Café Lanercost in Carlisle

The cafe at Lanercost used to be really lovely, but sadly went through a bad period of serving poor quality food and portion sizes for the money being charged. I swore I’d never go back. But we decided to give it another try one sunny day. Only because we knew that they offered outdoor seating. We were welcomed warmly at the door and taken to our table. The quality of the food and portion sizes have definitely improved! We had the most delicious chicken Caesar salads. Very tasty indeed. I will certainly be back. I’m so happy things are back on form and just hope there isn’t another decline in food and service quality. The only thing I would improve ( if possible) is the outside seating area. It could do with a bit more decor to make it feel a bit more inviting. Perhaps some glass barriers to protect from the wind and some big planters with greenery. Even a large pergola structure over the tables would be nice to help protect from the sun or rain. It could be decorated with foliage to make it look very pretty and inviting. It just seems rather bare and soulless outside.

Lovely gluten free lunch on several occasions recently(quite a few options to choose from and 1 or 2 nice cakes). You can sit inside or outside on a nice day. Also lovely gift shop onsite. I would advise booking to avoid disappointment as it can be popular.

Phoned on 23rd May to make a booking to eat with friends on Saturday evening (1st June) when an Italian menu is offered. My booking for 4 at 6.45 was accepted and they took a note of my name and phone number. We arrived on time to find the place closed! Spoke to people who we think were staying in the self catering accomadation who said they couldn't understand it as they'd tried earlier in the day to make a booking for dinner at 7pm ,only to be told they were fully booked! Called them today to be told that they had no bookings for 1st June and with staffing problems they decided not to open. Hospitality business? Really? They couldn't even be bothered to phone...

Been here for a very pleasant lunch served by very pleasant staff and all at a reasonable price. Hallomi chilli jam on sourdough to die for . Also coffee very pleasant. Establishment is exceedingly clean and welcoming.

Great place to stop after a walk or to get a nice cup of tea. Next to a church with a gift shop attached. It is dog friends and almost always have space for you to sit. It has very friendly waiters! The drinks come quickly and the food comes shortly after. Wheelchair friendly.

A great Italian restaurant on an evening. The food is top class and the service among the best we have received anywhere. One if our group has a garlic allergy, which can be a problem , but not here. Very unusual for Italian restaurants. Will definitely be back.

Having had lovely coffees and scones in the afternoon in the cafe we returned at night where it was transformed into an Italian. Young waitress was ver attentive and cheerful, started with sharing pizza, which thankfully had a very thin base, then we both opted for seafood risotto which was sublime, only minor criticism was the king prawns still had part of their shells on, not ideal when hidden in a risotto. 9.5 out of 10

A beautiful setting near Hadrian’s wall. Friendly staff. Excellent toasties. Very clean and top class facilities. Perfect tea. We shall be back. You should visit.

Our first visit to the cafe at Lanercost for some time (since pre-Covid) was truly a welcome surprise. We have always enjoyed stopping off here, but today it is obvious that, on all fronts, it has stepped up considerably. The food was simple, but beautifully prepared with a lightness of touch that requires real skill. We need gluten free food, and I was astonished to see at least three choices of gorgeous desserts so we ordered ours immediately in case they disappeared. We had the lemon meringue pie, which looked great, but tasted even better—not too sweet, just lemony enough, light as a feather; and the courgette and lime cake—also delicious. I chose the cake, but persuaded my husband to share (fortunately for me) so tasted both. For the main course, I had gluten free toast topped with guacamole, salmon and capers with salad. It was extremely tasty, delicately flavoured and so light but satisfying. I have it on good authority that the coronation chicken was similarly flavourful. Altogether a lovely lunch. After lunch, we visited the shop and bought a number of gifts—planning ahead for Christmas. I have just read a review that suggested the shop is expensive, but I did not find this to be the case. There is a range of items, different from other outlets: clothing, scarves, hats, Christmas decorations, cards, candles, soaps among other things... all beautifully presented, interesting and slightly quirky, and the prices are right.

Four of us went to the Lanercost Café & Pizzaria last night and the Food was Fantastic ! Fresh ingredients, cooked well , full of flavour and very well presented. The portion sizes were Big to say the least and the service was very good to. We all had a great time and a great meal and we will certainly be back again soon 👍🏻

We visited the cafe in the evening when it becomes an Italian restaurant. Great menu with plenty of choices of pizza and pasta dishes plus some chicken and fish options. All our meals were excellent-we had several starters between us including the calamari and the bruschetta which were both great. For mains, the pasta sauces were flavoursome and authentic, the pizza delicious and the sea bass was cooked perfectly and supplied with a generous portion of seasonal vegetables. Most of us were too full for desert though a couple shared a delicious sticky pudding. Service was friendly and attentive. We are local and will definitely return.

A well placed cafe, also has a shop to but the usual tourist stuff. Not a cheap cafe at all but a good range of food and drink items. The "Tourist " shop is hugely expensive ,and the parking is taken up by people simply parking and going walking ,little effort is made to enable people who want to use the facilities to park there...simple a free car park for everyone and anyone......ok for a stop off and a cup of tea.....only one around the area really....so we are a captive audience....luckily for them.

Called while passing as our last visit was a few years ago, surprised just how busy this place was today, generally found the food/drinks average and a tad on the pricy side

Excellent range of snacks, cakes and light meals. The historic Priory next door is well worth a visit. Plenty of places to park a bike.

Did not eat but having seen a very busy car park was interested to see why and it looked very good with a lot of (apparantly) contented customers