Knutsford coffee shop toasts the competition and bags top award

Neki Café is a family-run coffee shop in the centre of Knutsford open seven days a week, meaning there’s always time to pop in a sample their wares.

After bagging Mid Cheshire’s Best Café or Coffee Shop title in 2022, Neki Café has just taken this year’s crown.

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 21 awards.

• Best for Hair - Fox Hairdressing
• Best for Pies - JD's Café
• Best for Nails - Blue Beauty Cheshire
• Best for Roast Dinner - The Bowling Green
• Best for Cocktails - The Grape and Bean
• Best for Breakfast - Zaza Café
• Best for Fish and Chips - The Corner Fish and Chip Shop
• Best Beer Garden - The Carriers Inn
• Best for Fitness – Lucas Debek
• Best for Tattoos – Face Base
• Best Independent Shop or Business – Pulse of Perfumery
• Best for Dessert – Layers Treats
• Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time Northwich
• Best for Pets – Happy Paws
• Best for Beauty – The Beauty Spot
• Best for Pizza – The Outback Pizza Company
• Best for Afternoon Tea – The Cosy Tea Room
• Best for Burgers – Burg ‘N’ Ice
• Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre
• Best for Curry – Bombay Lounge

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best Pub or Bar is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our final search – Best Restaurant.

Vote for Mid Cheshire’s Best Pub or Bar 2024

Nominate your favourite for Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant 2024

Ten top cafés and coffee shops made Mid Cheshire shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Neki Café came out on top.

Owner Daniel Nechita opened the doors at Neki Café on King Street in Knutsford almost five years ago in October 2019 following a long but enriching hospitality and catering learning journey.

Neki Café is on King Street in Knutsford

Daniel, who is 32 and grew up in Romania but moved to the UK 12 years ago, said: “We are lucky to now call Knutsford our home, where we run our business and where we raise our two beautiful children.

“We love being part of this community both as an independent business as well as a family.

“Neki Café is an independent, family-run café.

“We serve our own blend speciality coffee named Knutsford blend, freshly made breakfast and brunch dishes as well as homemade cakes and sweet treats seven days a week.”

People are often keen to know where Neki Café’s name comes from.

Daniel wanted the shop’s name to show people that it’s a family-run business, so naming it after their surname was the perfect choice.

Daniel said: “Prior to opening Neki Café, I had the chance to administrate and manage several independent coffee shops in and around south Manchester.

“During this time, I also graduated from university with a degree in business administration.

“It was here that I developed a passion for speciality coffee and fine food, however my dream was to ultimately open my own coffee shop.

“This dream came true in the charming town of Knutsford.

“Having an extensive hospitality background, opening my own shop felt the right thing to do.”

So, what sets Neki Café apart from its competitors? What makes it different to other coffee shops?

Neki Café is family-run and named after the Nechita family

Daniel said: “Unlike some other businesses in the same niche, we offer table service as well as a seamless and tailored customer experience.

“We care deeply about our small business and we aim to see that every person who steps through our doors is happy with the food and the service they receive.

“Our own carefully selected blend coffee quickly became our signature beverage and we are extremely honoured to say that some even call it the best coffee in Knutsford.

“We also focus on offering high-quality, freshly cooked, flavourful food made with locally sourced products and ingredients where possible, supporting thus other local and independent businesses.

“However, I believe it is worth mentioning that all of the independent hospitality business owners in this town work extremely hard to keep the standards high.

“What I love about Knutsford is that even though there are so many cafés and coffee shops, every one of us offers something unique - we have our own customers’ niche.

“We absolutely love customers who go the extra mile to support all the independent shops and businesses in Knutsford and who are very keen to support each and every one of us.

“It is truly a dream come true to operate our small, independent and family-run business in Knutsford and to serve the people and the community in every way we can.”

The coffee shop's own blend coffee - Knutsford blend - is popular with customers

What do customers think of Neki Café? Why did they want the venue to win our latest award?

Coffee lovers say this is “without doubt” the best place to visit when you want a freshly made cup of coffee and a bite to eat.

One nomination said: “It’s always my first choice for coffee and breakfast.”

Daniel said: “We always strive to make sure our customers are happy.

“We have regular customers who have been supporting us from the day we opened, some of whom even became our friends.

“I dare say that our coffee represents one of the main reasons why most of our regulars visit us daily.

“Other reasons why customers return worth being mentioned are excellent customer service, attention to details, the freshness and quality of our food is so important as well as reasonable prices.

“The feedback and the reviews we receive speak for themselves.”

Tell me about your now award-winning café or coffee shop. What do you offer? What are some popular dishes or items on the menu?

Neki Café serves breakfast and brunch, wraps, paninis and sweet treats in addition to their own brand coffee as well as hot and cold beverages. Some of their most popular dishes are the Hass smashed Avocado, the full English Breakfast, Neki pancakes, spinach crêpes, eggs Benedict and sweet chilli chicken wrap.

Neki Café opened on five years ago

Daniel said: “We make it about people, fine food and coffee.

“Connecting with our customers and building relationships is the best thing about my job.

“Some of our loyal customers became our friends and our children are now playing together and going to the same school.

“Some of our customers say they feel like coming home when they are at Neki’s so this also makes our job rewarding and it tells us that we must be doing something right.

“We also love supporting and being a part of the community of Knutsford, taking part in the events organised by the Town Hall and seeing it as our home first and foremost.

“Lastly, it is an honour to play a part in putting Knutsford on Cheshire’s hospitality map.”

Neki Café is no stranger to winning awards having been named The Travellers’ Choice on Tripadvisor two years in a row and making the finals of the England Business Awards in 2022.

The popular place was named Best Café on the Restaurant Guru platform three years in a row and was voted Mid Cheshire’s Best Café or Coffee Shop in 2022.

The popular tiramisu

Daniel said: “We were delighted to hear that we had been shortlisted again in the same competition.

“We know what a great achievement it is to win the Best Café award for Mid Cheshire however we recognised that no matter the outcome, the award that we will cherish the most is being a part or this community.

“To say we were surprised when we heard we’d won is an understatement - we are honoured.

“We knew the competition was tight but we did what we could and we hoped that our customers would support us.

“They helped to bring this award to us and for that we are extremely grateful.

“This award gracefully marks our fifth and it is in recognition of the fact that people value what we do.

“It motivates us to keep the standards high and to carry on providing excellent customer service, appetising food and gourmet coffee.”

Daniel added: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who voted for us and to all of our loyal customers who have supported us on our journey.

“We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

“We will continue to cherish our future awards and accomplishments and to be grateful for our community’s love and support.”