Gwen's Cafe in Ballymena

Not to bad a place to eat, just needs a bit of atmosphere.

Missing items and when told sever just shrugged it off and walked away. Had to actually get her attention to fix it. Where not giving our drinks had to actually ask for them. Half way through our food before receiving them. Bill also did not add up but honestly couldn’t be bothered so just left, will not be back.

Better of the two cafes on the street. Still expensive, but cheaper than the alternative across the street with higher quality food.

Absolutely lovely and friendly. Thanks.

Best fry in the town, just wish the seating area was spaced out a little better I feel like I'm seated with strangers. But other than that great! Staff are always lovely & quick service

Been here a few times and had no complaints until today. I got for the first time a small fry but the soda and potato bread were deep fried. Couldn't eat the bread so ate the rest with with my wife's frozen chips which are advertised as homemade. Sorry Gwen but I will go back but not for the fry.

Lovely friendly staff. Delicious food. I had veggie burger with side of garlic fries. Highly recommend 5/5

Soda and Pancake were full of grease, which made the eating of the food a little disappointing, but the rest of the food was brilliant and perfectly cooked. The staff were lovely and I couldn't believe how busy it was in such a short time.

I have only just recently started eating in here...I usually would go to the one across the road 🤦‍♀️ Staff are lovely and attentive. The cafe is decorated lovely too with a few big comfy booths. So far I've had fries, porridge and sandwiches. All really tasty and good portions. Will be my new regular spot from now on.

An absolute gem. Beautifully clean. Very friendly. Great choice for inclusions in the big Breakfast. Everything was perfectly cooked. Great price.

Very unhappy with my experience here today, staff very rude and unprofessional. Mistakes made in my order no apology. Numerous other people in the cafes order was wrong and the still didnt seem to care. No card machine , suggested bank transfer😔

Met up with friends for a breakfast. Food was lovely

Food and service is excellent. Piping hot and tasty.

Would not recommend. I won’t be back. Came here just over a month ago and got sticky chilli chicken. Got a hair in it. I was given a new plate of food and did not get discount. Gave the benefit of the doubt for this. However, went back again today and when i received my food there was another hair on my plate for the second time. I had called for a member of staff and had said it was the second time this had occurred within a few months of each other. Again, i was offered another meal and the only thing discounted off the bill was 2 diet coke. Staff working in a busy environment with no hair nets and when this was mentioned i was totally ignored by the staff member!

Definitely recommend it here for breakfast! It was lovely

Great food and service. Only minor point is they only accept cash

This was my 2nd time here first time was better I got the "super fry" but if you look at it compared to the mini fry you aren't really getting much extra for the £3.55 more you're paying bit of a rip off if I'm honest they also put gravy on my dads meals even though asked for none small portion for the price and £2.45 for a glass of warm/flat coke that was most likely poured from a bigger plastic bottle rather than a ice cold can or postmix machine same as McDonald's so after this experience I'll not be dining here again

Lovely variety of food freshly cooked. Very friendly and efficient staff.

Awful cafe worst cafe I have been in. Burnt lasagne . No vegan options and staff didn't even know what vegan was. Rude staff

Two small frys and two cups of tea £20 😠 £13 at the most anywhere else, don't think I'll be back here again, rip off. 😔

We went in for a coffee and cake. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

We had 2 frys today which were lovely the only thing was that the coffee was lukewarm when it was served so just a suggestion for next time

We ate here for the 1st and last time. Cramped seating for 2. £2.50 for a glass of warm Diet Coke. I had the brunch with chips that were roasting. My wife had a toasted Sandwitch which was too dry. Service was excellent but TOTALLY OVERPRICED. even homemade soup and a floury bap was was £7.50 and Salads around £8.50. Once and once only, I have many work colleagues who I will update re this.

Breakfast was good but my grandson ordered a pancake and only got half a pancake! Unfortunately there is no card machine which is not acceptable or indeed likely in this day and age.

Very good , service was courteous and prompt , food arrived quickly and was hot . Good cafe .

My friend just had lunch in here today he had a sausage supper, no sauce or beans and a small glass of milk, the chips came in a small container and 3 plain small pork sausages and the bill came to £9.75, even with today's economic climate that is a complete rip off in a cafe in the middle of Ballymena, needless to say he won't be returning any time this millennium.

Love their frys you should try the vegetable roll it's fab good value for money friendly staff close to shops and tower centre

Had a great GF Omelette with lovely salad and a huge mug of tea hi. Yea cud'nt bate it sir. Polite and friendly staff, I'll be back.

What a great find. My husband hates driving to places like this but it was so worth it. Great breakfast. I had the full Irish and my husband had the pancakes fried which was totally different being Canadian. But they were so good. The staff was lovely and the place was absolutely spotless. So worth the stop.

£24 for two filled sodas and 2 cups of tea. £13.45 for exactly the same thing in a cafe 100m away. Food was nice but massively overpriced

Love the food in here me and hubby always go here. Make sure u have cash tho as dosent take card but everything else amazing

First time here , had a lovely meal , great food friendly staff , will definitely be back again

Friendly helpful staff. Great food. We recommend the SuperFry

In town,the best their is, at times it's hard to get in, they'll always find room for you though.

Great wee spot, absolutely love it

Just had rea and scone very tasty excellent staff

I can definately recommend the dirty fries in Gwen’s cafe, they are amazing. All the staff were lovely and the place is spotless. Definitely worth a visit when you are in Ballymena.

Food is delicious always pop in when I am in ballymena

Amazing food at great prices. Very friendly staff.

Always great service, always great food and excellent value. The coffee is the best in town.

Nice breakfast would go back again

Just had a 7 piece fry and really enjoyed it,I was starving

Had the Super Breakfast, a fab amount of food for 1 person. A good traditional Irish brekkie. Lovely atmosphere in the cafe, with friendly accommodating staff. Cash only.

Good for an all day breakfast. Friendly staff

Had an all day breakfast and loved it!! They do garlic potato cubes and they’re awesome!! Definitely recommend a visit if you’re looking for a cafe

Must say I love Gwen's for breakfast. Fry is amazing, great service and clean..

Great family style cooking and the staff are very welcoming

First time in Gwen's Cafe on the 30th November. Found the staff all very friendly and helpful. The Breakfast was excellent. Will definitely return.

Excellent food. Pleasant, cheerful staff.

Why are the staff wearing masks on their chins????. Need to get this sorted.

Regular visitor here, always amazing! Never question my special request with my lunch.

Ran into this place as it was raining really heavy. Really warm welcome and food was 1st class.

It's was delicious and highly recommend it.The staff were lovely and very friendly. Will use again when in ballymena

Beautiful breakfast value for money x

Good quality fry and very good price. Recommended

Great breakfast at Gwens. Always friendly service.

Great food, great service, reasonably priced. The only down side is it's cash only, but there is a cash machine nearby.

Wonderful breakfast as usual, and very friendly staff

Lovely food, great service very cheery smiley staff couldn't have asked for any better will definitely be back

Warm and friendly place. Food very good.

Absolutely amazing, staff are wonderful and food is delicious. The service and food will always exceed your expectations

Lovely fry and beautiful people that serve s you

Just had the most amazing meal in Gwen’s cafe. Food is delicious , staff very friendly and the place is absolutely spotless. A great place to visit . A very covid safe environment. Can’t wait to go back

Very friendly staff an food never disappoints

Had breakfast her last Monday, excellent as usual. Decided to go for lunch on Thursday before they had to close again. It was amazing, my husband hasn't stopped talking about it since. He had the chicken stack with champ, pepper sauce, I had sticky chilli chicken with salted chilli fries. Brilliant. Yes you are asked to pay before service, but if isn't mandatory. See you soon

Superb café with great food and very friendly and pleasant staff!

Good food at a fair price Fast and pleasant service. A treat to eat there

I fully appreciate that we are in the midst of a pandemic, and everything is only beginning to find a new normal. However, I found it straight up insulting that myself and my friend were made to pay for our meal before it was brought to the table, when the table beside us were not. Did you just not like the look of us? I’d rather you asked us to leave. As if that was not bad enough, I actually paid somebody whom I would assume is some sore of culinary professional to microwave a ‘poached’ egg. This was served in a ramekin, and honestly had the consistency of a tyre. This combination of failures on your part ruined what is now a luxury during the current crisis. I only gave one star because I had to.

Visit here with my grandchildren as they cater for wee ones as well as adults

Great food great prices staff nice

We went here for lunch while Christmas shopping at the big. Shopping centre in the middle of Ballymena Hi. Service was excellent and a very good range of foods on the menu. My wife had a Fry which was very good and tasty. I had the Mash with Sausages, onion and bacon, but I am not a bacon lover so I asked if it would be possible to have an extra sausage instead of bacon, this was not a problem. Both meals were very tasty and a decent price. Gwens is a very clean cafe with a nice ambiance and I would highly recommend to anybody visiting or indeed resident in Ballymena. Keep up the good work.

One female member of staff was very rude, she asked that my nephew and I move to a smaller table as they were getting busy, there were 2 free booths, lots of tables free downstairs and not to mention all of their tables upstairs. Don’t bother wasting your hard earned money if you can’t sit where you like when somewhere is so quiet....it would not have taken very long for my nephew and I to finish eating if the hospitality staff bothered using their common sense....I also doubt that at 0945 on a Tuesday morning it was their “busy period”. In my experience in hospitality, if you want people to sit in a specific seat then have someone welcoming you at the door in a friendly manner and seat them...not rudely tell people to move. Anyone reading this, why not go across the street to Nobel Cafe where they have great food and friendly staff! Remember, manners don’t cost a thing and the customer is always right!

Great café and I have to stress they do not charge for tap water The breakfast special is on to 11.30

Ive been to Gwens a few times for breakfast and lunch. You will not find a better breakfast in ballymena for the money, the staff are so friendly and welcoming. Cant fault it one bit. Even our fussy 10 year old likes it and thats unheard off. Well done guys !!

Visited Gwen’s Cafe with my husband for breakfast. The place was absolutely buzzing and we had to sit upstairs. I’m never really a fan of sitting upstairs as I always think you’re forgotten about however, this was not the case in Gwen’s. Waitresses were extremely attentive and our order was taken in a very timely manner. Drinks followed in a matter of minutes and food not long after that. Great selection of food to chose from and all very tasty. Definitely be back.

First class service for a very busy cafe and the food is first class. Staff very pleasant and helpful for anyone who needs assistance

Lovely cafe super clean, friendly staff and great prices. We both had 7 piece all day breakfast cooked perfectly with good quality products. Have been several times and never been disappointed.

Decided to give this small restaurant a try today. Very busy. Excellent menu and Specials board. Staff welcoming and very friendly. Teas and food served quickly. Food absolutely beautiful, teapot refilled at no extra cost. Excellent and will definitely return.

Great breakfast and quick but slightly expensive and can be hard to get the meat cooked the way you want

I arrived after the cheap breakfast time, and what I got was really to expensive the place was very clean staff nice and polite. I payed to much so I would not be in a hurry back.

My sister and I ate lunch in this cafe last week. It was clean, with lovely decor and pleasant staff. The food was hot and delicious and there were generous portions. As we had soft drinks, I cannot comment on the charge for tap water. The toilets were spotless. Would recommend based on our first visit.

Having decided to give in here a try again after not coming in for a good while I was surprised to notice a charge for water on the menu which I can’t believe is standard practice. When I was asking for something not to be included in my meal our server kept trying to make us take the item as “the food would be nicer with it” now I have seen why I stopped coming here in the first place.

When here for food I had a glass of water and to my surprise when I was paying this cafe charges you £1.50 for a glass of tap water. The staff here have no friendliness or helpfulness while the food is just tasteless and lacks quality and quantity.

We have eaten breakfast here for many years. The food is amazing, but this morning there were 4 males 2 tables down from us. They had finished their food when we came in, but despite people waiting for tables they sat on. As we were finishing our food I noticed that they were sitting with their heads bowed!!! They were praying!!! Surely this is not acceptable. The owner had no problem with it.

Wonderful friendly and timely service and very good food. Specials board, great value with courteous personable staff.

I kid you not this establishment needs serious help . Staff need intense training on how to speak to paying customers. I witnessed staff arguing with each other in raised voices. This was my first visit to Gwen's Café and I can assure you it will be my last. Owner needs to get to grips with staff and how they address the public.

Have been visiting this place for their fabulous breakfasts for many many years. They have never disappointed! Service and food are always excellent as is price. One thing we always do when we visit the area!

We visited for the first time and I had Champ with Sausages and bacon with onion gravy and my wife had the Ulster Fry. Service was excellent and the meals were served very soon after ordering, we will return again soon, highly recommended.

was here for lunch with my parents, they ordered sandwichs and I ordered a baked potato with beans. we sat upstairs and the lights were only turned on when another party came up to eat. my father's sandwich looked like it had been made by a child, just threw on the plate with obvious finger marks on the bread, my baked potato was inedible. I left it sitting on the plate, it was watery and mushy! felt like it was straight out of the freezer and into the microwave. two waitresses walked past us and talked to two other tables and did not approach us to ask how the food was. as soon as we got up a waitress began to clear our table, obviously my plate was still full and still no query on how we found the food. my father paid just said it was ok to not upset staff but for two sandwiches, a side order of chips, a baked potato and beans and 2 coffees and a tea being 19 pound with poor quality I won't be returning again!

Just returned from an all inclusive very expensive holiday to Mexico. Hot food luke warm, chilled food luke warm!!! Give us Gwen's any time!!!!

We go here every Saturday morning for a fry up. Most I’ve queued for a table is 5 minutes. There’s lots of staff on dishing out plates and plates of fry ups. Always smiling and happy to help. Place even when packed out still manages to stay clean and looked after with staff permanently clean in between diners. For £3-50 for a 5 piece fry up and a drink it’s hard to beat

popped in for lunch purely because it was the most inviting looking cafe on the street

I loved this Cafe. Amazing. Good food, great atmosphere and excellent, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this place

Lovelt clean friendly cafe food was lovely and well priced we were passong thr2but next time out that direction definitely making a point of stopping

Have breakfast here about once a week. Always marvellous, and we are not easy to please!!! Ask for well cooked bacon and soft fried eggs always delivered. Staff amazing!!!

This café seriously doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. The food didn't seem cooked that well, the staff don't have an ounce of friendliness on them. Prices are a bit steep for what you are receiving. The drinks aren't even served in cups instead these jar type things. This café is not disabled friendly especially when the only toilets that I noticed were upstairs with no lift access. I don't think I would return.

Good value Breakfast with great staff especially Agnes, feel sorry for those girls having to climb the stairs to serve breakfasts . Dumb water needed

El personal es encantador, se desvivieron para nosotros baje exactamente lo que queríamos, muy limpio, la comida deliciosa a un precio razonable. Sin duda volveremos.

Llamado para el desayuno, aquí en un lugar concurrido, pero tienen extra arriba asientos, rápidamente nos sentamos, tomamos un desayuno encantador, tuve tortitas de huevo, salchichas y bacon, y pedí que me dieron de jarabe de arce, mi marido tenía un guiso. Vinieron rápidamente y...

Llamado a la hora del almuerzo para café aquí y me decepcionó mucho que no había alternativas de leche. Yo soy incapaz de tomar completa de grasas de la leche y me dijo la camarera que esta era la única opción, no desnatada o semi...