The Refectory Info
Amenities
Service options
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
Health and safety
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Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Highlights
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Great tea selection
Accessibility
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
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Healthy options
Dining options
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Dessert
Amenities
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Good for kids
Atmosphere
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Casual
Crowd
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Groups
Planning
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Accepts reservations
Best PlaceJuice Reviews
What a difference a (few) days make. Reopening 27 February after a significant make over it has really made a good cafe superb. Bright and airy, fresh and clear the excellent food is set off well. The same super friendly staff set the whole thing off. Coming to Winchester, enjoy the protected outdoor patio area shaded from the wind but in the sun. This is the place to eat coffee, lunch and tea. Extended opening times too. Now open 09.30-17.00. Well done the team from Martin and Poppy. New dog treats too! Even Pete the Robin is back ready for a full tummy Spring.
Lovely venue. Had come here to meet a friend. We had two rounds of drinks and some food. Twice the coffee was cold. Queued and despite lots of staff only one was serving. The lady who appeared to be in charge was quite rude.
Why would you not go here.!!
Walk over to Winchester Cathedral go to the steps on the back wall and you will find the entrance to the cathedral shop and the cafe. Super fresh food, not over priced. Plenty of seating. On a dry day sit in the courtyard furry friends welcome. The ancient wall keep the wind out. You will find clean loos here. Gluten free options available. Share a table for friendly chats, on nice days the garden is open where you will find picnic tables for the cafe.
A reasonable selection of tasty food and drinks. The refectory has just had a makeover with new furniture, a revised seating layout and an improved serving area. Sadly, the updated image is badly let down by the very dirty and unhygienic appearance of the floor which does not seem to have received any attention.
I am American and visited this place in mid-January when my class went to Winchester Cathedral, so my review may not be reflective of the place now and does not fit with the horde of recent negative reviews. I had a potato and leek soup, cheese scone, and a gingerbread soy latte. Coffee and soup were pretty good, but the cheese scone was 100% the star. Out of my 5 months in Britain, it was seriously the best scone I ever had, so full of flavour and soft and crumbly in the best way. I told my group multiple times that I wanted to come back to Winchester just for this cheese scone (but I would visit the Cathedral again, it's stunning). If things have changed, I apologise, but I dream of that wonderful cheese scone still.
When visiting Winchester city and amongst other things,the Cathedral is a must see.With it’s cafe and gift shop a short walk from the Cathedral entrance.Its a nice cafe with plenty of seating both inside and outside other in the front courtyard or lovely little back garden below a beautiful weeping willow tree with lovely flowers in the boarders.We had a nice Winchester sausage roll made with stuffing and a cuppa to wash it down,very tasty.There is a good selection of food and drinks on offer.After our snack we had a browse around the Cathedral gift shop which is in this complex.Overall a very delightful experience and a great day out.????
Came here for coffee and cake, was served by a lovely young man named Ryan and he was so great and friendly! The latte he made was one of the best I’ve ever had. Would definitely recommend!
Good quality food in a nice location. Would liked to have had English mustard instead of the sweet burger mustard available.
Quick Facts About The Refectory
The Refectory place has several strengths based on the comments mentioned. One strength is the significant makeover that the cafe went through, resulting in a bright, airy, and fresh atmosphere. This improvement enhances the overall dining experience and contributes to the venue's appeal. Additionally, the excellent food served at the cafe is mentioned positively, indicating that the quality of the meals is a strength of The Refectory place. The comments also highlight the friendly staff, who create a welcoming and positive environment for customers. The outdoor patio area is another strength, as it provides a protected space for customers to enjoy their meals and drinks, especially during sunny weather. The extended opening times, from 09.30-17.00, also cater to a wider range of customers and allow for more flexibility in visitation.
Another strength identified in the comments is the proximity of The Refectory place to Winchester Cathedral. This is advantageous as it allows visitors to easily access the cafe after exploring the cathedral and its surroundings. The availability of gluten-free options is also mentioned as a strength, indicating that the cafe is considerate of dietary restrictions and provides alternative choices for customers. The clean restroom facilities are another positive aspect of The Refectory place, ensuring a hygienic and comfortable experience for patrons.
However, the comments also provide insights into weaknesses of The Refectory place. One mentioned weakness is the inconsistency in temperature for the coffee. In this case, the coffee was cold on two separate occasions, indicating a possible issue with quality control or the efficiency of the serving staff. Additionally, the complaint about only one staff member being available to serve during a busy period suggests a lack of sufficient staffing, leading to longer waiting times and potential frustration among customers. The rudeness of the person in charge, as mentioned in one comment, is another weakness as it negatively impacts the overall customer service experience.
The cleanliness of the floor is mentioned as a major weakness of The Refectory place. Despite the recent makeover, the dirty and unhygienic appearance of the floor undermines the updated image and can create a negative impression among customers. This is an area that requires attention and improvement to maintain a clean and inviting environment.
Although the comments expressed a positive dining experience and highlighted the tasty food and friendly service, it is important to note that these opinions may not reflect the current state of The Refectory place, as some comments were made several months ago. However, the positive mentions of specific food items, such as the cheese scone, help highlight potential standout dishes that could serve as unique selling points for the cafe.
In conclusion, The Refectory place has several strengths, including the recent makeover resulting in an inviting atmosphere, excellent food, friendly staff, a protected outdoor patio area, extended opening times, and proximity to Winchester Cathedral. However, weaknesses identified include inconsistent temperature for coffee, lack of sufficient staff during busy periods, rudeness of the person in charge, unclean floors, and the potential for changes in quality since the time of some reviews. These aspects must be addressed to improve and maintain the overall customer experience at The Refectory place.
Place Pictures
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
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