It is never a bad idea to meet up with friends or family for cup of coffee and a slice of cake, but where should you go? Ipswich has a fantastic range of independent coffee shops for you to choose from, so take a look and support our local businesses.

Ipswich Star: Applaud Coffee, Ipswich. Picture: SUPPLIEDApplaud Coffee, Ipswich. Picture: SUPPLIED (Image: Archant)

It is never a bad idea to meet up with friends or family for cup of coffee and a slice of cake, but where should you go? Ipswich has a fantastic range of independent coffee shops for you to choose from, and we have created a list of them for you.

Applaud, St Peter’s Street

The sister-owned café, Applaud, is one of Ipswich’s favourite independent coffee shops. It offers customers a cosy and welcoming environment, while they can enjoy an award-winning espresso blend, as well as homemade cakes and scones. On the brighter days, its quirky courtyard is perfect to relax to in and enjoy a breakfast, lunch or just a coffee.

Ipswich Star: Pickwicks coffee and tea house, Ipswich. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDPickwicks coffee and tea house, Ipswich. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Pickwicks Coffee and Tea House, Dial Lane

Set in a 15th Century building, which is thought to be the office of Thomas Wolsey’s secretary, Pickwicks offers great food and drink in an historic setting. Enjoy over 40 types of coffee and loose leaf tea while being served traditionally by table staff, whether that is in their historic coffee shop, or the beautiful churchyard open during the summer.

Ipswich Star: Artizan, Silent Street. Picture: ARLEN JAMESArtizan, Silent Street. Picture: ARLEN JAMES (Image: Archant)

Artizan, Silent Street

This coffee shop is located near St Nicholas Street, providing its customers with a scenic setting in a building that is full of character, along with a good range of bakery treats and sandwiches to enjoy. Whether you are looking for fresh homemade food, or tea and scones with a friendly service in their sun-trap garden, then Artizan is worth a visit.

The Stables Coffee Shop & Sandwich Bar, Brightwell Barns

Ipswich Star: The Stables Coffee Shop, Brightwell. Picture: LUCY TAYLORThe Stables Coffee Shop, Brightwell. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR

Escape for a short while at The Stables Coffee Shop under new management, located between Ipswich and Waldringfield. There, you and the family can enjoy delicious homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches and toasties, accompanied with a range of drinks. The coffee shop also caters for those with special dietary requirements, so make sure staff are aware of your needs when you order.

Café Marina, Ipswich Waterfront

This café offers a whole menu with varied choices of large and light bites that perfectly meet the needs of the entire family, while being located on the beautiful Ipswich Dock. There is a range of freshly made breakfasts, lunches, hot and cold snacks, desserts, milkshakes, and coffees and teas to enjoy during your visit.

Ipswich Star: Entrepreneur Ercan Kayhan, outside the Marina Caf�. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNEntrepreneur Ercan Kayhan, outside the Marina Caf�. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN

Go Manila! St Margaret’s Street

Located on the outskirts of the town centre, Go Manila! gives the people of Ipswich a convenient place to enjoy coffee, as well as a friendly atmosphere to feel welcome and wanted. The coffee shop offers a good selection of food and drinks, including some Filipino snacks.

Ipswich Star: Go Manila! coffee shop on St Margaret's Street. Picture: D VINCENTGo Manila! coffee shop on St Margaret's Street. Picture: D VINCENT (Image: Archant)

Coffee Link, Ipswich Waterfront

The privately-owned family business offers great coffee and great service to the people of Ipswich.

Enjoy their hand roasted single origin coffees that have been slowly roasted in their Ipswich headquarters, and if you like it, you can buy a bag of their Ethiopian, Columbian or Costa Rican coffee beans to take home.

Ipswich Star: Azzouz El-Mahraoui and wife Rebecca at their cafe in Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: DAVE VINCENTAzzouz El-Mahraoui and wife Rebecca at their cafe in Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: DAVE VINCENT (Image: Archant)

Jacey’s Coffee House, St Stephen’s Lane

Visit 2013’s winners of the Independent Business of the Year Award to experience their delicious home ground coffees, loose leaf teas, hot chocolates and milkshakes.

The café caters for the needs and wants of everyone, offering a large menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch and buffets for corporate and private use.

Ipswich Star: Jacey's Coffee House. Picture: SU ANDERSONJacey's Coffee House. Picture: SU ANDERSON (Image: Archant)

The Grazing Sheep, Ipswich Waterfront

Located on the picturesque Waterfront, you will be able to enjoy their delicious meals from mostly local ingredients, while taking some snaps of the beautiful surroundings.

From Swedish meatballs to gluten free chocolate cake and vegetarian sausage rolls, there is a great range of good and drink to be enjoyed at The Grazing Sheep.

Ipswich Star: The Grazing Sheep on the Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe Grazing Sheep on the Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Pennikkity Pots Ceramics Café, Unit 1 Crown & Anchor Mews

This café is a perfect place to take the children.

You can enjoy a cup of Italian coffee and a slice of homemade cake or a toastie, while your little-ones pick from the range of mugs, bowls, plates, season items and more, to paint their own personal design for just £5.

Ipswich Star: Pennykitty Pots in Ipswich, coffee and ceramics painting. Picture: SU ANDERSONPennykitty Pots in Ipswich, coffee and ceramics painting. Picture: SU ANDERSON

Cult Cafe, Ipswich Waterfront

The cafe is the perfect destination for breakfast and coffee with a vast array of dishes from pancakes to scrambled egg and bacon butties or fruity smoothies.

The Ipswich Waterfront-based venue offers diner style food which is all homemade and using Suffolk ingredients.

Ipswich Star: Mike Keen of Cult Cafe in the James Hehir Building on Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: LUCY TAYLORMike Keen of Cult Cafe in the James Hehir Building on Ipswich Waterfront. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR