Great Oak Cafe in Powys

Stopped by here for a bite to eat and a coffee during a circular walk to the north of Llanidloes. What a lovely little find. We had jacket potatoes, chocolate cake and mince pies alongside a coffee. Delicious food and the cake is exceptional.

There should be a minimum size for cake portions, this place surpasses that. 'I'm from Yorkshire' smiled the waitress. Well that's worth a good review

Recently stopped buy after a long drive - staff very helpful but food offer not so great- wanted a veg breakfast but they stop it at 1030 ( Even McDonald's eventually realised people like a breakfast after 1030). We arrived at 1100.It obviously does terrific vegetarian food and cakes etc and is obviously very popular but they seemed to have little other choice to offer - no veg pasties or anything - perhaps they had run out - it's still lock down mode. In the end we opted for some cheese sandwiches served in ciabatta bread- again disappointingly the bread was not toasted and only came with some cheese - I would say it tasted nice but the presentation was very poor - never had a ciabatta not toasted or even offered - perhaps it was the young staff. Coffee was very good. Left feeling disappointed - seemed to promise so much but sadly for us didn't deliver. But I'd try them again for the service approach of the manager

The most fabulous salad bowl and the best vegetarian burger I've tasted. Lovely staff.. Just a lovely place

So we popped in on a wet Monday afternoon, fancied a cup of tea and piece of cake, it was the biggest piece of cake I’ve had since I don’t know when! Very nice it was too. The place is popular it seems and I can see why, very good value for money.

We stopped by for lunch and had the hot dish with 3 salads. I had the broccoli quiche and my wife had the mushroom stroganoff. All totally delicious and healthy. Love stopping here for lunch!

Highly recommend the mixed bowl. Yum! Coffee very good the salad is so filling that we didn't have room for any of the delicious looking cakes.

Great place to go if you're vegetarian or vegan. My daughter and I had sweetcorn chowder and it was delicious, so much so that a week later my daughter wanted to go back and have some more. The vegan cakes taste better than non vegan cakes, and there is a wide variety. The service is friendly and helpful.

The food is excellent, a wide variety, well cooked and interesting. The service is friendly and even though they are often extremely busy, there is never much of a wait (once you've arrived at the head of the queue of course). A good friend of mine who lives close eats here every day that she can; that has to say something.

Three of us went to the cafe today for lunch. Two of us had snack salads and we couldn't fault the selection available or indeed the food. Our friend had a sandwich as there were no other options available, ciabbata etc. as shown on the menu board. It came in the most awful sliced bread and not edible as far as we were concerned. Out of politeness our friend ate the filling but left everything else. We did speak briefly with a waitress as we left and she said they had run out of other breads due to high demand over the festive season. Maybe a bigger freezer would be in order or let diners know only sliced supermarket bread is available. Disappointing as there is a great baker next door.

Its years since we've been here and this place never changes. A basic, immaculately clean, rustic cafe providing some of the best home cooked food you will find anywhere in Wales at a reasonable price with friendly counter service. My veg. pie was gorgeous!

Wonderful home cooked vegetarian hot food and salads. Staff extremely friendly.We were passing on our way to North Wales and found this little gem of a cafe.

We returned to this little cafe today, as last time we visited the vegan cakes were the BEST EVER! We were just as delighted today as the chocolate cake was again out of this world, truly scrumptious! The staff are lovely so friendly and helpful too. Friendly guy served us and made a delicious pumpkin spiced latte with almond milk. Would absolutely recommend this cafe to anyone in the area and we will happily return again soon for more cake ! The coffee and walnut cake is on the agenda for next time.

very welcoming cafe friendly staff we all had homemade soup n roll yum! the cafe is obviously part of the local community and was busy for a midweek november day

Long queues due to popularity. Comfortable seating in garden surrounded by healing plants. One of the best assortments of vegan food I've experienced.

We were wandering looking for a lunch spot and came across this cafe. We are not vegetarian or vegan, but we popped in to check it out.

Great place to have food and brews warm welcome from staff and local alike would recommend to anyone in the area the breakfast is very nice

Found this place purely by accident after arriving early for a training course. Breakfast was impeccable and hot chocolate was gorgeous. Very much impressed. The staff were friendly and welcoming and it was a pleasure to see the place busy.

Arrived here on a rainy Saturday to meet friends from Aberystwyth which is a half way point for us. Cafe was busy but managed to get a table and had a coffee and delicious brownie while we waited. There were 3 hot specials and a soup on the board and a wonderful range of salads on display including a spelt salad and a lentil one. So many to choose from. I opted for a good sized portion of quiche with a tasty tomato, coleslaw and mixed leaves side. Friends had the moussaka and baked potato options and all very pleased with their choices. Serving area a bit cramped for staff but they seemed to be negotiating this with calm good humour and service was polite and friendly. Couldn't manage a cake for afters but they all looked wonderful. Will definitely be back!

We eat at Great Oak Cafe whenever we are in the area and have always had good food and friendly service, so it was no surprise to enjoy our meal this time. Had a curry with a salad side, and shared a big slice of cake. We'll be back!

I was in Llanidloes in connection with the Wales Rally GB and took my two travelling companions to the Great Oak Cafe as I had enjoyed a stop there last year.

I visited in June for lunch with my daughter who is vegetarian/ vegan and had a great meal - fantastic salads and choice of food . Nice touch is a jug of water and glasses by the fridge at no charge !

Perhaps because the Centre for Alternative Technology, at Penperthog near Corris, is only just across the mountain to the north-west, Llanidloes offers a few tastes of the 'alternative lifestyle', and the Great Oak Cafe which specializes on vegan and vegetarian dishes is an example.

Visited today, after the lunch rush. Even though there were 3 members of staff working, and working hard, they were so disorganised! All three were taking orders, making coffees and plating up food. If they were dedicated to tasks it would be so much more efficient. Their working area is a mess too.....nowhere to put cups, jugs or milk by the coffee machine, very poor layout. Till not where they are taking orders! It must be very annoying to work like this.

Really lovely food, the only reason why I haven’t put 5* is because it’s a bit pricey... It’s a lovely space to be in with a lovely garden. Worth a visit. It’s always busy so book an advance if there are a lot of you.

After walking along the start of the river severn we needed refreshment. Pots of normal and earl grey tea, with re-energisation from a quiche. Both teas were very good and the quiche was fantastic. All enjoyed in the quiet flowery courtyard at the back. Will try coffee and what looked like delicious cakes next time

We stopped in here for a coffee and a piece of cake. It was excellent - other people's lunches looked jolly nice too!

We went for a delicious lunch in this great cafe. The atmosphere was great and the staff were really friendly. There is hot food and a selection of fresh salad that were fantastic! The cakes looked amazing, I'll be back!

Second visit. First time just for a coffee and cake in late afternoon. Sat in delightful area at the back and later in the amazing little 'secret garden' beyond. Great coffee!

Delicious food and drinks Welcoming, friendly staff Comfortable accommodation Perfect venue for elevenses, lunch or an afternoon smackerel

We visited the cafe a few times while visiting the area, and kept going back because we enjoyed the food and coffee so much. The quiche and salads are unbeatable, and it's a delight to sit in the garden and relax. We look forward to returning on our next visit to Llanidloes.

Stopped here on our way to campsite near Welshpool. Lovely lunch - special + 3 salads. OH had the quiche and I had the broccoli and potato gratin - they were both very tasty and salad were fresh and full of flavour. We sat in the beautiful community courtyard garden which has some thought provoking graffiti/ wall art. Service was friendly and helpful.

Came here with a friend. I wasn’t too keen on coming in as the place looked a bit grotty and unkept.

Great visit with good quality coffee and a nice ambiance good service from the staff on duty with tables and area nice and clean.

Excellent independent veggie café in Llanidloes. Quite large, usually plenty of seats including out in the garden at the back.. Busy at lunchtimes but worth the wait. Families children welcome. Lots of cultural activities being promoted. Clientele often includes what appears to be elderly hippies including attractive slim female pensioners - I'm very old. The town seems to have that sort of population.

This seemed to be about the only cafe open in Llanidloes on a Monday afternoon in June but thank goodness it was, otherwise we'd never have found out how brilliant it is. Specialising in vegan and vegetarian food, it has a decent selection of cakes too. I can recommend the apricot flapjack, but be warned that it'll easily refuel you after any activities in the local hills - the slice I got was huge! And delicious! Top coffee as well, and a lovely courtyard to sit out in. A really good find after a wet walk in Hafren Forest.

So friendly and amazing fresh homemade vegetarian food. We are so happy thank you. We had the fresh salad bowl and cakes. Very friendly staff.

A little gem with lovely freshly produced salads and cakes. Stopped here with my elderly Mum and good access although tables were not cleared after previous customers but lovely tea and cakes served by a young lady and was tempted to buy take-away spelt and bean salad for £3.95 It was 4.30 on a Saturday afternoon and most of the cafes had shut so we ended up here and were pleasantly surprised. Busy and modern art on walls - pretty rough and ready but did the job fine.

Mid-week, mid-Wales and raining - very normal so far but we unearthed this little cafe on the way to Hafren Forest. Its a vegan and veg place and the food was delicious. We've never really had lentils before and never really like green beans but the salad and hot pot have definitely changed our minds. Empty plates all round. Well done.

Went in here for a late lunch (~2pm) and was pleasantly surprised with the excellent range and well sourced vegetarian and vegan options. My parents who don't usually opt for veggie food were super happy with how the food tasted and that was a true test! Definitely recommend the shepherdess pie!

Arranged to meet family for lunch and got a table to seat us all. I had the vegetable chilli (everything is veggie), it was very nice and I’d recommend to anyone. Family members had the quiche which I’d tried and was very nice too

We liked the look from the outside and were surprised when we entered to find it's a vegan and veggie cafe which was just what we were looking for. The meals we had were delicious, well priced and ample. The nut roast with tomato sauce and roast potatoes was excellent. A surprising place to come across in this small mid Wales town and well recommended.

A very quiet little town and a very busy little cafe. They call themselves a Cafe: so the question is...... is the coffee any good? Well, considering the apparent confusion and chaos behind the counter, it actually came out tasting alright. Would I go again: yes.

The food is great, but sadly the staff attitude is appalling. I wanted to get take out food, but the short haired woman serving me had a face like thunder and told me that it was going to cost them to let me have a cardboard box to take it out in. Well, yes, that is what happens when you provide take out food! If you don't want to also have a take out service then tell people their custom isn't wanted, don't berate them for the expense of a few pennies for a cardboard box. I wonder how the cardboard box compares in price to having a member of staff wash pots, clear the table and wash the table if I had eaten it indoors? With an attitude like that from staff it was not surprising to see few tables in the cafe with customers. Who wants abuse along with their food and drink? And be expected to pay for it? Actually in all the times I have been in the cafe not one member of staff has ever even smiled at me or at the other customers they were serving. It seems that nowadays there is a culture of businesses thinking they are entitled to the custom, rather than understanding that the customers are doing them a favour providing them with their business.

We made a detour as we had been recommended the delicious food. Food was great, but we were served by a lady , who, didn’t great us with either a smile or even a hello. I felt that we were being a nuisance asking what the hot food was and when I asked her to repeat it, as my partner hadn’t heard , she seemed most put out.

We plan a stop off here every time we cross Wales, aim for lunch and are never disappointed, the food is very good service is fine, long may it last.

Mom and I understood that our dogs are allowed in the garden but not in the café. Because at first when we arrive to order our foods, the owner lady was kindly to made omelette for me. But by the time when we got back in cafe to pay for our lunch. One of the staff lady- short haired got hissy fit,told us off and moved out to back garden to way out because of our cute westie dogs which it's ridiculous, the rude woman should apologize us!

Popped in for coffee and cake with 14 other cake mad bikers on sat afternoon. Very warm welcome and big servings too. Managed to sit outside the back in the sun. The owner Scotty introduced himself and for us to spread the word regarding this great little tea shop. Definately reccomend it.

Nice staff and lovely food, but spoilt like so many cafes with people on computers using cafe as personal office space. How can this business justify expenditure on free Wi-Fi for someone sitting for hours with a cold cup of tea whilst customers with fresh hot food have no where to sit and eat it?!

Wonderful food, colourful, interesting, relaxed atmosphere, sublime yet heathy cake (not TOO sweet), salads are sublime? Staff are caring, chatty yet not intrusive,, FRIENDLY. A good place to meet and socialize too.

I was so glad we saw this sign while driving through Llanidloes because we went back the next day. Excellent vegan choices and an excellent salad selection. My partner had soup which was delicious, and I had a selection of salads which was gorgeous!

Popped in for lunch whilst driving through. Service wasn’t particularly welcoming or friendly but got a smile at the end. Unfortunately we seemed to arrive at the end of lunch as no rolls left and only two pitta left; shame they couldn’t use bread loaves from shop next next door. Saving grace was lovely cakes! Spiced apple cake was gorgeous. Perhaps we hit a bad time and a tired member of staff.

We had a mixture of soups, salads and sandwiches with tea and coffee. Fair prices and nice food. We chose to eat in the back garden.

Wie so häufig in britischen Cafés ist das Ambiente einfach, aber die Auswahl an Kuchen und Gerichten groß, und es macht einfach Spaß, sich etwas auszusuchen und im lebhaften Betrieb des Cafés zu sich zu nehmen. Es gibt Tische auf der Straße und im hübschen Garten hinter dem Haus. Jedermann ist freundlich, so entsteht gute Gastlichkeit. Erwähnenswert: die Qualität des Kaffees. Der schmeckt richtig gut!

This is the third time we've popped in for lunch. Each time they seem to really care about the quality of their (vegan) food. The quality of service is really good and the place is very clean. The food is so fresh and tasty and the whole experience is spot on. Well done and keep up the great work.

Great food here. The salads are amazing as are the cakes. Can get a bit busy and you may have to share a table.

I recently ordered a cup of tea in the Great Oak Cafe. The tea came in a small cup with the teabag already removed (note a small cup, not even a small pot). The tea was the colour of warm milk so I asked the girl in the kitchen for another teabag, she said 'we don't normally do that' and the manager came over.... he said 'we don't normally give out a second teabags' so I said the first teabag should have been left in the cup ...he reluctantly gave me another teabag. Then he went onto to berate the girl that served me, describing me as a 'difficult customer' knowing full well I could hear every word of it! Quite hilarious, what a bully and obviously we won't be revisiting!

Had a lovely lunch with my friend and her baby. Fair prices and the food was delicious. We both had the ‘hot special of the day’: mine a quiche and my friend has a polenta dish, both with 3 salads. The cake was also excellent and the coffee really hot. The baby was happy with a couple of books and really liked the way food was served as it was quick and help yourself to cutlery (including plastic for children). The outside garden space was delightful too. Would thoroughly recommend and will be back.

Took 30 here yesterday (all arranged beforehand), and we had tea, coffee, bara brith and welsh cakes in their lovely garden (herb garden also lovely...).

We'd been to this cafe before and hadn't realised it has a lovely sunny garden behind it (with some shade for the really hot days!), so we were able to take our dog with us. The food is all vegetarian and there are quite a few vegan options - we had a vegan moussaka with a selection of salads. My partner enjoyed the Suma stout.

Great coffee, scrumptious cakes, fabulous salads! A real gem of a place in relaxed surroundings with a great reputation with the locals.

For those meat eaters who complain at its absence at mealtimes, this wonderful vegetarian establishment fulfils all the requirements of vibrant food, prepared with passion, served with style and empathy. Carnivores be lulled into trying the salad bowl with a variety of different choices. We love this place, don’t just read this, dine here.

Only visited once, and despite it being very busy the experience was completely positive. Excellent food with great side salad. Service was really efficient, and great value, and a nice atmosphere, although the hippy-dippy anti-israel stance on the doorstep was a bit unnecessary.

Went in for late lunch but there was still a wonderful selection of salads - if you have a large bowl you can have a bit of everything - it was delicious - full of flavour and healthy. Lovely garden area at the rear. Good value vegetarian cafe.

If you are a vegetarian this is the place to head for in Llanidloes. I have been to the Great Oak Cafe many times and never had to complain about the food, good portions and tasty. My only two niggles would be the lack of gluten free food on the main menu, and the out side seating area. The area is great when it's sunny but there is no cover when it is raining ( I have dogs they are not allowed inside). Please make some cover out side even it is big umbrellas!!

Friendly welcome by wonderful staff, great veggie menu choice, I enjoyed poached eggs on toast, have visited on numerous occasions, have never been disappointed.

Found this place while passing through. Nice array of coffees. Mocha was massive. Staff was very polite and knew their food. Meals were decently priced. Paninis were about 4.75 GBP which was not too bad and came with a small salad and coleslaw. Parking was a bit tricky as it is all street parking. Only downside is they ONLY TAKE CASH.

Great food service at a keen price staff are great all the food is as fresh as the day the breakfast very nice this time we only had brews and snacks outside

Great food,great staff,lovely and clean and good value for money. 10 out of 10. Highly recommended. My nephews meal came out at the same time as my sandwich,they could deal with my need for non dairy milk in my delicious coffee and the toilets were spotless with hot water and plenty of soap. Visit,this lovely Cafe you will not be disappointed. .

Good vibes here, friendly staff, working exceptionally hard to serve you. Saturday was astounding watching them work to service everybody at a very busy time. They manage to keep all the tables tidy while still explaining the food choices to customers, all done with a smile and good grace.

Wonderful staff, we always visit when in Llanidloes. Usually we enjoy breakfast, this time we enjoyed brown baps filled with humorous, colsaw and cheese - a wonderful pot of tea (searved with hot water as should be). Great experience sitting outside watching the world go by...

We enjoyed the food ,especially the vegan food , the staff were very courteous . Highly recommended .

Lovely food, and courteous, polite staff. Would recommend to everyone. I had a roast dinner, and will be going for more as it was boooootiful!

Incredible rude staff . Food practically inedible. Never going near the place again. Shame, the menu looked really nice.

Absolutely terrible place staff are extremely rude food and drink were awful and over priced I would rather eat a microwave rustler burger

Lovely lunch with the family very friendly & efficient staff.food was excellent we all had roast dinner very home style cooking .lovely atmosphere . Will be back !!

I very often go to the Great Oak Cafe and it is just AMAZING!!! They manage to surprise me every time i go in there! They have amazing choices of vegan foods, salads and CAKES! This cafe has the most amazing staff and it is lovely seeing staff that are happy in their choice of workplace. A big well done to the Great Oak Staff! I also know that they are very busy in summer (GOOD LUCK STAFF)

I love this cafe ,warm and cosy , the homemade food is always so fresh and tasty, it has a lovely variety of homemade cakes too .The coffee is really good too, I like the fact that the menu board changes daily with food choices that are different from any where else in Llanidloes . Staff are lovely too and very helpful , Highly recommend. Don't be put off by the fact it's vegetarian the food is very tasty with fresh ingredients.

What a lovely little cafe! Amazing cakes, nice coffee. The only downside is the young gentleman at the till seemed to have got out of the wrong side of the bed (on both occasions).

Lovely cafe. Nice choice of cakes to pick from to have with your coffee and hot chocolate. It all went down a treat.

Called late on a sat afternoon,our coffees and cakes were delicious,great atmosphere,will definitely call back for lunch soon.

I stopped in here on the way home after a very busy night shift and was so glad I did! I had a salad box and a slice of vegan chocolate cake which were both absolutely delicious. The cake lasted about 10 seconds, and it was a generous portion :) The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about what was vegan friendly- I would thoroughly recommend this place to anyone. Can't wait to go back already!

We visited again for lunch on Saturday 30 December and had an excellent vegan chilli. After a walk in the Hafron Forest we returned for coffee and vegan walnut cake; again excellent. Thank you.

If traveling north-south through Wales we recommend a stop-over at Llanidloes at the Great Oak cafe for lunch. We had...

I have avoided this place like the plague not being vegetarian. My mum force me to come in and my...

We stopped here for lunch on a wet Wednesday prior to visiting the local furniture store. The lady at the counter was very knowledgeable about what was and wasn't gluten free, my wife choosing the gf mushroom stroganoff, which was excellent. I had a quiche, probably the best I've tasted. Both meals were served with a selection of salad. I chose the bulgar wheat, the lady offering me a spoonful to try first, beetroot and green salad. This is a lovely rustic cafe with great food at a reasonable price.

This is a vegetarian cafe. Good coffee, good cakes & good vegetarian hot dishes. Good place to meet friends for a chat.

What a find. Lovely cafe with great food, hot chocolate & coffees. Service warm & cheerful. Ordered some quiche & salads to collect at the end of the day to take away & it was ready & waiting & delicious

We really enjoyed the Great Oaks lunch of quiche with a choice of three salads - good size helpings and interesting flavours. Service is instant so it's a great place to stop off on a journey westwards.

Our favourite place to enjoy breakfast when in the area, a great place to soak up the local atmosphere, especially on Saturday mornings when the market is on - lovely tasty quality vegetarian food. Price of drinks a little on the high side...

We took a chance on finding a place to eat in Llanidloes, while driving home on the A470, and we delighted to find such a good cafe! Wonderful salads, delicious quiche, good strong coffee! Thank you!

I love love love the coffee at the Greak Oak Cafe, it really is excellent. The cakes are delicious and the salads are fresh, different and so tasty. I do however think that their prices have gone up recently and I'm unable afford to eat here very often as £7/£8 for a plate of salad for a quick lunch is quite a lot however delicious they are. And why when you ask for some toast do they offer you a toasted bread roll!?!...is this odd or is it just me!? The service is generally quite good but there seems to be an awful lot of staff but still a long wait at times. Some staff are definitely friendlier than others!....the gentleman with a beard and glasses is not always very welcoming, although he does make an awesome cappuccino!

We enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and a biscuit or two here, and soaked up the local atmosphere, listening to the jollity all round. The place is obviously very popular!

A great friendly welcome, wide choice of veggie meals. Again we enjoyed a wonderful veggie breakfast, great quality/tasty food, thank you....

great breakfast as good as the first time in the café staff are nice all the food is as fresh as the day we would like to bigger cups for the drinks apart from that its great

Visiting Saturday market with public car park just across the road the Great Oak remains a delight we always look forward to at the end of our holiday week. Great range of salads. All dishes are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian. Always seem to get a table even when busy.

Very friendly and helpful staff, great menu selection, all palates catered for. Will visit again. Plenty of variation on menu. Great coffee served. My wife is vegan, plenty of fayre to choose from.

Stopped of for lunch following Trip Advisor reviews.Glad we did, made very welcome and with two dogs in tow as it was a heatwave offered us to get some shade and a table in there back yard. Did not know they had this facility as it is easily missed. Dogs given water and settled. We both had homemade quiche (various choices) and interesting tasty salad selections. I would certainly recommend for a great tasty homemade lunch or just a tea/coffee cake. It is a vegetarian/vegan place but don't let that put you off. I enjoyed the quality of the food on offer and friendly staff. You won't find a better stop in this town.

Lovely latte, properly made and lovely. Stopped here for lunch and had a pitta and salad with humus. Children had veggie burgers and loved them. Very tasty and filling. Will be back soon.

What a range of tasty and well-presented veggie, whole food and imaginative treats in a Welsh culinary scene which sometimes lacks modern imaginative cuisine. Stopped here twice on a mammoth bike ride over the top of Wales and back and even the non-veggies were impressed.