Balderson’s Welcome Cafe in Ryedale

Don’t know what is wrong with all these moaners, Excellent Cafe, friendly welcome from the staff, excellent food and service, people with disabilities well looked after. I guess there always will be people who are not satisfied about everything they can think of, expect they’re not happy unless they are moaning about something. I’ll certainly be going back. Thank You Baldersons.

We always try to visit when in the area. A friendly welcome. We chose our lunch items 2 having sandwiches and 1 having the soup. We all thoroughly enjoyed our choices. We sat chatting and had another drink each, we were very comfortable and felt in no way rushed. Hope the lady came back for her hat.

The best Bakewell tart I have ever eaten in my life. The bread from my sandwich was so fresh and the chicken in the sandwich was succulent chicken breast. I can't rate this place enough. Super yummy and very friendly staff. 💗

We called here for a drink and hopefully cake only to find a brass plaque stating "No vegan options". For a cafe which had such a large variety of cakes I don't think it would be too much to ask for at least 1 vegan option. Looking at the menu there are no vegan starters, mains or desserts either. It does not feel welcoming for children either as there was a list of "rules" for the behaviour of children in the cafe. All in all a very disappointing experience.

We called on on off chance as it said tea garden. It turned out to be a beautiful courtyard with heaters. We sat out on a cold November morning having the best coffee and gluten free carrot cake. The service was excellent. The best I've had in a coffee shop. The attached gift shop is also a proper gift shop with those type of gifts that are "wow, not seen that before." We will be back!

I've been visiting Baldersons ice cream since 1960..Those days I was nursing at Adela Shaw Orthopaedic hospital in kirbymoorside..Last week I must have been served by a grandson..The best ice cream, and cannot pass without buying. And yes, I am 81yrs..love it!

Lovely spot to stop for a drink and bite to eat. Inside feels like an old fashioned cafe with booths and carpet floors but then there is an outside area which feels like stepping into the Mediterranean with grape vines growing all over the canopy ceiling and heating. We had Latte and scones which were all excellent and our dog was allowed in the outside seating area with us. Service with a smile, great atmosphere and reasonable prices.

Lots of passive aggressive signs everywhere - at least 3 signs stating that children must behave, a sign stating no vegan food and the infamous note about tap water! I'm quite well travelled and have never been refused tap water, or even seen a sign stating that you can't have it. Wow. The food was pretty average. The condiments were cheap. The staff were polite. You can't leave the cafe unless you go through the back garden and gift shop?! We started following a lady with a walking stick who they let out of the front entrance, and were told we needed to go through the back door. It wasn't even busy. Very peculiar.

Almost closing time when we arrived , they made us bacon butties even though the kitchen had closed ,the staff made us really welcome and the bacon butties were amazing lots of bacon inside in a nice large brown bread bun simply awesome will definitely call again only earlier next time great atmosphere lovely helpful staff nothing was too much trouble highly recommended a visit , also a lovely gift shop to browse through all in all worthy of 5 stars.

Food was pretty good but there's a rule saying that if you don't purchase a drink, they won't give you tap water. After purchasing a drink, they still refused, which is ridiculous.

Great cafe lovely food, great choices too daily specials, lovely gift shop and takeaway deli too..

Pot of tea for two and lovely buns passed on time on a lovely day out. Have been before and will again. Also special area for dogs.

Food was lovely, very quick service and lovely private seating booths

Fantastic breakfast slightly expensive

Having spent £70 on lunch I was dismayed when I was refused a glass of tap water to take some tablets. Apparently everyone in the party needs to buy a drink to be entitled to tap water. As my 95 year old dad didn't want a drink none if us were allowed tap water.

Nice cafe, good food, dog friendly out the back so take a coat

Friendly staff and good food. Visited at lunchtime and we were served quickly, with good quality food and drinks. Would return.

A great place to visit on a day out the staff are friendly and polite and the food looks and tastes great.

Great service friendly staff. Food was excellent

Called in for lunch whilst visiting the area on holiday, largely due to the "Dog Friendly" sign outside. We found the food average & expensive (in my opinion). I left most of my soup as it was quite bland. Whilst I understand times are hard for many small businesses, it doesn't make the customers feel welcome when they ask for a glass of tap water in order to take some medication & you are at first told you will have to buy a bottle of water! It was only when I said we had also bought 2 hot drinks that I was reluctantly given a glass of water. The main reason that we would not return if we had a dog with us is the grape vines that are hanging from the seated area where dogs are allowed. Initially I thought they were artificial but they are real vines. Although this looks very attractive, grapes are toxic to dogs, so if any of the grapes fall on the floor and are eaten by visiting dogs it would not be very dog friendly!

Great place. Food is lovely. And they cater so well for walkers with dogs, great outdoor area, all undercover and heaters if you need them.

Apparently quiche you can tap on the table is normal and not even a whole small quiche. Not interested at all apart from being told have a sausage roll then. The boss didn’t say a word just stared at me.

Great cafe and takeaway, most baked items done on site. Area at the back of the cafe into which you can take dogs. Definitely recommend.

What a fantastic place.Amazing food service and atmosphere . We will be back soon .The staff are a credit to you.Made to feel so welcome as soon as we stepped through the door .

It is such a lovely bakery to visit, the food is top quality. I had the soup & a sausage roll to take out which was delicious . It's always a pleasure to visit.

Group of us went in for food. Sandwich, chips, jackets plenty to choose from.

This was one of the best cafés I've had the pleasure to be in. Service was great, food excellent, and the vines hanging down from the roof was a brilliant idea.

Lovely cafe with good value meals and treats , but the staff make it even nicer so friendly and helpful .Will go again

Arrogant rude owners who will uphold spontaneous made, ridiculous “rules” and then when hones reviews are provided, contact the people who made the reviews and confront. You couldn’t make it up! Advice is drive past, there are lots of other establishments with nice management and staff, happy to welcome you where it is a joy to stay a while. They have no concept of customer service.

We popped in for breakfast which was good except for my pot of beans were barely warm but they heated them up. No WiFi which I find hard to believe.

Lovely feel to this cafe, really enjoyable reading the history here and the service was really lovely. Determined to finish the HUGE scone! Impressed with the homemade cakes on offer. Lovely little place to bring family; I would recommend a visit.

Wow, really impressed, Lovely cakes,

Greetings, a summer experience not to be missed, refurbished inside recently, super but eating outside in the vine garden is wonderful. Don't miss out anymore, just go and try it on a nice day.

Visited Baldersons today, family of 5 with all children under 10. At first glance, it appears a welcoming and tranquil spot. Also dog friendly around the back on the decked area. So thumbs up so far. However....upon ordering at the till alongside my order of £55 I asked for 3 glasses of tap water, I did see a little rule they put on the menu stating tap water would only be given after purchasing a drink. So, one would assume that after spending £55 on both food and drinks, I would be allowed 3 tap waters. How wrong was I! The lady serving, after taking my payment, said she wouldn't provide the water as they only gave it once they had seen you finish your previous drink. Weird! After asking for a refund for the meal, she did eventually provide the tap water. I did stay as my children were setlled and hungry however, over all this silly rule and how i was initially spoken to regarding tap water spoiled the meal and our time at Baldersons. I was ready to leave before I had begun. Had I not had to fight for something basic like tap water would have stayed and had desserts alongside milkshakes for the kids which they were looking forward to after there meal. However I refuse to give a company/ business more money when they dont/ won't pro ide the basics. Reading the reviews and hearing other people ask for water while I was there seems I'm not the first and certai ly not the last customer who feels this is an extremely unessasary rule when you are having a meal. Personally, I won't be recommending this establishment to any friends/ family or anyone who visits/ asks for recommendations on where to go when visiting Thornton le Dale. There are plenty of other small independent delis and tea rooms who are more welcoming then Baldersons.

Lovely cafe but the sandwich fillings we’re disgusting 😫😫 We got coronation chicken and tuna mayo and they tasted very similar! The coronation chicken was only slightly coloured - no sultanas, no discernible mango chutney, curry powder etc. The flapjack was wonderful but can’t believe how poor the sandwich fillings were. We were all disappointed.

On Sunday the 25th of August myself,my mother and my partner came from Sheffield to Thornton le Dale and we went here for breakfast and lunch,managed to get the same table,number 6. The food and the amount you got was excellent for the price,also like no other eating places,they give you a hot jug of water with your cup of tea,because anywhere else you have to ask for it.The service was second to none,helpful,cheerful staff,especially Juliet. We will definitely return on our next visit. Thank You so much for making our day

Well hasn't this cafe gone downhill. Started by being seated by a rude older woman with no real care and me and my partner were talked to like we were children. With our 2 kids we weren't offered a kids menu or anything. We were put off by the idea of eating here due to the initial experience, we decided to just order food for our 2 year old, of which we ended up paying 12.95 for a cheese sandwich, small portion of chips, a fruitshoot and I ended up with a mediocre coffee. All whilst being made to feel like a burden, we ended up leaving very disappointed. Will never be eating here again. How sad.

fab wee cafe good food great service and a gift shop i always visit when in the area

Mediocre food in what looks from the outside to be a decent welcoming tea shop and bakery. In reality utterly spoit by the mean spirited, and jobs-worth attitude of rude staff members like "Connie" (who knows if it's her real name?) who'll let you spend over £50, and then ARGUE OVER PROVIDINGA GLASS OF SIMPLE TAP WATER! Whole visit totally spoilt by the complete small minded attitude of a staff member. Here's the thing... the menu makes it very clear that a glass of tap water IS available as long as you order another drink. I was travelling with visitors from the US who ALWAYS want a glass of water with another drink and meal. We had three over priced drinks with our meal anyway, and the girl still wanted to argue over providing ONE glass of tap water!! ...lost for words I am affraid... Unbelievable. Pathetic... and probably just representative of mean spirited management hiding in the back. She said she'd get someone at one point during the back a forth... no one came out. Who knows? Love for the owner to reply to how the "rules" are being enforced. Sorry, won't be going again, certainly not recommending to anyone else, or taking guests to this place! Suggested reading material for the owner and their staff..." Give 'em the Pickle," Bob Farrell. Would welcome a response! Better eating anywhere else I am affraid folks!

Excellent food, staff and surroundings.

What a disaster.Ordered 2angus beef lasagnes £26.Asked for a glass of tap water to be told had to purchase tea after the meal.Lasagne was horrible.Hardly Any meat or pasta.Had to use a spoon was like soup.Will not return. 0stars from me.

Lovely food, highly recommend.

One of the tastiest freshest breakfasts I’ve had in a long time!! Nice courtyard garden to enjoy the weather & very very friendly & helpful staff

Smiles All round. Excellent food. How ever me and my wife have been going For over 34 years love it.

Late morning visit for coffee an cake on way home from trip to Whitby, busy place, unable to get seated outside but room indoors. Homemade scones were lovely as was the lattes and not overpriced. Clever exit strategy as you can only exit through gift shop which we'd already been in beforehand an bought some trinkets. Nice atmosphere.

We had a wonderful experience here for breakfast so goos we went back. All the staff were so friendly and helpful and smiley. The grape vines hanging from ceiling make it a very unique place. Thank you to Claire and Holly who made our 2nd visit so special and the bakery next door is absolutely Lush and quant we bought an icles cake and a battenburg(it was huge) and both were great price. We will most definitely be back

We visited this rather average cafe (with pleasant service in the cafe) yesterday.The cakes were stale. The toilets were directly opposite our seating so watching confused people trying to get into the badly signposted toilets was off-putting. The whole place is littered with amateur signage telling you not to do this & that including the fact that they will not give you a glass of water! Rather dispiriting. You are then funnelled through into a dated gift shop.My small grandson was attracted by some half price Christmas tat and we were talking about Christmas. We were immediately descended upon by an elderly woman who snapped at me and said 'Tell him not to touch anything '.Another elderly woman then moved us out of the way and started tidying the Xmas display. I wouldn't normally have taken a small child in a trinket shop but there is no other exit!

Stopped in town for a quick walk as we were driving through. Saw this place and all their tempting treats through the window and couldn't resist! This is a review of the small bakery (just down the road from the cafe) We got a cheese scone (which was really good, and very cheesy!) We got an apple caramel slice (which had lovely pastry and loads of apple in the middle, and tasted great) And we got a piece of the mint rocky road (was a very big portion and was very nice, although the mint chocolate on top was clearly one of those 'own brand' chocolate bars which has a strange unpleasant minty taste) Prices were good and we did really enjoy eating everything. Will come back next time we're in the area.

Stopped in town for a quick walk as we were driving through. Saw this place and all their tempting treats through the window and couldn't resist! This is a review of the small bakery (just down the road from the cafe) We got a cheese scone (which was really good, and very cheesy!) We got an apple caramel slice (which had lovely pastry and loads of apple in the middle, and tasted great) And we got a piece of the mint rocky road (was a very big portion and was very nice, although the mint chocolate on top was clearly one of those 'own brand' chocolate bars which has a strange unpleasant minty taste) Prices were good and we did really enjoy eating everything. Will come back next time we're in the area.

Dreadful place. Coffee was stinking! Soulless staff.

There ain't no battenburg like a Baldersons battenburg!!

Amazing food, great staff, lovely venue. You can ask for tap water if you buy one drink which sounds fair enough to me - it is a family business and needs to cover its costs ( nothing really comes without a cost). (I suspect one other review is for the wrong venue as it bears no semblance to this place). Try it - you will like it!

The menu or the food isn't the greatest. Not sure there are many places to choose from in the area though to be honest.

We was going to go here tomorrow for breakfast but after reading all reviews about been refused a glass of tap water we won’t bother, in a day and age where more people are thinking of the environment we use a water bottle when out and each time just ask for a refill and never been refused

Just coffee and cake very pleasant

Poor experience, refuse to serve tap water, serve burnt toast and cold coffee. Staff feel it’s appropriate to serve burnt toast to a customer with blindness, when I say burnt, it is black. Better places to go.

Rude, arrogant. You can spend £65.00 on five meals two pots of tea, two cokes. and you can't have a glass of water even if you offer to pay for the water. They have a print out stuck on the menu explaining their running cost! You walk out the place and see they own the gift shop, bakers, ice cream shop etc, etc, half the town but can't give you a glass of water

What a lovely place to visit! We were on holiday last week, and recommended to visit the beautiful Thornton Le Dale. We had brunch at Baldersons, in the outdoor area, as it was a beautiful sunny morning. The staff were very pleasant, food was delicious, and a lovely area to sit. I browsed in the delightful, adjoining gift shop too. A very pleasing place to go. The menu looked amazing, as did the fresh scones and cakes. ....next time! 😜 x

Cracking bacon sandwich, bacon was cooked perfectly and served on a fresh, soft white morning roll, large cappuccino was perfect too and finished off with a in house baked cherry bakewell....jackpot! Staff were very pleasant and accommodating. Highly recommend you try this place and treat yourself.

Great food,great service,a nice friendly atmosphere,but we are both disabled and have difficulty walking short distance so I left my mobility scooter at the front and when we got up to leave we were told we couldn't go back the same way and we had to leave by the back which led to a 200 yard walk to get my scooter,it took me a while having to keep stopping,so if you are disabled and have a scooter go round the back so you are close to your scooter avoiding an unnecessary walk.

Lovely food and friendly staff. The restaurant was clean and tidy.

This is the go to Coffee stop on the journey to Whitby, had the biggest and best slice of homemade Battenburg cake, the garden seating area is lovely in any weather and the gift shop a place for great finds.

Food was excellent and service very quick but, having ordered 2 main meals, we were refused a glass of tap water as we hadn't ordered a drink at the same time. This, to me, is unacceptable and I couldn't understand the logic behind this rule.

Very disappointing the bakery is lovely so thought we would go in the cafe for lunch the staff were nice but the food was dreadful jacket potato was very dry so was the coronation chicken The panini was insipid and the chips were dreadful not cheap either won’t be returning

Had breakfast in here the best scrambled egg on toast.

Excellent food at afair price with quality food. Family friendly place

I DO NOT RECOMMEND. Firstly on the menu you’re greeted with a sign that informs you that if you want tap water with your food you MUST buy a drink as well, even when you’re already buying food. I find this a really strange and hostile way to treat your customers as if they are just trying to rob you of tap water. Unfortunately the hostile environment continues when entering the bakery, after browsing for 30 seconds asked twice by a young woman what I wanted and met with a very rude response when I said I was still browsing. Food not very good and the mug I was given was dirty and was not given spoon with my tea and milk. Things I may have overlooked before giving this review but the bizarre and rude attitude of the staff in the bakery left a bad taste in the mouth

Arrived 10 mins before end of breakfast service. No problem with our full English. Very well priced. Staff very friendly.

We travel from Selby to go the cricket at Scarborough and call in for breakfast EVERY TIME, we go and cannot recommend this café high enough, Fantastic service, fantastic brekkie, and on top of that the staff are fantastic as well and I am looking forward to calling again Pete Horsman

A great place to sit in with great atmosphere and lovely staff. I’m always intrigued with public businesses and prefer to try them over any chains as I find they have a much warmer atmosphere and I would say this had exactly that. The menu was quite traditional British with lots of English Breakfast and lunch options with section of more substantial-main-meals added in. I would best recommend this place to go on a warm day for a spot of lunch with family member, probably preferred by people of an older age maybe 40+ as I feel they’ll have more appreciation for it. We were greeted in on a busy day and it was pretty obvious the staff were being ran off their feet but I wouldn’t say this affected their service in anyway as they were all good. The decors was filled with loads of beautiful items you could also buy, which were also in their shop on the exit of the building and was all quite lovely. My only astrix to the experience is I found the food to be pretty bland. I don’t mind paying more money for great food but I would the price reflection in the adult meals to be a little over what I would pay for what I would consider average (NOT BAD) flavoured food. One of my personal dislikes is cheap condiments/sauce. I’m not a brand snob and only like Heinz or HP Sauce, however there are other cheap alternatives I personally prefer over sachets but to that point, there were not a limit on sachets you could use so if you’re not as fussy as myself on sauce you could easily look past this. On a pleasant note to the end of that negativity, the kids prices were very cheap and the array of deserts were very good and very tempting though we didn’t try them ourselves. I’m sure this business will continue on to be very successful and recommend people looking for a light bite in a lovely atmosphere to try and is a beautiful addition the village.

If it’s a good coffee you are seeking, don’t come here. Flat white was £3.50 - not a problem for a well made, great tasting coffee. I was not expecting a push button, machine made, bland flat white. Hey ho - we live and learn. As a result we didn’t bother staying for food.

It's fine putting prices up but put more on plate

Staff polite but food disappointing

Lovely service and friendly staff. Prices are average not to expensive, plenty of tables to choose from too

Food not bad .,BUT WOULD YOU BELIEVE THEY'RE NOT LICENCED TO SERVE YOU A GLASS OF TAP WATER WITH YOUR MEAL. Well I've heard it all now, dog friendly but would they give him a bowl????? Or have you got to pay £2 for a bottle for him as well?????? Laughable...............

Expensive, poor quality of food/ cutlery/condiments, not a good experience!

love coming here for a fry up when in the area. Great portion size and quality of food!

Nice place, food good, service good, but be warned you have to do a lap of the gift shop to get out! 😁

Popped in for a coffee and a snack this morning. Our first visit to Thornton le Dale. We found Balderstons and went in. Warmly greeted and shown to a table, ordered at the counter and brought our tray over. Surprised at how big the cafe was. Good menu choice, at sensible prices. Visited the well stocked gift shop on the way out, then went into the bakery for a freshly baked granary loaf. Also met with a friendly, chatty reception in the bakery. Balderstone will be a definite establishment for us to visit when next in the area. Thank you

so overpriced - sandwiches were tiny , ham was dry/crusty going out of date , bread was cheap , salad was basic but ok . Tea pot leaked everywhere just really shocked it cost £20 for two sandwiches & a pot of tea for two . not worth the money avoid this place

Pastries (Savoury & Sweet)and Biscuits are exceptional.

A visit to Thornton Le Dale and Baldersons is a must if not for their Cafe, Gift Shop or Bakery there Ice cream is worth the visit alone ❤️😉😁

Enjoyed a lovely fresh, light scone and jam with a pot of tea. Sat out in the covered seating area surrounded by various items for sale.

We went to the ice cream parlor part it was amazing really nice.

Really a nice place, food excellent and service great, best breakfast in ages.

Bought hot cross buns - how disappointing! Very little fruit and no spices. It was just a slightly sweet bread roll. The best thing was the cross on the top

Lovely cafe friendly staff nice cosy atmosphere for a meal , or a drink and snack.

Favourite place to go for lunch or coffee and cake. Always a lovely welcome from the very friendly staff 💖

Lovely food and very filling. Lovely staff

Had a lovely meal today in Baldersons. It did say home made steak and kidney It didn't look or taste like homemade, but still enjoyed the meal, staff are always lovely and professional, everywhere lovely and clean Will bexback again later in the year Thank you Pauline and Steve

Hate chains, so was passing this bakery and thought brill, fresh home baked individual cake and bakes and pastries, we bought varied savoury and sweet, all tasted like cheap chain food, most went into the trash can, shame.

It was OK, shame about the flies around our table and the waitresses constantly circulating every minute

After a long walk we called inhere for lunch. The signs were there, well they weren't actually, outside the shop are lots of signs but no menus, no prices. In we went anyway. Staff very pleasant. On checking the menu it was a little expensive so I opted for a ham toasties at £7.50, I would normally have cheese with it as it isn't really a toasties without is irmt but £2 extra to have cheese with it! Robbery. The Mrs had a toasties as well, but it was interesting to see that if you wanted your coffee white, then the milk was 20pence extra!!! What???? Milk should come with itasit does never other cafe I have ever visited. Rant over The food was good though but I felt robbed by those 2simple overpricings!

Fabulous food. Nice touch having to go out through the gift shop!

Been coming here for years and it’s always a pleasure. The staff are lovely and food is always on point. Sad to read the negative reviews that have been left. Don’t be put off coming here and enjoying this lovely place.

This place is an amazing find!! Set in the beautiful village of Thornton le Dale. My wife ordered a toasted tea cake and for me a scone with cream, delicious!!!! We bought some treats to take home, the caramel slices were out of this world!!! You have to try this place! 5⭐️

You have to go here!!! We had an amazing breakfast. The best full English I’ve had in a long time!

Very average with pleasant but not great service. Scones were poor, tea was good and the place was clean. Not on our list for a return visit!

The outdoor area is really lovely in the summer. Very efficient service even when very busy. The breakfasts are good. Very limited vegan options.

Beautiful location food was delicious staff were lovely highly recommended 👌