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Serves meat, vegan options available. Labelled vegan dishes include soup, pasty, chocolate cake and banana bread. Almond and coconut milk available for hot drinks. Vegan hot chocolate available - specify when ordering. Café's ethos is to use food that would otherwise go to waste and food is pay-as-you-feel although hot drinks are fixed price. Established in April 2018. Open Tue-Sat 10:00-16:00.
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143c Front St, Chester-le-street, England, DH3 3AU
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 07 Feb 2019 by rwg83
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Added by rwg83 on 05 Feb 2019
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13 Reviews
First Review by deadpledge
joseyg
Points +1081
Vegan tasting menu night - Edit
The cafe hosts many themed vegan tasting menu nights. Other themed nights have meat options but usually always a vegan option too. ( Have only ever been vegan to the tasting menu nights). Good value at £25 per person, bring your own drinks which includes alcohol. You do need to buy tickets ahead of time, which are £10 which comes off total bill at the end.
Read morePros: All of it!
Guest
craigmc
Points +42479
Coffee - Edit
Stopped in for a quick coffee, which was decent. The standout feature here is their unique approach to food — the menu is thoughtfully crafted using surplus ingredients from supermarkets, which is a great way to reduce waste. Out of the six dishes on offer, three were vegan, making it a solid option for plant-based diners. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area and appreciate sustainable dining!
Read morePros: Staff , Ethos
Guest
IainPeters
Points +78
I’d give it five stars if it were possible. - Edit
We’ve been several times now and each time we’ve been able to get a vegan option (today there was two!)
Read moreWe’ve had chilli, curries, baked potatoes, soups, ratatouilles, cakes and coffees😄today was a lovely surprise with a roasted Romanesco Cauliflower with red pepper sauce and couscous for me, and a mixed veg ramen bowl (sans fried egg to make it vegan) for my partner.
The volunteers and staff are always friendly and enthusiastic. We absolutely love the ethos of the organisation. We’ve yet to attend one of the restaurant nights/ workshops but can’t see it being long before we check those off of our lists.
A beacon of hope and community spirit in the north east😄I just wish there was something similar in Newton Aycliffe (or every community really).
Veganpulses
Thanks so much. I cooked your food that day. I also do regular Vegan tasting menus at the restaurant nights. My last one was last Thursday. Keep your eyes peeled for another one. Tuesdays are always meat free.
Read moreGuest
KaterinaLouisa
Points +5451
Great supper clubs - Edit
The vegan supper clubs here are well worth a visit, the food is great and the price is very reasonable. Staff are lovely.
Read moreVeganpulses
Thanks so much. There is another supper club on the 14th of August, keep an eye on socials. I am the cook for the Vegan supper clubs
Read moreGuest
JasiTingTing
Points +1310
Vegan tasting night was fabulous! - Edit
Went to a vegan tasting night at
Read moreRe-f-use Cafe in Chester-le - Street.
Didn’t know what to expect, didn’t think I’ll be full after the meal 🤭 (I like my big portions 😂) I was pleasantly surprised! Left feeling full and satisfied 😍
The food was amazing, bursting with flavours, and textures. Fully enjoyed every bite!
Definitely will be coming back again.
Guest
PatriciaMF
Points +146
Smashing! - Edit
Excellent food and service. I had a second breakfast here even though I arrived after the notice says breakfast is no longer served. Points lost for bringing me milk (for green tea?) and butter when I'd pointed out I was ordering all the vegan items.
Read moreWent back about 1.30 pm with 3 friends but apart from (vegetarian but not vegan) sandwiches and a few non-vegan cakes there was no food left. The others were delighted with their cake and brownies but all I could have was tea. That isn't a complaint because it's stated quite clearly that it can happen.
I'd definitely go again if in the town.
Pros: the ethos, good-value tasty food, friendly staff
Cons: echoey so not too good for conversation, can run out of items quite early on, brownies could have been vegan but weren't
Guest
hack_man
Points +28399
Years of Refusal - Edit
Great concept making sure food that would otherwise have been wasted is put to good use. There’s always usually a daily vegan option and at least one vegan cake every day. The coffee is good and is the only thing that has a fixed price. For everything else you just pay what you feel worth in the envelope provided. Furniture is a bit rickety but in a good shabby chic way. Definitely worth a look. They also take in food donations, pop in and help them out if you’ve got anything spare in the cupboards.
Read morePros: Community atmosphere , Vegan options , Events throughout the year
Guest
Sazmosa
Points +347
Always an option, has vegan hot choc! - Edit
I've been many times here and it's busier every time.
Read moreThey make hot main meals and sometimes have a community fridge where you can pick up donated food from supermarkets.
They can always rustle something vegan up if they've sold out.
It's always been tasty and filling when I've been.
Friendly staff and have had good chats with other customers, it's a very appreciated venue in the town.
Local artwork and children's environmental projects on display, welcoming and for all atmosphere.
I don't want to go to Chester-Le-Street if ReFuse isn't going to be open!
Pros: Where else can you get vegan hot choc? , Great staff , Sometimes there's so much cake!
Cons: Need to get there early for main options
Guest
Paigeeej
Points +18
Refuse saving the planet one meal at a time - Edit
Pay as you feel basis. Serve vegan friendly meals and desserts.
Read morePros: New items everyday, Saving the planet with everymeal
Cons: Can get very busy not sure if you can pre book , As they use food that would go to waste, Lots of Vegan variety isn't guaranteed each day
Guest
clefairyt
Points +317
Great community ethos and atmosphere - Edit
This place is such a vibrant community hub on Chester-le-Street's main street, we couldn't not go in! The staff and volunteers were really enthusiastic, passionate about the ethos, and helpful, letting us know that there is always one vegan and gluten free option available each day.
Read moreWe wouldn't usually eat in a place that isn't fully veg, however when the ethos is to save food from going to waste we made an exception. It's a pay as you feel ethos, so accessible to all. Definitely worth supporting what they're doing if you're nearby.
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-02
Pros: Reducing food waste, Friendly staff and volunteers, Great atmosphere :)
Guest
BeverleyMartin
Points +120
Vegan/veggie themed evening - Edit
I stumbled upon this waste free venture and booked the vegan night meal, beautiful setting, lovely music, attentive staff (I think all volunteers!!!), 3 course meal with 3 choices on each course to pre book…oh nearly forgot the food OMG so yummy…I’ve put pics but I’m sorry you’ve got half eaten pud as it was so good x thank you refuse what a fabulous concept
Read moreThey’re open during the day on most days so I will be making a trip over there for sure
Updated from previous review on 2022-02-26
Pros: Loads of vegan choices, Beautiful space , Fantastic people oh food amazing
Guest
RSweet
Points +552
Great to give back - Edit
This place always has a vegan option, dairy alternative milk and usually a vegan cake. Pay as you feel, lovely to see struggling members of the community enjoying a meal.
Read morePros: community spirit , Pay as you feel
Cons: Varies
Guest
deadpledge
Points +15691
Waste not, want not - Edit
Very friendly zero waste cafe where you pay what you feel for your food. When we visited we ordered a roasted veg stir fry in pitta bread to takeaway, which was very tasty indeed. They even through in a few sweet potato wedges. Nice to see a venture like this exist and I really hope it continues to do well.
Read morePros: Zero waste , Nice staff
Guest
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