Coffee Snob Blog

In a nutshell:

-the perfect all-rounder – offering the best of coffee and the best of food

-great for anything from a quick espresso pre-hike, to dinner pre-theatre

-come here for coffee with a view

If you’re lucky enough to escape to the Malvern Hills, then it is essential you have a place of refreshment in mind that will revive and revitalise you after the long hours of walking. And isn’t it just as well Malvern has the perfect place: Mac and Jac’s.

Situated perfectly at the bottom of the Malvern hills, Mac and Jac’s provides solace and edible treats for locals and hikers alike. At first glance it seems to do everything – which confused me. ‘Oh this is a coffee place that does food’. Oh no, ‘this is a brunch and coffee place that offers dinner too’. I kept trying to compartmentalise it in my mind, but soon I realised that their varied offerings are by no means a happy accident – all food and drink have been carefully curated in order to cater to their varied clientele for their specific needs. Walkers fuel up here before the big ascent; cyclists stop off for a quick outdoor espresso; social gatherings are held on their big rustic tables; and dressed up gangs of women come here as the sun sets to dine before heading out to the theatre.

“It manages to negotiate that well-worn hole between coffee shop and restaurant, which is a lifeline when you’re out with friends when some want ‘proper food’ and others want a ‘coffee and a quick bite”

Come here for brunch, lunch, pre-theatre dinner, coffee, tea and cake, freshly baked treats. All has been catered for to an exceptional standard (with no weak link) whilst still maintaining a humble identity that is quite simply: Mac and Jac’s.

The coffee:

The coffee is absolutely delicious. Perfect for my preferences (well balanced, smooth, easy-drinking). I’m not one to have two coffees a day, but this place made me break all the rules. They source beans from small family company, James Gourmet Coffee in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. They also offer a guest espresso which they charge at an extra 20p.

The food:

I haven’t come across a coffee shop that does food so well. It’s restaurant standard in its quality; restaurant standard in its variety. Breakfast options range from toasted waffles, to warm ricotta pancakes, from stuffed brioche buns and all kinds of eggs on toast; for lunch and dinner choose from a range of sandwiches, their famous savoury tarts, flatbreads, soup; or more hearty meals like lamb kofta with tabbouleh, a rare roast beef salad or the salmon and pollock fishcake. I had one of their specials – the pea risotto – with a side of the garlic flatbread strips (pictured above) which was a superb. Their menu is served until 6:30pm (see bottom for details), so it works perfectly for theatre goers. And as for their sweet treats…I defy you not to try one. Try their white chocolate and mascarpone tart, or their homemade shortbread, or their 30 day aged sticky ginger Parkin – I could go on, but I think it’s best for you to encounter the same delectable shock I had.

All in all:

Being such a glorious town, I felt spoilt when stumbling across a coffee haunt as good as Mac and Jac’s. It manages to negotiate that well-worn hole between coffee shop and restaurant, which is a lifeline when you’re out with friends and some want ‘proper food’ and others want a ‘coffee and a quick bite’. It answers to a plethora of needs and tastes, without ever losing sight of its commitment to quality, personality and its identity every step of the way. And if you happen to get a table outside, you will be blessed with one of the best views of the hills. A view, I’m sure, even Elgar would be satisfied with.

Things to know:

–WiFi

-indoor and outdoor seating

-toilet facilities

-wheelchair accessible

-family friendly

-Opening Hours: 9:30-3:30pm (Tues); 9-6pm (Wed-Sat) – book ahead for pre-theatre with last orders at 6:30pm; 10-3:30pm (Sun and bank hols)

-Website: www.macandjacs.co.uk

-Address: 23 Abbey Road, Great Malvern, WR14 3ES

Recommended places nearby:

–Malvern Theatres for theatre, cinema and music

-Visit National Trust owned The Firs: Elgar’s birthplace

-Walk The Malvern Hills, and take the Elgar route, which inspired him to take write some of his greatest music

-Visit St Ann’s Well Cafe for a little pit-stop on your ascent up the hill