Lakeside in Wakefield

This cafe is becoming a waste of time. Last three visits over a couple of months including today, has seen us turned away because they had run out of food, then, having booked a meal for 4 and confirmed via telephone that all was available, on the next visit we turned up to find 50% of the menu including drinks, was not available. Even the waitress was embarrassed. Today arriving at 12.10pm we were informed that they had been very busy that morning, were short staffed and were not accepting anyone else. Perhaps someone should define the word cafe to the owners. If this cafe goes out of business it will be no surprise. Such a shame as it does do very good food.

It wasn’t the best and we paid over £50 for the afternoon tea I was charged extra for a coffee which was supposed to be included in the deal and the owner had asked the ladies who run the bar if we could leave before 3pm as he wanted to shut the shop which wasn’t the best customer service when we had paid for a pricey brunch

Filthy place with terrible service! Glasses were filthy, the coffee machine was rank, it took 1 hour 20 minutes to get our food & then they added an extra £85 to the bill in items we hadn’t ordered 😂?! We nearly paid it until we realised it sounded a bit much. The place is absolutely filthy, we smelt of cooking fat after we had left & I don’t know how it’s still operating as a business?! The kitchen was gross when we walked past… go to Boathouse instead!

I visited with a group of old friends, and really wished we hadn’t bothered. Waited ages for someone to take our order, but no one came. Went inside to be told we needed to order at the till. I informed her that they were five of us all ordering separately but wanted to be served at the same time. I ordered a coffee (which was ok) and a bacon butty on sourdough, which came much later. The bacon was hard and cold, as was the sourdough, which had been toasted. I had to ask for ketchup and a knife. The skin from the roof of my mouth is still sore after eating it - so dry! The service was terrible and the orders were brought out with 15-20 waits between each, so we all ate separately. My friends didn’t enjoy their food either - you definitely don’t get what you pay for. The toilet area needs a refurb as it was dirty and in need of decorating. My friend saw a sign advertising four take out cakes for £10. The waitress asked her for £11 as there was a £1 service charge for putting the cakes in a bag! She took it off though when my friend objected. Overall, a really disappointing experience and won’t be returning.

We’d heard some good things about this place, so gave it a try today for lunch after our walk. The menu is quite extensive for such a small place, and it’s not cheap! The cafe is dog friendly, but after asking on 3 occasions for a bowl of water, I eventually gave up and had to go to the counter and get it myself. We asked for sugar free soft drinks, but were informed they didn’t have any at all, so ordered iced coffees instead. The drinks were served in gin glasses and were very bitter. We twice requested sugar or syrup but the waitress again didn’t bring any. We requested straws only to be told they hadn’t any. The food was okay, but portion sizes were incredibly small for the price, and the prawns I was given on my salad were more shrimp-like than the juicy prawns I was expecting. It was served on a huge pile of salad leaves/Rocket, with 2 cherry tomatoes. Overall it was a very underwhelming experience, and not a cheap one either, so I’m afraid we won’t be returning. Such a shame as the cafe is in a prime location and could be an absolute diamond of an eatery!

Absolutely terrible service. Was stood waiting 10 minutes to be seated even though we already had a booking and then left waiting 25 minutes before we walked out. Not one person in 25 minutes came and offered us a drink, which is ridiculous but even more ridiculous when we were sat with two children waiting. Booked for a table of four and was seated on a wobbly table for 3 with a seat pulled over. When I left I informed the lady we’d left and the reason why and she said ok no worries. The fact there was no apology, or an offer for us to sit back down and be served. Baby changing station was also absolutely vile. Could not change a child on there. Very scruffy to say you’re in newmillerdam. I never ever leave a review but feel like this place does not deserve the business. Avoid at all costs

Beautiful café situated beside the stunning newmillerdam, the staff and food was incredible, perfect for a bacon buttie and coffee before a morning walk.

I’ve never left a negative review before however I’ve also never been made to feel the way I did today. If I could leave less than 1 star I would! After going for a walk round Newmillerdam today with our babies, we called into the lakeside cafe. We were greeted by the owner who was clearly unimpressed by the prams. If you can’t accommodate prams then just say, but this clearly had the owners back up from the start. Has my friend was trying to get her baby seated in the highchair the owner continually asked her to move the pram even though she explained she would move it and was trying to ensure the safety of her baby by strapping him in first. Again whilst sorting the babies first the owner came back over to take our order but we hadn’t decided yet so asked for a few more minutes - clearly too much to ask again. I was meeting my other friend elsewhere and hadn’t realised the time and would have to go, the other two ordered. The owner immediately told me how I shouldn’t have come in as we had been seated on a table too big for us and my chair was snatched away as soon as I stood up. On the way out I apologised to the owner and explained I hadn’t checked the time but felt she had been unnecessarily rude to me. That’s when she snapped! She told me it wasn’t a library that I could just use to feed my baby. She proceeded to call me a weirdo for not ordering anything even after I explained and apologised. She then shouted at me as I walked off saying I was cheeky and entitled! My friends that stayed later told me the place was filthy, the tables were black and the baby change was a disgrace!! Avoid this place at all costs, we most certainly will never be returning! And from reading the other reviews, clearly this is just her nature and has no people skills! Disgusting!!

Booked a table. Turned up on time. Placed a food and drinks order. Everyone else around us received their orders, albeit with a wait. Then the deal breaker…..people receiving their orders despite them arriving and being seated after us !! When we got up and left, one hour after being seated, there was no indication that anything was ready for us. I honestly believe we’d been forgotten. It’s the first time this has happened to us at Lakeside. Not keen on leaving negative reviews but have to simply be honest here ?! Must do better please.

Came to the cafe after a walk round the damn. Sat in the main cafe area and instantly noticed how filthy the place was! Walls had damp, shirting boards were black with muck and floors covered in mud. Not new mud from walkers weeks of filth. Honestly can't believe this place hasn't been shut down we decided not to order food as if this was what the restaurant was like god knows what staff areas are like. The stairs to the toilets are filthy and again skirting boards thick with dirt. There really isn't an excuse for the state of this place we won't be coming back.

In need of a good clean and refurbishment. It was quiet and we were sat directly next to another table which was a tight squeeze, the rest of the cafe was empty. Everything came on huge plates when the tables are tiny, there is no room at all. Food was okay. The cafe and upstairs to toilet is filthy, needs a good clean. Also the waitress passed boiling hot drinks over my babies head- so so dangerous. Wouldn’t rush back.

We are trying somewhere new. The reason why is because we are fed up of asking for our hot food to be served on hot plates!! This place serves lovely breakfasts & has great staff but the lack of a hot plate really spoils the experience. Unless we ate like pigs the food is stone cold 3 minutes into receiving it. We have tried moaning, tried making into a speciality request to little or no avail. So, it's 10 breakfast at Blackerhall farm later this month as their plates are...HOT!!

As with many places in Wakefield, this cafe has potential but falls short. We called in for a coffee and although the coffee itself was fine ( nothing special) the atmosphere inside the cafe was terrible. There was condensation literally running down the walls due to lack of ventilation and the smell of cooking bacon was overpowering. When I went to pay, I was expecting the bill to be £6.80 (£3.40 each) but it was £7.48, they had added 68p service for putting 2 cups on the table. I don’t think we will be rushing back.

We were hesitant to try this place as they had some bad reviews a year ago but I am really glad we made up our own mind because the food was excellent and high quality (especially the full breakfast), reasonably priced, good quick service (although it wasn't very full at the time we visited) and very welcoming. We will be going again :)

Excellent food from a really imaginative menu. We had smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and one very tasty quiche One of our party had very complex dietary needs, which were skillfully and willingly accommodated. We don't live locally, but if we were to, we would be back pdq Attentive but not intrusive service. Back and front of house a fab team. Really appreciated our lunch. Thank you hope

Such a mixed bag. The food is lovely , drinks too. But the toilets are dirty and need a good deep clean. There is an atmosphere in here of stress and anxiety. This place Needs love! it could be so much more. Felt a shame as we would return for the food, but not the experience. Also did not appreciate the 10% service charge added for the breakfast we had. Would not have been leaving a tip as the service was not great for what was not a cheap breakfast.

Such a great spot for breakfast or lunch! Really enjoyed all of our food and the staff were so friendly nothing was too much trouble. Made for a great Father’s Day thank you to all the staff for a lovely visit.

We had read all the negative reviews, but the menu looked tempting and the cafe looked lovely. Thank goodness we ignored the bad reviews: The service was friendly and attention to detail was faultless. The food was delicious and great value for money. We can highly recommend this lovely cafe and its staff.

Sticky table and very uncomfortable chairs to sit on. The establishment looked tired and it was generally filthy, which did make me question the cleanliness of the food prep area. (The bit we don't see) . The service was very average and I was stung for a 10% service charge of which I was not made aware of before hand. Will not be visiting here again!

An extremely disappointing experience throughout. For a party of three we got placed at an extremely cramped table, which really is meant for two people - we did finally ask to move upon waiting a rather long time for our food, especially when smaller parties were getting bigger tables (despite the cafe being quiet). We had ordered Avacado, egg on sourdough, in which the poached eggs were not runny (which I think is a fair expectation for a poached egg). The young staff were very polite, however the older woman who seemed in charge was extremely rude, I was disgusted at the price we paid for such horrendous service, average food, and awful interaction with the older woman <3 however the bad experience did make for a fun car journey home talking about all the areas for improvement.

Really wish I had read the reviews of this place before wasting my hard earned money. Ignored on arrival, kept waiting when ready to order, long wait for average food and the gents toilet was not a good experience. Staff looked miserable. The location and building are great with lots of potential but desperately needs a new owner who actually likes, respects and value customers. We won't be back until there is a change in ownership. The owner really should take note of the very similar negative reviews and change her approach before the business fails.

Met a friend today had a sandwich and drink each but when we told them to take the service charge off of the bill that we have never noticed before we were pulled by the larger than life lady that people like us who refused to pay the service charge will be charged more for our food in the future and we we’re told we had been sat there eating our food and drinking for too long, she was very very rude and there is no way we will be going back.,, there are loads of big reviews regarding rudeness,, as for adding 10% to the bill to a bill instead of putting your prices up so you don’t have to pay tax on it ( her words) that’s not acceptable, people look at the price and decide if they want to // or can afford that ,, to then get the bill and it be higher is not acceptable,, RUDE

After a lovely walk around Newmiller dam with My husband and kids we fancied a warm drink and cake. On arrive the staff had a rude approach. I asked if they was space. The owner replied yes but only for cake and hot drinks not food. I said that's fine that's all we want. We got seated and after looking what to have I went up to the counter to see if it was table service or I ordered at the counter. She rudely snapped yes it's table service and she will be with you when she can.. I got my coat back on and the kids and walked out! Not paying for rude customer service!!!!! Get more Staff if your struggling :)

Would not visit. again.Took my mum here last week. Nobody came to take our order. After twenty five minutes I went up to ask if we could order. During the wait, there was a waitress just speaking to her mates and not serving anyone for a whole half hour. They ordered a second drink after ordering ours and received theirs before we did. Terrible service which really lets down the good food. It’s the second time I’ve had rubbish service here, shame to see it hasn’t improved. Don’t waste your money.

If I'd read the reviews first, probably wouldn't have come! Anyway, party of 6 for brunch. Food and service were both excellent.

has anybody experienced the rude obnoxious owner of this cafe .. been in today with my sister and witnessed her talking to a family very rude saying they had to move up as other people needed seats .. bullyin them into eating to stay seated .. then she spoke to a young member of her staff really loudly saying she hadnt wiped the tables correctly and proceeded to snatch the cloth and say ill do it myself.. the girls are clearly intimidated by her it shows ..😡the whole of the cafe were appaled by her attitude . and the atmosphere was awful .. the food was cold .. ans coffes were slung at us .. we proceeded to speak with the owner who denied doing it and sarcasticly said she would take it on board shoving us out as a baby shower came in … i said speak to customers and staff with respect .. what a rude obnoxious disrespectful woman . i wont be going again 😡😡😡😡

visited today and the owner is a minus 10 on people skills. she was very rude to her staff in front of customers and even a family was sat across and she was very abrupt with them telling them they had to all budge up if they weren't eating as she had paying guests wanting to sit down. they were drinking their coffee and had ordered food yet she said this very loud and we all could hear. the atmosphere is shocking and the food and drink was very disappointing. we told her we thought she was out of order speaking to staff and customers and she was very sarcastically saying thanx for your feedback and said she didn't speak to her staff like that when all the cafe heard her. we shall NOT be returning and I would advise others not to bother. her staff are lovely young girls whom she thinks can speak to like dirt and show them up in front of customers. BANG OUT OF ORDER. treat your staff and customers with more respect you rude obnoxious lady

We’re to start? Myself and my mum had arranged to have my sister baby shower here we rang months in advance to book for 8 of us firstly I was told we would need £5 per person to secure the booking so a few days later I rang back to pay this to then be told we did t need a deposit it was fine. The lady then said we would be in the conservatory area and are able to come an hour before to add decorations ect for the baby shower. When arriving on the day myself my mum and my baby boy arrived half an hour before the geusts to set up, we walked in and was placed or should I say shuved in a corner with a few tables put together. I said to the women who is either the a manger or owner ( who everyone else seems to be complaining about too ) that we were told we would be in the conservatory. She very rudely said “No your not in there it’s for 15 people or more look!” As we could see another party was in there and I believe we had been shuved in this corner as a small party and they were given priority. I said to her that I was disappointing as we were expecting to be in there, and asked for a table to put the gifts on. She then said “your in here 2.30-4pm” when we we’re told we would have the area for 2 hours. Me and my mum couldn’t believe how rude and abrupt she was after being there 5 minutes. Moving on to the food - we ordred 8 afternoon teas and let’s say they were a waste of money. £25 each with a glass of fizz the sandwiches looked like they had been chucked onto the plates and the Smallest slices of cakes highly disappointing for the price. Throughout the afternoon I had to go and ask for another drink for us all no one came over to ask or check we were okay. The toilets were dirty and tbh felt very uncomfortable and unwelcome being in there. We spent over £200 in there and it will be the last time we ever return the women in charge needs to sort her attitude out by the looks of everyone’s reviews.