Utopia

Had to kill a few hours with no where to go in Southend.
It was a pleasure to spend it here.
Lots of tasty treats, great prices, décor and lovely staff.
Definitely my favourite part of a weekend in Southend!

This eclectically decorated post-​hippy piece of San Francisco transplanted to — of all places — boring Southend on Sea is a gem The coffee is hand selected by the owner who knows bis beans and serves up a stunning silky brew with just the right balance of acidity and bitterness. The décor is wonderfully unruly and comfortable and the eats are huge to die for old fashioned British cakes that make you wince with anticipation.
Just too good.

What a great find. I like my coffee and this place delivers a fantastically tasty. Best coffee in Southend.

Don’t give your money to those tax avoiding, corrupt chains. Their coffee sucks anyway!
Utopia does a spectacular cup of coffee, delicious smoothie, milkshake or cuppa. Everything i’ve tried in here is wonderful, the cake, the food and the people are friendly. The décor is totally hipster and really magical. There is never enough seating though, there is upstairs and downstairs seating and it’s always full in here!
Would highly recommend!

The few times I have visited Utopia has been out of choice, when needing a coffee, but as an avid tea drinker this establishment surpassed itself. I asked for a lemon and ginger along with a a slice of victoria sponge. We went upstairs where it was quiet and they would bring the fare to us. Listen other coffee/​tea multiples, my tea was served as a real infusion of slices of lemon and ginger, not a teabag in sight, The best most natural tea I have ever had.
Now the bad news, that victoria sponge slice, was a slab, a huge portion of cake, for that time of the day. The sponge was light and the toppings and filling were gooey and sickly as they were supposed to be. I just felt so guilty tucking into the best cake ever.
Utopia brilliant well done, every time!

It is telling that Utopia is always busy, despite being almost surrounded by every coffee chain you could mention. Utopia is busy because it excels at creating a little something different in a sea of similarity. For a start, there’s the friendly staff, including the boss, who’s always around for a chat. Become a regular, and they’ll remember you! As their coffee is roasted on site, not only is the drink itself always delicious, but the aroma in the shop is always heavenly. Sandwiches are generous the bacon and stilton toastie is a favourite of mine plus there is usually a special drink and sandwich deal on offer. The cakes look stupendous, though I’ve yet to steel myself for one of those sweet doorstep wedges! Music is ever present, chilled and never overbearing. Papers are always on offer to read, and the décor is a shabby retro chic affair think salvaged 70s formica topped diner tables and tiled coffee tables with sunken sofas and bright cushions. Love it!

There are reviews for this place here:

Best coffee shop in Southend by miles. Good range of cakes, biscuits and paninis (the new Mexican vegitable is especially good — and I say that as a meat-​eater!) Staff are really friendly: you don’t get the feeling that they’re trying to move you through and out as quickly as possible. Their ever-​growing eclectic mix of sofas and arm-​chairs make this a good place to relax with a good book. (No wonder I virtually live in this place during the holidays)
The best thing is the coffee which they roast on the premises (How many branches of Costas and Starbucks do that?) Best take-​away must be a bag of their beans so you can have their coffee at home.
They also do a roaring trade in milkshakes.

I love this coffee shop. Avoid the American chains and visit this place. Greta coffee, cakes etc. Excellent service. Great atmosphere.

The best coffee shop in Southend. If you haven’t been then definitely go. If you’re fan of the american chains then not for you. Personal service with great selection of delicious food.

Great coffee shop — nto a chain so a bit different and a nice alternative to Starbucks etc. Their coffee is lovely and served in giant ‘bowl’ shaped cups. I can recommend their mocha coffee and their iced coffees /​milkshakes are great on hot days and they have a huge variety of flavours.
There are two floors plus upstairs seating. The only problem is it can sometimes get crowded with students /​school kids.

The smoothies are personally my favourite thing about Utopia. They do houmous paninis so good for vegans. Its best for taking food away as whenever im in there its riddled with school kids. Ive been hurled abuse out by just sitting enjoying my lunch, so in future, i will be taking out.

bigger than it looks and great discussions