Carlisle's Oldest Coffee Shop Roasting Coffee for 150 years

Bank Street

The heart of John Watt & Son OUR ORIGNAL cOFFEE shop ON bank street

Bank Street has been home to John Watt and Son since the first shop was demolished in 1897, and is still a major part of the business today. The shop has undergone several major changes since the move 120 years ago, not least the move from being a traditional grocer’s shop to becoming a tea and coffee specialist with a thriving café on-site.

Today we focus on evolution not revolution at Bank Street, and believe that it is important to remember the history of John Watt and Son and celebrate it in this wonderful building whilst providing excellent service and a good brew!

Our menu provides a range of light snacks cakes and our freshly baked scones served with Claire’s Handmade Jams. Our food is prepared fresh and is where possible all sourced from suppliers from within a 50 mile radius of the shop and we are proud to utilise the following local suppliers:-

Claire’s Handmade Jams, Cranston’s, McCalls Bakery, Co Co Co Chocolates, Pioneer Food Service, Interfresh.

OPENING HOURS

Monday – Thursday 9am – 4pm

Friday & Saturday 8 am – 5pm

Sunday 9.30 am – 4pm

Bank Street Food Menu

Blackfriars Street

Moving Forward

The next great step in the long history of John Watt and Son. Blackfriars Shop may possibly be the biggest leap forward for John Watt since Bank Street transformed from a traditional grocer’s shop, to becoming a tea and coffee specialist with a thriving cafe on-site.

With the wholesale side of our business growing significantly in just two years under the new owners, it became apparent that a 2 Kg capacity roaster was going to struggle to meet the increased demand. With no room for a bigger roaster in Bank Street we were faced with a choice. Either be logical and take a sensible, large unit on an industrial estate…. or take over a rundown and quirky shop 5 minutes’ walk away from Bank Street. Therefore we decided on the latter course, and so was born JW at Blackfriars.

At Blackfriars Street we have the room to service our wholesale customers properly with a bigger roaster (15 Kg capacity), and an organised packing area. We have also opened a small cafe where you can have a brew and a cake while watching tomorrow’s coffee being roasted.

Upstairs we have our offices, hold coffee cupping sessions, tea tastings (for quality control) and have yet more packing facilities. Watch this space as we develop the building further!

Open Monday – Saturday 9 am – 2.30 pm.

(Subject to availability as we start to come out of the Covid-19 lockdown).

Blackfriars Street Menu

TULLIE HOUSE cafe

TULLIE HOUSE CAFE

A partnership we are proud of.

Located inside the City’s local museum – Tullie House, we are delighted to be able to offer locally sourced food on the menu. Couple this with our freshly roasted coffee and selected leaf-teas, our staff will be only too pleased to welcome you during your visit to the Museum.

Temporary Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am – 2.45 pm.

HIRE THE CAFE?

The Cafe at Tullie House can be booked in the evening for private dinners, celebrations and special occasions. To find out more:

https://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/venue-hire/business/reading-room

TULLIE HOUSE MEMBERSHIP

Become a Member of Tullie House and enjoy a fantastic range of benefits including:

Two free John Watts, hot drinks (tea or filter coffee) per month
Free annual admission to the galleries and exhibitions
Opportunity to attend specially curated members’ events
10% discount on purchases in the shop
Discounted events tickets
Members’ e-newsletter

Find out more: https://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/membership

JW at the Museum

Café at Cumbria Museum of Military Life

A partnership of two of Carlisle’s oldest institutions in the iconic Carlisle Castle home to our local regiment which has seen action across the globe. We are delighted to be able to offer the great taste of John Watt’s to visitors to the Cumbria Museum of Military Life. Our small café serves our award winning espresso, a range of cakes, snacks and ice creams for you to enjoy on your tour of the Castle and the story of our local regiment.

Open Monday – Sunday 12 am – 4 pm!

Perfect place for a coffee and meet friends

This cafe has the most sublime date and walnut cake, and there is a large choice of coffees and teas to try.
The staff are attentive and happy, nothing to much trouble.
This is now my regular coffee stop when in Carlisle.

GO HERE JUST FOR THE SMELL OF FRESHLY ROASTED COFFEE

A step back in time, traditinal counter selling loose tea and coffee – ground to order.
But stay a little longer for a coffee and cake, or for a freshly made sandwich and you wont be disappointed – ever. Never had a bad visit!

Only Place to 'Coffee'

We have now been several times to John Watt and Son Coffee House and it has never, ever, disappointed.
The service is excellent and the food absolutely scrummy.
Best scones around and the cream time is THE best value for money.
Fabulous atmosphere and lovely staff. Only downside is that once we were there and there were pecan and maple syrup scones which were spectacular and unfortunately they have not been on the menu since!!
They do have other fabulous combinations though so as said in the title – would not go anywhere else in Carlisle for coffee now!! I’ve recommended it too and everyone else has enjoyed it. Excellent value for money.

FABULOUS COFFEE SHOP, PLUS A LOT MORE!

What can’t you like about an historic coffee house that roasts many great coffees on site, offers an enormous range of teas and coffees We love it!
The coffees are great and with regally changing coffees to try, and a wide range of regulars, it’s a delight to visit.
Inside is an eclectic mix of tea and coffee paraphernalia, echoing the 150 years that they’ve been roasting coffee.
You can buy any of the coffee to take home with you, plus everything else you need to enjoy a great cup at home.

CHARACTER IN ABUNDANCE

This coffee shop roasts its own coffee and in addition to serving excellent coffee and food, it retails a whole range of different teas and coffees to try at home.