Homecooked Treats

The family-run Gallery Café in Honley knows just how to tempt our tastebuds with scrumptious cakes and homecooked treats.

For several years now, husband and wife team John and Elizabeth Hill have been serving us with locally sourced cakes and mouth-watering treats, alongside homecooked breakfasts and delicious lunches.

With several family members gluten intolerant, the couple are keen to provide gluten-free produce whenever they can.

Their sausages and burgers are made specially for them by Haigh Butchers and cakes are provided by Nicola’s Gateaux, both in Meltham. Their coffee is ethically produced by Cafeology in Sheffield and their ice-cream is made by York brand Yorvale.

From hearty English breakfasts, served until 1pm, to loaded waffles and ice-cream sundaes, The Gallery Café has something to tempt all the family.

Elizabeth said: “We always have a chocolate cake and cherry Bakewell on the go, and a firm favourite with our customers is the wagon wheel traybake and our chocolate orange shortcake.

“We make our waffles ourselves and load them with Nutella and strawberries, Biscoff or banoffee.

“Our ice cream sundaes are another firm family favourite.”

A Gallery of Cakes

Drag yourselves away from the counter and its fine selection of delicious treats, and you will find a large family room upstairs for dining. A small selection of toys to help keep little ones entertained can be found on the shelves and there is spacious baby changing facilities. Upstairs, there is another separate dining area.

The grade-2 listed building was once home to a gallery and in a nod to its heritage, you will find local prints adorning the café’s walls.

Elizabeth said: “My father (Trevor Olner) is a photographer so upstairs we have decorated our walls with his prints.”

Downstairs, you will find more dining tables and in the centre of the room is the building’s original stone fireplace. The beamed room houses a selection of black and white prints showcasing Honley through the years, including a large print of Westgate in Honley from 1905, which sits behind the counter.

Make your way down the steep, iron, spiral staircase and you will find a small and secluded, lower ground floor private bar area that can be hired for small birthday gatherings and other celebrations. The whole bar and café can be hired for events such as small weddings.

There are also a few outside dining tables in the small yard at the back of the café to enjoy al fresco dining.

Welcoming and Friendly

Over the years, Elizabeth and John have grown a loyal customer base. From people seeking a mid-morning coffee to afternoon tea with friends, throughout the week you will also find local workers on business meetings, as well as family gatherings on a weekend.

Well behaved dogs are welcome downstairs for anyone who wants to call in for refreshments after a local walk.

Elizabeth said: “We have so many different types of customers using our café. Saturdays lean towards families and we tend to see regular, older generation customers throughout the week.

“We are dementia friendly in that we give our customers any extra time they may need and we are always understanding of people’s individual needs.

“Some of our customers may come in with their carers and need that extra support.

“Our aim is to make all our customers feel welcome.”