Restaurants, Cafes, Coffee Bars

It was the old Co-op in Corporation Street, Bernie, top floor. They used to have a special menu for the Darby & Joans who often collected their pension from the post office counter downstairs. It was very popular with my elderly housekeeper among others. Then the Co-op management had a change of policy, the store was revamped at huge expense and their traditional clientelle melted away. The one you're thinking of Bernie was the Society Cafe and was 100% Co-op owned.

I had totally forgotten about that particular "incarnation"! Small things, but the memories come flooding back, thank you!

If you go back to my original post, I said I thought it was in Corporation St - so it must have been the old Co-op! However, I thought the Fairfax St premises ran in parallel with the original restaurant in New Buildings for a time? I have a sort of vague recollection of there being a large temporary building, which I seem to recall was more or less in Pool Meadow; I was definitely of school age, and remember my mother saying the food was not good - nothing like it was in New Buildings - and she wouldn't go there again.

I posted a response on the War Memorial Park Improvements topic the other day explaining I'd taken a walk to see what changes/improvements had been made. Looked in on the Visitor Centre and took the opportunity to have a cup of tea at the cafe situated in the same building. I was pleased to see that the cafe had been named The Beech Tree Cafe. Does anyone remember the original Beech Tree Cafe situated in Pool Meadow opposite The Meadow Cafe? I believe it was run by the council as was The Festival Cafe behind Gulson Library. Any memories out there?

This one!

I have no memory of it at all despite having walked past it quite often!

Cripes!!!!!!! Trust you guys to come up with some photos. Amazing!!!! Is there any scene in Cov you don't have a historical picture of??

Yes there is Bad Boy. Even Dutchman is stumped at this one. The Navigation Inn (that was) along Stoney Stanton Road. I am sorry to rake over old coals but it seems as if 'it never was' cannot find any trace of it anywhere. Great views of the Beech Tree Cafe are they not?

Does anyone remember The MAGNET cafe? I remember going in the cafe in the late 50s with my big sister. I think it was somewhere near the old Fire Station by Pool Meadow, but I can't be certain. Can someone help?

Was this proper coffee (i.e Espresso or filter) back then, or just instant? I find it bizarre that these days there are still 'cafes' that serve instant coffee, or use those machines that dispense instant coffee... Coffee houses have been around in the UK for centuries. They were once banned (or was that tea houses?) as it was where intellectuals met up to discuss revolutions. Nowadays they're full of students on their Apple computers/devices...

The el Cabana in Gosford Street had a proper Espresso machine and prices to match. Quite odd for what was otherwise a low-rent area.

Found this advert for The Captains Table Restaurant - in a 1963 copy of The Coventry Express (anyone remember the paper?)

The Coventry Express was a great local newspaper. Like the Coventry Standard, the back page was full of wedding photos. I also remember the Captains Table. I was a bit to young to go there but I remember my sister being taken there on a date.

Great post Tony, as Berne said on an earlier message, the Captains was owned by John Reeve. I think he eventually moved to Jersey, as a very rich man.

I've added copies of some typical adverts from the 1960's for local restaurants to my Gallery.