For one of the best brews in the city - and a great atmosphere to boot - head to Sonny's at Pop Recs at the bottom end of High Street West. Named after late co-founder Dave Harper's son, Sonny's offers great menu options such as Turkish eggs and sandwiches on homemade foccacia and some inventive vegan choices. placeholder image
For one of the best brews in the city - and a great atmosphere to boot - head to Sonny's at Pop Recs at the bottom end of High Street West. Named after late co-founder Dave Harper's son, Sonny's offers great menu options such as Turkish eggs and sandwiches on homemade foccacia and some inventive vegan choices. | Sunderland Echo

Pumpkin Spice Latte season returns: 24 independent coffee shops to check out in Sunderland city centre

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 29th Aug 2025, 10:33 GMT
Updated 29th Aug 2025, 13:18 GMT

Yes, it’s still August, but Starbucks has already launched its Pumpkin Spice Lattes (PSL if you’re a real fan) in UK stores.

As well as the obvious chains, there’s also some great independents in the city to visit, some of whom also offer the seasonal favourite, such as Grinder in New Durham Road, as well as a host of other coffee varieties.

With autumn round the corner, we’ve rounded up 23 great independent city centre coffee shops perfect for cosy season.

Brew & Bake is a stylish coffee shop and cafe on the ground floor of City Hall that offers food and drink at reasonable prices in comfy surroundings. It's particularly good for remote workers if you're looking for a break from the home office.

5. Brew & Bake, City Hall

Brew & Bake is a stylish coffee shop and cafe on the ground floor of City Hall that offers food and drink at reasonable prices in comfy surroundings. It's particularly good for remote workers if you're looking for a break from the home office. | Sunderland Echo

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Wild Fire City is one of the city centre's newest additions and offers more of a daytime offering than the original Wild Fire in Deptford. As well as pizza, doughnuts and focaccia, they're brewing up coffees and more.

6. Wild Fire City, Mackie's Corner

Wild Fire City is one of the city centre's newest additions and offers more of a daytime offering than the original Wild Fire in Deptford. As well as pizza, doughnuts and focaccia, they're brewing up coffees and more. | Sunderland Echo

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Named after owner Olivia's puppy, Willows is in St Thomas Street next door to Amy's Winehouse. It specialises in handmade focaccia sandwiches, Detroit-style pizza slices to take away, cookies, smoothies, matcha, coffees and more.

7. Willows, St Thomas Street

Named after owner Olivia's puppy, Willows is in St Thomas Street next door to Amy's Winehouse. It specialises in handmade focaccia sandwiches, Detroit-style pizza slices to take away, cookies, smoothies, matcha, coffees and more. | Sunderland Echo

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For friendly service and some Sunderland favourites like pink slices head to Coffee 57 in High Street West, just round the corner from Keel Square.

8. Coffee 57, High Street West.

For friendly service and some Sunderland favourites like pink slices head to Coffee 57 in High Street West, just round the corner from Keel Square. | Sunderland Echo

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