The Bridge Tea Room in East Lindsey

Whenever we visit Horncastle we end up here but the food and service has become so erratic it's time to explore other venues. We took a table half an hour before close and ordered poached eggs on toast. When a waitress audibly sighs it doesn't bode well. The eggs were served workhouse style in a pool of vinegar water and runny yolk with soggy cheap Sunblest white on the side. The hurried service continued when the waitress, noticing my wife's foray to the gifts upstairs, asked about her whereabouts before studying her watch. The 'chef' has always been taciturn but the food and service has previously compensated. Sadly, it has become merely 'good in parts'.

Visited here for lunch, and we were not disappointed! I and 2 others in my group had jacket potatoes, which were oven baked, and so light and fluffy inside. Served with a small salad and coleslaw, a well as the chosen filling, it was delicious. Drinks were also lovely. One of us had coffee and said it was rich and smooth, served in an individual cafetiere. Coke was served with cola bottle sweets, which was a lovely touch. So, 3 cokes, 2 cherry cokes, a coffee, 3 ciabattas, and 3 jacket potatoes came to £58 and worth every penny.

Service was very friendly but the food was terrible, mushroom soup was like water,no taste, tuna sandwich was more mayo than tuna and the cake was dry . My friend wasn't impressed with her meal either and heard another couple complaining about there meal , sorry but won't be returning.

Today we decided to go and try the Bridge for lunch. As we walked to the door we were met by a young girl who stated quite firmly no tables available ,and you can only sit outside it was a very overcast and cool day. I replied we can sit and have a coffee and then wait for a table to become free she replied a table won’t become free!!!!! So we decided to leave it we continued around the square and came across Tanya’s cafe on arrival all their tables were full however in a lovely and friendly manor she explained we were very welcome to wait inside for one to become free to which we accepted and glad we did.

Sad to say, couldn’t wait to get out. Tried other cafes in town (which were full), so we tried here. Very old building suffers from the damp with peeling walls and paint, and mouldy windows. Ordered two hot drinks (which were nice). Snack items disappointing- toasted tea cake for £3 wasn’t pleasant and, even when toasted and with butter spread on, was dry/stale. Warm homemade cheese scone (£2.xx) had been warmed for too long in the microwave, making it soggy. This came with a single cherry tomato that had split and oozed juice onto the scone- yuk! When asked if everything was ok and the issue raised that it was left due to quality/not being fresh, the reply came of ‘Oh that’s ok’… sorry no, and we’ll not revisit. Note to self: stick with Tanya’s/ Just One More Bike/ Bar Unico/ Myers.

We came across this cafe by chance. We stopped for lunch. The food was very good. And the tea and coffee. The decor was a bit dated and tired but everything else made up for it. The service was very good.

We fell over this great little find whilst mooching around Horncastle. The service was excellent (lovely lass with a dark pony tail couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly), the food was delicious (I had the Lincolnshire high tea and a salmon and cream cheese sandwich and my wife had the afternoon tea) both were extremely tasty and an absolute bargain.

Me and my sister visited, had cream teas, very reasonably priced, sat right next to the river, watched the fish swimming by, loved the mix matched China, and different coloured teapots, the menu was brilliant, we even got served little sweets on the side of our saucer loved this place we will return

Would definitely NOT recommend this cafe. It could be really nice with a change of ownership and complete make over. I have visited a few times in the past and to be honest not been totally happy, but I believe in giving places/people more than one chance. However, I will definitely not be visiting this cafe every again. I was shown to a very small table rammed into a corner so I was facing a wall. I requested simple poached eggs on white toast and could I have the eggs cooked hard i.e. no runny yolk. I actually repeated it twice to the waitress who said that's ok. Well, when they arrived not only was the yolk liquid but even the white wasn't cooked i.e. slime on my plate. I pointed this out to the waitress when she breezed past and her snapped response was 'well I told the cook'. Dreadful. Please avoid.

Visited many times before, but not for a while. Very very cramped if you like playing sardines your fine. Food was nice no complaints there . Young waitress very polite. Tables are absolutely squashed together. If I was infirm or of a large stature I would have struggled to get in the space. Once crammed In coats were touching the damp walls. Obviously its a very old building but sitting in a damp corner with black mould and peeling crystallised paint on the floor made the visit not so good. Skirting boards filthy covered in peeling mould. Once the table next to us left we were able to make a bit of space to be less squashed. We were the lucky ones those over by the dresser were even more cramped. We did tell staff who apologised, but senior staff stayed hidden in kitchen

Had lunch here on 23/3/2022. It was a disgrace, all the ingredients in the shepherds pie included frozen veg, the potato on top was reconstituted. Plus, the vegetables on the side were also frozen not fresh. The staff with the exception of the youngest member, were miserable, and the chairs were filthy and uncomfortable. Such a shame, this could be a wonderful place, but changes need to be made, sooner than later.

The fish pie (ordered by 3 of us) was decent, big pieces of fish but the baked potato (ordered by 1) seemed to have been deconstructed- it looked as if the potato had been scraped out then piled back into the skin. And we had to wait 35 mins after ordering.

Visited this site 4 times in the last 3 weeks. Eat inside or outside it matters not, the service is still tip top. The building is very appealing and in a nice location on the bridge over a small stream. Menu changes daily with a good choice of snacks and/or main meals. We sampled both. Great food, good service and excellent prices.

friendly staff , excelent food and incredible scenery , shop sells hard to get items at afforadable prices aswell - a must visit

We did the canal walk then strolled into Horncastle for lunch. Passed the Bridge as it was the first, checked out the rest and, as often happens, went back to the Bridge. Service was first class and food lovely. Had mackerel salad and ploughman's. Sooper dooper.

We visited in a sunny day in July. The place looked promising at first glance, but proved very disappointing. The outdoor area was shabby and looked very tired- peeling paint on furniture , weeds growing all along the railings. We ordered a cafetière and a...

While visiting Horncastle itself, we came across the charming looking tearoom . Here you can have usual tea & scones, ploughman's,toasted sandwiches, baguettes and sandwiches with various fillings.. I have only rated this a 3, because the teas& coffees we asked for, weren't hot at...

We were cycling in the wolds and without a pub or tea shop in site We came across this tea room by chance but what a find I had a Stilton pork pie salad which was great it has a cycle stand for your bike...

Have not been for 2 years and wanted a quick jacket potato with cheese and salad. They were brilliant and served up speedily with salad and the quality was exactly what I wanted. Have been before usually taken my time and had tea and cake....

A fantastic cheese scone tea which was gluten free, they have GF options for many menu items and a good range of gluten free cake and other options , nice outdoor seating

Visited The Bridge today for breakfast with two of my kids. They enjoyed beans on toast and smoothies which they loved! I enjoyed a full vegetarian breakfast and tea was served in a lovely China cup! Very nice! Excellent service, very friendly and accommodating. Appears...

We found this place by chance. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and talked us through the cake choices,which were delicious. We sat outside and it has a lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Visited Horncastle on a Sunday to find just about everywhere closed. Came across this tea room mid am and sat outside for an excellent coffee break. Toasted plum bread recommended ! Very friendly girls serving, interesting gift shop inside

Visited here for some breakfast after a night camping nearby and we were not disappointed! We were drawn in by the location, the interesting building, and the fact that it was the only place open on a Sunday! We are a tricky bunch to cater...

We stopped at this establishment this afternoon with our daughter and grandson, and our two dogs. We were shown to a table and sat down. The waitress gave us menus. However, on reflection we decided to just order an ice cream cone for our grandson....

We went in for a warming cuppa, but ordered the breakfasts. With Covid precautions well taken by the staff, we felt secure and were given a table with a bay windowed view of the river, and adjacent to a blazing wood burner. The wind was...

Ordered a large flat white and a cake, got a filter coffee, questioned it and waitress was polite but clueless as to what she had served me. Took 20 mins for the cake to be taken from the cabinet which I cancelled due to being...

We found this lovley tea room today on our first visit to Horncastle. It won't be our last! My sister and I ordered an afternoon tea. There was a lovley choice of sandwiches and cakes, nice tea and coffee. The staff were very pleasant and...

We sat outside and never having come across it before, ordered the Lincolnshire Tea of plum bread, cheese, apple and celery including a pot of tea for 2. It really was a lovely change to the regular cream teas on offer. And it was lovely...

We had just arrived in Horncastle for a two night break and were looking for a place for lunch. We spotted The Bridge Tea Room as we were walking through the town and thought it looked interesting, as they had outdoor seating. We sat down...

any tea room that gives me dolly mixtures on my cup and saucer, is an absolute winner in my book! we have high tea a different one each and they did not disappoint! warm scones and plenty of tea! gift shop was different form the norm which was lovely and refreshing! covid restrictions were well signed and clear!

Been to The Bridge Tea Room today, lovely warm welcome from the staff and the log burner , food was lovely, had a panini and jam sponge and custard, the pudding seemed all home made. really nice antiques to look round , a really lovely place to go

Very cosy and friendly place. Good quality food. Good menu and choice of tea and coffee. Would recommend

We had coffee and then later returned to have lunch and found the food, coffee, drinks and service outstanding. Staff shared a joke and were on point. Good value town cafe.

My girlfriend and I visited Horncastle today and popped to the bridge tearoom for our lunch. It is presently located on the side of the river that runs through the centre of town.As we arrived we found a table inside and looked at the menu and specials board . I ordered a porkpie and stilton Ploughman’s and my girlfriend ordered a jacket potato with chilli con carne. For drinks I had a peppermint tea and my girlfriend had a hazelnut latte. My tea arrived in a teapot with several dolly mixtures on the saucer which were really tasty!The plan and is it self had a very tasty home-made porkpie with an equally tasty piece of stilton cheese . The plate also came with a side salad celery apple chutney very strong pickled onion a small bread roll in the shape of a tin loaf and creamy coleslaw. The whole thing was really tasty and also quite reasonably priced. My girlfriend enjoyed her meal just as much and we would both be more than happy to visit here again in the future .Even the view from the loo was lovely !!!

Just popped in for a coffee and tea cake was greeted by friendly staff and was welcomed in with are little dog. Would recommend to anybody.

We visited here after looking around the various antique shops in Horncastle. The tea room is in a lovely setting and we had a table inside. They were fairly busy but our order was taken and we did not have too long to wait for our lunch. Big portions and was really delicious. Staff were friendly and the tea room was clean. Would definitely eat here again.

We visited The Bridge Tea Rooms in July, weather was fab so we sat outside. I ordered the cold poached salmon salad, boy when it arrived, it was fabulous, a real proper salad, a small hovis type mini bread,butter,mayonnaise in a small ramekin, it was absolutely delicious. My hubby had a baguette, again it came with a fab side salad. We were given a free top up of coffee. Other diners had ordered cream teas, and it was served on a lovely cake stand. My beautiful salad only cost £6.50. We highly recommend you visit this lovely tea shop, oh and the staff were very friendly, so a win win!!

So pleased we called in here for lunch one day. Very nice meals and friendly service too. Very nice location and reasonable prices.

A favourite with our family for breakfast, morning coffee or lunch! Cosy, friendly and never disappointed. A wander around the quirky upstairs (mind the steps) and a nosey around the downstairs shop often throws up welcome surprises! One of the great independent cafes in Horncastle!

well i sat outside this packed very hot weekend and thought if you spent just a few hours you could really make it look so much more presentable.The specials board advertises some very nice sounding offerings and i enjoyed what i had.Coffee weak and poor so all in all i found it just average.

Eat inside all al fresco. Be sure to check out the specials board. Varied menu freshly cooked and generous portions. Ground coffee you £1.80 served with fresh cream with a FREE top up. What's not to like.

Pleasing from the outside but could do with a bit of TLC on the inside. Good value and service - friendly waitress on arrival. Older gentleman working here seemed a bit grumpy.

A Tuesday morning meeting with several colleagues this morning with drinks and cake all round. The setting is clean and pleasant. Staff were friendly and attentive. We ordered a selection of hot drinks, cakes and scones. I had a filter coffee with free top ups and a cheese scone that was fresh, warm and really tasty!

Been here before and had no problems, but so disappointed today. Ordered 3 vegetarians breakfasts. Waited over 35 minutes for food. They didn't have enough Vege sausages so gave us an extra hash brown instead. When food arrived we noticed it had no eggs, so they said they would find out why in the kitchen. Nobody came back to us to explain that the Vege breakfast came with no eggs. (Even though that would be a vegan breakfast, came with butter though, so a bit weird). Beans were also only Luke warm. When we finished, we mentioned the no eggs and asked why the Vege breakfast was so different in price even though there was a 3 item difference in what you get. Staff were very rude and very dismissive. Then when we came to pay, we noticed they had over charged us by £5 too. It was only when I questioned total and they recalculated that they realised their mistake. Still no apology. Made to feel very unvalued. Never going to return. I think it was the lack of customer service and dismissiveness, that upset us the most.

Good place for a stop off lovely place to grab a coffee& cake.sat on table outside seemed very popular .

Great selection of teas and coffees complimented by an impressive range of cakes including delicious plum loaf

A cycle, walker and dog friendly café with friendly efficient staff. We only had coffee and tea but the food looked lovely and we would like to return and eat there sometime. Cycle racks outside. Some outdoor seating.

We had lunch here today and the place is fab

I've lived in Horncastle 16 years and yet only discovered this place by accident about a year ago as the only place open one Sunday. It's now my first choice. The staff are always friendly and efficient. The food excellent. I am a Coeliac and am well catered for with gluten free choices. However what really makes it is the excellent choice of gluten free cakes. The banoffee pie is to die for and the best gluten free pudding/cake I have ever eaten. Honourable mentions also to gluten free cheesecakes. This review relates to numerous regular visits.

Stopped in for tea, coffee and sandwiches whilst antique shopping. We had a lovely time with great food and superb service! Free top-up on a filter coffee well worth it! Would go back anytime and recommend this quirky tea room to one and all!