About Time Espresso Bar
Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
About Time is a quirky little coffee shop nestled on one of Kendal‘s oldest streets, the cobbled New Shambles, a curious and picturesque part of town which is home to many quirky small businesses. Don’t worry – the butcher’s shops which used to line the drainless street in the 1700s have long gone, replaced with bijou food and craft places. About Time is rightly famous with both locals and tourists for its charming décor – bicycles hang from the roof and a selection of bare bulbs illuminate the alcoves – and the extra-friendly staff, who are marshalled by dynamic owner/creator (and local coffee celebrity) Bobbi.
The coffee includes, of course, the eponymous espresso, but fans of the cortado, macchiato, cappuccino and all the rest are catered for too. You can expect refreshing iced coffees in summer and warming spiced coffee in winter, plus a range of herbal teas and hot chocolates sourced from around the world. The coffee roasters and other suppliers are all local where possible, with at least four roasters represented at any one time. And if you need something particular, just ask!
You can also get your hands on delicious cakes and biscuits, from Tunnock’s tea-cakes to chocolate brownies.
It’s also just a really nice place to have a bit of a sit down, with wooden décor and candles galore. Weather permitting, you can sit outside on tasteful Parisian-style tables and chairs. About Time is much appreciated by the coffee-hounds of Kendal, some of whom say it’s the best place for coffee in the lakes. You can also join their buzzing social media community for a heads-up about new drinks and recipes.
Nearby, you’ll find the picturesque River Kent, which is great for a stroll. For lunches, why not try Comida, just down the road, or drop into Fell Bar for some real ale?
