Peterborough has a varied coffee scene, with independent coffee shops, traditional cafes, brunch venues and countryside stops spread across the city and surrounding villages. From Cathedral Square and Westgate to Ailsworth and Ferry Meadows, there are plenty of places to enjoy coffee and something to eat.
Some coffee shops Peterborough visitors find are focused on speciality coffee, while others are better suited to breakfast, homemade cakes or a longer lunch with friends.
Whether you are exploring the city center, meeting someone for coffee or looking for somewhere away from the busiest streets, these Peterborough coffee shops are worth considering.
1. BE AR Bean Around Coffee
BE AR Bean Around Coffee is an independent coffee shop and roastery in Cathedral Square, making it a convenient option when you are exploring central Peterborough.
Coffee is a major part of the experience here, with the business roasting its own beans rather than simply serving coffee supplied by a larger chain. That makes it particularly interesting for visitors who want to pay more attention to what is in the cup.
Its city-centre position also makes it easy to combine with Peterborough Cathedral, Queensgate or other nearby attractions.
If your main priority is coffee in Peterborough, this is one of the places worth keeping high on your list.
Best for: Speciality coffee and locally roasted beans.
2. Black & Bloom
Black & Bloom offers a more contemporary coffee shop experience within the Old Station Quarter.
The cafe serves coffee alongside breakfast, light food and sweet treats, making it suitable for anything from a quick morning stop to a longer catch-up.
Its setting gives it a different feel from the traditional cafes around the main shopping streets. There is also enough seating to make it useful when you want to spend a little longer over your drink.
For visitors who enjoy modern independent coffee shops, Black & Bloom provides something different from the usual high-street chains.
Best for: Coffee, casual food and a modern atmosphere.
3. Rico’s Coffee Shop
Rico’s is one of Peterborough’s established independent cafes and can be found in the Rivergate Centre.
The menu covers traditional cafe food alongside coffee, breakfasts, sandwiches and daytime meals. That makes it a practical choice when you want something more substantial than just a drink.
Its location is also convenient for commuters, shoppers and people moving between the railway station and central Peterborough.
If you prefer a straightforward coffee shop in Peterborough with familiar food and a relaxed local feel, Rico’s is worth considering.
Best for: Breakfast, lunch and traditional cafe food.
4. Rectory Farm Kitchen
Rectory Farm Kitchen is a useful option if brunch and daytime food are just as important as coffee.
The setting feels more relaxed than a busy city-centre coffee shop, making it suitable for a longer breakfast or lunch rather than a quick takeaway.
Visitors can combine coffee with a broader food menu, which makes the venue particularly useful for groups where everyone wants something different.
It is a good choice when you want your cafe visit to feel more like part of a day out.
Best for: Breakfast, brunch and relaxed daytime dining.
5. Pancakery Peterborough
Pancakery provides something different from a traditional coffee-focused cafe.
As the name suggests, pancakes are a major part of the experience, making it particularly suitable for breakfast, brunch or a sweeter daytime stop. Coffee and other drinks help turn it into an easy option for anyone who wants food alongside their caffeine.
It can work especially well for families or groups who want something more filling and informal.
Among Peterborough coffee shops, this is one to consider when brunch is more important than speciality brewing.
Best for: Pancakes, brunch and casual visits.
6. MD Coffee
MD Coffee on Westgate offers an independent alternative close to Peterborough city centre.
The cafe combines coffee with cakes, sandwiches and other light daytime food, making it suitable for both a quick break and a longer visit.
Its central position is useful if you are already shopping or walking around the city and do not want to travel far for an independent cafe.
The relaxed setting also makes it a convenient place to stop between other activities in central Peterborough.
Best for: Coffee, cakes and a city-center break.
7. Bewiched Coffee
Bewiched Coffee provides another central option for visitors looking for drinks, snacks and a comfortable place to take a break.
The cafe offers a broad range of coffee choices alongside food and sweet treats, so it can suit both quick takeaway visits and longer catch-ups.
Its accessible location makes it useful if you are already spending time around Peterborough’s central shopping streets.
For anyone who wants a familiar cafe experience without relying on one of the biggest national chains, Bewiched is worth keeping in mind.
Best for: Casual coffee and city-centre convenience.
8. The Coffee House, Ailsworth
The Coffee House in Ailsworth offers a quieter alternative to the cafes concentrated around central Peterborough.
Its village setting makes it particularly appealing if you want to combine coffee with a slower morning, countryside drive or walk.
Alongside drinks, the cafe serves homemade-style cakes and daytime food, giving visitors plenty of reasons to stay rather than simply collecting a takeaway.
For people willing to travel slightly beyond central Peterborough, it provides a more relaxed cafe experience.
Best for: Homemade cakes and a village atmosphere.
9. Thirteen, Wansford
Thirteen in Wansford is another option for visitors who want to explore beyond the city centre.
The village setting gives the cafe a different character from busy urban coffee shops and makes it suitable for a relaxed breakfast, brunch or coffee stop.
It works particularly well as part of a wider trip around the Peterborough area rather than somewhere you would visit only for a quick takeaway.
If you enjoy combining independent cafes with exploring nearby villages, Thirteen is worth considering.
Best for: Brunch and a relaxed village visit.
10. Ferry Meadows Cafe
Ferry Meadows provides one of the more scenic places to stop for coffee around Peterborough.
The cafe is useful if you are already spending time walking, cycling or enjoying the outdoor spaces around Nene Park.
Rather than making coffee the entire purpose of the trip, this is a place where a cafe stop naturally fits into a wider day outdoors.
It is particularly suitable for families, walkers and anyone who wants to combine coffee Peterborough options with fresh air and green space.
Best for: Coffee after a walk or outdoor day.
Which Peterborough Coffee Shop Should You Visit?
The right cafe depends on what you want from your visit.
If speciality coffee is your main priority, BE AR Bean Around Coffee is a strong place to start. Black & Bloom is another useful option if you prefer a more modern setting with food and plenty of space.
For breakfast or brunch, Rectory Farm Kitchen and Pancakery are worth considering. Rico’s is better suited to a traditional cafe experience with a broad daytime menu.
MD Coffee and Bewiched are convenient if you want to stay close to central Peterborough, while The Coffee House and Thirteen provide quieter alternatives outside the city centre.
Ferry Meadows is particularly suitable when you want coffee to be part of an outdoor day rather than the only reason for your visit.
Practical Tips for Visiting Coffee Shops in Peterborough
- Check current opening hours before travelling, especially for independent cafes.
- Visit earlier if breakfast, pastries or cakes are the main reason for your trip.
- Look at menus in advance if you have vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free requirements.
- City-centre coffee shops can become busier around lunchtime and at weekends.
- Consider cafes outside central Peterborough if you prefer a quieter setting.
- Check parking before travelling to village or countryside cafes.
- If you plan to work from a cafe, make sure longer laptop stays are suitable.
- Combine a cafe visit with Peterborough Cathedral, shopping or an outdoor walk to make more of your trip.
Final Thoughts
The coffee shops Peterborough has to offer cover a good mix of speciality coffee, traditional cafes, brunch spots and relaxed places outside the city centre.
BE AR Bean Around Coffee is useful for visitors interested in locally roasted coffee, while Black & Bloom offers a more contemporary cafe experience. Rico’s, MD Coffee and Bewiched provide convenient central options, while The Coffee House and Thirteen give you a reason to explore further afield.
Ferry Meadows also shows that a good coffee stop does not have to be in the middle of the city. Whether you want a quick flat white, breakfast with friends or somewhere peaceful after a walk, Peterborough has plenty of independent options to try.
If you enjoy exploring cafe scenes in other UK cities, you can also read our guides to the best coffee shops in Kingston, best coffee shops in Chelmsford, best cafes in Swansea, and best cafes in Southampton for more independent coffee shops, brunch spots and local favourites worth discovering.
FAQs
What are the best coffee shops in Peterborough?
Some coffee shops worth considering include BE AR Bean Around Coffee, Black & Bloom, Rico’s Coffee Shop, Rectory Farm Kitchen, Pancakery, MD Coffee, Bewiched Coffee, The Coffee House in Ailsworth, Thirteen in Wansford and Ferry Meadows Cafe.
Where can I find speciality coffee in Peterborough?
BE AR Bean Around Coffee is a useful choice if speciality coffee is your priority because the business also roasts coffee locally. Black & Bloom is another independent option worth considering.
Are there independent coffee shops in Peterborough city centre?
Yes. Peterborough has several independent and smaller coffee shops around the city centre, including BE AR Bean Around Coffee, Rico’s and MD Coffee.
Which coffee shop in Peterborough is good for brunch?
Rectory Farm Kitchen and Pancakery are useful choices if brunch or breakfast is the main priority. Other cafes also offer daytime food alongside coffee.
Are there coffee shops outside central Peterborough?
Yes. The Coffee House in Ailsworth and Thirteen in Wansford provide alternatives to city-centre cafes, while Ferry Meadows offers a cafe stop alongside outdoor activities.
Where can I get coffee near Peterborough Cathedral?
Cathedral Square and the surrounding city-centre streets have several coffee options. BE AR Bean Around Coffee is particularly convenient if you are visiting Peterborough Cathedral.
Are there coffee shops in Peterborough suitable for families?
Yes. Several cafes offer food and relaxed seating suitable for families. Pancakery and Ferry Meadows can be particularly useful when you want to combine food or coffee with a wider family day out.
