Oriel Caffi Croesor in Gwynedd

PLEASE NOTE: We had hoped to have lunch here (18 June 2023), but a notice on the door said "closed till further notice." We found an alternative at the Plas Brondanw Cafe in nearby Garreg.

Super cozy little coffee shop with very friendly, warm owners, tasty homemade cakes and good selection of teas and coffees. Relaxing atmosphere.

Stopped off for a panini (with the most delicious salad) and a cappuccino before tackling the local mountain. Cafe opened at midday and had a huge range of hot and cold foods. Really good quality food and great friendly service. Would heartily recommend and will be coming back here again!

The advertised closing time is 5pm on a Sunday. We arrived at 5.05pm having spent the previous five hours hiking around the magnificent (but rather challenging with a dog, four kids under 9, a Dad with dodgy knees etc!) Cnicht circuit. The lovely couple at the cafe not only agreed to serve us but invited us into the warm, snug interior to consume our rounds of hot chocolate, coffees, Welsh cakes etc. It was nearly 6pm when we left - full, morale high, and considerably wiser about the local area thanks to the couples’ generous insight. Superb!

The food is freshly prepared and some cakes homemade. Everything very fresh and delicious. Some tables outside and characterful, rustic interior. Some local carafes to view and purchase. So peaceful and authentic, loved it and will definitely return.

Wonderful cafe in a beautiful setting. We came across the village by chance and had lunch there before a walk. Perfect and very welcoming.

Delightful little cafe which makes a great stop off either at the start or end of a walk. Friendly staff and delicious cake.

Having spent a night wild camping we were really looking forward to a nice coffee and bite of lunch to revive us. This was the perfect place. 50m from where we had parked the car was this delightful cafe, full of character and good food; the coffee was good too. The staff were friendly and were turn between the need to serve and the desire to talk. It is wonderful to see independent places like this open again, let's keep supporting them

Six of us had lunch here yesterday and all agreed it was excellent can not fault the food or service .The cafe is a credit to Bev during these difficult times 😉

Croesor itself is a hidden gem, Walker up when visiting family in llanfrothen a few times now and never noticed the cafe. Went with 3 other adults and a 2 year old. Service was good and they had toys for children. They have comfortable chairs in front of the fire to relax and plenty of seating upstairs.

We saw the cafe as we set off for our walk up Cnicht and kept it in mind for our return. After our wonderful walk we weren’t disappointed. Our very generous pot of tea was perfect and served in a proper pot. The cake too was fantastic. One of the good things about this cafe is its isolated location, but if it wasn’t so isolated I’d be there all the time!

Possibly the most isolated cafe in The UK. Good food, good coffee, good lemonade. Utterly splendid location. 2 1/4 miles of single track road to get there. Go for an easy walk up Cnicht, the Matterhorn of Wales, or an even easier walk up to Croesor quarries on the Welsh slate trail. Then coffee and cake. A perfect day.

The Caffi serves wonderful homemade food and drinks - set in a beautiful valley, surrounded by hills. The staff are very pleasant and friendly and the service is excellent. We only had an afternoon snack of homemade scones and Welsh cakes, but they were delicious and I personally sampled their homemade raspberry drink which was supberb and contained fresh raspberries. Excellent venue

After hiking Cnicht it was a blessing to see this cafe on the way back from the car park. Great scones, great coffee. Really friendly staff. Clean toilet as well. Definitely stop here after your hike...

We called here after a walk up Cnicht. It is a lovely friendly cafe with really good cake. While I did not sample it myself, one person in the group thoroughly recommends the ploughman's platter. Well worth a visit!

Had a light tea here after a walk in the hills. The quality was excellent with a very friendly and helpful staff. A lovely rustic and warm atmosphere. Our dog was welcome to go inside and sit under our table.

Only giving 4 stars purely because we didn't try the food.Lovely setting nestled deep in the Snowdonia mountains.Wide ranging menu - though we didn't eat so can't comment on the taste.Tea in a pot. Milk in a jug, and sugar lumps in a jar. Not a paper sachet in sight! Worth an extra star just for that..Clean tidy toilets.Yes - and WiFi too!Frankly, after a day in the mountains, what more could you ask?One word of caution. They don't open all day or every day, so if you're going there especially for the cafe, probably worth checking they're open first.

My husband and I enjoyed toasties with imaginative, delicious salad in a wonderful location below Cnicht and the Moelwyns.The raspberry brownies were mouthwatering and moist too. Keep up the good work!

Croesor Isn’t particularly easy to access unless you’re a hiker so if you’re walking Cnicht, call in, the food is excellent - wide range of options, well presented & good to eat.They (just 3 of them) hosted a half-way check-point for a private walking event involving a lot of people & coped really well, giving pleasant, quick & obliging service. And free tap water, which was very considerate.Thank you all at Oriel Caffi.

What a nice place . A lovely pot of tea . The road up to it is a bit small . Worth a visit . Excellent cake

Checked the Web site; 'open 12 to 6' So we went for lunch about 1.30 to find it closed, with no notice to explain why. If negative comments are not wanted then perhaps an explanatory note would help to assuage the disappointment.

We called in this afternoon after a 4 hour walk up the croesor valley and the hills above it. Great friendly service and an abundant supply of free water to quench our thirsts before enjoying a lovely pot of tea and the quarry man’ a platter which was very tasty and worth walking for. Will be back for more when we return to scale Cnicht. Well worth a visit if near croesor.

The Oriel Caffi should have been open today - Friday - checked the website before setting off to have lunch there. Disappointed that there was no mention on the website as it's quite a trek to get to. Needs to be more informative.

We sampled this cafe for the first time after a long walk along the valley below Cnicht and found it lovely. An old stone building with enormous fireplace and slightly boho style. We enjoyed our large mugs of creamy-tasting hot chocolate very much, along with yummy carrot cake for one and Welsh cakes with butter for the other. Menu showed good choice of sandwiches, paninis and platters, along with several cake choices. It's dog friendly too, which is always a bonus. Plenty of seating choices inside and out. We would definitely recommend and will go back when next in the area.

Called in last Sunday for lunch after a relaxing stroll along Cwm Croesor. A warm welcome. Found the gallery display was inspirational, following which we enjoyed a couple of delicious paninis sitting outside in the sun. Accompanied by a fresh crisp side salad that was much more imaginatively created than in so many places. How do they do it in this relatively remote spot? Somewhere I'd have been happy to sit all day. Really should visit more often. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

We were staying in the village and we really liked the look of this gem of a café. However, every time we visited( and we tried repeatedly) it was closed. Sorry to have missed you...it looks such a special place.

Called in at Easter when the advertised opening time meant it would be open when we arrived, walked over from Gelli Llago to cafe and onto Cnicht, all very nice except when we arrived at the cafe we went in and could smell fresh cooking,...

It was a pleasant surprise to find this lovely old property in a very quiet village. Good food was prepared to order. Staff were lighting fire in enormous fireplace when we entered. We enjoyed our food, including excellent and original salad, by the fire.

Arrived not expecting anything too exciting but was amazing by the paninis and the splendid white hot chocolate. The ploughman's on the other table looked fantastic and one of the waitresses was making a chocolate cake that looked delicious too. Overall a fantastic experience and...

Lovely drive up narrow lanes to the heart of Snowdonia. Right under Cnicht,the Matterhorn of Wales! a truly beautiful spot........

Café muy bonito oculto que tiene un personal muy amable y la comida es muy buena y vale la pena una visita. No puedo esperar a volver

Idealmente situado para Cnicht o Moelwyn Mawr, este es un gran lugar para recargar después de una larga caminata. No es el más barato para un pequeño café país pero tiene una gran selección y es cálido y acogedor. También tiene una galería de arte...

Sorprendentemente buen café en ubicación remota. Ambiente agradable con tarifa estándar. Tuve el jamón y queso calentito, que estaba bien.

Cerrado en invierno pero abre de abril. Merece la pena buscar este pequeño café/galería si estás en la zona, si viaje por carretera o a pie. Actualmente está dirigido por un artista que tiene su trabajo en la pantalla. Apoya el pueblo como proyecto de...

Fantástico pequeño café y galería, tras subir Cnicht esta fue una visión muy bienvenido. Abierto desde el mediodía hasta las 18:00 wed a domingo. Un gran café que hacen toda la comida en el lugar. También hay una pequeña galería arriba vale la pena mirar.

Primero algunos antecedentes. El año pasado el café era dirigido por un joven llamado Finn y su pareja e hicieron un enorme éxito del lugar que es propiedad del pueblo de Croesor. La comida era fantástica, eran una pareja muy simpática y talentosa y trabajaron duro durante toda la temporada, cada vez que visité estaba ocupado. Cuando me trasladé a la zona a la que tenía muchas ganas de volver y posteriormente fue muy decepcionada al oír que le habían dado el café.

Stopped here after a walk up Moelwyn Bach. Everyone who walks in this area should stop here, to support this enterprise and to benefit from the wonderful things on offer. We had a huge pot of tea, some delicious home made lemonade and a scrumptious fruit tart, sitting outside on a warm afternoon to enjoy the surroundings. We watched a pair of handsome redstarts flying back and forth to their nest in the roof of the cafe. A great place!

Right by the car park but can be missed if you take the walk over the little bridge.After a hard day's walking this is just the place to re-fresh yourself.Lovely staff & the prices are not over the top.

We stumbled across this lovely cafe last year while walking. It is well hidden, and you could not notice it walking past. We ventured in after a beautiful long walk and had the most delicious tea and cake. Its a community cafe/restaurant and serves all homemade food and bread. Worth a special trip. There's a space at the back for exhibitions too.A real gem of a cafe.

We have been twice to this place,recommended by a local man,even thought we live locally:).We never knew about this hidden little gem.We love the bacon sarnie,is like returning in time where your granmother used to make it with sour dough and homemade tomato ketchup! lovely! and the coffee is good as well,as they have a proper coffee machine.As well the homemade cakes! Plus there a gallery upstairs and on the way to the toilet there is another with paintings.We will be back!

A welcome oasis after a walk on the mountains of Croesor, Whether a pot of tea or mug of hot chocolate with cake or something savory, all home- made after descending Cnicht (Wales most Swiss mountain-looking hill) or a full Welsh breakfast before going up this is the place to fit the bill without breaking the bank.

We visited in July. This place is the perfect fusion of excellent food cooked by a pro, friendly and attentive service, cosy interiors, varied art (paintings, wall hangings, jewellery and some sculpture/pottery), all in a peaceful and beautiful setting.We had the breakfast which included the particularly lovely garlic mushrooms on sourdough bread plus bacon, sausage and egg. The homemade ketchup was especially yummy. We also found some games for us to play and there are some lovely chairs by the fire too. Sit outside and enjoy the scenery and peace, or inside for that real cosy feeling and smell the food being crafted. Wonderful. The couple running this deserve every success, yes it's off the main road but it's well worth the short journey.

Visited one a Sunday morning for breakfast. The food is delicious, and all made by the chef. Highly recommend the breakfasts and the calzone, the choclate cake and salted caramel tart were really good too. Nice friendly staff and amazing surroundings. Definately worth a visit.

We were in the neighbourhood climbing some local hills and popped in here for sustenance. Very helpful staff and great little place to eat after a walk.

Lovely cafe in a beautiful spot, convenient for my favourite peaks Cnicht and the Moelwyns.Homemade Calzone was delicious. Nice Americano too. Free water. Very reasonable prices considering the high quality.Will return soon!

Having gamboled up the beautiful walk that is Cnicht, we felt we had earned a breakfast at the Oriel cafe in lovely Creosor. And what a breakfast - delicious is an understatement!! Mushrooms to perfection and homemade baked beans on top of the chef's crusty, tasty sourdough, with sausage, local bacon and egg to complete the meal. Unexpected in such a small, out-of-the way cafe! What a delightful, warm and welcoming (Croeso!) place. Finn and Liz and all the team of the Oriel cafe are a credit to the valley and to good food. So if you find yourself doing that marvelous walk that is Cnicht, don't bother packing a lunch. Treat yourself and enjoy the lemon tart, the gluten-free orange cake and real mint tea. We tasted it all and loved every bit of it. Thanks, team Oriel!! Claire and Rhodri.

Paul FinnToday at 8:52pmWoW . I've eaten a lot of breakfasts in a lot of different places in my life and the best one I've had was in Australia at Rosies Diner , a strange little shack 100k north of Sydney .Awesome 5* . Today it met its match at Oriel Caffi Croesor. Stunning food, stunning views and only a few miles off the beaten track into Snowdonia National Park, 5 * in my mind and i will be returning for more.and play some music with you. Well done guys pleasure to be there. Diolch Yn Fawr.

I visited oriel caffi croesor yesterday for lunch after hearing some good reviews from friends. The setting of the gallery within the beautiful mountains is incredible, the service was wonderful and friendly but I have to say that the food was the star of the show! It's hard to find a really original, tasty menu in North Walian cafes but that is what we got! The food really was wonderful! Top Marks!!

The Oriel Caffi was an old farm building that has been lovingly restored by local villagers and converted into a really character restaurant and small art gallery. We had visited several times over the years but hadn't been for a while. Until recently, the catering was somewhat adhoc- being run by volunteers - but it has recently been taken over by an enterprising young couple ( Finn and Liz) who are determined to offer interesting free range style food with all homemade ingredients and breads. Such a refreshing change from the fast food junk that is served at the top of Snowdon and in many other Snowdonia outlets. Just try getting a half decent Welsh rarebit - you can here! Of course this is not a franchise like that on Snowdon and the improved quality is on the plate. It deserves a lot of support. Hopefully they will soon get a drinks licence and then this cozy restaurant will become a must visit location. A great place to finish(or start?!) - or use as a half way house - for many walks/treks in the area such as up and over the Moelwyns or up and down Cnicht.

Through Bedgellert, along the winding Aberglaslyn Pass, past the pretty village of Nantmor along the A4085 and all the way surrounded by seriously appealing countryside and just when you think it doesn't get much better you turn off the main road following the sign to Croesor and it does! To your left the valley drops down dramatically and after a couple of miles you reach the tiny hamlet of Croesor where most visitors come to ascend the prominent Cnicht mountain or to hike along Cwm Croesor and up to the lakes beyond.I was with my youngest son and his three friends, the public car park was full and so we decided to visit the Oriel Caffi and park alongside. I was here last year when it appeared to be staffed by local volunteers and it was good, now it's even better, run by a delightful young and enthusiastic couple whom I understand have taken over the place themselves. We had coffees and cakes, a long chat and then set off in the mist for a walk into the cwm.On our return we went back for pots of tea and the most delicious carrot cake imaginable which was like no other and just about the best cake ever anywhere!The place is really cosy and fun, a few tables downstairs with more upstairs and some comfy seating. There is an extended and spacious gallery to the rear with interesting paintings, artwork and pieces crafted by locals.The blackboard menu looked wonderful and unbelievably low priced and the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by myself and my much younger companions.The owners have created a friendly and warm environment in which to display their undoubted talents, they deserve to succeed and I have no doubt that they will. Even if you're not a walker or a climber just visit and experience it for yourselves.Best check the website to confirm opening hours.

This is a review of just the cafe side of this combined cafe and gallery.It is just a short walk from the car park at Croesor, so is a convenient place for a tea or a coffee and a piece of cake after you've been out walking locally.There are some nice touches, with water provided without charge and water bowls are provided for dogs.However, its got to be said that although service was very friendly, it wasn't particularly efficient. It took a while for our presence to be acknowledged and when our order was delivered to our table some of it was missing. It didn't affect us, but while we were there there was some confusion over whether somebody else had already paid or not.I wish them well, but some more work is needed on the customer service side. I'd use it again if I was walking in the area, but at the moment I wouldn't go out of my way specifically to eat there.

On our way back from walking Moelwyn Mawr we stumbled across this great little place. Filled with charm and character, we rested our legs with a selection of fine teas and a cracking americano coffee. The cakes were delicious, and the savoury food on the menu looked divine. Alas we didn't have enough cash to purchase lunch (cash only at present), but we would've loved to stay for the homemade food in the open plan kitchen. If you want friendly faces, in beautiful surroundings to enjoy your test, here's the place to come.

We found this cafe unexpectedly after walking up cnicht, the food was delicious and nicely presented. The owners are friendly and the cafe has been beautifully decorated. We were very impressed and will definately come again next time we're in North Wales. The only thing is that I think it could be signposted better as we nearly missed it and only saw the sign once we had actually got back in the car to leave.

Wow. Easter Monday came to check out new developments having read Trip Advisor. am so glad I did. Had the vegetarian breakfast and still have a smile on my face.

Nestled in the heart of Snowdonia beneath the mighty shadows of Moelwyn Mawr and Cnicht is this truly exceptional little cafe. With a confident menu full of outstanding locally sourced food and drinks, there is always something to tickle your fancy. I cannot stress enough that this place is not your average cafe, with freshly baked sourdough bread and a fry up with homemade baked beans this is a step above - a greasy spoon this is not! Despite the quality of the produce and the skill of the proprietors the prices are still very reasonable. If you are ion the area, it it is too good to miss, I would even say it is worth a journey in itself. Good luck to the charming young couple who are running the place now, so far, so excellent.

Get that breakfast in you! delicious, and fantastic value for money. nowhere else will you get such a good plate of home cooked food, with homemade bread and baked beans for just £6. the cafe couldnt be in a more beatiful location, and is run by 2 of the lovliest people you will ever meet! worth going out of you way for!!!

Since my last visit, the Caffi has been taken over by a new management team who, like the fresh air that surrounds this little gem, have breathed new life into this community venture. The welcome is friendly and the atmosphere in the caffi itself is warm and inviting. I especially liked the new 'chilled' loft space with its comfy seating and fine art decor; perfect for a relaxing break after a tramp up Cnicht or the Moelwyns. The art in the gallery is always interesting and mostly made up of work by local artist, some living only a few hundred yards from the caffi. But the best part of my two visits (yes I had to go back for more!) was the outstanding food served up by the caffi's new chef. The 'Hearty Breakfast' rivals any I've eaten anywhere, with succulent local bacon and sausages and home made baked beans. For my second visit I opted for the soup and accompanying hunk of bread, both home made, followed by a slice of custard tart that was to die for! I have not eaten much better than this and have paid a lot more for a lot less. If the new team keep this up Caffi Croesor will become a destination in itself to compliment the glorious Welsh landscape that surrounds it.

As last years review suggests, a wonderful place to have a cuppa after a walk or climb up Cnicht. However it is more than that now, having been taken over by two enthusiastic partners. The cooking is really excellent and very good value indeed. The gallery exhibits local artists and adds to its ambience.

What a fab find. After a long walk up Cnicht we stumbled on this place following signs from the car park. We had teas, bara brith and welshcakes all locally produced. This is a community run tea room with a great art gallery.The gut running it couldn't have been more helpful or friendly. My husband decided to carry on with the walk while my mother and I left earlier but with no money. He kindly let us have a cupppa while we waited for hubby to return. Thank you.