Hot beef sandwich with salad,
including nasturtium and other leaves
straight from the garden.

Set in Afton Park Nursery, this lovely little café is just like sitting in the garden, or if you prefer, the conservatory. What's more, the food is very good indeed and good value. There's nowhere else like this on the Island. Must-have is the apple juice from the orchard right there in front of you, and the beautiful, colourful and varied home-grown salads which come from the nursery and taste fresh enough to make you remember why iceberg lettuce really isn't a good thing.

Review continues:

A typical meal at the Apple Tree Cafe, Afton - and yes, they really are like this.

They specialise in wheat-free and gluten-free meals, also doing vegetarian and vegan options. But if you like a decent bit of meat, you won't be disappointed by Matt's favourite, the ham salad, either. Not to mention the five different mustards you get to choose from! In fact, on every table there seems to be a different sauce or dressing, all of which you can try and then, if you like them, buy in the nearby shop.

On a recent visit Matt chose the hot beef sandwich, and Cat enjoyed a goat's cheese tartlet on beefsteak tomatoes. Both were swiftly produced and exquisitely presented, and although the portion sizes were modest the very high quality of the food, especially the fresh salad, was a real treat.

A good stop for lunch or a nice cup of tea, they also do evening meals but we haven't tried that yet. They are open March-Sept every day, and some other days in between, but it's all on their website (click link), so check before you go. Because go you should.

(First published Nov 2005. Updated Aug 2006)

Visit the website: http://www.appletreecafe.co.uk/