World Peace Cafe image

World Peace Cafe

Restaurant Cafe Coffee shop Vegetarian restaurant Vegan restaurant Vegetarian cafe and deli

Modern and tranquil vegetarian cafe, plus meal and meditation nights in tucked-away Buddhist centre. People often mention staff, meditation, Buddhist, atmosphere, cafe, female, experience, friendly, Leicester, centre,


Address

17 Guildhall Ln, Leicester LE1 5FQ, United Kingdom

Website

meditateinleicester.org

Contact

+44 116 262 0317

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (201 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Thursday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Friday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Saturday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: staff (13) meditation (12) Buddhist (11) atmosphere (10) cafe (8) female (8) experience (7) friendly (7) Leicester (6) centre (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 matthew w. 1 year ago on Google • 196 reviews
    Went to their once a month meditation and meal session on a Friday evening. A 30 minutes guided meditation session followed by a 3 course vegan meal on a different theme each month. We were lucky to attend when they were doing a Japanese meal. All really tasty.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emilia Jimenez P. 1 year ago on Google
    In the heart of Leicester, I stumbled upon an enchanting oasis that provided a serene escape from the bustling urban life. Run by a committed group of volunteers from around the world, this delightful café, tucked away within a Buddhist meditation centre, offers a unique atmosphere and a delectable selection of vegetarian and vegan fare. What sets this charming spot apart from conventional fast food experiences is not only the tranquil ambiance but also the impressively affordable prices, with all dishes priced below £7. From time to time, they even merge meditation sessions with delightful culinary experiences, resulting in truly unforgettable events. As you enter the café, its distinct character is immediately apparent, making it an exceptional locale within the city. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone in the area to pay a visit to this hidden treasure and experience the warm and welcoming environment fostered by the amicable staff. The friendly team members are more than willing to discuss their meditation offerings, creating an inviting atmosphere that will undoubtedly charm all who enter. If you're in town, don't miss the opportunity to visit this standout destination and enjoy its remarkable fusion of tranquility and delicious food
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helen R. 1 year ago on Google • 263 reviews
    Lovely veggie place to pop in for lunch. Great atmosphere and delicious food. Great selection of hot drinks too
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 K S. 6 years ago on Google • 271 reviews
    Lovely filling food and the staff were friendly. It was clean and calming, no surprise in a Buddhist centre and great location opposite the cathedral.

  • 5/5 Simon Maddj P. 1 year ago on Google • 91 reviews
    A wonderful mindful space in the heart of Leicester.. Order of the day was a falafel wrap with humus olives and sweet chilli sauce. toasted to perfection. The cafe is not the hidden gem it once was.. its more a blossoming flower welcoming all manner of visitors. Congrats team a wonderful visit today.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jayant D. 5 years ago on Google • 196 reviews
    Went for lunch after reading reviews. Very pleased and happy to pay our prayers at the Buddha temple- very tranquil and peaceful. Had lunch with wife, I had a veg wrap and wife had falafel salad. Both were very nice. Service was excellent and staff were very helpful. Would go again. Parking can be an issue but there is a nearby pay and display at New Street £1 for 1 hour and £3 for 3 hours. The place is hard to find but it is right opposite to the famous historic church were there is pilgrimage to King Richard 111 .

  • 5/5 Roland L. 1 year ago on Google
    I went there recently with my family and we had a lovely time together. The coffee and cake was very good and the staff were friendly and helpful getting us settled. One of the things we liked was how spacious it was, which is great when you've got children. You can't tell from the outside but the cafe is a really big space and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We also had a quick peek at the bookshop meditation room. Maybe next time we can try some meditation if we manage to get a baby-sitter. Will definitely be back sometime soon ☺️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John H. 4 years ago on Google
    A couple of weeks ago we had a half hours guided meditation followed by a 4 course meal. Through the week I popped in at lunch time for a half hour guided meditation and light lunch. You can meditate on your own there if there are no classes going on.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karrie R. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice cafe in town. Very clean and food was great. service is good and staff are extremely helpful . We went as a large baby group. Highly recommend this little cafe to anyone
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Martin F. 5 months ago on Google • 20 reviews
    Vegan cakes were great, but be sure to check as the young girl serving us was telling us things were vegan or gluten free, then another member of staff corrected her.

  • 5/5 Van Ybañez E. 4 years ago on Google • 12 reviews
    Enjoyed this place! It's quite spacey. Do note that this is located inside the Buddhist Centre. The food were reasonable for the price. I love it when I went in I was greeted with smiles by the cafe goers and staff too. The staff who works here are all volunteers. Highly recommend!

  • 2/5 Diana W. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful relaxed atmosphere We ordered 2 cheese toasties. We were given I slice of white bread toast with dry cheese on top. Nit melted. Disappointed. Coffee was lovely

  • 5/5 Alison W. 2 years ago on Google
    Always good food, V generous portions, great value. Staff brilliant & the ladies toilet v clean. My fav place to lunch

  • 5/5 Ravi D. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice atmosphere and good food

  • 5/5 J P. 7 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place and atmosphere. Quieter area to sit near the front, or more family orientated area within. Always has amazing veggie/vegan options, and the staff are consistently polite and friendly. There is never a long wait for your food or drinks, and they bring them to your table.

  • 5/5 Stuart C. 11 months ago on Google
    What a lovely peaceful gem of a cafe this is! I’ve been here a few times for a cappuccino and a slice of cake. The staff are really friendly, the atmosphere is really calm and the food is delicious. I think it’s a tranquil escape away from the bustling streets of Leicester city centre. I’m so glad I found it. Thank you - I’ll be back soon!

  • 1/5 liliapatterson 1 year ago on Google
    My most recent experience at the Leicester Buddhist centre was a strange event I did not find peaceful at all, instead deeply perplexing. As someone who used to live in Oxford, working at a vegetarian cafe opposite a Tibetan Buddhist centre for several years, becoming friends with various of the Tibetan monks, I anticipated being invited to the cafe as a welcome experience. Instead, the opposite was true. I was invited by my partner after not seen each other for a while and we were looking forwards to a peaceful time together. Instead the first thing I noticed was the prevalence of Buddhist art, which happened to include figures ambiguous in sexual nature, predominentally like topless females. Indeed observing the various golden statues in the central meditation room, there were two very clearly topless females. As a female myself, I don't find depiction of the female body in sexualised form as something I wish to observe, since I respect the value of privacy of the body. Therefore I found it strange to see such a focus on the female form in what was meant to be a spiritual space. Instead I found it deeply disturbing, confrontational and unnecessary. When any part of the human body which is normally private, is thrust in your face against your consent, whether male or female, regardless of whether it is justified by being described as 'religious', I am deeply uncomfortable with the experience, which I would describe as a violation against my consent. The other Buddhist centres I've been to and meditated at, had prayer flags everywhere, and felt like spiritual spaces. There were no semi-nude icons everywhere, like you'd found yourself in some kind of topless massage parlour, justified by being called Buddhist. Then when we went to the counter, the two female staff then started messing around giggling and flirting, joking with my partner, in front of my face, while standing next to him, which was not just unprofessional, but also rude. I felt deeply uncomfortable with their behaviour, as did my partner. I just stood there saying nothing, while they totally ignored me, as they carried on their entertainment in front of him while ignoring me as if I wasn't even there. My partner also felt awkward and embarassed, and as soon as he'd been given his drink he left and rushed off to sit down, and wait for me, leaving me alone with the women. As soon as he left, and they saw me standing there, waiting for them to calm themselves, their faces fell like petulant teenagers, as if I'd ruined their private party. I then calmly asked if I could have a glass of water. They told me I could help myself to water from a jug, then walked off with their noses in the air. I found the experience so bizarre and awkward that I would never go there again. I didn't find the experience peaceful or spiritual in any shape or form at all. I spoke to my partner after and he told me that he felt the prices were too high and he felt rushed and pressured like he felt the people there wanted to get money out of him, so that's why he went to sit down to relax. He had nothing more to say about the strange behaviour of the women, and then we carried on our conversation talking about our own private business. Since I'm more used to meditating in Buddhist centres with a focus on prayer and prayer flags rather than an exploitation of the female form, as an opportunity to extract money from people, I would never choose to go to the Leicester Buddhist Centre ever again. As far as I was aware the lesson of Buddha was meant to focus on the spirit and on prayer and being a good person rather than on using the body, in particular that of the female form, to extract money from people. Everyone is different evidently. As a female, I'd rather stay away in future, and avert my eyes, and hope to find somewhere else more peaceful, with more polite and professional and less rude and childish staff as well. Avoid like the plague more like.

  • 5/5 Carlos M. 1 year ago on Google
    During my stay in Leicester, I found myself visiting this charming spot on numerous occasions. It was a delightful retreat where I could seek tranquility in the midst of a bustling day. Nestled within a Buddhist meditation centre, this café is truly a remarkable establishment. The moment you step through the doors, you're instantly enveloped by its distinctive atmosphere. Managed by a dedicated team of volunteers hailing from across the globe, this is certainly not the place for those seeking a typical fast food experience. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to pop in and discover this hidden gem in the heart of town. Don't hesitate to inquire about their meditation courses, as the affable staff are always eager to engage in friendly conversation.

  • 3/5 Victoria 5 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    A mixed bag. The food here is great and I come here a lot. It's also a really nice space. Toilets always clean. What lets it down is the service. Ordered two drinks and two meals. Jacket potato was placed on a plate that was too small. Beans were spilling over the side and it couldn't be eaten very easily without creating a mess. Drinks arrived pretty late after the food and one was wrong (ordered matcha latte received a coffee). I asked if the drink was correct as matcha is usually green? and server said yes. A few moments later a lady server came over and took the drink away telling me the drink was in fact wrong. Eventually received the correct drink which was really nice but few times I have been here, the service has been similar and a little shaky.

  • 5/5 Cheryl W. 4 years ago on Google
    A lovely café with a really nice atmosphere. Food delicious and obviously homemade. Our empty plates were swiftly and efficiently removed when we'd finished eating and the whole place was very clean. Staff were very friendly and smiley, we're already looking forward to revisiting.


Call +44 116 262 0317 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Prepared foods
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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