The Woodlands Cafe

Inside The Woodlands Cafe

The Woodlands Cafe sits quietly in the rural charm of Abbey St Bathans, offering a cozy stop for those passing through or locals seeking a laid-back spot for a refreshment break. It’s a family-run cafe known for its warm hospitality and thoughtful approach to accommodating individual tastes, which clearly resonates with both regulars and visitors.

This is a place to settle in for a simple, well-made coffee—particularly a flat white—that pairs well with their range of homemade baked treats. The menu highlights such as avocado toast with bacon, creamy mushroom on sourdough, and rich desserts like hot custard and chocolate tart suggest a focus on hearty, comforting food executed with care.

The atmosphere is intimate and welcoming, with a mix of local walkers, cyclists, and day-trippers who appreciate its setting in the countryside. It’s the kind of cafe where you might find a group of cyclists dropping in for an early lunch or families enjoying a relaxed afternoon stop. The staff’s friendly and accommodating nature is notable, even extending service past official hours when needed.

The Woodlands Cafe works well for a mid-morning or early afternoon visit—times when the light filters through the windows and the pace slows enough to enjoy a pot of tea with a freshly baked lemon and blueberry loaf or the cozy warmth of soup and cheese scones straight from the oven. Its location, a bit off the main road, makes it a quiet retreat best suited to those who don’t mind venturing slightly out of their way for a thoughtful, comforting experience.

Overall, visitors who appreciate a genuine, no-frills cafe vibe with attentive service and homemade food will feel right at home here. It’s a spot for those who want more than just a quick caffeine fix—offering food and drink that invites lingering and enjoying the peaceful surroundings of this part of the Scottish Borders.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Great coffee

Great dessert

Great tea selection

Popular for

Breakfast

Lunch

Solo dining

What they serve

Coffee

Free water refills

Prepared foods

Quick bite

Small plates

Vegan options

Vegetarian options

Best for

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Dessert

Seating

Table service

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Free parking lot

Parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

Closed

Friday

11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

45 Reviews

Douglas Cruickshank

02 Jan 2026

fabulous home made food - coffee is really good - great atmosphere in a beautiful setting - I will be back

Soph Webb

26 Dec 2025

Amazing! Absolutely lovely staff who served us even after the official closing time. The lemon and blueberry loaf with cream cheese frosting was incredible. Such kind people and such delicious treats! 10/10!

Tarn Chapman

05 Dec 2025

Absolutely my favourite cafe! Excellent food and ran by a wonderful family who always deal kindly with my neuro divergent food fussiness!

J “TopFlat” Benedict

30 Nov 2025

Called in on a Thursday having arranged with Danni she would be open- six cyclists looking for an early lunch. Lovely soup, superb cheese scones straight from the oven. Generous pots of tea and good coffee. Very cheerful staff and a warm welcome assured.

David Burrell

25 Nov 2025

Bit out of the way, but if you are near then is worth a visit, friendly family run, food is gorgeous, coffee really good, nice place for a walk before or after you have something to eat and drink, very special.

Ben Curthoys

05 Nov 2025

We had planned to go for a walk up to the hill fort and have cake in the cafe when we got down, but 5 minutes away from the car park a child threw up all over the car. I carried on to the cafe to ask to borrow cleaning supplies, and they couldn't have been kinder - not only giving me hot water and towels to deal with the car, but also driving 5 minutes to collect the other child, who refused to get in the vomit car and was waiting with my partner on the side of the road. We gave up on the walk and had lunch in the cafe instead. It was excellent. I had the Croque Madame.

Rosanne Murphy

02 Nov 2025

Danny opened the cafe specially for us as we cycling through - the cheese scones were fresh out of the oven and served with home made onion chutney - absolutely delicious, a fabulous find off the beaten track. You need to go and taste for yourself you won’t be disappointed !

George Uden

05 Oct 2025

A lovely little cafe visited whilst doing a circular walk as part of the Southern Upland Way. Nestled in the hills and rolling larch woodlands this little cafe provided freshly cooked toasties and pots of tea - just what was needed on a surprisingly warm day in late March. Great experience.

Inside The Woodlands Cafe

Highlights & Local Essentials

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

What Locals & Travelers Say

45 Reviews

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