Lacto
Ovo
British
Breakfast
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Small cafe offering some vegan choices for coffee drinks, a plant-based breakfast, avocado toast, cakes, and a vegan burger. Open Mon-Thu 07:30-17:00, Fri-Sat 07:30-22:00, Sun 07:30-15:00.
8 Reviews
First Review by Pipsy
Melanie vaa
Points +46
Great little cafe 💓 - Edit
First time at the Rustic cup the other day.
Read moreI wanted something healthy and chose the avocado on toast which was very nice.
The coffee has full flavour. 😋😋
Last but not least the member of staff who greeted me was very helpful and friendly. 👍😄
Pros: A good few vegan options, Friendly staff , Food is fresh and full of flavour
Cons: A healthy salad would be lovely
Guest
mariamc27
Points +1622
Nice breakfast - Edit
Came here for a breakfast after a park run - good feed and portions, and yummy coffee
Read moreGuest
JoDandelion
Points +600
Nice vegan options, trendy place - Edit
Seemed to be one of the only cafes open on a Sunday, and was consequently packed!
Read morePleased to see 3 or 4 vegan cake options, as well as a vegan English Breakfast. It didn't have tofu but was nicely done with homemade beans and homemade sausages - something a bit different! Good coffee too!
Pros: Great coffee, Nice range of options, Friendly staff
Cons: A bit slow because they were very busy
Guest
RóisínMarie
Points +38
Lovely vibes - Edit
This was a nice little spot with a few vegan options. Coffee was excellent 👌
Read moreGuest
BlueberryStuart
Points +96
Comfortable Place; Rusty Reception - Edit
Rustic Cup is aesthetically appealing and their Ethiopian coffee is outstanding. They use the same company as Boatyard (Cullercoats) - which is one of my favourite coffees.
Read moreThey have gone through a lot of changes of staff and menu since we started going in 2020. It was erratic in its opening times but always worth popping in for a coffee and cake when it was open.
The discomfort began when the owner started to open up (during a pandemic lockdown) about his belief that Covid is a hoax/conspiracy.
We stopped going for a while after that - until we ended up there with some of our friends & acquaintances.
The experience was embarrassing for us. We were made to feel unwelcome for asking if certain items on the menu contained milk or dairy - as their menu was unclear on this.
We find that their food is usually unclear in its suitability for vegans. When we have asked members of staff, we have received differing responses.
It turns out that several options we have been told were vegan in the past are made using dairy. Several times we have been misled; although I'm sure it was an error and not intentional, for it to happen several different times, we find that we can no longer trust what they claim.
We were made to feel like an inconvenience. I was embarrassed when a member of staff passed on a message from the kitchen - that we shouldn't ask or expect accommodations for vegans in future visits - and said we should have called ahead to check (we did call ahead to check what was suitable; we were given conflicting information when we asked in-person).
I felt conflicted about staying despite already ordering; if I was on my own, I would have walked out.
The owner is rather rude and just a bit 'off' with people. They would greatly benefit from letting other staff learn the menus and run the café; it is a lovely looking place - but we felt out of place there.
I would be concerned if I had any allergies as their knowledge was erratic and those in charge seemed rather erratic themselves.
It's all rather erratic beneath the polished surface - with a feeling of discontent for those that simply want to know if what they are eating or drinking has dairy in it or not.
I find it unnecessarily uncomfortable.
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-31
Pros: Great Coffee, Looks Lovely
Cons: Unfriendly, Unwelcoming, Expensive & Underwhelming Food
Guest
lily!!
Points +59
Positive atmosphere! - Edit
There were quite a few vegan options, for example I had the plant-based breakfast and vegan red velvet cake which were both very good. There were lots of other options too and the cafe is really comfortable and cosy. It’s also convenient as it’s on the main street in Whitley Bay, and the staff were lovely too.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-02-03
Guest
deadpledge
Points +13257
Vibrant and charming cafe - Edit
Very impressed with this cafe. Soon as I opened up the door I was greeted by the welcoming staff and you could sense the positive vibes and atmosphere. On my visit I ordered a slice of chocolate cake and an almond and granola flapjack to takeaway. The chocolate cake was divine and one of the best I have had for a long while. The flapjack was delicious too. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.
Read morePros: Great vegan options , Staff, Vibe
Cons: Serves meat and dairy
Guest
Pipsy
Points +46
Lovely atmosphere, great staff, wonderful food - Edit
Great venue, lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, wonderful food, lots of vegan options, some really different dishes and sides, like firecracker broccoli, chilli beets. Many of the non vegan dishes can be made vegan, eg Greek salad wrap. Only uses vegan mayo to avoid any confusion. See https://rusticcup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Menu.f.Oct-PDFdocx.pdf for brunch menu. See https://rusticcup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Evening-Menu-July-21.pdf for evening menu. Also a range of daily cake options, all clearly marked. Chef very knowledgeable. Would thoroughly recommend.
Read morePros: Knowledgeable staff, Lots of vegan options including savoury and sweet , Delicious different vegan food and drink
Cons: Also serves meat and fish
Guest
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