Chesters By The River

I come here more than I care to admit. Mostly because they are a reliable place to get a great coffee and cake that are gluten and dairy free. The outdoor seating is beautiful and picturesque and the shop next door is perfect for interior inspiration or picking up gifts.

Really lovely place. Setting is beautiful. Walked our dog along the river quickly before settling down to eat and we sat outside on the pretty veranda. Went on bank hol weekend so expected to wait a bit but got a table straight away, ordered straight away and food came out quickly! I don't know what the other negative reviews are talking about! Staff were super friendly, chatty and helpful. Food was delicious. Got a salad plate for lunch and then a take away vegan sausage roll and rocky rd for tea after a walk around Rydal water, they were also both so tasty. We are already planning to come back in a few weeks as it was so nice!

I love this cafe for the blackcurrant scones. They are big and fluffy with juicy blackcurrants in, served with clotted cream and juicy blackcurrant jam. I’ve been here many times and always get the blackcurrant scone with jam and cream and they are always perfect.

Lovely cafe by the river. Really good food and very filling. Had half a frittata and a blueberry scone. The scone was just perfect. Staff were friendly. The only downside is how busy it gets at peak lunch time in summer when during the week. Prepare to queue.

Nice cafe and good location by the river, but service could have been better. Also on a hot day, we had to sit inside due to many wasps bothering us outside. Also saw some wasps on the baked goods available to buy. Definitely put me off getting a doughnut.

I don't know why my wife loves coming here. It does have a lovely position by the river, but very limited parking and it is very busy. They serve a strange selection of food here, like some Indian food and other stuff I don't know what it is. The Indian food smells nice if that's what you want. But if you are there for a cuppa and a scone or cake, its very strong. I am not a fan of the very shabby sheik either. If it's good weather it's really nice to sit outside. The shop is much better decorated and has an excellent range of luxury goods of craft and art and home. Not my cup of tea for a place to eat, though.

An absolute gem of a vegan/vegetarian coffee shop set in the heart of the stunning Lake District. It’s honestly disappointing to see negative reviews simply because they don't serve animal products — especially in a region overflowing with places that cater to meat eaters. The food here is absolutely delicious; so well crafted that if you didn’t know, you’d never guess it was entirely plant-based. A perfect spot for anyone who appreciates great food, beautiful surroundings, and a more conscious, kind way of eating. Easily 5 stars!

Lovely vegetarian cafe by the Riva, excellent collection of cakes and baked treats. The queue can be absurdly long at weekends and during the holidays - would significantly benefit from additional queue or two people on the coffee machine! (Baked treats £4-6; lunch £7+)