the Orpington Café & Record Store - Orpington

The Orpington Café & Record Store: A Vibrant Community Hub

The Orpington Café & Record Store is a uniquely curated establishment located at 161 High St., Orpington BR6 0LW, United Kingdom. It’s more than just a café and a record store; it’s a thriving social space that has quickly become a beloved fixture within the Orpington community and beyond. The business operates as a multifaceted venue offering a diverse range of experiences, blending excellent food and beverage options with a carefully selected collection of vinyl records. The establishment prides itself on fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, catering to a broad demographic and emphasizing a strong sense of community.

Key Features and Offerings

The café’s core offerings include a comprehensive cafe, providing a selection of hot and cold beverages, alongside a takeout restaurant serving a varied menu of dishes. However, the defining characteristic of The Orpington Café & Record Store is undoubtedly its record store, boasting a constantly rotating inventory of vinyl records spanning numerous genres and eras. Customers can browse a curated selection, often discovering rare finds and hidden gems. Beyond the food and music, the venue offers a range of services designed to enhance the customer experience. These include outdoor seating, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals and beverages in a pleasant outdoor setting. Kerbside pickup is available for takeout orders, and on-site services such as takeaway and delivery broaden accessibility.

A Detailed Look at the Experience

The café’s reputation is built on consistently delivering high-quality products. Guests consistently praise the great coffee, great dessert, and great tea selection. Furthermore, the venue regularly hosts live performances, adding a dynamic element to the atmosphere and providing a platform for local artists. The menu features a selection of breakfast, lunch, and brunch options, alongside smaller items like quick bites and small plates, catering to a variety of appetites and preferences. A significant emphasis is placed on dietary needs, with vegan and vegetarian options readily available. The establishment also provides a diverse range of spirits, wines, and beers, ensuring there's something to suit every taste. The facility embraces modern payment methods, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Accessibility and Amenities

The Orpington Café & Record Store is committed to inclusivity and accessibility. The entrance is wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchair-accessible seating is available throughout the venue. A dedicated wheelchair-accessible toilet is also provided. The café offers a relaxed and casual environment, fostering a sense of comfort and familiarity. Table service is provided, ensuring attentive customer care. A bar on site offers a selection of cocktails and other beverages. Additional amenities include Wi-Fi, high chairs, and a kids' menu, making it a family-friendly destination. Paid street parking is available nearby, and parking is generally accessible.

Community and Atmosphere

The café’s atmosphere is frequently described as cosy, trendy, and family friendly. It’s a popular spot for solo dining, groups, and those seeking a relaxed and convivial atmosphere. The venue is particularly welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community and strives to be a transgender safe space. Brunch reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours, and the café readily accepts reservations for larger parties. The owner is frequently lauded for their accommodating nature and dedication to creating a positive customer experience. The establishment’s website, theorpington.co.uk, provides further details about the venue, including opening hours, menu items, and upcoming events.

Customer Feedback and Reputation

The Orpington Café & Record Store has garnered considerable positive attention from its patrons. It currently holds 503 reviews on Google My Business, with an average opinion of 4.7/5. Customers consistently express their delight with the quality of the food, drinks, and music, as well as the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Numerous reviews highlight the exceptional service provided by the staff, particularly the owner, who is often described as ‘one of a kind’ and ‘exceptionally accommodating’. The café’s commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive community has resonated strongly with its customer base.

Phone: 1689666900

👍 Reviews of the Orpington Café & Record Store

Jess N.

5/5

It is now the second time myself and my girlfriend have come here for a breakfast date and both times it’s been 11/10!! The food is always gorgeous the staff, especially the owner is one of a kind and always very very accommodating. It feels like the perfect area to sit and eat whilst the world keeps spinning outside. Will be coming back here again and again!!

C D.

5/5

I’ve been here twice now and both times I have left feeling very happy. It’s got a small-business feel to it which is lovely and refreshing and you can tell that lots of love has been poured into the place. The staff are all incredible and very kind and the chefs clearly know their stuff as the food is ridiculously good! I had the mackerel breakfast and it was to die for! Plus I love that this place has an app, which means you can collect points from your purchases - shows great initiative.

Karolina G.

5/5

The food is fantastic and reasonably priced. Decor and the vinyls really add a character to what I thought was a basic cafe. The service is fabulous, super polite staff happy to assist. Highly recommend.

ssg

5/5

The Orpington cafe, a nice place to chill out where they had crab Benedict which was really tasty and loaded with crab meat.
It would have been nice if the red sriracha sauce was some crushed peas.
I felt that it should be on the brunch menu as well as breakfast for someone who likes a bit of luxury.
You can also buy vinyls there.

Niall M.

2/5

There is a nice atmosphere and the lady who served me was really particularly nice! The prices are definitely high, but the coffee is good and it might be ok as it’s a nice place… apart from the food… see the photo posted with this review and judge for yourself.

The photo is their £8 salt beef sandwich. I would encourage the staff to Google image search ‘salt beef sandwich’ which this was not. A single layer of absolutely wafer thin beef (thinner than any bacon I have ever seen). Not enough to even really taste in the sandwich. Really unforgivable. Prices being high is one thing but this portion was truly insane.

Al D.

5/5

Try this place!!!Popped in to this cafe today. A bit different. Records at the end available for purchase. A lovely eclectic soundtrack playing in the backtground. Four of us sat down for a drink and desert. Due to the intrigue of the menu we decided to have a bite to eat there were two adults and two children in our group. We all got something to eat and everyone was satisfied!!! From full meals, to snacks, to lovely desserts. We spent far longer in there than we expected. The hospitality was great to, we felt like part of the family. Oh, Lovely coffee too!! Discounted set menus Monday to Friday.

Naina M.

5/5

Came here for brunch with my partner and it did NOT disappoint! Amazing service from Scott who made sure we were well looked after and gave us some recommendations.

The food was second to none, and although pricier than other places on the highstreet it was definitely worth it - coffee was amazing too!

Definitely a place for music nerds and coffee lovers (I’d recommend booking to make sure you get a table).

We’ll definitely be back😄

Richard K. (. L.

5/5

Busy local independent restaurant, serving tasty, good quality grub in a relaxed atmosphere, with friendly service. Prices are a bit punchy it must be said, but we left full and satisfied, what more could you want. Keep up the good work OC&RS.