Independent Haywards Heath coffee shop MINCKA has been crowned Best Café in Sussex at the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Awards, recognising its commitment to great food, specialty coffee, and genuine hospitality.
The award marks a proud moment for the independent business, which has spent the past five years growing its food offering while building its reputation as a welcoming place for the local community, with great coffee always at its heart.
At MINCKA, the vision has always been to create more than just somewhere to grab a coffee. The aim is to be a daily meeting place where people can meet, work, relax and enjoy great food, specialty coffee and a warm welcome.
Over the past year, the team has spent a lot of time developing MINCKA’s food offering, creating a menu of freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches made inhouse using high-quality ingredients and local suppliers wherever possible.
MINCKA works closely with a number of local businesses, including Woodhouse Butchers in Haywards Heath for meat and eggs, Paul’s Greengrocers in Lindfield for fresh fruit and vegetables, and The Flour Pot Bakery for freshly baked pastries delivered each morning.
Jerome Bolze, Founder of MINCKA, said: “Winning Best Café in Sussex is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at MINCKA. It’s a reflection of the passion and hard work our whole team puts into every customer experience; from the food and coffee we serve to the welcome people receive when they walk through our doors. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for us and to our loyal customers who continue to support an independent local business. This award motivates us to keep improving and creating a coffee shop that our local community can be proud of.”
The award comes at an exciting time for MINCKA as the business continues to grow beyond the traditional coffee shop experience.
Alongside introducing new seasonal menus throughout the year, MINCKA has expanded its corporate catering service, providing fresh office breakfasts and lunches, as well as bespoke catering for meetings and events across West Sussex.
MINCKA is also opening its doors for private evening hire, offering the coffee shop as a unique venue for celebrations, networking events, and private functions. Working closely with its head chef, the team can create bespoke menus tailored to each event, with the option to add a full professional bar and cocktail service through local mobile bar company Southside Bars.
Looking ahead, the team remains focused on great coffee, exciting food, supporting local suppliers, and continuing to make MINCKA a place that brings people together.
For more information about MINCKA, corporate catering or private hire, please contact hello@minckacoffee.com.