The Best Cafes in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (2025)

Always a five star service! A brilliant drinks menu of cold and hot drinks all freshly made in front of you, a selection of yummy fresh cakes and sweet items always available and prices are very reasonable. Support your local independent traders who value your custom 👍

Very nice experience, very welcoming staff, taste was good, place was nice and clean

To be fair, I’m not really a milkshake person but I am rely as bly told that they are first class…. What I can testify to is the service and the fantastic family people that own and work here.

This was our first time to this restaurant and, as we were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, thought it would be something special and different as it had not been opened long. I was able to book the table through a text chat and received confirmation within about 4hrs. We arrived at the booked time and we were shown to our table. It looked like they had just cleaned the table as it was still a little sticky....I hope that was the case anyway. The waitress came to us and took our order for drinks, we ordered the house red, which was an Italian 2022, and it tastedl very nice. They returned and took our order for starters and mains. Whilst we waited for our starter, we drank a little of the wine and took in the atmosphere. It was a very busy night (Friday) with plenty of people booked in and waiters/waitresses moving backwards and forwards, seemed very promising as a venue. There was, at one point early in the evening, which concerned us as one of the waitresses had seen we had been sat without food for a while and asked if we had our starters yet, which we confirmed we had not so thought it strange the time from ordering to receiving starters a little long. The starters eventually came and I had the mushrooms in a gravy sauce with home-made bread and my wife had the Calamari. My wife did comment that she thought the Calamari was not as 'puffed up' as others she had seen coming out, but still tasted good, as did my dish. Once this was finished and the dishes taken away, we waited less time for our mains. My wife ordered the Chicken Spinach, whilst I ordered the Chicken Diavola, which was both plentiful and very hot. We both very much enjoyed our meals but were quite full from the amount given on our plates, so would maybe only have a main next time. I didn't have room for dessert, so that might be a lunchtime visit another day. All in all, the food was delicious, the service a little slow at times, but well worth a visit. Cost wise, it is a little more expensive than the local Prezzo, but you are getting different dishes and to a higher standard, we will definitely be returning!

First time visiting the Restaurant. Wow absolutely beautiful food cooked to perfection 👌. The staff are so friendly just a beautiful place to go. Definitely recommend 100%

I am so pleased to be putting this review, me and the other half went on our second night out to il gusto and what an amazing time we had. The staff were amazing and the food............well unbelievable 👏 loved every bite. My husband had the pork, and I had the lamb, cooked to how the waiter had recommended 👌 top notch, to be honest. It's so nice to have this service on your doorstep, definitely what gainsborough needs. We enjoyed the beer on tap, and the cocktails made well. Definitely can not wait to return, my recommendations is the lamb all the way...THANK YOU ll gusto for amazing night off away from the kids and work xx look forward to seeing you with the extended family when they come over.

Fantastic meal. Our second visit and I couldn't fault the restaurant at all on either visit. Food, service and atmosphere were impeccable. Food is delicious, the decorations for Christmas are beautiful (sincerely hope they leave them up year round to be honest!) and the service was swift and friendly (special thanks to both Liam and Erin for their service) The best part is the price, dishes are very reasonably priced and a couple can easily manage three courses with drinks for less than £100. As Gainsborough locals Il Gusto has quickly become our local favourite!

A Hidden Gem in Town! This was my first visit to this cafe for brunch, and I will definitely be returning. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff are exceptionally friendly. There's a delightful small garden, and I hope my next visit will be on a sunny day so I can enjoy sitting outside. Nestled by the riverside, it's perfect for a leisurely walk after brunch. The menu, coffee, and food are outstanding. The full breakfast is generously portioned, but it would be great to see an option for a smaller size to accommodate those with smaller appetites like myself and reduce food waste. Overall, a wonderful experience!

Very nice food it was a refreshing change I have been before and will be back again. Well done team Reeds.

Bacon and mushroom bap with brown sauce. Speedy service. Excellent prices.

Best baps in town - Trepko Lads

The best baps in town! Pork and Beef hot baps to die for. They also do great bacon and sausage baps, but don't be fooled by the name they do a wide range of other food including some very tasty cheesecakes.

it was such a lovely evening. me and my mum came here for the first time this evening and the atmosphere and service as soon and we entered could not be better - it was second to none, especially the vibes from stacey. she was lovely and nothing was too much. she even stopped by our table after her shift to say goodbye and wish us a lovely evening. she made our night!! the gin teapots were incredible and the food was outstanding. thank you for a wonderful night! photos are of the pork starter, fish main and the sticky toffee pudding

Amazing Food and drinks and Costumer service. Thank you to Baz Kirsty Emily Grace and Stacey. Such great vibes. YOU MUST COME HERE !

Food is excellent. Staff are the best. Service also excellent. Plenty of low cost parking opposite. You have to give Clockhouse a try its great..

An amazing restaurant with top quality food and excellent service. Emily couldn’t have been more polite or professional. Danny (Chef) also took time out to visit our table and explain the high standards and quality of the food and also the kitchen staff. Thank you for an excellent evening. Five stars from me

Great place to visit for breakfast when out biking.

Great little cafe stopped on the way to Cleethorpes on a motorcyle run from Chesterfield. Plentyof parking nice outdoor seating where you can sit watching the aircraft.Only had a coffee so can't comment on the food we loved it.

Enjoyed my visit. Friendly staff. Nice clean place. Good food at a reasonable price. It was nice to dry off and warm up a bit. Good views over the airfield and will be lovely on flying days.

Our 1st but definitely not last visit , great breakfast ,quiet but not the weather for sitting outside ! Will look forward to that, found on Facebook, well worth a visit ..

My stay at the Hickman Hill Hotel has been absolutely delightful. The room is fantastic, with every detail meticulously thought out to ensure comfort and luxury. The bed is incredibly comfy, providing the perfect night's sleep. The staff have been super helpful, going above and beyond to make my stay enjoyable. I couldn't ask for a better experience. Highly recommended!

Had a wonderful evening with family and friends at the themed Greek night. Food was outstanding, so tasty and so much, Excellent value for money Produce was all home sourced and cooked to perfection. The service was good and staff friendly, We are looking to book another themed night asap. Definitely recommend.

Fabulous experience. Attended a wedding reception catered for by the Hickman Hill hotel, the food was really top notch. The owner was as equally friendly as she was professional. I must admit that I got a bit tipsy, but I'd booked a room at the hotel so I didn't have far to go at the end of the celebration. The rooms are very spacious and luxurious. I would recommend this hotel to anyone.

Felt like a valued customer from the moment I stepped in. Rooms very comfortable and clean. Food and service in the restaurant spot on. Perfect.

A proper greasy spoon, i love the food here, i hope it never changes like a lot of places do, service with a smile, great prices and offers, right next to the bus station and town centre, no competition this is the best café in Gainsborough.

A true gem of Gainsborough. Don't look like much but my Mrs said she ate there when she was a little girl and so to eat here with my sons is a bit special to her. It is very cheap and good quality food, normally have the big breakfast but today had a panini with fries and it was beautiful. The fries were actually fried! Normally it's oven cooked soggy yellow sticks but golden hot crispy fries! Heaven. Staff are great and interact brilliantly with customers so you get a family feel when you eat here, everybody knows each other and you could be mistaken for eating at home with all your family wittering on and laughing. My favourite place to eat when in town for lunch.

Had a big breakfast which included a mug of tea! Small friendly cafe, clean and bright. Staff very welcoming and polite. Food cooked to order. Hot and tasty, the eggs were cooked lovely and so was the fried bread. All for £5 and so I can't really drop any stars, even if the sausages were fairly basic. Excellent value for money!! Great service too hence the full 5 ⭐ With today's tight budgets, it's an absolute bargain 👍

Was welcomed upon serving by the biggest smiley face ever, along with a singing chef.. Obviously very happy in their work... I had beans on toast with 2 poached eggs and a slice of black pudding.. Food arrived 8 mins after ordering which is fantastic, food tasted delicious and was all piping hot.. Can't believe how cheap the prices are 👌👌... Will I be back? Yes 100000%.. Keep up the good work guys

Great place to visit lovely staff and food. Praise to the handling of a very rude customer who had a very demanding attitude . The restaurant was very very busy yet the customer seemed to think he deserved special treatment Our food and service was great as needing a gluten free meal it is great to have such choice will be back soon.

Amazing food, credit to the chef for swapping the chicken for spinach in my orzo! Thank you!!

Nice places good food fast service This establishment radiates a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. The staff members are incredibly helpful and always greet you with a smile. It's a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the ambiance. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable. You'll undoubtedly have a positive experience in such a delightful environment.