Russell Tea Room in Gwynedd

Thursday 31st August 2023, my husband and I went back to the ‘The Welsh Highland Railway Tea Room’ in Porthmadog for the Malcolm Green's funeral wake and to celebrate Malcolm’s life. This was a very fitting tribute as Malcolm and his wife Non used to run the tearoom, sadly both now deceased. There was a nice buffet and we all sat and we spent time talking to friends and relatives and lots of love and memories were shared by all those who knew and loved ‘Malcolm’.

A warm welcome We were early for breakfast so one a the first couple people in but breakfast was a good solid breakfast the staff were friendly and the facilities are clean and tidy

Paid a visit to Russell's Cafe for lunch on Saturday and left full and happy. My daughter requested bacon, beans and toast, not on the main menu, but the chef happy obliged! I had the home made leek and potato soup and a lovely BLT, my wife had the same soup with a bacon, brie and cranberry in a home made roll. For lovely food and a warm welcome I highly recommend this cafe.

We enjoyed a delicious tuna sandwich served with tasty side salad and ready salted crisps at Russell Cafe today. The service was friendly and efficient. Tea was plentiful in the pot. We also savoured a cake. Highly recommended.

Lovely breakfast .... egg, bacon, sausage, beans, toast and hot drink. Good value £8.00 for the full Welsh breakfast. Friendly service, would definitely go back. Nice venue.

Disappointed you deleted my review from your Facebook so here instead then.What happened to your lovely tea room last year?OMG the changes are horrible!The interior now looks like a retirement home.We visitied for many years and the staff were always so welcoming and friendly.This time it felt we were intruding in to a private party. The counter staff when she wasn't on her computer or sitting on another member of staff was abrupt and not interested.The food was very average and very over priced. The soup had way too much salt but made up for the flavourless rolls.Social Distancing was only for the public.Staff and I guess they were volunteers came and went as the liked.No details were taken for covid tracing or temperature checks.And seeing the guy in the chef whites outside smoking was so off putting.I'm sorry but never again

a nice little find off the beaten track away from the hussle and bussel. food really good and always a warm welcome

I'd not been here for a few years and I understand it is now under new management. I was received with a really friendly welcome and I was impressed how the cafe has been re-arranged to suit COVID restrictions while still remaining user-friendly. I ordered a hot sandwich and a drink, both were served quickly and I was delighted that the sandwich came with sides of fresh salad, coleslaw and crisps - in fact it was a generous sized meal and therefore a real bargain as well as being delicious and clearly freshly made. Owing to COVID restrictions, seating was outside but there was plenty of space under a canopy to protect from the weather if needed. Highly recommended!

Friday 1 November 2019, my husband and I went for a late lunch here. We were given a really warm welcome my Nettie and Malcolm. We looked a the chalk board and chose our food.My husband had the foot long hot dog with onions, which he said was really nice and filling and the sausage was made locally. I had the bacon and brie Panini, which was served with a nice crisp side salad. We also had tea and coffee with our late lunch.The food came piping hot and nicely presented. The drinks also were lovely and hot. The café has a railway memorabilia in it and is a must for steam railway fans.This lovely café is well worth visiting if you are in Porthmadog, even more so if you are a vintage steam railway fan. There is also a museum on site to visit.

You are always given a warm welcome at the Russel Tea room whether you are visiting the little railway or not. We popped in at the beginning of our trip home for an early lunch. The Russell burger was v tasty with added cheese and crispy chips. We had omelettes with cheese, ham, tomatoes and mushrooms- excellently cooked from fresh ingredients. We will happily return on our next holiday!

A splendid café with café hot and cold food and drink and well priced. Good fry ups and usually some sticky cake to have

You may not think about visiting a preserved railway when you are contemplating lunch as you travel along, but do so hear & you will not be disappointed. The food is always fresh & made to order. The staff are very friendly & polite, the café is clean & tidy & is very well presented. You can also from time to time also hear Welsh language spoken as well as English.

Stoped here for lunch whilst waiting for our train to depart on the Welsh Highland Railway. The only reason I have rated four stars and not five is that there is a fairly limited menu however this is really a small gripe. The service was friendly and efficient, the food arrived quickly, was hot, and most importantly tasted superb.Certainly worth a visit. Now off to the trains!

Great little cafe for snacks and coffee. Staff was very friendly and the whole place had a great atmosphere and decorations.

Lo que un lugar estupendo y simpático! Recomendamos que pruebe el casero pastel de cerdo y gofres son agradables. Un jovial bienvenida. Podrían hacer con una máquina de café capuchino como no en el menú. Realmente te lleva atrás en el tiempo. Justo al lado de la estación. Increíble tienda de tren al lado.

Me fui con mi marido para almorzar temprano en Semana Santa martes. Tiene un aparcamiento gratuito y está situado al lado de la línea de tren. Interior de la vieja de moda está lleno de recuerdos de los trenes. La camarera en el mostrador era muy acogedor. La comida era rápido para llegar (me imagino que no habría que esperar más tiempo en las horas punta). Mi marido disfrutó su 2, 2 salchichas rellenas huevos fritos y patatas fritas y me quedé contento con mi chaqueta/chili macizos de patata / ensalada. Compartimos una gran jarra de té. La cuenta fue de 14 libras. 60 y porque quería usar mi tarjeta bancaria, tuve que dar la vuelta a la tienda de al lado para pagar. Los baños están en la plataforma se accede a través de la tienda. La tienda vende una selección de libros y juguetes para los entusiastas del ferrocarril.

Not the most picturesque setting on West Highland railway station but free easy car parking and outside sheltered seating if you want to eat outside or have your pooch with you. Filling panini so and real coffee at good prices

A menudo ignorados por los otros ferrocarriles, pero bien vale la pena visitar. A menudo entrara a una bebida y un bocado para comer. Siempre un buen precio y comida tipo caseras.

Went in after going on the railway with the kids late afternoon. Very nice although a bit basic but food served was nice. Nice people cant ask for much more

Called in here for our lunch. Although the place is a little old fashioned and basic the ladies working there are very friendly. We ordered an all day breakfast but wasn't really for me as it was fried.

It was raining, needed a cuppa, called in here and they sorted me out :)Main thing is that the price was right, I didn't feel like I'd been robbed.

Nice little stop for the train enthusiast. Stop in for lunch or just a coffee. The gift shop has all sorts of books and information pertaining to trains. Fun stop for the whole family!

As the title says, regular customers. Food is excellent. Check out the specials board, the pork pies are fantastic. Proper pot of tea complete with hot water. Staff are really friendly and have time to chat. That's why we keep coming back.

We had the Minted Welsh lamb burgers and they were worth going back again for. Lovely staff, very attentive. Great for children as the trains going past help to keep them amused while waiting for food

This cafe serves simple meals but does it well. There is a good menu with plenty of choice. All the food is fresh and good value.

The Russell Tea Room is located at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway station and is a must to visit when you are in the area even if you are not travelling on the train although would recommend visiting the tea room for coffee and Bara brith then take the 50 minute trip on the train with a museum visit, then on return back in to the tea room for lunchEveryone that works there is friendly and helpful, nothing is too much trouble for them and the food is always served fresh and well cooked at a reasonable price.The home made Bara brith is great!Beside the tea room there is the railway gift shop also worth a visit..

A snack menu which offers good food at reasonable prices. The home made cakes are lovely and the pots of tea generous with lots of hot water.

I have used this tea room a few times, I have always found it to be reasonably priced, food well cooked with a good selection. The location on the railway station is queint

Quaint, quirky and quiet - just what I wanted from an old tea room. Built like an old station buffet - which is what it is essentially - its not to long a stretch of the imagination to imagine Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson sitting the corner sharing their "brief encounter" (for film buffs). Handy as gateway to Welsh Highland Railway experience

I had a disabled friend with me and there were some special requests such as using his own cup and plate. The staff could not have been more helpful and obliging. The prices and food were delicious and well cooked.

Used several times in the week. Good food. Fresh tea and coffee. Fabulous book shop adjoining the cafe. Railways adjacent...No problems. Recommended

We went here for a family meal at 4.15pm following reading the previous feedback. It looked a bleak inside and some of the red tablecloths were stained but I knew the food was good. Unfortunately despite having a table, the money, the staff and food, they couldn't serve main meals between 3pm and 5pm. Cafe food or fish and chips again! I could't see any signage advertising the 'no food between 3 and 5' , dissapointed as the cakes looked fab. Would try again next time but no between 3pm and 5pm.

Old style tea room with good selection of cakes/home made items. free car park was a bonus. Also had a good shop attached.

The homemade cakes were wonderful. Prices were very reasonable and the service was great. You don't have to be travelling on the train to call in. There is a children's menu and the lady said that they are happy to cater for special dietary requirements or special occasions,

This is a great little tea room with a simple menu, but doing great food. The staff are friendly and chatty and take time to make sure their customers are happy.

is a must, for those who would like to have just a cup of tea or coffee, lunch or a cream tea, at least you can sit and savour the atmosphere, mine hosts are very friendly and will help you out with your trying to master the welsh language. first rate

Located within the station building of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, although you don't have to be travelling on the train to call in.Pros:-Free car park-Relaxed atmosphere-Friendly and helpful staff-Reasonably priced food and drink-Interior wall art includes rail related items such as train footplates, period posters and other train memorabilia-Plentiful indoor and outdoor seating available-A small, well-maintained garden-ToiletsCons:-It’s a 10 minute walk from the centre of Porthmadog