Whether you are in the mood for a drink or some classic British pub grub, the Garrick has you covered. With a list of its former occupants proudly displayed by the bar, it is no wonder than this pub is widely believed to be haunted…
The Bell:
Location: Shottery Village, Shottery
Fancy a pilgrimage to Anne Hathaway’s (sadly for some not the actress from The Devil Wears Prada and cult classic, The Princess Diaries) cottage? The beautiful Shottery, a picturesque former English village, boasts it's one and only pub: The Bell. Why not stop off here after a trip through history at Anne Hathaway’s cottage and garden? Who knows, maybe her ghost will join you for a bite to eat or drink.
The Dirty Duck:
Location: 44 Waterside
Last but certainly not least we have The Dirty Duck (also known as The Black Swan). This pub a few minutes walk from the RSC has been trading since 1738 and is known as Stratford’s “theatre pub”. Equipt with an “Actors Bar” plastered with headshots and signatures of famous visitors, it is no wonder why you can expect to bump into the cast of the current RSC show that is on. After the Phoenix, the Duck’s newly refurbished garden is my second favourite in Stratford. There is nowhere better to host our welcome drinks on the evening of the 12th June.
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