I've just missed my train home from Macclesfield at lunchtime so decided to go for a walk around the town in search of a tasty morsel. The only suggestion Google maps had to offer was Subway which I'm not a major fan of but not knowing the area, I headed in that direction in the hope of coming across somewhere better on the way. I'm very happy to have stumbled upon The Speckled Hen Cafe at the Cheshire Gap Deli! From outside the Cheshire Gap Deli has a mouthwatering array of handmade cakes and pastries in the window and the seating area of the Speckled Hen Cafe looks homely and inviting. Once inside, the place is reminiscent of a village fête with bunting and an abundance of wicker baskets in all shapes and sizes. The staff are very friendly and helpful and it's obviously very popular with the locals as most of the tables were full. I ordered a latte, a tomato, mozzarella and basil panini and some cakes to take away. The latte wasn't quite what I'm used to having spent so much time in the city but it was perfectly drinkable by out of town standards and arrived fairly quickly. The panini was delicious though and came with a side salad accompanied by the tastiest beetroot relish and topped with a strawberry which was an interesting addition. I'll need to add to my review to let you know what the cakes are like when I've had the chance to sample them. For now, I'm giving the place 4/5. I would have scored it a five had the coffee had lived up to my expectations but all in all a very pleasant experience indeed! So I did try the cakes the next day and I have to say they were delicious! The coffee and walnut cake was moist and just walnutty enough without being overpowering and the bath bun tasted just heavenly toasted and slathered in butter - very sweet though!

Lovely cakes and pies. Quite a lot of fresh food options and everything you'd expect at a deli. Very quirky decor and staff were friendly and helpful. I had a coffee and cake and sat in. There's a few tables inside and out, I thought prices were quite reasonable.