TOAST on Braintree High Street is a friendly, modern coffee house that’s built around award winning coffee, made to order toasties, and a grab and go fridge of fresh sandwiches, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

TOAST is an independent British coffee house founded by three friends, and the Braintree branch is the original starting point for the group, established in 2020. It sits right on the High Street and feels designed for everyday life in town, the quick morning coffee, a mid shopping refuel, a lunch that doesn’t take ages, or that after school treat stop when you want something warm and comforting. It’s not a full restaurant, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it focuses on a strong café core, quality coffee and drinks, toasted comfort food, and sweet treats, all delivered in a way that suits busy days.

The experience is very much coffee house first, with food that’s simple to order and easy to enjoy. You can pop in for a drink and a cake, or build a proper lunch around a toastie. The menu structure makes it clear what TOAST wants to be known for. Toasties sit front and centre, described as freshly made in minutes and packed with fillings and gooey cheese. Alongside that you have untoasted sandwiches, bagels and salads that are prepared fresh and stored ready to pick up from the chiller cabinet, which is ideal when you’re short on time. It’s a set-up that works whether you want something hot and melty or something quick and tidy to eat on the move.

If you’re trying TOAST for the first time, it helps to decide whether you’re here for a hot toastie moment or a quicker cold lunch. The toasties are the signature, and they’re pitched as the kind of comfort food you come back for. Specific toastie flavour names are not fully listed in text on the menu pages, but examples shown include a Cheese and Marmite toastie and a Tuna Melt style toastie. There’s also a separate toasted focaccia section shown, which suggests you can go beyond standard toastie bread if you fancy something a bit different. If you like rich, savoury flavours, the cheese-forward options will be your best starting point. If you prefer something that’s more lunch-like than snack-like, the tuna option is the kind of order that usually feels hearty without being overly heavy.

For anyone who wants a faster, no mess lunch, the untoasted sandwiches and bagels are built for convenience. The menu describes them as ready in the chiller cabinet and designed for hectic days, picnics, or quick bites between errands. The listed choices include Coronation Chicken, Prawn Salad, Egg Mayonnaise, Tuna Crunch, and a Breakfast Sandwich. That range covers a few distinct moods, classic creamy chicken, something seafood and fresh, familiar egg mayo, a more textured tuna option, or an all day breakfast style choice when you want something more filling.

One detail that’s genuinely useful for regulars is the meal deal. TOAST lists a set option that includes any sandwich or bagel, plus Fairfield Farm crisps, plus a Jolly’s drink, priced at £6.95. If you’re heading in for lunch and want something straightforward, that’s the easiest way to order without standing there weighing up multiple add-ons. It’s also a good shout for anyone budgeting while still wanting something that feels fresher than a supermarket sandwich.

Drinks are clearly a major part of the appeal, and the menu leans into variety rather than just the basics. On the hot drinks side, you’ve got the coffee shop staples, plus options like matcha and different flavour combinations. A practical win here is that plant-based and lactose-free milks are available without an extra charge, with choices listed as lactose-free, oat, soya, coconut or almond. That’s the kind of detail that matters if you’re someone who always ends up paying more for your usual milk choice elsewhere.

Cold drinks are not an afterthought either. The cold drinks menu covers iced matcha and other iced drinks, plus a selection of soft drinks and kombucha. Brands and examples listed include Jolly’s sparkling options and a range of kombuchas such as ginger, passion fruit, raspberry and peach yuzu, alongside juices. That makes TOAST a good pick even if not everyone in your group wants coffee, because there are plenty of chilled options that still feel a bit more interesting than a standard fizzy drink.

If you’re the type who orders something sweet with your drink, TOAST also positions itself around cakes and sweet treats, and it has a dedicated menu section for milkshakes and frappes too. The specific flavours for shakes and frappes are not shown in the text extract here, but they’re described as indulgent and offered in timeless and seasonal flavours. That’s perfect for treat days, and it also fits the “after school” feel the brand mentions, when people want something fun rather than just practical.

Dietary options are one of TOAST’s stronger points, at least in terms of availability. The toasties menu states that gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options are available. The hot drinks menu also supports plant-based and lactose-free milks without an extra charge, which makes ordering easier if you avoid dairy. Beyond those points, detailed allergen information and the full list of which items meet each requirement are not stated here, so if you have strict allergies rather than preferences, it’s sensible to check in store before ordering.

Location-wise, this is a very central Braintree stop. The address listed is 64 High Street, Braintree, Essex CM7 1JP, which puts it right in the middle of town, ideal for shopping days, quick meet-ups, and casual catch-ups that don’t need planning. Opening times are generous for a coffee house, with 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 9:00am to 4:00pm Sunday. That early weekday start is especially handy if you want a coffee and breakfast on the way into work.

In terms of who it’s best for, TOAST suits a wide mix. It’s great for:

Morning regulars who want a reliable coffee stop with early opening

Town centre lunch breaks where you need something quick but satisfying

Friends meeting for a catch-up who want a casual, no-pressure venue

Families and students looking for a treat style drink, toastie, or cake

Anyone wanting vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options without hunting around

The practical details are clear on the essentials. Payment methods listed are cash, credit or debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Customer toilets are listed as available. Parking is the main thing to plan ahead because there is no onsite parking, with nearby options listed as Tesco Market Square, Sainsbury’s and George Yard Car Park. Booking is not stated, which fits a walk-in coffee house style. Takeaway and delivery are not stated.

Overall, TOAST is one of Braintree’s easiest central choices when you want quality coffee and food that’s genuinely designed for real routines. The menu gives you two clear lanes, made to order toasties when you want hot comfort food, and ready to grab sandwiches and meal deals when you need speed, with plenty of drink options to match. If you like coffee houses that feel independent, consistent, and practical, it’s a strong one to keep in mind for both quick stops and longer catch-ups.

Food Types: Café; Coffee Shop; Breakfast & Brunch; Takeaway

Dining Type: Dine In; Takeaway

Area: Braintree, Braintree