Wensleydale Pantry, Hawes, praised by TripAdvisor reviewers

The Wensleydale Pantry, in Market Place, Hawes, currently holds a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and has also been recognised with a Travellers’ Choice award for 2025.

The café and restaurant sits in the heart of Hawes, one of Wensleydale’s best-known visitor stops, but several reviewers say it can still be “easy to miss”.

One visitor described it as “a bit of a hidden gem”, adding that it is “easy to walk past as it is upstairs”, but “definitely worth the visit”.

The Wensleydale Pantry, in Market Place, Hawes (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

Another said they found it by chance, describing it as “just a blue door with stairs going up into a big room”, before praising its wide menu and home-cooked meals.

Despite its understated entrance, The Wensleydale Pantry has built up a strong reputation with visitors looking for hearty food after days out in the Yorkshire Dales.

Popular mentions in reviews include pies, puddings, cakes, roast dinners, lamb, Wensleydale cheese, lasagne, sandwiches, full English breakfasts and large portions.

Many reviewers praise the restaurant for offering proper “home-from-home” food rather than anything too fussy.

One recent visitor wrote: “Eat here, you will not be disappointed,” describing the food as “very good home-from-home food” served by “very lovely staff”.

Another, who ate there twice while staying in Hawes, praised the “delicious food” and “generous portion sizes”, adding that the service was quick and the price was very good.

The venue appears to be especially popular with walkers and day-trippers.

One reviewer said they visited after the first leg of the Herriot Way from Aysgarth and called it an “excellent find”, praising the “home-cooked food” and “lovely staff”.

Visitors mention roast dinners, lamb, homemade food and large helpings, with one reviewer saying a small lamb dinner was still a generous portion.

Another praised the half portions as “ample”, adding that the food was “tasty”, “competitively priced” and served in a “pleasant, quiet atmosphere”.

One customer said the extensive lunch menu would make it a good option for a group, while another praised the variety of portion sizes and home-cooked dishes on a cold, rainy day in Hawes.

Others have praised cakes, coffee, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and simple comfort food.

The venue offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.

In a town known for Wensleydale cheese, walking routes, independent shops and Dales scenery, the upstairs café has become a popular stop for people wanting something warm, filling and straightforward.