Bridges Cafe

Bridges Cafe sits right in the middle of Fordingbridge’s High Street, in a charming Grade II listed building that adds a touch of history to your visit.

The cafe prides itself on rustic, homemade food – think hearty English breakfasts, cottage pies, and a range of freshly baked cakes like orange and almond or spiced carrot. They’ve even got their own coffee roastery called Bridge and Brew, where they roast beans fully electrically for that fresh, single-origin kick.

It’s dog-friendly too, with seating inside and out in a rear patio garden, making it ideal for a relaxed stop if you’re exploring the New Forest area.

Opening times are straightforward: Monday to Saturday from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, and Sundays from ten until three.

The menu covers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and treats, with options for vegetarians clearly marked, and they’ve got a nod from sites like HappyCow for vegan-friendly choices, though it’s not fully reviewed there yet.

When it comes to what people say, Bridges Cafe scores highly across the board. On TripAdvisor, it’s got a solid 4.5 out of five from over 270 reviews, with folks raving about the breakfasts – the full English gets called the best in years by some, with perfectly cooked ingredients and generous portions.

Coffee lovers praise the house-roasted blends, and service often gets shouts for being friendly and quick, even when busy. Many highlight the reasonable value, tasty home-cooked meals like lasagne or fish platters, and the clean, cosy atmosphere. It’s family-friendly, accommodating for groups, and appreciated for being pet-welcoming.

On the flip side, a few grumbles pop up about no ramp for disabled access, which can be a barrier, and occasional niggles like extra charges for garnishes or minor menu limits on certain days. Some older reviews mentioned Covid concerns, like spacing or masks, but those seem dated now.

Over on Restaurant Guru, it pulls in 4.6 from Google reviews and similar from TripAdvisor, with about 565 total opinions. Common loves include the in-house coffee, cheese scones, fish finger sandwiches, and relaxed vibe, with staff described as helpful and the decor lovely.

One or two mention small hitches like unripe avocados, but overall, it’s thumbs up for quality and friendliness.

If you’re in Fordingbridge, it’s worth popping in for a brew and a bite – it feels like a proper community spot that’s thriving under its new team.