Set your story in a café, garden, or restaurant.

Posted in Short Story on Jan 24, 2025

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✍️ 72 stories

“Two Tea Friends” by Gary Grissom

Submitted to Contest #287

Two Tea FriendsBy Gary E. Grissom Being an accomplished acoustic guitarist and singer, I never took karaoke singing seriously. I realized, though, that it was probably a fun way for non-musicians to at least have the experience of singing in front of a live audience. However, I had decided that I would never try it because I had developed my own style of performing and I didn’t want to break away from it. But after meeting a friendly English couple who lived in my senior community of Stoneridge, I accepted their invitation to go with th...

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“Matrimony by the River” by Summer Austin

Submitted to Contest #287

"I don't know what time it is," I whined; "How many times are ya gonna ask me?""Until I get an answer, that's how many," my dad yelped."Well there's a clock over there," I pointed at the wall."Yea, so?""So what?""Are ya.....""No I'm not gonna go look, and I've had enough!" I walked out of the little garden patio to the café and headed home. "I don't understand these people," I thought to myself."Like, he wanted me to leave," I surmised. "Anyway,"..Talking to myself got pretty boring so I went to my friend Gary's house, and we watched TV. His...

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“Lunchtime At The Justice Cafe” by Kenneth Goldman

Submitted to Contest #287

Roger McAllister glanced at the name tag of the waitress behind the counter, and after taking another look at the patrons seated in the diner he knew he had to ask. His two minutes inside the roadside grease-pit had shown him there was something mighty strange about this place. “So how’d this town ever get a name like ‘Justice,’ Maureen?” he began, knowing that any salesman worth his spit always started with the familiarities and small talk, then built from there. The waitress set his coffee and chili before him without the customary ...

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“Bibliobibulis ” by Michaela Dennean

Submitted to Contest #287

This is a sequel to All You Need is a Cat (found on my page!) , but it can be read as a standalone. Winston never liked cats. He found himself irritated by their constant need for food, lack of affection towards him, and long, drawn out meows when he tried to interact with them. He and Rosemary had owned dogs, fish, guinea pigs, and even an iguana over the years, but no felines. If someone had told Winston six months ago where he would be now, he practically would have laughed, though no one would hear it; Winston Edward Grey laughs on...

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“One Sip Trip” by Patrick Druid

Submitted to Contest #287

One Sip Trip.I stepped off the bus in the middle of town, and got totally soaked by the rain. I tried to shelter myself with the magazine I was reading, but it didn't help much, so I rushed across the busy, 5 line street to find an awning.The cars honked at me as I sprinted."Yeah, I know you don't like me!, I said to them. I doubt that they could here me in this downpour and I really didn't care if they did. I had a really hard day at the office today as they say. The boss pulled a bunch of us into a conference and ...

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“My Cuppa Tea” by Kathleen Majorsky

Submitted to Contest #287

My black and white zentangle drawing that I’ve been working on for hours is now a hot soggy mess. I hang my head in defeat as I stare at the smeared ink. That’s just how my life has been going lately. I blink rapidly attempting not to lose my shit in my favorite tea shop in Wrigleyville. My Cuppa Tea has been my only constant since I moved to Chicago from London 4 months ago.I lift my head when I notice a hand come onto my table adorned with a sleeve of tattoos almost as dark as my now blurry Sharpie doodles. Another inky hand places itself ...

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“Tales from a cup of tea” by Guady Serrano-Diez

Submitted to Contest #287

It was an early evening, the sun was just setting, and the streets of my neighborhood were quiet, quieter… the wind just danced in the yellow leaves that started to fall from the trees, it was an autumn night. I felt restless at home; so, I decided to go for a walk, I wanted to see what I would find to distract my spinning mind; so I set off for a short adventure. I told my husband I needed to clear my head, and he understood, “I stay with our baby,” he said, and I closed the door behind me. I walked in an alley I have seen so many times but...

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“1933” by Steven Oglesby

Submitted to Contest #287

Ranchers Cafe sat on the main road heading into Floyd, Texas, offering easy access for anyone coming into town or leaving. Inside the cafe, it buzzed with the low murmur of conversation and the rattle of silverware against plates. The scent of frying bacon from the kitchen, along with brewed coffee mixed with the sweet aroma of homemade pie, wrapped around the few guests scattered throughout the dining area. It was 1933, and despite the cold weather of North Texas, the smells and warmth of the diner provided a cozy atmosphere. At a corner ta...

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“THE STONE MASON” by Glenna Agnew

Submitted to Contest #287

THE STONE MASON The yard was a veritable English garden complete with stone pathways separating the garden's various sections, neatly defining each area in splendor. The lush green lawns peeked out from under fragrant heritage roses, some were more than one hundred years old. The roses grew in abundance, as did the peonies, dahlias, and hollyhocks. Dr. and Mrs. Olsen had been working on their garden since they had moved into the stately home six years ago. This summer’s project was an ambitious one, but necessary according to Mrs. Olse...

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“Morning Coffee” by Luis Javier Fuentes

Submitted to Contest #287

I don’t dislike the cafe, but it isn’t exactly my favorite place to be in. The bustling people getting their early coffee. The parents with wailing children fighting for a cut in the line. A police man was impatiently waiting in line. The barista’s efforts to make coffee as fast as possible as if their life depended on quelling the wrath of demons. It’s pure chaos. Which means it should be the perfect place for me to think of a new concept for the book I’m writing. Chaos tends to be a perfect theme for writing for some reason, or at least, I...

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“Memories” by Liz Hermon

Submitted to Contest #287

*This story contains depictions of domestic violence and loss of a loved one. Please read with care.* Flashes of stage lights. Speeding cars. Hospital rooms. Skin painted in blood. Beds trampled with pleasure. The memories nearly drag me under when I hear the sweet voice of my granddaughter saying my name, for what must not be the first time. “Nonna. Did you hear me?” The wild blonde curls surrounding her heart shaped face remind me too much of her mother. I have to look down into my cup of earl grey and regain my footing...

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“A Brew-Tea-Ful Time To Relax” by Indigo Simmons

Submitted to Contest #287

The aroma of coffee assaulted my senses when I entered the quaint, little café, a faint smile appearing on my lips as the cozy atmosphere warmed me up from the inside out, and I sighed softly, feeling at home within its walls.“Good morning, Callie! Would you like your usual?”The barista greeted me sweetly, prompting me to stride towards the counter she stood behind, the chain attached to my jeans jingling quietly against my left thigh as I walked, and I hummed thoughtfully at her inquiry.“Mmm, actually, what is your guy’s special for today, ...

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“The Last (and First) Cup of Tea” by Emily Rochford

Submitted to Contest #287

I had never seen so many flowers.They hung from the wisteria tree overhead, and glowed like white lanterns from the blossoming magnolia tree. I breathed deep, amazed at the smell; I’d never seen a real magnolia tree. The closest I’d been was under the closed lid of a scented candle. I’d been a city girl all my long life, and even as I grew older and slower and the clock grew short, I never did buy my cottage in upstate. Ivy climbed hedge walls and barely-glimpsed trellises. Sunflowers stood well over my head and tracked the distant sun throu...

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“Fancy Meeting You” by Pamela Brown

Submitted to Contest #287

Fancy Meeting You by Pam Brown Leonard paused, and turned up the collar of his raincoat. It had started drizzling as he made his way along the high street, but now the rain was becoming more persistent, and he hurried towards the small cafe he knew was a little further along the road. Before he went to open the door he paused and looked in the window. There seemed to be a lot of people in the small, cosy room, and he wondered if he would have to share a table.That would be all right, he thought. A cup of tea would be welcome anyway. There w...

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“Like the Frigid Winds” by Wheeler Burningspicecookie

Submitted to Contest #287

High above in the Frozen Peaks lies a kingdom named Creseon, a place built up from the cold permafrost and sturdy timber of the trees above. In the heart of the kingdom, an abundant garden sits idly, seemingly untouched by the eternally frigid environment. This garden, titled the Garden of Forgiveness, stretches far and wide, the foundation of Creseon; a place of refuge for those who have successfully made it through the perilous journey, or just a place to be free from the chambers of your own mind.Every day, when the sun rises and the moon...

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Set your story in a café, garden, or restaurant.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 72 stories

“Two Tea Friends” by Gary Grissom

“Matrimony by the River” by Summer Austin

“Lunchtime At The Justice Cafe” by Kenneth Goldman

“Bibliobibulis ” by Michaela Dennean

“One Sip Trip” by Patrick Druid

“My Cuppa Tea” by Kathleen Majorsky

“Tales from a cup of tea” by Guady Serrano-Diez

“1933” by Steven Oglesby

“THE STONE MASON” by Glenna Agnew

“Morning Coffee” by Luis Javier Fuentes

“Memories” by Liz Hermon

“A Brew-Tea-Ful Time To Relax” by Indigo Simmons

“The Last (and First) Cup of Tea” by Emily Rochford

“Fancy Meeting You” by Pamela Brown

“Like the Frigid Winds” by Wheeler Burningspicecookie

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with a character making a cup of tea for themself or someone else.

Center your story around someone who’s boiling over with anger, frustration, or jealousy.

Write a story with a character pouring out their emotions.

Start or end your story with someone being soothed by a hug or words of comfort.

Contest #287

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

408

Contest entries

173

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: