Mabel’s is a modern garden centre café restaurant with lots of character and charm on the outskirts of Lymington. It’s bright and spacious with fabulous gardens to sit in the sunshine or admire through the bifold doors on cooler days. Why not visit Mabel’s Farmshop too? A fabulous space to shop in or even host your own party.
BREAKFAST: 9.00am to 11.30am (10.00am-11.30am Sundays) LUNCH: 12.00pm to 3pm.
Who is Mabel? Mabel was a very special person indeed and our Managing Director’s mother. Mabel used to come in one day every week to help with propagation up until the age of 95!
At the heart of Shallowmead’s destination garden centre lies Mabel’s Café, a light-filled, inviting space where the summer menu sings with fresh, seasonal flavour. From morning through late afternoon, the café offers an evolving menu that thoughtfully balances wholesome indulgence with vibrant, garden-inspired dishes. Breakfast is an elegant affair — think poached eggs on chargrilled sourdough, golden French toast with cinnamon, or a full traditional spread using locally sourced ingredients. For lighter appetites, Greek yoghurt layered with berry compote and honeyed granola offers a refreshing start.
Lunchtime at Mabel’s brings a creative celebration of the season. Dishes like beetroot and goat’s cheese tart, garden herb and lemon roasted chicken, and a zesty orange, carrot and halloumi salad showcase both culinary care and provenance. The menu caters to a range of preferences, with comforting classics such as the ploughman’s lunch and toasted ciabattas sitting alongside vegan and vegetarian options like Moroccan-spiced stuffed red peppers. With an emphasis on quality, simplicity and honest flavours, Mabel’s Café reflects Shallowmead’s broader ethos: to offer a premium, restorative experience rooted in the beauty of the natural world.
Feeling like practicing for a Spanish holiday? How about unas tapas y una copa de vino? Mabel’s Café brings the spirit of the Mediterranean to the New Forest with a thoughtfully designed summer tapas menu, perfect for relaxed afternoons and long lunches in the sun-drenched courtyard.
This authentic selection of small plates draws inspiration from traditional Spanish kitchens, offering vibrant, flavour-rich dishes ideal for sharing. Highlights include Chorizo al Vino Tinto, gently simmered in red wine for deep, smoky flavour, and Gambas al Ajillo, a classic combination of prawns, garlic, olive oil and chilli. Vegetarians will enjoy the bold simplicity of Pimientos de Padrón or the indulgent Berenjenas con Miel, where crispy aubergine meets the unexpected sweetness of Spanish honey. For something rustic, Migas with Jamón Serrano brings texture and depth, while Queso Frito con Alioli offers golden fried cheese with a satisfyingly garlicky finish.
Keenly priced and elegantly presented, Mabel’s tapas menu captures the easy sociability of Spanish dining, paired perfectly with a chilled glass of wine and a jug of water. It’s a laid-back, luxurious way to spend a day exploring one of Hampshire’s most evolving garden centres.
