Caerau Uchaf Cafe in Gwynedd

We're so happy to have found this lovely cafe, on the edge of spectacular gardens with fabulous views. Marvellous to have somewhere local with such good food, ethos, and surroundings. The proprietors and staff are super-friendly, and make a wonderful team: Toby's curries and Stephanie's cakes are exceptional. We'll certainly be back!

An outstandingly beautiful place to eat, veiws are absolutely fantastic, so was my food All the staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful

There is a small variety of soups and burgers with chips. I was very impressed with the home grown salad garnish and vegan burger option.

On 5 August, we tumbled upon this lovely little cafe, just outside of Bala, purely by chance. Located in the midst of a large garden and beautiful surroundings, we got to meet a lovely and welcoming couple who run this place. The menu was limited but the food was so tasty, fresh and had a homemade feel. It was admirable that they promoted locally produced food and drinks. As a large group of 9 people including kids, we all had an enjoyable afternoon despite the bad weather. If you are in the vicinity of Bala, don’t forget to visit here.

The food is fantastic, best burger and chips I’ve had in a long time. The cake is also pretty special. The views are amazing, gorgeous hills to look out over. Would highly recommend.

We have only had coffee and (excellent) cake here before but today we arrived at lunchtime. The children were all able to choose something from the menu and ate every last bite. The chips were fresh and hand cut. I had a ciabatta panini (mozzarella, pesto and tomato). It was delicious and was accompanied by a nice mix of coleslaw, salad leaves and homemade pickle (also chips which the kids took off my hands!). Stephanie and Toby are very friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. The gardens themselves are beautiful and the view is superb. I will try the soup next time. There were three choices: Parsnip and ginger, spicy sweet potato and mushroom...yum.

We stopped for coffee and cake and a walk round the garden. We were the only visitors at the time, because it was wet, cold and end-of-season, but the views were stunning, the garden demanded another visit in the summer and the welcome was warm. We had excellent cake and great coffee. If you go in a wide vehicle the approach is narrow and scary, caravans are a real no-no!

This is a amazing cafe with a great atmosphere and playground the food is a astonishing there is always time for children and fun activities to be doing

Este es un lugar genial para detenerse para té o para el almuerzo. Toby y Stephanie y su equipo son encantadoras y considerado - no el servicio graceless puede obtener en otro lugar. La comida es fresca y sencilla, y no es caro, y es servido en el granero. Un montón de actividades de entretenimiento como comer, y las vistas son preciosas también!

Please experience this gorgeous venue. Fantastic breakfast, lemon cake, smashing tea! Extremely friendly proprietor. Views are wonderful. Well worth driving from main road....we shall definitely return to explore the gardens. Thanks!

We had a delightful autumn lunch in front of a log fire in the parlour of this old farmhouse. Afterwards a quick look at the lovely garden. Our grandchildren will love the play facilities when we have a chance to take them.

Tea in proper teapots! Had homemade chips (delicious) and a (thick) slice of cake. They were preparing the soups just before lunch time- so everything, even the bread rolls, are freshly made. Reasonably priced too 😃

Fuimos allí para nuestro brunch después de encontrar este café de otras críticas en este sitio. Fue un placer. Los anfitriones eran muy acogedores y el servicio era excelente, nada era un problema. Mientras que no hubo desayuno anunciado en el menú el caballero que nos servía dijo que podrían hacer una, así que pedí un desayuno inglés completo, mientras mi mujer y mi hija salchichas y bacon. Nuestra hija jugó en el trampolín mientras esperamos y cuando la comida llegamos fue simplemente increíble. Probablemente el mejor desayuno que he probado y era enorme! productos locales frescos y muy bien preparado. Está en un entorno precioso pasamos mucho tiempo comiendo, bebiendo té y admirando la vista! Estábamos tan relajados nos podría haber estado comiendo en nuestro propio jardín. Bien merece una visita y ojalá hubiéramos tenido tiempo de ver los jardines y explorar más.

Una joya de lugar. Llevamos a nuestras 3 nietos pequeños aquí para el almuerzo. La señora, creo que el propietario era tan agradable y acogedor. Los niños juegan en el trampolín mientras esperábamos que las patatas fritas mejores dos veces cocinadas!Después del almuerzo nos encontramos la hamaca, el alambre de postal y la fortaleza madera. Tenía una obra preciosa en el bosque y luego volvemos al trampolín ( mucho a abuelita!)

Mi esposa y yo nos metimos en la ruta a Dolgellau para almuerzo rápido. Colocar nuestros pedidos, tiempo para incluir a pie alrededor jardín, y disfrutamos de camote sopa con pan casero y tortas. Sábado fuera bajo cubierta para disfrutar el clima cálido y las vistas. Agradable charla con el propietario. Perros muy bienvenidos.

Nosotros (mi esposa, dos hijos y yo) metimos en aquí un domingo por la tarde después de visitar Bala. Nos dieron una cálida bienvenida y nos ofrecieron dos opciones de donde sentarse y comer, o en la cafetería que se encuentra en la parte delantera de la casa o en la zona que era parte de la casa, elegimos este último ya que había una chimenea. Nos sentamos y rápidamente notamos que había algunos juguetes para nuestra hija con los que jugar (lo que ella bien ocupado) y una silla para nuestro hijo.

Great service, great food - and a wonderful view of the surrounding areas. Well worth a stop for the peckish or hungry - you can have a look round the gardens when you are finished. I believe they also cater for groups or parties.

Este es, de lejos, el mejor lugar para ir a pasar una tarde soleada, podrá disfrutar de un bocado para comer y explorar los jardines. Hay un montón de espacio para los niños para correr y jugar y las vistas son fantásticas. Los anfitriones Toby y Stephanie le hará sentir bienvenido querido que haya vivido allí!

Met by a member of staff right from the off which is very welcoming. Food is excellent value and I'd personally say prices are below the average market. All cooked in the farm house which has adds a lovely touch. If your going for food in the cafe I cannot recommend it enough. The gardens are ok. Children would enjoy the trampoline and zip line. Was expecting a little more on that side. Although it is very dog friendly fellow Dog owners. All in all a very good atmosphere and excellent food.

Excellent food. Took care of all our special needs. Fresh delicious food. The views are stunning. Highly recommended

A great mixed menu with a wide variety for such a tucked away informal setting. Well filled rolls and paninis, lovely homemade soup and great bangers and chips, informally served by friendly owners.

A beautiful peaceful place with great cakes - owner was charming.Stunning views and well worth a visit.

What a lovely place. Food was fantastic, staff very friendly and welcoming, views to die for and a lovely walk around the garden, daughter love the trampoline. Many thanks shall be calling again, what a find. X

Always a lovely welcome .lovely food .lovely place .lovely staff .what else can anybody ask for .well done

We sat in the sun with such wonderful views. In the midst of the Welsh countryside we ate the most spectacular curried goat....yes that is correct ...curried goat!! This place is a real must to visit.

A superb cafe amidst glorious gardens in a beautiful setting high in the hills. Delicious home cooked meals and snacks & mouthwatering home baked cakes. All their products are locally sourced and served by the most friendly and courteous staff you could imagine. The owners Toby and Stephanie are to be complimented on their delicious food and staff - especially Bev, Sally and Eline. After a super breakfast, lunch or snack you can walk it off in their vast glorious gardens which include a trampoline set into the lawn, rose gardens, a croquet lawn, beach hut etc etc and a short climb to a childrens adventure fort, zip wire etc. Nothing is too much trouble for them - recommended as the place to visit when in the Bala area or passing through.

What a great place to visit and eat lunch. Lunch was freshly prepared and homemade, goat curry is a must try! Steak roll was yummy and chips were crispy on the out and fluffy on the in. The chocolate cake, lemon pudding with lemon sauce and sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce were all delicious! The gardens and views are stunning and the biggest bonus were the 10 puppies running around. The zip wire is fab and the fort with the drawbridge is a must for all kids! Worth a visit and i would return.

This café is part of the gardens and the two go hand in hand. Have a meal, a snack or just a drink before or during your tour of the gardens or just come for the food. Most things on offer are home made and are served in a friendly manner by obliging staff. Sit inside or out to your choice. We came for afternoon tea ( pre booked ) with a party of 19 friends from our caravan site and were treated to a lovely selection of fresh sandwiches, snacks and cakes with a plentiful supply of tea and coffee. This time it was to celebrate a birthday, last time it was an anniversary, next time, who knows why we'll be there, were looking forward to it.

The drive to the gardens is well worth it, Turn right at at the cattle grid, carry on around the bend, and you enter the gardens. Fresh home cooked food, with afternoon tea and cakes. What more could you want?. The service was excellent, and the food very tasty. Take a walk around the gardens after you have eaten, sit outside the beach hut or even have a go on the zip slide. (great fun even if you are an adult). Would highly recommend , and will definatey be back.

We called in here for breakfast on the way home from a week's holiday near Bala. We wondered where we were going as we drove up the lane, but once we arrived we couldn't have wished for a warmer or more friendly welcome. I was tempted by the goat curry, but when we were offered a full English breakfast, even though it wasn't on the menu, that's what we opted for. We weren't disappointed; freshly cooked, it was worth waiting for. We'd hoped to view the gardens as well, but unfortunately the rain was too heavy. Another time, perhaps.

lovely place, good food and beautiful views! what more could you ask for! Oh and of course the lovely warm welcome you get! Its very homely and quirky, like visiting friends.

Went here on the last day of our holiday in Bala, it was such a lovely suprise. The gardens were great fun, even in the rain. Our little girl loved running round and playing in the fort and even had a little go on the zip wire - although the adults enjoyed it even more! We had the goat curry which was divine, the kids meals are good too. Felt more like guests thatn customers, loved it and would recommend to anyone. Don't be afraid to ring the bell if you need something!

We enjoyed a cuppa here on our way to and from West Wales and I would highly recommend it.I used the postcode and that got us there, although there are a couple of signs on the main road.You may think you've gone the wrong way as you'll drive along a small road which turns into a track!!The cafe is signposted though. If it's warm enough to sit outside,you'll enjoy stunning views.If it's cold,there's a cosy parlour with a fire.As a little bonus, I was able to buy two lovely plants to take home with me. The staff were really welcoming too. It was all very relaxing and definitely beats stopping at a Service Station!!The cafe is apparently closed two days per week,Tuesday and Wednesday,I think.

If you do "quirky" and "eccentric" you'll like it a lot. If you go for honest, decent, well cooked food, you'll love it loads.To say that Caerau Uchaf is off one of the most unbeaten tracks I've driven on could be an understatement though. Casually signposted off the main road from Ruthin, as you drop into Bala, you turn onto a tarmac road that winds upwards, gets narrower, becomes gravel, passes over a cattle track and looks like it's going to end at a padlocked five bar gate.But stick with it. Eventually you emerge triumphant into what looks like a farmhouse yard. The waitress waved to us. The owner came out to say 'hello', Almost congratulating us for finding them. Never had a welcome like this before! Caerau Uchaf is two things. A café with a real farmhouse atmosphere. And a garden project that's still growing ... a wonderful patchwork of landscaping (Stephanie and Toby Hickish, the owners, used to have an award-winning garden design business) where you're likely to stumble across a giant teacup and saucer, a casual hammock, a beach hut, Adam and Eve sat on a hill overlooking stunning views of Lake Bala and a children's fort with a zip wire ride ("you're welcome to have a go but try not to get in the children's way" we were jokingly advised. Well, I think it was a joke!).But save the gardens until after your lunch ... just try the mustardy pork stroganoff or the hearty curry (it was goat today) and finish it off with chocolate fudge cake and you'll be ready to walk it off. If you're going to have a sneaky go on the trampoline, wait until the kids have disappeared round the corner. And if you fancy the zip-wire watch out for the tree at the end.You could do worse than take some of the home-baked cake home with you too.What a place! Just don't give up at the cattle grid. Press on.

Interesting little café/gardens but don't expect too much. The menu is very limited and seems to be run as a hobby business. Mouldy breakfast rolls served on bare tables didn't impress us and we wont be visiting again. Families would enjoy this set up as there seemed to be plenty of freedom for the kids to roam.

It was our last day and we visited the gardens and had tea and cakes. Cream tea was my only one of the whole holiday, and definitely worth waiting for! Warm,homemade scones, butter, homemade jam, cream and a massive pot of tea. The staff were lovely and friendly, it was si relaxed. Hope we return to the area to visit again.Ideal for families, my teenagers loved trampoline and the dogs!!

Went for a coffee and a snack with friends a few weeks ago, lovely surroundings and views, food good and service friendly. Didn't have time to tour the gardens but will be going again to do so.

As other reviews - a lovely cafe tucked away in a beautiful spot not far from Bala. We visited on the basis of previous reviews and as a meeting spot with family. Very welcoming & friendly and the menu had a good choice for us all (family with small children). Food was very tasty - try the Ostrich Burgers - delicious!. Overall a great space for the children and adults to relax and enjoy the view and the food!

Really good place to eat cake and explore. Gorgeous gardens though we came for the woodland playground and the trampoline.

After a morning of White water Rafting, we decided to stop off for lunch and found this love cafe through reviews on trip advisor. On arrival we were met with beautiful scenery and a lovely welcome from the dogs, and their puppies. The staff were welcoming and the food was very tasty, and at a reasonable price. We then enjoyed a walk round the gardens, which were rather enjoyable especially as it was a beautiful day to enjoy the walk. Would recommend a visit here.

We stopped off at the cafe after walking near Bala having read previous reviews. We were met with a great welcome and found the service and food to be very good. We didn't feel that we had to wait for the food even though the owner apologised for the delay. There certainly wasn't any delay in our minds. My husband enjoyed his chilli and it was nice that all the food was definitely home made and freshly cooked. The cafe is in an excellent location and well worth the detour.

We visited for lunch on a rainy day and we had an excellent experience. The owner was extremely friendly and helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our tasty fresh food! Great cafe!

If you like food, this place is a must. Excellent, tasty, intresting, well presented food at a very reasonable price. Praise where praise is due!Thank you.

The Thai curry was excellent, you could taste all the different spices and flavours, it was so delicious that we took 2 Thai curries home with us!We sat outside to eat with the most beautiful views and wonderful hosts Stephanie and Toby.Cakes also delicious and all home made and excellent coffee (and I am fussy about my coffee!)My husband enjoyed a delicious breakfast too - very worth a visit or take the food away very good menu

Good food, friendly service and great views of Lake Bala. What's more they do takeaways and supper parties.

Tucked away high up in the beautiful hills near Bala with wonderful views of surrounding countryside you can even see Bala lake 5 miles away ,the food was so much more than cafe surgests ,I had a lovely plate of very well cooked fresh aspragus with home made bread &butter (loads of it) made I difference from the norm of a soggy made much earlier sandwich &pretty much for the same price ,my husband steak & caramelised onion sandwich was also very good I am told ,(he would not let me have any) would if I could give 6 ticks.