Lyndon S Smith
Google
Tucked away on the east side of Branthwaite Brow toward Kent Street and beside the jewellers, lies this hidden gem of an independent coffee shop—'Marra' which means friend in Northern dialect, the establishment is accessed through a charming ye-olde-worlde passageway.
We had English breakfast tea, a slice of carrot cake, and a flat white—and everything was wonderful.
What also made it special, was the setting. In the principal first-floor room, we marvelled at the exposed 16th-century roof timbers which had halved overlapping purlin members and a vernacular ridge arrangement and principal ridge beans—clearly assembled from reused timbers spanning different centuries. A real treat for lovers of old architecture.
There’s also an outdoor niche by the entrance, covered and cosy, and another partly covered courtyard where everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves—sipping coffee and soaking in the atmosphere.
We’ll most definitely be recommending it—and we’ll certainly be back when in town again. One recommendation is though for the coffee to be hotter as mine was not hot enough but otherwise it was good.
Thank you, Lyndon, Peter & Sandy the dog.
