The Muddy Duck Cafe And Tearoom in Allerdale

We called in today whilst on a circular bike ride from Keswick around Skiddaw and back. Caldbeck is approximately the halfway point , and a perfect place to stop for coffee and a bite to eat. This was our first visit to the Muddy Duck since the refurbishments. What a great experience it was. We were able to put our bikes (recumbent trikes) round the back on the new decking area so that we could see them from the cafe. We received a very warm welcome on arrival and once the bikes were sorted we sat inside by the door onto the decking. Food and coffee was ordered at the counter and was quite simply excellent. Well presented, tasty and excellent quality. As customers of Harrison's butchers ourselves we expected nothing less , but, it was perfectly cooked delicious. The iced coffee was perfect and my latte was also very good , if anything though, slightly bitter for my taste, but that's a personal thing not a criticism. The staff also need a mention, polite, efficient and very friendly, a credit to the business. Finally, they also catered well for my partner who is coeliac and requires a gluten free diet. Lots of choice including cakes to go. We will definitely be back having rediscovered this gem. We will definitely be back

Delighted to find that I'm not obliged to share the eating area with dogs as they are not allowed inside - they can use the outside area. In addition the coffee is great and we really enjoyed the fruit scones. We will definitely be back and I sincerely hope others will support the Muddy Duck team and the brave approach to dogs they are taking.

This was our lst visit to the newly refurbished Muddy Duck tearoom after my Mum visited a couple of weeks ago and said the food was lovely. What a transformation, with outside seating on a modern decking area overlooking the stream. It was a beautiful sunny day, and yes it was a Sunday and the tearoom had clearly just had a busy breakfast shift (served til 11:30), but we arrived at 11:50 and stood at the 'wait to be seated' sign at the entrance. We were taken to a table outside along with a family who were in the queue behind us to two tables, still full of the previous customers dirty plates. Within a few mins these were cleared away by a dark haired lady with glasses and we were asked what we'd like to order, but we didn't have a menu to look at. She brought a menu so we ordered drinks and she said she'd return to take our food order. 10 mins later, a couple on the table near us requested the same waitress go to them as they had been sat 45 minutes and still hadn't had a food order taken; alarm bells should have starting ringing. The family who had followed us in then left saying they would order take out. Our drinks arrived from a young lad, who didn't take food orders. My husband said his coffee was delicious and after our walk round The Howk, I enjoyed my ginger beer but another 10 mins passed, still no sign of a food order being taken. Our table had no shelter from the sun so we moved two tables along to a shady spot. We told a brown haired waitress what we had done, but she couldn't take food orders and said someone would be along soon. Another 15 mins later, the dark haired waitress came back out and took a food order from a family who arrived after us, but looked up and waived, at which point I assumed this was to indicate she hadn't forgotten about us. Another 15 mins passed by and she eventually returned, only to go and take a food order from another table that arrived after us! At which point I said "Excuse me, we're still waiting to order". She came over, no apology and said "so you've moved again?". I said we'd only moved once (2 tables along) and didn't really expect to wait 50 mins for a food order to be taken, especially when people who arrived after us had theirs taken and were eating their food. We no longer wanted to eat there. I mentioned there didn't appear to much organisation when it came to ordering, to which she responded "you're welcome to come and work here yourself to see if you can do any better!" This was the point my husband left the table as he knew this was like showing a red rag to a bull. I replied "'I’m quite sure I could do better" and recommended the tables around us go inside to order. It's not rocket science. Make sure tables are cleared before people are seated, ensure each table has a menu to browse and either keep track of what time a table arrives, so orders are taken in order of arrival or make people go to the till to order themselves! We didn't bother staying for food due to the poor service, which was a pity as the food we did see looked delicious. Hopefully this is just teething trouble. We were kindly given our drinks for free when my husband went inside to pay. Whether or not we will bother to return, I'm not sure, but l truly hope this review will allow management to look at the whole ordering system. We went to Silloth afterwards, which was heaving and visited Mrs Wilson's Tearooms for lunch, which was also very busy with people sitting outside but the service they provided was a complete contrast to The Muddy Duck 🦆

Lovely new cafe… friendly staff… just took ages for a sausage roll and a crumpet with spinach n wild mushrooms… etc etc!!! 10.45arrival..: left 12.30!!! Local so will support again!! Just need to step up times!! Nice food but not delish!!! Fine at best

Our 3rd visit to the Muddy Duck - twice for lunch & today for brunch. Top quality, fresh, local produce cooked to perfection and served by friendly, helpful staff in beautiful surroundings. Absolutely can’t fault it. Fantastic to see a lovely local family being so well supported.

The Christmas elf trail is excellent, perfect distance, good clues and easy to spot elves. Our 5 year old granddaughter loved it And a good prize too!

Had lunch and breakfast the next day here, plus a few coffees. Love it. Great location, lovely food and staff. Will defo be back, especially when the new building opens.

What a wonderful place in a stunning setting. Lovely staff, creamy latte and delicious sausage bap. We will share with our friends and be back! Thank you.

Lovely little spot by the river, plenty of picnic benches so you can enjoy your food/drink there. We tried the milkshakes and they were fantastic!

What a gem of a find this was. Such a lovely view of the little river whilst sitting on the benches. The hot chocolate was absolutely delicious and my husband says his coffee was one of the best he's tasted. Sausage roll and quiche were also really nice and the young blonde lady who served us was very friendly ☺

Beautiful location right by the river. Lovely food and coffee. Order your food at the kiosk and sit by the river. Will come again.

Fab spot for lunch, right by the side of the beck, lovely food, fresh and worth every penny, nice & polite staff too. Would definitely recommend you visit here. Looking forward to visiting them in their new premises, right next door, next year too xx

This is my ‘go to’ place for a cup of coffee and bacon roll after a dog walk. I’m on my third loyalty card so that tells you how much I like sitting there with coffee, bacon roll and dog. Always friendly staff, always cheerful and pleased to see you. Food and coffee on their varied menu is always good, fresh & tasty.

Stopped for a coffee and something for lunch. Chose the cottage pie in a pie from the specials board and it was a great choice. £4 and so tasty, packed with mince, peas and carrots and topped with mash. Would definitely eat there again. In fact after a walk round the village we did! Had their vanilla Italian ice cream and was yummy.

Called in while passing through Caldbeck and enjoyed an amazing breakfast. I had the most delicious bacon bun & lovely cup of tea. My partner had the breakfast wrap which he thoroughly enjoyed. We sat on the picnic benches beside a small stream & it was just beautiful.

Found this place by chance and what a find! We had planned a walk and needed a packed lunch. The cheese and ham salad wraps were huge and packed full. Great choice of drinks and cakes too. Highly recommend

Sitting out by the river in a very attractive Lakes village, the baking has a lot to live up. Tea never tastes as good out of a paper cup, IMHO but the coffee was pronounced OK. A limited choice of baked goods but what we had was fine. Very pleasant service.

Really lovely cafe (no indoor seating but plenty outside by the river). Great bacon sandwiches, lovely coffee and lots more. They did lunches, cakes, ice cream so perfect for the beginning or end of a walk. They even did a little extra bacon for our each morning. Great staff too. Definitely worth a visit.

Lovely cakes, lovely staff, great location in the centre of Caldbeck but let down by average coffee. Maybe I’m too much of a coffee snob!

Came upon this place during a walk around Caldbeck village. The tearoom is currently being renovated so they are providing the service from a wooden building right by the side of the river. Don't let this put you off. The girls serving are very helpful and friendly, the coffee was great and I would definitely recommend you visit.. We only had porridge but they were lovely and very filling. It was a great place to sit and enjoy by the river. Can't wait to visit once the tearoom has been renovated

We stopped in Caldbeck for a week and visited here a few times. Set by the side of a stream so very picturesque. We had coffee's, cake and a Milkshakes, all really nice and the staff were lovely. Lots of tables to sit on and umberellas if windy or sunny.

The staff weren’t very friendly they just stood on their phones and continued their own conversations. Overly casual and not very professional speaking. The tall big girl with dark hair and glasses couldn’t even face a smile. Will not be visiting again.

Had lunch here today. Warm quiche - yummy - and a delicious scone with butter and jam and lots of it. Good cup of tea and a clean picnic bench to eat at.

We stayed in Caldbeck recently and really appreciated that this cafe was only over the road from us. Every morning we popped in for a bite to eat and a coffee, not only were the staff lovely but the food was really tasty. I also had one of the best hot chocolates I have had in a long time!

Delicious paninis, coffee and milkshake! Would most definitely recommend, it’s a really friendly place, and the cheese savoury filling in the panini was the absolute best!!

If you are looking for a quaint little village but great food and atmosphere this is the place. A self built little hut with tables outdoors selling the best scones in the north , food is so tasty and fresh but you have to try...

We have been twice now and I can only say FAB! FAB! FAB! A great cup of tea!! Made to perfection . Lovely food and welcoming staff

Lovely, friendly staff. Great coffee and the gluten-free red velvet cake is probably the best cake I've ever eaten! Will be back!

After seeing several posts we decided to pop up to Caldbeck as a treat after a frustrating week. So glad we did! Loads of choice but we settled on a sugar waffle to share with a milkshake each - all gorgeous - we’ll definitely be...

Friendly staff, great food & in beautiful surroundings - The Muddy Duck is the perfect addition to Caldbeck and can’t be faulted! Have visited a few times and definitely would recommend!

Visited with family, all delighted with the lovely ice cream. Not overly priced either. Will definitely be back.

We LOVE this little kiosk!! Despite only living down the road, we had never visited Caldbeck before and now we love it! Friendly and attentive staff, beautiful food and a stunning village location, with so much going on! We can’t wait for the full restaurant...

Lemon drizzle cake was fab, as was americanos, love a coffee and cake takeaway from here, staff are sofriendly and helpful.

So happy they stocked dairy free ice cream for my kids! So rare to find. Thank you and we will be back to try the scones

Living in Wigton, caldbeck is right on our doorstep. We regularly visit the muddy duck. Great food, and even greater customer service. Would highly recommend you visit the muddyduck if ever near caldbeck!

Lovely range of food for throughout the day. Everything from breakfast through to lunches and evening desserts. Opening times during the summer have been long, meaning you can grab a snack anytime. Staff cannot do enough to help you. Incredibly friendly and always happy to...

The selection is great, we had a lovely lunch then walked the village, fed the ducks at the pond and then returned for coffee and cake. Very well priced too.

Gluten Free gingerbread and ice cream was heaven 💕 beautiful surroundings and very friendly staff. Will be back 😊

We live local to this cafe and my children are constantly wanting to go! We have tasted a wide variety of the menu and can say all of it is delicious! The prices are competitive and you definitely feel like you've got your moneys worth....