Open today: 8:30am – 5:00pm Phone: 01970 000 000 Find us: Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth SY23

Where every visit
feels like coming home

Mama Fay's has been feeding the heart of Aberystwyth with homemade food, freshly baked cakes and proper coffee since we first opened our doors. Come for breakfast, stay for cake, leave with a full stomach and a warm glow.

See the Menu Book Afternoon Tea
Breakfast from 8:30am daily
Homemade Every single day
Atmosphere Warm & welcoming
Dog friendly Well-behaved pooches welcome

Homemade Food

Cooked fresh each morning, never from a packet

Fresh Cakes Daily

Baked in-house, always seasonal

Quality Coffee

Proper espresso, expertly pulled

Community Hub

The meeting place Aberystwyth loves

The interior of Mama Fay's cafe — warm wooden tables, mismatched chairs and a cheerful counter laden with freshly baked goods
15+ Years in
Aberystwyth
A perfectly poured flat white coffee on a rustic wooden surface
Our Story

A labour of love in the
heart of West Wales

Mama Fay's began the way all the best things do — with a genuine love of feeding people well. Fay herself started baking long before the cafe existed, filling neighbours' kitchens with the smell of warm bread and freshly made scones. When the chance came to open a place of her own in Aberystwyth, she knew exactly what it had to be: somewhere honest, unpretentious and utterly delicious.

More than fifteen years on, that spirit hasn't wavered. Every dish on the menu is made by hand in our kitchen. Every cake that sits behind the counter was baked that morning. Our coffee is sourced from a roaster we trust and pulled by people who take pride in getting it right. We are, quite simply, a cafe run by people who care deeply about what they put on your plate.

Over the years Mama Fay's has become part of the fabric of Aberystwyth. We see the same faces week after week and we love every one of them. We're where locals come to celebrate birthdays, where students find warmth on cold winter mornings and where visitors to Ceredigion first discover what Welsh hospitality truly means.

Made here, not bought in

If it's on the menu, it was made on the premises. No shortcuts, no compromise.

Local wherever possible

Eggs, dairy, produce and bread from farms and producers across Ceredigion and Powys.

A proper welcome

Pull up a chair. Stay as long as you like. We're glad you're here.

Honest prices

Great food at fair prices — we've always believed good food should be for everyone.

The Menu

Honest food, made with care

We serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea seven days a week. Everything is prepared fresh in our kitchen and we change our specials board regularly to reflect the seasons.

Breakfast Lunch Afternoon Tea Cakes & Bakes Coffee & Drinks
Served 8:30am – 11:45am

Start your day
the Mama Fay's way

Breakfast at Mama Fay's is unhurried. Pull up a chair, pick up a paper and let us look after you. From a simple buttered toast to the full Welsh breakfast, everything comes from scratch and arrives at the table exactly as it should be.

We use free-range eggs from a farm just outside Lampeter, bread baked in-house overnight and award-winning sausages from a local butcher on the Aberystwyth market.

A full Welsh breakfast plate with eggs, sausages, bacon, laverbread and toast
House favourite

The Full Mama Fay's

Two free-range eggs your way, two Welsh pork sausages, back bacon, laverbread cake, mushrooms, roasted tomato, black pudding and your choice of toast. The full works and then some.

£12.50

The Lighter Plate

Two free-range eggs your way, one sausage, back bacon, roasted tomato and granary toast. All the satisfaction, a little more room.

£8.95

Eggs Benedict

Perfectly poached free-range eggs on toasted English muffin with thick-cut ham and our house hollandaise, made fresh every morning.

£9.50

Smashed Avocado

Ripe avocado with lemon, chilli and seasoning on sourdough, topped with two poached eggs, a sprinkle of dukkah and a drizzle of olive oil.

£10.25

Vegetarian Breakfast

Two free-range eggs your way, vegetarian sausages, halloumi, mushrooms, roasted tomato, baked beans and toast. Fully vegetarian, completely filling.

£11.25 (v)

Porridge

Creamy rolled oat porridge made with whole milk, served with a choice of toppings: local honey and banana, berry compote or golden syrup and clotted cream.

£5.50

Granola Bowl

House-made granola with toasted oats, seeds and dried fruit, served with thick natural yoghurt and a generous spoonful of seasonal fruit compote.

£6.25 (v, gf option)

Buttermilk Pancakes

A tall stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes with your choice of maple syrup and streaky bacon or seasonal berries with whipped cream and lemon curd.

£8.75

Toast & Preserves

Thick-cut white, granary or sourdough toast served warm with a selection of Welsh butter and our homemade preserves — marmalade, strawberry jam or salted caramel spread.

£3.50
Please let us know about any dietary requirements. We are always happy to adapt dishes where possible. Gluten-free bread is available on request. A full allergen guide is available at the counter.
Served 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Lunch worth leaving
the office for

Our lunch menu is built around honest, hearty food that fills you up without weighing you down. Soups made from scratch each morning, doorstep sandwiches, hot specials and salads that actually excite.

Today's Special

Soup of the Day

Made fresh every morning from whatever looks best at the market. Served with a thick wedge of our homemade bread and Welsh butter. Ask at the counter to find out today's soup — it changes daily and it's always worth it.

£6.50 with bread
A generously filled doorstep sandwich on granary bread

Doorstep Sandwiches

Choose your bread — white, granary, sourdough or a gluten-free alternative — then pick from our fillings. Each sandwich is made to order with fresh ingredients and served with dressed salad and hand-cut crisps.

From £6.95
A steaming bowl of homemade quiche with a green salad

Quiche of the Day

Our quiche is baked fresh every morning in a buttery shortcrust pastry case. Served warm with a generous side salad and homemade coleslaw. Today's filling is always on the board.

£9.25
Most popular

Welsh Rarebit

A proper, old-fashioned Welsh rarebit — thick-cut toast heaped with a rich, ale-spiked Cheddar sauce, finished under the grill until golden and bubbling. Served with a simple green salad.

£8.75

Jacket Potato

A large jacket potato, crisped in the oven, with a generous filling. Choose from tuna mayo, mature Cheddar and homemade coleslaw, baked beans or the soup of the day as a topper.

From £7.25

House Salad Bowl

A generous bowl of seasonal leaves, roasted vegetables, seeds, and your choice of protein — grilled halloumi, poached chicken or smoked salmon — with a homemade dressing.

From £9.50

Hot Daily Special

Our kitchen team puts together a hot special every lunchtime — a hearty plate that changes with the season and the mood of the kitchen. Always worth asking. Served with bread.

From £10.50

Ploughman's Lunch

A proper Welsh ploughman's: thick wedges of local Cheddar and Perl Wen, homemade chutney, pickled onions, crusty bread, apple slices and a handful of dressed leaves. Simple and proper.

£10.95

Children's Lunch Box

Half a sandwich on soft white bread, a small pot of fruit, a homemade biscuit and a carton of apple juice or milk. Designed for little ones, made with just as much care.

£5.50
Sandwich fillings include: free-range egg mayo, mature Welsh Cheddar and pickle, tuna and sweetcorn mayo, rare-roast beef with horseradish, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and our weekly special filling. Ask at the counter for today's selection.
A tiered afternoon tea stand with finger sandwiches, fresh scones and a selection of petit fours A freshly baked scone split open with clotted cream and strawberry jam
Served 2:00pm – 4:30pm

Afternoon Tea, done properly

Afternoon tea at Mama Fay's is an occasion. We take it seriously: freshly cut finger sandwiches, warm scones straight from the oven, a selection of our finest homemade cakes and a pot of proper loose-leaf tea, all presented on beautiful vintage china.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, treating a friend or simply deciding that a Tuesday warrants something special, our afternoon tea is the perfect excuse to slow down and indulge. We recommend booking in advance, particularly at weekends.

Classic Afternoon Tea £18.50 per person

Four finger sandwiches (egg and cress, smoked salmon and cream cheese, cucumber and dill butter, and mature Cheddar with chutney), two warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a generous selection of three homemade cakes and sweet treats. Served with a pot of tea of your choice.

Mama Fay's Luxury Tea £24.50 per person

Everything in the Classic, plus a glass of Prosecco or a locally made elderflower pressé on arrival, extra savoury items (smoked salmon blini, Welsh rarebit crouton and miniature Welsh cheese tart) and a larger cake selection including a seasonal showstopper from Fay herself.

Children's Afternoon Tea £10.00 per child

Finger sandwiches (jam or cheese), a warm fruit scone with butter and jam, three homemade biscuits and a slice of chocolate cake. Served with a glass of milk or fruit cordial. Suitable for children under 12.

Vegan Afternoon Tea £19.50 per person

A fully plant-based afternoon tea with vegan finger sandwiches, dairy-free scones with coconut cream and jam, and a selection of our vegan cakes and bakes. Served with a pot of herbal or fruit tea. Please order 48 hours in advance.

Booking is recommended

Afternoon tea must be ordered for a minimum of two people. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance to avoid disappointment, and 48 hours for groups of six or more. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Reserve a Table
The Counter

Cakes & Bakes

Our counter changes every day. Fay and the team bake through the morning to make sure that whatever's on display when you walk through the door is as fresh as it could possibly be. Everything you see was made today.

Victoria Sponge

Light, fluffy vanilla sponge sandwiched with homemade strawberry jam and lightly whipped cream. A classic done exactly right.

£3.50 Daily

Lemon Drizzle

Intensely lemony loaf cake with a sharp citrus drizzle that soaks right through. Sticky on top, tender within. An absolute staple at Mama Fay's.

£3.20 Daily

Rich Chocolate Fudge Cake

A deeply indulgent three-layer chocolate sponge with glossy dark chocolate ganache between every layer and over the top. For those who don't do things by half.

£4.00 Daily

Carrot & Walnut Cake

Warmly spiced carrot cake studded with walnuts and sultanas, topped with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting. Brilliant with a pot of tea.

£3.75 Daily

Welsh Bara Brith

The traditional speckled bread made the proper Welsh way: fruit soaked overnight in strong tea, baked to a rich, dense loaf and served sliced with salted Welsh butter.

£3.00 Daily

Scones

Plain and fruit scones, baked fresh every morning. Served warm with clotted cream and homemade jam. The definitive way to spend half an hour at Mama Fay's.

£3.00 Morning fresh

Seasonal Showstopper

Fay's signature creation changes every week and reflects whatever's in season. It might be a rhubarb and custard layer cake in spring or a fig and honey tart in autumn. Always worth a look.

Ask at counter Weekly

Brownies & Blondies

Dense, fudgy chocolate brownies and their caramel-vanilla counterpart, the blondie. Both made with good chocolate and baked to remain resolutely gooey in the middle.

£2.75 Daily

Homemade Biscuits

Shortbread, florentines, chocolate digestives and seasonal specials. Baked in small batches and displayed loose in the counter jars — sold by the piece.

From £1.20 Daily

The counter changes daily. Some items may sell out before closing — we recommend arriving by 2pm if you have your heart set on something specific.

Bespoke Celebration Cakes

We make bespoke celebration cakes to order — birthdays, weddings, christenings, anniversaries and everything in between. All cakes are made in our kitchen from scratch using the same high-quality ingredients we use every day. We require a minimum of five days' notice and a deposit to secure your order.

Enquire About a Cake Order
The Cup

Coffee that's worth
slowing down for

We've always believed that a cafe is only as good as its coffee. Which is why we spent a long time finding a roaster whose values matched our own before we served a single cup. Our beans are sourced from a small-batch, sustainable roastery and roasted to a profile that works beautifully as espresso and as a longer drink.

Our baristas are trained properly. Every shot is pulled with care, every jug of milk is steamed to the right temperature and every cup leaves the machine looking exactly as it should. Whether you want a straight espresso or a flat white with oat milk, you're in safe hands.

Espresso £2.50
Double Espresso £3.00
Americano £2.80
Flat White £3.40
Cappuccino £3.40
Latte £3.50
Cortado £3.00
Mocha £3.80
Hot Chocolate £3.50
Pot of Tea £2.60

Alternative milks at no extra charge

We offer oat, soy and almond milk as standard and never charge extra for them. We believe good coffee should be accessible regardless of dietary preference.

A barista carefully pouring a latte art pattern into a white ceramic cup

Teas & Cold Drinks

Loose-Leaf Tea Selection

Served in a proper pot for two. Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Lapsang Souchong and a rotating herbal selection including peppermint, camomile and liquorice.

£2.60 / £4.20 cup / pot

Iced Coffee

Cold-brewed overnight coffee served over ice with milk of your choice. Ask for vanilla syrup or caramel if you'd like a little sweetness. Available in summer and on request.

£3.80

Welsh Soft Drinks

A selection of locally made Welsh craft soft drinks including elderflower pressé, rhubarb and ginger lemonade and sparkling apple juice from Ceredigion orchards.

From £2.80
Our Place in Aberystwyth

More than a cafe —
part of the community

Mama Fay's has always been about more than the food. We are a gathering place, a local institution and — if we're honest — something of a second living room for a lot of Aberystwyth residents. We love that. We want people to feel at ease, to stay, to talk and to come back.

Over the years we've hosted book clubs, knitting groups, student socials, mother-and-toddler mornings and more birthday celebrations than we could possibly count. If you're looking for a venue for a small gathering, we'd love to hear from you.

Free Wi-Fi

Stay as long as you like. Our internet is quick and reliable.

Pushchair Friendly

Good space, wide aisles and a warm welcome for little ones.

Dog Friendly

Well-behaved dogs are always welcome inside. Water bowl on request.

Accessibility

Step-free access throughout. Accessible toilet available.

Private Events

Available for small private gatherings outside opening hours.

Local Noticeboard

Community events, classes and local news displayed at the door.

"We've been coming here every Saturday morning for three years. The staff know our order by heart and the scones are the best I've had anywhere in Wales. It genuinely feels like coming to see friends."

Rhiannon T.
Aberystwyth local

"I discovered Mama Fay's on a walking holiday through Ceredigion and it was the highlight of the whole trip. The afternoon tea was exceptional — everything made in-house, beautiful china, unhurried service. I've been back twice since."

David M.
Visiting from Herefordshire

"As a student at Aberystwyth University, Mama Fay's has been my lifeline. The coffee is the best in town without question and the staff have always made me feel completely at home even when I'm sitting here for three hours studying."

Seren O.
Aberystwyth University student
With the Seasons

What's on the specials board

We follow the seasons closely. Our specials board changes to reflect what's growing locally, what's at its best in the market and what Fay has been inspired to cook. Here's a taste of what you might find throughout the year.

A bowl of vibrant spring vegetable soup with fresh herbs
Spring

Asparagus and Goat's Cheese Tart

When Welsh asparagus comes into season in late April, we make the most of it. A buttery pastry tart filled with soft goat's cheese, lemon zest and the finest spears we can get our hands on.

A refreshing summer berry pavlova
Summer

Pavlova with Welsh Strawberries

A billowy meringue base, crisp on the outside and marshmallow within, loaded with whipped cream and the sweetest local strawberries. A summer Sunday staple.

A warming autumnal squash soup with crusty bread
Autumn

Roast Squash and Sage Soup

When the leaves turn and the mornings grow sharp, there's nothing better than a bowl of this: roasted butternut squash blitzed silky smooth with sage butter and cream.

A slice of rich winter spiced cake with dark glaze
Winter

Gingerbread and Dark Treacle Cake

Deeply spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cloves, dense with treacle and finished with a lemon cream cheese frosting. The warming slice that defines winter at Mama Fay's.

Dietary Information

Something for everyone

We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements and preferences. Please always tell us about your needs when you order — we take allergies seriously and will always do everything we can to accommodate you safely.

Our menu is clearly labelled with dietary information. Many dishes can be adapted on request — for example, gluten-free bread is available as a substitute in most sandwiches and toast dishes. Our kitchen handles gluten, nuts and dairy, so we cannot guarantee a completely allergy-free environment, but we take every precaution.

A full allergen guide for every dish is available on request at the counter. If you have a severe allergy, please speak directly to a member of staff before ordering so we can advise you appropriately. We would rather spend two minutes talking it through than have you leave anything on the plate.

Vegan options Vegetarian options Gluten-free bread available Dairy-free milk alternatives Nut-aware kitchen Children's portions Plant-based afternoon tea Gluten-free cakes (selected)

Allergen information is provided in good faith based on our recipes and suppliers. Ingredients and recipes may change without notice. Always inform us of severe allergies before ordering. We are not a nut-free kitchen.

How We Work

Thoughtful by nature

We've always tried to do things the right way. That means buying locally where we can, minimising waste and making choices that we're proud of.

Local sourcing

Eggs, dairy, vegetables and bread from farms and producers across Ceredigion, Powys and Pembrokeshire. Short supply chains, fresher food.

Minimal food waste

Leftover bread becomes croutons. Yesterday's cakes become bread pudding. Off-cuts become soup. We find a use for everything before it goes anywhere.

Reusable & recyclable

Takeaway cups are compostable. Bring your own and we'll knock 20p off your coffee. All our packaging is either compostable or recyclable.

Supporting the community

We buy from independent producers, employ locally and donate surplus food to community projects in Aberystwyth at the end of each week.

Find Us

Come and say hello

We're right in the centre of Aberystwyth, just a short walk from the seafront, the university and the train station. Parking is available in the nearby multi-storey or on the seafront. We're easy to find and well worth the walk.

Address

Mama Fay's Cafe

Great Darkgate Street

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

SY23 1DE

Telephone

01970 000 000

Email

hello@mamafays.co.uk

Getting Here

5-minute walk from Aberystwyth train station

Seafront parking nearby

Bus stops on Terrace Road

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sunday 9:00am – 4:30pm

Kitchen closes 30 minutes before cafe closing time. Afternoon tea must be ordered by 4:00pm. Hours may vary on bank holidays and over Christmas — please check our social media or call ahead.

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Stay Connected

Keep up with what's on the counter

Sign up to hear about our seasonal specials, new cakes, afternoon tea availability, community events and the occasional bit of news from the Mama Fay's kitchen. We write when we have something worth saying — never more.

Get in Touch

We'd love to
hear from you

Whether you'd like to book an afternoon tea, enquire about a celebration cake, arrange a private event or simply ask a question, we're always happy to hear from you. We aim to respond to all messages within one working day.

Afternoon Tea Bookings

We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. Groups of six or more require 48 hours' notice.

Celebration Cakes

A minimum of five days' notice is required and a deposit is taken to secure your order. Please include as much detail as possible about what you have in mind.

Private Events

We can accommodate small private gatherings before or after opening hours. Please get in touch to discuss requirements.

General Enquiries

For anything else, just drop us a message or call us on 01970 000 000 during opening hours.