Black Cat Tea Room in Eastbourne

Super find in Meads for a nice coffee or tea and cake. All home made. Come here regularly whenever we are in Eastbourne. Opens early in the morning.

This place is my trusty, tranquil retreat! Not only is there a delightful selection of food and great tasting coffee, but above all, the deeply caring customer service never fails to make my day. It’s those little acts of authentic, altruistic kindness that touch my soul. These qualities can often be taken for granted and overlooked, but please know, it means so much and goes a long way... It brings connectedness, meaning and healing into this world. I can see that a lot of hard work and passion is poured into the running of this cafe; thank you, sincerely, for everything that you do x

We arrived in Eastbourne for a weekend away & went for a wander in The Meads after our long journey. We felt peckish & happened upon this tiny café in a row of local shops, right in the middle of a residential area. We really enjoyed the atmosphere as we tucked into delicious tuna melt toasties, with a surprise twist of gherkin (note to self, must try to repeat that at home!) Good luck finding this tiny gem -it’ll be well worth your while.

+ snacks We love this tiny tea room and whenever we are in Eastbourne we visit. So far this year we have manage to sit outside every time. It's lovely to treat yourself to a special coffee there or a slice of the wonderful cakes. Keep up the good wood and thank you

Visited Meads today and called in at the Black Cat for a cup of tea and a slice of Millionaire's Shortbread. Efficient service, yummy shortbread.

Good selection of delicious cakes and snacks. Very good service, lady working there was very polite and helpful. Lovely spot for a coffee.

I was BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED. My friend and I had to wait 25 minutes for the cafe to reopen. After a message in the door window apologising for the cafe having to close for a short period. When the lady assistant reopened at 4.OCLOCK. There was no APOLOGY. As well as having a SERIOUS ATTITUDE. The lady assistant made no attempt to smile and was incredibly STANDOFFISH. There were no TEAPOTS. As well as another sign of vegetarian options for vegans or vegetarians. The sandwiches and rolls had been sitting there for some time. It was a very poor SELECTION. There were also ANTS crawling amongst the front window. Where the CAKES were displayed. There were no sign of SCONES AND CREAM WITH JAM. I Can honestly say I will not be returning ever again.

Not very friendly, the guy serving was nice enough but his boss was rude. I went to take the plate & had it snatched out of my hand 😳 also the glass of milk had black fluff floating on top (dust ?) very cluttered on the tables, a colossal amount of stock. Coffee was very nice though,

We aren’t local, but will happily tot up 7k steps in order to get the best coffee in Eastbourne (& have to walk back again😂) We always receive the same prompt cheerful service from the very busy lady & the same top notch lattes , piping hot & lovely & frothy , just the way we like them . The hot bacon butties are pretty good too . The tearoom has locally baked bread & cakes avail & a range of other consumables to tempt you . This lady seems to work all the hours god sends , so please say hello & give her a smile , she deserves it .

Nice food but the only member of staff on duty was reluctant to wait on table even though I am disabled. Won't visit again

Always great polite service. Best coffee in Eastbourne. Food, cannot really comment as it's so good people would not believe it. Another factor is the choice of rolls, never seen so many types. Also the fruit that is for sale is good, as are the biscuits and cakes.

My sister and I came here for tea and a snack having left "Eats and Treats" nearby due to the uninterest of the staff there. The service at the Black Cat was friendly and efficient. The very pleasant manager (maybe owner?) noticed I hadn't finished my roll, (though I hadn't complained ) and insisted on giving me an apple cake to take home (which was delicious!) This is the sort of service which makes customers go back; which we will.

Since the new owners have taken over this lovely little tea room, I think it has improved greatly. There is a wide range of delicious snacks, sandwiches, cakes, etc to either have in or take away, and their coffee is superb. The staff are always friendly as well, and I find myself drawn to this place more and more. Highly recommended. There is a small indoor seating area at the back if needed, and outside seating under protection from the rain at the front. Their prices are very reasonable, which in these trying times is a welcome change, as I see so many places charging in excess of £3 for a coffee. Here, I get a take away coffee for £2.65, and what's more it's delicious. Thank you to all the staff for a continued great experience.

The best coffee in Eastbourne, and I’m lucky enough to live around the corner! In these times of working from home there is no better way to start the day.

Called here late in August on a fab sunny afternoon. We shared splendid coffee here - strong yet nicely rounded and not at all harsh - perfect! Very few coffee houses manage that! Thank you - we WILL BE BACK

We came to the old tearoom of the same name on previous years and weren't that impressed but it appears to have changed hands now and has become a delicatessen serving coffee and cake. We had a very nice coffee sitting outside. They had a large number of very nice looking cakes but we weren't tempted on this occasion.

We had a lovely Cappuccino at the Black Cat. It was a damp day, but we sat at a table outside under the awning and it was fine. There are lots of goodies in the Deli.

Covid friendly take away of superb coffee & delicious cakes + fresh produce! A little gem of a teashop.

Este LUGAR DELICIOSO es pequeño, por lo que debe ejecutarse con precisión para que pueda adaptarse a todos. Por lo tanto, reserve con anticipación para evitar decepciones y le reservarán una mesa. Habiendo dicho esto, en ocasiones nos presentamos en la remota posibilidad de que haya asientos para nosotros y, cuando esto sucede, las camareras siempre han sido de gran ayuda, ya sea invitándolo a una mesa que no esté en uso hasta la hora reservada, o moviéndose usted a una mesa cuando otra queda vacante. La comida, los pasteles, el pan recién hecho y el café son EXCELENTES y siempre se brinda una cálida bienvenida a los clientes, vengan de donde sean. Este lugar es, sin duda, una pequeña joya en el corazón de Meads Village; -) No puedo esperar a que vuelva a abrir después de esta pandemia de Covid, ¡realmente lo echamos de menos! ! !

I visit The Black Cat most weeks. All the food is excellent. The breakfast is particularly good and the home made soup delicious. The cakes are also very good. All the staff are very friendly.

Popped in for a delicious cup of coffee and crumpets with butter. What a great find. Lots of local people and really friendly and lovely helpful staff. My daughter and I really enjoyed it.

Mi amigo y yo comemos regularmente en el Gato Negro. Hacen todo tipo de almuerzos cocinados, como queso macorni y pastel de cabaña, etc. Justo antes de la hora del almuerzo, un sábado, les hago crear un desayuno inglés completo con todos los artículos habituales (sin embargo, salchichas) y agrego sus chips. . . . Las mejores patatas fritas que he probado en Eastbourne, y tal vez en cualquier lugar!Un par de mesas afuera para tomar un café y ver pasar el mundo (pequeño). Por dentro no es enorme, pero siempre he encontrado un par de asientos. Este lugar es popular entre los lugareños para tomar té y pasteles, todo delicioso. El servicio es realmente encantador.

We had breakfast here, a lovely cafe run by friendly staff, it was busy and there was a good atmosphere, food was great too, we would definitely return.

Hemos pasado esta confitería tantas veces a lo largo de los años y finalmente decidimos aventurarnos hoy.¡Qué excelente decisión! El personal es muy amable y acogedor, hay muchas mesas para elegir en interiores y exteriores, y hay una amplia selección de "premios" para elegir.Todos los pasteles son caseros, por lo que tuvimos que "obligarnos" a probar algunos. Mi marido tenía el Cherry Bakewell mientras yo tenía el pastel de chocolate y calabacín. Guau, ambos estaban deliciosos. Regado con una taza de café con filtro.También hay una amplia selección de sándwiches recién hechos, productos para el desayuno y algunos platos calientes. Todo parecía muy tentador y algo a tener en cuenta cuando tenemos visitantes alojados con nosotros.Definitivamente regresaremos nuevamente en un futuro no muy lejano, ¡sería un pecado no hacerlo!Gracias por un regalo matutino muy agradable hoy.

We stopped by for coffee one morning and decided to stay for breakfast...we ended up coming every day of our visit. Typical British breakfasts and delicious homemade bread and scones are among the menu items. They serve lunch and have treats too. Locals are in and out and the servers were very friendly. Cute and charming atmosphere.

Ended up here accidently for lunch as we were dropping by at the local Tesco to get some drinks.It is a small but lovely and cosy place. Very friendly staff and we simply had a great lunch (toast and sandwiches).It is absolutely worth a quick detour for lunch or breakfast if you are staying in or around Eastbourne.

Went to the Black Cat for Mother's Day afternoon tea and it was absolutely superb. The table was groaning under the weight of the food and the service was wonderful. Such good value for money, it puts a certain well known seafront hotel to shame.

Yo y mi pareja llegamos. todo el personal estaba hablando juntos en el mostrador, encontramos una mesa en la parte de atrás que no tenía aviso reservado en la mesa.estábamos sentados cuando uno de los servidores dijo que lamentaba que la mesa estuviera reservada y dijo que tenía otra mesa. Pero después de eso decidimos irnos. muchos otros cafés en EastbourneDeberían invertir letreros reservados.

Fine for egg on toast but they don't do anything beyond the basic offer. It's clean and very traditional if you like that kind of thing.

Wonderful little place, great coffee and breakfasts and the staff couldn't be nicer. Fantastic bread for sale too, thoroughly recommended.

Black Cat Tearooms. What a lovely charming little tearooms in Meads. Excellent friendly helpful staff. Nice menu. Great place for a meal, tea/coffee, relax and a chat. Best Latte I have had for a long time! The cakes are brilliant, homemade! Wholesome and tasty, lots of choice. Perfect place to have some breakfast, (All day BF) or lunch in the Meads area. 10 out of 10 guys!

Booked here for lunch today, luckily, as the place was full. Coupled with early closing the staff, both serving and kitchenside were up for it! Well done everybody; no fluster, all smiles and efficiency! And the food is good too!

When we had building work going on we really appreciated being able to flee to the Black Cat where we could eat food without brick dust! The do great breakfasts and happily went out and got gluten free bread for me on my first visit.

Often pop in here for a light lunch. Excellent food, wonderful friendly staff and exceptional food. Would recommend this to anyone.

Went to cafe with friends of mine, they have two young children and one lady shouted at the kids saying they shouldn’t be allowed in. One is 2 other is 4, they were being well behaved and eating the lovely cake. Staff did nothing, not even a sorry or can we move you. It was almost just accepted which is a shame as the owner is absolutely lovely and would be mortified to know this happened.

I went to this cafe with two of my friends. The place is very quaint and I got a sandwich, very good. We arrived around eleven o'clock and within an hour they asked us to change the table because where we were sitting the place was booked, after ten minutes the waitress approached again and told us that in If any new guest had arrived, we would have had to leave because apparently we were occupying the table for too long (not even an hour). I've never felt so uncomfortable in one place and although we ordered tea, coffee and toast, we had to leave because the waitress kept wandering around the table looking at the clock. Also to make their behavior even less pleasant I have to underline the fact that the coffee is almost empty with only two more tables occupied by two. Also regarding our table that according to their point of view had been booked, no guest arrived later and remained empty.

We go here a lot and every visit just reinforces why; the staff are efficient and friendly and the food is good, well presented and freshly cooked, and the home made cakes....excellent! Lovely place to be.

We stopped off for an inexpensive lunch at the Black Cat tearooms and were not disappointed. The quality and portions were excellent as was the service - warm and friendly .

Called in just for coffee and found the staff to be extremely helpful and the coffee was also good. Lunch menu looked very good

If your taking a wander away from the main town of Eastbourne, this is a great little place. Friendly, personal service and a great variety on the menu for drinks and eats. Lovely ambiance too.

Stopped by whilst checking out The Meads area.... Nice little cafe, busy for a weekday morning just off season. We only had coffee which was very good, all the cakes looked great though!

We needed to find somewhere on the edge of town prior to a doctor's appointment and by chance noticed the Black Cat as we were driving through. We took a chance and parked up and went in and were so glad we did.

Stumbled upon this cafe one morning , we sat outside in the sun and ate a superb breakfast of poached egg and bacon.service was good .

Aperto per la colazione ed il pranzo fino alle 17 del pomeriggio. Locale piccolo e molto accogliente , con arredo e menù tipicamente britannici. Ad una lavagna appesa alla parete troverete i piatti del giorno. Consiglio di assaggiare le zuppe molto delicate e la torta di noci.

Visited here for mid morning scones with tea and coffee. The scones and drinks were nice but the service was brusque bordering on the rude! We've often walked past thinking we must go in some time and now having been in once we won't be back. Maybe you need to be a 'regular' to be appreciated.

I called in here after buying a magazine close by and since it was lunch time, decided to have a quick lunch. This was a comfortable little place and the service was efficient and unobtrusive. The bacon and brie sandwich I ordered was lovely, served with a side salad. The coffee was very good too. Although people were in and out for takeaway sandwiches and it was the height of lunchtime, the waitresses had time to chat and even took a bowl of water for a customer's dog, sitting outside. The cakes were very tempting but I plumped for another cup of coffee instead. What was meant to be a 'quick' lunch turned into a nice leisurely hour, reading chomping and people-watching. Nice atmosphere - thank you!

Lovely homely atmosphere and service. Great soups and scones. Well worth a visit but can be busy mid morning.

They serve unfussy and well cooked food in a cosy envionment. Good for refuelling or relaxing if you're passing by Meads.

Part of going to Eastbourne was to see a bit of England that isn't London, where England and everything that is so gloriously British is the scenery. We were looking to have some breakfast and what a better way to show our children an English tea room.

Delicious food, friendly staff and owner, cannot recommend enough. Seating is limited but worth the wait.

We were four people age ranged from 59 to 69yrs visiting the area. On wednesday 9th March we decided to walk up to beachy head and had hoped for a hot drink at the top but the building up there was shut. On the waý down we noticed the black cat tea rooms and went in, by now desperate for a drink. There was one table empty and when we proceeded to sit down we were told the table was reserved for 1pm,bearing in mind that when we arrived it was 12.30 and only looking to have drinks. A lady on another table suggested that she was leaving and we could sit there. We were told that this table was also reserved for 1pm.

A small tea room/cafe selling English breakfast all day, but also has a nice but small menu.

Small, personable unhurried cafe in the heart of Meads Village, serving lovely cakes and coffee and with a sensibly limited menu for breakfast and lunches, which is always fresh and delicious. We have been here a number of times for either breakfast or morning coffee. choose what you want and mix and match to create your breakfast. This place has a regular local clientele which creates a friendly atmosphere to join. If the sun is out theres a few pavement tables to people watch from... relaxing and with tasty food... excellent!

This is a quaint small time cafe in a quiet shopping area. It is good for a light meal and rest although you will be sitting very close together. There is a limited menu with the usual toasted sandwiches. Service is quite fast and the food good but certainly not exceptional. A suitable place to drop into whilst exploring the area and it is about 500 yards from the seafront.

The portions of the lunchtime meal are a little small but the soup is quite good and the cheese scones delicious. One gripe I have is that you have to go through the kitchen to get to the toilet. Not the best of ideas!

We regularly visit the Black Cat when we are in Eastbourne. Hearty breakfasts freshly prepared. Tea, coffee and a good selection of homemade cakes as well as homemade bread and jams/marmalades! Takeaways - drinks and rolls- available too. Always busy....staff always welcoming. After an early morning walk up to Beachy Head....a welcome stop to recharge. Traditional tasty lunches also available...quiche, lasagne, ham egg and chips etc. A firm favourite with us.

A decent enough cafe, but this is far too expensive for what is on offer - simple sandwiches and breakfasts that you can get anywhere else for much less. Service was friendly, but the food didn't quite merit the bill.

If you want a traditional meal in pleasant surroundings this local cafe is the place for you. If you want to see where the locals eat come here. simple, well cooked food, friendly staff and good service. The quiche is to die for I just have to have it winter and summer. . Scrumptious cakes and a really good cup of coffee.

Lovely atmosphere. Old fashioned and homely. Staff are helpful and friendly. Lattes good. Makes a change from all these awful costa coffee shops.

I regularly go to the Black Cat on Saturday for breakfast and it is always a pleasure. From the owner Jane to the waitresses. They are all helpful, friendly and efficient.

If you advertise a shake saying made with ice-cream it should be thick and creamy - not as thin as milk. Also have menu items in stock, if you run out of say, goat's cheese, why not go and buy some from the supermarket a few doors down. Very disappointing. Also toilets are outside after going through the kitchen.

The Black Cat is, by definition, a 'caff'. But, it is by definition and location, a village cafe and bakery, selling bread and takeaway cakes, sandwiches and tea/ coffee. It also seats about 25 in fairly close proximity to one another. The staff both 'kitchen' and 'waiting' are very good. Always polite and smiling and efficient; if the place is full, you might have to wait a while but............if you know before you go in, then it's no hardship. Loads of homemade cakes and stuff, excellent home cooked dishes for lunch. Good coffee and excellent poached eggs on real fresh bread. It's not expensive and yes, there can be a lot of older folk there, but that's Meads Village for you. You also get the Mums from local schools and several teachers from the same schools. Lots and lots of very familiar faces who are regulars and if they didn't like the place, they would,'t be, would they. To those who have had a negative experience, sad, but do go back; maybe they were just having a bad day.

This is a small and cramped little place but full of friendly staff and always bursting at the seams. Very popular with locals for lunch because it provides a varied simple menu of home cooked dishes at very reasonable prices. Parking is not easy nearby but at a short walk from seafront and on Meads high street (on a bus route) it is easily accessible. Have been now 2 or 3 times and not been disappointed.

The Black cat stands out for me among the tea shops and cafés of Eastbourne, not only because the people are so friendly, helpful and obliging, but also because they do the less traditional cafe food really well with thought and care. I especially enjoyed their avocado and prawn salad recently which actually came with a whole avocado - no scrimping here. Great value, well cooked breakfasts, lunches and teas.

liked: cakes, atmosphere, lots of old people, been here 30 years, quaint village, near to beach dislike: parking restriction (2hrs max)

we popped in for breakfast and we where welcomed in to a lovely big smile always a very good start, the coffee was fresh and very tasty then i had poached egg cooked to perfection, beautiful start to my day. i highly recommend it, you wont be disappointed

Called in here for lunch while househunting in the Meads area. Friendly staff, good choices for lunch, soups, quiches, sandwiches etc. Unfortunately the baguettes had sold out, so we decided on granary bread instead. Our sandwiches were fresh, tasty and served promptly by a friendly waitress. The bill was very reasonable too. Will definitely return.

I've only been once and the hot chocolate on a cold morning was very welcome. Staff are friendly and were happy to chat to us. Decor is dated but the retro look appears deliberate not accidental.

The Black Cat is a regular breakfast venue after an early morning geriatric gym session!! Service, presentation and quality of food is excellent. Poached eggs a speciality! Highly recommended!

Awful coffee on day I went. Some of staff need to cheer up! Food used to be fantastic now rather disappointing.

I was invited to coffee this morning at The Black Cat. Although I had passed the restaurant several times I had never been inside. It was a very pleasing experience, Staff were very freindly coffee and food very well presented. I can recommend this restaurant to those wanting a quiet eating experience.

In a word or two, don't bother... unless you're 80+ and appreciate the sticky things in life. It's very dated and although the service from my waitress was kind, it's not for me and I'm in my 40s with kids at school locally. I can't go in with my kids because there is no room for bags, prams etc. I am also conscious that because so many of the other chairs are filled with very old people, I feel guilty when my kids make a noise. Sweet people but I'm afraid the decor and atmosphere isn't enough to get me back in. Sorry./