A surprise entry but hard to beat on quality of food even at restaurant prices. Handy for Ilkley moor and much quieter than its other chain members means often no need to queue. Arguably occupies a grey area between cafe and the hated tea room but does serve chips and beer so sneaks in.

To be fair it is neither a Tea Rooms nor a Bistro, but thankfully somewhere in between. The Smithy's breakfast is legendary, good quality ingredients and decent portions, if a little on the pricey side. The atmosphere is superb, a shabby whitewashed 200 year old barn with folk instruments on the walls. If you are in the heart of the White Peak, camping, walking, climbing or caving then this is a life-saver.

7.5

Shock and awe on this one. A Forestry Commission concession of all things. However excellent food and especially nice staff who seem loathe to charge you for their excellent home cooked food. Set amongst better than average pine forest of douglas firs and there is a bird feeder hanging by the balcony which provides great entertainment. On the C2C cycle route. View slightly obscured by trees and attached to a tourist tat shop otherwise perfect.

7.5

A quality cafe with a good menu and handy for gear shops. Excellent terrace over mill race makes for excellent al fresco eating. Compromised by 10 0 Clock opening and relatively large distance to mountains.

7.5

Quality cafe with on the rare occasions it is not in the clouds a great view in to wildboarclough. Ideally situated for a range of activities. Good food especially homemade cakes. Again borders on the tea room. The table decoration is particularly kitsch and vile and the grade reflects this.

7.5

Punches above its weight this one. Just off the market place in Helmsley near Sutton bank in the North York Moors. Homemade cakes excellent chips and friendly staff make its initially uninviting exterior irrelevant. Handy for Rivelaux Abbey and many mountain biking possibilities. Only marked down for slightly stingy portions and tendency for tourist prices.

Mythic status and run by a legend. Owned and run by the first man to solo the Eiger's North face in winter. The cafe is virtually at the bottom of some of Wales's finest climbing. Sells climbing gear and makes the experience of climbing very luxurious. However the food is good but not great and there is something just a tad demeaning about a legend in a pinny.

7

Should score higher, an institution. Huge portion size proper dingy vibe, handy for most of the peak district and produces its own spring water. But subscribes to the thou shalt not sign disease (see Edale Station Cafe) and whilst this may well be tongue in cheek one does feel you may be being allowed to eat there.

Update 24/4/2009
Alas time and perhaps their pricing and food policies mean Wild Ginger is no more. Perhaps what was once inovation became the norm and I don't suppose the credit crunch helped.

Almost a tea room as no chips offered, you have to make do with potato wedges. It does do beer however. A vegetarian cafe with an enviable reputation, some nice dishes and a tendancy to market itself to the knit your own yogurt fraternity. Food is only decent despite numerous claims about provenance. There does seem to be a lack of imagination in the kitchen which is so important in vegetarian cooking . Service is friendly but pedestrian and prices are steep. style over content probably sums it up best.

Could have been a contender. Set in a former heated citrus house, overlooking potentially beautiful gardens the Orangery ticks a few boxes. Food is reasonable, prices are keen, even if my sibling winced. However faded grandeur, Pink decor and the kind of tumbledown decay that is no longer charm but the onset of destruction gives a menacing air. On a more positive note it is very handy for a narrow gauge steam train that Master Cafeometer loved.

 

6

Surprise entry but deserves a mention, over the road by the campsite does good food and easier than cooking your own if camping by Loch Morlich. Also provides excellent red squirrel viewing venue. Compromised by popularity and frequented in winter by skiers, nuff said.

6

Little known does"aviators breakfast" (trad plate of grease) you can watch the planes take off, food only average

6

Surfer haunt but does provide valuable nutrition prior to wrestling with atlantic ocean or building sandcastles. Pretentious but just about carries it off.

5

Semi tourist trap in very picturesque location. Popular with the born again biker crowd and on the Nidderdale way. Prices are high and although the food is good somehow the vibe is all wrong.

5

Deserves no more. Portion size is stingy, food often undercooked could do better.

5

Again ought to be a legend given proximity to Stanage and gear shop heaven. But bizarre menu fascism which means chips and egg is a forbidden combination and stingy portion size all count against it. Often has good artwork on display.
Update 20/4/06. Rumours abound of a change of ownership I would welcome a current review