11-08-2025
'We tried the Home Bargains Cafe for lunch and got food, drinks and treats for under £10'
The Home Bargains Cafe might not be your first thought when it comes to lunch - but at these prices it's not to be sniffed at.
Everyone knows what it's like when you're on a shopping trip and you need a bit of a refuel. If you're at a retail park or in the town centre, there are lots of options for a bite to eat and a hot drink.
Some of the bigger stores even come with their own cafe. And while that is more commonly associated with upmarket brands like M&S and John Lewis, it is also on offer at a budget retailer.
It might not be common knowledge, but Home Bargains currently has cafes in 34 of its stores across the UK, according to its website. The majority are in England, but there are three north of the border too - two of which are just a short drive from our biggest cities.
If you're shopping at Almondvale Retail Park in Livingston, like many people from in and around Edinburgh like to do, then you can stop off for some food at Home Bargains. It's the same for those at Westway Retail Park in Cumbernauld, just outside Glasgow.
And for Dundonians, you don't even have to leave the city, as the Home Bargains at The Stack Leisure Park also offers an in-store cafe.
While some people might turn their noses up at dining in at the budget retailer, we can show you why that would be daft. Emma Gill is the Parents Editor at our sister title the Manchester Evening News and she recently took a trip to her nearest Home Bargains Cafe with her daughter.
The pair of them managed to get some food, a snack, and a drink each - all for under a tenner. Emma was surprised at just how much was on offer at the cafe, especially at the bargain basement prices.
And she "couldn't believe" how little it cost for a pot of tea, compared to cafes across the UK. The whole experience was "pretty impressive", with Emma praising the "super efficient" staff for their "thorough" service.
Read on to find out about Emma's full experience at the Home Bargains Cafe.
Emma's review
"I'm sure I'm not alone at getting a little excited at the prospect of a trip to Home Bargains. Like its rival B&M, you never quite know what you'll be coming home with, but chances are you'll have found it cheaper than anywhere else.
"So the chance to try out its cafe left me a bit giddier than I should have been on a Wednesday afternoon and I was certainly more cheerful than my 16-year-old, who like most teenagers these days aren't happy until they've splashed the cash (my cash) at the likes of Starbucks and Costa.
"Sadly there aren't yet any such cafes in the retailer's Greater Manchester stores, so we had to travel to the nearest one at Warrington's Junction 9 Retail Park, which opened a year ago.
"I guessed it would be busy, especially during the school holidays, but we were lucky to get a table as customers - a real mix of age groups - took up nearly every seat in the place. Thankfully a little table for two came free so my daughter took a pew while I went to peruse the menu behind the counter and see what was on offer inside the fridge.
"There was more than I expected, with a range of toasties, focaccia sandwiches, box sandwiches, wraps and salads on display. The board behind the counter lists more products, with the likes of breakfast rolls and toasted items including teacakes, crumpets and toast for £1.
"In a separate display cabinet there's the sweet stuff - pastries, donuts, cookies, big slices of cake, you name it - and if you're after a quick grab-and-go, there's a tray full of sausage rolls priced 50p each.
"And I have to say the other prices are impressive too. The ham and cheese toastie I ordered might not quite be the standard of Starbucks, but it was well worth the £2.75 price.
"And I couldn't believe that a pot of tea was just £1. I say pot, it was a small one, with not much more than one brew in it, but it's rare you can get a tea for a quid these days.
"My daughter's vanilla milkshake was £1.99 - they do chocolate, strawberry and banana too as well as smoothies for the same price - while a latte, cappuccino or Americano will set you back £1.59 for a regular or £1.79 for a large. A hot chocolate or iced coffee are also £1.79.
"Despite her initial reluctance to be there - a trip to Home Bargains with your mum hardly competes with a Starbucks trip with friends - she was more than happy with her £1.99 roll and sausage, even more so that the ketchup sachets were Heinz.
"The donut was pretty standard and you can't complain with the 59p price for those, and my slice of carrot cake, at £1.49, was basic and a little dry, but still worth the money. Our whole lunch consisting of pot of tea, milkshake, toastie, roll and sausage, donut, and carrot cake came to £9.81, which I'd say is pretty impressive.
"And the staff were super efficient too. Our table wasn't clear when we first arrived, but that's mostly on the previous customers who hadn't shifted it before leaving, so I just took it over to the trolleys they have, similar to IKEA.
"At the counter itself, it was like a military operation with order numbers being shouted once they were ready. I've been in much pricier eateries with service nowhere near as thorough as this one.
"If the popularity of Warrington's Winwick Road cafe is anything to go by, I don't think it will be long until we see a lot more. The sooner the better if you ask me."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
