Bikers love Betws!
Betws is – and has long been – one of the most popular places to visit in North Wales, and has for many years been a favourite stopping point for bikers.
It may well be that when the sun is shining there are few places one would rather be. It could just as well be that the roads into, out of and surrounding the village are some of the best biking roads in the United Kingdom. Or is it because you can get some of the tastiest food and great ice cream there is to be had for many miles around?
Well the answer is probably a combination of all of the above, and in my opinion one of the finest eateries in the village is the Alpine Cafe*. Situated centrally in the village, right next to the single platform railway station, it is actually a cafe and gallery combined.
First impressions are good
The first thing you notice when entering is that it is light and airy, and very clean. Next to be noticed is the very long food counter, filled with an impressive array of sandwich ingredients and home-made cakes, pastries and flapjack. A truly delightful visage. Couple this with displays by featured local artists, free newspapers for customer use and big, comfy sofas to fall into in the conservatory, and you have an almost idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of this busy tourist honeypot.
The menu is extensive – actually a book rather than a list – and for those unfamiliar with the venue it is worth sitting down and perusing it to digest all the availability before ordering at the self-service counter. A rather nice quirk of this particular establishment is the ability to purchase just about every kind of tea that there is to be had from all over the world.
The Alpine has some seriously big tables!
If coffee is your favourite, then you will not be disappointed either. If it is a cappuccino, filter, mocha, latte, skinny or otherwise, de-caffeinated or fully drugged up, the choice is almost limitless. Cold drinks also abound, with choices ranging from canned to bottled, modern or traditional, fizzy or milk-based. If you are a hot chocolate fan, ask for cream and marshmallows with yours and prepare to be impressed.
One feature I particularly like about the Alpine Cafe is their willingness and ability to cater for all dietary requirements. If you are a Vegan or have food allergies, there is something on the menu for you that does not compromise quality or choice.
The food is as good as it looks
It is beyond the scope of this review to list all of the available food and beverages, but suffice to say that there is plenty of choice to cater for all pockets and all appetites. I have been a regular visitor for the best part of seven years and I have never had cause to complain, either about the service or produce.
Next time you are in Betws and are feeling a little peckish or thirsty, you could do a lot worse than pay a visit to the Alpine Cafe. I can guarantee you two things: I do not have shares in the business, and you will go there again.
Eat out the back and watch the trains
For those of you not familiar with the village, free motorbike parking is available in the car park opposite the cafe. The Alpine Cafe is definitely biker friendly, as well as being dog friendly – great for those of you who like to take your furry friends with you.
They also run two loyalty-card schemes. A free tea or coffee every tenth purchase, and a free sausage for your four-legged friend every fifth visit. Just ask for a loyalty card behind the counter and get the staff to stamp it each time you visit.
*Alpine Cafe, Station Approach, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0AE – tel: 01690 710747 – http://www.alpinecoffeeshop.net/
Not your usual boring hot drink
Relax with the papers in the conservatory
Create your own sandwich or salad
Is this the new meeting point for NorthWalesWongs? What was the car park like?
Naughty as ever Stevie C-D
Comment by Stevie Clapham-Dickenson — November 17, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Hmmm, makes me want to go there right now! [Or, when the next sunny day arrives
] Your ‘special needs’ coffee looks quite normal in that photo too – nicer than when I make it for you! Maybe I should ask for lessons then I can decorate like they do?
Comment by Joanna — November 19, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
Not sure about it being the new meeting point, but I am sure it will certainly feature in the 2010 ride out calendar
I am confident that the girls will give you lessons if you ask them Joanna
Comment by Chris Phillips — November 19, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
Sorry, went there today and the place is dirty, expensive, miserable staff, no toilets and the food wasnt nice.
DO NOT go here!
Comment by Jimmy — December 4, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Sorry Jimmy! I was there today. The place was clean, the staff were smiley and friendly as they always are and the food was as it always is, wonderfully presented and tasty. For you to say the food was not nice is quite frankly utter rubbish. Maybe in your case the attitude of the staff was a reflection of the attitude of some of their customers? I have generally found in life that when you smile at people and are nice to them, they smile back and in turn are nice to you.
Granted they have no toilets, but if you had bothered to ask you would have found out that the Parks Authority will not permit alterations to the property, and so they are not allowed to have any toilets even though they would love to install them.
You are accurate in your observation that food is not cheap, but if you want cheap food I suggest you take yourself off to a well known fast food outlet and gorge yourself on the rubbish they serve there. In any case, expense is generally a relative thing. Relative that is to what you can afford.
You have based your review on what appears to be one visit. I however have been there hundreds of times with no cause for complaint, and I am NOT easily pleased. By virtue of this you are not in any position to tell anyone whether they should go there or not.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but sometimes opinions fail to portray an accurate reflection of the subject matter, be it through ignorance or lack of experience, and sometimes both.
So folks, rather than listening to Jimmy, why not just go there yourself and make up your own mind.
Comment by Chris — December 5, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
We were here on Saturday June 11th. Our fourth visit and the first time we have been disappointed with the customer service. Two guys arguing/rowing with eachother behind the counter in front of customers, was not a good look for the cafe. And bad attitude towards a customer who said ‘Medium’ when asked by the staff ‘Small or Large’? Ok, he was a bit dim saying medium, but they did not need to show him up like that in front of others. Very disappointed this time around guys!
Comment by Mark — June 13, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
I am one person that has to have a gluten freediet. When I arrived at this cafe I was suprised to find that not only did it serve cakes and sandwiches, it also did meals that i could have. So to anyone who is Gluten free and in this area I would recommend this cafe. Also I found the staff very friendly and helpful.
Comment by mrs C Williams — September 11, 2011 @ 8:51 pm
Update!!
It appears there has been a significant recent staff change so hopefully the negative experiences previously posted will have been redressed.
Comment by Chris — September 12, 2011 @ 12:07 am