On a quiet street in Bruton, a town known for doing things a little differently, Stripy Duck Bookshop Café brings together good food, good books and a strong sense of place. It’s not a concept built for novelty, but a carefully run space where café and bookshop genuinely support one another, creating an experience that feels considered rather than curated.

By day, the café is calm and welcoming, with food that’s thoughtful, generous and rooted in simplicity. Everything served is gluten free, from daily lunches to the cake counter, making it an easy choice for those who often feel limited elsewhere, without that ever being the headline. Lunch centres around gluten-free quiche made just across the road at ‘At the Chapel’ bakery, served with salad, chutney and dressing, with fillings changing every few months as the bakery’s menu evolves.

Cakes are locally made by Somerset Blissful Bakes, with a regular line-up that includes berry bakewell, lemon curd bakewell, chocolate pistachio and raspberry brownie, and almond macaroon. Vegan energy bombs and brownies sit alongside, ensuring there’s always something sweet to linger over. Coffee is taken seriously, and the menu is designed to encourage staying put rather than rushing on.

Books are an integral part of the experience, not decoration. Shelves are lined with a carefully chosen selection that reflects curiosity and independence, creating a gentle hum of browsing alongside eating. It’s easy to arrive for coffee and leave with a book under your arm, or to lose track of time entirely between pages and plates.

Stripy Duck has earned a loyal following, drawing locals who return regularly and visitors who seek it out as part of a Bruton day out. Calm, welcoming and quietly confident, it offers one of the town’s most rewarding places to spend a slow hour or an unplanned afternoon.