Elterwater Cafe in South Lakeland

Faantastic service and a generous and beatifully cooked all day breakfast. Small but very busy cafe with delicious food to take away or eat in.

Lovely little cafe, good to see it back in centre of village (August 23), best thing on the menu was mushrooms on toast - please can we have it back on the menu - thanks!

Cafe went on walking group. It cost my friend and I £7.45 each for either tea /coffee and toast . Not recommended

The sandwiches and pizza was excellent. All very fresh and healthy choices. Very nice dining options inside and out. The service was great! I would stop there again.

Breakfast was great, but the coffee was not so good.

Slates was excellent, great vegan pizza and decent burgers. Staff were friendly and helpful.

My wife and I enjoyed some light afternoon snacks there a few times, as they are right across the street from the Britannia Inn where we always stay when in the Lakes. I bought our seven-year-old, very picky, granddaughter a sausage roll there, and she claimed it was the best sausage roll ever. And, from her, that is great praise.

We stopped here today midway on a walk. Unfortunately we had already had a large breakfast so only had room for coffee but the menu was so appealing and the food we saw served looked fabulous.

Lovely sausage sandwich. Friendly and welcoming staff. Reasonably priced as well!

Perfect midway stop on a wet and cold walk ! Great cream tea

Slate as it is known now wonderful beautiful food and atmosphere cheerful service tasty food

The pub was full so we went over to Cafe and were so pleased we did. Great variety of choices on menu for food and drink along with specials board. Best hot chocolate I've had and we all throughly enjoyed our lunches. Staff were very friendly and service was prompt.

Good little cafe. Pleasant staff. Good food.

Food and coffee is great cannot complain there. Some staff are friendly others were not. One particular member of staff had attitude. If you want to offer 5 star service with an air of arrogance make sure you can justify this type of service you are providing in the right place.

Stopped in for a drink. Good beer options if the pub opposite is full.

It’s good to be able to charge your drinks to your hotel Account It’s a very pleasant place to dry out and enjoy a wee cake n coffee

this cafe is now operating as a bistro/pizzeria. Did not use it but reviewing to let others know it is no longer there as a cafe.

Recently refurbished and with new owners this is ideal for a walkers stop if yoiu want a cup of tea or coffee, a bowl of delicious soup, or more of a meal. Good quality food, a clean and bright small café with tables outside as well as in. An alternative to a pub if that's what you prefer.

We had lunch on a Tuesday afternoon, nice sunny cafe, dog friendly and spacious We ate here because they had vegan options so ordered the vegan burger and vegan pizza The vegan pizza however was served with dairy cheese which when it arrived I said that cheese looks very like dairy cheese and after tasting a piece I confirmed it was which was really disappointing I don’t have allergies, I am vegan for ethical reasons, but if I had this could have been very serious We took the pizza back to the counter and they apologised and confirmed it was dairy cheese and offered to make me a vegan one That was it, no fuss. If I had served a vegan non vegan food I would have been more troubled but maybe that’s me So then waited for my pizza again whilst my husband ate his meal. He had then to sit and watch me eat mine No one came over to ask if everything was ok this time Oh dear, not the end of the world and very much a first world problem but if cafes offer vegan food they should make sure they have systems in place to ensure it is vegan We left disappointed

Awesome place to go after a walk. Good food and a relatively cheap price. Staff a kind and always have a smile on their face. I highly recommend this place because it’s down right awesome!!

It was our 1st time and certainly not our last. Food was delicious and so were the drinks. The Lattes were not too bitter and perfect. The service was second to none, really warm and friendly. The cafe was very clean, tidy and well presented with clean toilets. The prices are great too and won’t make a dint in your wallet. So definitely worth a visit.

Nice cafe doing decent food in a pretty little hamlet. Good selection of toasties and cakes.

Delicious scones and tray bakes. A great place to stop off after a beautiful walk from Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater. Friendly staff and a great selection of hot sand cold drinks and food.

Perfect place for a coffee and a snack at any point in your walk

Beautiful area and the cafe just makes it with fantastic food

Absolutely lovely cafe, very dog friendly (even soggy ones!!) Try the gluten free coffee cake, even if your not intollerent, its the best cake I have ever had!! Lovely staff, great place to stop off.

I ordered a baked potato with tuna. After a couple of bites, I was struck by something ice cold in my mouth. I thought maybe the tuna mix had been kept in a very cold fridge and so ate on. A couple of mouthfuls on, the same thing happened again so I removed the ice cold pieces from my mouth - to find they were in fact potato! After the third time, I called to the passing waitress to tell her (I always believe you should give someone the opportunity to put things right). “No way!” She exclaimed in a suitably incredulous voice and went on her way. No, she didn’t go and tell the supervisor/ manager/chef and no-one came to apologise/ offer a replacement. I left feeling quite concerned that they were maybe using a malfunctioning microwave. “How not to deal with a complaint” in my book.

Food is great and cafe us in a picturesque location. However, whole experience was ruined by the downright rude staff. I felt I was interrupting a private joke, which was apparently hilarious and was continued despite me standing in front of them, waiting to place an order. The off-hand attitude of both the female staff was shockingly rude and I would suggest anyone visiting the area goes into the much more popular Britannia pub across the road.

Visited this cafe on the way back from a walk on Wednesday afternoon, had a lovely walk the surrounding areas are beautiful! Whilst in the cafe on of the workers shouted and swore at the other girl behind the counter and stormed out of the cafe. The other girl was so embarrassed and I really felt for her, I think they need to sort their staff situation out. Because I will not be returning with that environment it was a horrible atmosphere and so unprofessional. Hope whoever else visites gets this girl on a good day, If not I feel sorry for you.

Had a wonderful breakfast there and staff very friendly

This is a little gem. Fab sweet potato and coconut soup.... baguettes and more. Good value!

Nice cakes, great location - lovely photos on the walls and great little walking books.

Great little cafe, Recommend the Hot Chocolate and cakes

Great place to stop for a coffee while walking, great staff who had no complaints when we came in dripping wet and covered in snow😊

My partner and I attended the cafe prior to a walk just to get a coffee. Although the staff were polite and the cafe quaint the coffee was bitter and unpleasant. I couldn't finish it to be honest. I was too polite to make an issue out of it. Would avoid if you can.

Good environment for a drink but not much choice for food/snack. Bought a pack of 5 maps from the cafe. £2.5 for 5 different walks with quite detail instructions. Good to get if you don't have a guide book with you. Hubby bought some 'mint cake' which he missed from 'child memory'.

Stopped here for drinks and cakes. Thought to be quite expensive, although we are locals I guess their prices are for this tourists. Only tea shop in the area. Nearest possibly Skelwith Bridge.

Stopped in for a brew and had a great time! Lovely staff who made the atmosphere feel homely and relaxed as they were singing along with the radio. Great coffee and cake and fairly priced. Definitely pop in if you’re in elterwater!

Went for coffee and scones which were nice. The girl serving was a bit annoying as she kept singing along to the radio not a great singer. Service was quick and price s are reasonable. The problem with this cafe you never know if it is going to be open.

Excellent friendly staff, great drinks, amazing food all at a reasonable price. Salted caramel hot chocolate and tomato and basil soup are worth it

Called in around 1pm on Monday on our walk,it's a nice little cafe very clean despite welcoming muddy dogs and boots! We both had soup and a sandwich, soup was delicious and a very hearty portion for the price. Nice standard cafe menu, all reasonably priced. Only giving 4 stars since the staff were chatting in the kitchen when we went back to the till despite the cafe being quite full, but came to help as soon as they noticed us.

Called here for coffee and cafe after a disappointing visit elsewhere. We both had coffee and a scone which was absolutely gorgeous and reasonably priced

We came late on a rainy afternoon, the staff were 2 ladies very friendly and helpful service. The cafe was quiet but we were made to feel very welcome even though closing time was approaching. The coffees were great and we stayed for a second round of hot chocs which were equally nice. The WiFi was good too which was welcome as there’s no phone reception in the immediate area

Staff are very funny and friendly and the mushroom soup went down a treat after being our in the rain most of the day . Thanks ladies for cheering us up

Full English breakfast with Cumberland sausages and black pudding. Good coffee with hot milk (without having to ask for it). Our new number one breakfast location in the lakes.

Lovely food and very pleasant and helpful staff. Will be back again

Nice cosy place. They had a problem so only had cakes available. Scone with cream jam went down a treat with a cup of tea. Prices on a par with rest of the National Park.

Good break after a walk. Excellent ice-cream.

We stopped off at this very quaint café along the route of a pleasant (relatively flat) bike ride along the river bank.

great coffee and friendly staff

Lovely cafe, polite service and picturesque walks in the area

Only called in for a coffee and cake. Cafe still open when we visited at 3.30pm. Even though we were told it was okay to have a coffee, the woman behind the counter was rude and we were generally made to feel as though we weren’t welcome. Absolutely shocking customer service. She’s clearly in the wrong job or in absolute need of further training. I very much doubt we’ll be back after this experience.

Went here with my wife, the staff are lovely, gave us directions and helpful information when we asked, the food is lovely too.

Friendly service, only had a coffee but watched other people being served breakfast which looked very appetising

A lovely sandwich in a beautiful setting on a glorious day...perfection!

We called into the Elterwater Cafe on a cold wet day for a bite to eat and a hot drink. Great cheese and onion toastie and no bother that we were sharing an extra plate was given. Hot water top up for tea pot no trouble either. I loved the church pew seating and the iron work under the tables is great - we had a great chat with Nicola the manager who is bright and friendly as are the other staff in the Cafe. They sell some reasonably priced walking books and other quirky books on Cumbrian words and cooking for a couple of pounds each. A lovely experience. The Maple outside the pub was planted by Nicola's Great Grandad - nice to meet local people.

Reasonable priced clean and good toilets

We called in for breakfast last week. I ordered beans on toast and my boyfriend wanted the full breakfast which came with scrambled egg. He asked if he could have a different type off egg. The waitress went and asked and said he could have fried egg but the chef couldn't do poached and it seemed to be quite an effort to ask them to do that even though we were the only customers.

Rude all round. Was greeted by a miserable face, our take-out order was taken. No change was given then wrong change was given. A Simple question was asked about said order, question was then answered by staff (hopefully not the owner) in an abrupt rude tone and cake was thrown in a bag on the counter. Witnessed staff member shaking head at customers behind backs whilst walking out of the cafe. Family in our party quizzed staff about the customer service and the reasoning behind the shaking of heads and also asked if our custom was an inconvenience, to which the staff member replied with a ‘GRRR GET OUT NOW!!’. Whilst slamming the till screen with her hand. Spent £50+ between 3 couples and this is what we got in return. When the food was eventually ready it was below average and definitely not worth the money. I am disgusted with the customer service and the attitude of staff. We have been coming here for years. What a disgrace to the Lake District and Elterwater village. I have never been so appalled with a cafe in my life and have never witnessed anything like it before, I would not recommend it to anyone.

Nice place to drop in for a cup of tea and scone after a walk

We stopped here earlier this week on a sunny day but have visited here on many occasions- rain, snow and shine and always had a welcome stop mid walk in the Lakes. This time was just a coffee stop outside in the sunshine- great cappucino, latte and Americano coffee - a brilliant mid way stop on a walk from Grasmere. We have previously stopped here for soup and a sandwich on a rainy day and dried off before going out again. I am so pleased this place is still going- this is the kind of place we always visit because 1) its great and 2) it should be supported. We always get a warm welcome and a good coffee or light snack.

Went here today it was lovely the staff were friendly and good crack. And the beef baguette is amazing 😆

Good stop after a walk for a quick coffee and maybe cake

Just stopped for a coffee here, walking on the way from Grasmere to Skelwith Bridge. And the coffee was just so good I felt moved to post this - for the establishment, for potential customers and, as it turns out, for Matthew Algie who sourced the coffee - who knew! But it was delicious. I wonder where else it can be had?

Friendly staff. Clean environment no grease in sight or smell. Fantastic views from outside seating area. Exxccelent food

popped in for a light lunch with my granddaughter during Easter the café was almost empty cant understand why food was basic but good and the price was quite reasonable may be helpful to rethink the menu. would visit again

A long walk on a freezing day with the dog, the Elterwater cafe was a welcome break for a homemade cream scone with jam and a hot chocolate. Wet dogs and muddy boots not a problem.

Been a couple of times and had varied experiences. A few staff are kind and friendly however some just don't seem very friendly. Food was nice. Ice cream is good and a nice selection of cakes. However I asked for a cheese and herb scone and got a plain and it was very dry...

Just stopped for a coffee en route to Langdale. Really friendly and good value. Great place to watch the Herwick sheep amble past!

We called at the cafe after walking up from Skelwith Force on Tuesday morning. The cafe was very welcoming and spotless. The staff were very pleasant, the coffee and snacks very nice. Worth calling in if you are in the area.

We’ve eaten or had coffees on several occasions when we’ve walked locally. Last time one of us chose a tasty veggie jacket potato which was tasty. The tuna version was ok but potato not hot enough. Good Earl Grey teas. We were served quickly and the service was helpful.

The Elterwater Cafe is the best in the village not just because it is the only one but because it deserves to be best. A warm homely spot on a cold winters day. Food and drinks at reasonable prices from breakfast through to tea, so place your order at the counter and enjoy.

We stopped at Elterwater Cafe for lunch after our walk from the National trust car park. I’ve read other reviews but we did not have any issues with the cafe. The staff were very friendly and helpful, All very chatty. We ordered a jacket potato and toastie, both arrived quickly and well presented. I would not have any hesitation in returning.

A lovely little cafe located in the tiny village.

During a long walk we came across this pleasant cafe. Had a great cheese and ham toastie, cake and coffee. Great location and friendly service.

Lovely place, great food, superb staff. :o)

The last time we were here as a family we had excellent service and great food. So, today, we went out of our way to revisit. What a mistake:watery soup and a quiche plus salad that was small in portion and certainly didn't look or taste home made.

we had some nice brie and grape baguette take away.

Nice place to stop for refreshments when passing though the village and for if some reason you don't fancy a beer in the pub opposite!

Came in here twice on the one day, before and after our walk. We were part of a reasonable size group and we had no problems with service etc, After the walk we all came in soaking wet but staff did not worry about wet clothes and muddy boots.

I only had a quick cup of tea whilst waiting for the bus, but was pleasantly surprised at the place, which used to be the village post office. There's good seating outside overlooking the quiet village green. Right on the Cumbria Way.

Delicious cakes and really friendly people. Planning on treating myself to a cooked breakfast soon :)

Good range of ice cream flavours and great pot of tea. The lady was a bit short with us, for no reason we could think of, but the dog friendly young lad made up for her.

Having been a regular customer at the former Maple tree Cafe during many Lake District holidays, we returned to enjoy some Lake District ice cream with my family, which is always seen as a treat and very much enjoyed. However, the customer experience that we encountered under the newly named Elterwater Cafe was horrendous from start to finish. At the ice cream counter the younger girl with the blonde hair was aggressive and impatient, snapping at me to give her the names on the ice cream labels. It was clear that making the 6 ice creams was a huge inconvenience. Her attitude was unwelcoming, unpleasant and surly. The other blonde waitress then walked by ( at least a metre away from me) and dropped a tray of dirty coffee cups. Although she clearly knew this had nothing to do with me, she snarled "backpacks" and in a stroppy manner started to clear it up, not acknowledging the help that I gave her. I ended up placing a cup on the counter as I was just being ignored. In shock at this aggressive and obnoxious behaviour, I paid for the 6 ice creams and was further appalled by the discourteous manner in which my card was taken. The whole experience left me completely stunned at the rude and aggressive behaviour towards the paying customer. In the heart of the Lakes, they need to realise that people with 'backpacks' are their livelihood. These people need to realise and appreciate their opportunities for repeat custom from the many holiday makers who visit year in year out. We will be going elsewhere in future. This Cafe can not thrive with the attitude of the current staff which was inexplicably and inexcusably vile.

Fantastic breakfast cooked as you want it ...lovely

Great ice cream - try the thunder and lightening!

Clean, light, airy interior. Simple but excellent fair and wonderful deserts. Very dog friendly. Prime location and many more indoor tables than the neighboring establishment. I can specifically recommend the Rocky Road Brownie thing and the Almondy. 5 stars for the whole combo/value in such a location not because it is a top gourmet restaurant.

Pretty decent café in a prime location for walkers and visitors to this beautiful part of the Lake District. We visited when the Lakes weather was typically wet and dripped all over the floor, but nobody minded.