The Cafe by the Lake — Restaurant in Horsham

Came here for a spot of lunch catching up with some good friends and family that live close by. Situated right on top of the Sumner’s Pond fishing and caravan park so it’s fairly busy during the good weather, but we didn’t have a problem finding a table for seven of us (5 adults and 2 Kids).

There’s decent menu serves typical lunchtime meals such as burgers, pizzas, fish ‘n’ chips and open sandwiches, among freshly baked pastries like the bacon and cheese parcels, and cakes. The sandwiches are served as a meal and are truly filling. Not something like from your local convenience store or supermarket. Decent slab of bread loaded with your choice and a generous portion of sides.

The Chicken, bacon and avocado open sandwich looked like a popular choice, grilled sourdough bread topped with dressed salad leaves, grilled chicken, bacon and avocado, with honey and mustard dressing and lightly pickled cucumber. Then there’s the Homemade chickpea and onion bhaji open sandwich which is also Vegan friendly. Again grilled sourdough bread topped with tomato, chili and coriander salad, three homemade bhajis. Coconut yoghurt, and mango chutney, served with crisps. All comes served with crisps and most of the sandwiches can be made gluten free also.

The Sumners Ponds classic beef burger looked good too! Decent portions! Advertising their own beef from their farm served in an American style bun with homemade tomato relish and shredded lettuce and served with chips, salad, slaw and onion rings. I myself going for the simple option of the Sausage ciabatta which was two Butcher’s sausages in a toasted ciabatta roll. Again, a vegan option was available.

Among the usual soft drinks you expect to find, there’s a bar too which serves a variety of both bottled and draft booze, some of which are sourced locally. There’s a selection of wine and spirits too.

It’s certainly a picturesque place overlooking the lake, with decking and indoor seating. Nice friendly staff and well behaved dogs are welcome too! Decent portions at reasonable prices too. I can imagine popular with both fisherpeople and the locals. I know it came highly recommended from the friends we were visited and would definitely pop over again.

Was good to follow up with walk past the lake, see some cows in the farm and then into the woods for a little adventure. Brought me back to my childhood. So if you enjoy a little countryside hiking and dog walking, this place is ideal for either pre...

Saturday 20th April. Wasn't very happy as only went in for tea. Decided to have afternoon tea which was being advertised on a board though didn't have a price. Asked what it involved. Was told it was either a fruit scone or cheese if we prefered savoury. This is not afternoon tea ...... it is a cream tea! There was a notice outside saying there was a bit of a wait if we wanted food which would have been fine if we had ordered hot food but we hadn't and neither had anyone else from what we could see. In the 45 minutes we were waiting only cakes and cream teas came out. Our hot drinks were brought out after about 15 minutes but 30 minutes later we were still waiting for our food and it wasn't until my husband spoke to a waitress clearing tables that our food finally arrived (another 5 minutes) by which time we had almost finished our tea. Any place else where I have had a cream tea the drinks and scones come out together!! Needless to say I will not be coming here for food..... of any sort..... on a weekend. Reason I've given 3 stars is that when the cream tea finally arrived it was very tasty. Plenty of fruit in the scone and a nice size although the option of a plain scone would...

Went for breakfast on Sunday but not the best experience. Sign said wait to be seated but after 5/10 mins of no acknowledgement I eventually found someone who said it’s only for inside tables. Well all you can see is outside tables at that point. Anyway, sat down on a table outside someone vacated and it took 40 mins for someone to clear the dirty plates. It took 30 mins to queue to order and receive the drinks to take back to the table. 45 minute wait on food. It was obviously going to be busy on a sunny Father’s Day and barely any staff to run the place. My wife asked for a high chair while I was waiting for the drinks and the waitress said you have to find one and get it yourself. If I hadn’t already spent £45 on food and drinks we would have left at that point. Food was dry as a bone too and not worth coming for again. Shame as it’s a lovely place on...