The Potting Shed Cafe in South Somerset - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Quaint atmosphere, excellent coffee and friendly staff. Highly recommend. The place is hidden away in a nice location.

We arrived soon after it opened at 9 a.m. and received a really friendly welcome. We had coffees. But it looks like a really good place for coffee with friends with a great selection of cakes. We will be coming back later in the year with our walking group to have lunch.

Clean & friendly cafe that we visit regularly. Delicious food and great choice available. Wonderful side salades provided with sandwiches, toasties etc. Great value for money.

We've just enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea for two, given to us as a gift by friends. The welcome was warm and the presentation was impressive without going over the top. All four varieties of sandwich were lovely and the scones (along with the jam and cream) were scrumptious. That left us full, but the cakes (five each) were also yummy, but we had to take them home to enjoy later.

I’ve been coming here for years and it’s usually excellent so please give it a go as my review’s only based on one person who annoyed me so much I feel compelled to write. I’ll still return though when I hope to get much better service from someone else, and if so, will review again more favourably but, just in case you’re planning to enjoy a cup of tea an hour before the nursery closes… Today I went to buy a rake and plants. Having decided on which plants to buy, at 3pm I thought I’ll make it a nice experience and have a hot drink first, I walked in and said ‘hello ladies’ - 2 women standing there looked horrified, one brandishing a mop, a table uncleared. I went over to order a hot chocolate but before I could speak, the other lady said ‘you know we close at 3.30’ - no welcome, not given a menu, asked what I’d like, or shown to a table. I said that’s not very welcoming and she said ‘just forewarning you’. Why did she feel the need to forewarn me half an hour before closing before she even knew what I’d like?, I’m not going to order a 3-course lunch at 3pm! No attempt to apologise and say ‘how can I help you, where would you like to sit etc’. I’d have probably had a cream tea if available and made to feel welcome. Instead, I said ‘I realise that from the sign outside, that’s not a great welcome’ and left. I didn’t want to sit next to an uncleared table with the other woman mopping around me either. It felt like they wanted to go home rather than serve someone. I appreciate how difficult it is to find good staff but you should know they’re letting you down. I bought the rake but felt so annoyed I left the plants, I’d planned to buy a dozen sweet peas and the same in pelargoniums but she’d put me off completely. That’s what poor service does.

Had Christmas afternoon tea today with my husband. Our table was decorated beautifully, which made my birthday treat very special. Greeted by friendly staff. Presentation was great. They took the time to explain where the different dietary foods were on the stand. Food gorgeous. Could not eat it all so they boxed up what was left for us to take home. Will definitely be back. Thank you.

Me and my friend booked an afternoon tea at the Potting Shed to celebrate our birthdays. It was one of the best afternoon teas I’ve ever had. Everything was freshly made and tasted scrumptious. The staff couldn’t do enough for us, would highly recommend 😊

My friend and I have just spent a relaxing couple of hours in The Potting Shed Cafe where we had booked an afternoon tea. It was totally enjoyable with very 'yummy' sandwiches decorated very prettily with various salad 'bits', a varied choice of mini filled delights including meringues, chocolate mousse, sponge cakes, lemon meringue tartlets, not forgetting the fruit scones, cream and jam, again, decorated very prettily with scrumptious strawberries. We both came away with a 'doggie bag' as we could not eat everything that was presented. The lady who served us was very attentive making sure that we had plenty of 'top ups' of tea and coffee. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We are going back again soon and, hopefully, introducing our friends to this afternoon delight.

Excellent coffee and friendly staff! Great selection of plants and ornaments. Great relaxing place Will be back very soon!

What a lovely place! Really friendly staff, lovely coffee and we shared the Guernsey Gâche which was delicious! Plenty of parking available, loos are spotless! This will definitely be my go to for a coffee whenever I’m working in Chard. Thank you 😊 Gail

States they are dog friendly but aren't. Staff extremely rude, would not take our order to drink outside. Asked for just coffee and waitress just ignored us and walked away. Do not recommend them at all!

Went to get coffee with my dog and was told you cannot take the dog inside to order. When I asked about ordering without going in the waitress shrugged her shoulders and walked back inside. Not very friendly ! Not very dog friendly ! Not worth the trip Do NOT bother find somewhere else

Very disappointing I had the special of lasagna tasted like it was a ready meal very poor in every way.

My husband and I visited the cafe for the first time on Tuesday for lunch. Nothing on the menu mentioned anything gluten free but I understand they had some gluten free cakes available. It’s good they could offer an alternative milk with our coffee as they had soya and our lunch was very nice. My only criticism was that I am disabled so was pleased to see a disabled toilet BUT the toilet seat was not connected to the toilet. It had completely broken off and no one had bothered to repair or replace it. I think this is quite dangerous for a disabled person. Please can someone sort this out before there is an accident!!

The food I can’t fault, the cakes are brilliant with a huge selection of gluten free, and the coffee is lovely too! But… don’t be expecting a friendly welcome!! I’ve been lots of times and every time I go I always feel like I’m being a pain for ordering. The staff are always a bit on the grumpy side so unfortunately that does let it down quite a lot in my opinion. Doesn’t take much to smile and say a polite hello!

Excellent service. Good menu. Pity they use salad leaves rather than old fashioned lettuce. Happy to recommend and will visit again

We went here as recommended by family, quaint little cafe, abit over priced, a plate of lettuce which they called a salad. Too much trouble to be given some mayo one small pot between four of us. Staff really couldn't be bothered to move from where they were sat chatting. Not sure we will return.

What can I say,it was beautiful,all done so perfect,it was so much,we had to have a doggy bag,lovely range of sandwiches,scones jam,and cream,assorted plate of fancy cakes,and lovely fresh fruit,and the staff couldn’t do enough for you,especially the lovely tea lady,who kept refilling the pot,would recommend ,we will be back,

we came here by chance as we needed plants and decided to have a pot of tea, which we enjoyed, tables are spaced out, clean , staff were efficient and tea was promptly served with delicious coffee and walnut cake. we hope to visit again and have a light lunch here sometime. adequate parking

Food was great, service was excellent, and the views outside are amazing. Clean and well kept Will be back very soon for more brekkie.

Arrived at 3.15 told very sharply by I think was the manger only a few minutes to order , and drinks only . I should in hindsight just walked out . Will not be returning

Stopped on way to holiday in Cornwall. Arrived just before kitchen closed at 3pm, served us with a ummie bacon panini. Explained by daughters wree on her way but held up in traffic so made three more, offering to wrap them in foil if they had not arrived when they were ready.Great service, great bacon roll and really friendly and helpful. Thank you

Visited the Potting Shed for lunch. The teapots & cups arrived quickly - but the waitress had forgotten the tea bags. We ordered 2 types of tea and the wrong tea bags arrived swiftly ,so I had to go up to the counter to ask for the correct ones, as the waitress had quickly run off again. Our really good 3 cheese ploughmans x 2 arrived - but with no cutlery. Having waited a few minutes - I had to go and ask for the cutlery.The chocolate sponge we ordered for pudding looked good but was stale and we didn't finish it. Disappointing on the whole and we won't go back there.

We popped in and decided to stop for a bite to eat, we both went for the ploughman's with cheese and added ham as an extra, it was lovely well worth the money. We then decided to sample the cakes and they were lovely to.Will most definitely visit again when near by☺️

Visited the Potting Shed yesterday with my 95 year old Mum. My Mum’s first visit to eat out anywhere since pre lockdown. Unfortunately the experience was very disappointing. We sat inside. We found staff unwelcoming and stressed. When our food arrived we were served very closely by a staff member wearing a poorly fitting visor and no mask. When serving at a table the visors are totally inadequate and not fit for purpose leaving mouth and nose area totally exposed when staff are leaning over the tables. We found this uncomfortable. No condiments on the tables and when I asked it was obvious the staff member very stressed. I would add the Potting Shed was not what I would call busy at the time. Eating out should be an enjoyable experience and it is difficult for us all. A smile and a friendly welcome and a different attitude would have made our experience at what was one of our regular lunch time haunts enjoyable. Until the attitudes change here we will not be returning.

Nice place to pop into for lunch. Nice coffee, nice cakes and a range of snacks. Friendly staff with covid restrictions in place Nice if you want a light lunch or a snack.

My wife and I are glad to be able to stop by for Guernsey Gashe and tea again. It reminds us of Channel Island holidays! Good value too.

Arrived at three fifteen in the afternoon, knowing that closing time was four PM. The entrance door was blocked with a sign “closed for cleaning”, but there were plenty of people sitting at tables outside with drinks and food. So sat down, thinking someone would come to take the order. After a little while ankle kicked something, which turned out to be the ordering process instructions, strangely taped to the legs of the table. Easy to see if you are a small dog.Went to the entrance door to ask if could make an order, and was told “closed for cleaning but would be open at 3:45 to take orders for five minutes as last orders were ten to four. Needless to say, did not bother to hang around. Great example of treating customers (who pay your wages Potting Shed people), as an inconvenience. Covid is no excuse. Only went to spend a bit of money in a local business as its been a hard time thanks to Covid. However, they deserve to fail.

No specials, the panini's were cold! cheese only just melted. Skimped on fillings, salad dressing only half a pot, no Mayo. Filling n Jacket potatoes skimped as well. Guess they must be on hard time's. Such a shame, staff were unhelpful maybe a reflection of where they work?

staff sometimes a bit grumpy, food usually very good. nice atmosphere great for a lunch with friends.

We met here as it's half way between our duaghter's home and our own. We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The menu is limited, but plenty of choice for all tastes.

It was so warm and cozy inside on a cold day Although many people were enjoying lunch ,we had a pot of tea cappuccino and scones which was most enjoyable. The staffs service was excellent we will most definitely be coming back

The 4 of us went to this cafe for lunch. We managed to get a table outside and under and umbrella as the sun was warm. I went inside and placed our drinks order and our food order. The drinks came quickly to our table and after a short wait the meals arrived each with a separate bowl of salad. The portion were good and the meals enjoyable. After a break from eating I went back into the cafe and ordered puddings for us all. We were warned that there would about a 15 mins wait due to the kitchen being very busy. The puddings arrived just after the 15 mins but they were waiting for. They were excellent.We left the cafe full and very pleased with our lunch.

had meal for two here a while back ,service was good,food fantastic,ploughmans to die for yummy,nice surroundings.

We have had lunch here a couple of times when visiting the garden centre and both visits we were pleased with the service and quality of the food. We have only had the sandwiches, wraps , tea and coffee. They have various items on the menu, so there is a good choice, ranging from cream teas to a light lunch. We were tempted by their cakes which are on the counter under covers and the portions are very generous. The cafe is in a wooden building which puts you in mind of a wooden cabin, there is plenty of space between the tables to move around, plus there is an area for outside eating too. The set up is find a table, decide what you would like then order your food and drink at the counter, and they wil bring the food to you by waitress service.

Very nice garden centre off the beaten track. Lovely food served by attentive staff. Worth a short journey from the main road.

What a great cafe. Generous portions, piping hot and lovely service. We all had something different and each meal was superb. Would highly recommend and would definitely visit again.

My wife and I called here for lunch. The menu was very good and we placed our order giving our table number. The meals appeared at our table fairly quickly and the portion were more than adequate. The drinks were done as we ordered our meals. We very much enjoyed our food. The staff are very efficient and pleasant.We left full and pleased with our lunch time choices.

We have recently moved to Chard, and took a lovely walk to the potting shed for coffee and cakes. So good we have been back each weekend for the last 4 weeks!! I am gluten free and usually only get one option when eating out but here I had several choices. The GF carrot cake is amazing! It’s excellent value for money and has friendly staff and super clean facilities.

We were in Chard on Tuesday at lunchtime, something I would never recommend as it turns out, Chard is a total culinary desert. I can't imagine what the locals do if they ever want to dine out in town. it's virtually all takeaways, most of them closed anyway, along any halfway decent looking establishment the might have been worth considering. Back to the car and fortunately I found The Potting Shed reviewed on Tripadvisor.

Needed somewhere to go for late lunch, the potting shed was open.

Just come from a snack lunch with my family.

Enjoyed a great Christmas lunch here, absolutely beautiful food. Plenty of it and very tasty. 10/10.

Today my three friends and I have enjoyed a superb Christmas celebration lunch - a beautifully laid table with crackers, and a perfectly cooked and served meal. We all agreed it was the freshest, hottest roast dinner we have had. The roast potatoes and parsnips were to die for!! Two very generous dishes of vegetables to share, again perfectly cooked. There was a good choice of desserts, and again very generous servings, with lashings of clotted cream.The ladies in the kitchen deserve big pat on the back. THANK YOU and Merry Christmas

After visiting the garden centre we popped in for refreshments. Had some lovely toasted fruit bread. Coffee a little bitter but was improved with a little sugar. Nice clean surroundings.

A lovely menu and great choice. We all three opted for the savoury scones, cheese and salad together with a pot of tea. Amazingly good value. All delicious. Very generous portions. Service first rate. Very pleasant staff and surroundings.

Treated my mum to afternoon for her birthday... the best afternoon ever! Highly recommended, reasonable price, delicious cakes & plenty of choice! Staff really friendly and catered for our requirements!

Lovely garden centre with a great Cafe called The Potting Shed.Delicious food an excellent young man on the till and serving too.Lovely plants for sale as well as fully stocked shop.

Another great little find on our way home Due to motorways being shut due to accidents.

Have visited the potting shed on numerous occasions and always impressed. This being the first time we have had the time to write a review! Went for the staple family choice of large bacon roll! As per usual fantastic! Have previously had the bacon and Brie panini which is just as good! Nice to see an effort being made to combat this years excessive wasp issue with “wasp nests” installed on the outside tables. Wasn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last time we visit!

Fantastic little cafe hidden in an excellent garden centre. Very friendly and helpful staff we had scrambled eggs and bacon with toast cooked exactly to how we like it. another big plus was the first class hygiene all tables spotless...lots of very nice and yummy looking cakes to choose from which we have had on a previous visit would definitely recommend.

We went to Chard Garden Centre for some herbs and couldn't resist their small cafe. The service was exemplary - all the staff were friendly and helpful. There is a very good selection of cakes and the afternoon teas (savoury and cream) were very reasonably priced. The toilets were very clean and had matching soap and moisturiser, unlike the facilities at some other garden centres.

Great cream tea, best ever. Savoury option too! Menu to cover any taste. Fab cakes, vegan too. 5* service

Had toasted tea cakes, croissant, latte, tea and a cold drink, reasonably priced, service with a smile and the drinks were delivered to our table within minutes, the food was with us not long after.

Beautiful weather. Sat outside. Two well presented salads, cold drinks and all for a little more than £11. And a proper garden centre to mooch around. Highly recommend.

Been a couple of times do very nice cheese ploughman's and cream teas set in garden centre so plenty of plants to look at as well

Lovely little 'shed' with a warm & friendly atmosphere. Scrummy looking cakes on display on the counter - the fruity yogurt flapjack is the best - and for a decent price. Order at the counter and it is then delivered quickly to your table by efficient staff. Nice ambience - it really is a shed - with pine furniture. Decent soup and snacks.

What a lovely gem of a cafe with great food and very friendly staff. I could not recommend it highly enough.

My wife and I knew we would be in the Chard area so we checked Trip Advisor reviews for a good place to have lunch - sandwiches and cake. The Potting Shed Cafe was excellent. The bread was very fresh and thickly cut. The fillings were plentiful but we were pleasantly surprised by each being given a bowlful of fresh and refreshing salad to accompany the sandwiches. The cakes were also great. If in the general area again we would definitely make a diversion to eat here again.

What a hidden gem. James and I were looking for somewhere to have lunch in Chard and I searched on Tripadvisor. We were not disappointed. A really fabulous Brie and bacon toastie with a fresh side salad. Great coffee, great service, thank you.

A really lovely coffee shop in amongst an excellent garden centre. The coffee was great, cakes yummy, service friendly and all for a good price. A good way to contemplate plant selections! Really clean toilets and cute little children's corner too.

Lovely fresh food and clean environment. One member of the serving staff seem a little standoffish and doesn't seem to want to be there. Everyone seems lovely and welcoming. The food is simple but lovely and fresh and a clean environment.

A great location with a superb wooden smart chalet style restaurant.Efficient fast friendly service with a good range of snack type meals .The bacon meals are to die for.

Today we attended a baby shower held at The Pooting Shed. The food that was laid on was fantastic, with a lot of attention to detail. I am gluten free but the food I had was lovely and mirrored the other food that was produced, so I wasn’t made to feel left out or different in any way. I would highly recommend The Potting Shed for small parties or just relaxing with a cup of tea and a lovely piece of cake. Thank you to all of the staff for a lovely afternoon.

Lovely coffee in this little shed. The menu looked good and we saw some others having a yummy looking breakfast....

Went to meet my cousin and wife who were visiting the area. Looked on internet for somewhere to meet close...

How would we have discovered this excellent little café, one wonders, without the recommendation of someone ‘in the know’?! Hidden...

Good service good food hard to find its behind the poting shed well werth a visit can sit outside when...

I go to the garden centre here quite frequently and really appreciate being able to get a really good cup...

What a lovely relaxing lunch and service was excellent. We only had a sandwich but was freshly made with plenty...

Had breakfast at this establishment last thursday , 2/11, having declined breakfast at the hotel where we were staying- £14...

Went recently on a Tuesday afternoon for a rare lunch with my hubby. I was going to have a panini but as I'm veggie I asked for brie and cranberry rather than bacon but alas-no cranberry (I'd suggest getting this as a good option for veggies). It did help me to decide that I'd just have the cream tea instead, and this was awesome, a proper portion, 2 scones (they even let me have one of each-fruit and plain!!) and a decent portion size if cream and jam, fabulous!! So glad they didn't have any cranberry sauce on that occasion!! Please don't change your cream tea as I'm coming back!! Friendly service.

Popped in for lunch, very good selection of food, very tasty and served by very friendly and helpful staff

The setting of this cafe is lovely, amongst the flowers, in the garden centre. with outside seating the cafe has things for everyone.

Good food ,friendly staff,good choice,well priced, clean , what more could you ask for.Plenty of parking space.

Llamado para un aperitivo que sorpresa que teníamos cuando entramos por la puerta. Limpia, esquina y sobre todo para niños ordenado personal amable y un buen menú. La comida era de primera clase y bien presentada, y todas las tartas caseras, tienes que probar el pastel de cereza bakewell. Este es un buen café jardín no es un restaurante como algunos, sería difícil encontrar otro equivalente al de.

We went to visit family in chard and went here for a snack. Good quality food and well presented. We didn't have room for a cake but the looked lovely and were really reasonable. Will look forward to going again.

Visited with my two young boys. Lovely cozy cafe with a lovely selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, fresh cakes and biscuits. The tea and coffee is lovely and if the sun's out the terrace outside is beautiful. My little boys love coming back here...the flapjack and milkshakes are their favourites. Highly recommend the sandwiches for lunch...lovely xx

Popped in for lunch with friends, after visiting the garden centre.It was a friendly atmosphere, like a pensioners' luncheon club.Food was tasty, and good portion size.Worth having a snack there if you there anyway.

The potting shed is lovely! Its really cute inside. The food is lovely and coffee is nice. Staff are very friendly. The scone is to die for, really nice and light.

Very clean and tidy cafe. Staff always happy and obliging. Mum and I visit often. Gets busy at lunch times. Good value fr money.

Lovely home cooked food . Very good service,pleasant ambience . Nice to wander around the garden centre afterwards . Plenty of parking . Prices were reasonable .Highly recommended .

I asked The Potting Shed if they could accommodate a number of cyclists for their mid ride refreshment on Sunday. They ensured that extra cakes were available and even allocated reserved seating on the patio for us. The services was great and friendly. Any cycling clubs looking for a place to stop - this is a good one.

A very cosy atmosphere, lovely place to have a coffee and scone. Between us we had a cheese scone (warm) which was delicious, a hot chocolate which was a good average and a latte which was lovely. They also have a children's area with books which is very helpful when they begin to get bored ! Oh and nice clean high chairs for little ones. Lovely friendly staff, prompt service and reasonable prices. Have been here before and it's lovely whether you sit inside or out. So relaxing and quiet.

Stopped off at chard garden centre for some lunch and had a lovely timeThe staff were friendly and the food was delicious the price was good value For what we had.I will be popping back there next time I'm in the area

This is such a lovely lovely little cafe at Chard Garden Centre, quite honestly tops all of the cafes in Chard! The jacket potatoes always taste fresh and delicious as do the sandwiches, and the cakes are always fresh. They do a fantastic little persons lunch box which consists of a sandwich, cake drink and fruit for a very reasonable price. In fact, it's all a reasonable price, and all of a generous portion! There is also a lovely little book area for children which my daughter loves. Always recommend to people!

Good varied menu with reasonable prices. Staff very warm and friendly. Situated in a garden centre, you can then have a good look around at the plants. Not too far away from Chard town centre.

We visited on a cold winters day to meet friends for lunch and it was a very pleasant experience. The Potting Shed is a lovely wooden building, clean, tidy and welcoming. Not the easiest place to find, either on the road or even when you get out of the car! But the menu offered enough choice for all of us. One had a very large tasty salad, another chilli con carne with a jacket potato, one cheesey bake thing and I had a beef casserole. Everyone seemed happy, service was not very quick but it was not a problem. The bowl of casserole I had was very tasty, full of veg and beef, it could have been a bit bigger but I do have a good appetite, three half slices of granary bread were a nice addition. There is something rather old fashioned about the place which is nice.

Nice little cafe with the normal sandwiches, toasties, ploughman etc, also have a few specials which are a bit more substantial. Very friendly staff and a cozy place to have a coffee and maybe cake! The soup was very warming on a cold January day!

What a delightful surprise to find such a delightful place ideal for lunch or just a cup of coffee / tea and some wonderful cake!This being our second visit and on both occasions we came away with high praise and a nice feeling.Try the paninis or the bacon rolls they are divine, or try their fresh and yummy cakes. either you won't be disappointed.As for the coffee or tea either are freshly made and al are at a good price.I suggest that you give them a try as for a quick snack, lunch or just a cuppa it is the best around this area!Also it is all fresh, clean and all very hygienic with in a nice setting.

Freah food and good service. Good selection of food and clean cafe area. Nice for a quick lunch also a small garden centre and shop to browse in afterwards

Great scones. we shared savoury scones with cheese and pickle and a cream tea excellent. Worth the visit

My family and I have just been for a holiday lunch at The (lovely) Potting Shed in Chard. It was warm, cosy and friendly. The sandwiches were beautifully fresh and the tasty soup was steamy. They were very child friendly with little lunch boxes and a little play area to allow the kids a little free time, while Mummy and Daddy tucked into the most delicious scones known to man. Well worth a drive to experience the scones alone!!

Great place to take a break for tea and a pastry whilst you shop for plants in the Cuttifords Door Garden Center.

A lovely place for a light lunch or tea and cake. Plus the bonus of a great garden center. Well worth a visit. Home made cake.

They could not have been more helpful. The new menu was great for our visit for breakfast. Scrabbled Eggs and bacon fantastic, the wife's fried eggs perfect, toast and marmalade and tea for two, great price and sat right in the centre of the Garden Centre in front of the roses!

Had a quick cup of coffee here and a Nice piece of coffee cake, friendly service, and all nice and clean Spot on, Just like a well run café should be, Many thanks.

Panini was delicious, service was excellent. Small place but not too cramped on our visit. Would come back again one day!

Have had lunch here several times and always been pleased. The salads are fantastic, as are the jacket potatoes. Staff friendly and service is good. Good coffee and a nice atmosphere. Well worth a stop if you are visiting the garden centre.

I love this place! Love the idea of the log cabin which feels warm and cosy behind the garden centre back drop. It's a proper old fashioned feel coffee shop which isn't over complicated when trying to order just a basic pot of tea for two. Very clean and tidy. Staff always welcoming and happy to serve. Will be back time and time again!