Beyond the Menu: CaffeInn in Florence Walk, Bishop’s Stortford

For his Beyond the Menu series, Richard Barrett visits local eateries to sample the food and tuck into the stories of the people who run them. This time he sees what CaffeInn in Florence Walk, Bishop’s Stortford, has to offer.

Tucked away in Florence Walk is CaffeInn. On the wall is a photo of David, who was waiting outside on the morning of February 8, 2019 when Ercan Karagoz opened the café and who was his first customer.

David sadly passed away during Covid, but his wife and family continued to visit the café and greatly appreciated the acknowledgement the Karagoz family and staff gave to one of their most loyal customers.

What is clear when you talk with Ercan is his passion and strong family commitment to hard work and service. His ethos is being the very best that you can be.

In 2014, he was forced to leave, through persecution, both his home and a successful job in Istanbul. He initially arrived in Enfield not able to speak the language and accepted the need to work at two jobs to make a living, with just a few hours a day to sleep.

Ercan recalls when the café first opened there wasn’t the number of coffee shops in Bishop’s Stortford that there are today. Without a high street location, he maintained and built his business based on attracting the loyal and regular customers who chose to eat there.

During Covid, Ercan battled to set tables outside the café in Florence Walk and his determination demonstrated just how he is so focused on his client loyalty and the repeat business which has been key to his success.

CaffeInn is open from 7.30am to 4pm six days a week with Sunday opening being 8am to 3pm. It serves all-day breakfasts and lunches, including a variety of baguettes, pasta dishes, gourmet burgers, salads and a selection of side dishes. Also on offer are a variety of coffees and hot chocolates, ice creams, fresh cakes and organic juices.

Vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options are available as well as smaller children’s portions of any of the dishes on the menu.

The most popular dishes are the full English breakfast, eggs royale, avocado dishes and a variety of omelettes.

Ercan says Sundays are particularly popular with families, with many regular customers enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. There is disabled access and Ercan is happy to accommodate groups.

Recognising the need to deliver up-to-the-minute surroundings, the café will be closing in July for five weeks for a complete refurbishment. Ercan will also be compiling a new food and drinks menu.

We went for breakfast and I had a superb omelette and chips with side salad and a pot of tea. My wife had halloumi and poached eggs with wilted spinach on sourdough toast and an americano. The service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast.

We are definitely looking forward to visiting the café after the refurbishment, probably on a Sunday with our grandchildren in tow.

Talking of which, David’s photo will remain on the wall after the refurb, acting as a reminder to Ercan and his team, most of whom have been with him since he opened, of the importance of regular loyal customers and personal service.

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