Duck And Teapot in Mid Suffolk

This is such a disappointment. Needham Lakes is a wonderful gem in Suffolk. We visit often but this café and the adjoining toilets really let it down. The place could do with a really good clean. The food and coffee are mediocre. We were so thrilled when it opened bit it really hasn't lived up to expectations.

We arrived at the end of the Wednesday morning Carbost, so maybe that's why it was quite busy. There are about 8 tables inside and 5 or 6 outside. The acoustics are such that it gets noisy quickly, but the sliding doors do open to dissipate the noise a little. Very kiddy friendly with a bookshelf, low tables and chairs, but kids do squeal! The banana milkshakes were nice (for an English milkshake!) The sausage roll was OK but a little too browned. The menu board is very clear and easy to read. The tables were not cleared promptly and the floors not particularly tidy, but they were busy and the young lady at the counter appeared unfussed, calm and pleasant. They are open until 7pm which is useful to know. Will go again but not on Saturday or Wednesdays Carboot days!

Untidy, not very clean and very basic. A dog pooped outside on the terrace, and the owner couldn't clear it all up. He did at least report it to a member of staff. The cafe has a limited option of food, and the coffee is the worst I have tasted for a long time. It is very disappointing as the lake is the 2nd most visited site in Suffolk and deserves a far better place to sit and relax. To be fair, it is fairly busy, and that must reflect on the low standards customers must be comfortable.

This seems like a nice place but was ruined by an older gentleman acting like a security guard, clearly affiliated with someone in the cafe. Very rude towards customers!

Very unhappy indeed. My daughter ordered a chai latte with Soya milk. Repeating three times that she needed Soya milk due to her severe allergic reaction to cows milk. She was given Cows milk !! This became apparent very soon after we had left. Terrible stomach pain, headache and feeling very sick and poorly. That aside, the place was very grubby. Tables left uncleared, floor dirty, staff not at all friendly. Very disappointing visit , would not recommend and will never return.

The duck and teapot is a lovely place to visit and have a coffee. I visit nearly every day as I work from home I walk round the lake and then stop for a coffee. The staff are so friendly and helpful, I love the fact they have a summer & winter menu as it adds variety rather than the same food all the time. Absolutely loving all the different cakes and cheesecakes they offer, I had the hot choc cheesecake yesterday and it was great. This is a great place to visit if you are around Needham Market lake.

After a good dog walk, I took the kids to Duck and Teapot. They had everything kids would like, kids lunch bag, ice cream, drinks and cakes. They even have free dog treats. I can say it was a very good visit. It was busy but team was working as fast as they could . I enjoyed my coffee and carrot cake, didn't even notice it was a gluten free carrot cake. Recommend Duck and Teapot to anybody visits the lake. Team is very friendly and approachable. Plus, Duck and Teapot is part of The Mix youth charity, every penny goes to the charity. Taste Good Does Good.

Loved the place, friendly staff, good coffee and good selection of cakes. Food was very good for what they could offer. Very enjoyable visit.

Obviously very busy, but that shouldn't stop tables from being cleared and wiped down&under tables swept,,it's first impressions that make dissiions, we stayed because we were hungry,,the guiche was cold and salad un inspiring,it's a shame they don't offer jacket potatoes. Good lay out for a wheelchair user, and the staff are very polite.

We had visited lovely Suffolk for a weekend family party - and on Sunday morning, before we left to return home to West Sussex, we had a last chat and drink with my brother and sister-in-law who live locally in Needham Market - that's how we came to visit Duck and Teapot! Enjoyed our visit, lovely to see the lakes, obviously a very popular area for families, dog-walkers, couples, friends. We just had cold drinks or tea but thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and had good service.

Order an oat milk flat white and a cup of tea, flat white was smooth and tea was pleasant. Staff were friendly and the lake as beautiful as ever

Very slow service had two ice creams waited for 5 mins for these ,then later had two coffees had to wait 10 mins to discover they had forgotten our order so then waited another 10 mins , what is going on there ? . Seemed to be loads of staff but why so long to make two ice creams !! Playground needs up dating as well one slide , two swings and two rope climbs , need much more . Lots of potential but no ambition. I expect next move will be to introduce car park fees !

I have visited before and was not impressed, layout of tables strange and cleaning has not improved, this was a lovely new building but is now grimy, with really dirty toilets. The service in cafe is so slow there were 4 people behind counter so not sure why you have to wait so long for coffee, cake ice cream, needs some organisation and a good clean!!! such a shame as this could be an excellent coffee stop.

I went with an open mind and hadn't read any reviews. I am aware this is a charitable run venue . The sight of dirty t uncleared tables and food debris . If I wanted a treat I decided not to and purchased a bottle drink . To quote a name I have seen. The mucky tea. Pot . Would I return ? No . Not unless the public areas improve .

Slow, dirty and service is awful. Waited 20 minutes for 3 milkshakes and asked 3 times to clear our table for us as it hadn’t been cleaned from the previous 2 customers. Left after 40 minutes, tables still filthy and not cleaned. Staff walk past ignoring you and stood behind the counter doing nothing. Does nothing for the reputation of independent coffee shops, and as an excellent resource to a local beauty spot, it’s sorely run and managed. I’d love to say it’s a one off, but having been before I had the same problems. I’d avoid … Wasn’t even a busy day!

Absolutely brilliant milkshakes, food is fantastic. Definitely becoming a regular spot, just make sure to come a little earlier to miss the rush.

We have visited a number of time for coffee tea and cake and have enjoyed it very much friendly staff lovely surroundings lovely restaurant we give you a wonderful 5 stars! 😃

I didn't realise that you have to wait so long for a coffee it was about 12 minutes of standing in queue and having to tell people you had been served and not impressed toilets out of order not impressed

What a surprise! Ideally suited for a lakeside walk or children play area and dog walkers alike. This charity driven café turned out to be a busy hub of families, friends and their dogs; all jostling together in a cramped indoor space that was only half its normal size. (The other half partitioned off for a meeting on this day). The cheesecake accompanied by coffee and tea was a treat, (other equally delicious looking cakes were available!) None of the above blighted our visit. But the serving staff was in need of more training/discipline; slow to clear and clean tables, and no attempts to straighten chairs etc, making it difficult to move from counter to table to door etc. In contrast the, 'manager'(?) appeared to be doing his best to keep it all together. We will go again, maybe in warmer weather to enjoy more cake sitting out on the decking area.

Lovely café dog friendly, and lovely staff, we had a sausage roll and piece of cake both were very nice we come here quite often because it's so nice

First time popping in today. Ordered two hot chocolates, one slice of cake and a smoothie. 20 min wait and told to stand by the counter which meant I kept getting in people's way. They were busy so I don't usually mind waiting but the...

Wow, first time visiting, dog friendly so the Lab was happy. Coffee, toasted Ciabatta and the best chilli beef nacho’s I’ve had in years. Staff exceptionally friendly and service was great. Will definitely visit again. Prices fair for the venue and area.

The venus is nice and modern but unfortunately the service is very slow. I ordered 2 takeaway lattes and wait nearly 20minutes. Doesn't help that whilst waiting you feel completely in the way of everyone trying to squeeze past you. I wouldn't choose to stand...

This little venue could be great but it was really disappointing. The inside is drab and dreary, with cold feeling furnishings and it just felt dark and not very welcoming after a long walk. There was no real queueing system, people were just hovering waiting...

It was Saturday morning so fairly busy. Lovely to have somewhere one can take their dogs - all dogs were quiet and well-behaved! Cappacchino, Latte and Hot Chocolate were 'OK'. Lemon cake was apparently not very lemony, and the huge piece of chocolate fudge cake...

I read some of the very negative reviews this place has had recently. However, we enjoyed lunch there today with toddler and 2 dogs. We cleared a table we wanted as it had more space round it for the dogs, but there were tables already...

Disappointed to see a large husky jump it’s paws onto the counter, not once but three times. I also don’t like seeing a member of staff hand feeding a dog whilst working. Dirty floor I understand, dirty sticky tables I don’t. Nice tea, coffee and...

Very friendly staff. They always have time for me and the Wally. Wally loved the treats he gets. Coffee was delicious and Millionaire GF cake was divine. What a lovely place and great staff. One of them told me that ALL profits go to Youth...

A real missed opportunity. Not very clean, average food and drink. Such a shame, as a popular tourist destination by the lake.

A fabulous hot coffee and warm cheese scone in lovely surroundings. Our dog was made very welcome, and the staff were quick and efficient. The Duck and Teapot is a comfortable cafe where you can watch the world go by. Very impressed. :)

Had a lovely coffe at Duck and Teapot. Great selection of food and locally sourced. A lot better than my first visit. It seemed like they got control over the whole operation and regularly cleaning the tables. Great stuff! Thanks for my coffee guys.

Loved the cafe and the design. Variety of food and drink options. Definitely something for everybody. Highly recommended. Friendly service and great hospitality. Don’t listen to social media , it can be mean . I always check it and have my own experience.

Popped in for coffee and cake, bit of a wait for coffee but the cake was lovely. Good toilets on site.

Family picnic here,after the walk we went in for a takeaway cup of tea. In total waited nearly 30 minutes for take away tea and a coffee. They need one set of staff to deal with take away and one set of staff to deal...

Normally we have a lovely experience here, but for some reason not today. Ordered 2teas, which normally come in a teapot and cup and saucer, but for some reason came in a takeaway cup with milk and teabag inside. Not asked if wanted milk, and...

What a missed opportunity. There is little to enjoy here. Poor customer service, filthy unwiped tables and crumbs all over the filthy floor. This is our second visit as we decided to give it a second chance. There will not be a third ! This...

Brilliant service, lovely food. Locally sourced bacon. Coffee was much better this time. Thank you Duck and Teapot Team.

This recently opened cafe is in desperate need of efficient management. We visited for a light lunch yesterday and what a let-down! It's difficult to find any positives about this place. The interior looks shabby and uninviting. A queue of about five people but an...

We took friends for a morning out today and stopped in at the new Duck & Teapot for a cuppa before our walk. It was reasonably busy as it was school holidays but we found a table then ordered. The two blonde ladies behind the...

This was a badly needed facility The biulding is light and airy with separate entrances for the toilets and cafe which is very good. There is a good play area outside for the 3-7 year olds. This is very much a work in progress with...

Been twice since opening and always good service and food, cakes and drinks excellant. Cater for dogs with biscuits and water available. Staff always cheerful even when very busy.

Six of us visited for the first time yesterday and we were all underwhelmed. Don't take much notice as to what is on the board because they did not have it. No vegan options, veggie was Brie & Cranbury, Cream Cheese and Cucumber or Coleslaw...

After all the work and money spent on this building I was bitterly disappointed . Visited today with Grandchildren and wanted a light bite. The place was filthy! Food all over the floor under tables, greasy tops to the tables and generally already looking tired...

What a great Cafe at Needham Lakes and playgrounds !!! Staff are friendly and helpful especially Linda! We loved the sausage rolls (meat) but also have a veg option. Love the fact they do sausage or bacon rolls early in the day as they run...

Popped in at lunchtime, nothing left apart from vegan sausage rolls and some cakes. Queued for a long time to be told no sandwiches/baguettes available although there were baps at the back and someone prepping salad items. Tables were left dirty. Menu stated "meat baps,...

Visited for first time today ,very friendly staff especially Linda walker, great addition by the lake for tea and cake

lovely addition to the area and needham lake. lovely big space inside and out, dog freindly, and lots of seating. great drinks and ice creams, but very limited menu - needs a lot more choice and maybe to do breakfasts too. staff nice.

Great, friendly service that made us feel very welcome here. The brownie I had was amazing and they cater to all dietary requirements very well. The cafe has really chill vibes and I would highly recommend.

This is lovely venue with good food and nice drinks selection. The staff are still learning to get to grips with the venue but we all had to start somewhere. The staff were friendly and helpful to my dietary needs. Will definitely be back again.

Great addition to Needham Lakes and a step up from the past ‘Horse Box’. Great coffee and cakes, and I look forward when the world settles down and they are able to staff up and offer more food but sensible to start simple and a...

I took my family of 4 to the lake and it was an excellent visit to the cafe. Such a beautiful place and we had a lovely light lunch. Kids were so happy with the options and ice cream for after. Staff were very helpful...

My family and I spent the afternoon at Needham Lakes, in doing so we had food and drinks at Duck and Teapot cafe, which was a lovery treat with good assortment of food and drinks. The staff was very friendly and helpful and polite and...

Situated at the popular Needham Lake, we were very excited to try out this new cafe. Especially as it is dog and family friendly. The building was beautiful, modern and clean but the service really lets the place down. The lady who served us was...

I had good expectations as seeing this place advertised as a new cafe for Needham lakes. We arranged to have a family meet up for a breakfast wether it was a bacon sandwich or a full English. We waited for the cafe to open We...

Went into cafe after walking round lake with great granddaughter - very limited choice of food only sausage rolls, cake and cheese scones. A lot of the drinks were sold out at 11.30. My wife’s cheese scone was like a rock cake and my sausage...

Went for lunch but only had coffee and cake or a sausage roll. Found it out of my price range for a visit while walking round the lake.

Newly opened so still not functioning with their full menu when I visited in the first week. Situated in a small country park loved by dog walkers and families with small kids. Great to have a place onsite that welcomes all. Sensible house rules for...