Sweet Meats

71 Water St, Lavenham, Sudbury CO10 9RW, United Kingdom
+44 1787 248442
$$$ Cafe
(68 Reviews)

If you find yourself wandering the charming streets of Lavenham, a quaint village nestled in the heart of Suffolk, make sure to stop by Sweet Meats, a delightful café that is quickly becoming a beloved local treasure. Located at 71 Water St, this whimsical eatery offers a unique blend of homemade ice cream, indulgent cakes, and a cozy atmosphere that invites you to relax and unwind.

As you step inside, you'll be greeted by an eclectic decor that captures the essence of this historical building, creating an inviting and quirky ambiance. The café has a charming dual space: grab your sweet treats to-go at the bustling downstairs shop or take a moment to bask in the café’s cozy upstairs seating area. Here, you can settle in and enjoy your treats (though be prepared for the snugness in busy moments).

Sweet Meats excels in offering a vibrant range of scrumptious delights. Take a moment to savor their imaginative ice cream flavors like Squirrels Paradise, Peaches On The Beaches, and Old Jamaica. While some guests have noted that the ice cream can be watery—adventurers seeking something truly distinctive can appreciate the natural ingredients and inventiveness that goes into each handmade batch. Be sure to pair your dessert with one of their wonderful cakes; the Treacle Tart and Banoffee are standout options that may take your taste buds on a delightful journey.

Another highlight that guests rave about is the scones served in their upstairs tea room. According to one visitor, “Absolutely amazing scones” makes them a must-try on your visit. Enjoy them alongside a steaming cup of tea, a perfect combination to warm your soul. For those with dietary preferences, the café doesn't disappoint; vegan options like the lemon/lime drizzle cake ensure everyone can find something delicious.

Real customers share glowing reviews about their experiences at Sweet Meats. One patron, Felix, mused on the friendly atmosphere and interesting conversations with the owner, who clearly puts a passion for good ingredients into everything served. Another reviewer, Will Jobbins, expressed excitement about the unique flavors and the clear commitment to quality. While there are suggestions for improvement, such as enhancing the flavor profile of the ice cream, the overall experience is warmly recommended for anyone visiting Lavenham.

So whether you're popping in for a quick treat, indulging in afternoon tea, or looking for a cozy spot to unwind, Sweet Meats offers a delightful experience that embraces the quirky charm of its surroundings while satisfying your sweetest cravings.

Visit them today at +44 1787 248442 to see for yourself the sweet magic happening in Lavenham!

Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

68 Reviews
Eva Cristina Bolaños de Hoyos

21 Sep 2025

Lovely quirky place. We enjoyed our food and the atmosphere, coffee wasn't great. I was looking forward to trying the ice cream as they make it themselves, unfortunately it lacked flavour and tasted watery with bits of ice in it. I understand it's a lot more natural than what you get elsewhere but it just wasn't nice. The place is worth a visit and I would recommend it, just not the ice cream.

Andrew Cartwright

20 Aug 2025

A lovely little shop / cafe in Lavenham, kids really wanted an ice cream, and me and the wife really wanted a hot drink. Downstairs you can get take out ice cream and buy sweets / cake upstairs there is seating if you want to take it a little more relaxed. There was no one in the cafe part when we went, which is just as well as being an old building its a bit tight if a few people in there...! Kids loved their ice creams, one have a couple of different chocolate ones (scoop of chocolate and a scoop of mint chocolate) and the other had a random combo (scoop of cola cube and a scoop of orange). Its fair to say the orange was a big hit with both wanting it in the end (more than the chocolate to my surprise!) Wife had a raspberry chocolate cake which was very nice and I had a cream tea, which to be honest I didn't see much of as everyone else ate most of it!! I got a few cups of tea out of the pot I had, so was nice and refreshed by time of leaving. Great place if its not too busy, but be aware it's an old place so room is a bit tight...!!

Felix

06 Jun 2025

Delightful little tea room upstairs where we had tea. Absolutely amazing scones - I think we'll have to be back just for those. Really reasonable prices. Owner was a super friendly and interesting guy. Enjoyed talking about his Land Rover 101 FC based off the photos in the cafe.

Will Jobbins

27 May 2025

Fascinating place! We had vegan cake upstairs (lemon/lime drizzle and coffee/date/walnut) and then bought some handmade sweets, fudge and Turkish delight to take away. Really interesting food, made in house. Lots of unique flavours and quirkiness, with a clear passion for good ingredients and an experimental streak. Will return for a full lunch next time!

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