More than three years ago, on 16 March 2023, the doors of The Spontaneous Cuppa opened for the first time. From the start, the goal was simple: to make and serve good food for everyone. Our food is 100% gluten free, dairy free, and mostly soya free, prepared in an environment where safety, health, and sustainability are never compromised. Every decision; from the ingredients used to the packaging chosen; has been guided by that principle.
Over these three years, the café has become more than a place to eat. It has become a place of trust. Many customers who can’t eat gluten have shared that they hadn’t eaten out for years before finding us. People travel from across the UK, some from Europe, making a special trip to Hunstanton to dine safely. Their stories remind us why this work matters.
Community has always been at the heart of what we do. Each year, the café supports three local charities during the Hunstanton Christmas Lights switch on, with help from our fantastic volunteers Jackie and Mark Browne. We are also proud to support Jenny and her team at the Princess Theatre by providing products for their Macmillan Coffee Morning. Monthly Swedish Evenings have become a much-loved tradition. These gatherings remind us that food connects people.
Wendy Wright, who has been with us from the beginning brings hard work, dedication and a smile to every shift. We are so grateful that she is part of our Team. We said ‘goodbye’ to Edward who is now venturing into his second year at University. Together with the people who work with us, we learn, adapt, and improve.
The journey has been full of milestones. The Spontaneous Cuppa continues to maintain a 5 Food Hygiene rating and held Coeliac UK Grade A accreditation for three consecutive years. The café was featured in the first edition of the Coastal Café Guide and was honoured with the Mayor’s Community Contribution Award in 2025/2026.
There have been challenges along the way, including health-related closures early this year. Each challenge strengthens our resolve. Sustainability remains an investment, not a trade-off. Every choice—from using local tradespeople for our renovation to paying for food waste and recycling collection—reflects a belief that doing the right thing is part of doing good business.
As we look ahead, there is much to be grateful for and still much to do. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported The Spontaneous Cuppa. Whether visiting for the first time or returning as a regular, every conversation has helped shape these three years. Here’s to continuing to serve good food for everyone, safely and sustainably, for many more years to come.
Read more about our journey in our annual reflections published in Hunstanton Town and Around: You’ll find us 1 Year On Pg19, 2 Years On Pg49, 3 Years On Pg13.
