My head is usually buried in a newspaper, magazine, phone or laptop, so I rarely choose places to eat for the view. I was (and still am) the kid who read the back of the cereal box at breakfast.
But places like the Lakeside Café at Llandegfedd remind me that I should spend more time daydreaming and less time reading.
The café has been open for years, but it’s easy to forget it’s there. Huge glass windows, a long balcony overlooking the 434‑acre reservoir and cracking coffee make it an Instagrammer’s dream.
We went to eat there for the first time today. Both of us were surprised to see roast dinners on the menu. I wasn’t in the mood for a big dinner, so I went for the simple ham and cheese toastie (brown bread) with chips and salad (£8.95).
It was very tasty. My wife went for a toastie with cheese, sun-blushed tomatoes and onion chutney (£8.95 with chips and salad). She said it was “stunning”.
I slipped my dog a few chips as she sat under the table next to me. The cafe has an area specifically for people with dogs.
We were both pretty full but couldn’t resist a raspberry ripple cake to share. It was a hefty slice as well – perfect for two. This was washed down with a hot latte served up in a Llandegfedd Cafe mug. A staff member told me customers regularly ask if they can buy one.
If you’re a traditional Sunday dinner fan, you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need to book.
They serve up roast dinners (roast chicken, baked gammon, Celtic pride roast beef or wild mushroom & chestnut wellington) from 12pm to 3pm. The cost is £14.95 with a smaller plate at £7.50.
Parking is free for 60 minutes or £3 all day. The cafe was quiet. If you had that in your favour and didn’t hang about, you could get in and out in under that time. But we paid £3 and enjoyed a 20-minute walk before heading inside to relax.