
Lakeside Cafe
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Quick info
About Lakeside Cafe
Lakeside Cafe is a charity cafe in Ward End Park, Birmingham, set below the Dolphin Centre on Washwood Heath Rd, with views of the lake from inside. It runs as a community hub for local women, offering social activities and volunteering opportunities, and it also provides access to community food support. Its profits go back to the local community. The menu pairs Karak Chai with coffee, teas and iced teas, and the food includes samosa chaat, paratha and jacket potatoes, with cakes alongside. A loyalty card earns a stamp for every hot drink, and the sixth is on the house. The team brings colouring pages and pencils for children. The cafe also hosts catered buffets, private events and celebrations, which makes it a fit for groups.
Good to know
- ParkingFree parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lakeside lake view, karak chai, coffee and cakes and desi menu snacks.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention lakeside lake view, karak chai, coffee and cakes and desi menu snacks.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw, with reviewers also praising the teas, iced teas and cakes, plus a Karak Chai. Close behind is a desi menu that surprised some diners, with paratha, samosa chaat and pakoras named, alongside jacket potatoes and cheese salad baguettes. Several describe the staff as friendly, kind and accommodating, and the food as tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. The lake view from inside the cafe and walking round the park with a coffee come up repeatedly, and one reviewer appreciates the air conditioning on hot days. Groups report good experiences too, including a buffet at a private birthday party and a lunch served to a ten-person film crew. The main complaint comes from one first-time visitor, who said a morning greeting was ignored and staff chatted among themselves while the couple waited, so they left without being served. Parents note that children are brought colouring pages and pencils, and one staff member drew a picture for a little one.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw, with reviewers also praising the teas, iced teas and cakes, plus a Karak Chai. Close behind is a desi menu that surprised some diners, with paratha, samosa chaat and pakoras named, alongside jacket potatoes and cheese salad baguettes. Several describe the staff as friendly, kind and accommodating, and the food as tasty, well presented and reasonably priced. The lake view from inside the cafe and walking round the park with a coffee come up repeatedly, and one reviewer appreciates the air conditioning on hot days. Groups report good experiences too, including a buffet at a private birthday party and a lunch served to a ten-person film crew. The main complaint comes from one first-time visitor, who said a morning greeting was ignored and staff chatted among themselves while the couple waited, so they left without being served. Parents note that children are brought colouring pages and pencils, and one staff member drew a picture for a little one.
Featured reviews
- Mo Rice
“I am sure there is a reason for the good reviews however my husband and I visited 9.q5 am today. First time. We walked in. Smiled at the lady and said Good Morning. Totally ignored. Anyway. We sat down and waited, and waited. They talked amongst themselves. So we left. It's disappointing, because we had been looking forward to seeing if it lived up to its reviews.”
- Dean Hodnitt
“A hidden gem in ward end below the dolphin centre on washwood heath road. The coffee is top notch and if that’s not for you the teas and cold drinks like ice teas are delicious. Coupled together with the view of the lake and friendly staff that cant do enough for you it’s my wife and I’s favourite local spot.”
- John Williams
“I was recently invited to a private birthday party held and hosted by the Lakeside Café and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food. The buffet was high quality, beautifully presented and the attention to detail was excellent throughout. A lovely setting, great atmosphere and fantastic service. Highly recommended for private events and celebrations. The lakeside view was amazing and created a really relaxing atmosphere for the celebration.”
- The Sufi Playground
“Lovely staff, affordable and a lovely park. Nice to walk around the lake with your coffee spotting various plants/wildlife as you go. Locals need to show it more love! I was surprised with the desi menu. Its our regular spot!”
- Zakiyyah Alyas
“Always come here for their great coffee, cakes, paratha, samosa chaat and pakoras!! Their service is always impeccable! Staff are very accommodating.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“The new Lakeside Cafe provides a beautiful, safe & welcoming environment, with a lakeside view, for you to enjoy when visiting Ward End Park, B8. Serving freshly prepared delicious drinks, savoury snacks, light lunches & yummy homemade cake – all with a gorgeous view of the lake, its wildlife & the Green Flag park in every changing season. Choose to eat in, takeaway, or pre-order & collect... your food, your way. The charity café provides a safe community hub for local women to engage in social activities & volunteering opportunities. We also provide access to community food support for those who are experiencing food injustice at this time. Cafe profits support the local community. Ask about our catered buffets, events & space hire.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
Show more amenities
- Casual
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Quick bite
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dining options· 4
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Seating
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Offerings· 2
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Location
Cafes near Lakeside Cafe
- Chai Green4.42,2320.7 mi£10–20DeliveryReservationsWi-Fi
chaat, house chai, pasta dishes
- Bo Café4.72251.3 mi£1–15Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsDelivery
cajun chicken panini, homemade platters, moroccan tea
- Silly Sausage4.64021.3 mi£1–15Outdoor seatingDelivery
big breakfast sizes, fresh orange juice, bacon and sausages
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeside CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.929 | — | £1–10 | lakeside lake view, karak chai, coffee and cakes |
| Chai GreenDelivery · Reservations · Wi-Fi | 4.42,232 | 0.7 mi | £10–20 | chaat, house chai, pasta dishes |
| Bo CaféOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.7225 | 1.3 mi | £1–15 | cajun chicken panini, homemade platters, moroccan tea |
| Silly SausageOutdoor seating · Delivery | 4.6402 | 1.3 mi | £1–15 | big breakfast sizes, fresh orange juice, bacon and sausages |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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