Bishops Eye in Mendip

My friend and I have been meeting at Bishop’s Ey since they first opened several years ago. Sometimes it’s just a coffee or other times it is lunch. This week we met for coffee and went inside as it was a dismal, chilly day. We ordered our hot drinks and then waited about 10 minutes to receive them despite only a few customers. My friend’s coffee was ok but my ‘hot’ chocolate was anything but hot. We chatted for about 45 minutes and then tried to attract the attention of the young women who were waitresses. In the end, I said “excuse me” as the 2 waitresses and the woman behind the counter had been in deep conversation the whole time we had been there. One young woman turned and when I asked for the bill she told me to go to the till which we did! I asked if the business had changed hands to which the young woman said “no”! A young man eating his lunch intervened and said yes that it had been taken over some weeks before. I said that it showed and upon his asking in which way, we both replied that the customer service was non-existent. Bishop’s Eye will survive during the tourist season but they need to remember that it is the locals that will get them through the winter months! We two will find another space for our get togethers.

Lots of potential, great location etc but very poor service. Not the server's fault I think, just ignorance of how to do their job. Probably the owner's laziness in not training his/her very young and inexperienced staff properly.

Sat outside with my wife after she had ordered 2 halves of IPA at a staggering price of £8 (am I in London ,I thought to myself?). Anyhow ,after drinking and talking with friends ,we got up and our friends chairs was swiftly or abruptly taken away by the member of staff who didn't even ask if we had finished with the chairs. I live locally, but poor service like that doesn't deserve my money.

Unfortunately I am unable to review the food as it did not arrive. We placed the order and got our drinks. My tea was spilt all over the table, the chair my handbag (with apologies from the waitress). No refund was offered. We were waiting for nearly 30 minutes being ignored by staff cleaning tables around before we enquired about our food. We were told that there must have been an error with the printer. We paid for drinks and left. It looked like the error only occurred with our order - a couple of tables outside had just been served food.

Called in for drinks while visiting the Bishop's Palace and the Cathedral. Very friendly, helpful staff and our freshly-made coffee was very good. We didn't have anything to eat but there was a good choice on the menu and what we saw being served at the other tables looked tasty.

WOW, another great place to eat in Wells. The Bishops Eye is in a fabulous location in the market place and what an interesting building. We had a sharing platter, which was great quality and plentiful. The staff gave you time to choose and were friendly and helpful. Coffee was really tasty as was the cake which we couldn’t resist for desert. Will definitely be our first stop when next in Wells.

The problem with tourist attractions like Wells is that the cafes don't have to try too hard. There are always plenty of customers. This cafe is not bad but it should be better. Coffee was okay and food was a reasonable standard. But the cost is high for what you get. Toasted sandwiches are skimpy, the bruchetta, a single small slice of bread with a bit of cured ham and mozarella skimpier still. Accompanying salad leaves were fresh but no dressing at all. This very modest meal will set you back £13. Ouch.

A lovely lunch. We really enjoyed sitting out watching all the action of the market in Wells. The food arrived quickly and was great. So nice to have different vegan and vegetarian options ( feta pie and a hummus platter). We would happily return.

Popped in for a quick coffee and snack. Lovely setting with view over the square and quirky building. Very quick service

Went to this beautiful restaurant after visiting Wells Cathedral. We had gorgeous home made gluten free soup & fish/meat & cheese platters. Lovely friendly staff, with a table looking out onto the street below. What a gem of a place. Highly recommend.

Staff very friendly, was'nt rush into ordering nice atmosphere with a view over the market square and very nice food which was freshly cooked

Highly recommend for an informal special lunch. We were here today and very impressed with delicious, locally sourced cheese, pate, homemade scrummy hummus, tasty salads made with seasonal veg. Wine and beer a treat too. The team are fab, very helpful without being overbearing. Looking forward to returning. Many thanks 💐

Have had a platter here outside on courtyard in summer and it was lovely but on this occasion three of us were served pie and mash and two of them including my chicken and leek one were tepid and my chicken one tasteless with two visible pieces of chicken and no leeks 😢. I was also charged £4.50 for a half pint of nondescript draught lager with a tiny dash lemonade . I was hungry so I ate the pie - my friend had hers warmed up . Very disappointing - I told the waiter who charged full amount for the poor quality food even added the service charge 😱. No reduction for poor food . I don’t live here only visit my school friend in Wells a couple times a year but I won’t be visiting this place again now . The platters still looked good value so if you visit I would choose one of those , you can’t go wrong with a cold platter if food is fresh

This cafe has a nice position on the square with outside seating. There is also an upstairs room with a view and a medieval study. I had the gluten free apricot and pistachio cake and it was so tasty. The coffee was generous and reasonably priced and the staff were friendly. Gluten free bread is available, but I didn't try the savouries.

Stumbled on this place during a flying visit to Wells. We had no intention of eating out until we saw it and couldn't resist. Our cheese and charcouterie platter was excellent: really well selected cheeses, bread, pate and cured meats, surrounding a salad of leaves, radishes, olives and seeds. Beautifully presented and tasted delicious. We chose an IPA and a glass of malbec, both very good. Sitting outside in the evening sun we felt very content. Top marks.

We came today for the Saturday Market and stopped at The Bishop's Eye for some lunch as it looked a lovely place. The waiting staff were very friendly and attentive and the food was delicious. The drinks came as 3/4 pint rather than a pint which was unusual and a tad pricey as a result, but we enjoyed our visit very much. An added bonus was that they took cash payments which was a very pleasing aspect - AND we were asked if we wanted to pay by cash or card rather than have someone assume and just push a card reader under our noses, as has happened at other establishments. Too many establishments are now forcing people to pay by card and we boycott these kinds of places. But the Bishop's Eye was a great experience all round. We shall definitely return.

This has to be the most revolting and disgusting places in Wells for food hygiene and service. Small portions and allergies are not catered for. The staff have not been trained in the basics of customer service. There are plenty of other lovely cafes close by that would welcome your business and appreciate it. Locals will not go there due to the rudeness of staff. This is a warning please avoid and spend your hard earned money elsewhere. We would throughly recommend the cafe near the bishops palace.

WELLS Holiday (09-05-23) Went into town to get some breakfast but not much open before 10, went in here as an outside seating and it was raining still, we had our dog 'Simba' ordered 3 bacon sandwiches and coffee, food didn't take to long but when it came out it was a heavy grain, hard toasted ciabatta bread and very small, the bacon tasted and looked very average, never went inside but at £30 it was so overpriced for what it was.

Under the arches of the Cathedral, this charming coffee shop was just the ticket as the heavens opened. Lovely interior, especially when you visit the facilities and get to see the age of the building, and very lovely staff. Good cakes on offer and reasonably priced. Thoroughly recommended.

We called in here for a coffee. Despite having visited Wells many times. This lovely cafe/restaurant passed us by. I had coffee and apple cake, I asked for it warm, it was the best apple cake/pie I had ever tasted. I could easily have eaten another slice. My wife had a date slice. All the food is made fresh. The dishes and platters looks so delicious. We will certainly return. A wonderful find.

Booked a table for two 3 weeks in advance of our getaway to Wells. We were seated upstairs on a dirty table for 4 (why?). 1 minute later asked for our order - er, no need a couple of minutes. After that, completely ignored by staff who did appear but scuttled back down the stairs staring at the ceiling avoiding eye contact. We gave it 25 minutes then walked out. It was too late for the couple next to us who waited half an hour for a glass of wine, poor souls.

My wife decided we would visit Wells Market today and whilst we are here we’ve popped into the Bishops Eye from the outside I wasn’t really impressed but what a surprise once inside we were greeted as soon as we stepped inside and shown a wonderful range of what looked like home made cakes and fair I don’t know if it was the owner or manager who greeted us but thank you We ordered hot chocolate an Americano with a mince pie plus a toasted bacon sandwich What a treat when it all arrived superb sourdough toasted bread with crispy smoked streaky bacon filling The mince pie was also top class Thank you all for making us welcome and a terrific greeting and service We will definitely be back with friends

Waited 15 minutes before anyone acknowledged my existence on a half empty terrace while all around me got served. As a local I should know not to trust the service at this place.