In the creaking wooden skeleton of what was once Just Books, a new wonder has emerged. Cafe 76 is the hero Skipton needs. With efficient, pleasant service, a takeaway sandwich shop on street level and cafe tables overlooking the historic High Street on the floor above, it's a winner from the off.
Valiantly holding forth opposite Skipton's unwelcome Costa, and serving breakfasts all day (including the richest yummiest Eggs Benedict you could think of) as well as lunches ranging from sandwich to burger, drinks from fizz to milkshake, well. Let's just say it's in my good books (and that's even before we get onto the fact that a burger and fries is under £6). It's got more soul than Caffe Capo and less froth than the Three Sheep.
The chicken burger isn't that cop out that people seem to keep going for lately: just sticking a chicken breast in a bun. It's battered (so much better) and tender like a giant goujon. The milkshakes are thick and creamy and FULL of flavour. The strawberry is really something else.
So what about that fifth star? It's tricky to say what that last bit of greatness could be, but for some reason, fab though I think this place is, I haven't fallen head over heels for it. I think it just needs a dash more personality, some quirk or kook in the decor, a little less functional. Somewhere unmistakeably Cafe 76.
But they've focused on the important things first, as any Costa-competitor must, and it is working, because I just keep coming back. read more