Dakins Restaurant in Bedford

They still have an elaborate one-way system through the store, with no sign of how to find the coffee shop. They have taken away all of the big sunshades so on a very sunny day you either sit indoors or else in direct sunlight. In fact it was quiet; the staff said that they are busy MTW because of the Government discount, and today Friday was very quiet. Coffee cake £4.75 =:-(. Only one gents in use, the air blast hand dryer wasn't working. In the old days when Mr Dakin was the owner, it wasn't perfect but today was not a good experience.

I would recommend a visit to this restaurant Sunday Lunchtime 12-3pm when a carvery is on offer. Carveries generally seem to have fallen out of favour as the meat and veg feel mass produced but this is certainly not the case here. Prices are very reasonable ) from 6.95 for a small roast to 9.95 for a large). Prices determine the number of slices of meat you are given ( small =1 slice/ medium = 2 and large 3) but the wide selection of vegetables are unlimited. Two meats are always available and it is possible to have a slice of each if requested. Delicious gravy and sauces are available to complete the meal. For those with a sweet tooth, desserts are available , with several to choose from. I have taken family members ranging in ages from 10 years old up to 92 and everyone enjoyed their meal and would return again. One word of warning: this is a very popular Sunday Lunch venue and it gets very busy. However, there is plenty of seating at the tables and queues, on the whole, move quickly. You can follow your meal with a walk around the garden centre and shop where there is something to attract everyone. What's not to like?

I have tried several times to like this restaurant as much as I love the garden center but sadly no. Too long queuing, too long waiting fir order. One of the times I joined a not too long a queue (5people in front) at 10:40 and eventually got to give my order of 3 breakfasts. Only to be told “sorry we stop breakfasts at 11:00” “But this is 10:56 and I have queued since 10:40!” “Yes sorry” I left! Biggest problem is one member of staff taking orders, making long winded drinks and taking payment, needs more staff when queue is building.

Acabamos de tener un desayuno caliente. La comida era muy sabrosa y el personal era muy amable y servicial. Cuando un miembro del personal se dio cuenta de que sólo había dado a mi marido una pieza de pan en vez de dos, ella se disculpó y volvió con gran profusión morectoadt, de nuevo pedir perdón. Muy limpio y tiene un servicio excelente buena radtu. Sin duda visitar

Otra parada para el mejor desayuno de la zona. No entiendo algunos comentarios críticos sobre lento/mal/comida fría. Hemos estado aquí muchas veces y siempre tenía un gran desayuno. . . . . .

Hemos visitado este restaurante varias veces para comer y siempre están frustrados por la cantidad de tiempo que nos lleva al lugar de nuestra orden. La señora de hasta se espera llevar el orden y hacer y servir bebidas calientes. Esto resulta en demoras de hasta 10 minutos, mientras que sólo 3 en la cola, (hoy tomó más de 15 minutos con sólo 4 personas antes que nosotros). Este no es un reflejo de la calidad de personal pero la capacidad organizativa de la administración. No es un lugar para usar si tienes prisa.

My food was cold when it arrived and the salad was old! I also had to run around trying to find out out where one of our meals were!

This place has above average food and below average speed of service. When calling for lunch do not expect to get your food quickly or even in reasonable time. The staff are pleasant enough and the food is freshly cooked but it just takes too long

very nice meal and at a very reasonable price good service and very pleasant staff also do special offers every day and carvery twice a week

excellent garden centre restaurant, Serving good food and snacks; recommended as I have used on several occasions.

Part of a very good garden centre; stopped here for a coffee mid-spend ! Cappuccino was reasonable if not memorable. Many people were ordering cooked breakfasts, which looked lovely. Selection of cakes OK. Sitting in the sunshine looking around the site while having a break was really good !

I visited today with my parents for a Sunday Roast Dinner. We had the choice of Pork or Beef. I chose the pork and couldn't have wished for better. Plentiful, sumptuous dinner with all the trimmings. Staff are professional, eager to please and most friendly especially Lillian and Mim. Well Done the Dakin Restaurant Team and all at Roxton Garden Centre ... We left with full tummies!

Two years ago I booked for over 20 people for Christmas lunch at the beginning of December. The food and service were both excellent and so I booked again for Christmas 2014. Food was average, some items on the plates were cold. Gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed it was simply an off-day - we all have them. My husband and myself called in for Sunday lunch a couple of weeks ago and things had gone from bad to worse. Food again cold or, at best, lukewarm. The knives need sharpening, I couldn't cut the meat and had to rip the Yorkshire pudding apart. Although we were quite early the vegetables had obviously been hanging around keeping warm - the roast potatoes were particularly nasty, they were soft and soggy rather than crispy. Probably will not go here again

Arranged to meet up with an acquaintance at this restaurant. For a start, it's hard to get into the place. Don't know what's happening in the garden centre, but massive restocking and piling things in the aisles is not very welcoming. Still it's usually what supermarkets do, so why shouldn't other retail outlets? And so to the restaurant, or should I call it a cafe? The echoey, Formica tabled room was redolent of a tired canteen. Didn't have much, just a slice of red velvet and a cappuccino. The cake was just OK, and the coffee was from a machine. Sorry, but in view of the competition that they face, the only thing I can find to say is must try harder. Mediocre food and drink can be uplifted by excellent service. It can, but it wasn't.

I have eaten at Dakins now on numerous occasions for breakfast. I always have the 'Mega Breakfast' aka a Full English. Freshly prepared and quality ingredients served by polite attentive staff, the breakfast is always served quickly and is hot and served with quality toast. The restaurant is clean, light and airy so you don't leave stinking of fried food which is the case with a lot of small traditional cafe's. It has a nice view of the outside plant area so it is a relaxing place to eat. It is my first choice for a traditional English breakfast in the area.

Visited restaurant today for lunch whilst looking at garden centre. Found it to be as Popular as always, with a constant stream of visitors throughout. Ordered a jacket potato and soft drink - couldn't find any issues with the hot food. Wouldn't hesitate to visit again!

Went for lunch on August Bank Holiday Monday. Not disappointed, though the place was full and very busy.Lunch was great, plenty of choice plus specials of the day, staff cheerful and helpful and not showing signs of stress despite never ending flow of customers.Outdoor seating available, though sadly on this visit the rain was pouring down so outside lunching not relevant.Altogether a great place for lunch, will be back again and again.

We have used this place regularly on our travels up the A1. Went on sunday and we both ordered the roast beef, the meal was awful. The beef a thin slice of brown plastic, raw cabbage stalks, raw carrots, hard potatoes I could not get knife through, soggy roast potatoes, yorkshire pudding a lump of rubber, salty tasteless gravy, The restaurant has new owners who have spent money on refurbishing the eating area to the detriment of the food. We used to love calling in here to enjoy a good meal at a reasonable price. Needless to say we will not be calling again. Such a shame

Just wanted a very light lunch, found the tomato and peppers soup very tasty and substantial. The croutons served in it were chunky and some of the best I've ever had, the bread served with this dish was delicious and totally fresh.I'll definitely be back to try other dishes.Food was ordered at the counter and brought to the table. No fuss, no long queues, and service with pleasant smiles. Cutlery etc also brought to the table. The whole place was very clean and tidy, and the service excellent.