It is a fabulous place to grab a bite and a cuppa. Located at the rear of Bookends, there's also an entrance in the alleyway to the side.Various seating arrangements are available from tables and chairs for 2 to the sofa and coffee table for 6. When the weather allows, there are beautiful gardens with a book theme to the rear with various seating arrangements.Food is fabulous, made on site, with generous portions. I opted for the local ham and smoked cheese panini, cheese scone, and Earl Grey tea.The staff were very welcoming and particularly ran off their feet on my Sunday visit. This was probably due to the suggestions of staff at the Castle at their national lottery free entry weekend. I was advised by staff that they run the cafe at the Castle during the traditional tourist season.There was an all-purpose toilet facility within the cafe, lots of interesting heritage information on the walls, and plenty of book reading encouragement.It's definitely worth the visit, and if you have to wait for a table, it's worth it.
Penaran Higgs
Grumpy staff. It seemed like a chore for them to seat us. Grumpy customers. No atmosphere. It felt dingy and depressing. We left before ordering.
Ian Waugh
Cake ale creates a uniquely cultural atmosphere with its attached bookshop and evening events. Lovely home made offerings, quirky layout and attractive gardens makes it well worth a
M
Lovely little cafe, second time we’ve been in and the food is good. Only complaint we had is that we had to wait about 20 minutes for someone to come and take our order, which was taken after they had taken the orders of two other couples who had came in after us. We then waited 40 minutes for our drinks and another 20 minutes for our food (2 ciabattas) when one of the couples who came in after us had eaten their hot food and left. I understand it was a Saturday and the staff looked a bit stressed, but we didn’t even get an apology for the wait.
David Wilkinson
Great cafe, lovely people and fab food. Whilst the name suggests it’s well cake and ale, it have a really nice menu for breakfast and lunch. We had lunch here. It’s both gluten free and dog friendly which is a plus.Really nice atmosphere and décor, down a little alley (Long Lane) and connected to a bookshop!!What more could you want on a damp afternoon in Carlisle?Vegetarian options: LoadsDietary restrictions: GF
maureen vernon
Total shambles. Anyone ordering coffee and scone didn't get scone till about 20 minutes later.. came to table 3 times to ask who ordered bacon roll, 3 times they were told no one had.... 3 times I asked for glass of water, got it about 50 minutes later..
patricia moran
Lovely cafe, in a charming location, I wound definitely visit again, when I return to Carlisle.Patricia.North Shields.
TheObviousChild77
Just the loveliest staff! Tracy and her team are so friendly and kind. Even when rushed off their feet they take time to chat and make you feel welcomed. The cakes are so good! And you always get a giant slice. And a proper big mug of coffee. This place is a Carlisle GEM!
Cosmopolitan800580
Stop here either before or after visiting the bookshop. Friendly staff and lots of different places to sit.
Have been for afternoon tea today with my work colleagues. There was 8 of us which included one vegan. They catered well for all of us. Everything was delicious and we got to take home all that we couldn't fit in ?I have to say it was very good value for money at £17 or £20 to include a large glass of prosecco.We were well looked after and got refills of tea as needed. I'd never been here before but will definitely be back.Vegetarian options: A very good selection.
Lorie K
What a sweet little spot for lunch! We sat in the charming garden for homemade carrots ginger soup, cheese scones, various sandwiches, cookies and, of course, tea. Everyone in our party was very pleased with the food and the service was delightful!
JezebelsMum
We had a lovely lunch here out in the sunny garden today. The service was efficient and friendly and our food was great. The cafe was clearly slightly short staffed as tables weren't getting cleared quickly, but the staff were relaxed and calm and food arrived very quickly even if no-one came to check on how our food was....it was lovely and we didn't need anything, but a check would have been good had we needed it. The garden was lovely and the book shop itself was amazing and made for somewhere really interesting to dine for excellent seasonal food and generous portions. We didn't have room for cake - but they looked amaaazing!!
Lauren Bruce
Probably the nicest place in Carlisle. Bright, comfortable and spacious inside seating area. Intresting and quirky decor throughout. Relaxing courtyard seating area full of flowers. Tasty range of cakes including vegan options. Attached to amazing old bookstore. Both worth visiting if passing through carlisle (you have to pass cathedral to get there and castle is a 2 minute walk away)
PeteFromLeeds
Visited here for coffee and cakes during our trip to Carlisle. The café has a real character to it, the staff were all friendly and attentive, and there was a good range of cakes (including a few vegan options). We all really enjoyed what we had. We were still in the café at closing time but didn't feel pressured to leave at all. Would definitely recommend!
Great scones, took some while to get the food.
It is a fabulous place to grab a bite and a cuppa. Located at the rear of Bookends, there's also an entrance in the alleyway to the side.Various seating arrangements are available from tables and chairs for 2 to the sofa and coffee table for 6. When the weather allows, there are beautiful gardens with a book theme to the rear with various seating arrangements.Food is fabulous, made on site, with generous portions. I opted for the local ham and smoked cheese panini, cheese scone, and Earl Grey tea.The staff were very welcoming and particularly ran off their feet on my Sunday visit. This was probably due to the suggestions of staff at the Castle at their national lottery free entry weekend. I was advised by staff that they run the cafe at the Castle during the traditional tourist season.There was an all-purpose toilet facility within the cafe, lots of interesting heritage information on the walls, and plenty of book reading encouragement.It's definitely worth the visit, and if you have to wait for a table, it's worth it.
Grumpy staff. It seemed like a chore for them to seat us. Grumpy customers. No atmosphere. It felt dingy and depressing. We left before ordering.
Cake ale creates a uniquely cultural atmosphere with its attached bookshop and evening events. Lovely home made offerings, quirky layout and attractive gardens makes it well worth a
Lovely little cafe, second time we’ve been in and the food is good. Only complaint we had is that we had to wait about 20 minutes for someone to come and take our order, which was taken after they had taken the orders of two other couples who had came in after us. We then waited 40 minutes for our drinks and another 20 minutes for our food (2 ciabattas) when one of the couples who came in after us had eaten their hot food and left. I understand it was a Saturday and the staff looked a bit stressed, but we didn’t even get an apology for the wait.
Great cafe, lovely people and fab food. Whilst the name suggests it’s well cake and ale, it have a really nice menu for breakfast and lunch. We had lunch here. It’s both gluten free and dog friendly which is a plus.Really nice atmosphere and décor, down a little alley (Long Lane) and connected to a bookshop!!What more could you want on a damp afternoon in Carlisle?Vegetarian options: LoadsDietary restrictions: GF
Total shambles. Anyone ordering coffee and scone didn't get scone till about 20 minutes later.. came to table 3 times to ask who ordered bacon roll, 3 times they were told no one had.... 3 times I asked for glass of water, got it about 50 minutes later..
Lovely cafe, in a charming location, I wound definitely visit again, when I return to Carlisle.Patricia.North Shields.
Just the loveliest staff! Tracy and her team are so friendly and kind. Even when rushed off their feet they take time to chat and make you feel welcomed. The cakes are so good! And you always get a giant slice. And a proper big mug of coffee. This place is a Carlisle GEM!
Stop here either before or after visiting the bookshop. Friendly staff and lots of different places to sit.
Restaurantji Recommends
Have been for afternoon tea today with my work colleagues. There was 8 of us which included one vegan. They catered well for all of us. Everything was delicious and we got to take home all that we couldn't fit in ?I have to say it was very good value for money at £17 or £20 to include a large glass of prosecco.We were well looked after and got refills of tea as needed. I'd never been here before but will definitely be back.Vegetarian options: A very good selection.
What a sweet little spot for lunch! We sat in the charming garden for homemade carrots ginger soup, cheese scones, various sandwiches, cookies and, of course, tea. Everyone in our party was very pleased with the food and the service was delightful!
We had a lovely lunch here out in the sunny garden today. The service was efficient and friendly and our food was great. The cafe was clearly slightly short staffed as tables weren't getting cleared quickly, but the staff were relaxed and calm and food arrived very quickly even if no-one came to check on how our food was....it was lovely and we didn't need anything, but a check would have been good had we needed it. The garden was lovely and the book shop itself was amazing and made for somewhere really interesting to dine for excellent seasonal food and generous portions. We didn't have room for cake - but they looked amaaazing!!
Probably the nicest place in Carlisle. Bright, comfortable and spacious inside seating area. Intresting and quirky decor throughout. Relaxing courtyard seating area full of flowers. Tasty range of cakes including vegan options. Attached to amazing old bookstore. Both worth visiting if passing through carlisle (you have to pass cathedral to get there and castle is a 2 minute walk away)
Visited here for coffee and cakes during our trip to Carlisle. The café has a real character to it, the staff were all friendly and attentive, and there was a good range of cakes (including a few vegan options). We all really enjoyed what we had. We were still in the café at closing time but didn't feel pressured to leave at all. Would definitely recommend!