And wouldn’t it be great if we could revisit them from next week when the pandemic restrictions lift further?
Sadly, that’s not possible but at least we can re-live the memories of places such as Bianco’s, Birks, Waverley and the Central Stores cafe.
All these photos can be shared with you courtesy of the Hartlepool Museum Service and Hartlepool Library Service.
Take a look at some of the great choices we had for refreshments in decades gone by.
1. Birks cafe
Birks cafe was pictured near to Hartlepool railway station and was pictured here in 1953. Photo: Hartlepool Museum Service. Photo: Hartlepool Museum Service
2. Bianco's cafe
A 1979 image showing Bianco's cafe in Whitby Street. Remember it? Photo: Hartlepool Library Service. Photo: Hartlepool Library Service
3. Cafe Royal
The Cafe Royal in 1962.Who remembers it? Photo: Hartlepool Library Service Photo: Hartlepool Library Service
4. nphm-12-05-21-retrocafe-NEPupload
The Granby Cafe in the late 1970s on The Front. Did you enjoy a cuppa there? Photo: Hartlepool Library Service. Photo: Hartlepool Library Srvice