Secret Garden Cafe — Restaurant in Torridge District

We went to the Secret Garden cafe this afternoon intending to eat, thinking that food finished at 4.

When we mentioned this to the man behind the counter he replied, fairly a abruptly, that food had finished at 2.30. I then casually mentioned ‘oh I thought it was 4’ which turned out to be a big big mistake.

What followed can only be described as a lengthy and aggressive rant, by the man, telling me, in no uncertain terms, how wrong I was and that I should go outside and read the sign on the window properly.

When I replied, not unreasonably, ‘there is no need to be rude’, he snapped back ‘well you started it!’ He then told us to leave his cafe and never come back again.

The whole incident was totally bizarre - goodness knows what would happen if someone complained about the food.

I’m sure the cafe does lovely food but we will never know. I suppose all I can conclude is that the spirit of Basil Fawlty is alive and well...

We have had wonderful holiday to Bideford and everyone has been friendly and gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome . UNTIL THE SECRET GARDEN CAFE. Beautiful garden but the staff were awful. We had an 80 and 70 year old lady with us and instead of allowing us to sit on a table with 2 extra chairs they told us to move to a picnic on which thus ladies would not be comfortable. I asked why we couldn't stay there and the young girl said we could move 2 chairs for them so she contradicted herself , we decided to leave without ordering and was greeted with a sarcastic bye off the male cook and a we will cope without your custom off the young girl. I am fuming as treatment for anyone of this calibre is undesired but two wonderful mature ladies who have lived their life caring and being kind to others well its a disgrace. Anyone on holiday or visiting for the day please go somewhere else do not give them the...

would be the top place on Google Reviews due to its incredible garden at the back , but let down by the poor attitude of ths staff and the fact they are still acting like everyone (even NHS workers like my wife)is a plague carrier.Perspex everywhere. Because as we know, nothing defeats a deadly pathogen like persepx does. Waitress refused to acknowledge my greeting (twice). Woman on the till was a proper little troll. They forgot to bring us a cup of tea and when I asked her if it was on the bill, a simple " No its not on there. D 'ya wanna receipt?". No explanation of why it didnt come in the first place. Mind you at least they were honest about having dropped my food in the kitchen and replaced it. Won't...