Vegan
Bakery
British
Plant-based team room offering vegan soups, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, cakes, and scones. Located right on the lock. Open Wed-Sun 10:00-16:00.
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Last update on 21 Apr 2025 by EatwellEatPlants
Update business info -
Added by MichaelIveson on 27 Oct 2021
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36 Reviews
First Review by MichaelIveson
hudost
Points +32
Best vegan cakes - Edit
Ruth is a lovely lady and her passion for vintage bakes is clear in the taste. I can't get enough of these fresh cakes and scones.
Read morePros: Fresh cakes, Warm welcome, All vegan
Guest
gracelovescows
Points +73
AMAZING !!! - Edit
We did the afternoon tea- the portions were big, the food was delicious and the animals were gorgeous!!
Read moreGuest
veganian
Points +243
Amazing! - Edit
Ok it's not the cheapest but this place is something else! Fantastic setting, in a shabby chic repurposing of a grand old building. Lovely welcoming staff and delicious food. I had a pasty which came with two small salads. The pasty tasted really great (not really robust enough to pick up and eat by hand but knife and fork ok!). The coleslaw was so good - I would order that with every main if I could! The tabuleh / couscous was really good too. It all had a homemade thing going on, in a very good way. For drinks I had a chai latte, which was so good it only lasted a few seconds! Then a pot of lapsang to go with the fabulous lemon curd (!) and poppy seed cake.
Read moreI also got some cake to take away. I shared it the flowing morning. The lemon and poppy seed was still just as good! The carrot cake was also fantastic - similarly moist and tasty. The coffee and walnut was not so good: dry - but maybe it doesn't keep as well as the others.
Anyway, highly recommended!
Updated from previous review on 2025-09-12
Pros: Resident elderly cats (and dog in the back room), Great staff, Delicious all-vegan food
Guest
CharlieAllen
Points +287
A lovely cafe in a lovely location! - Edit
Very grateful for Happy Cow as we would not have found this place otherwise! A lovely cafe, amazing homemade food in a unique setting. It’s worth checking their Facebook page as they do regular event events too!
Read morePros: Cake selection , ‘Egg sandwich’, Beautiful building
Guest
Janinsca
Points +21
An absolute gem! - Edit
After seeing the great reviews on Happy Cow we just had to visit. What a lovely, friendly place with wonderful vegan food. We enjoyed the soup, fruit scone with jam and butter and a couple of slices of vegan cake, lovely flavours and perfectly moist. We really enjoyed the coffee as well, and meant to ask which coffee they served.
Read moreWe sat inside with our dog who was very excited to see Ruby the cat, Ruby was very friendly to us but understandably aloof with our dog.
The former banqueting hall was filled with comfy sofas, a mixture of tables and chairs and antiques everywhere.
It’s so nice to go for coffee & cake and be met & served by really lovely, friendly staff.
The only mistake we made was not having much cash or coins on us, not only to leave a tip (they cannot take via the card machine), but also to buy some of the jams, marmalades and chutneys they are selling with proceeds to St Leonard’s Hospice.
Afterwards we took a walk alongside the lock, and down towards the river.
Next time we visit we intend to take the River Bus service from York, that is available four days a week through the Summer!
Pros: Great Vegan Food, Friendly Staff, Dog Friendly
Cons: Nothing, other than no cheese scones left.
Guest
cmhwak
Points +3798
Amazing hidden gem! - Edit
Never visited a place like that. A location full of antiques with a café in it, all vegan,looots of cakes, wonderful big plain, fruit or cheesy scones, icecream, afternoon tea, sausage rolls and further lite bites. Nice outside area to sit and relax, stroll around the old lock, buy some charity crafts and used books, very dog friendly as well! Defintitely worth a visit!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-06-29
Guest
mollyhyland96
Points +208
Lovely afternoon tea - Edit
Me & my partner had the 5 course afternoon tea & it was delightful. They gave us so much cake we had to take it away with us! Really pretty place & lovely staff. Would definitely recommend.
Read moreGuest
angcat
Points +310
A lovely place in a lovely setting - Edit
We had lunch here and enjoyed sandwiches on homemade bread followed by delicious cake.
Read morePros: It's in a lovely location, Dog friendly (resident cats and dog, too), The cakes!
Guest
LynseyMarriott
Points +39
Lovely but expensive - Edit
After reading all the good reviews, I had high expectations. Appreciate that the menu was all vegan. However, I found the food to be average and very expensive. The interior looked a bit run down but did add a little bit of rustic charm to the place. Coffees were filter coffee only and served with a tiny pot of milk, thankfully we were able to request refills as there definitely wasn't enough. Cakes were quiet stodgy but had good flavour and pasties were a bit bland. Overall was okay, but not sure I'd go back as was very expensive.
Read morePros: The two cats and the dog, Coffee, All vegan menu
Cons: Expensive
Guest
EatwellEatPlants
Points +1007
Well worth a drive out! - Edit
Tea By The Lock is about 45 minutes from where I live but it is definitely worth a drive out.
Read moreThere's always home made cakes, scones and then soups, pasties, sandwiches etc on rotation.
Gorgeous spot to walk along the river too.
Updated from previous review on 2025-04-05
Pros: All vegan, Selection of cakes is impressive, Feels like a treat with proper crockery
Guest
Nicholas08
Points +23
Lovely hidden gem - Edit
If you like cakes, this is the place to be. Great friendly staff and always happy to help. This is how a tea room should be run. I come when I can weather permitting, never had an issue so far.
Read morePros: Cakes are lovely, Friendly staff
Guest
DavidMatthewBrown
Points +979
Nice cakes, great atmosphere - Edit
Lovely picturesque setting, warm and friendly atmosphere. Unbelievable amount of cake choices.
Read morePros: Choice of cakes, Food also available , Not having to ask if stuff is vegan
Cons: Can be a bit hard to find
Guest
Harryvx
Points +509
Delightful - Edit
I loved this place. Not only is the food excellent, but the vintage plates, teapots, cups etc are super cute. It’s a gorgeous environment and very friendly vibe.
Read morePros: Vintage vibe, Old fashioned scone and cake selection , Friendly atmosphere
Guest
saminalrights
Points +69
Spectacular afternoon tea - Edit
Gorgeous listed building housing a lovely family-run tea room.
Read moreWe spent a wonderful winter afternoon in the cosy snug, with underfloor heating and a fireplace, enjoying the most spectacular 5 course afternoon tea with more cake than we could possibly eat.
Norman the cat made us feel especially welcome. Hope to visit again!
Guest
parttimebuddha
Points +462
I have arrived, I am home. - Edit
Like many others I have been wanting to come here for a while. We made it today. What a lovely cafe - we'll done on creating a lovely but simple cafe and most importantly plant based. I love the environment and the coffee and cake. I will be back with various relatives to try other things on the menu after having coffee today and 3 different cakes - so great to be able to have anything on the menu and for you to be flying the plant based/Vegan menu.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-06-11
Pros: The environment , The coffee , The Lovely simple menu
Cons: Bone China
Guest
soydumplings
Points +1846
Quaint cafe with a lovely view - Edit
A fully vegan cafe in such a cute location! We stopped here on our way to York and were so surprised because it’s in such a lovely location.
Read moreThere were lots of light lunch options but we both got soup - I got the roasted red pepper one and my partner got the mushroom one. They were both really good and came with a bread roll! The food was reasonably priced and were good sized portions. We were also eyeing up the cakes (they all looked incredible, we will have to go back and try them)
Pros: Great location, Lots of great options, Tasty food
Guest
Lulu2020
Points +136
Little gem of a place - Edit
Dog friendly inside and out, fully vegan menu.
Read moreGuest
ljtierney
Points +134
Plant based goodness - Edit
We have been here a few times and have never been disappointed!
Read morePros: Choice, Friendly staff, Quirky
Guest
helenbmills
Points +146
Unique place in lovely setting - Edit
I have been coming here since Ruth opened with a portaloo outside. Her determination to grow and develop the business in an awkward old building in a rural location that frequently has to close due to the river flooding every time we have one of those named storms, is second to none- she never complains and is always back open again asap. The building is a gorgeous historic Georgian rectory by a river and the constraints of the layout and utilities mean the kitchen is small and fully open plan which the staff determinedly work with. The food is simple, homemade vegan cooking done well. The wait times can be long when busy, but they are so up against it you can’t complain. I wish them better luck and every success.
Read morePros: Determination and resilience of the owner , Lots of herbal teas and cakes , Beautiful location
Cons: Long wait times when busy, Has to close at short notice in adverse weather
Guest
xskate-edgex
Points +1264
Delightful and delicious - Edit
Wonderfully unpretentious bordering on eccentric this place has a lovely cosy atmosphere and welcoming vibe. The menu is full of exciting and well portioned traditional treats and delights. You won’t be disappointed. The staff are also lovely and accommodating and don’t skimp on cake slices!
Read morePros: All vegan, Lovely staff, Superb decor and atmosphere
Cons: Area prone to flooding so check ahead!
TeaByTheLock
Thank You!☕️
Read moreGuest
KellyJo356
Points +73
The BEST afternoon tea! - Edit
What a FANTASTIC PLACE! I live 200 miles away, and while visiting my pal in the area, I was utterly delighted when she took me here for Vegan Afternoon Tea (book at least 48hrs in advance and a deposit required). It was a delight. Everything was fresh, delicious and delectable. I'm vegan and savoured every mouthful - but you seriously don't need to be vegan to appreciate this amazing place. A gorgeous setting, the most friendly welcoming staff and food to rival the best tea rooms in the country. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, I'll be back!
Read morePros: Unique surroundings and delicious food, Unbeatable cakes - just wonderful, Knocks non-vegan's socks off!
TeaByTheLock
Thank you! We are so glad you enjoyed it
Read moreGuest
Kcroots
Points +50
Amazing - Edit
What a beautiful place. But it was on a terrible day weather wise, blustery and raining very heavily. Only makes me want to return to be able to go for a walk along the canal.
Read moreThe unusual banqueting hall and snug are perfect for a lunch meeting friends, as I did yesterday.
The smells were delicious as you opened the door and were greeted by products to buy fro. Local makers.
The menu is small but everything we had was made on the premises, very tasty and all plant based! I still find it exciting when I have the choice of everything!
The cakes were phenomenal and so difficult to chose which to eat now and which to take home.
Perfect surroundings, excellent service and the food is all worth searching this gem out.
Pros: The setting, The food, The service
TeaByTheLock
Thank you so much!
Read moreGuest
SashaPriddy
Points +20
Perfect vegan cafe! - Edit
So glad to have found this spot! It's the perfect vegan cafe. Delicious food and a very welcoming atmosphere. Very dog friendly, all the staff were looked after our little pup. We'll definitely be returning!
Read morePros: Atmosphere , Cakes, Friendly staff
Guest
Cj0989
Points +209
Lovely café, great location - Edit
Good menu of sandwiches and teas as well as lots of cakes. All vegan and really nice location by Naburn lock with plenty of outdoor tables
Read morePros: Loads of cakes, Lots of tea, Location
Cons: No fancy coffees (just very nice filter)
Guest
indianact
Points +28
The fanciest cheez scones ever - Edit
Fantastic creative food, relaxing location, friendly attentive staff, dog friendly
Read morePros: Even non-vegans were happy with the choice.
Cons: The whole menu was not available
Guest
veganevolutionist
Points +3195
Has the wow factor. - Edit
What a location. Note re that. When you drive in to Naburn Lock Caravan Park carry straight on through the gate and you’ll end up at the Lock carpark where you’ll find the cafe.
Read moreHuge space for the cafe in a Grade2 listed banqueting hall, wow. Lots to choose from. Great outdoor seating as well as indoors. After we’d eaten we walked over to the island in the lock, nice space. Loved it all.
Pros: Lots of vegan options. , Delicious food. , Great location.
veganevolutionist
Visited again on Saturday 6/7/24 for lunch. The vegan egg mayo sandwich was delicious but it wasn't a sandwich it was a cob, and it wasn't one cob it was two! And it was more like cottage cheese, I loved it!
Read moreB had the pea and mint soup which he thought was very nice, it did look and smell lovely.
I had a hot chocolate which was full of chocolaty deliciousness.
I had to take half of mine home as two cobs are too much (for me) and so the cake was take out as well. Choc and ginger for B, and caramel and apple for me. Delicious.
veganevolutionist
Back again, Saturday 12.07.2025. We sat indoors as none of the tables outside had umbrellas, and weren’t in the shade. The doors and windows were all shut so the wasps couldn’t get inside however this did make for a hot interior.
Read moreI went to check out the cakes and to place our order at the till but it took a while as I was trying to decide which cakes would still be okay to eat bearing in mind the oven like (no exaggeration) temps in that part of the cafe. I opted for a coffee and walnut that didn’t have icing or cream. B had a flat cherry scone which was cut in to four and he’d assumed he’d get one of the quarters so was surprised when all of it was brought to the table.
It was so hot in the main seating area it was hard to catch my breath so we took the cakes outside and moved two chairs in to the shade.
Poor B had to share his with three wasps!
Hanging some fabric under the glass atrium may help with the temps in the cake and till area, and fans, electric fans in there and the main seating area would have definitely helped 🥵
Guest
Waldyvgun
Points +265
What a treat! - Edit
Scones as big as plates, more than 10 freshly baked cakes to choose from, and canal side seating. Fabulous!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-05-06
Pros: Lovely food , Whopping cake selection! , Cheese scones are amazeballs
Guest
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