The Grumpy Cook - Milton Keynes

Ordered a Chocolate Ganesh cake for my children’s birthday . The cake was simply amazing . Good size for £20. Fed 13 good portions and still a quarter left . Served it with cream and ice cream . Everyone really loved it . Friendly staff, really nice and clean cafe . Highly recommended .

I visited for lunch with my partner and our toddler. I went a few weeks ago with our little boy and the staff were brilliant; making him beans on toast at lunch time (both beans and bread were on the menu, so I knew this would be possible, and we were only five minutes past their breakfast serving time, when this is offered). I should add, this was on a very busy day. I asked for the same today, in a virtually empty cafe, ordering at 11:33, so only three minutes after they’d moved to the lunch menu. I was told this wasn’t possible, and they suggested I ordered a child’s sandwich, which unfortunately he wouldn’t have eaten much of. We decided to leave without ordering anything, and probably won’t go back now, which is a real shame. I understand hospitality is stretched at the moment, but a little flexibility would have been so appreciated today.

So after reading lots of good reviews we decided to try this cafe for breakfast. I was also swayed by having pancakes on their breakfast menu which appear hard to find these days!! However upon arrival I placed my order for pancakes only to be told that they didn't have any!! Given that it was a nice sunny weekend morning you'd have thought that they would have all their breakfast items in stock. My partner ordered the Grumpy breakfast and most of his bacon was fat and the sausages were not great either. It was very disappointing and a waste of £13 and the fuel to get there!!

Spur of the moment visit today for cake and coffee with a friend. It was fabulous, the Lemon Drizzle cake was a generous portion and absolutely delicious. Parents watching the kids playing football on the field, Pirate Park full of youngsters having fun and best of all a group of musicians playing in the cafe. Will be returning.

On a sunny day the Grumpy cook has a multitude of brunch offerings -including the recommended bacon roll . Outlook over the soccer area and part of Loughton . Worth combining with a local village walk , maybe try a cake too !