Cloister Refectory, Lincoln Cathedral

The statue of Lord Alfred Tennyson, and his faithful Russian wolfhound Karenina, is the landmark to aim for when looking for the Cloister Refectory at Lincoln Cathedral.
We arrived at midday and the enticing smells of lunch being served met us. We chose to eat inside but many more had chosen to sit at tables on one side of the beautiful cloisters.

Always a good start to a Lite Bites visit is seeing the Select Lincolnshire for Food logo on the menu. Sue, the Refectory manageress, who has worked at the Cathedral for more than thirty years, listed a roll call of great Lincolnshire names: Stokes coffee, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese, Starbucks breads and cakes, Odlings of Navenby sausage rolls and meats from Robert Foster & Son butchers.

Although it wasn’t a cold day the hot meal choices were already being quickly taken up. A homemade cottage pie and a cheese, onion and leek bake served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables were our choices plus a Lincolnshire Sausage bap with a tasty gravy. Freshly made soup to enjoy with bread, a sandwich or salad is another firm favourite always on the menu. Baked potatoes with a choice of various fillings make for a quick and satisfying lunch.

We chose coffees and one of the Belvoir Farm pressés for drinks but the Refectory is licensed, so a glass of wine would be an option too.

There are always plenty of temptations with which to finish your meal, from freshly made cakes to the very indulgent ‘Cathedral Cloud’ of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

For anyone with special dietary requirements you will find there are vegetarian choices, gluten free baked goods and dairy free items available.

The Cloister Refectory is certainly warm and welcoming and equally ideal for popping into on a lunch break or visiting as part of a tour through this magnificent building.

We Recommend

Favourite festive first courses

Catch the colour of autumn

To the Manor re-born

Walk this way, talk this way!

A showcase for the best of Lincolnshire

The story of the Bombweed

View all