Gordale Garden Centre Cafe in Cheshire West and Chester

How can a garden centre, classed as upmarket, serve such disgusting overpriced food and get away with it. I will never return and I will warn all my friends not to go there.

Popped into the cafe for a small lunch and cake with our grand-daughter (3 years old). Shared a couple of sausage rolls and chips. Soggy, colourless pastry on the sausage rolls and chips were basically warm potato slices. I had egg sandwich which were so cold and as far from fresh as I am from being a youngster. The cakes were ok but the coffee was of a low standard And that leads me to the service. After waiting 25 minutes my wife chased up the order as our grand-daughter was struggling not eating her cake (as I was) while waiting for the highly technical chips and sausage roll. Turned up five minutes later with the plates basically dumped on the table. The only high point was that I had suggested we go to Burleydam and my wife had to admit I was right!

I’m clearly not the only one getting grainy quiche and being generally disappointed by recent visits to the cafe. Not enough of the more popular food items are available at lunch times but there are lots of excuses - ‘We’re too busy today to do baked potatoes’, ‘There’ll be a 20 minute wait for the soup’ ‘We’ve run out of sausage rolls’ etc. There are plenty of other issues: Poor coffee quality, teapots that don’t pour properly, poor choice of cakes (They used to be much better) with many just left without any protective dome or other covering, tables left uncleared for ages, cheap jam served with scones, no proper salad dressings available. All this and complacent staff too. This is not what we expect from one of our local garden centres and we’re now having to travel further out to have a better experience. Gordale - Please reassess your catering offer, invest in some more staff (The current team members seem to be working their socks off) as well as enhanced customer service training. You have a cracking garden centre but the cafe needs a major rethink.

I visited the cafe recently & ordered the quiche with salad. Unfortunately the quiche was inedible as the grated cheese was not melted at all & the texture of the entire thing was very grainy & uncooked & awful to eat. I returned the quiche to the server & told them why. They expressed surprise as it was the final piece & no one else had complained! I stood my ground & swapped it for something else. I will not be returning to the coffee shop & will choose a venue next time that is more consistent with quality of its food.

We went to see a photographic exhibition and thought we'd have tea and a snack before driving home A very bad idea. The whole place was appallingly disorganised, with very slow service and very little choice even though it was only early afternoon. And do people really need to bring their dogs inside restaurants? Certainly not on my list of places to visit again.

Once again we decided to give this cafe another go. Mistake.. We ordered the vegetable soup, well supposed to be vegetable, it was tasteless ,certainly not value for money , £4.50 for a bowl of nothing. Had the sausage roll and it was overheated, the pastry ends were hard and the sausage dry. The Cornish pasty was ok. The salad was a nothingness, mostly leaves and no tomatoes. Will definitely not be returning. Such a shame this place could be a goldmine.

Went with family to enjoy some of the Christmas decorations and grabbed some lunch in the cafe, the experience was more than poor, overpriced rubbish, they seem to think they’re an upmarket restaurant or something, absolute crap! The staff are rude and unapproachable, we were too scared to even ask the simplest of questions incase we got our heads bitten off! Other staff members literally walked away and disappeared halfway through serving us! It was a laughable experience, not to mention the rudeness of the other customers, it appeared that every customer over the age of 60 had an entitled attitude and thought they owned the place! Won’t visit again will stick to more local, friendly and reasonably priced garden centres

Firstly, let's do the pros. I should think this place has one of the cheapest petrol stations in the country. (Last week £149.9 per litre) The garden centre is worth a visit but the coffee shop is very average. The food was warm at best. I had a pasty, chips and baked beans and was surprised that each individual item was priced separately and not classed as one meal. 10p per sachet of ketchup etc. is taking the mickey. Probably will only use for coffee and tea in future.

Gordale is a great day out with some many beautifiul things to see! Really good shopping experience I can't keep my wife away! Lovely food welcoming staff and great range of garden tools.

Terrible coffee. Some coffee machines are ok but goodness me this is the worst! I was told that the milk was on the side, but then my coffee was cold. (I hardly put any in!) Expensive too. Whatever happened to the personal touch. Worst coffee I've had in a while.

My Husband and I went to Gordale for lunch yesterday.What a gastly experience.I had a baked potato with cheese ham and tomato.It was dried up and wrinkled.The salad was bland and limp,the coleslaw had no dresing.The trifle had synthetic cream on it tinned or packet runny custard jelly with some bits of what could have been sponge.Gordale you are going to have to up your game.Idle preparation and cooking.I suspect most of this was bought in.

I visited with my parents for lunch. We ordered 2 round of sandwiches a portion of chips and a soup. I was asked when paying if I would like any sauces. I replied that I would like some mayonnaise, I was then handed a sachet and told it will cost 10p. I could not believe it, I have never been charged for a sachet of mayonnaise before. I also find it very petty when you are paying over £14 for lunch. I will not be going back.

I have been to the cafe in the Gordale Garden Centre a lot over the past few years. On this visit we were surprised after spending nearly £8.00 0n two pasties they wanted 10p for some tomato sauce. I can only think they are trying to make up for being shut due to covid. I did notice the cafe had a lot of empty tables even at dinner time and the quality of the food has gone down. Time to go elsewhere i think.

Went today and I ordered the sasuage roll with chips. My mum, next to me, got asked if she wanted the kids meal sausage roll for me. I am 24 years old and have a child of my own. I also paid for mine and my mums meal. Do I look like a child or am I just fat? No further comment.

We have been going to this cafe for many years for breakfast and lunches. We love the quiche as it is usually very cheesy with different fillings eg. Onion tomato tuna etc. Todays quiche was cheese onion and tomato but was so disappointing as it was very eggy. The onions and tomato were not softly cooked. Why they not putting the same amount of cheese into the quiche must be to save money.

I have buying gardening products for many years in this garden centre and and they are always quality products it's simply the best garden centre that I know of Kel

Scone was very good, really enjoyed, coffee was same as expected. The covid setup was strange and badly managed. Was made very difficult and seen people very confused. Staff where happy to help

Please don’t waste your money horrible dry food massively over priced We paid £26 for two kids pizzas with beans (no chips) a cheese and tomato pie and a sauce roll, ordered a portion of chips which were awful (both came with an off salad garnish And two teas When I asked if we could have some sauce for the kids pizza I was told I would have to re queue at the paying till to buy them for 10p each. Went to the queue which took me another 15 mins while my food was going cold.By the time I got back kids had finished their pizza.The pizza was a microwaved one with dry beans on the side. £6.95 for a sausage roll and off salad same with the pie. Staff were just annoying and u helpful had my baby with us also - nothing that was baby friendlyHonestly feel robbed by them. Appalling Looks more like a kids school dinner

Farcical arrangements getting served and toilet arrangements. Wont be going back. Was good prior to lockdown.

Very good drinks and plenty of cutlery, sugars etc. Had some lovely looking food there. Staff wasnt very eager tonight apart from one happy girl who was working hard and cleaning. But was nice and peaceful

Called in with two friends. We all had stuffed jacket potato with cheese and onion. At 12 midday they were dry and horrible, and must have been made hours before, or that’s what they tasted like. We didn’t want to make a fuss as one friend already not well, so just fetched lots of butter which made filling ok, but couldn’t eat skins as couldn’t cut them.I think my coffee had some coffee in it, but wasn’t too sure. Staff friendly enough, and tables being cleared promptly, but we won’t be returning to the cafe.

Staff really friendly and helpful, drinks where very good and food was very good too. Lots to offer and all looks good

Fantastic new vegan menu. My sister and I enjoyed a very tasty vegan meal in the café. We were very impressed with the home cooked taste and healthy ingredients. A definite regular eating place for us from now on and very friendly and helpful staff. Due to the meals being prepared on request a half hour waiting time is required. However, you can phone your order ahead or visit the garden centre whilst food is being prepared.

Very disappointed with the cafe, coffee, left as unable to drink it. Had to check 6 cups before clean ones found. Tables not cleared or clean, food under tables

Home made cakes and daily special. Nice choice. Not a restaurant and self service but certainly worth visiting and the staff make you very welcome too.

I took my 82 year old parents to Gordale. When we had finished we went to the cafe for spot of lunch.. lots of tables all dirty with previous patrons dishes, we had to clear a table ourselves after trying to find someone to do it for us..The food was ..well ...Luke warm at best, I had a jacket potatoe with salad and beans, the potato was that cold the flora refused to ,eat on top of it. Good job I had the beans in a separate dish(my choice) as they were cold and I never ate them. My mum had the quiche, and salad which she said was nice. my dad had the sausages with chips, the veg was hard and the chips were cold.. sausages were ok.. the tea pots leaked all over the table when I poured the tea.. and still no sign of anyone clearing tables.. there was one young lad over the other side of the cafe, but he was runoff his feet . I do not think we will be visiting again, at least not to eat there . The store and garden centre area was nice .

Really disappointed with the coffee shop - very expensive and poor quality. Coffee is self serve from a machine, poor blend, weak and tasteless. Bought 2 nice looking Eccles cakes but unfortunately these tasted of greasy cardboard - nearly £10 for 2 coffees and 2 Eccles cakes. An absolute waste of money - we will not be visiting again.

A well cooked breafast BUT CHAOTIC SERVICEAlthough each of the breakfast components are of good quality and well cooked. They didn't have all 7 or 8 of these ready so they were unable to serve anyone with their choice and complete each breakfast plate unless they took an alternative item.They offer a mini breakfast for £2-99 or a larger one @ £4-99 If you want something between the 2 sizes they are unable to price it and put it through the till.I had to wait for eggs and a sausage to be cooked.This system would create chaos if they had a queue.

I primarily went for a light Sunday lunch in the cafe. However, this is very good and large garden centre that also does gifts, household and kitchen wares, books and toys. There is also a very big display of barbecues for purchase. As for my meal it was simple but well cooked, hot and tasty. I would certainly recommend a visit for either a meal or look at the garden items and other wares. There is also a garage if you need fuel.

Called around lunchtime and it was busy on and off. Found the food to be on expensive side and not much choice. We bought one item of hot food which was luke warm by the time we sat down. The cakes were of a small size but tasty. It's self service for drinks which was a bit of a nuisance as people were disorganised so it took time. Don't know whether it's best to get drinks first and then food as either could be luke warm by the time you sit down. They are very quick at clearing tables.

I didn’t visit the café on this occasion but have previously and it was good. This is so much more than a garden centre, selling clothes, artificial flower arrangements, household items, shabby chic type items and a very good selection of Christmas decorations at the appropriate time of year. Their Christmas sale is 50% off marked prices so you can imagine things sell out very quickly. This visit was to attend the sale and two members of staff in particular could not have been more helpful, actually getting a ladder to cut down some decorations for me. The staff here have always been extremely helpful and friendly. A very pleasant visit and I will be back again soon. There is also a little shop in the car park which is well worth a visit. They sell furniture, household and decorative items.

Food is tasty but limited and not as hot as it could be. Great for a snack when shopping although quite pricey for cakes. The meals are better value. Great store to visit and the singing penguins this year are wonderful.

Visited this café today on a bike ride from Flint. The cakes looked scrumptious but I chose a scone though which was very nice. The coffee though was very bland no real flavour to it.

Very nice coffee, great selection of food for lunch. Enjoyed a scone too. Clean too which is always a bonus

such a good range of plants and help from knowledgable staff. Very large interior shop which is expensive for everything - but they have a large range from kitchen ware, to garden equipment to clothing.

A lovely garden centre with an excellent gift shop. The cafe is very clean and offers good food with hot and cold dishes and snacks.

We love visiting Gordale for many reasons, but the main reason is the Breakfasts. There is a wide range of options to choose from, and I like the fact that Sausage and Bacon is automatically included and they can cook your eggs to your liking. The sausages are delicious and are perfectly seasoned!

Nice place to visit and buy a couple of plants and great children's play area but take a picnic if you're likely to get hungry. The cafe is a total let down. Tasteless sandwiches and disgusting lukewarm coffee. Can't comment on hot food but wouldn't risk it when everything is so ridiculously expensive. They need to do something about the cafe, it lets the whole place down, but this wouldn't stop me visiting because their plants are always good quality and the grandchildren always have fun.

Met my friend for lunch chose egg mayonnaise sandwich and cappuccino coffee the sandwich was completely tasteless and the coffee was cold and very strong undrinkable. Will not return

You get a quality product at Gordale. A lovely cuppa and the cakes are excellent. Everything is great value too. We travel miles to come here must be catching as we're talking to Londoners who hade made the journey today. Need I say more?

Great selection of house plants and other garden needs. The staff are friendly and helpful. There is also cafe to enjoy a spot of tea and cake.

The Cafe can very busy (as garden centre cafes usually do) as it is not a super size. Things are a bit pricey as are the plants which are very expensive.

This is a lovely café attached to the Gordale Garden Centre. Quite a good system for self-service hot drinks. One suggestion would be that the notice saying that soya milk was available should be by the tea and coffee dispensers and not just at the till. The scone was delicious.

This is a lovely garden centre but the cafe/restaurant is average. I had an egg and tomato sandwich which was a little dry to say the least. The ice creams are quite small and you have to get your own tea and coffee from machines. They could do a lot better here and it is not cheap.

Visited today and decided to go and get breakfast with my husband, was very disappointed in the breakfast, the meat used was good quality i cant complain at that but the for what you get is not worth the money, and to pay £1 for a slice of toast is ridiculous, we left hungry and what felt out of pocket. The staff are really nice and helpful its just the price of the breakfast that shocked me. Wont be eating here again

We visited here recently and were so impressed we went back for a longer visit.

We had our first visit as a stop off on a coach trip. We thought it worthy of a full visit. So yesterday we took my elderly mum on a day out there. She lived in Neston til she married, so this was a bit of nostalgia for her. The eating area is well laid out, clean, with plenty of room for walkers and wheelchairs. Cups are kept in a warming cabinet, so your drink stays hot. We had baked potato (huge), with tuna. You get a free salad bowl-the choice is good. My mum and husband raved about the beetroot!, which sadly, I don't like. We then spent time going around the plants and the shop. I bought scones and a Bakewell tart to take home. They were equally delicious. All the staff were helpful and friendly. We all agreed it was a wonderful day out and will definitely be back.

We were in the garden centre browsing - and needed a snack.