1878 Coffee Lounge

Awesome little Cafe in the Pioneer Food Store in Carlisle, England. The place is always busy so be prepared to wait for a table. Food was very good and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend.

I've visited the store downstairs several times for hot food and drinks to take away, but today was my first visit to the Coffee Lounge upstairs, which is open 7 days a week.
We hadn't booked in advance, but we're seated within minutes. There were options of tables and chairs, booths, benches with barstools, and coffee tables with sofas, our option. Once seated, you order and pay at the till with your food and drinks being brought to your table.
There's a good choice on the menu with time limits on breakfasts. I opted for the Cheese Scone, Chocolate Orange Muffin, and Blood Orange Tea. Not disappoint at all. Superb value for money, good atmosphere, wonderful and helpful staff. I was impressed with the meals I watched being served, so I will definitely be going back at some point.
Lovely views from upstairs, too. I suspect there are some stunning winter sunrises to be viewed from here.
The facilities were very good and clean. The Coffee Lounge is accessible with a lift and a good-sized disabled toilet. I observed wheelchair users in the Coffee Lounge during my visit. There were children's highchairs available and baby changing facilities.
We walked today, but Pioneer have their own free car park for customers.
A place for everyone to visit and enjoy.
I've been for a second visit to thaw out after a walk in freezing weather, fabulous experience, food and drink.

My favourite place to stop for a bite when travelling between west mids & Scotland, great food & service, worth the short journey off the motorway rather than going to the usual service stations.

The Overall experience amazing … The cafe is in the first floor … Spacious cafe has comfy seats and tables … Ambience was brilliant … Had a very good menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner … I Had a breakfast which was delicious… Portion and quality is absolutely worth for my money..Budget friendly… Customer service is outstanding… Friendly and attentive… "Lift available “.. kids friendly ,kids chair available… Free Parking available ( Pioneer food service ).. gluten free food on request … Little busy on weekends… usually walk -in..
Personal Recommendations:
Fruit stake pancake
Breakfast
Mini breakfast
Hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows

Thank you for the wonderful experience.

We were spending the night on the outskirts of Carlisle and had a meeting at the Rosehill industrial estate next morning and we came across this utterly gorgeous coffee lounge when looking for somewhere to have a breakfast.

We were not looking for anything special so you can only imagine put surprise at discovering this wonderful coffee lounge. There was a queue when we arrived and I remember a guest walking out of the lounge whilst exclaiming, "It is absolutely rammed in there" which just added to our excitement.

When we got a table 10mins later, it was extremely busy but all the staff were smiling, serving each guest with courtesy. The hospitality and warmth could be felt as we exchanged pleasantries and placed our orders.

We ordered 2 mini breakfasts and a plate of pancakes to share. The coffee was smooth and the food was local, fresh and absolutely delicious.

There is a beautiful store on the ground floor offering some of the best of local and national produce. Just check the photos to give you an idea of the scale and offerings in place.

Fantastic experience and really looking forward to the next trip to Cumbria.

This is a great place, always busy but just not big enough you usually have to wait at the door to be seated. Good view of Rosehill Estate in one area and the other overlooks the Pioneer food hall beneath. The food is excellent, go to till to order and pay, once seated, staff are always busy you don't have to wait long for ordered items. Staff lovely and food items and some of the patisserie items can be purchased in the store below.

Amazing food! (I'm hard to please)
Tea wasn't hot enough for us. Maybe need to heat up the teapots before making the tea. X

Food was yummy, staff were very helpful and friendly, nothing was a problem, we'll be back, it was recommended by a friend who normally has carryout, we'll be recommending it for either

Tried the breakfast here. It was great you got egg,black pepper sausage, beans,muffin, flat mushroom,tomatoe,black pudding, haggis, bacon, and toast all for £9.95. Nicely presented.

Amazing fresh homecooked food every time we visit. Excellent service too.

Best coffee shop, best breakfast in Carlisle! Always busy. Good food market and butchers on the floor below

Had a little wait to be seated but everything from the food to the staff was fantastic. Would definitely recommend.

Great food, coffee and cake! Variety of seating areas from tables and chairs, booths, sofas and high chairs facing outside along a bar area. Super popular that people need to wait, this is always managed well, the staff are really on it in here and have an in out system and are on it, its worth the wait. Love coming here. Pram and wheelchair friendly.

Easily the best place to eat in Carlisle.

Never had a bad meal.

The best cooked breakfast ever.

Today I had a flat bread with beef brisket. Did not disappoint.

Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food.

The cakes are incredible.

It can get pretty busy had to queue to get in today but just knew it'd be worth the wait.

Breakfast was amazing, food was piping hot and beautifully presented, and the quality was amazing, especially for the price.

While most of the customers are having coffee or tea, I always find the fresh orange juice so exceptional here. Really refreshing.

Best burger I’ve had in a while. The Chefs special

There’s a reason why there are often queues to get into this spot.

And don’t miss out on the haggis!

Popped in for breakfast while my car was being serviced. Yes, it's more expensive than Tesco , but the quality is significantly better.

Called into Pioneer food hall on Monday ( bank holiday) to get some lunch, ordered the pulled pork in a toasted sandwich, very tasty indeed with salad and a few crisps, then had a Banoffee pie and a cup of tea,
Very impressed indeed.
Popped into the store to get a few things as they supply retail and catering products to the hospitality industry,
All in all a very worthwhile visit.