Ran across The Major Oak British Café while looking for a restaurant in Fort Madison. After reading the great reviews, we decided to check it out, and were so glad we did! Our lunch was a delicious broccoli soup and panini. For dessert we had the most amazing lemon poppy seed and banana cakes. So nice to find a place serving fresh, homemade, tasty food. The owners were very gracious, friendly and interesting! One reviewer called this café a “hidden gem” and I couldn’t agree more.
Angela S.
Great service, lovely space! Desert was fabulous! Looking forward to returning for fish&chips!
Shauna
Fabulous food! Enjoyed th Saturday night warm atmosphere and visiting with locals in a up close setting. Glad we happened to find it last minute on our travels across the country!
wagsproject
This is a must visit location. They really are something special, and I don't say that lightly. Tony and Dawn are looking for more than just an amazing brunch café, which it plainly is. They are hoping to build a local community social spot, complete with weekend evening live music (by the owner) and a traditional English pub feel.We stopped in with a group of four and sampled the breakfast, and it completely blew us away. The Chai tea was homemade and phenomenal. And the full English breakfast had the best bacon I may have ever had in my entire life. I can't remember a better breakfast!On top of all of that, Tony and Dawn are incredible hosts and eager to share a conversation or point you to great spots around town. This is the kind of place everyone wishes they could have in their own neighborhood. Do yourself a favor and stop by!!
Deb Droz
Delicious meal in a cute setting! Thanks for convincing us to try the homemade soup, it was soooooo good! And the hot chocolate was just what I needed on this cold day!
Frederick Biehle
Visited today, the day after Christmas, which was lucky for us, as it required more strenuous searching. It’s hard enough on a typical day to find a restaurant that is simultaneously unique in its offerings and vested in its mission. But there it was in Fort Madison, open from 11-2. We drove up from Keokuk and sure enough every parking space and table was taken. They graciously opened up their second room for us and we stayed for two hours. Two things made this experience one to remember and more than a meal. One was the care and thoughtfulness that went into every one of their offerings to make them uniquely better. And two was the charm, curiosity and fellowship shared by each of the owners. We left knowing something about them, their history, the towns history and us as well. Next time in southeast Iowa we will be back.
Ron Bevard
Food was great, service was impeccable. Food was made when we ordered it. I would go again. Wait. The desert was the best cake I have had in forever.
Raegan Loder
My family visited Major Oaks’ morning restaurant while in town for thanksgiving and we loved it! The couple who owns it are very kind and personable, and the food was authentic and filling! I recommend the full English breakfast, croque monsieur, sausage with chips and gravy, and the ham and egg plate. Make sure to get the full British experience with delicious tea (in fancy tea cups you get to pick for yourself!) and cider too. My family will try out the dinner/pub experience next time we’re in town. A unique place in the area, highly recommend especially for something a little out of the ordinary.
Elizabeth Kennedy
The Owners are delightful and I had the best Fish and Chips I have ever tasted. The batter was light and crispy and the fish was so fresh! I will definitely be back to try the shepards pie and curry dishes.
Mike Knox
Absolutely a must stop when in Ft Madison. Authentic British food, made from scratch, that brought back memories of my trip to England a few years ago. The service is unparalleled. Running short on time we had to order take out but were not disappointed in the least. The inside is as quaint as an actual English Pub. The poppyseed cake with a Sherry drizzle is out of this world. Great owners too!! Can’t wait to go back.
Great food and great hosts! My husband and I had brunch and it was very delicious. I had eggs, mushrooms and ham, along with a lovely pot of tea. My husband had the croque monsieur and he devoured it. It’s a small place and all good is cooked to order so don’t expect a “fast food” experience. But it’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal at a great price. We will definitely return!
Ammon McLane
It had great food! Would definitely recommend! Only $15 for a plate for the special, and it tasted amazing. I had a ham steak small potato’s and greed beans and carrots. Great meal and was full. Love the atmosphere and cozy ness of the restaurant inside. Sadly there were many people inside so we sat outside, but it was still cute and well throughout. Definitely going again, and would definitely recommend to friends!!
Becky Morris
We had a wonderful time. The food was absolutely amazing and the conversation was great. We will be going back! Such a wonderful place.
Gillian Palmerin
We have just experienced a wonderful fun evening here with exceptional food and friendly personal service. If you like food with a British flair and scrumptious desert this is the place to go
Haley Rohac
The owners are two of the sweetest and most personable individuals I have ever met. The place offers an intimate setting and it is really easy to strike up a conversation with other customers. Everything is homemade and you can tell! I love everything this place has to offer. I definitely recommend checking it out.
Ran across The Major Oak British Café while looking for a restaurant in Fort Madison. After reading the great reviews, we decided to check it out, and were so glad we did! Our lunch was a delicious broccoli soup and panini. For dessert we had the most amazing lemon poppy seed and banana cakes. So nice to find a place serving fresh, homemade, tasty food. The owners were very gracious, friendly and interesting! One reviewer called this café a “hidden gem” and I couldn’t agree more.
Great service, lovely space! Desert was fabulous! Looking forward to returning for fish&chips!
Fabulous food! Enjoyed th Saturday night warm atmosphere and visiting with locals in a up close setting. Glad we happened to find it last minute on our travels across the country!
This is a must visit location. They really are something special, and I don't say that lightly. Tony and Dawn are looking for more than just an amazing brunch café, which it plainly is. They are hoping to build a local community social spot, complete with weekend evening live music (by the owner) and a traditional English pub feel.We stopped in with a group of four and sampled the breakfast, and it completely blew us away. The Chai tea was homemade and phenomenal. And the full English breakfast had the best bacon I may have ever had in my entire life. I can't remember a better breakfast!On top of all of that, Tony and Dawn are incredible hosts and eager to share a conversation or point you to great spots around town. This is the kind of place everyone wishes they could have in their own neighborhood. Do yourself a favor and stop by!!
Delicious meal in a cute setting! Thanks for convincing us to try the homemade soup, it was soooooo good! And the hot chocolate was just what I needed on this cold day!
Visited today, the day after Christmas, which was lucky for us, as it required more strenuous searching. It’s hard enough on a typical day to find a restaurant that is simultaneously unique in its offerings and vested in its mission. But there it was in Fort Madison, open from 11-2. We drove up from Keokuk and sure enough every parking space and table was taken. They graciously opened up their second room for us and we stayed for two hours. Two things made this experience one to remember and more than a meal. One was the care and thoughtfulness that went into every one of their offerings to make them uniquely better. And two was the charm, curiosity and fellowship shared by each of the owners. We left knowing something about them, their history, the towns history and us as well. Next time in southeast Iowa we will be back.
Food was great, service was impeccable. Food was made when we ordered it. I would go again. Wait. The desert was the best cake I have had in forever.
My family visited Major Oaks’ morning restaurant while in town for thanksgiving and we loved it! The couple who owns it are very kind and personable, and the food was authentic and filling! I recommend the full English breakfast, croque monsieur, sausage with chips and gravy, and the ham and egg plate. Make sure to get the full British experience with delicious tea (in fancy tea cups you get to pick for yourself!) and cider too. My family will try out the dinner/pub experience next time we’re in town. A unique place in the area, highly recommend especially for something a little out of the ordinary.
The Owners are delightful and I had the best Fish and Chips I have ever tasted. The batter was light and crispy and the fish was so fresh! I will definitely be back to try the shepards pie and curry dishes.
Absolutely a must stop when in Ft Madison. Authentic British food, made from scratch, that brought back memories of my trip to England a few years ago. The service is unparalleled. Running short on time we had to order take out but were not disappointed in the least. The inside is as quaint as an actual English Pub. The poppyseed cake with a Sherry drizzle is out of this world. Great owners too!! Can’t wait to go back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food and great hosts! My husband and I had brunch and it was very delicious. I had eggs, mushrooms and ham, along with a lovely pot of tea. My husband had the croque monsieur and he devoured it. It’s a small place and all good is cooked to order so don’t expect a “fast food” experience. But it’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal at a great price. We will definitely return!
It had great food! Would definitely recommend! Only $15 for a plate for the special, and it tasted amazing. I had a ham steak small potato’s and greed beans and carrots. Great meal and was full. Love the atmosphere and cozy ness of the restaurant inside. Sadly there were many people inside so we sat outside, but it was still cute and well throughout. Definitely going again, and would definitely recommend to friends!!
We had a wonderful time. The food was absolutely amazing and the conversation was great. We will be going back! Such a wonderful place.
We have just experienced a wonderful fun evening here with exceptional food and friendly personal service. If you like food with a British flair and scrumptious desert this is the place to go
The owners are two of the sweetest and most personable individuals I have ever met. The place offers an intimate setting and it is really easy to strike up a conversation with other customers. Everything is homemade and you can tell! I love everything this place has to offer. I definitely recommend checking it out.