• 3
• Good food in prime location

I had lunch at The Plant Café yesterday, having just got off the bus from the airport. I followed my nose as I walked through town and somehow found myself there. It was only then that I remembered I'd seen it on my last visit a few years ago and made a mental note! This is a busy, slightly cramped little café with a good selection of lunch dishes and the option of taking away. The menu is on a blackboard with a note saying to ask about vegan and gluten-free. I was a little surprised by this; it should be easy to just annotate the menu accordingly. You order and pay at the counter and find a seat, with your food being brought to you. There was a choice of soup, tarts, a risotto slice, a felafel wrap and toasted ciabatta, as well as salads and cakes, plus a good selection of soft drinks and teas. My goat's cheese, beetroot and mango chutney ciabatta was served with Burt's crisps and leaves. The goat's cheese was nicely complemented by the beetroot but I found the additional sweetness of the mango chutney unnecessary. The crisps and leaves were welcome additions but I found the salad dressing too sharp. At £6.35, I thought it was quite pricey for what was effectively a toasted sandwich with some crisps and salad. My elderflower pressé added £2.30 to the bill, bringing the grand total to £8.65. What gives The Plant Café real charm is its location, right opposite the Cathedral. There is outdoor as well as indoor seating and even a suggestion that you borrow a picnic blanket and sit on the green. It's a good option if you're on town seeing the sights.