The Lock Keeper's Inn
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Quick info
About The Lock Keeper's Inn
Set along the Lagan towpath near Shaws Bridge, The Lock Keeper's Inn is a cafe serving coffee, tray bakes, soups, salads, and quiche alongside a small hot food menu. A gluten free menu is also offered. Outdoor tables line the towpath, with food and drinks brought out to guests, and blankets are provided for those sitting outside on cold days. Dogs are welcome, with water bowls set out for them, and high chairs are available for families with young children. The entrance is step-free and wheelchair accessible, suiting visitors with mobility needs. The cafe operates on a walk-in basis, with no reservations taken, and opens daily during daytime hours only.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dog friendly outdoor tables, coffee and tray bakes, towpath walking location and vegan and gluten free options.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dog friendly outdoor tables, coffee and tray bakes, towpath walking location and vegan and gluten free options.
Customer Review Summary
Walkers on the Lagan towpath make up most of the praise, and the dog-friendly outdoor tables are the center of it: reviewers describe food brought out to the tables, water bowls for dogs and blankets for cold days. Close behind is the friendly staff, with one reviewer noting a coffee and carrot cake arrived outside within minutes. Reviewers name a butternut squash and spinach soup as delicious, a vegan meal as great, and a snickers tray bake as delicious and massive, while others mention a gluten free menu, decent coffee and good tea. The main complaint is value. One reviewer calls a small fry with two poached eggs, two slices of bread and two drinks scandalous for the portion size and presentation, and another finds the salad lovely but pricey, the quiche not great, and the hot food menu small. One reviewer also wishes for proper plates and cups. Reviewers describe the shop as very busy, and one early morning visitor ended with a cuppa and sun through the trees.
Customer Review Summary
Walkers on the Lagan towpath make up most of the praise, and the dog-friendly outdoor tables are the center of it: reviewers describe food brought out to the tables, water bowls for dogs and blankets for cold days. Close behind is the friendly staff, with one reviewer noting a coffee and carrot cake arrived outside within minutes. Reviewers name a butternut squash and spinach soup as delicious, a vegan meal as great, and a snickers tray bake as delicious and massive, while others mention a gluten free menu, decent coffee and good tea. The main complaint is value. One reviewer calls a small fry with two poached eggs, two slices of bread and two drinks scandalous for the portion size and presentation, and another finds the salad lovely but pricey, the quiche not great, and the hot food menu small. One reviewer also wishes for proper plates and cups. Reviewers describe the shop as very busy, and one early morning visitor ended with a cuppa and sun through the trees.
Featured reviews
- Dave Maher
“We had lunch here and it was really nice. We sat on the outside seating, thankfully in the sunshine. The food was delicious, service was fast and attentive, the atmosphere was great, what more could you ask for? Oh, and the prices were reasonable. Try it! I should add that I have no connection whatsoever with the business in question.”
- Tony Ing
“Was good but with recent very steep price increases (coffee in a paper cup now dearer than the cafe at Hillsborough Castle which serves great coffee in china!) it’s poor value. Leek and potato soup today was unrecognisable as such - and full of salt - and tepid”
- Blánaid Canavan
“No gluten free bread. They said they had gluten free bread & sandwiches . I waited 15 mins only to be told there was no gluten free bread. Then they charged me twice before I got the refund. Not good for coelaic as”
- Stephen Jones
“Used to be a great wee spot but 25 quid for a small fry, 2 poached eggs, 2 slices of bread and two drinks for 25 quid is scandalous considering portion size and presentation.”
- David Gowdy
“Had a great vegan meal, staff so friendly. Great place to chill with your dog after an enjoyable walk.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Vegan options
- Toilet
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Great dessert
Show more amenities
- Facilities· 4
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Great tea selection
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Cafes near The Lock Keeper's Inn
- Coffee Box Belfast4.51591.3 mi£1–10
riverside outdoor seating, tray bakes, toasted sandwiches
- 2 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian optionsDelivery
belfast bap, full fry breakfast, pancakes
- Amelia's Loft4.51902.4 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingDelivery
full breakfast, lunch wraps, loaded fries
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lock Keeper's Inn | 4.3961 | — | £15–30 | dog friendly outdoor tables, coffee and tray bakes, towpath walking location |
| Coffee Box Belfast | 4.5159 | 1.3 mi | £1–10 | riverside outdoor seating, tray bakes, toasted sandwiches |
| The Mad Hatter Café BelfastOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.7558 | 2 mi | — | belfast bap, full fry breakfast, pancakes |
| Amelia's LoftOutdoor seating · Delivery | 4.5190 | 2.4 mi | £10–20 | full breakfast, lunch wraps, loaded fries |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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