Vegan-friendly
Organic
Western
Bakery
British
Breakfast

Shop downstairs, cafe upstairs. Family friendly vegetarian cafe offering daily lunch specials, plus burgers, salads, potato bakes, pasta, and cakes. Has cooked vegan breakfast. Secluded patio garden. Small children's play section. No wheelchair access. Located above Single Step Cooperative. Open Mon-Sat 09:00-16:30, Sun 10:00-15:00.


Venue map for The Whale Tail Cafe
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88 Reviews

First Review by jacqui2

CaitlinMoore2002

Points +36

Vegan
29 May 2025

very good vegan options

I got the vegan breakfast and it was delicious! the hash browns were lovely and the mini black pudding was a great addition
I really did not like the vegan sausage though.

I can't speak for my girlfriends food as she ordered a terrible decision of a dry bagel, chips, hash browns (which I ate!!) and a dry flatbread (which she really enjoyed)

the cafe itself is nice and has a lovely rooftop and staff were all nice :)

Updated from previous review on 2025-05-29

ay09_VEcspiUn1p

Points +37

Mostly Veg
29 May 2025

Excellent as always

Superb tasty and wholesome food. A Lancaster institution for over 30 years and as good as ever

Updated from previous review on 2025-05-29

Pros: Outstanding salads, Great choice, Lovely staff and ambience

Cons: No dislikes at all

bad*vegan

Points +82

Vegan
18 May 2025

Great cafe

Spent a week in the area and really struggled to get good vegan food, but should have spent the week here, great vegan options and really tasty.
I had smoked tofu and mushrooms on toast for breakfast, and went back for lunch and had the whaletail salad which was delicious, I need the lentil recipe. And we even treated ourselves to cake after, I had the chocolate banana and walnut cake which was delicious, and my partner had the choc fudge, which was massive and delicious. Great to have plenty of vegan options available, even in veggie cafe it is unusual on the cake counter.
Great service, great atmosphere, definitely recommend.

bahhumbug

Points +85

Vegan
18 May 2025

Options!

Fully vegetarian, with plenty of vegan options. Ate here for breakfast and lunch, both of which were good.

J-E-D

Points +36

Vegan
09 Apr 2025

A Lancaster Classic

Incredible variety of vegetarian and vegan food - the daily specials board is fantastic!

MichaelVaughton

Points +53

Vegan
17 Feb 2025

Great food

A lovely, tucked away vegetarian cafe with plenty of vegan options

There's a really good menu, with plenty of choice plus a specials board. And the food comes with loads of extras like side salads with lovely deessings

A great place for food, or just somewhere to chill with a brew as they have some sodas and chairs as well as tables

A great selection of cakes too (all vegan) but I was too full!

Some of the drinks were on the expensive side in my opinion but they offer free water and cheaper options like cordial

Pros: Cosy, Welcoming, Home cooked food

SerenaMansfield

Points +33

Vegan
30 Nov 2024

Lancaster favourite

Wholesome, thoughtful food. Had yellow split pea, lime and coriander soup, which was delicious.

Pros: Relaxed, family atmosphere

HannahPotato

Points +174

Vegan
18 Aug 2024

Excellent selection of food and drink

The menu is filled with a great range for breakfast and lunch. Relaxed atmosphere and efficient at preparing the food.

Pros: Great range of food, Fresh produce, Staff were cheerful and engaging

Cons: Little difficult to find

VeganSossij

Points +188

Vegan
01 Aug 2024

Amazing flavour and variety!

Found a real gem in the middle of Lancaster with this one - had the chorizo gnocchi special which was not stingy on the chorizo!
Excellent portion sizes, fab range and great value for money!
Will definitely come back

Pros: Great flavour, Excellent range

BenjiT

Points +20

Vegan
31 Jul 2024

Vegan Breakfast 🔥👌

Had the vegan breakfast. Bloody excellent. And the filter coffee that came with it surprisingly also bloody good. 10/10

Pros: Good food, Good fast service , Nice space

Impressive Food

Points +46

Vegan
24 May 2024

After 3 decades, we've stopped going

We went to Whale Tail last weekend, we go every time we pass through Lancaster and have done for 27 years. Sadly, we will not be returning after a deflating experience. The portion of chips used to be a decant size. Now, it has shrunk to half while rocketing in price (£4.55 for a tiny dish). We asked the waiter if there had been a mistake (did we get the half portion) he said no. When we complained about the value and how their portion is half the size yet twice the price, his response was complete silence. Now I get that there is a cost of living crisis affecting all of us, but that does not justify such shrinkflation and it does not justify a total lack of customer service. We were therefore not hopeful of any further resolution with management so we ate (without pudding) and promptly left. The rest of the food was really good but the price does not justify it any longer, when the service is so bad, and chips are not that costly. Next time in Lancaster, we will get samosas down the street.

Updated from previous review on 2024-05-24

Pros: Detailed, tasty salads, Many vegan options, Quick service

Cons: Value for money has plummeted more than elsewhere, Absence of concern with unhappy customers, May close early without warning

MarkHappy

Points +268

Vegan
04 May 2024

Great vegan breakfast

A tasty vegan breakfast in Lancaster, reasonably priced

Pros: Great flavour, Good vegan choice

Cons: Ditch the eggs and go vegan please 🌱✌️

racheyroo2004

Points +43

Vegan
06 Mar 2024

DELICIOUS

It’s a vegetarian cafe but most of its stuff is vegan. The carrot cake is incredible and the salad bowls are incredible!!!!!!!!

Pros: Relaxed atmosphere , Delicious food , So many vegan choices

Cons: Stairs up

AndyPayne

Points +173

Vegan
24 Dec 2023

Breakfast heaven

Well never disappointing always excellent food and service!

Pros: Food exceptional , Staff always fantastic , Lovely chilled environment

Cons: Would love it to go fully vegan

JustAl

Points +817

Vegan
24 Jun 2023

Large menu and good portions

Lots of vegan and veggie options. Good size portions and value for money

Pippalaceyy

Points +66

Vegan
11 Apr 2023

Amazing vegan & gluten-free options

The best cafe in lancaster with loads of vegan and gluten free food. I had lentil, watercress and garlic soup w/ gf bap today, which was lovely. Would definitely recommend the BLT and checking out the health food shop (Single Step) downstairs.

alexia4077

Points +50

Vegan
10 Oct 2022

Gorgeous food

Lovely atmosphere and tasty food well worth a trip to Lancaster and right next door to a refill shop winner winner !

Pros: So tasty , So many options , Pleasant environment

Cons: None

emilybell03

Points +52

Vegan
05 Oct 2022

amazing cafe!

one of my favourite places to eat in lancaster! very reasonably priced and great portion sizes. the food here is really tasty and fulfilling and there are lots of vegan-friendly options. the staff are also lovely ☺️

Updated from previous review on 2022-10-05

HelenDixon

Points +17

Vegetarian
26 Aug 2022

Super food

Great, reliable good, fresh vegan and vegetarian foods. My favourite cafe.

Pros: Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, Fresh tasty raw food, Great price

Cons: Gets very busy, More take away options, Not open in the evening

pinkandblue

Points +42

Vegan
07 Aug 2022

Amazing vegan breakfasts 💚

We visited last summer whilst on holiday, and were so impressed we are still dreaming about their breakfasts a year on!! Lots of choice on the menu, we even took away slices of cake to have later in the day, all were delicious. Lovely hidden gem, the staff were friendly and welcoming, and we loved the displays of local artwork.

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Great selection of vegan cakes, Reasonably priced, great for a family treat

MattRooke

Points +509

Vegan
02 Aug 2022

Vegan cake

Sign up saying all cake was vegan. Got carrot cake and tiffin to take away. Very tasty.

Updated from previous review on 2022-08-02

Pros: Cake

Lienv

Points +319

Vegan
05 Jul 2022

Nice, cosy place with delicious vegan cake

Vegetarian but many vegan options. Very tasty food and good value for money. Dessert was delicious! (also very big slices)

Looking forward to coming back and trying the full vegan English breakfast!

Updated from previous review on 2022-07-05

Pros: Daily specials , Spatious eating area, Books for kids

Cons: English breakfast only available until 11.45

PastaWithCurls

Points +65

Vegetarian
01 Jun 2022

A wee gem

Went here with my wee boy for coffee (mummy) and cake (child and mummy). The cakes are 100% vegan which is good for my wee boy. Only down side is no wheelchair/pram access

katyskyewalker

Points +123

Vegan
28 May 2022

A hidden gem...

I was a bit late visiting this place despite living so close to it. Enjoyed by myself (vegan) and omni family. Recommend to anyone visiting the area or those local to it

Pros: So many great options both vegan and vegetarian , Great prices, Cake 🤩

emimas

Points +107

Vegan
20 May 2022

Fantastic!

Easily the best vegan/veggie restaurant in Lancaster, if not Lancashire! Great pricing, varied menu, delish and the service is excellent! Specials change frequently too and I always leave feeling healthy, happy and full 😊. I never go to Lancaster without stopping by!

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Lovely space, Reasonably priced

Cons: Busy around peak times

Ampslave

Points +83

Vegan
07 May 2022

Lovely vegan breakfast!

First time here and it's fantastic. Will definitely become a regular. A normal fried breakfast that is vegan is just what I've been looking for.

Pros: Vegan breakfast, Great location, Friendly and helpful staff

Cons: None

GGJ

Points +24

Vegan
24 Mar 2022

Quirky, great variety, good prices.

The menu is extensive with lots to choose from. The cakes and avocado & tofu bagel are favourites of mine. You can get standalone glasses of plant based milk if you’d like some time to sit down in the city with friends or with a book but don’t necessarily want or have the money for a meal with it. Desserts are large portion, I bring tupperware and save half for the next day. Servers are really nice!!

Updated from previous review on 2022-03-24

Pros: All / Mostly vegan! , Toilet for anyone to use by the entrance , Design of the place is retro/quirky

Cons: Not a huge sitting area, try to avoid peak times , Steep steps upwards to arrive at café entrance




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