
Quick info
About Monks Yard
Serving the Ilminster area since 2007, Monks Yard is a cafe at Horton Cross with open doors onto its gardens. The kitchen cooks food in-house and lists gluten free and vegetarian options for different dietary needs. Rhubarb crumble comes with clotted cream, and the drinks range from a flat white to a selection of loose leaf teas and coffee. Bottled alcohol is sold, though there is no bar and nothing on draught. Dogs are welcome. A medium size car park sits off the main road.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white coffee, scones, gluten free options and poke bowl.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white coffee, scones, gluten free options and poke bowl.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the coffee, from a flat white with rich, deep flavour and perfectly textured milk to good strong pots of tea. One says it has replaced the chain across the road as a regular stop. Close behind is lunch, where diners name the poke bowl, a bacon, brie and cranberry panini, leek and potato soup, a double steak burger, sandwiches described as beautifully presented, and sweet potato fries. Scones, a vanilla milkshake and gluten free cake also earn praise. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, and one describes them taking time to chat over the counter. The main trade-off is crowding. The cafe is described as always busy, and one reviewer advises arriving early to get a table inside, while others sat in the sunny garden. One notes that bottled alcohol is sold but there is no bar or draught. One visitor arrived shortly before closing, when only cake and coffee were left, and got the last piece of rhubarb crumble with plentiful clotted cream.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the coffee, from a flat white with rich, deep flavour and perfectly textured milk to good strong pots of tea. One says it has replaced the chain across the road as a regular stop. Close behind is lunch, where diners name the poke bowl, a bacon, brie and cranberry panini, leek and potato soup, a double steak burger, sandwiches described as beautifully presented, and sweet potato fries. Scones, a vanilla milkshake and gluten free cake also earn praise. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, and one describes them taking time to chat over the counter. The main trade-off is crowding. The cafe is described as always busy, and one reviewer advises arriving early to get a table inside, while others sat in the sunny garden. One notes that bottled alcohol is sold but there is no bar or draught. One visitor arrived shortly before closing, when only cake and coffee were left, and got the last piece of rhubarb crumble with plentiful clotted cream.
Featured reviews
- June Gaskin
“This place is fabulous. Sandwiches soooo good, probably the best I've enjoyed for a long time, beautifully presented. Great staff, really friendly. Scones just the best ever. Highly recommended.”
- NGW
“I drove past on the way to work, and was served a very good flat white by 2 very lovely ladies that took the time to chat with me snd served with a smile. Coffee was very good, rich, deep flavour and perfectly textured milk. In the past I had used the Costa across the road but this will now be my regular stop on that trip”
- J C
“It's a good space with open doors into the gardens with seating. The staff were welcoming and on the ball. Free WiFi. There is just enough choice on the menu, the double steak burger went down well as did the vanilla milkshake. They sell bottled alcohol but there isn't a bar/draught. Disabled parking and access.”
- Simon Hardy-Francis
“Arrived 30 minutes before closing when the menu is only cake and coffee. Got the last piece of rhubarb crumble and is was delicious especially with the plentiful clotted cream served with it. Would definitely go back.”
- Joy McCurdy
“Wonderful place! Delightfully quirky decor, friendly, helpful staff, and delicious food, including gluten free options. We had a yummy lunch, good strong pots of tea and some gluten free cake to go. Nice clean toilets too. We'll be back! Will take photos of lunch next time as forgot today.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“Since 2007 Monks Yard at Horton Cross, Ilminster has been serving the local area with delicious, home cooked food and excellent loose leaf teas and coffee. With loads of seating inside and a glorious garden for when the sun shines we cater for all. Including your dietary requirements such as Gluten free, vegetarian etc.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Coffee
- Dining options· 6
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Planning· 2
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
- Offerings· 3
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Cafes near Monks Yard
- Old Dairy Cafe4.74237.5 mi away
working farm setting, poke bowl, Moroccan-style pork dish
- Kitchen at the Wharf4.57558.6 mi away£10–20Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
riverside outdoor seating, burgers, cakes
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monks YardOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Reservations | 4.6616 | — | £10–20 | flat white coffee, scones, gluten free options |
| Old Dairy Cafe | 4.7423 | 7.5 mi away | — | working farm setting, poke bowl, Moroccan-style pork dish |
| Kitchen at the WharfOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.5755 | 8.6 mi away | £10–20 | riverside outdoor seating, burgers, cakes |
The 2 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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