So friendly and inexpensive. The staff were lovely. Took a little while to find it but well worth it. Will definitely go again.
thhh123
Our go to place to eat in Shaftesbury for lunch. Staff very helpful and even give treats for the dog. Ploughman’s is delicious and the steak sandwich is a favourite. We will be back.
Emma Walton
I chose to visit The Ugly Duckling as I wanted somewhere for a casual light lunch on a Sunday, and it was absolutely perfect. A wide range of hot and cold meals- I had a delicious and generously filled panini. Friendly staff and fast service.Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options available
Sarah B
Every 6 months we meet at The Ugly Duckling, and have done for many years and will continue for many more. Tanya and her team are brilliant and we always sit in the naughty corner. Love the food service and atmosphere. Thank you for looking after us.
A S
Went for lunch today and had the most delicious BLT sandwich I have ever had! I really couldn’t believe what a great place I had come across - so often I eat at cafe or restaurant and there is a compromise between price, quality of ingredients and portion size, however this ticks every box! Considering the price (around £6) I was expecting the BLT sandwich I ordered to be a simple, small sandwich made with budget ingredients, which would have been acceptable considering the price. However, when it arrived, it was surprised - the fresh seeded bread was almost an inch thick, the bacon was such high quality that it seemed similar to the type you might find in a farm shop (and plenty of rashers too), fresh lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise too, topped with cress. All these ingredients added to the most tasteful BLT I’ve ever eaten. I would have eaten another if it hadn’t been such huge portions! I was almost wondering how they could make a profit from such a reasonably priced meal. What’s more, this meal was complimented with friendly staff, and a quaint setting. This is the first cafe/restaurant that I have ever come across that I would make a special trip to visit, and I live 40 mins away! Was really blown away by how good everything was, I cannot rate it highly enough. I have recommended it to my friends and family. Thanks to all staff for such a great experience!
Annie T
We go to this cafe nearly every weekend for a lovely breakfast, piping hot food, great bacon and smiley friendly staff. Can't recommend it highly enough
Phil Orde
Very friendly staff we had a large fry up and could not have asked for more. Pleasant outdoor eating area. Recommended
Neilypops
If you are ever in or just visiting Shaftesbury, feeling peckish this really is a nice place to have something to eat, good menu and very competitive prices, service 1000% staff are very pleasant, courteous, and well mannered
5mindye
Whilst visiting Shaftesbury for the 1st time, I was advised to try out The Ugly Duckling Cafe. It's anything but an ugly duckling, the interior is painted in bright vibrate yellow & orange, just the thing after a rainy Summer, cheers you up. Cafe clean, service prompt and food was lovely, I had eggs benedict one of my favourites. Tea could have been a better bit tasteless, but the gorgeous lunch more than made up for it. Will definitely pay them another visit.
Linda Green
The Ugly Duckling is a very friendly place to eat with good quality food attractively presented. Good home cooked style breakfasts and meals at a reasonable price
Excellent service and food. The quality and positioning of the cafe makes this a worthy way to enjoy your meal regardless of AM or PM
jon lee
Exceptionally good food. Wonderful gluten free selection and the service is beyond compare.
stuart berenyi
Had a great breakfast and awesome shake.
Jane Wesley
We've been here before when in the area and enjoyed a hearty breakfast so where to go for breakfast this visit - The Ugly Duckling of course. Even though there has been a couple of years between visits, we weren't disappointed. Very busy little cafe, lovely breakfast and pleasant service.
RonJ934
Definitely worth a visit it’s tucked away down a side road, with good food, friendly service reasonable prices and a nice atmosphere.
So friendly and inexpensive. The staff were lovely. Took a little while to find it but well worth it. Will definitely go again.
Our go to place to eat in Shaftesbury for lunch. Staff very helpful and even give treats for the dog. Ploughman’s is delicious and the steak sandwich is a favourite. We will be back.
I chose to visit The Ugly Duckling as I wanted somewhere for a casual light lunch on a Sunday, and it was absolutely perfect. A wide range of hot and cold meals- I had a delicious and generously filled panini. Friendly staff and fast service.Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options available
Every 6 months we meet at The Ugly Duckling, and have done for many years and will continue for many more. Tanya and her team are brilliant and we always sit in the naughty corner. Love the food service and atmosphere. Thank you for looking after us.
Went for lunch today and had the most delicious BLT sandwich I have ever had! I really couldn’t believe what a great place I had come across - so often I eat at cafe or restaurant and there is a compromise between price, quality of ingredients and portion size, however this ticks every box! Considering the price (around £6) I was expecting the BLT sandwich I ordered to be a simple, small sandwich made with budget ingredients, which would have been acceptable considering the price. However, when it arrived, it was surprised - the fresh seeded bread was almost an inch thick, the bacon was such high quality that it seemed similar to the type you might find in a farm shop (and plenty of rashers too), fresh lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise too, topped with cress. All these ingredients added to the most tasteful BLT I’ve ever eaten. I would have eaten another if it hadn’t been such huge portions! I was almost wondering how they could make a profit from such a reasonably priced meal. What’s more, this meal was complimented with friendly staff, and a quaint setting. This is the first cafe/restaurant that I have ever come across that I would make a special trip to visit, and I live 40 mins away! Was really blown away by how good everything was, I cannot rate it highly enough. I have recommended it to my friends and family. Thanks to all staff for such a great experience!
We go to this cafe nearly every weekend for a lovely breakfast, piping hot food, great bacon and smiley friendly staff. Can't recommend it highly enough
Very friendly staff we had a large fry up and could not have asked for more. Pleasant outdoor eating area. Recommended
If you are ever in or just visiting Shaftesbury, feeling peckish this really is a nice place to have something to eat, good menu and very competitive prices, service 1000% staff are very pleasant, courteous, and well mannered
Whilst visiting Shaftesbury for the 1st time, I was advised to try out The Ugly Duckling Cafe. It's anything but an ugly duckling, the interior is painted in bright vibrate yellow & orange, just the thing after a rainy Summer, cheers you up. Cafe clean, service prompt and food was lovely, I had eggs benedict one of my favourites. Tea could have been a better bit tasteless, but the gorgeous lunch more than made up for it. Will definitely pay them another visit.
The Ugly Duckling is a very friendly place to eat with good quality food attractively presented. Good home cooked style breakfasts and meals at a reasonable price
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent service and food. The quality and positioning of the cafe makes this a worthy way to enjoy your meal regardless of AM or PM
Exceptionally good food. Wonderful gluten free selection and the service is beyond compare.
Had a great breakfast and awesome shake.
We've been here before when in the area and enjoyed a hearty breakfast so where to go for breakfast this visit - The Ugly Duckling of course. Even though there has been a couple of years between visits, we weren't disappointed. Very busy little cafe, lovely breakfast and pleasant service.
Definitely worth a visit it’s tucked away down a side road, with good food, friendly service reasonable prices and a nice atmosphere.