Lion Gate Café

About Lion Gate Café

Lion Gate Café is a well-loved daytime café located on Hampton Court Road in East Molesey, right beside the Lion Gate entrance to Bushy Park. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am, it serves quality coffee — including plant-based options such as soya lattes — alongside lunch dishes and homemade-style desserts. With outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, full accessibility and a dog-friendly welcome, it draws a loyal crowd of locals, walkers and visitors exploring the Palace grounds and parkland. It is the kind of place that earns its regulars through consistency, good food and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.

Local area

Sitting beside one of Bushy Park’s historic gates, Lion Gate Café occupies a spot that could hardly be more rooted in its surroundings. Hampton Court is defined by the Palace, the park and the Thames — places that draw people outdoors in all seasons — and a good café at the park gate is a natural gathering point for the community. Within Richmond upon Thames, where independent neighbourhood businesses are genuinely valued over chains, this kind of unpretentious local café fits the borough’s character well, offering a welcoming pause point for residents who take their green spaces seriously.

Why choose Lion Gate Café

For residents of Hampton Court and East Molesey, Lion Gate Café offers something straightforward but increasingly rare: a quality independent café in a setting that earns its keep on its own merits. The outdoor seating makes it particularly appealing after a Bushy Park walk, the dog-friendly policy means nobody has to leave a companion outside, and the Tuesday-to-Sunday opening hours give it genuine everyday usefulness. Full accessibility means it is easy for everyone to enjoy, and with a Google rating of 4.6, the warmth visible in the description is clearly borne out by regular visitors.

Services

• Freshly brewed coffee and espresso drinks
• Soya and alternative milk options
• Lunch dishes
• Cakes and desserts
• Outdoor seating
• Dog-friendly café environment
• Free Wi-Fi

Ideal for: Local residents of Hampton Court and East Molesey, Bushy Park walkers and cyclists, Hampton Court Palace visitors, Dog owners, Families on weekend outings, Older residents seeking a relaxed daytime café.

Frequently asked questions

What days is Lion Gate Café open?

The café is open Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays. Weekday hours are 9am to 4pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays it stays open a little later, until 4:30pm.

Is Lion Gate Café dog-friendly?

Yes, the café has a dog-friendly policy, making it a popular stop for those walking in Bushy Park.

Is there outdoor seating available?

Yes, outdoor seating is available, which is particularly pleasant given the café’s position beside Bushy Park and the Hampton Court Lion Gate.

Does Lion Gate Café cater for non-dairy or plant-based diets?

Yes, plant-based milk options are available — the café is noted for serving soya lattes among its coffee offerings.

Is the café accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes, full accessibility is noted as a feature of the café, alongside free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating.