Beach Cafe in West Dorset

An unbelievably poor chain of actions on the part of staff at this café, led me to write this review. I ordered chips from an unsmiling older lady, and was told to wait outside for my order to be called. After about five minutes I went back in to enquire from a young woman how long I my order might take. She told me she didn’t know and turned away from me. I went outside to wait some more. I returned to the same young woman to enquire again. This time, when she said she didn’t know, I asked her to check with someone. As a collective the staff concluded my order might be at a second window that nobody had previously mentioned. That’s where I found my food, left unattended. As I went to take it, there was another staff member complaining someone else had not picked up an order. I said that could be because customers weren’t being told where to collect from. The older lady became affronted and claimed she always told customers to collect from the second window. When I said she hadn’t told me, she contradicted me. So I took my food and left them to it. It would have stayed like that too, but that wasn’t the end. Halfway down my bag of chips I came upon an earwig-like insect. Either someone having a joke, or it crawled in while my food was left unattended at the window. I took the remains back to the café to show them, but didn’t wait for a reply, as didn’t expect anything polite or useful from them. And that is why I’m posting this tale here. Sorry no photo, I was too angry to remember to take one.

This cafe is in a great location and could, and should, be amazing. Instead it feels like something that's been knocked together as a temporary solution to people arriving expecting a cafe to do food and drink. After a long walk we arrived about 2 and hot food had finished. The staff were obviously grumpy that anyone might want a cafe to prepare food and we ended up with hot drinks and not very good chocolate brownie. You order at one trestle table stuck in a doorway as a barrier and then go outside and wait for your order to arrive at another trestle table blocking another doorway. Just when you think it can't get any more unfriendly you are told the bin by the door only takes small items and not large ones. On leaving to go back to the car park I noticed a storage container back across the river - it looked like it might be serving food and/or drinks...I suggest you go and find out - I wish we had.

Simply Disgusting. We found a bug in our food, horrified. Never coming back. Staff were rude, and barely spoke to us. Just Horrible.

Appealing! My husband and I were meeting 14 family members, we bought a coffee while waiting for the others.The staff didn't interact, weren't helpful, and just looked unwelcoming. The coffee was OK, but not worthy of a revisit. Never again. Go to the coffee van in car park instead.

Disgusting food. We had to throw it all away, chips included. The avocado for the bap looked like snot out of a tin with the chilli jam poured over it, way too much. The chips had a funny taste of lard, animal fat. None of us could eat it. They should overhaul the menu and sell real oven baked pizza slices. Much easier.

I was very disappointed with this cafe. On a blustery, chilly day it had closed its indoor seating area and was serving from a make shift counter in the doorway. There was no hot food available at all and the tea and coffee was overpriced for very small take away cups. There were a number of people seeking a warm place to sit and some warm food, but all they had on offer was prewrapped buts of overpriced baking. Far from welcoming or satisfactory. A number of people were attempting to sit at the few outdoor benches available, but it was as inhospitable outside as inside.

Purchased two coffees, really poor quality, and too expensive. The staff need to be more pleasant in a service industry.

Very unhappy with our experience at this cafe. As with several previous reviews we found the staff attitude poor. We had one tea and one coffee which were both poor quality. Worst of all I have now found that I was double charged on my card for the transaction, took two payments but using different names, beware!

Nice cafe. Place your order on the left side and collect on the right side. Gluten free and vegan sorbets. I personally had the sausage and chips. Excellent food.

Rude staff and overpriced. Go to the Bakery off the High Street to get a great bacon bap at half the price. £2 for a very small cup of tea on the beach is far too expensive.

Food is really good. Fishcakes, smashed Avo, salsa, salad chips, smoked salmon sandwiches all very good

Really helpful staff, all working hard in a hot and busy environment, good value for money… Couldn’t rate this establishment highly enough 🥇

I suspect two of my three kids got ill after eating here as they vomited at almost the same time later in the day (my bet is it was the brownies?). It wasn't a particularly cheerful place either, although it was really hot and crowded that day so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a tough day. I would give this place a miss next time around.

Though the ice cream and sorbet were good the helpfulness of the server was offhand and not very friendly,

Week old bread used for £5 bacon rolls, so stale one of us lost half their roll to the floor because it broke and dropped off. Thimbles of tea and coffee that tastes almost toxic. Why is this setup allowed to trade in such a beautiful building it seems the business model is rip off and go a real discredit to a wonderful beach

Excellent position to sit and watch the world go by. Sheltered on a blustery day. Good coffee and ice cream and snacks and friendly staff.

First time in Charmouth and headed straight for the Heritage Centre. This cafe is located underneath. Really friendly staff, good selection of food and nice seating area overlooking the sea. Choice of teas, coffees, cakes, sandwiches and hot meals. Reasonably priced.

Me and my other half are currently here on holiday (16/02/22) we’ve been fossil hunting on Charmouth beach and the last 2 days we’ve had food from here. It’s absolutely lovely! Proper home cooked food, really tasty! I was expecting a run of the mill beach takeaway type place but it’s so much better! I had sausage and chips and the mrs had chicken nuggets and chips. Both were absolutely gorgeous, sausages were amazing, I’d have paid restaurant prices for this quality of food. Sure it may not be cheap but I don’t mind paying a little more if it’s nice food. I also had a cheese burger from here which was very nice! Juicy and very meaty. Overall I cannot recommend this place enough if you’re down on the beach. Staff were also very helpful friendly. Absolutely recommend!

It's a simple cafe on the edge of the beach. Had a sausage and bacon bap which was hot. There were 2 sausages in the baps. Really, for sitting outside in October in the wind, you just want a warm snack, which this did perfectly. The only issue was the queue/serving side of things - there was a lady serving ice creams to the family infront of us on one side of the door. The other side is the menu (baps and the like) and a till. Not clear where we needed to order or if it was 2 queues (one for drinks/food and one for ice cream?) Seemed not as the ice cream lady then served us at the other till.

Had a lovely coffee here, right on the beach front so you can go and look for your fossils first and then have a warm drink after, great views, fair price.

Queued for some hot food ended up with a pack of sandwiches and a feta and spinach thing, something you would pay 1.50 in gregs for, cost £4 sandwiches 3,90, . reason for no hot food, oh we are seeing in an ice cream delivery........

I’ve never written a critical review on Trip Advisor before as I think all problems should be remedied at the time but really, this experience was very poor. Gave my order, only 3 coffees, paid and went to collection queue. Waited and waited. Customer behind...

Visited here while in the area. The older lady serving didn’t get what he wanted to order and after finally getting it she had the cheek to say to another member of staff we stressed her out sadly she was clueless for not getting it....

Friendly service, tasty pasties and sausage rolls, excellent chip….just what you need for a picnic on the beach

We visited today, order taken for a tea and hot chocolate, so far so good. When it came to collecting the order however there was a long delay. People were collecting their food, which was ordered after ours. When I queried where our order was,...

We used this lovely cafe everyday on holiday, lovely food, clipper teas, great cakes, amazing staff! Highly recommend

Very rude staff. Overpriced, poor quality food. A stale, plain ham sandwich cost £4! No prices displayed on the sandwiches prior to being rung up on the till. Take a picnic from home to avoid the sour faced staff and delusional prices.

As a family we visited the cafe mid July.The 2 mature ladies who were working at the cafe really ought to re think their career choice.They obviously didnt enjoy working with the public and were on the verge of being very rude!!!! The menu was...

Queue was long , but on reaching front it was for ice cream . To order any thing else you had to go in another queue. Finally served but nothing special . Take sandwiches and a flask.

Nice convenient location for the beach. Lovely choice of jacket potato fillings. Chips Gluten free and seperate fryer. Choice of wrapped gluten free cakes xx

Had lunch here on a quiet day but the service was still so slow. There's little variety in the menu but the baked potato was good, the sausage roll average. This place could do with an extensive seafood menu given its location but I doubt...

Zero social distancing going on here despite the cafes attempts to create a safer way to order & collect drinks, it just didn't work. Coffee & hot chocolates were fine, service without a smile here. It served a purpose to get some loose change for...

We’d walked all the way from West Bay (8 miles) to Charmouth so we were happy to see the cafe although slightly disappointed that it was doing counter service only but fair enough. It was still extremely popular and the range of goodies was fine...

Off sales only such as fish / burgers and chips, sandwiches , pasties, but also some special ice creams available. Nice helpful but very busy staff. Essential seaside stop.

Enjoyed lunch here right by the sea - very helpful, obliging staff. Not our first visit, and certainly not our last. I don’t believe abusive insults about the staff are either warranted or necessary.

Truly awful - miserable, unhelpful and unwelcoming.Top line - the staff here should find another non-public facing job where they can be miserable to their hearts content.I bought a Cafe Latte and asked for a cup of boiled water. I was curtly told that there would be a charge for the water, no problem I was happy to pay. I asked if they had a plastic fork and was said they were with the sugar on the other side - great! Then I saw the face of pure misery glaring at me from behind the counter, some words were exchanged between the staff and while I made my way to get my sugar and fork she flew out from behind the counter and removed the forks! Yes, this really happened, she went out of her way to prevent a paying customer from having a plastic fork! Flabbergasted, I asked if she really did intentionally remove them? “yes, you’re not eating” was the reply.I then told the miserable trout that I would be leaving a review for them, a review they richly deserve.Avoid this place, they don’t deserve your custom.

Bank Holiday weekend ...the only cafe on the beech, customers a plenty ... as per other comments tea and coffee was like hot water and tasteless .. nothing available after 6pm... slow and less than happy... needs some competition down on the site cos there is no effort coming from that cafe... really disappointing ...

Waited over 45 minutes for chips, clearly could not deal with orders but didn’t let us know when paying, just took the money and made us wait ages for one portion off chips.

The staff are doing really well opening up whilst they can only serve customers at the front door. Impressed with the range of food they are still able to produce during this unpresidendent time since they first opened. Yes it isn’t going to win a Michelin star award but it wins a Dunlop award in my view for being open and serving walkers and beach goers alike.

Great cakes - tiffin and flapjack. Coffee close to undrinkable, seems to be missing one basic ingredient. Too busy to queue to change

Good service and hot drinks. A selection of food available. Bit run down but welcome place next to car park Toilets nearby

Crazy busy at the end of half term but reliable for a bag of sausage and chips! Cakes are good. Coffee average.

Welcome spot for a brew and food right on the seafront. Portions are large and service is quick. If you are hungry and coming off the beach this is ideal as a filler. Bacon butty was good, chicken nuggets are big but chips were a little under-done and could have been crispier. For the money it was ok and the tea was very welcome!

Good lunch jacket potatoes with salads,eat outside and amazing no seagulls to bother you.good cheerful service and excellent value for money,I would recommend this establishment to anyone.

Small cafe in a great location. Typical cafe menu with usual bacon, sausage, egg and chips combos. No frills service where the customers does all the work.

Beach cafe offering range of food - good cakes, range of breakfast items, snack lunch, instant coffee though! Very convenient location right beside Charmouth Beach car park and with indoors or outdoors seating to look at the stunning views.

Really friendly little cafe , they even let me have a coffee as they were trying to shut up for the night . Lovely chips just what we needed on a windy wet day . Thankyou ladies you work really hard in there .

Visited this café 3 years ago and was really pleased with the service and food so had no qualms when visiting Charmouth beach again to recommend it to the people we were traveling with.How wrong could I be, the tea and coffee tasted awful, we all had a bacon bap was tasteless.Real shame as this was and could be a lovely place to eat

We have used this place before and although it is nothing outstanding the location on an early sunny morning is nice. However we tried to enter the "open" cafe door at 8-45a.m only to be told they were still closed. I then had to ask what time they opened which turned out to be 9-30a.m, not that there were any obvious signs about! We returned at 9-50 and still they cafe was still closed. On making further enquiries we found out that they were going to wait until the boiler had finished and then open up. What they this had to do with serving breakfast that was already prepared and waiting to go on the counter, only heaven knows. Needless to say we went to the cafe in the centre of Charmouth and had an excellent meal. Sometimes I think places like this with their attitude doesn't derserve customers. Food etc is assesed in previous visits in able to submit this report.

Situated right next to the car park, so easy access. Good selection of food for a little cafe. Friendly staff and quick service. Bowls of water for the dogs. Seating inside and out. Very popular. Worth a visit.

Thought this was a good solid cafe on the beach with reasonably priced food - jacket potatoes, sausage rolls, sandwiches, cakes.

Honestly underwhelming, i felt like i was in the que at the school canteen. Had to collect food and cutlery form two different places. Could be so much better. If the owner is reading this and would consider selling please get in touch.

The cafe itself is very tired and could do with a bit of tlc. However, the cake and coffee was nice and the staff were helpful, refilling our water bottles for us for our return to the beach.

We stopped for sarnies, cake and tea while walking the SW coast path. It was busy and service was slow, however, the food was good in terms of quality, quantity and price.

I’m not going to say a lot other than we found the staff to be unfriendly, the place to be scruffy and not at all welcoming. I had a sausage roll which was dry and the pastry very brittle. It wasn’t especially busy at the time we arrived so they had no excuse really. Further east along the beach is a smart little hut type cafe, wish I’d spotted that first, looked clean and had a nice selection of snacks.

Not made to feel welcome at all. Views, and around fantastic. Would not come again for a drink and certainly not for the toilets.

We were passing through Charmouth and was looking for somewhere for a drink and a snack. The Beach Cafe seemed to be rather a Hobson choice, so we joined the queue. It was a bit rough and ready, but all things considered, the drinks and food were pretty good for what we paid for it.

Helpful staff, tasty food, fresh crispy salad.

Lovhot drinks and milkshakes at a good price. £7.50 for 4 drinks seems a bargain! Cakes looked good to and we saw plenty of people enjoying food too.

Very friendly humorous staff. Enjoyed home made food. Just the job because we were hungry. They even continued their grill service for us after normal closing time. Great price...everything you want down on the beach. Thank you

Had to eat here as it seemed to be the only choice in the vicinity. It was very average, however service was good and it served the purpose of filling an empty tum!

Thank you for the great service we received at the weekend - you all work very hard and deserve some recognition as it was a busy afternoon, yet you kept everyone happy.

I think they fine! Food was eatable and service fast! Ladies were a bit unresponsive as I asked smth few times but not been acknowledge as they were talking to each other- rather work related than gossips but still I felt a bit like invisible:) However they seems had a lovely choice of food and after windy not so hot day it was nice to have somebody who could make us hot cup of tea and toast with butter:) Thank you! I probably will cisit again:)

Nice friendly little cafe with friendly & helpful staff located right on the prom/beach. Good traditional food with a large menu to choose from. Very warm few days over Easter - we couldn’t eat outside as there we so many bugs - don’t know if it’s normal for Charmouth or due to the hot weather.

very limited choice of food. nothing for vegan, hardly any option for vegetarian and because on the beach not very clean. In the end we decided not to eat.

Really just popped in for drinks, not an appealing place which is a shame considering the location they have. They really could do more to the place but I guess they don't have to as they have the prime location.

Staff were calmly doing their business without stressing at a busy lunchtime. We had 6 different cooked meals for a reasonable price. Very tasty and freshly prepared at a reasonable pace.

We popped in for a coffee. Having ignored the scruffy, handwritten rules notices dotted about the entrance, I noticed the half empty Cona type filter coffee jug on the back counter.

Had a full cooked breakfast here on my last day of my holiday. Well worth the money and all cooked fresh. Good menu and very reasonably priced. Friendly staff and a great mug of tea.

Visited today - £2.20 for a scone - not a nice scone but a cheap, dried up little thing which was porentially a long life type of scone, tea was awful. Person serving was talking about someone complaining that the ice cream had no taste, (how very dare they) !!! There is a large notice saying they don't have change for the car park which is fair enough but as I had purchased something I asked nicely is I could have some change, there was a silence - I realised my mistake - I also realised that if you are taking a scone out - using a knife & saucer from the counter to spread the butter is clearly just short of a fireing squad offence - ... top tip just don't

We went in for take away teas and snacks. Two sandwiches (average, small) and 2 teas came to a shocking £9.50. The staff were abrupt and not very friendly. Will not be returning and recommend if you want value for money, that you think twice before going in here. Very surprised as such a lovely location. Disappointed.

A caotic cafe. Very badly organised. It needs re-organising - substitute square/oblong tables and reposition the freezers/fridges

Nice sausage rolls and coffee Ice cream good too Friendly staff Lovely outside views on a sunny day Busy during school holidays Reasonable prices

A busy cafe right on the front. Good service and appeared inexpensive, drinks can be take out and there is plenty of outside seating.

As the name suggests this little cafe is situated right by the beach.

Good quality tea and cakes right on the sea front. Busy and bustling with very friendly staff. Good range of fresh food available, Good value.

While down on beach thought we would grab some lunch !!

My review is a bit biased because I've only been in this area once for one day to do the fossil hunt guided walk with a heavy bag on me and an early start to get here, and by the time we were finished I was dying for a cup of tea and something sweet. When I go to a cafe I don't know I'm always worried there will be a taste of limescale in the hot drinks but this time it was absolutely fine and the tea was actually strong which is the way I like it. I bought a soft chocolate cookie which was the biggest cookie I've ever eaten. It was a bit busy in there but you can sit outside if you want (I was too hot to be outside any longer).

My wife went in to make a small purchase in order to get change for the car park. When the “lady” serving found out why she was making a purchase she simply refused to serve her and for both rude and obnoxious. Will not be visiting again!

After the walk along the beach from Lyme Regis we were glad to stop for refreshment. The cafe was crowded inside despite being midweek in mid September but we took our takeaway coffee and found a bench outside overlooking the sea, The latte coffee was not bad, the cake was good (I had gluten free white chocolate and cranberry).

Great cafe very convenient when you are having a day down the beach or just to sit outside and have a cuppa.

Stopped here after walking from Lyme Regis and thought a good value cafe - great tea and scones and the tempura prawns were good as well.

We spent as much time here as on the beach. Nice veggie options. Cheesy chips were really cheesy. Average costs as per any cafe.

We visited this cafe when we came to Charmouth beach. We didnt stay to have food. We had ice creams instead and they were locally sourced with lots of lovely flavours. The cafe was very busy and served hot food and beverages. Would certainly go back.

We parked up right next to Charmouth beach, grabbed a bench looking out to sea, and I popped in to the cafe for four drinks.

Decided we would give the beach cafe a try, busy when we went in. Ordered our food and paid ed told to listen out for our number. It say it was busy, it was not along wait. All freshly cooked and good sized portions. The food was a little dated in what was to offer. My wife had tempura battered prawns which she said was nice.

I had tempura prawns with sweet chili dipping sauce and salad. It was very tasty. The rest of our party (some picky eaters) had various things but all was eaten - nothing thrown away, and what more can you say about that?

8th August 2018 _The pastie(Not allowed to call it Cornish, as not in Cornwall) was the best I have tasted, good pastry and not a mushy mess inside. You could see the cut carrots-all well cooked. Try it!

The cafe is dated and if found service very slow. Ordered chips but they didn't taste particularly nice. A bit of a let down.

Staff range from friendly to downright indifferent, and the food is nothing special. There’s little room in the disorganised space inside , with round tables making the situation worse than it needs to be

Finding ourselves in the nearby car park, we thought it churlish not to use the local facility. Set off for coffee & snack. Might be too small on a sunny day in school holidays? Reasonable choice, lovely staff; but a quirky process to the uninitiated. Not a place to relax, but lovely food & drinks.

We made use of this café on a Saturday just before the school holidays.General impressions are of a cafe that reminded me of a rather out of date cafe you might find on a trunk road.

Cafe standards generally seem so high nowadays, so it is such a shame to find somewhere that does not measure up. We went there last week for breakfast and it was somewhat disappointing. The beans were warm at best, and frankly, I have no idea how the bacon was cooked - it was very crispy, but also dried out. I don't think I will be going back.

Just back from a week's holiday in Charmouth and used the beach cafe every day. A very varied menu and those we sat with all appreciated the quality of the meals. The fruit cake was exceptional and had to be tested every day as did the ice cream each afternoon. Very friendly cheerful staff who took care to ensure your needs were met.

It is such a pity for Charmouth that this cafe has not yet changed ownership. So many places around the coast now have fantastic beach cafes serving get tasty healthy food and a fantastic selection of drinks. Unfortunately the beach cafe is caugh in a time warp about 1975. It even still serves the tea where you do not have you own tea bag. It comes from a massive stainless pot full of bags and when it is a bit empty it is filled up from a still. Anybody under 25 will have no idea what I am talking about. The young lady asked me the the colour was ok as this dark stewed tea appeared in the cups. As for the food again think 1975 . This place would not survive in Lyme Regis how ever has it has no competition and great location so sadly nothing will change.

popped in for brunch , husband had full English ,I had bacon & egg roll, tea & coffee all freshly made, staff 3 ladies were very welcoming, place was quite busy for out of school holidays Thursday, place clean & tidy , lovely attmosphere

Service is average. Prices are on the low side of average. Coffee and tea not always fresh but they will make you a fresh cup of tea if you ask nicely . Good selection of stuff in season. Closed in winter.

Well a good Full English Breakfast. I was wondering how this would go having read some of the reviews, But speak as you find really good grub and a lovely cup of tea which all four of us commented on. Very very quick service with a bit of friendly banter.

This cafe needs some competition. It is run by rude staff who charge extortionate prices for sub par food and drinks. Bring a picnic and cold drinks and save yourself a small fortune.

Good clean cafe. Good hot and cold food freshly prepared and reasonable prices. Toilets nearby clean and maintained