July 2025 by Marta E
If you want to feel irked and as if you are in some absurd tv sketch, this is the place for it. During the week the day I went it was open only 12 to 2:30. The hours on google have not been updated. Food was okay to be fair but the rest has put me off ever coming back.
We were told we could only have lunch as they are a bistro and not a cafe! Fair enough but someone needs to tell them to rename it Le Bistro Journal for a start. The place had one other table in and then it was only ourselves. Despite not being rushed off their feet, neither the cook bringing the food to the table or the lady owner bringing more drinks took the finished with glasses/bottle away for well over an hour.
I saw delicious looking gluten free chocolate brownies staring at me (two massive platters of them) but had had lunch there. The owner told me I could buy one to take with me. Another day I said.
So today at 2:30 thinking Saturday they might be open to 3pm as per hours in Google I called to check they were open n did have gf brownie left. I was informed they were closing now. She also said I could not come in and just buy a brownie to take away - they did not do that. I pointed out she has invited me to do that the other day. She said only lunch customers can buy to takeaway.
This really makes so little sense as you would think rather than a pile of brownies going stale someone buying one while not creating washing up or taking up space would be a fair idea. Only if they have had lunch there prior apparently is within their rigid rules.
I expect to see in the next episode a sign on the door ?zee rules are to be obeyed? or ?go away - we hate you all with your expectations of the cafe to be a cafe?. They don?t seem to understand the hospitality part of hospitality. You could not make it up.
I understand they may have decided to make changes for personal reasons but don?t call yourself a cafe then (call it Le Luncherie), be consistent, be logical and update your hours on google maps.
Don?t spend your money here or entertain this kind of service unless you want Basil Fawlty and Manuel. They clearly don?t really want your money anyway. What an absolute shower!
December 2024 by Simon Maggs
Went to Café Journal today for lunch and it was fantastic. Trevor is a super chef and Susie is a great host. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free options too.
We had a lovely time and the food was brilliant. I had scrambled eggs and bacon on toast with a pint of Butcombe and my wife had the halloumi salad with hot chocolate. Both were excellent and great value.
This isn't 'Spoons or Macky D's so don't expect everything chucked on the table in 5 mins, what you get is lovely food cooked to order just for you in a laid back, pretty and cosy environment.
10/10. We will be back!
November 2024 by Jess R
Honestly can?t recommend this place enough! A small group of us visited for some lunch, and had incredible service and the most delicious food! From toasted paninis, soup, an antipasti board of dreams, not to mention the to die for brownies we got to takeaway, it was all so tasty! If you?re in Warminster it?s a must to stop by this cafe!
October 2024 by Isadora
Would give Le Cafe Journal zero stars if I could! Proprietor was extremely rude and unwelcoming. As someone who works in hospitality I was amazed at her attitude considering she was the proprietor! I put it down to she was having a bad day but after reading other reviews it seems that she is just extremely rude!! I would not revisit or recommend to anyone! I love to support local businesses, however I would recommend going to the Wetherspoons over this place!
September 2024 by Rosie D
Overall the food was nice, and reasonably priced for a decent portion. It was interesting to see the proprietor (as indicated on her badge) announcing loudly when people walked in ?it?s lunch, you can?t just have coffee? which is odd for a cafe on a Saturday. The layout was strange, the tables are big and take up most of the floor, you?d not be able to get a wheelchair or buggy in here (maybe that?s the aim?). You?ll learn the soup and quiche specials off by heart as you?ll hear them from each member of staff. We didn?t enjoy the glove wearing from all the staff members, as there was a dedicated chef so it didn?t feel necessary for the waiting staff to be wearing them - particularly as they were touching the card machine, till, glasses etc without changing them. The proprietor seemed very stressed/slightly erratic, she was seemingly micromanaging a poor teenage waiter and it was very uncomfortable. It?s an interesting experience and not a bad cafe but the proprietor maybe needs a holiday!
September 2024 by lauren ingledew
Excellent! Proper traditional cafe with classics like prawn Marie sandwich and beef mustard. Missed this, haven't had a sandwich as good since I was a kid! Real nostalgic. Very attentive staff. The only improvement I'd suggest would be to move the table directly infront of the door because it made the place inside feel like it was closed off, and maybe have some sort of small kids option, although I didn't ask, and I expect they would have done soemthing if I had asked. The food though was really fantastic, even the garnishing salad was lovely! Photos attached are of our food halfway through. And the treats they bought out for the dog.
Vegetarian options: Many good veggie options mixed in with the menu, as well as fish options.
Dietary restrictions: Lots of GF options
August 2024 by David Bonner-Smith
Amazing Decor.
Excellent Lunches.
Super Service from the Proprietors Suzie & Trevor.
Salad with most things..
Homemade Quiche.
Homemade Fish Cakes.
Ploughmans (my fav),
Curry.
Soups.
Salmon
and LOTS MORE
August 2024 by chrisbristol
Amazing little place. I say this with the upmost love, this cafe like something you?d find in a Hallmark movie.
May 2024 by Emma Gunatilleke
Beautiful unique little cafe with fab coffee. Had a lovely prawn mayo sandwich garnished with salad, coleslaw & potato salad. Friendly staff and great menu.
May 2024 by Andrew Gunatilleke
A very tasty lunch. Great friendly service.
May 2024 by Craig Davidson
Been here a few times with my wife it?s a favourite of ours.Best omelettes for miles around.
February 2024 by COLIN BROAD
It is a small cafe at the lower part of town in Warminster. It was empty when I arrived on my own - I wasn?t sure if the place was even open.Two large tables are in the window downstairs as well as one tiny table squeezed in tightly behind one of the larger tables with the main passageway and a step next to it with very little space around it.I asked to sit in the window on the larger table and it was point blank refused and told to go upstairs.I do wonder whether they meet legal disability requirements here! For this place if you have a mobility issue and you?re on your own, forget about being able to have a pleasurable experience here - go across the road to the deli cafe (which is coincidentally full) or to Costa cafe or coffee no 1
February 2024 by Huw Grant
Weird place. Never heard of a cafe that won't let you in for a coffee. Very unwelcoming, wouldn't recommend.
January 2024 by David B
First time in this clean cosy cafe, excellent service and a varied menu to choose from. The staff were friendly and helpful and the prices were very reasonable, will book up next time as it was very busy.
December 2023 by Christiane Lewis
Excellent lunch and very friendly service. I have not been there before, so we'll impressed.
