Waterside Cafe at Farmoor Reservoir offers a fantastic spot for families looking for a relaxing pit stop with great outdoor walks.

The spacious cafe has ample space for prams, which is becoming hard to find in Oxfordshire, and if you’re coming with kids, you’ll find plenty of seating options, from larger tables for big family gatherings to smaller ones perfect for just a few. Having visited previously with friends, we managed to fit 6 children and 8 adults on one of the larger tables and we didn’t have to book – perfect for impromptu moments when you just need to get out of the house!

Many tables are positioned by large windows with views of the reservoir, making it a beautiful place to enjoy a meal while watching windsurfers and sailing boats on busy days.

The location is also great for a walk, with flat paths perfect for toddlers and strollers, and bird hides along the way for little legs to rest. On the day we visited, the cafe itself was a bit chilly, but we warmed right up once we got a hot drink and some food.

On our visit, we arrived after a walk and found that the cafe had just the right vibe for a family meal.

The menu is ideal for both kids and adults, with a lovely selection of options. The kids’ “Little Pirates” menu offers a mini cooked breakfast for £5, where little ones can pick four items—a great choice for picky eaters. There are also some specific children’s drink options like milk, juice, and hot chocolate. Although we’d hoped to stop by for coffee and cake, our timing shifted so we ended up trying lunch. I chose a comforting bowl of leek and potato soup, served with half a cheese toastie, while my partner went for a brie, bacon, and cranberry ciabatta from the specials menu. The kids’ lunch options are equally simple yet satisfying, with sandwiches and toasties (available in a half and full portion), chicken nuggets, fish fingers, and sausages on offer. We opted for the fish fingers, which came with peas or beans and a generous portion of food.

The leek and potatoes soup was hearty and warming, perfect for a chilly day. The portion was filling and I struggled to finish. It tasted fresh and exactly as it should. The bacon and brie ciabatta was also excellent and the servers were very attentive to my partner’s egg and nut allergies, making sure to check the ingredients and also share the allergy binder with us so that we could check ourselves. The fish fingers were gobbled up by a hungry 9 month old, but I did manage to snaffle a section and they tasted good.

The cafe also uses quality, local ingredients, like eggs from Mayfield Eggs, coffee from Dark Horse Roastery and bread from DeGustibus Bakery in Abingdon, which is always a nice touch.

While the food is hearty and comforting, it’s not trying to be anything too fancy—just well-made dishes that are good for families.

Having visited before with friends, I had my eye on their Mars bar cornflake cake – but it was not to be this visit. All of the cakes are made to the owner Rachel’s recipes and there are gluten-free cake options too, perfect for those with dietary restrictions.

For entertainment, the cafe offers a small playhouse outside, but the real fun comes from the reservoir itself.

On our visit, we were told that the cafe had hosted a Halloween treasure hunt in partnership with Thames Water last year, where kids solved clues to earn hot chocolate and cupcakes—a lovely idea for families. I’m looking forward to more events, which adds an extra layer of fun to a visit.

The staff were warm and friendly, and while there was a little wait for food—understandable for a small kitchen—they were accommodating and even assured me they would clean up the mess my little one made. It’s these little things that make a place truly family-friendly.

All in all, Waterside Cafe is a perfect place for a family outing.

The food is comforting and made with care, the location is ideal for a walk, and the staff make it a welcoming place for families with kids. Whether you’re there for a quiet coffee, breakfast or lunch, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy a bit of the outdoors with your little ones—and I’ll definitely be back soon for another chance to indulge in those irresistible cakes.

Waterside Cafe
Farmoor, Cumnor, Oxford OX2 9NS