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Pizza
International
Take-out
Cafe at Skelwith Bridge turned vegetarian Easter 2016. Serves vegan pizzas, mains, pastries as well as salad options. Also has a gift shop on site (non-food). Open Mon-Sun 09:00-16:00.
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Skelwith Bridge, Near Ambleside, Skelwith Bridge, England, LA22 9NJ
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 14 May 2024 by BeeSmith
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Added by VeganLauraL on 03 Aug 2016
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123 Reviews
First Review by VeganLauraL
Mustos
Points +147
Amazing selection of vegan cakes - Edit
Almost all the food here is vegan, even though it's not advertised. I imagine they don't want to put off non vegans. Every time we visited it was busy, and one day, on arriving not long before closing we were disappointed to see most of the cakes had sold out, however, as a vegan, that also pleases me as I'm glad they are doing so well. We were in the area for 7 nights, and we purchased food there every dayily, ometimes eating in, with a coffee, other days taking away (some days both). Our favourites were the cinnamon buns and hazelnut croissants, although all the bakery items we tried were good. My non vegan partner also really enjoyed the vegan sausage rolls. The pasties were good, too, as were the chips. Honestly, the amount of choice at the place was just fantastic. I'm surprised I didn't put on more weight the hiking must have balances it out.
Read morePros: Amount of vegan items, Quality of food, Nice setting
Guest
cbtohill
Points +783
Incredible, a must visit!! - Edit
We went here for breakfast and left with treats for days! The whole place is vegetarian but mostly vegan, offering breakfast and lunch as well as a range of freshly made pasteries, snacks and cakes! There is also a lovely gift shop attached with a lovely range of cards, jewellery, gifts and home decor. The food was incredible, the staff were lovely, a must visit and I hope to be back soon!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-08-20
Pros: Mostly vegan , Incredible food , Lovely staff and atmosphere
Guest
KathleenP
Points +85
Amazeballs!!!! - Edit
Perfect vegan heaven! Only in the area for 2 nights (Skelwith Fold Caravan site 1km away) but managed to fit in Chester's twice 🤣.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-10-31
Pros: Staff 100% efficient and friendly!, Cakes to die for!, Hash browns of the God's!
Guest
DexyA
Points +23
Inventive food - Edit
Amazing range of vegetarian and vegan food.
Read moreLot's of variety and tastes fantastic. I especially loved the kimchi fritters.
Updated from previous review on 2025-03-29
Pros: Totally veggie, Flavours, Variety
Cons: Too far from home to use frequently, Can get busy
Guest
Vegan-runner-swimmer
Points +229
Wonderful cafe - Edit
Nearly everything is vegan in this wonderful cafe. Indeed my favourite cafe in the UK. Salads and cakes are just fabulous . Staff friendly and location gorgeous .
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-01
Pros: Wonderful range of vegan cakes , Delicious salads, Great location by the river
Cons: Super busy at lunchtimes
Guest
northern_vegan
Points +203
Always great food when I come - Edit
Been many times over the years and always a great selection of vegan dishes and sweet treats
Read morePros: Location, Food choice
Cons: Cues always long
Guest
Jfinch26
Points +468
A must visit! Mostly vegan - Edit
This place is incredible, hidden away right by a river, you can access it on foot or a 15min bus ride from Ambleside.
Read moreThere are lots of options and almost everything is vegan! There are lots of cakes, pastries, breakfast options and lunch options! Everything I tried was incredible, I will definitely be back
Also it was busy but we didn't have to wait too long, and it is worth it anyway!
Pros: So many vegan options, The view of the river was so nice
Guest
Simevo
Points +77
Almost everything is vegan - Edit
This place is great. Endless pastries, pies, slices, breakfast and brunch options for vegans, almost everything on the menu is vegan friendly. A must for vegans in the lakes (where vegan food is not plentiful)
Read morePros: Loads of Food options, Riverside setting, Parking
Guest
susiehaha
Points +418
Still vegan heaven - Edit
(Just been back to Chesters after a gap of a year or so... my original review below still holds. In my view, the best vegan food in the country for choice, quality and price. Had delicious salads today, and took away a vegan sausage roll for tea.)
Read moreIf you read reviews of Chesters on TripAdvisor or Google, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Chesters sold their soul to the devil when they ended table service and changed a few other aspects of their business model a few years ago. Not having been for a few years, we were expecting paper plates, plastic cutlery, and takeaway mayhem. Thankfully, hardly anything had changed when we went there for lunch today. The choice of food is still amazing, as is the quality and portion size, and it was all served on proper crockery with proper cutlery! We really couldn't understand what the fuss had been all about. Our lunch was delicious - a huge vegetable bhaji for me, a mushroom and spinach toasties for Mrs HaHa, a bowl of chips (still some of the best chips ever), plus tea and cakes - Guinness cake for me and bakewell slice for my other half. Oh, and a couple of raspberry and vanilla scones found their way into my bag for a treat later. Soooo relieved that it was business as usual, and still greatly amused to see from reviews how annoyed some people get when they discover that the delicious food they have just eaten contains no dead animals or their products. Go Chesters!!
Updated from previous review on 2025-03-03
Pros: Generous portions, Great choice of food, Vegan heaven!
Cons: Not near where I live!!
Guest
Esmeer
Points +66
Great range of options - Edit
Really good selection of savory and sweet options - all delicious.
Read moreIt does get busy so be prepared to queue
Updated from previous review on 2026-04-16
Guest
ElaniaHunt
Points +73
delicious victoria sponge - Edit
wow this cake was so soft and airy, loved it! great staff, quick service for takeaway, and delicious cake. will be back!
Read moreGuest
Tanjarine
Points +103
Great for vegan g/f - Edit
Highly recommend for gluten free vegan options. Love it here…lots of choice and very popular
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-02-01
Pros: Options, Popular, Scenic
Guest
Katie2020
Points +358
Wonderful - Edit
You absolutely must go here !!! Been multiple times and only just realised there is a much bigger car park available not just the tiny one outside! Food amazing. Really imaginative and flavourful.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Interesting options , Great portions
Cons: Can get busy
Guest
jayhay23
Points +251
Still the GOAT - Edit
Still crazy busy, but as long as you prepare yourself mentally, it's worth it. Great amount of choice on the menu for all palates. Cake selection is unreal. We are lucky to have it! Bonus points for the only non vegan thing on the menu (on the day I went) being Cheese Pizza to really hammer home the point that if you're not vegan, you are a child and deserve to be treated like one 😂
Read moreGuest
Veganolive1
Points +5314
Vegan Heaven - Edit
We've been to Chesters loads of times hence the many photos
Read moreOur latest visit was in November when we called for lunch and had green tacos with tamarind squash and jackfruit gyros. The food was fantastic, fabulous flavours and textures, we could not fault it. The range of cakes and pastries is truly stunning, from doughnuts to croissants, cakes, cinnamon buns, cookies it's a massive selection.
The menu changes regularly at Chesters and it's creative and amazing and we will be back soon.
Updated from previous review on 2025-11-23
Guest
joseyg
Points +1137
Delicious vegan options - Edit
Lots of sweet and savory options to eat in and take away. There is a lovely shop next door of homeware and gifts, stationary, books etc. beware parking is limited, and some inconsiderate people will park and go on a walk. Please don't do this!
Read morePros: Salads, Cakes, Pastries
Cons: Parking limited
Guest
EthanBakerTravels
Points +1355
Just amazingggggggg - Edit
Everything food wise seemed to be vegan. So many baked options! The chickpea curry was excellent. The bhaji was made of cauliflower, was lovely to see so many plants on one plate!
Read moreGuest
Hlmj1989
Points +233
Could be the best place in the UK - Edit
As always a delight and if every cafe was like this the world would be a much better and kinder place 💚
Read moreNoodle pots and rice pots are incredible, pastries and coffee lovely, breakfast burrito omg so good. 😊
Edit: I wish the default milk option would be kinder. But sad to say it is dairy 😪 and you have to specify if you’re vegan as some things on the menu contain cows milk (like the focaccia and the cream with the scones).
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-12
Guest
Nessyxx
Points +96
Lovely food. - Edit
A treat of a place with so many delicious vegan options. Most stuff is vegan (which they don't seem to advertise, maybe so carnivores don't get scared off!!). The place was very busy, small car park. Beautiful setting. Loads of freshly baked goodies.
Read morePros: Variety of vegan choice, Setting, Fresh food
Cons: Too much choice for an indecisive person 😉, Quite expensive.
Guest
DanCrook
Points +168
Fantastic place in the lakes - Edit
Almost everything here is vegan, and the items that aren't are labelled.
Read moreLovely food, lovely location and lovely staff.
Pros: Food, Location
Guest
rottpop
Points +16
Amazing!! - Edit
Incredible selection of mostly vegan food, honestly one of the best vegan friendly cafes I’ve ever been to.
Read moreGuest
gabriella_de_martino
Points +107
Beautiful vegan food - Edit
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 on google 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 way of eating. Easily 5 stars! Please support !
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-02
Guest
SarahNicole22
Points +67
Fantastic place - Edit
Loved it here, had a fantastic lunch and even went back for cake and oato milkshake after a walk. Stunning location is just a bonus! Food was freshly cooked with so much flavour and they didn’t shout about everything being veggie/almost everything vegan which was great, trick the meat eaters!!
Read morePros: Food, Selection of drinks was great kombucha/oato shake, Location
Guest
Seano21
Points +101
If Heaven was next to a river - Edit
I have no words for how amazing this place is. The food isnn by out of this world! Only one item wasn’t vegan the day we were there! The staff were great and the scenery was incredible! The wait was a little long, but that’s to be expected in a place of this standard!!!
Read morePros: Food, Staff, Scenery
Cons: Nothin, Nothing, More Nothing
Guest
Chickpea1
Points +326
Heaven by a river! - Edit
I haven’t been to this tea room for years. We were on a walk and just popped in… so excited when I asked what was vegan to find out it was EVERYTHING! Amazing choice, beautiful almond pasty and gorgeous frittata… so pleased I stumbled across this as usually I do lots of research but missed this one!!
Read morePros: So much choice, Delicious an great variety, River side view and dog friendly
Cons: No matcha
Guest
SusanPlowman
Points +262
Great vegan cafe in a lovely location - Edit
My husband proposed to me here and it is a lovely spot.
Read moreThe food is all vegan apart from the dairy milk, cream and butter for vegetarians that request it.
I had the frittata and roasted celeriac salad , hubby had the lentil spicy soup and an onion bhaji it was all lovely. #Veganuary
Pros: Location , Food, Service
Cons: The worry that they do have non vegan cream and da
TurnipForPlants
Looks so good! And ai want to big pastry.
Read moreGuest
wjm
Points +107
Fantastic food - Edit
Love coming to this place! Loads of vegan options…. Interestingly the staff say that everything is vegan apart from cows milk alternative for hot drinks but it’s strange that Chester’s do not advertise themselves as a vegan place! On this visit we had toasties, chips and the most amazing winter salad. Food is amazing quality, reasonably priced and staff are lovely. Lovely location also.
Read moreGuest
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