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.

Wendy's Place on Fawcett Street aims to be a home from home for its customers. As well as coffees and sweet treats, there's a broad range of lunch options such as freshly baked pies, gravy dinners and more.

25. Wendy's Place, Fawcett Street

Wendy's Place on Fawcett Street aims to be a home from home for its customers. As well as coffees and sweet treats, there's a broad range of lunch options such as freshly baked pies, gravy dinners and more. | Sunderland Echo

Photo Sales
Coffee @The Bothy opened in John Street over lockdown in a former estate agents and has plenty of space if you're out for coffee in a group or with your family. There's a good range of classic options at fair prices. The name is inspired by the owner's previous life in Scotland, as bothy is a Scottish colloquialism for a small hut, often in the mountains, in which people shelter from bad weather.

26. Coffee @The Bothy, John Street

Coffee @The Bothy opened in John Street over lockdown in a former estate agents and has plenty of space if you're out for coffee in a group or with your family. There's a good range of classic options at fair prices. The name is inspired by the owner's previous life in Scotland, as bothy is a Scottish colloquialism for a small hut, often in the mountains, in which people shelter from bad weather. | Sunderland Echo

Photo Sales
One of the largest coffee shops and cafes in the city centre, The Glass Onion offers home-cooked classics at fair prices. The name is inspired by Glass Onion: a Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig, on Netflix.

27. The Glass Onion, Blandford Street

One of the largest coffee shops and cafes in the city centre, The Glass Onion offers home-cooked classics at fair prices. The name is inspired by Glass Onion: a Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig, on Netflix. | Sunderland Echo

Photo Sales
Previous
7 / 7
Next Page
Related topics:SunderlandHospitality
News you can trust since 1873
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice