Area 51 Coffee

If you're headed towards Ormskirk Road from town, or maybe popping to the shops at Meols Cop Retail Park, Area 51 Coffee is a decent shout. It gets a solid 4.4 stars from over 200 reviews, so they're clearly doing something right. It's not dirt cheap – expect to pay a bit more than your average cuppa – but worth it if you want something a bit better.

They do all the usual cafe stuff – cakes, sandwiches, that sort of thing – but it's the coffee that gets the most mentions online. Proper barista-style stuff, not just instant. It's open every day, usually from 9am (10am on Sundays) until late afternoon, so it’s handy for a quick stop, or a longer sit down. Not a bad option if you're stuck for something to do on a rainy day either.

The decor is, well, space-themed, as you might guess from the name. It's not everyone's cup of tea, I suppose, but the main thing is it's clean and comfy. The staff are always pretty sound, too.

Just a heads up: it can get busy during peak times, especially weekends. Might be worth checking their Instagram page before you head over, just to see if there's a queue.