Cakes & Ale

Called in here for a spot of lunch, but unfortunately due to staffing issues they were only offering a limited menu. We opted for the soup - one with bread and one with a cheese scone. The soup was very nice and the homemade scone was delicious. The two young men who were taking orders and waiting on were very friendly and pleasant. It is a quirky place, situated behind a huge bookshop and it has a delightful garden area, which will be lovely to use in the summer.

Discover this little oasis down the narrow Long Lane or through the back of the Bookcase bookshop. Cakes and Ale serves wholesome, homemade sandwiches, salads, other savouries, cakes, scones, etc. together with tea, coffee and a small selection of bottled ales. It's all good, but what really sets this place apart is that it's a quiet oasis of calm with an enclosed garden, if weather permits, all looked over by lovely staff. Somewhere to sit with the books you've bought in the bookshop above, or to find sustenance if you're browsing is taking longer than expected!

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.

My absolute favourite place to escape the world. Armed with a book, hot beverage (or alcoholic one) and something yummy to eat (just look at the scale of that coffee cake in the photo). Im able to cocoon myself from anything knowing I will be left alone to enjoy 🙏🏻

Lovely little cafe with, most importantly, plenty of vegan options, so I wasn’t bored while my husband spent ages in the bookshop!

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.

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?

The best cafe I have ever been to, and I'm 69 !! Wonderful, friendly, generous staff (Tracey and Chris), great food (homemade cakes and scones), in a marvellous book shop. What's not to like?!