Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Take-out
A vegetarian restaurant re-opened in Sept 2016 in the same premises as the previous Hexham Tans restaurant. Refurbished, improved menu of made-in-house snacks, lunches, soups, cakes and specialist coffees, some of which are vegan and others that could possibly be made vegan. Open Mon-Sat 10:00-15:30. Closed Sun.
25 Reviews
First Review by Braidy
somersettim
Points +146
Brilliant - Edit
Got to Hexham and needed a coffee. Easy to find right in the middle, good range of options. Very good coffee, and the biscoff cake was beautiful.
Read morePros: Great Staff, Good options , Brilliant concept
Guest
Livefaststayyoung
Points +211
Huge veggie breakfast - Edit
Good menu, quality produce, friendly staff, value for money. Can’t post a photo under HC rules as I had eggs.
Read moreGuest
Kerry73
Points +13
Delicious - Edit
Food is amazing, all veggie & Vegan. Their cakes are the best and staff all friendly
Read moreGuest
AbiM
Points +4299
Tasty - Edit
V tasty. Some things may be off the menu eg vegan cheese if waiting for a delivery or soup if it is finished. Service may be slow but that is understandable. Stress you are vegan otherwise cow milk will come with the drinks.
Read moreGuest
Vegan_Grower
Points +217
A refreshing change - Edit
Myself (vegan) and a vegetarian had lunch here, I had Carrot and Coriander Soup with bread, which was delicious, the bread reminds me of the type sold in wholefood bakeries years ago: wholesome with substance and texture. The vegetarian had a huge piece of leek, mushroom and quiche and reports as "best I've had in a long time". We both then had Vegan Biscoff Cake each and couldn't finish it, so rich and creamy and again generous portions. We loved the vibe here, very helpful, friendly knowledgeable staff and friendly trainees learning the ropes. A great venture which Hexham can be proud of. Will return.
Read morePros: Ethos, Generous portions, Lots of vegan options well marked
Guest
HebeDyson
Points +36
Lovely cafe with great staff - Edit
Had a great experience, the cakes were lovely and had quite a few vegan options. Loved that I could have vegan cheese and cakes (biscoff). Well priced too and the staff were lovely. Would definitely go again.
Read moreGuest
John.ellis vegan
Points +216
An Old Favourite Well Worth Supporting - Edit
Happy return after many years and so pleased with the atmosphere of kindness and friendliness. Some of the “staff “ benefit from support and guidance and are an inspiration.
Read morePros: Lovely vegan options with generous proportions , Friendly staff even when busy , Community Asset
Guest
JoeS6991
Points +24
Wonderful community asset - Edit
Friendly staff, wonderful atmosphere and a hearty vegan breakfast. The cakes looked great but I was already full. Will definitely come back if I'm in the area in the future
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-06-16
Guest
Alyson
Points +789
Lovely cafe down a side street - Edit
Ate here the other day for lunch. Had the soup of the day which came with chunk of bread, and then a piece of cake. There was a choice of 3 vegan cakes or a vegan scone. Good range of other vegan things on the menu.
Read moreIt's part of a foundation which works with people with disabilities - our server was a lovely guy and it was clear they are well supported with regulars and take special care with everyone.
Pros: Fully vegetarian, Nice vegan options, Lovely staff
Guest
clefairyt
Points +305
Simple lunch food done well with a community benefit - Edit
Simple lunch meals made fresh and with care, all with a community benefit.
Read moreIt's nice to have a vegetarian cafe with vegan options in an area where vegan options aren't as common.
It was very busy when we were in, so it wasn't the most peaceful experience, however the staff were great and managed well!
The staff were also very helpful in making sure that our dietary requirements were catered for, checking with us about what was suitable. There weren't so many vegan and gluten free options, as the gluten free bread wasn't vegan. In the end the dishes that were completely vegan and gluten free were a chilli and rice or jacket potato with fillings.
We bought some of the vegan biscoff cake to take away for non-vegan family and they said it was delicious too.
Updated from previous review on 2023-02-19
Guest
MaldonRob
Points +285
Sweet charity cafe - Edit
This was a fun, cozy and welcoming cafe with vegan options and good coffee.
Read morePros: Nice vegan options, Good cause charity, Pleasant service
Guest
KateEmmett
Points +4016
Charming - Edit
Very friendly and helpful staff, large portions of good food with lots of vegan options. Dog friendly
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-01
Guest
doggo77
Points +113
Lovely place, friendly staff and great food! - Edit
Always get a super friendly and warm welcome here, and have always found a vegan option among the cakes and baked goods. I've always gone for the falafel and chilli jam panini, so can't comment on the other vegan options on the menu, but I've never been disappointed 😊
Read morePros: Plant milks (oat and soya) at no extra cost, Vegan cake or baked goods seem regular, Reasonable prices
Cons: I don't live in hexham!
Guest
DerekiPorter
Points +76
Loved this café - Edit
Found this little cafe selling vegan food. I went to Hexham for a vegan market but somehow got the wrong date. But what a result finding the Hextol Tans café. I was very impressed
Read morePhone issue lost all my pictures sorry
Updated from previous review on 2021-10-10
Pros: Vegan and vegetarian cafe, Amazing Vegan cakes, Very reasonable price
Cons: None , No still can't think of any 👍🌱
Guest
JamesW76
Points +1355
worth seeking out - Edit
Tucked away, this strangely named café does good work and good food. Large portions add to its appeal.
Read moreGuest
Veganolive1
Points +4758
Great Cafe Doing Great Work - Edit
The Hextol Tans is a vegetarian cafe run by the Hextol Foundation working to improve the lives of people with disabilities and learning difficulties, so a great place to support. All the staff were brilliant, really friendly and we sat down to a very clean table with a sign to say it had been sanitised (after seeing the Manager clean one of the other tables, be assured they are clean she did a proper thorough job). We ordered vegan lasagne (which also happened to be gluten free), a jacket potato with houmous and roast vegetables and two decaf teas with oat milk. The food was delicious, good sized portions and we left clean plates, I also liked chef came out to serve our lunch, that's service for you. There were vegan cakes on offer but we were too full to partake, but they looked delicious. Highly recommended if you ever visit Hexham and you are supporting such a good cause.
Read morePros: Vegan options, Vegan cakes, Plant milks
Guest
KateRichardsonCraik
Points +85
Delicious chocolate cake! - Edit
Found this place on Happy Cow so we headed there today after a visit to Tyne Green Park. Fantastic friendly service and the chocolate cake was delicious! Lots of vegan options on the menu, it’s a vegetarian cafe.
Read morePros: No meat served, Good balance of vegetarian and vegan options, Great prices only £2.60 for a huge slice of cake
Cons: None
Guest
RuthElizabeth
Points +16
Much more than just delicious food - Edit
There is always at least one vegan option on the specials and at least one vegan sweet option. The main menu has vegan options like jacket potatoes and sandwiches. The food is delicious and homemade.
Read moreAlso, the cafe provides working opportunities for people with learning difficulties and mental health difficulties so it's a fantastic cafe to support.
It also allows you to bring your own container for take away food.
Guest
Bettster
Points +99
Gorgeous food , lovely service - Edit
Just had a butternut squash curry which was delicious. Good hearty portions. If you're in Hexham definitely worth the visit.
Read morePros: Extensive choice, Very reasonable prices , Friendly staff
Guest
Gallicgirl
Points +102
Hearty food, helpful staff - Edit
This is a lovely cafe. Vegan options and allergens clearly labelled. Portions are generous , food tasty and the staff are very nice.
Read moreGuest
BelleVueRendezvous
Points +61
Cafe with solid values - Edit
The Hextol Tans is a well used local cafe with good, solid values. Part of a charitable foundation, it gives opportunities to trainees, some with learning difficulties or health conditions, to gain work experience. The food is good solid fayre, and it is nice to see the cafe valued by the community.
Read morePros: Fresh local food with daily specials , Central, Warm and welcoming
Cons: Bit cramped, or cosy with charm., A slight air of not knowing what
Guest
hack_man
Points +25220
I know you from a previous incarnation - Edit
I used to come here fairly regularly when it was known as Hexham Tans. Then in 2016 came the new freshly branded Hextol Tans. Same location, same values but minus the tuna and prawns. I had an excellent chunky courgette and red pepper chilli priced at £5.95 which was nicely spiced and came with a good sprinkle of coriander on top. To take away I could not resist the carrot cake which went down really well with a cup of coffee back at home. It was only £2.20. This place is always busy at lunchtimes and is frequented by local shop and office workers as well as visitors to the town. I hope it continues to do well and I am proud to be a regular customer whenever in Hexham.
Read morePros: vegan options, friendly, cakes
Guest
WanderingWomble
Points +89
They were happy to serve me even though they were closed! - Edit
Went in when they were just closing but they were very accommodating to serve me. Had a nice carrot cake which was vegan and they had a few other vegan cakes on display too. Shame I didn't visit earlier to try their breakfast menu! If I'm around in this town again I'll be sure to pay a visit again! It's good to see this cafe is run by local volunteers getting work experience as seen in their window information.
Read morePros: comfy sofas
Guest
HexhamStuart
Points +24
great little cafe - Edit
Hexham's sole vegetarian eatery is also vegan friendly, with a selection of vegan-identified dishes on the menu. Good quality food, big portions, and the staff are attentive and helpful. Many of the staff have learning difficulties, and are employed by the Hextol Foundation (a charity) to provide them with learning and working opportunities. So go along, support them and have a fine lunch at the same time!
Read morePros: nice place, good food, really good community venture
Cons: Could do with more vegan cake options
Guest
Braidy
Points +395
Oh, I'll just go and ask. - Edit
The provision for vegans here is about the same as at Bunters so I don't know why I was so disappointed; I think it's the weight of expectation, as I knew this used to be a well-known veggie café so had fairly high hopes. It has been redecorated and looks attractive; the toilets are nice. Gluten-free items are clearly marked on the menu and cake bar but vegan items are not, and almost every question about vegan suitability was met with, "Oh, I'll just go and ask," followed by a trek to the kitchen. The Italian stew was vegan when a jacket potato was substituted for the mash, but toasted ciabatta came with a pot of mayonnaise. "Is this vegan?" "Oh, I'll just go and ask." (It wasn't.) Staff didn't know whether the instant hot chocolate or GF cake were vegan (they weren't) but assured me the ginger biscuits probably would be as they were made with Stork margarine (they weren't). I was told they usually have at least one vegan cake but this had sold out three days previously or they would have given me some. The stew and ciabatta were hot and tasty but there is really not much for vegans here at the moment. The café has just relaunched and has warnings on the menu that staff are in training, so hopefully once it finds its feet I can make a more enjoyable return visit.
Read morePros: Nice décor, good ciabatta
Cons: Clueless staff, few vegan options
Guest
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