LILYPAD — Restaurant in England

I want to share my experience at The Lilypad not to escalate matters, but to reclaim my voice, and set the record straight. It’s about accountability, dignity, and a call for safer spaces — particularly for women and trauma survivors.

I initially found The Lilypad to be a comforting, peaceful space where I could study, eat, and recover from significant neurological trauma. I live with a long-term brain injury following a violent assault known by this establishment from the offset and, for a while, this café provided moments of solace. I came mainly for food and peace — not alcohol — and often visited alone for wellbeing and safety reasons. I was always respectful and paid my way, sometimes for others, too.

Over time, I noticed a stark contrast in how I was treated when accompanied by my ex-partner — compared to when I came alone. With him, I was greeted warmly. Alone, I was often overlooked or spoken to coldly.

The most distressing incident occurred one Saturday night. I arrived quietly, sat with familiar faces, and was warmly told, “You’re always welcome.” After they left, I remained seated with my unfinished whiskey, minding my own business. I went to the bar to order food — but before I could even place the order, I was abruptly told I was “barred” and needed to leave. I was spoken to in a condescending tone, and when I asked for an explanation, I was told I had made “regulars uncomfortable.” Nothing specific. No conversation. Just exclusion.

Later, I was told by the other manager — contradictorily — that it was due to drinking too much. This simply wasn’t true. I had one unfinished whiskey. If CCTV exists, it would show I was calm, sober, and peaceful the entire time.

It’s hard to ignore the role my ex-partner — a regular customer — played in this. His emotionally abusive behaviour was known, witnessed, and ultimately ignored. From misleading me early on (kissing me in public while in a relationship with someone else) to using my neurological vulnerabilities to his advantage, the impact was severe and exacerbated my cognitive functioning. And while he continues to be welcomed and supported at this establishment, I — someone recovering from that trauma — was quietly pushed out.

He once told me he “never has to worry about money,” and it shows. The Lilypad’s loyalties seem to lie with those perceived to have more social or financial power. That speaks volumes about the kind of culture being enabled.

I want to acknowledge that The Lilypad once offered me comfort. I am grateful for that chapter. But it became clear that kindness here is conditional. That women — especially those who are vulnerable or recovering — are not always protected, believed, or included. And that, sadly, misogyny and emotional harm can go unchecked if it comes from the right person.

This isn’t about resentment — it’s about responsibility. We need public spaces that value safety, fairness, and consistency over hearsay, favouritism, or profit. I won’t return. But I hope this review is read in the spirit it’s intended: a calm but honest call for better treatment — and a reminder that some of us are still fighting just to be seen and treated with...

Mixed bag here, the atmosphere and interiors were great and most of the staff super friendly. The non alcoholic cocktail menu was great, with non alcoholic liqueurs. The padron peppers were great and my partner loved the enoki mushrooms. I love papaya salad, I've had it countless times in Thailand, and was taught how to make by a Thai chef in a Thai cooking course I took. This was unlike any papaya salad I've had - it was blow your head off spicy, which would have been good if it had some sweetness, but from my experiences, it was not authentic. I tried to give some constructive feedback about this when we paid the bill and when the manager came over he was very defensive and combative, did not listen to us at all and argued with us. I'm unsure whether he was having a bad day, or if this is the norm when an issue is raised (I have seen another review from someone else who clearly had a very similar combative reaction from the manager), but it was a really disappointing end to a nice meal - we'd been planning to come back to try more but don't feel comfortable now after the reaction...

I suggested this place to my mum for her birthday as I was searching online for the best vegetarian friendly restaurants in Harrogate. I'm happy to say that Lilypad has now taken the No. 1 spot of our favourite places to eat!

The food was so fresh tasting and we couldn't stop speaking about how the flavours of the sharing plates stayed with us all evening. We enjoyed how the individual dishes were served as they were made and everything came out piping hot.

We were greeted by who I can assume was the owner on arrival who was very welcoming and hospitable without being over baring. He was great at suggesting beverages for us all and we felt very looked after.

For a mid-week Wednesday evening meal out the place was well patroned! However there was a lovely relaxed vibe, which we think in part is due to Lilypad being a little further away from the town centre.

Overall we had an absolutely brilliant first time at Lilypad and we can't wait to return to try even more of the menu (and tacos and burritos on Tuesdays!). You have yourself 3 new...