A family-run café which serves up some of the best traditional Lancashire cuisine in the county is in the running to be named the best coffee shop.
Café Ri-An, based in Stanley Street, Accrington, is one of 10 coffee shops in the region up for the Best Coffee Shop award as voted by Lancashire Telegraph readers.
The Café Ri-An is certainly one of the most traditional coffee shops on the list - set in the heart of a busy high street attracting both local and regional customers.
Here, you will find everything from the famous English breakfast to pie and vegetables and jacket potatoes, and the homemade pies appear to have taken up a legendary status of their own.
It is run by couple Sean Mason and Andrea Murray.
Sean said: “Our in-house pies have become really popular and we do get people coming across the region for them.
“We started them around lockdown and they have got more and more popular.
“The menu is varied but we do try to keep it very traditional. That is what our local customers want.
“It is also important to us to keep prices at an affordable level. Running a business like ours is not easy but we have a great team and staff and customers have been really wonderful and supportive.”
As well as their food the eatery serves up a range of coffees and hot drinks.
Sean said: “The coffee and hot drinks are something we have invested in, and it is something we are always getting commended for.”
Rita Schofield at the much-loved in-house coffee shop at Mercer Hall Leisure Centre.
The café was established six years ago. Before then Andrea worked alongside her mum,The name Café Ri-An is named after Rita and Andrea.
Sean said: “The pies and the recipes are from Andrea’s mum who made them in the 1970s.
“Andrea wanted to bring back some of the nostalgic flavours and techniques that people were used to. It's about keeping these recipes alive.”
This year’s three-course Christmas menu features a prawn cocktail in Marie Rose sauce, roast turkey, roast beef and a vegetarian option, the Café Ri-an Christmas pie.
For dessert, you can opt for a Christmas pudding with brandy, traditional sherry trifle or a mini cheese platter.
The menu is on now until December 22 but people are being asked to get in touch and book ahead.
Sean said: “We have got a lot of bookings already. The menu is something we are really proud of.
“We are closed during Christmas week as it is great that staff can spend time with their families during the festive period.”
Café Ri-An is open six days a week and closed on Mondays.
We have been featuring each of the finalists in the Best Coffee Shop competition in recent days while voting takes place.
To vote, pick up a paper copy of the Lancashire Telegraph. Once all votes have been counted a winner will be announced later this month.
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