Cartgate Lodge Cafe in South Somerset

Update 13.03.2025 We have now stopped here loads of times, food is lovely, had liver and bacon today, coffee is really good, nice cakes etc prices very reasonable. The road and parking have been resurfaced and the outside of the cafe now looks very spring like! Staff are always lovely and friendly too Have driven past dozens of times and missed this! Cafe and shop were closed, but we will be back when they are open. Lovely picnic area and toilets, including a disabled one.

Cracking place to stop. Reasonable prices and great grub. Staff brilliant 👏👏👏👏

Loverly independent place to stop for a bite to eat

Stopped to empty the dog. He seemed happy with the grass. He didn't poop but did pee so objectives achieved. Didnt going the cafe but it smelt amazing and was fairly busy which is always a good sign

Excellent food staff really polite and served quickly.

A convenient stop off, plenty of parking. Spacious cafe serving very good, reasonably priced food served extremely quickly. I can recommend the Small Breakfast 😋

Friendly atmosphere and good honest food at a very reasonable price.

This is such a welcoming place to stop for a break and some lovely food.

Great cafe when on the move, just off the A303, at the Yeovil turnoff

Great little cafe in a good location. An excellent rest stop.

Great place to stop and stretch also has a lovely cafe reasonably priced and public toilets

Disclaimer - this is not a review about the food, we have no issues with that. Have stopped here for many years as its a great place to walk the dogs and have a break. They've been updating the toilets for several months and finally got to see them recently. All I can say is they are horrible now. They are dirty, no paper, no soap in the washers. They were a little tired but were always spotless. I'm guessing they no longer employ someone to look after them during the day.

Beautiful place with real character. Highly recommend & it's certainly unique in every possible place. 10/10 SUPERB!

Always stop here on route to Devon, usually for picnic and to use facilities, clean well run and a choice of what to eat and drink in cafe

70p extra for non-dairy milk. Also, I ordered a flat white and got given large mug, half weak coffee, half milk. I asked for a new drink and was told that my understanding (and that of every other coffee shop I know and Wikipedia) of a flat-white was wrong.

Always a good stop off walk the dog and have a refreshing drink

This is just a review for the coffee to say do not waste your money. £4 for essentially frothy milk. Absolutely not anything resembling a cappuccino. The latte was equally bad/tasteless. Cannot comment on the food or other drink offerings, but wanted to give a word of warning to others passing by.

A halfway stop from home to Devon for a breakfast. The welcome was warm and friendly, the quality and quantity of food was just right and excellent coffee. They catered very well for the Gluten free needs of the family and left us all together very happy and ready for the rest of the journey.

Ok for a quick bite on your journey.

very happy staff only had coffee but it was good

Called in on way to dorset, the works that were going on, have now been completed, with the toilets re furbished, it is a lovely place to stop off.

Best breakfast I've had. Loved it. Staff were lovely too. Felt very welcome. Would definitely recommend

Great freshly cooked breakfast 😋

Always a lovely little spot to stop. Food always looks like really good quality. Quiet and safe

Stopped for teas, coffee, sausage rolls and pasties all delicious

Toilet's very clean 🫧 full time very nice lady work's there. Take's pride in her job. Cafe excellent. Nice picnic 🧺 area and a place to run the dog's. Car electric ⚡ charging etc. If on on long journey a place to break the boredom for the kids. Just been resurfaced.

Stopped at Cartgate for a break on my drive to Cornwall. The cafe itself cannot be faulted with good food and drink at reasonable prices and would definitely recommend However the 'temporary' toilet facilities leave a lot to be desired. Being disabled I used the single disabled unit - it was dirty, untidy and the toilet seat itself was covered in excrement which looked dried on. These facilities need checking regularly. Not sure who is responsible for them as there was no sign indicating who to report problems to.

Pulled in for a short rest and few refreshments before continuing on our way home from a trip to Cornwall the premises where clean fresh and the staff where cheerful and helpful tables where Absolutely spotless the carpark was busy but plenty of space and the hgv driver were friendly as well great little place to have a break great job keep it up

Always a welcome break on our travels from home in Cornwall to visit relations in Hampshire and Surrey have been stopping here since the 80s At the moment the outside toilets are being refurbished. So there temporary smaller toilets. The picnic area and cafe are still available.

Food is fine, service is good. Shower available, parking free.

Rude server when asked if we could bring dog in, suggested update of website, to which she tried to argue against rather than agree, when showed her evidence. Problem was her attitude not the face we couldn't take our dog. She said dogs haven't been allowed in cafe for 4 years. Mediocre breakfast, overcooked eggs. Pass through few miles if heading to Cornwall and go to farm shop, or pub that serves all you an eat breakfasts.... Disappointing visit.

We've been here a few times before. My partner ordered some chips and was shouted at by a very rude lady we don't serve chips until 11.30. It was 11.25 my partner apologised and said he was willing to wait. To which the chef brought them out and particularly throw them at my partner. We thought ok maybe just having a bad day really not an excuse but we all have them. On wayhome we popped in as I need to use toilet.I ordered 2 cheese and onion pasties to which we we've both given steak pasties both of us are vegetarian so waist of money Lady was aggressive in her manner.im unsure if she's a little hard of hearing or just naturally loud but if she wants to go to the kitchen and talk about customers really she should lower her voice . Very bad service will not be returning.

Just popped in for a coffee extra shot as like it strong, shock horror 2 coffees £9.50. Coffee was so disgusting tasted like muck couldn't even drink it so left untouched absolutely appalling.

Can I just put on this page The Toilets have Nothing what so ever to do with cartgate Cafe ,Highways agency is Totally in control of them ,so if you have any negative comments please direct them on there google site

Disappointed, this has been a favourite stop between Cornwall and Sussex for years. Currently have temporary toilets, not enough of them, no water so no flushing toilets or washing hands and no hand towel. Went into the cafe to change my 5 month old baby to be told they don't have a baby change even though I know they do as I've used it before! Food usually good but pre packed cakes used to be lovely now not so good. Shame.

Good place to stop and fascinating decor. Quite a surprise, that.

The cafe was closed yesterday, it was boxing day. Temp toilet block, needs looking after better.

Great pit stop for your journey.

Stopped here through necessity and boy am I glad I did. The size of a services with a huge picnic area and that friendly personal service you just don’t get anymore with chains. Food was hot, quick of such a good quality if left me gobsmacked. With the many issues on the A303, knowing this gem amongst the trees is here is a welcome relief.

Great place for a decent fry up whilst traveling! Good food, clean dining area and nice staff.

Avoid at all costs. Staff would not allow my wife and 6 month baby use the baby changing facilities as it was for 'staff only'. One member of staff was then very rude when questioned about it and raised her voice in front of our child.

Great stop on journey for coffee and comfort break

Absolutely fantastic place. Staff friendly and helpful. Drinks were hot and able to take away.

Nice stop free parking and lovely food

Bit of a building site and work in progress at the moment outside the café. Portable loos still available but all ok.

Much better than the usual mainstream services. Good food at reasonable prices

They are carrying out works on the toilets, but still maintaining their standards. It is ideally situated, and the cafe is good.

Always a great place to stop. Alot easier than normal services and cheaper and friendlier.

Convenient place to stop, stretch ya legs, have a wee, and maybe even a picnic 😉😊 Quite pleasant location, but the only thing that 'Lets it down' are the toilets which are often quite smelly! BUT (as at 171124) seems like they are 'modernising' them! Temporary ones in place.

Don’t bother…worst coffee and expensive greasy food…stop at South Petherton Greggs…save yourself the embarrassment…

Yummy sandwich, wanted to sit in but no dogs allowed thought tbh it's not exactly nice inside. Good staff though and good food.

Great. Nice, clean cafe. Very friendly and obliging staff and great food. Plenty of choice for both meat eaters and vegetarian/vegans. Able to sit inside and outside. Perfect for a lunch stop.

Was meant to be a 10 min stop only but ended up buying 2 delicious pasties

Always stop here when I can, whilst using the A303. Reasonable prices for roadside services and the toilets are usually clean, with some nice extra touches! Staff work hard to please and there are vegan options which have been good quality and decent size portions. Details below are regarding my latest visit but have often dined in for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner!

The best breakfast by far.....great service, fantastic food. Plenty of space and plenty of parking spaces. 👍👍

Such a Shame ! I have been coming to this cafe for over 30 years going back and forth to West Country, seen this cafe go from a 24hr stop with great honest food at a realistic price, over the years it has reduced it’s opening hour ( which I do understand due to cost ) but the food had gone down a little and prices have now risen which I think is now over priced, there are now more pre packed sandwiches and cakes which are pricey, I went in last week and asked for scrambled egg on brown toast to which I was told that they cannot do scrambled egg on Saturdays as they are to busy and only fried eggs were on offer, I went with the fried eggs and another plate of baked beans on toast, food arrived quickly on white toast, beans not really hot and fried eggs hard, two cups of tea and £15:00 later. Not great value. I think that in future if I want poor food with no real option I will go to the fast food chains that are increasingly available on the A303…please do not advertise that you can cater for individuals when you might be able to do that when it is not busy or is convenient for the business.

We always stop here on our way between Devon and London and we always get a warm welcome. The staff are friendly and it has a good "vibe".

A must when travelling, free parking, wheelchair friendly, toilets, food lovely.

Plenty of parking, good cafe , just don’t put A393 on your sat Nav. It’s the A303 near Yeovil Somerset not in Cornwall. .

Not much to say really Clean rest area, watch the dog crap on the grass Breakfast in the lodge is amazing and go large of you can eat it Staff are a little odd but friendly enough

Quick stop for a comfort break and food. Fresh food is available most of the day. Outside toilets being refurbished.

To small and couldnt cope with a coach load of customers

Service was fantastic and very clean and tidy the meals excellent and value for money will visit again

Great breakfast, reasonable price, very friendly staff. Always clean and tidy inside and out

Been going there for over 30 years has an hgv driver.still working and visit often.still very good.don't like it when it gets busy .takes ages to get served.hey ho.

Although the food (sausage and egg bap) was very nice, at £5:50 I thought it was overpriced. The cafe was doing a brisk trade with plates of breakfasts being brought out of the kitchen at regular intervals. It was clean and tidy in a peaceful location so perhaps this is what your paying the extra for?

car drivers park like dick heads. lorry driver have to park up by law yet can't always do this due to thick headed car drivers

Good menu at reasonable price. Plenty of parking and staff friendly.

Really peacefully place and reasonable parking for HGVs plus it's free, food is spot on reccomend this place

2 bacon rolls with 2 dry rashers of bacon with no butter a coffee and a tea £9.90 RIP off wouldn't bother again

A great little stop off on the A303. Staff very friendly, quirky decor, a good range of food on the menu and at a reasonable price. Outside there are picnic tables and dog bowls and a good area to walk the dog and stretch your legs. Plenty of parking.

Great little find but queues can quickly form when big groups arrive. Really good selection of food for all times of the day. It's rare to find services not owned by one of the big chains. No paper shop though

Not a very nice cup of tea. Staff were nice though.

Great place to stop for a break good food , drinks, clean toilet block

Stopped here for a coffee and a cornish pasty very nice.

Helpful, speedy, friendly service. Reasonably priced tasty bean burger and fries. Quirky and interesting decor.

Ideal stop halfway to Devon and Cornwall

We stop here all the time great spaces to stop good food and dog stop

Lovely place for a break on a long drive, there are toilets and a cafe. Perfect if you have a dog as there is a grassy area big enough for a leg stretch!

It is a useful pitstop for drivers ( I drive a Minibus). Easy parking. Toilets. Indoor and outdoor seating. Expect it would be busy over the Bank Holiday weekends.

Bought a takeaway out coffee in paper cup. Sat putting cup on table and bottom of cup gave way and poured hot coffee through table slats onto me. I went back in and told them what had happened. No apology or offer of help to mop up coffee from trousers. Given another cup of same type and told they had complained to manufacturers about problems with cups! Just not acceptable.

Always a good place to stop on route to West Country and returning home, always friendly staff and excellent food

Plenty of car parking spaces, toilets well kept as always, ideal stop off to have a breather & let the dog have a run around.

Beautiful spot to stop and amazing food at the cafe

I love this service stop. Great picnic area, or you can enjoy some fantastic homecooked food. No petrol garage, but some close by.

Did not go into cafe, however this service is vital for travelling on the A303.

A wonderful little cafe with indoor seating, picnic tables outside, toilets and parking. A nice varied menu from sandwiches, to breakfasts, lasagna and daily specials.

Great food, cooked to order. Lovely service and will be back as soon as I’m passing again

This place is just embarrassing, reminiscence of the old motorway transport cafes except these were actually better! How anyone on here has written the toilets where clean is beyond belief! They were just disgusting and stunk. Would strongly suggest stopping at the Mac Donald’s and coffee outlet services about 15 mins away.

I travel the A303 all the time and this has been my favourite stop for years. Really good, honest food, friendly people and it's not a rip off. I'm a vegetarian and there's always a good choice on offer for me (the veggie lasagne is the best). Also can't leave this place without a slice of bread pudding. It's iconic. There's plenty of room to park if you're in a camper van.

It's a typical 'services' area and gets pretty busy at times. Trees surround the area which is nice but there's lots traffic so children need to be kept an eye on when in the area

Nice place for a break in the drive. Staff friendly and helpful Toasted tea cake very nice

Good place to stop, picnic, stretch legs and visit toilet. Did not visit cafe so cannot comment on that. When we visited the toilets were clean and well serviced. Earlier reviewer claimed the toilets could be smelt from 100 yards; that's not the toilets, that's what we country folk call Farmyard Smells. This place is in the middle of farming land and sometimes you can expect to detect an aroma. If you can't stand the smell stick to the towns!

There was the worst cappuccino I have ever had. Lavazza is an excellent Italian coffee and I don't understand how it is possible to spoil the coffee like this. it was just hot water flavored with something, maybe it was coffee. Such a shame.

Great place to stop for a break. Free toilets. Large area to walk dogs.

Great full english and Gluten-Free options! Would highly recommend

Good proper food, reasonably priced in a nice setting.

Great place very reasonable price service Great, food excellent nothing to much trouble. Excellent

Great place to stop for "rest & nourish" breaks during long journeys. Café offers extensive hot/cold snacks/meals with inside & outside areas for eating. Separate public toilets close by which are kept quite clean. Tourist office opposite, plus picnic area for motorists wishing to consume own food. Parking on left of cafe. (Recently, one of nature's gems decided to visit too, check out photos 🙂). Visited here on way down & return from Cornwall, weather lovely & almost all picnic tables within area being used. Enjoyed good cup of hot tea from café. Tubs of Impatiens outside toilets very pretty. On way back, toilets quite clean & plenty of paper but sadly on way down, as it was late afternoon/early evening, toilets were left with no paper & other customers had left most in awful state. So many have no shame in disposing soiled paper/nappies/sanitary items on floor of toilet, despite bins being provided for this. My heart goes out to the lovely staff who strive so hard to keep these clean, only for others to show zero respect.

Nice cafe with good food and friendly staff.