The Best Cafes in Tarrant Monkton, Dorset, United Kingdom (2025)

Stopped here unexpectedly for brunch. Ordered meaty breakfast wrap and bacon sandwich and 2 coffees. Asked for bacon to be well done and no problem. Everything came out beautifully cooked and very tasty. Only let down were 2 families who deemed it totally acceptable to let their young children run around screaming whilst everyone else was trying to enjoy a nice brunch. Totally ignorant.

Had some lovely food here after browsing in the Grainstore emporium. A good selection of homemade cakes and hot drinks, with hot food on offer too. I had the vegan breakfast wrap which I can definitely recommend.

So I have been going to the pantry for a few years now, I can honestly say in all that time I have never had a bad meal, not even a mediocre meal, every one has been top notch, at work we see this as the place to go at lunch, pricing is reasonable, for example I have just had a full English, sausage bacon beans mushroom egg toast with a pot of tea for under £10, great value but all good quality local products. It is the place to go

Wonderful little place to stop for breakfast. Food was tasty and decently priced!

Lo's Coffee Shop knows how to turn a Saturday evening into something legendary. We waltzed in as the Wonky Donkeys took the stage – I mean, talk about timing! The night transformed into an epic adventure, with food that could rival any gourmet joint, a great beverage selection and an atmosphere that had me wondering if Hogwarts' enchantment spilled over to this corner. The live music by the Wonky Donkeys? Let's just say they added more magic than a wand-waving wizard. And don't even get me started on the dog-friendly vibes – these folks deserve a round of applause for that. Oh, and the staff? Superheroes in aprons, no doubt. Seating's outdoors, but thank the coffee gods for those blankets that turned into cozy capes as the evening cooled. And if you think the magic stops at night, think again – they've got daytime delights too, from light bites to a coffee selection that could make a barista blush. Trust me, I've got my loyalty card ready because Lo's Coffee Shop just earned a top spot on my map of favorites.

Lo and her team are wonderful! Incredible venue, delicious pancake breakfast and unique cake selection. They also have a great music playlist! 🎶 Highly recommend this truly relaxed coffee shop! 🥞☕️🍰

We stopped by this lovely little outdoor cafe before setting off back home after a weekend in the area, and I’m so glad we did. Staff were super friendly, the cakes and drinks were really tasty and the atmosphere was chilled. Would definitely visit again when we’re back in the area and I highly recommend. X

Big breakfast 😋 excellent 👌 presentation & flavours mouthwatering and well cooked Lucy's is well worth a visit, off the high street in Tabernackle Walk 🚶‍♀️

Great little place hidden away up a walkway, had a lovely breakfast and sat outside. Didn't need to book even for a Saturday morning, with quick service and lovely staff. Dog friendly and only a few tables but a great selection of foods and drinks to choose from. Will defiantly be going back!

Brilliant service, bacon or egg roll great coffee, great atmosphere fantastic cake really good, nice and quite service with a smile.so 2 years on still fantastic Lucy has glided along in the lockdowns serving lots of takeaways and delivery were trying her curry tonight bought today keep it up.so 2 years on still fantastic great fun to start the day lovely coffee and the new menu awesome i would say if you do have a issue speak up Lucy will gladly look in to it or sort it out there and then rather than leave a moan where she has no idea what and who it was

Definitely the breakfast 🥞 🍳🥓 gem of Blandford Town. Great coffee ☕️, great service and wonderful food.

A beautiful little café which is bright, cozy and welcoming. The coffee was delicious and the display of cakes makes it very difficult to choose. We settled on the chocolate brownie and it was definitely a wise choice. The staff were friendly and helpful in their recommendations, if you are in the area this café is a must!

Myself and my partner went to this lovely cafe in Blandford, Jackie was lovely and her selection of cakes 🎂 🥮 were really tasty. Well worth the visit.

Excellent coffees & teas... delicious cakes & savouries... brilliant selection of chocolate etc to buy & take home... extremely friendly... cosy & relaxing atmosphere... highly recommended!!

Great place for soup and a scone and delicious cakes, especially the carrot cake. Service lovely. Will return.

Great find! We popped in for a late lunch. We had the classic croque and it was delicious. A great combination of flavours with a lovely dressed side salad and home made coleslaw. A really great cup of coffee too. My sons vanilla milkshake was overflowing with cream and sauce topping! Friendly staff and swift service. Nice clean toilets too. Only slight downside if there is one was that there are a few steps up to the front door which could possibly be an issue for a few customers. Highly recommended café.

Lovely home cooked food. Friendly staff, definitely worth a visit

Excellent cafe! Delicious food & drink and extremely friendly service. Great vegan options! Highly recommended 😊

Delicious food, coffee, and milkshakes. Friendliest staff and noticed they are breastfeeding friendly! Super cute inside and everything looked amazing.

What a wonderful little spot. I have been there a few times now and every time I am welcomed with a smile and all the staff are so friendly even when they are rushed off there feet. The selection of cakes and treats are scrummy. Love clean welcoming cafe.

I love Black Cactus. It’s a regular meeting point for my friend and I who live a distance from each other. The staff are super friendly, customers chatty, environment is warm in both temperature and vibe. Perfect cosy spot and my favourite place in Blandford. Keep up the good work guys and your were right, the brownie warmed was a perfect new year chocolatey treat.

I absolutely love this place, best coffee in town. Staff are lovely and clearly hard working as the queues can get long, but even under pressure you get served very quickly, never undermining the quality. I highly recommend.

Absolutely cracking breakfast great atmosphere best brekkie I've had in ages. Nice quality food and well cooked the service was friendly and good. Loved the ketchup scissors. Nice to go to a proper old fashioned cafe without being ripped off! It's a definite winner for me and will be back highly recommend

We were in Blandford Forum on Friday and looking to have lunch somewhere. We came across the Gorge cafe and saw a blackboard outside saying Cod and Chips for £5.55 so we thought that's worth looking at. Ordered the Cod and Chips at the bar along with 2 Cafe Lattes and took a seat in the rear of the cafe, mind your head with the low ceiling. It arrived very quickly from a nice staff member. It was a generous portion considering the price and came with garden peas. You can pick up your own sauces when you ordered. The fish was lovely with a tasty and crunchy batter and nice crisp chunky chips. Altogether great value , good food and nice staff.

Top cafe! I think it was 2 local lads working there, at till and cooking. Really polite. Food second to none, and very well priced. (even though the chef was new I was told) Very good atmosphere. Cup of Tea was perfect.

An amazing maize, maze one of the best around. What a pity it's the final maze this year. A wonderful attraction for all the family with all the usual facilities including a superb little cafe. Play area for younger children and very reasonably priced. Staff extremely friendly and helpful adding to the experience. The maze is open all summer until early September so get in there quickly for a brilliant day out!

Went with my sister ( a local ) and daughter and granddaughter. Food was really lovely. Highly reccomend the quiche. The play area is safe and really well laid out. If you are in the area it is well worth a visit. We live over an hour away but do make a beeline for Blackmarsh Farm when visiting. Staff are lovely too.

I love this little place that has a larger personality especially around the holidays, nice food, nice helpful staff, and full of friendlyness. It gets bigger and louder during the holidays and summer months when it opens the play area and the maize maze. Lovely for families and children. I have to say it pleases my heart to see this place set up for children's outside play, they certainly keep you on your toes, even when you are not part of that group or party, it has a little downside life everywhere when is busy hearing can be an issue even when sat face to face, so if you're expecting a wee cuppa or coffee or lunch in peace or relative quite here, you honestly won't know until you get there. It's just lovely hearing the children and youths being a play outside and not attached to their phones or computers.

Amazing food, highly recommend the halloumi wrap or the quiche. Friendly staff although service was a little slow, however it was busy so to be expected to an extent. Great value for money on food and drink choices and lovely cosy atmosphere. Recommend a visit for an authentic Dorset countryside experience

An incredible hidden gem! Staff were so helpful and friendly. Having a large booking they rang the day before to confirm brought over extra chairs when required as well. The food was incredible the portions don’t look big but I left so full and having had the best time! The dishes were so aesthetically pleasing to the eye and had one of the best afternoon teas I’ve had. Only criticism is for the scones more jam and cream required on the afternoon teas but it was still delicious nonetheless.

I have been before but my friend had not and we both enjoyed our lunch. She was impressed with the choice of food and teas/coffees and loved the ambience. My rarebit was tasty and she said her fish quiche was delicious but a very generous portion that she couldn't finish. Staff were helpful, friendly and attentive without being overbearing. We will certainly be back.

We had the Halloumi Wrap and the Roasted Veg. Hummus Avocado Baguette. Both were delicious. Nice setting and a large menu generally with some more vegan options such as the Butternut Squash Soup. Good pricing too and service.

We needed a hearty breakfast while travelling back home to Notts. This stop did not disappoint. Friendly service, great food, and plenty. Highly recommend the homemade cakes. Will be put in our favourites for next time we pass.

We came across this lovely welcoming cafe while visiting the area. Friendly staff and lovely freshly cooked food. Will definitely be coming back ! An absolutely hidden gem !

Recently we had lunch with some friends at the The Happy Farmer Coffee Lovely atmosphere amazing food and very acceptable prices , a variety of options vegetarian friendly good access for parking , great service. The staff were lovely and friendly made us feels comfortable. Definitely we will return soon.