Ritz Cafe Millport

Yesterday on Twitter designer Gillian Kyle gave us a sneak preview of her new textile range, inspired, she said, by the Ritz Cafe in Millport.

Gillian Kyle Ritz cafe

Millport is the town on Scottish holiday island Cumbrae, and though I haven’t been there, I know someone who has. A lot. The Ritz itself is a 1950s gem with a gorgeous interior, perfectly preserved.

Ritz cafe Millport

Ritz cafe millport

Classic 50s cafe

1950s cafe interior

Ritz cafe sign

A much-loved local institution, you can even get a video tour, complete with the sound of a brisk sea breeze and humming coffee machine, here. Our reporter in the field recommends both the Iron Bru Float and the peas with vinegar. Most of the pictures on this page are from Bruce Peter’s fantastic blog post. It’s full of images of cafes, bingo halls and my favourite, hand written siganage, from seaside resorts on the Clyde Coast. Makes me want my holidays.

 

Classic cafe sign

Raffle sign

7 Responses to “Ritz Cafe Millport”

  1. kate
    April 5, 2013 at 11:53 am #

    These pictures make me feel all warm inside.

  2. rebeccamarilyn
    April 5, 2013 at 1:22 pm #

    Aah, I used to live on the Isle of Bute, where lots of these images are taken! Makes me want to go back and visit for an ice cream (probably in the rain) 🙂

  3. Susan Taylor
    April 5, 2013 at 1:27 pm #

    How nice are those mugs!! Covet.
    I used to go there a lot, went out with a boy from Millport for years, the cafe was a lot nicer than he was!

  4. G
    April 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm #

    How great is that, perfectly preserved and not trashed.

    • myfriendshouse
      April 8, 2013 at 9:05 am #

      Yes, our reporter in the field, who has known it for years, says “they just keep cleaning it.” Perfectly preserved with no fuss x

  5. Kate Austin
    April 16, 2013 at 1:57 pm #

    So wonderful to see a cafe that is genuinely retro – what amazing features. Down here in Broadstairs we have an ice cream parlour that’s been here for over 100 years called Morelli’s with a great 1950s interior.

    • myfriendshouse
      April 16, 2013 at 4:40 pm #

      Thanks for your comments Kate. I have a flat in Margate but have never been to Broadstairs! Must go and check out Morrelli’s as I’ve heard of it. So sad that these classic cafes are gradually disappearing x

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