A good cafe is the beating heart of any town, and Basildon, bless it, has plenty of hearts. From Billericay High Street to Wickford and the neighbourhood parades in between, this is where the town goes for a brew, a natter and a suspiciously large breakfast. Every place below is in the Basildon area (SS11 to SS16 plus Billericay), still open, and ranked the same way: highest Google rating first, ties broken by number of reviews, and anything with fewer than 50 reviews listed after the rest. No paid placements and no invented quotes, just the numbers. We have not checked the biscuits, which we accept is a failing on our part.
The Billericay
Highest-rated in the guide
134 High St, Billericay CM12 9DF
Get directionsThe Billericay has 5 stars from 79 Google reviews, listed as a coffee shop. Reviewers mention salt beef bagel (8 reviews), sourdough toastie (6 reviews), homemade cakes (3 reviews). That makes it our number one cafe in the Basildon area on the numbers alone.
Phone 01277 715972.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 7 am–5 pm; Wednesday 7 am–5 pm; Thursday 7 am–5 pm; Friday 7 am–5 pm; Saturday 7 am–5 pm; Sunday 7 am–5 pm; Monday 7 am–5 pm.
Phatt Toad Coffee ltd
1 Honywood Rd, Basildon SS14 3DS
Get directionsPhatt Toad Coffee ltd has 4.9 stars from 144 Google reviews, listed as a coffee shop.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–2:30 pm; Wednesday 8 am–2:30 pm; Thursday 8 am–2:30 pm; Friday 8 am–2:30 pm; Saturday 9 am–2:30 pm; Sunday Closed; Monday 8 am–2:30 pm.
Brew81
Unit 5 Hurricane Way, Wickford SS11 8YB
Get directionsBrew81 has 4.9 stars from 100 Google reviews, listed as a coffee shop.
Phone 07534 397196.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–3 pm; Wednesday 8 am–3 pm; Thursday 8 am–3 pm; Friday 8 am–3 pm; Saturday 9 am–2 pm; Sunday Closed; Monday 8 am–3 pm.
Cloud 9 Espresso Bar
29 High St, Billericay CM12 9BA
Get directionsCloud 9 Espresso Bar has 4.7 stars from 238 Google reviews, listed as a brunch restaurant. Reviewers mention vegan options (8 reviews), gluten free options (5 reviews), dog friendly (4 reviews).
Phone 01277 632771.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–4 pm; Wednesday 8 am–4 pm; Thursday 8 am–4 pm; Friday 8 am–4 pm; Saturday 8 am–4 pm; Sunday 9 am–3 pm; Monday Closed.
Doorsteps Cafe
South, 3 Kibcaps, Lee Chapel, Basildon SS16 5SA
Get directionsDoorsteps Cafe has 4.7 stars from 146 Google reviews, listed as a cafe.
Phone 01268 906064.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 7:30 am–3 pm; Wednesday 7:30 am–3 pm; Thursday 7:30 am–3 pm; Friday 7:30 am–3 pm; Saturday 8 am–2:30 pm; Sunday 9:30 am–1:30 pm; Monday 7:30 am–3 pm.
Creams Cafe Basildon
25 E Walk, Basildon SS14 1HA
Get directionsCreams Cafe Basildon has 4.6 stars from 213 Google reviews, listed as a cafe.
Phone 01268 968734.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 11 am–2 am; Wednesday 11 am–2 am; Thursday 11 am–2 am; Friday 11 am–2 am; Saturday 11 am–2 am; Sunday 11 am–2 am; Monday 11 am–2 am.
Coco Cafe Basildon
Whitmore Way, Basildon SS14 3JU
Get directionsCoco Cafe Basildon has 4.6 stars from 192 Google reviews, listed as a cafe.
Phone 01268 744069.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 7 am–4 pm; Wednesday 7 am–4 pm; Thursday 7 am–4 pm; Friday 7 am–4 pm; Saturday 7 am–4 pm; Sunday 8:30 am–4 pm; Monday 7 am–4 pm.
SHOTGATE CAFE
7, 7 Hurricane Cl, Hurricane Way, Wickford SS11 8YR
Get directionsSHOTGATE CAFE has 4.6 stars from 58 Google reviews, listed as a coffee shop. Reviewers mention portion sizes (4 reviews), cleanliness (4 reviews), food (17 reviews).
Phone 01268 561638.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 7 am–3 pm; Wednesday 7 am–3 pm; Thursday 7 am–3 pm; Friday 7 am–3 pm; Saturday 8 am–2 pm; Sunday Closed; Monday 7 am–3 pm.
Mem's Kitchen
40, 40 High St, Wickford SS12 9AT
Get directionsMem's Kitchen has 4.5 stars from 365 Google reviews, listed as a cafe.
Phone 01268 766665.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–5 pm; Wednesday 8 am–5 pm; Thursday 8 am–5 pm; Friday 8 am–5 pm; Saturday 8 am–5 pm; Sunday 8 am–5 pm; Monday 8 am–5 pm.
Cosy Cafe
57 Southernhay, Basildon SS14 1EU
Get directionsCosy Cafe has 4.5 stars from 352 Google reviews, listed as a cafe.
Phone 01268 288776.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–5 pm; Wednesday 8 am–5 pm; Thursday 8 am–5 pm; Friday 8 am–5 pm; Saturday 8 am–5 pm; Sunday 9 am–4 pm; Monday 8 am–5 pm.
Cafe Cinco
38 E Walk, Basildon SS14 1HH
Get directionsCafe Cinco has 4.5 stars from 258 Google reviews, listed as a cafe. Reviewers mention portion sizes (8 reviews), friendly staff (46 reviews), value for money (7 reviews).
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–5 pm; Wednesday 8 am–5 pm; Thursday 8 am–5 pm; Friday 8 am–5 pm; Saturday 8 am–5 pm; Sunday 9 am–4 pm; Monday 8 am–5 pm.
Miracles
73 Southernhay, Basildon SS14 1EU
Get directionsMiracles has 4.5 stars from 151 Google reviews, listed as a cafe. Reviewers mention portions (7 reviews), cleanliness (17 reviews), value for money (3 reviews).
Phone 01268 906232.
Opening hours (from Google): Tuesday 8 am–5 pm; Wednesday 8 am–5 pm; Thursday 8 am–5 pm; Friday 8 am–5 pm; Saturday 8 am–5 pm; Sunday 9 am–4 pm; Monday 8 am–5 pm.
That is the 12, and we would happily lose an afternoon in any of them. Ratings and review counts are Google's and were correct when we checked; they move, so if your local is a whisker below the one above, that is no reason to stop going. Own one of these cafes and want your details corrected? Use the contact page and we will sort it. Kettle's on.