Serves meat, vegan options available. Labelled vegan dishes include soup, pasty, chocolate cake and banana bread. Almond and coconut milk available for hot drinks. Vegan hot chocolate available - specify when ordering. Café's ethos is to use food that would otherwise go to waste and food is pay-as-you-feel although hot drinks are fixed price. Established in April 2018. Open Tue-Sat 10:00-16:00.
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143c Front St, Chester-le-street, England, DH3 3AU
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 07 Feb 2019 by rwg83
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Added by rwg83 on 05 Feb 2019
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10 Reviews
First Review by deadpledge
KateEmmett
Points +4068
Great supper clubs - Edit
The vegan supper clubs here are well worth a visit, the food is great and the price is very reasonable. Staff are lovely.
Read moreGuest
JasiTingTing
Points +1224
Vegan tasting night was fabulous! - Edit
Went to a vegan tasting night at
Read moreRe-f-use Cafe in Chester-le - Street.
Didn’t know what to expect, didn’t think I’ll be full after the meal 🤭 (I like my big portions 😂) I was pleasantly surprised! Left feeling full and satisfied 😍
The food was amazing, bursting with flavours, and textures. Fully enjoyed every bite!
Definitely will be coming back again.
Guest
PatriciaMF
Points +128
Smashing! - Edit
Excellent food and service. I had a second breakfast here even though I arrived after the notice says breakfast is no longer served. Points lost for bringing me milk (for green tea?) and butter when I'd pointed out I was ordering all the vegan items.
Read moreWent back about 1.30 pm with 3 friends but apart from (vegetarian but not vegan) sandwiches and a few non-vegan cakes there was no food left. The others were delighted with their cake and brownies but all I could have was tea. That isn't a complaint because it's stated quite clearly that it can happen.
I'd definitely go again if in the town.
Pros: the ethos, good-value tasty food, friendly staff
Cons: echoey so not too good for conversation, can run out of items quite early on, brownies could have been vegan but weren't
Guest
hack_man
Points +25920
Years of Refusal - Edit
Great concept making sure food that would otherwise have been wasted is put to good use. There’s always usually a daily vegan option and at least one vegan cake every day. The coffee is good and is the only thing that has a fixed price. For everything else you just pay what you feel worth in the envelope provided. Furniture is a bit rickety but in a good shabby chic way. Definitely worth a look. They also take in food donations, pop in and help them out if you’ve got anything spare in the cupboards.
Read morePros: Community atmosphere , Vegan options , Events throughout the year
Guest
Sazmosa
Points +331
Always an option, has vegan hot choc! - Edit
I've been many times here and it's busier every time.
Read moreThey make hot main meals and sometimes have a community fridge where you can pick up donated food from supermarkets.
They can always rustle something vegan up if they've sold out.
It's always been tasty and filling when I've been.
Friendly staff and have had good chats with other customers, it's a very appreciated venue in the town.
Local artwork and children's environmental projects on display, welcoming and for all atmosphere.
I don't want to go to Chester-Le-Street if ReFuse isn't going to be open!
Pros: Where else can you get vegan hot choc? , Great staff , Sometimes there's so much cake!
Cons: Need to get there early for main options
Guest
Paigeeej
Points +18
Refuse saving the planet one meal at a time - Edit
Pay as you feel basis. Serve vegan friendly meals and desserts.
Read morePros: New items everyday, Saving the planet with everymeal
Cons: Can get very busy not sure if you can pre book , As they use food that would go to waste, Lots of Vegan variety isn't guaranteed each day
Guest
clefairyt
Points +305
Great community ethos and atmosphere - Edit
This place is such a vibrant community hub on Chester-le-Street's main street, we couldn't not go in! The staff and volunteers were really enthusiastic, passionate about the ethos, and helpful, letting us know that there is always one vegan and gluten free option available each day.
Read moreWe wouldn't usually eat in a place that isn't fully veg, however when the ethos is to save food from going to waste we made an exception. It's a pay as you feel ethos, so accessible to all. Definitely worth supporting what they're doing if you're nearby.
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-02
Pros: Reducing food waste, Friendly staff and volunteers, Great atmosphere :)
Guest
BeverleyMartin
Points +120
Vegan/veggie themed evening - Edit
I stumbled upon this waste free venture and booked the vegan night meal, beautiful setting, lovely music, attentive staff (I think all volunteers!!!), 3 course meal with 3 choices on each course to pre book…oh nearly forgot the food OMG so yummy…I’ve put pics but I’m sorry you’ve got half eaten pud as it was so good x thank you refuse what a fabulous concept
Read moreThey’re open during the day on most days so I will be making a trip over there for sure
Updated from previous review on 2022-02-26
Pros: Loads of vegan choices, Beautiful space , Fantastic people oh food amazing
Guest
RSweet
Points +128
Great to give back - Edit
This place always has a vegan option, dairy alternative milk and usually a vegan cake. Pay as you feel, lovely to see struggling members of the community enjoying a meal.
Read morePros: community spirit , Pay as you feel
Cons: Varies
Guest
deadpledge
Points +13311
Waste not, want not - Edit
Very friendly zero waste cafe where you pay what you feel for your food. When we visited we ordered a roasted veg stir fry in pitta bread to takeaway, which was very tasty indeed. They even through in a few sweet potato wedges. Nice to see a venture like this exist and I really hope it continues to do well.
Read morePros: Zero waste , Nice staff
Guest
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