Bre cafe

Ventnor, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1DY, United Kingdom
+44 1736 795334
$$$ Cafe
(84 Reviews)
Price Range £10–20

Bre cafe sits comfortably in the heart of Ventnor, St Ives, bringing together a casual, sunlit spot that locals and visitors alike lean on for fresh, thoughtfully prepared brunch and coffee. The open-kitchen setup gives a glimpse into how dishes like the mackerel smoked pate with poached eggs or the signature mermaid smoothie bowl come together with care and quality ingredients, underscoring the café’s laid-back yet attentive approach.

The vibe is relaxed with a friendly buzz, making it a great place to drop in for a slow morning start or a casual catch-up over one of their standout smoothies or a creamy affogato. The space tends to attract a mix of people — from families settling in with young children to solo coffee aficionados and groups of friends sharing bowls and bacon rolls. Morning and early afternoon are the sweet spots here, when the light hits just right and the space feels comfortably busy but not overwhelming.

Bre’s menu strikes a nice balance between familiar comfort food and fresh, health-conscious options. Bowls like the acai smoothie bowl or the turmeric-spiced Turkish eggs pair well with freshly squeezed juices and coffees that show the team’s attention to quality. The open style kitchen helps reinforce a sense of honesty about what goes on your plate, which pulls together well with the straightforward, unpretentious design and the staff’s easy warmth.

For those exploring St Ives or locals craving a dependable place for weekend brunch or midday refuel, Bre cafe offers a fresh alternative away from the busier tourist hubs. It’s not just a place for quick coffee — it’s somewhere to settle into the slower pace of Cornwall mornings, where good food and simple pleasures come through in every detail.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
What they serve
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Free water refills
Healthy options
Private dining room
Quick bite
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

84 Reviews
bre

04 Jan 2026

I brought my family here while we were having a little staycation in St Ives & everyone was obsessed! We had several items from the menu & they were all delicious, fresh & thoughtfully made. They went out of their way to accommodate the young children we had with us & everyone was super happy. Some of our favorites we loved were the blue matcha, mermaid bowl, burrito, the smoothies & coffee - we’ll definitely be back whenever we’re in the area

Becky Reitz

22 Dec 2025

If we could do it, we’d do it like this. Everything from the decor to the welcome to the outstanding food hits the mark at Bre. When we return to st ives we will be coming back. We came in twice & had something different each time & I can’t tell you what was best. Go in, you won’t be disappointed

Hayder

15 Dec 2025

We have been here a couple of times and we love it. Such a nice vibe and excellent food. Prices are very reasonable as well. They take care of every detail and you feel each dish is prepared with attention, love and passion. Everything is freshly made and all ingredients seem of high quality. We tried most dishes on the menu and had a few pastries and nothing disappointed. Great coffee with nice art is a bonus. Our favourite was the Turkish eggs!

Louise Oswald

04 Dec 2025

Very delicious food! And open-style kitchen so you can see it being made. The waitress is so lovely. Really nice relaxed brunch/ breakfast vibe. Will be back

Francis E. Slingsby (Jon Paul Allen)

04 Nov 2025

Delightful. An imaginative menu using high quality produce, freshly prepared before you in an open kitchen. Very reasonably priced for what's on offer. The place has a lovely atmosphere with friendly/helpful service.

S S

03 Nov 2025

Wonderful delicious food, expertly prepared. Beautiful setting and aesthetic within the cafe. Some reviews find the staff a bit jarring but I think this is a misunderstanding. The chef is posh and dignified, and interacts with the waiting staff, which people are not accustomed to seeing or hearing as this is an open kitchen. I too found this strange when I first went here for breakfast but on the second visit, lured back by the delicious food, I was more used to the dynamic and I could relax more. The staff were very accommodating with seating for families and with food choices for fussy children, which was kind and nice to see. Due to compressed space and popularity the staff seat multiple groups at one table. So for example, a group of 3 and a different couple might be seated at two ends of the same table. This is a bit odd for the UK, and reminded me of cafes in Amsterdam and Belgium. Fortunately our table neighbours were all very nice but it was a bit awkward initially. Creating just an inch between the tables would have helped to overcome this awkwardness. The delicious food and coffee eclipses any downside. Highly recommended!

Emma Oswald

10 Oct 2025

A lovely gorgeous cafe with an open kitchen that is just as beautiful. I had their blue matcha and it was so so yummy I have been dreaming of it since. I had their acai bowl which was very good with peanut butter too! A bit pricey, but the service and quality is worth it.

Eliza Lee

14 Sep 2025

Wow, I don't even know where to begin! We decended into bre as a group of 12 for lunch. The team in Bre absolutely took it in their stride, we had amazing food and a high standard of drinks. Excellently presented cafe & very welcoming, like we'd known them for years. Definitely recommend

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