Cosy café that serves up 'the best fry up breakfast in Merseyside'

A Merseyside coffee house and café is known for serving one of the best fry up breakfasts in the region.

Described as a "little piece of Paris" by its owners, Toast Coffee House and Café has been serving breakfast, afternoon tea and lunch since 2011. It was opened by mum-of-two Lisa Whittle, originally from Rainford, who saw the quaint building as a "massive retail opportunity."

Customers walk down a cobbled courtyard to get inside the snug café, that boasts an array of cakes, sandwiches and ice cream inside. Regulars are mainly made up of locals, including the famous actor and comedian Johnny Vegas.

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The star told ITV's DNA Journey that Toast café was his "happy place" when he visited the Dentons Green Lane venue while filming. He described it as a "cosy little retreat". Owner Lisa previously told the ECHO: "I used to be a fashion buyer. I did a degree in retail and I spent all my early years working for big retail companies.

"When I had my second child I packed in buying because I didn't want to travel anymore. I stayed at home for two-and-a-half years with my second child and I bought that building as an investment.

"The building where Toast is used to be a little greasy spoon and I just saw it as a massive retail opportunity to be a nice coffee shop. I just thought there was a gap in the market in that area."

Toast serves everything from a big breakfast to scrummy doorstep toast and a weekend brunch menu - which offers bacon and syrup pancakes, eggs benedict, a toast tower and more. Served all day, the big breakfast, £10.95, is made up of two rashes of bacon, two sausages, egg, beans or tomato, hash, mushrooms and toast.

The breakfast is served with a pot of tea, Nescafe or cordial and black pudding can be added for an additional 95p. Other breakfast favourites include the veggie breakfast and avocado and poached egg on chucky toast for £7.95.

Lisa said the business was the first in the area a decade ago to offer afternoon tea and high tea, which remains extremely popular with customers. She added: "It’s cosy, it’s home from home, everything about it just has a nice feel about it.

"One of the most common comments we get from customers is that when they walk into Toast they feel like they could be anywhere, they feel like they're on holiday. You walk down a cobbled courtyard to get inside and we have a gorgeous little patio area filled with flowers at the back. If you sat there on a sunny day, you literally could be anywhere.

"It’s quirky, it’s cosy, it’s got character and it just has a lovely atmosphere." The success of Toast is described as a "family effort" as the staff and customers have a great relationship.

Lisa added: "Our customers are fantastic, we've got the best customers. So many of them have become friends and family. We have so many customers who still come to Toast who came in the very first week we opened. It’s just lovely.

‘It’s very much been a family effort, my husband is involved, my brother and sister-in-law work there. Form day one I've had a lot of the family work in the business with me. I can't thank my customers enough and the team of people working for me. The staff have been there a long time and I’m proud of them, their work ethic and what they’ve achieved. "

Toast is one of the highest rated restaurants in the area, with glowing TripAdvisor reviews. One happy customer said: "I'd heard only good things about Toast and paid a visit a few weeks ago for breakfast. Oh my Lord, what an absolute delight it was. The place was very busy, which shows how popular it is. The service was friendly and quick. The full breakfast was absolutely delicious, with tea in a pot with China cup and saucer being a lovely touch. The prices are very reasonable also. "

Another added: "The best I've ever had. Trust me I've eaten a lot of cooked breakfast and it was amazing. The Staff were also fabulous and nothing but nothing was to much trouble, especially to the waitress who were basically run of their feet. "

While a third said: "Yet again faultless, lovely welcome on arrival and lovely ladies always with a smile and some conversation. Biscoff hot chocolate is fantastic, followed by a full breakfast!" To find out more visit Toast's Facebook page or click here.

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