Fodder in the Woods

I had the pleasure of visiting Fodders today, a hidden gem recommended by a friend. From start to finish, I was truly inspired by the enchanting atmosphere and the warmth of the staff. The magical and romantic lake walks added to the charm. The food emerging from the kitchen looked absolutely incredible. Although we only enjoyed coffee and sweet treats, the experience was unforgettable. Plus, it’s wonderfully pet-friendly—your furry companion is welcome inside. I will definitely be returning!

We visited here yesterday, just for a quick visit. We got a sausage roll (£4) to take home, which was beautiful! We went for a walk around the little paths which were absolutely stunning and very well kept (apart from a few people who felt the need to throw away their cups from the cafe) which obviously isn't anything to do with Fodder. Why come out in nature and dump your rubbish in it!? such a charming little place to visit. The farm shop has a vast range of locally produced sauces, teas and chutneys. There are little festoon lights around some of the paths which is cute. We can't wait to visit it in the spring and summer when everything is in bloom!!

Wonderful food and staff, dog friendly too! The fire pits are lovely and warm and you can go for a lakeside walk after your breakfast. Dishes of the day include "things of toast"! What a great idea.

Fantastic mid point for me and my dog between Bangor and Newcastle. Stopped for a peaceful walk in the woods and a quick bite to eat. Food was delicious with options for Maya. Highly recommend it to anyone (particularly those travelling with their pets). Looking forward to being a frequent visitor now that I've been introduced to it. Amazing place!!!

If you want something authentic and different this is the place. Absolutely enchanting and well worth a visit. Great gluten free options which is an added bonus

Friendly staff and the best cinnamon scones! picnic tables with comfy reindeer furs, and a choice of outdoor tables or inside a spacious tent/yurt. Shirt trails for exploring and a small shop all add to the charm.

Beautiful place for a walk with the kids. And the food is amazing. I recommend the burger.

Nestled among the woods and beside a serene lake, there's a spot that’s truly worth visiting. The food is outstanding, and the seating arrangements—with a cozy live fire—make for a perfect atmosphere. After your meal, a stroll through the surroundings is the perfect way to unwind. We opted for the vegetarian and vegan menu, which was fantastic. The salads, hummus, and bean burger were delicious, and the rosemary garlic fries were perfectly crispy—an absolute must-try. Don’t miss out on the hot chocolate; it's the perfect way to round off the meal. Service here is top-notch, and the place is dog-friendly, making it a great spot for everyone.

Fodder isn't like any other cafe I've been to; located in Finnebrogue Woods it is a large tipi tent with an open fire, wooden benches and a nearby rustic farm and craft shop. I have eaten here a few times and love that there are great veggie options and highly recommend the full vegan cooked breakfast, hummus bowl with sourdough and veggie sausage roll with salads. The coffee is good, food delicious and ambience magical. A big plus is that it's dog friendly, a beautiful place to have a lunch and a stroll around the woods. Just loses one star from me as the service, albeit from really lovely staff, has been a bit haphazard at time e.g. forgetting to bring some drinks/ sauces to our table or taking orders incorrectly so sides were wrong and slow to seat people even when it has been relatively quiet. There's a relaxed vibe that comes with this outdoor dining experience so just be prepared for some relaxed service too, don't be in a rush either and you'll love your visit here..

Fodder is a great place for food and a very good coffee. It's one of those rare places that going to is about the experience of being there as well as the food and coffee itself. The reason? Well, you get to enjoy your great food and coffee in a Yurt! (yes I had to check the spelling). There is a fire in the middle that is well attended and gives a lovely smoky (far from obnoxiously so) aroma to the air. Having been recently on a cold, wet Wintery day it was warm and cosy inside, even more so since they've hung a big heavy curtain on the inside of the door to cut down on drafts. There is a good range of foods available from the burgers to wraps with great fillings as well as sandwiches. There are some great deserts available as well, tray bakes and the like. While the desert range is not extensive, it is all very high quality, and I'll take quality over quantity any day! The coffee all the usual fayre from filter through the full range of espresso based drinks (cappuccino, latte etc) and all as said very well made. A lot of the food available in Fodder is based around the produce of Finnebrogue Farm, of which Fodder is a part. You order your food and drinks in the cabin part shown in the photo I added and then move to the yurt. In there you can buy a range of Dexter beef that is reared there on the farm, we've bought a few items now to take home and they have been great, there is a decent (for the size of the place) selection of locally made chocs and hot sauces among other things too. The only draw backs are that as you would expect, you are going to pay a little more than many urban cafes serving similar fayre, although I will give them their dues that the quality certainly means you get what you pay for. Also the opening times, while I can't remember off the top of my head are limited, so it may not always be open when you are passing. But if it is, I would strongly recommend dropping in.