Safari narrow boat tearoom

Discover the charm of Safari Narrow Boat Tearoom Café at Droylsden Marina, Manchester. Enjoy delightful afternoon teas featuring homemade jam and meringue, a cozy atmosphere with a log burner, and a dog-friendly space aboard our charming narrowboat. Visit us for a unique café experience by the water!

4.9 - EWN Awards
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Welcome to Safari narrow boat tearoom

Safari Narrow Boat Tearoom offers a charming and unique dining experience right on the water at Droylsden Marina. This 12-seater narrowboat seamlessly combines a cozy tea room atmosphere with delightful homemade food. Enjoy a range of options from hearty breakfasts and light lunches to indulgent afternoon teas, all at reasonable prices. The tearoom also boasts a varied drink menu that includes coffee, teas, and a carefully selected list of wines and spirits, perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Whether you’re there alone or with friends, the ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a spot that feels just like home.

Welcome to Safari Narrow Boat Tearoom, a charming café nestled in Droylsden Marina, Manchester. Our 12-seater narrowboat offers a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious breakfasts, light lunches, and delightful afternoon teas. Savor our homemade cakes and indulge in a range of hot and cold drinks, including Prosecco, gin, and wine. With outdoor seating and accessible amenities, we welcome families, groups, and solo diners alike. Enjoy the warmth of our fireplace and the aroma of great coffee as you unwind in this unique setting. Join us for a memorable dining experience by the water!

Services, Amenities and More

Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Highlights
Fireplace
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Accessibility
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol
Coffee
Quick bite
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Photo Gallery

View Menu Photos

Reviews Overview

Most Liked

The boat's unique decor creates a fantastic photo opportunity; the cozy interior attracts customers looking for a special experience. Many rave about the delicious homemade cakes and the superb quality of both food and drink, especially the freshly brewed coffee and variety of teas.

Patrons often highlight the friendly and chatty staff, who contribute to the warm atmosphere. Families appreciate the kid-friendly menu, while dog owners enjoy the relaxed, pet-welcoming environment. Lastly, the reasonable prices make it a crowd favorite for both breakfast and lunch.

The memorable afternoon tea experience, served on charming china, earns high praise, especially the scones served with clotted cream and jam.

Most Disliked

One common comment is that seating can be limited due to the size of the tearoom, so reservations are advisable, especially during peak times. Some guests have noted the cozy space can feel a bit cramped when full, making the visit slightly less relaxed.

While many enjoy the selection of alcoholic beverages, a few customers wish for a more extensive wine list or additional cocktail options. Although food quality is generally praised, a handful of diners have mentioned the desire for more variety in the vegetarian options. Lastly, on busy days, service can be a bit slow, leading to longer wait times.

User Reviews

CC
C. C.
3 weeks ago

A very unique experience in droylsden! The boat is nicely decorated inside. Excellent for taking photos. Food is reasonably priced. We ordered two full breakfasts which were very delicious. Everything was nicely cooked. I can’t have dairy and the owner has offered dairy free butter for my toasts. We will definitely come back ! (Recommend to make a booking )

MO
Mr O.
2 months ago

Lovely quirky space for breakfast. Friendly chatty staff. Nice home made food. Log burner keeps the place cosy when chilly. Dog friendly. Great spot to have breakfast/ lunch before going for a walk down the Ashton Canal to either Manchester City Centre or up to Ashton and then the Peak Forest Canal to Marple

Ia
Ian
3 weeks ago

What a fabulous find this was. Food was really nice and the owners were lovely very pleasant. We will be returning thank you.

Pb
Penny b.
7 months ago

Visited here on Wednesday with 2 friends. Ordered the Safari afternoon tea which was a sandwich of your choice from the menu, crisp, salad, coleslaw, scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam, meringue with strawberries and fresh cream and a choice of another cake which I chose lemon drizzle cake. It all came displayed on a beautiful afternoon tea China stand and I had a pot of tea also in the super price of £12.50! The whole experience was wonderful! We sat inside but as the weather was glorious people were sat at tables outside too. Anything we couldn’t fit in our tummies was put into a box to take home. A wonderful time was had by all 3 of us and we’ll be returning again with more friends for sure! Nothing was too munch for Maria the owner. 🥰 An absolute must for anybody out with their Mum, friends, family or partner! You can have breakfast, sandwiches, soup, toasties as well as the wonderful afternoon tea. Advisable to book in advance as it looks extremely popular with the locals. A must visit for sure! Thank you ❤️

NF
Neil F.
8 months ago

What an amazing little gem this place is. Very reasonably priced menu. Service was very quick. We all had the Safari afternoon Tea served in the morning and the food was delicious and plentiful. Staff were great and very friendly. Thankyou

LG
Lauren G.
9 months ago

I had such a lovely breakfast experience here. I pre ordered and booked the day before for a late morning vegetarian breakfast. The owner was very quick to respond to my social media messages and happily made adjustments to my order. Food was delicious and service was very quick. Condiments were offered and a toilet is available inside. Seating available outside during good weather. Takeaway orders are taken. The boat was warm, cosy and full of character. The owner was really friendly and asked us questions about ourselves and built up a good rapport. Will definitely return

TL
Tracey L.
5 months ago

Came with my mum and sister for Afternoon lunch, the food was lovely but the cakes were amazing! The staff were so lovely, would highly recommend the Afternoon lunch and maybe take a slice of cake home with you 😋

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Location & Hours

Opening Hours

MondayOpen
TuesdayOpen
WednesdayOpen
ThursdayOpen
FridayOpen
SaturdayOpen
SundayOpen

Location

Frequently Asked Questions

Safari Narrow Boat Tearoom serves a delightful range of options including breakfasts, light lunches, and afternoon teas. Enjoy homemade cakes, vegetarian options, and tasty toasties to take away.

Yes, this tearoom is family-friendly, offering a kids' menu and a cozy atmosphere perfect for families. It welcomes groups and has facilities that cater to all ages.

Absolutely! The tearoom is licensed and serves a variety of alcoholic beverages, including Prosecco, gin, and wine, making it perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Yes, the tearoom features wheelchair-accessible entrances and seating, alongside assistive hearing loop facilities. Everyone can enjoy the unique dining experience.

Why visit Safari narrow boat tearoom

Visiting Safari Narrow Boat Tearoom is a must for anyone searching for a unique dining experience. Its scenic location by the marina provides a beautiful setting for a relaxing day out. Enjoy the warmth of the log burner during colder months or soak up the sun on the outdoor terrace in the summer.

The homey feel and friendly staff create an inviting atmosphere, with special attention given to dietary needs, such as dairy-free options. Booking in advance is wise, especially on weekends, as the tearoom is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Pair your meal with an afternoon stroll along the Ashton Canal, making it a great combo for those wanting a full afternoon of enjoyment. Weekend excursions are even better when you can include a deliciously indulgent afternoon tea experience at this gem of a tearoom.