Van Hage Cafe in Peterborough

Lovely bright cafe but extremely poor selection of food; quality of food very poor, cheap ingredients but not cheap prices. Very uninspiring, one of the worst cafes in a garden centre that I have experienced. Such a shame as it could have great potential. Cutlery cheap and thin ; no glasses for drinks, plastic beakers . Staff disinterested and lack of motivation. This visit no chips as no gas, last time no dishwasher, clearly need new management.

Came to eat here with a child with allergies. Requested allergy file Info for the childrens menus.They said there was no need because they could tell me the allergens. I said I would want to see the allergy file. She still said she would tell me the allergens, so I asked about the sausages. She told me there was dairy in them. Now cheap sausages will sometimes have egg in, but unless it’s a specialist sausage I’ve never come across one with dairy in. So I asked again for the allergy file. She gave in and went to get it, it took her a full ten minutes (which isn’t safe - it should be easily accessible) and then it turned out the sausages did contain egg and only a may contain with dairy. Looking at the mixed use of utensils behind the counter, one of the staff admitting he never worked in the food section and didn’t know anything about allergies it felt very unsafe so we decided to leave

Really poor ,baked potato overcooked and totally dire , tuna roll bread chewy and not nice Also long queues to pay and get tea and coffee resulting in cold baked potato Come on get it sorted please

Hardly any food to chose from, so I settled for a toastie which they charged £5.99 for, and it was awful! I know I'll certainly never go here again.

My partner and i visited the cafe for a quick lunch, before having a wander around the Christmas Decorations in the centre. From what I remember vanhage cafe used to be a ‘go to’ for tea, cake and sandwiches, that is something very much of the past! The selection was extremely poor! Only a vegan pasty and a sausage roll on the hot side, no soup, jacket potatoes And a few sandwiches on the other. They were completely understaffed with very little knowledge of what they were doing. We have a fish allergy in our party and when asked if she would prepare a fresh egg mayo baguette as all the others where sat next to tuna mayo. She disgruntled her way to the same chopping board, same knife as the one she used to prepared the previous customers tuna mayo. You could actually see tuna flakes on the board! NOT IDEAL! We waited 25 minutes for chips that were covered in black bits from an unclean fryer. While waiting we watched the same server pick at her teeth with her fingers, really enough to put you off your already poor food! The coffee was served from the machine overflowing the cup, cold and diluted. When questioned the young lady on the till, just shrugged and said thats how the machine makes them! At least give a fresh saucer thats not swimming in liquid.I am aware we are in difficult times but the excuse of covid for lack of selection, staff training and proper plates is getting a bit past it. All we ask is for a decent cup of coffee and a nice selection of sandwiches with basic hygiene standards!!

My wife and I used to be loyal and very regular customers of the Van Hage cafe at the Peterborough branch. The tray bakes were exceptional and the Cappuccino was very nice too. Despite poor management, the service was OK and the staff, mainly, gave good service. However, since the end of lockdown (and a resumption of "normal service"), everything has gone downhill. No tray bakes, food generally cold and a very limited menu with everything served in paper cups/plates. The excuse for paper plates is "no dishwasher" - whatever that means. Unsurprisingly, the cafe is, virtually, empty on every visit we make. This contrasts with a very busy cafe prior to lockdown. Such a shame as we won't be visiting the cafe again and, from what we have seen, it can only be a question of time to it's closure.

Extremely disappointed at the lunch today, no wonder the restaurant was so empty. Very poorly made sandwiches with little flavour, the salad was quite pathetic.

This is a lovely garden centre with so much potential . Never had issues visiting here since it’s been there . However I know things are some what different and challenging at the moment but I feel that does not warrant for rudeness from cashier staff . Twice now have felt like me and my father who is hard of hearing have been told off . Firstly with the stepping back from the cashier yes no problem there at all and totally understand the rules . With a screen and face mask on it’s quite difficult to hear without steeping forward slightly. My elderly father got told to step back and not bag. Ok that’s fine. And no difference from baggin a supermarket shopping distance. But it’s the way it was delivered I felt was not really needed. Contactless again not working so had to step forward and obviously touch the machine anyway. And again with the queuing system I may suggest a member of staff around the till areas directing people as we got told off for Queuing behind the till, May I add more than two meters and yes you have a system but no one was about waiting to pay when we were there until the cashier pointed out where we were meant to wait (again in a rude way). I’ve worked in retail and while it can be stressful so to speak there is no need to rudeness. Maybe people skills training needed . Or happier staff at cashier desks . Such a shame as we visit there a lot but won’t be rushing back. Retail is easy to get right and be productive with hotspot areas in the store .

Went today Oct 6th for a cuppa and look round Xmas Dept OMG worst garden Center restaurant we have been in during COVID no cups or teapots paper cups plastic knives fork and spoon try cutting a scone with thatCake was stale and scones not covered all out in the openCannot use VH Card anymore and 6.00 for thisXmas Decs so dam expensive what they doing clawing money back for the time closedWe won’t be going back and have informed our friends likewise All other restaurants use cups plates saucers tea pots and knives forks etc no sanitiser on entering restaurant or leaving just dam awlful

My mother loves the garden centre and we have been on many occasions but have yet to have a meal that we are fully pleased with.I am horrified at much of the hot selection the chefs offer - Burnt, al dente to raw and delivered with a swimming pool of gravy and abysmal customer service.This could be so lovely here but the staff and quality of food let it down time and time again

Decided to lunch at the Peterborough outlet! Ham and cheese toastie. The bread was thin sliced, hence very basic toastie, chips were cold, overall very disappointed. Last visit... coffee was great...

Called in and had a sandwich lunch here. Mountains of filling in the baguettes and very tasty. Then had a mooch round garden centre. Went back into cafe for tea and cake - yummie. Very fresh and enjoyable. Would recommend and go again

Called in to the shopping park unexpectedly and decided to lunch in the Van Hage cafe, both had jkt potatoes, delicious. Will call again.

A lovely experience for the smaller children.. no time in waiting which is always a bonus.. prices reasonable too.. I visit hear regular as it’s quite close, expensive for food but the food market is quality goods so you don’t mind..

We regularly visit van hague, but are always disappointed by the cafe.Large amount of staff, but no one doing anything. No signs to say whats available, have to ask.The hot chocolate was flavourless.We had to queue for 15 minutes, as there were 2 people in front of us. Just a joke.

Sat afternoon just prior to Xmas and expected the place to be busy, however all was quiet and having explored the store ventured to the cafe for a snack and drink. Choice of hot and cold meals with sandwiches, pastries & cakes in a light and spacious area should be a recipe for success. Scone was very good in terms of its texture, but complete lack of cheese flavour was somewhat disappointing and an OK coffee. Store is great, but cafe merely average.

First and last time we’ll be visiting. Very quiet, had two slices of cake and two ‘luxury’ white hot chocolates. Not sure what constitutes luxury - lukewarm milk in a mug with a splodge of squirty cream and a splash of raspberry sauce. Cakes ok, dirty cutlery, tables sticky and overall opinion of the area: maybe a deep clean needed. Staff member who served us was very friendly.

I've visited very many times while heading into Peterborough. The cafe in a garden centre is spacious, light and airy with adequate outdoor seating. Shopping for goods/plants in the centre is very pleasurable with very good choices.The biggest problem with the cafe is when they close, that being when staff clear away all the cakes before 4pm. If lucky there can be a few cakes left in a chiller by the coffee/tea counter, but get an unfortunate member of staff then serving will be blighted by daring to ask for something. And yet I'm sure it still mentions 5 30 on the website and definitely we've been told 5 for cakes and scones. Clearing away by a gaggle of staff, sneakily walking behind customers and removing a cake does not create a warm welcome to the place. Cafe VH really needs to make it clear that the place is cleared of food and on occasions we've seen around 3.45. Garden centres, yes they are popular meeting places for cheap and cheerful breakfasts and low cost lunches but were traditionally for grabbing a sit down with coffee and cake while shopping. Grumpy staff clearing cakes away as you're looking gives out very had vibes Several times we've walked out and not just us, continuing conversations about the clearing up going on when the cafe has at least an hour to serve. We've abandoned this place several times over the years, then given it another chance. The food is good, really nice cakes, but perhaps it's worth backtracking to Cherry Lane only the next junction up towards Werrington! Or if heading to town drive a bit further to Dobbies. Perhaps the cafe manager needs to get their act together. We don't bother to get our shopping when this clearing up happens so we leave and take our business eksewhere.

Why a dissapointment,loads of shops empty,very expensive cafe ,waited ages to get served,staff not helpful,if this was voted best in Midlands God help the worst

I am writing this on here because it seems there is little point in contacting anyone in management these days via email as it seems a sad reflection on today's society that action and a reply never happens.

Call to have lunch during a visit to Peterborough and having been before were looking forward to a nice lunch. Not wanting a big hot dinner and with no jacket potatoes left (12.55!!!) my friend and I settled for a bagette.

I like visiting Van Hague, the staff always helpful and friendly. They have a real nice food section, meats, groceries etc. The canteen is well run and the food is nice.

We had breakfast on a quiet weekday morning and as it was around 10.30 when we arrived we were lucky that the food had just been topped up but no queue so choose our six item breakfasts which included toast and tea or coffee and was able to sit and eat it whilst it was still hot.

One of few places still open on the retail park. Gets two stars only because there is a kids area which kept the grandchildren happy for a few minutes. A busy Sunday with 4 staff visible. Queue. Dirty tables, trays and rubbish on lots of tables which remained for most of our visit and staff members bringing food out but going back empty handed. The soft drinks are in a cabinet some distance from main food/ coffee queue so sent back to get them. Cheap flimsy plastic cups, so much for saving the environment. There is a management issue.

Visited on a Sunday lunchtime and was shocked by how quiet the restaurant was. Van Hage’s restaurants always used to be the epitamy of garden centre restaurants but not any more!! There were insufficient staff, the trays were dirty and still covered in food. Despite being so quiet, when we asked for a gluten free toastie we were told it would be over a 30 minute wait. As that didn’t suit us we asked if they had gluten free scones - no they didn’t have any. They did have a gluten free cheesecake and a chocolate one with orange sparkles but both looked like they’d been left too long on display. Then when we ordered pots of tea we were told that these were now served with jiggers of uht milk rather than fresh milk. We won’t be going back and it looked like we weren’t the only ones to have decided that.

always a good cheap breakfast we went on a wednesday morning about 9 o clock food nice and hot plenty of choices and 6 items toast and tea for £4.99 is really good value the resteraunt is really spacious and you help yourself to butter milk,etc

Probably most famous now for its breakfast, which is good value, and good quality. Good choice of plants, dog friendly and good parking facilities for disabled. Always a good Christmas display.

After perusing the outdoor section for the garden had lunch consisting of toasted sandwich which came with chips and salad. Priced at £4.99 we shared 1 chicken and 1 ham and cheese. Absolutely delicious. However the large hit chocolate was barely warm and on returning it we were told that was the temperature and redirected to queue up fir a hit one. Not impressed!

I Went to van cafe with a elderly friend, it was a complete disappointment, we had cake and I ask for tea for two, the very young girl said there is no tea pots and gave us to mugs with tea bags in, then when I went to sit down,I realise why there was no teapots the tables hadn’t been cleared and there was flies all around the food just sitting there I’m not exaggerating there was tables full of food that hadn’t been cleared, but to be fair I could only see one person behind the counter and one person clearing the tables, the cake was very good but was spoiled by me shoeing flies away,my be I will give it a another visit in a couple of months to see if it’s any better.

Visited whilst in Peterborough today for a quick lunch. Poor overall choice but we decided on the pork cutlets.They were very small, dry and had something on top that resembled soggy sage and onion stuffing. Even poorer choice of vegetables to accompany them. Hard potatoes, flavourless carrot batons and very dry floury mashed potatoes. Although we were there just after 12 noon, Saturday 27/07/19, the food did not seem fresh, like it had been kept warm for hours. Long queue to pay and staff more interested in idly chatting than serving. Eventually , another till opened briefly in the middle. Then had to go the snack area opposite to get two glasses and back to the original queue to have one bottle opened. Overall experience diabolical. Will not be returning to Van Hage for food.

The breakfast has had a massive price increase since our last visit and is now £5 for 6 items. Food wasn't hot, black pudding was hard and dry, sausages were cremated. The tea had a strange taste. Very few customers, it used to be a long queue to get served.

Very disappointing breakfast I’m afraid. Black pudding was cold, dry and hard as rock, scrambled eggs were cold and tasteless and sausages were burnt. Not somewhere I would be visiting again. Shame as the staff and the shop itself are delightful.

good selection of drinks, meals and snacks when you can get them. Jacket potatoes and pizza had finished by 1.30 and ovens switched off. Good selection of hot meals but unfortunately by the time you actually get to pay for them it's usually cold. More tills need to be opened and some staff require time management training, they just seem to have no ooomph in them to get things done, then others are rushing like headless chickens picking of the pace for the others.

Excellent food, full roast or baguettes,panini etc. Service was efficient, hot drinks too. Prices average. Will most certainly dine there again.

I had the occasion to meet with a colleague for a breakfast meeting. We chose van haag to meet at. It is nicely placed on the ringroad so no traffic problems. With ample free parking it made the meeting easy. We enjoyed a great full English breakfast with excellent sausages and freshly brewed coffee. The prices are very reasonable indeed. Will vist again.

Called in to have had coffee and a cake here before it was ok. this time we thought we would have a baked potato. 12-30 only one baked potato available, we were told we had to wait an hour if we wanted two So we decided on a Danish and coffee, the Danish was stale and the coffee lukewarm.

Everything about this restaurant has improved since our last visit. For £3.50 you get a 6 item breakfast including a hot drink. The service was fast, the tables were clean and the staff were pleasant. Good value.

My daughters and I visited on a Wednesday lunchtime for a coffee and cake treat. The carrot cake and Danish pastry portions were substantial and tasty, although not memorably so. The scone was awful - so dry and crumbly that we couldn't cut or butter it successfully. However, the main problem with our visit was the miserable staff! No smile or welcome Hello. No Thank you. No nothing! The lady on the till picked up our coffee mugs with her fingers going into the inside of the mug rather than using the handles. Not hygienic. We also asked for large lattes but the mugs are a standard size, so this was disappointing too.

This was my first visit to Van Hage, having decided to meet up with family for a Sunday breakfast. Very busy and hence queues weren't exactly short for the buffet breakfast, but unlike some other places we have met up at, food was excellent and everything was hot. Eggs were freshly cooked and to be honest was absolutely excellent value for money. Best place we have met up at so far. I am sure that we will meet there again.

Came here for breakfast, wasn't expecting much however felt that the food was very good value for money. Was able to choose specific items in our breakfasts, and you only pay for how many items you would like.

The garden centre is lovely and we had been Christmas shopping and decided to have a coffee and a cake I must say the cakes and scones were beautiful and the drinks good but the restaurant area was so dirty both the tables and the floor, we were there about 2.30 in the afternoon and it did not look like the place had been cleaned all day we struggled to find a clean table that was not sticky and chairs not covered in crumbs we had to keep out food and drinks on our trays for some ki d of cleanliness, it's a shame but because of the hygiene issue we will not return for food

We booked a Christmas afternoon tea it was wonderful nothing was to much trouble lovely sandwich’s and cake well lay out the service was very good well done van hage can’t wait till next year many thanks

Called in for breakfast, or brunch by the time we got there, before doing some Christmas shopping. Excellent bacon, lovely sausage, nicely cooked eggs, mushrooms and beans but the black pudding was a little overcooked. Nice coffee. Staff were smiling and courteous. Good value at £3.50 for six items.

Went here for Lunch, had 2 bagettes, no butter inside bagettes and they were average. The staff serving at the tills didnt seem to know what they were doing and didnt seem to know how to make the coffees or how to use the till. We then watched a member of staff drop a whole load of lids for the takeaway coffees on the floor and then pick them back up off the floor and put them back into the bag from which they fell...not very hygienic...certainly wont be buying a takeaway drink and certainly wont be coming back any time soon.

popped in with my family. had a wonderful carvery, vegetarian option too! staff very friendly,nothing was too much trouble coffee was nice & hot..will definately rate 10 /10 !

Visited for lunch on a Wednesday after a trip to the Cathedral in town. Not enogh staff serving and the lady on the carvery was brusk and distinctly hostile to us for daring to require serving. The lad on the till on the other hand was very nice however the visit had already had it's mood set by the lady on the carvery. The food was on the poor side of acceptable.

Arrived just after midday and although the food queue was not very long it took ages to get to the carvery section as the staff didn’t seen very organised setting up. It would be better if some of the meats were all ready sliced to get the queue moving. Having said that the food was very good and the plate was full and good value for money. We went out and wandered round the shops and went back for a cuppa and a slice of carrot cake which was lovely and fresh. Will probably give Sunday a miss in future.

had cup of tea it was very hot and very enjoyable we sat outside and there was a lot of tables and chairs available

The breakfast is to die for and the scones and pastries are amazing the staff can't do enough a must to visit

We have visited this garden centre many times, and have had a few snacks but never a meal before.

Staff didn’t show that they were happy working here at the cafe, only thoses who cleaned the tables looked like they were enjoying there work compared to the Sunday hot roast counter, rude, upfront and couldn’t care if you eat or didn’t approach. turning me away because the lunch was 20 mins later the normal, but was happy to wait and they felt pressured by my presents.

Big portions of cake and lots of choice for gifts... free farm to visit kept 3 year old entertained.

Popped in for a cup of tea and cake on Sunday afternoon, and was taken aback by the conduct of all staff members. A lady who appeared to be the manager was shouting at staff across the restaurant and up and down the serving stations. While ordering our drinks the guy serving us was gobbing off at other staff and shouting away as they shouted back at him. Very awkward, they appear to have hired a bunch of monkeys. Although if I'm honest I think I'd get better service and be made to feel more comfortable by real monkeys.

Took my mother here at her request. My second visit and left with an edge of disappointment yet again. Value for money - no argument there. The beef was lovely yet the joints on display, beef, gammon and pork were not appealing to the eye, dries out as they were. Roast potatoes? Dried flavourless lumps. The vegetables flavourless when they were full of promise. Not your usual range - we had mixed root veg, what I assume was roasted veg and leeks. The gravy was delicious tho!

Broke our journey from Norfolk to Milton Keynes , walked the dog before having a lunch test , Sandwiches well filled, Good coffee

Popped in on 28/6 with my wife and Grandsons (7&4) on our way home from South Wales. My wife and I had the carvery ( The beef was excellent) and the boys kids meals. . Good value for money,will use again 👍

I met a friend for a coffee and cake. Good selection but only one lady serving so quite a long wait in the queue to be served. Tables looked and felt dirty. Had to take cup back as dirty inside and sticky on the outside. The carpet looks dirty and as it is carpet squares is fraying on the edges. They have room dividers with long spikey green things coming out of them. They are covered in dust/fluff and the spiders are having a great time making webs which are so obvious when the sun comes through the sky lights. Desperately needs a deep clean. Scones were quite large but were dry and crumbly. Not good at all. Will avoid as quite pricey.

We went to meet a friend there for catch up. Great choice of baguettes,cakes and hot meals. Staff very helpful clean and large choice of places to sit inside or outside. After cake can explore the garden centre

We ex telephonists and engineers met up for a reunion in cafe van hage. It was pre booked and a whole section had been cordoned off for us.

Took our Swedish friends here for a light lunch. It was late but we had a lovely mixed sea food filled avocado with salad. It was really lovely. Fresh salad and with a nice mixture of salad with the fish mixture. Pleasant staff served us and it made the visit here a good one.

A really big area of Restaurant and Tea shop within the Van Hage Garden Centre. Prices are not cheap but quite a nice selection of food. Nice to pop in for Tea & Cake or a decent meal. As Garden Centre Cafes go this is really quite nice, but it is quite large so loses atmosphere.