Pen Ponds Kiosk
Quick info
About Pen Ponds Kiosk
Pen Ponds Kiosk is a walk-up cafe within Richmond Park, with seating on benches rather than indoor tables. The counter serves bacon sandwiches and sausage rolls, including a vegan version, alongside hot dogs and pastries for something quick between walks. Coffee runs to mocha and oat mocha, and vegan chocolate ice cream is available for anyone after something cold. Orders are taken on a walk-in basis at the counter, with no reservations. Dogs are welcome, fitting a spot set among the park's paths. Queues form at busy times, particularly at weekends, so some waiting should be expected. Tap water is not provided on site, so visitors doing longer walks may want to bring their own.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · On-site parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
- DietaryVegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bacon sandwich, vegan sausage roll, oat mocha and sausage roll.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bacon sandwich, vegan sausage roll, oat mocha and sausage roll.
Customer Review Summary
Bacon sandwiches draw the most comment, once described as an institution but now, under new ownership, called inedible and dry with overcooked bacon, and priced at £6.70 for what one diner called one of the smallest baps they'd seen. Close behind, a vegan sausage roll at £6 is described as tasteless and still cold in the middle despite being sent back for reheating, with staff unbothered and unapologetic. On the other side, several praise the oat mocha and the chocolate vegan ice cream, and a sausage roll paired with coffee is called quite good. The park setting itself draws consistent warmth, with mentions of peaceful lake walks and watching deer. Complaints recur around price and service: one reviewer was told the tap water wasn't drinkable and directed on a walk elsewhere, another says a server refused to check allergen ingredients, and a few call staff rude or unbothered, especially during hot, busy periods. One reviewer advises going midweek or in rain to avoid weekend queues.
Customer Review Summary
Bacon sandwiches draw the most comment, once described as an institution but now, under new ownership, called inedible and dry with overcooked bacon, and priced at £6.70 for what one diner called one of the smallest baps they'd seen. Close behind, a vegan sausage roll at £6 is described as tasteless and still cold in the middle despite being sent back for reheating, with staff unbothered and unapologetic. On the other side, several praise the oat mocha and the chocolate vegan ice cream, and a sausage roll paired with coffee is called quite good. The park setting itself draws consistent warmth, with mentions of peaceful lake walks and watching deer. Complaints recur around price and service: one reviewer was told the tap water wasn't drinkable and directed on a walk elsewhere, another says a server refused to check allergen ingredients, and a few call staff rude or unbothered, especially during hot, busy periods. One reviewer advises going midweek or in rain to avoid weekend queues.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Just a mistake to go there at all, sandwich was way overpriced and almost inedible. Lady was very nice but this place is a prime example of a captive audience being ripped off with substandard food. Park is lovely of course and having ridden past hundreds of times I thought I'd stop to check it out, I won't be stopping again unfortunately as it is such a nice spot. Actually detracts from the overall Richmond Park experience.”
- Google user
“I love the chocolate vegan ice cream from this place. I find it really hard to find vegan chocolate ice cream, this was a very cute place. Their oat mocha is also really good.”
- Google user
“Overpriced and overrated! £6 for a vegan sausage roll that had no taste and was still ice cold in the middle, even after requesting it to be warmed up. Staff weren't bothered and not apologetic whatsoever.”
- Google user
“Disappointing experience to be honest! Taught me a lesson as to bring my own food to the park but having a server say they wouldn’t eat here with a food allergy, not even bothering to check any of the ingredients or allergen menu is actually just really lazy. Had a cuppa and a packet of crisps on the benches which was a nice seating area but would have loved to have a hot dog especially after queuing for 20 minutes :(”
- Google user
“Not equipped for the heat, and some staff were a bit rude- but it’s a really nice and convenient spot”
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
- Vegetarian options
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegetarian options
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Casual
- Onsite services
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Parking· 5
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Dining options· 3
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Seating
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Cafes near Pen Ponds Kiosk
- Windmill Tearooms4.21,1011.6 miOutdoor seatingVegetarian options
coffee, ice cream, cakes and pastries
- Tide Tables Cafe4.31,2682 mi
riverside view, coffee, plant-based organic food
- Rostomia London4.62054.7 mi£10–20Delivery
traditional algerian dishes, no menu provided, cooked breakfast with coffee
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen Ponds KioskOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 3.9807 | — | £1–10 | bacon sandwich, vegan sausage roll, oat mocha |
| Windmill TearoomsOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 4.21,101 | 1.6 mi | — | coffee, ice cream, cakes and pastries |
| Tide Tables Cafe | 4.31,268 | 2 mi | — | riverside view, coffee, plant-based organic food |
| Rostomia LondonDelivery | 4.6205 | 4.7 mi | £10–20 | traditional algerian dishes, no menu provided, cooked breakfast with coffee |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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