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Island View Cafe — Cafes in Looe

Island View Cafe

CafesLooe, ENG

4.6 out of 5 stars4.6(725 reviews)

Quick info

Marine Dr, Looe PL13 2DJ, United Kingdom
£1–10

About Island View Cafe

Island View Cafe sits on Marine Dr in Looe, with seating both inside and outside looking toward Looe Island. The kitchen specialises in gluten and dairy free options, giving a wide choice for those with dietary needs alongside standard breakfast items like poached eggs, French toast and a sourdough sausage sandwich. A flat white pairs with these morning orders, and a cream tea comes with strawberry and raspberry jam. Hot food service runs until 3pm. Seafood and local fish dishes also appear on the menu. Dogs are welcome, with a water bowl and biscuits provided for them. The cafe operates on a walk-in basis, with no reservations needed. Covered tables are available for cooler days, alongside the open-air seating that takes in the bay view.

Good to know

  • Reservations
    Walk-in only
  • Parking
    Free parking lot · Free street parking · Usually plenty of parking
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: entrance, seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
  • Dietary
    Organic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options

Reviews

4.6/5
725 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention gluten free options, sea view, sausage sandwich and dog-friendly policy.

5★
536
4★
125
3★
28
2★
16
1★
20

Customer Review Summary

Breakfast overlooking the sea draws the most praise, with reviewers repeatedly citing poached eggs with chilli flakes, French toast with fresh fruit, and a sourdough sausage sandwich alongside strong flat whites. Gluten free options come up again and again as a standout, with diners saying they couldn't believe the choice available. Dogs are welcomed with bowls and biscuits at the till, and several call the view of Looe Island magnificent. Service is friendly for most, with individual staff singled out for care. However, a recurring thread describes serious problems: one coeliac diner reports being spoken to aggressively when checking cross contamination and says the owner then berated staff in front of customers, while another describes slow, mismatched courses, confusion over menu availability, and a passive aggressive exchange with a staff member over jam flavors. Both describe the owner's response to their complaints as poor.

Featured reviews

  • Google user
    “I read the reviews and menus on line which is why we chose this but it seems the menus online are 2 years old and many of the items are not available. The cream tea was ok but we waited an age for two of the 5 teas and the non cream tea items also came very late so we were all eating at different times. They also stop serving "hot food" at 3pm and we were advised that a crab sandwich is hot food. The waiting staff seemed unsure what was available and what wasn't and then one of the staff, who acted like she was the manager (not sure if she was or not) was really quite sarcastic when we asked a question about which was strawberry jam and which was raspberry. I suggested that as we had ordered two raspberry and 3 strawberry perhaps the two with lids were raspberry but she proceeded to tell me in a very passive aggressive tone, that she would assume the ones with the raspberry pips in would be the raspberry jam, as if i was some kind of fool, only for her colleague to correct her and advise that the two with the lids were indeed the two raspberry. After that point I think she really just didn't want to serve us anymore which is why the teas and other food items were very late appearing. Overall a really disappointing experience. The view is great though. The day after my review and a Facebook message to the owner to see if my mum had left her purse behind i get the below response from the owner see attached screen shots.. I definitely think that they're in the wrong job......”
  • Google user
    “What a gem, to find a cafe with such a great choice of gluten free produce. You have to be commended, we really enjoyed eating there and would recommend IVC to anyone who wants really good food or snacks. Well done to you all”
  • Google user
    “Review update after owner’s comment 25/07/26: Ruth was so helpful and kind and we thanked her so much for her help! A real asset to the business. I think you shouting at her in front of a full cafe may be the cause of the upset. With extensive allergen experience in your family (which we were not to know of) I would have thought you’d understand the double checking, better safe than sorry. There’s nothing worse than being glutened when you’re a coeliac…I’m sure you know. However, I fear the response to my original review speaks volumes…as do the other 1 star reviews. Thanks for the sausage sandwich! …………. Gorgeous view and setting. Shame about our experience. I was aggressively spoken to when checking cross contamination and made to feel as though I was the problem. The owner then berated her staff in front of us. Upon arrival, we were informed by a member of staff they specifically cater to those with coeliac. I Ordered a few things and they came back each time saying it isn’t coeliac suitable. I had a sausage sandwich in the end which was nice but doesn’t undo the rudeness we experienced. Such a shame.”
  • Google user
    “Beautiful setting , friendly helpful staff , food was spot on! . Nice place for a bunch of blokes on motorbikes to plan a stop off among some of cornwalls finest riding roads. We'll be back 👍”
  • Google user
    “What a breakfast and what a lovely view in the sunshine across the water! Food made with thought with the added touch of quality and seasoning. The poached eggs had chilli flakes added which enhanced the taste and the French toast was made with fresh fruit. Lovely friendly spot outside in the sun, with some great decor and of course, friendly service. Will definitely return on our next visit to Looe!”

Highlights

“Coastal cafe with stunning views of Looe bay and island and plenty of outside seating to enjoy the view. We also have indoor and covered tables for those less sunny days. Serving fabulous coffee, delicious food, gluten free cakes, cream teas and excellent local ice cream. We have lots of local fish and seafood dishes on the menu. We specialise in gluten and dairy free with plenty of choice for those with dietary needs.”

  • Great coffee
  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
  • Popular for breakfast
  • Popular for lunch
  • Popular for solo dining

Amenities

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Free parking lot
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dogs allowed
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Show more amenities
  • Family-friendly
  • Vegan options
  • Cozy
  • Onsite services
  • Coffee
  • Free water refills
Offerings· 6
  • Healthy options
  • Organic dishes
  • Prepared foods
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
Highlights· 2
  • Great dessert
  • Great tea selection
Popular for· 1
  • Solo dining
Accessibility· 1
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
Dining options· 6
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
Atmosphere· 1
  • Casual
Parking· 2
  • Free street parking
  • Usually plenty of parking
Crowd· 4
  • Groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Tourists
  • Transgender safespace
Family-friendly· 3
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu
Pet-friendly· 2
  • Dogs allowed inside
  • Dogs allowed outside

Location

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