Based on 425 opinions finded in 2 websites
Based on 425 opinions finded in 2 websites
Nº 1168 in 1307 in Shropshire
Nº 339 of 350 British in Shropshire
Opinions
Terrible drinks, just tasted like warm washing up water. The cakes were OK, very disappointing
Andrew James . 2024-10-07
MORE AT Google
We walked around the entire resivior, and stopped for a well earned cup of tea. The staff were helpful and friendly, and tea was superb.
Andrew Mann . 2024-09-27
MORE AT Google
Maybe the poor reviews previously were due to it being very busy during school holidays but we found this cafe excellent with good food and service. It has a lovely outside seating area near the dam and excellent stop off point for the lake. Staff courteous and hard working. Check out the colourful range of birds on the feeders in the adjacent bird hyde. Thankyou Artisans
Wayne C . 2024-09-23
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Visited yesterday had lovely scones. Spoke to a wonderful lady who was on the till and she was very bubbly and even recommended a wonderful walk. Will definitely return
Sharon Lloyd . 2024-09-19
MORE AT Google
Living in Wales and speaking Welsh I don’t expect to be looked at like I’m some weirdo for starting my conversation in Welsh. Obviously the lady didn’t speak any Welsh which is fine but what I take offence to is the reaction to me speaking it first, with a look seemingly verging on disgust. Does she not know she’s in Wales? She never offered even a brief explanation: “I’m sorry I don’t speak Welsh” for example which would suffice. I don’t expect everyone I encounter to speak my language but when I receive such an unwelcoming look which results in me bizarrely feeling out of place in my own country of birth I think it’s time to speak up. Judging by recent reviews others feel similarly about be welcome and perhaps worse they also mention the place is tired and “grubby” and I noticed the tables were dirty and the whole place reflects the reaction of that staff member which isn’t a suprise is it? On a final note the name of the cafe is quite ironic.
Luke Brady-Johnson . 2024-09-18
MORE AT Google
We went here last week for a Latte and an Americano. Both were just rubbishy watery coffee. Certain items were not priced and the place seemed grubby and unwelcoming. Which is a shame to think how great a place it once was.
Jimmy E . 2024-09-11
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We went here last week for a Latte and an Americano. Both were just rubbishy watery coffee. Certain items were not priced and the place seemed grubby and unwelcoming. Which is a shame to think how great a place it once was.
Jimmy Edwards . 2024-09-11
MORE AT Google
We had the misfortune to visit Artisans cafe yesterday, 31st August, for what we had hoped would have been a pleasant dining experience as we hadn’t read the Reviews before we went (wish we had). We can honestly say that it is the worst, most unappealing place you could ever wish to visit to eat. Where do I begin? The entrance area is an eyesore so that should have signalled the state of the interior. We thought we had entered in to a store room. My husband even thought they were working on the interior as there were so many unopened boxes around the place. The all male staff looked utterly and totally bored out of their minds and had no interest in serving. The tables were dirty, the floor even dirtier, with flies buzzing round everywhere. The tables were positioned in a line parallel to the wall with nothing on them but old spilt sticky drinks. We then made the mistake of going into the one toilet which had no paper hand towels and the air dryer was broken. The bottle of hand wash had been watered down so much it was like water, which it probably was! We made a hasty retreat from the grubby cafe vowing never to return again. What really amazed us was, that at the time we were there, there was a queue for service. It was obvious that other people hadn’t read the Reviews either. There is no competition in that area now that the other cafe closed several years ago, and that is what is required.
Jacqueline M . 2024-09-01
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We're local, 3 of us called in for an ice cream, has it changed hands recently? Litter outside , part of the trellis fence to the right hanging off , inside looked like a bomb had gone off, just grubby and unwelcoming .I can't see us going back again
patrick d . 2024-08-31
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Do not buy coffee here. Our order of a latte, a cappuccino and a mocca were all delivered from a push button machine at £3 a pop. All were horrible and were given back after tolerating half a cup each. The service guy had no idea how to deal with negative feedback and basically just walked away. Shocking quality drinks and service. Do not buy coffee here folks.
Matthew Dare . 2024-08-31
MORE AT Google
Unfortunately a very disappointing visit. Uninviting Cafe inside which needed a very good clean. Menu looked ok however food / coffee was unappealing when it arrived. Paid £7 for a baked potato and served on a plate with crisps which I though was an unusual combination…small side salad or coleslaw would’ve been much better. Young man who served us was friendly. Would not recommend visiting which is a great shame as such a beautiful area.
Rachel B . 2024-08-30
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Absolutely crap place . Miserable unhelpful staff , dirty inside and out . Dangerous flooring just rubbish . Don't waste your money going in
James . 2024-08-18
MORE AT TripAdvisor
As previous recent reviewers have said - staffed by three miserable-looking young men who look as though they need to find a reason to live. But the worst thing was how filthy the outside sitting area was. Old wrappers, bottles, litter, grime trodden into the ground everywhere you looked. Obviously hasn't been swept for weeks. No-one clearing the tables. The lunch was adequate but the only reason we stayed was because there's no other cafe nearby. The owners should be ashamed.
Catherine S . 2024-08-13
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Four of us ordered a sausage and bacon sandwich each, plus 3 teas and a coffee. On sitting down we were faced with the open door of the disabled WC. A simple screen would have been preferable. Anyway the door soon closed, as there were a lot of customers. One toilet in a very busy cafe meant that a queue soon formed. One toilet for so many. Our wives used it and said that it was revolting, dirty, wet and flooring in large bumps probably due to the water and whatever else is on a toilet floor. Meanwhile us men noticed that the place was generally dirty and with boxes stacked against the counter. The staff were serving customers, handling their food and then handling their money! We had by then eaten our OK sandwiches. But wished that we hadn't. There are rules for this industry and they need to be enforced. Disgusting place. Never again.
Barry Ensor . 2024-08-04
MORE AT Google
What a pity this place is by a very picturesque and well visited area. The general look is to say the least shabby and not terribly clean. The only toilet, for use by male&female was not clean, paper thrown on floor, beware the floor is uneven. Don't sit opposite the toilet, as you get a good view!! when the door is left open, not nice when eating. There is all sorts of rubbish under the seats, not good, however the bacon/sausage sandwiches were good and substantial. It could do with a total clean and refurbishment.
Richard Thomas . 2024-08-03
MORE AT Google
Awful place to visit. I don’t know where to start. I admit we were a bit late arriving at 4ish but I never expected to be greeted by such unenthusiastic and disinterested staff. The place is very uninspiring and uninviting - on arrival no one served us. We were standing for quite a while when eventually we were ‘greeted’ by a less than enthusiastic only drinks now and we have only black coffee or tea. I tried to make conversation but gave up after the staff member said he didn’t know who ran the cafe lol! It seems the RSPB have abandoned the whole place and what’s left is a shambolic hotchpotch of unwelcoming and unkempt facilities. Such a shame it’s fallen into such a state as the surrounding area is beautiful. It deserves better facilities than what are there at present.
Ian G . 2024-07-29
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Called for coffee and cake. Decided to have an ice cream which was tasty enough. Surly staff told me I had to order coffee at a seperate counter (having already queued for some time). The "Barista" misheard my order (through the unwelcoming plastic screen and pressed the button on the vending style machine to make a cappuccino rather than the cafetiere I'd asked for. He was most put out when I declined to pay for the cappucino (which looked atrocious). They only offer decaf in cafetiere so I chose to go without coffee. Space outside was pleasant where as inside felt dingy and unloved. Found a fab trailer in a car park at the other end of the lake selling lovely cakes and great coffee so will go straight there next time.
Ian W . 2024-07-29
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Arrived at today at 1:30, queued for 25 minutes to be told that bike hire ended at 2 when it was 1:55. To which his colleague rescued him to say bike hire actually stopped at 1:30. Convenient I must say. We had travelled an hour and heard bike hire stopped at 2 so we were left disappointed
Jed Delaney . 2024-07-27
MORE AT Google
A very run-down look and even worse inside. Passable cappuccino but service ethic almost zero! Three young men only interested in talking to each other! Best place to sit was outside on one of the benches. The smell of burnt food (bacon?) inside was too much! At least it's open and we got a coffee. We didn't see anywhere else. This place needs a proper refurbishment, quickly, to get up to modern day standards.
Adventure821164 . 2024-07-24
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Small, busy cafe. Reasonable prices but we only got drinks. Staff looked overworked and under numbered and wasn't a particularly hectic day. Well situated for people visiting the area.
Jim McJim . 2024-07-16
MORE AT Google
If you want feeding or for your children to be fed, then don't bother! Absolutely disgusting service and customer service was not existent. Rude to an OAP and two young children left hungry!
Melissa Boardman . 2024-06-30
MORE AT Google
Lovely cafe and ice cream parlour right next to the Lake Vrymwy Dam. Huge selection of flavours and large portion, also do doggy ice cream to cool off those four legged friends. A must after a long walk.
Stefan Polson . 2024-06-27
MORE AT Google
The worst, and I mean the worst, cup of coffee on the planet. Yes, they apologised for the machine being out of service, but wow... dirty water is as good as I can give it. Didn't drink it. Thirst was better than the unimaginables.
Mark Rosher . 2024-06-27
MORE AT Google
We’ve been coming here for years, and it’s always been OK. Came here with the family the other day and it was shocking. We waited absolutely ages to be served, despite not being busy, ordered food which took used to come and in the end we had to go and ask for it again. The coffee was like dishwater, came away, totally unimpressed.
Tony lloyd . 2024-06-24
MORE AT Google
Popped in for bite to eat. Basic menu. Very few cakes on the day I called. The Coronation Chicken sandwich was well filled but wow it was strongly spiced. Not subtle creamy. Hot Chocolate very sweet.
Sheila Gordon . 2024-06-18
MORE AT Google
Decent food (bacon and cheese melt baguette) friendly staff, sensible price. What you would expect for a cafe miles from anywhere....
Andrew Caunt . 2024-06-11
MORE AT Google
Hour wait for a sandwich, nothing on offer in the cake cabinets, coffee machine not working. Had clear our own table, service very slow. Despite being the busiest time of the year this place was lacking everything needed to run a potentially lucrative cafe business in a prime tourist spot. Disappointed ☹️
Wild Heather Photography . 2024-06-01
MORE AT Google
Coffee machine wasn't working so a cup of filter, no problem, I asked for takeaway and came in a mug, wasn't particularly happy when asked for takeaway again, no lids available which as it turned out, I didn't need as the coffee was revolting, totally undrinkable and I had to pour it away, didn't see much point telling them. The lemon drizzle cake was absolutely delicious though, just a shame no coffee to go with it. Hopefully, it's just a one-off
Mark Hunt . 2024-05-28
MORE AT Google
Really good jacket potato, great cakes and nice tea. Reasonably priced and very nice 👌
Andy Goldie . 2024-05-28
MORE AT Google
We were very disappointed that none of the young lads serving food or ice cream were not wearing gloves ! Other than that, it was nice
C D . 2024-05-25
MORE AT Google
Group of us called here about 11am on a Thursday for coffee/cake before walking the Glyndwr way - good location and lots of tables for eating outside and looked to have lots of bikes to hire - however everyone was really disappointed - slow service (felt we had taken them by surprise?) and a mug of very weak coffee and rather poor selection of disappointing dry tray bake cakes. Shame as could be good. We saw another coffee place just afterwards … with sign ‘speciality coffee’ but they weren’t open. Let’s hope this place improves as potentially could be good.
S Baxter . 2024-05-20
MORE AT Google
Bought an ice cream here. Very tasty and big scoop given. Can’t complain (£2.80)
Farhan Ahmed . 2024-04-14
MORE AT Google
Great atmosphere. Service was fast and friendly. Food was wonderful , along with the portion size.
alfi3 . 2024-04-03
MORE AT Google
After a long dog walk on a particularly autumnal feeling March day, we stopped for coffee and a beautiful Banana cake before the drive home. Dogs are welcome and plenty of space inside and out. Do pop in!
Anthony Cliffe . 2024-03-26
MORE AT Google
Very relaxed dog friendly place
Steve Porter . 2024-03-10
MORE AT Google
This cafe has gone down hill, I've been several times over the years but I was very disappointed and underwhelmed. The service was poor, there are a lot less places to sit and all the tables needed cleaning, but had just been left between different customers. The inside of the cafe reminded me of a roadside dinner with tables just around the walls. I had a tuna melt baguette, that I have had before but it wasn't nice. White liquid leaked out as I was eating which a large pool on my plate. The lady who was making the food didn't wear gloves but just touched all the different foods with bare hands. You couldn't gat anything further from an artisan cafe than this. Won't bother again
Jan Dunn . 2024-03-03
MORE AT Google
Really nice friendly staff,had a nice coffee and toasted teacake. The RSPB hide next to it is well worth an hour just sitting and watching all the finches and other birds.
Jeff Millward . 2024-03-01
MORE AT Google
Went there on Valentine’s Day biggest mistake I’ve made. My husband wanted an ice cream they had dregs of it that looked like it had been there since last summer. I watched a guy wiping cutely with a tea towel that should have been white but was so filthy it was brown 🤮🤮 I had a cup of tea. The day after I started with a sore throat my husband and I have had flu for 10 days. I’m still having nightmares about that tea towel. This place should be closed by the environmental authorities it’s a dirty germ ridden hell hole. Wish I’d never set foot in the place. 😡🤬😡🤬😡
Julia Pollitt . 2024-02-24
MORE AT Google
Absolutely great little place to eat and truly enjoyable
Jack Skellington . 2024-01-04
MORE AT Google
Sandwich and a coffee on a cold day. What more can you ask for.
Nathan Satterthwaite . 2023-12-03
MORE AT Google
Great coffee, stunning location. Make sure you visit the wee hide just outside
Mal Durney . 2023-11-18
MORE AT Google
Visited on 3rd November 2023. Average place, bit disappointed. 3 young male staff members wearing casual all black, took 27 minutes to prepare our baguettes (which were actually paninnis). They burned something and the entire cafe filled with smoke. Food was average. Large hard floor cafe with plenty of tables and seating area, ideal for families with dogs, but not dog friendly. No outdoor seating under cover and everything soaking wet. Unsuitable for families with well behaved pets visiting for a walk on one of the many routes. Won't be returning. Wish I had my £37 back. Could be fixed by opening up one table or two to dogs, by being a bit more prompt with your service and bit more caring with your food preparation. An honest, albeit negative but hopefully constructive review of an average business that should improve.
Tom . 2023-11-08
MORE AT Google
Great café, friendly helpful staff. Good place to stop after the walks round Dam. Play areas for children.
Jeannette Hill . 2023-10-26
MORE AT Google
We called in here after having a walk around the lake. The staff were very friendly. I ordered a tuna mayo sandwich the bread was so fresh and thick. The tea came in a nice big teapot which meant we could have more than 1 cup. Highly recommended
FarAway44843358085 . 2023-10-18
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Always nice sandwiches and drinks. Not as nice surroundings as years previously. Toilet needs some maintenance as does floor near toilet door. But Lake Vyrnwy makes up for everything.
Claire Ashton . 2023-10-17
MORE AT Google
Friendly and inviting. Nice tea
wilkinson7421 . 2023-10-04
MORE AT Google
Such a sweet little spot! Perfect ending for your walk or trip around the lake. Gorgeous homely decor and comfy seating inside and out, the service was so fast and the staff are so friendly! The prices are really good and the portions are huge! Husband had a bacon and cheese baguette and oh my god! I've never seen thicker bacon in my life!!! :) I had a latte and it was lovely, perfect for a rainy day. We love it here, well done to the staff running this little gem. We'll be back!
H. R . 2023-09-29
MORE AT Google
Such a disappointment. I imagined quality coffee and cake to set us up for our walk around the lake but the name Artisans is totally misleading. The place is dirty and untidy. The coffee is from a push button machine and the cakes totally uninspiring. The lack of competition is evident. I certainly shan't be visiting again
Natalie C . 2023-09-04
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Very nice place to visit but very very very expensive especially for families with children and grandparents who likes to treat them 😀
Arlene Payne . 2023-09-01
MORE AT Google
Hired a couple of bikes and had some lunch . Perfect 👌
Joe lloyd . 2023-08-31
MORE AT Google
Příjemná kavárna na strategickém místě u přehrady. Menší výběr jídel - v nabídce byly pouze sendviče a sladké koláče, ale nevadilo to. Měli jsme hlad a dobře se najedli 😁 Dalším plusem je velmi dobrá káva. Obsluha milá, objednávka vyřízena rychle. Ceny na přijatelné úrovni.
Petr Pilát . 2023-08-30
MORE AT Google
Oh my goodness where do I start?... I really want this cafe to be good, but it just isn't. In fact it's so bad it's embarrassing. We live just over 30 minutes away and quite often have friends or family coming to stay with us. On the weekend we had some friends with their children staying and decided to take them to Lake Vyrnwy to go to the playground and to have a little walk by the lake. That bit IS good and the playground is good. That's the only reason why I haven't given it 1 star as an experience overall. So, as you walk towards the cafe the doors are quite often flanked by absolute scally's all smoking of course. This creates a 'lovely' curtain of cigarette smoke you have to walk through to get into the cafe, a bit like some weird 'Stars in their Eyes' type experience. Then, when you're in the cafe you queue up for ages partly because you realise when you get to the till that you have to repeat yourself several times as they still insist on hanging a nonsense perspex screen in between you and the cashier so it's really difficult to communicate, and I am partially hard of hearing which makes it even more difficult. I really wanted to order one of the cakes with my order but decided against it because none of them had anything written next to them about ingredients and/or prices. I decided I really didn't the hassle of the communication issue at the till so just went without. We ordered several jacket potatoes which were really simple - one with beans and 2 plain. The cashier said there would be a 10 - 15 minute wait which I said that's okay...... an hour later our food arrived (to go) and I was so annoyed and hungry I left without checking them. They were ALL plain so they forgot the beans. How hard is it to follow a receipt order? Oh and the jacket potatoes were £7 each!! For a potato, a few crisps and one lettuce leaf. I know cost of bills etc is driving prices up but even so that seems steep. You also contend with people hiring bikes who also wait in the queue, then take paperwork away yet go back to the front of the queue to hand the paperwork back in. One thing they should do really is have a separate till for bike hire. The staff seem to have zero interest in what they're doing. I understand they're young people, probably on minimum wage, but at least try and enjoy it a but more maybe with a smile. The things is, they have a captive audience and no competition so they can rest on their laurels. It's just a case of 'that'll do' it seems. It could be amazing with great food, barista coffee, happy staff, remove the nonsense till screen, don't allow smoking anywhere on the cafe grounds. Oh I forgot to mention there are zero vegan options on the menu. Zero. How hard is it to offer a baked potato with hummus or similar? I was truly mortified about how bad it was and won't ever be taking anyone there again. We'll still go to the Lake but always know to be prepared enough to take our own food & drink. The cafe could be much better if: - Smoking is banned on and around the immediate vicinity - They have barista style coffee - They offer some vegan options. - Cakes have info on them, including allergies/intolerance info and prices - Ridiculous screening is gone that hinders communication - They maybe have a soup option from a soup oven (not microwaved) - Bike hire is done on a separate till - Staff are trained to be happy
Ian W . 2023-08-29
MORE AT TripAdvisor
The food is okay. But, I don't know how they came up with the prices. £7 for a small baked potato is excessive.
Chris Irish . 2023-08-20
MORE AT Google
Despite the promising name, nothing Artisan here. Push button coffee. Honestly feel that with a little investment and effort, this place could be amazing again. Trading off a captive audience in a beautiful location.
Sunshine59489537854 . 2023-08-20
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We hired bikes, and cycled around the lake £10 each for up to 2 hours. We took just over an hour, so we didn't need extra time at £5/hour. No kids bikes available (since COVID) and looks like the bikes hadn't been changed since then either, but perfectly fine for the very flat lakeside ride!
D Heller - Staff . 2023-08-12
MORE AT Google
Basic but it got us out of the rain. Coffee not bad given it came from a machine. The bird hide was amazing though
Sally Williams . 2023-08-12
MORE AT Google
Nice coffee and friendly service
Russell Thompson . 2023-08-06
MORE AT Google
We rented bikes from here, good value for money. Then when we dropped them back just had to have a bacon and sausage sandwich, it was delicious!
David Stenning . 2023-08-04
MORE AT Google
The place was filthy. Needs a really good clean. They have no competition, so it's unlikely things will improve any time soon! It's such a shame because it could be lovely. Overflowing cigarette bin, with fag ends everywhere, half eaten food left on benches outside. The kitchen area was untidy with food debris on the floor. Coffee was like that from a vending machine. I don't want to sound mean, but I think they ought to change the name of the place, or up their standards.
Deb774 . 2023-07-30
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Lovely cafe, food and drinks are very high standard and the staff are lovely.
Liz Handford . 2023-07-25
MORE AT Google
Great pit stop, excellent scones. Incredible surroundings.
Derek Brown . 2023-07-20
MORE AT Google
A fantastic day , time just flew by ,can't wait to get back
John Pearson . 2023-06-29
MORE AT Google
Lovely cafe with good selection of food. We had tuna baguette. Plenty of filling and served with nice salad and crisps. Scone with clotted cream and jam. Nice big fresh scone with generous helpings of cream and jam. Latte good. Great location with brilliant bird hide with feeders. Fantastic addition to your visit.
Moo K . 2023-06-27
MORE AT Google
Nice cafe by the dam. Parking good. Bike hire at the cafe. Food ok and pleasant service.
Keith Logan . 2023-06-26
MORE AT Google
No longer the gift shop and cafe. Now focuses on being a cafe. Lots of indoor seating now. Nice place. Just bought a coffee thus visit, which was very good . The bird hide is in the cafe car park.
Dave France . 2023-06-23
MORE AT Google
Very nice place. Coffee is the best, and icecreem excellent.
Bernadeta Derlatko . 2023-06-18
MORE AT Google
We've only ever had the ice cream here and it's very good so no complaints there! We just think that the cafe and the area around it needs a really good tidy up and a clean. It's the only cafe at Lake Vyrnwy so there's no competition but that shouldn't mean its owners don't need to try a bit harder. When we visited this week there was broken glass on the carpark just by the entrance, old broken plastic tubs full of stagnant water lying around and a general sense of untidiness. Such a shame- it could be a lovely cafe - it's certainly in a very beautiful place. Hopefully it will get the attention it deserves
Kate Farmer . 2023-06-14
MORE AT Google
lovely icecream ,and great value.
keith bleakley . 2023-06-12
MORE AT Google
We had sandwiches after walk around part of the lake. Tasty reasonable priced we sat outside glorious day, they were very busy but the service was fast as the were fresh cut sandwiches
Paul Vaughan . 2023-06-08
MORE AT Google
Stopped for a sandwich lunch. Sandwich was really good. Seating inside and outside. It's a popular stop for cyclists and motorcyclists, so on sunny days outside seating can be a challenge. Service a little slow.
Robert Humphrey . 2023-06-08
MORE AT Google
This seems to be run by young teenagers. Good The service and portion size of ice cream. Bad The whole place was unkempt outside and in. The worst toilets I have ever been in absolutely disgusting I dont think they have been thoroughly cleaned in last year and in todays era of covid etc I dont think health and safety have visited for a while. This mainly an eating establishment the toilets should be cleaned appropriately
Rachel Harrison . 2023-06-04
MORE AT Google
Had wonderful ice cream , an oasis in a historical area
Alan Newbold . 2023-06-01
MORE AT Google
Not much on offer except really expensive tucker
Ian Edwards . 2023-05-15
MORE AT Google
Great location, only had an ice cream which was lovely, nice menu, definate stop next time we're in the area. What was very good was the bird watching hide on the edge of the reservoir
David Rudgley . 2023-05-11
MORE AT Google
We love lake Vrnwy and popped here for lunch. Myself and partner had baguettes and coffee and my little boy a cheese sandwich and ice cream Ice cream was delicious, coffee not great but service was fab helping us with the flat tyre we discovered on arrival 🙈 My son loved the bird hide Suggestion would be to offer kids menu options
Claire W . 2023-04-03
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Ideal location for a coffee stop. Not expecting the world from previous reviews but a warning…. How it can really call itself a coffee/cafe when all it offers is a badly made ‘all in one’ coffee from a ‘press and go’ machine is beyond me! Undrinkable and a waste of money. It could be a perfect spot for a barista made coffee from a proper coffee machine. Avoid!
Curious05 . 2023-03-15
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Have visited several times in the last eighteen months. Each time it gets worse. We took friends this time so there were four of us. From the menu we chose sausage sandwiches and a ham sandwich. They had no sausages and no ham. So asked for bacon and cheese baguettes instead. We were served up paninis instead of baguettes. The bacon was terrible. It tasted as if it had been cooked days ago and then microwaved to warm it up. It was hard but not crispy. The staff don't seem to have any interest in their customers. Not a smile between them all. Food was over-priced. The same evening we went to a pub where I had a wonderful three-egg cheese and mushroom omelette with chips and masses of salad, all beautifully presented for the same price as a bacon baguette at Artisans. Toilet facilities were inadequate. You also now have to pay to use their car park. Will not be going back again.
TonyRomsey . 2023-02-10
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Terrible experience. Ordered coronation chicken baguette and two jacket potatoes. Jacket potato arrived almost right away, but without cutlery (we had to get our own apparently although this wasn’t clear). 10 mins later and the baguette arrived. The table next to us then got their jacket potato 10 minutes later that was actually our final jacket potato. 25 mins after our first guest finished her jacket potato the final one arrived. Jacket potatoes were fine, baguette pretty rubbish. Very expensive for what we got and the coffee was priced at coffee shop prices but came out of a machine that you’d find in a office canteen. Poor management is the issue- our waitress was out of her depth but it wasn’t her fault really. The place doesn’t deserve to be in business but must survive with the turnover of first time guests to the lake. Avoid this place like the plague. Rubbish.
Aidang12345 . 2022-10-31
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Visited for the first time for just over twelve months, used to be nice. It is totally disorganised, and certainly had an air of grubbiness. Nothing is placed logically, cold drinks machine, is a long way from serving counter, napkins were available but again they were nowhere near serving counter. No glass or straw offered with cold drink. So much wasted space, more tables and chairs could be fitted in. Stupid little bars with stools. All the furniture was against the walls. Floor in a dreadful state, very uneven. Only one toilet, needs checking more often for cleanliness and sundries. The door is very difficult to push open to when exiting toilet. Plus side there was several staff about, but not all gainfully employed. Only saving grace was Kelly’s Ice Cream, but tubs need to be larger. Will think twice before going back until it improves. had
zakster . 2022-10-28
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Seriously over priced for a lukewarm baguette that took forever to arrive. No bacon or sausages available. Don't allow dogs inside so had to sit in the rain. Seriously grumpy staff member who very clearly didn't want to be there or deal with customers - he clearly doesn't work for tips or he'd starve. Stops doing food at 3 despite lots of customers arriving only to be disappointed. A decent butty van in a nearby carpark would put this place out of business in a week. Keep driving and find somewhere better.
foxosnoot . 2022-10-22
MORE AT TripAdvisor
There’s nothing Artisan about this place. It needs a good clean first of all. The sausage sandwich I had was overpriced and poor. And as for the tea, one cheap tea bag in a pot does not make a decent cup of tea. This building has a long and interesting history as a sawmill but there’s nothing to show that.
JohnW42143 . 2022-08-23
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Staff not interested in even being there never mind serving customers. Slow, sullen and rude. The kitchen was unorganised and grubby. Don't deserve to be in business, they need competition, shameful.
105victoriab . 2022-08-16
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Wow. 30 minute wait for a cheese and bacon baguette, teenagers that McDonald's probably fired for being useless. The scone tasted like cardboard. I almost gave up the will to live, standing there like an idiot waiting.
Barryrrab . 2022-08-07
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Visited this premises on Saturday 5th Feb on a cold,wet and windy day for a coffee before taking our dogs for a walk. The cafe appeared to be a wooden shed with a concrete floor. We were told that dogs were not welcome and to stay outside. There were dozens of people around the lake with dogs. Thankfully the nearby hotel made us and the dogs very welcome. We think the cafe should review this policy which is not acceptable these days.
O1137COdavidc . 2022-02-06
MORE AT TripAdvisor
A café like this simply wouldn't survive anywhere else. A strange atmosphere with a loud radio on and lots of staff and children (I think the owner's?) milling around. A big pot of tea for four came with just two teabags (at a cost of...
TheSmallFamily . 2022-01-22
MORE AT TripAdvisor
The lake and surroundings are spectacular, unfortunately the same cannot be said of the only cafe there. The service was terrible, being ordered to sit outside in the rain after walking into the cafe as a customer is not a particularly good start, but when...
Mike H . 2021-12-09
MORE AT TripAdvisor
I have been a regular visitor to this place over the last few years and have always had enjoyable visits but after today I will never return. They used to have a loverly shop area which has now gone to be replaced by loads of...
gabrielaV6919YR . 2021-12-05
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Avoid "Artisans Coffee Shop". Visited 3rd week Nov 2021. Made to sit outside in cold and rain despite there being plenty of room inside. Sausage and bacon sandwiches (£5.50 each) arrived on dry unbuttered bread with equally dry wizened sausage but WITHOUT bacon. Were returned...
davewQ2413QF . 2021-11-30
MORE AT TripAdvisor
As a regular visitor to Artisans I can’t believe the negative reviews! The staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble, the food is freshly cooked and delicious and the menu offers a good choice of paninis and sandwiches and healthier options like...
GemmaE897 . 2021-06-22
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Massively overpriced, high calorie, junk food. They have a monopoly position and don't care about giving a decent, honest,quality service.
mikei361 . 2021-06-12
MORE AT TripAdvisor
rather pricey for food and coffee. wanted £15 for 2 x coffee and 2 bacon sandwichs scandalous. how can you feed a family at these prices, sooner go for a pub meal
johnk1958ilk . 2021-05-30
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Due to covid the normally excellent tea room is closed hence no cakes, there was however great ice cream and we were lucky to be there on a hot day so all was good! Great selection of ice creams and well laid out to allow...
Roger S . 2020-09-14
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We've stayed at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel a good few times and when we go off for a walk have stopped off at Artisans a few times over the last few years. We had a nose at it over the Bank Holiday weekend and it was...
Loisnocruisecontrol . 2020-09-07
MORE AT TripAdvisor
I visit the Lake 3 or 4 times a year for Fresh Air and Birdwatching. I always use Artisans (for last 25 years). It can be VERY busy, but the food is good and worth waiting for. Sandwiches (hot & cold), Cakes, Jacket Potatoes are...
Sara C . 2019-06-04
MORE AT TripAdvisor
We went for a bike ride around Llyn Vyrwny today and stopped off for a couple of sandwiches at Artisans fully expecting an interesting "artisan made" creation. Only 3 options on offer so I had a ham and cheese (no Relish or salad offered or...
Forestwalkers . 2019-04-30
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Busy cafe and shop handily situated next to the bird hide.staff were friendly and produced a welcome pot of tea. Quite a few interesting nic macs for sale in the shop.
TripMember020820161 . 2018-09-06
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Visited twice within hour to attempt to purchase ice creams. Totally ignored each time by 4 staff while I waited at the counter. Not one had the courtesy to acknowledge me. They all need training in customer service.
Common F . 2018-09-02
MORE AT TripAdvisor
After spending the day pounding the lake and waterfall (well worth a visit) we thought we would stop off for a coffee at the Artisan Cafe before making our way back home. There were several people milling around the shop area and more seated at...
SCB9 . 2017-05-04
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Called in last Saturday afternoon for a coffee and Belgian waffle. although there were only two other customers the young and unsupervised staff forgot my order. When it finally arrived (I could have travelled to Belgium in the time) it tasted stale and was lukewarm....
son_of_glyndwr . 2016-11-29
MORE AT TripAdvisor
Aparte de ser servido en una manera típicamente británicos el té, pasteles y particularmente el Kelly's helado siempre es bienvenido. No es un gran local de café. Servicio un poco impredecible. Puede ser molesto cuando el personal de limpieza son alrededor de 4:00 y ya no sirven bebidas calientes, es decir, té.
dcd62 . 2016-08-23
MORE AT TripAdvisor
These schedules may not be completely accurate on special days. Please always confirm with the restaurant
Similary restaurants in West Midlands
2437 Opinions
Really disappointing roast dinner. The roast potatoes were anemic and clearly had been microwaved. The veg had also been microwaved and the broccoli was chewy. There wasn’t enough gravy. Overall not worth the price.
65 Opinions
A good Costa. Clean store, worked for an hour or so on laptop, internet was fine. Staff were great!
81 Opinions
Popped in for a cone of chips. Was given a poly box full! Top quality and tasty and some of great length. Other chip shops who serve chips like batter bits take note! Friendly lady serving and nice and hot.
5 Opinions
A brilliant visit so much to see and the attractions are amazing ...well worth a visit and the cafe is great
111 Opinions
Visited regularly for a fortnight. Much depended on the Barista on duty. On occasions the coffee was excellent but on occasions it was average and on one occasion unacceptable. Toilets were often of dubious cleanliness.Too often seats were taken by older clientele who seemed determined to make a cup last for ages so they could chat to their regular friends for an unreasonable duration.