Cafe Bar at Calshot in New Forest

So glad to have Trip Adviser to stop us thinking we are moaning alone. Queued to order coffee at 10.30 ish today. Although like numerous other reviewers I have wrote a couple of times to say simple things are bad here, I had no response from management or staff!!!!! I used to love this place, coffee was good. Service was good. Now today the indoor cafe area empty as everyone outside. We asked for coffee and cashier asked where we were sitting? I said outside but we want mugs or cups not disposable ones. It now seems sitting outside we are not trusted to either not steal or break their cups??!!!! We have been visiting here weekly for years and always sat outside, winter or summer??! We said No Thanks we always have China/ceramic cups or mugs. Personal service gone. No one even noticed we are regulars and not tourists or one of hanger visitors!!!!!

What no full English! Visited this morning fancied a full English breakfast, my friend also wanted the same. Been before and the breakfast was good, looked at new menu, no mention of breakfasts, beans on toast, egg on toast, bacon sandwich, all the breakfast ingredients but no full breakfast. WHY? Sorry we don’t do breakfasts anymore. WHY! We visited again as they advertise as being dog friendly and the breakfast before hand had been nice and plentiful. We also got told off for bringing the dog through the hanger to the cafe, as no dogs allowed in the hanger this is new. While in the cafe I noticed only fire or emergency exit doors, with no way of getting in from outside so how can I take my dog with me if I can’t get in? Very Very disappointing, this is the second review I’ve posted for this cafe NOT going to be a third as I’m never going again. What a shame as its in a lovely location

Absolutely terrible, hardly any food left on the menu even though we arrived at the beginning of lunch service. The food was overpriced. Won’t be rushing back that’s for sure. What an absolute shambles.

Oh dear oh dear, what on earth is the County council doing, this cafe could be a gold mine but its terrible, no cooked breakfasts anymore, lunch is either a pasty, sausage roll and or chips and even that takes nearly half an hour. They might as well close it completely if they can't do any better.

Terrible visit, 40 minute wait for Cornish pasty and chips with not many other customers causing any delay that I could see. Over priced and underwhelming food. We will definitely not be visiting again. Wish I'd read the reviews before going. Not a great menu choice no really healthy options considering it's in an activity centre. A change tomout order was refused which I thought meant it was already being cooked but we waited 40 minutes which means our order could easily have been changed. Would not recommend to anyone to eat there.

A visit to the cafe at Calshot used to be a great way to spend a couple of hours. Not so now if today's experience is anything to go by. Overpriced food of poor quality, the offering seemed to be cornish pasty, sausage roll or cheesy chips. The first 2 at least just warmed up in the microwave. What happened to the lunches, jacket potatoes etc that used to be on the menu. We won't bother again - there's other places to go where the customer is not ripped off. Get your act together HCC!!!

Great spot, brilliant potential but what a disappointment. Menu was extremely limited and quality poor and very overpriced. £16.50 for cold sausage roll, some fries and an uncooked bagel with tiny bit of tuna. Fries were meant to be reduced when brought with something else, but we were still charged full price. Didn't say anything because was treating an elderly friend and didn't want to make a fuss. Staff friendly enough but won't be coming back in a hurry.

Oh dear, one of my favourite seaside cafes has really gone downhill. I visited today and the entire lunch menu choice was either a pasty, two types of small sausage roll or a bagel. That's it, no soup, no cooked food and no sandwiches or rolls. Really sad as we have so enjoyed being there for lunch over many years in the past, today was a total disappointment especially as a simple small sausage roll and a coffee was around £8

Fantastic location and absolutely amazing friendly staff,always cheerful and welcoming,good selection of lite bite foods and drinks,especially fruit teas,my favourite 😁,the only people who complain are the impatient ones who expect everything immediately and think their more important than anyone else,

Despite many very poor reviews during the last year, no improvements have been made. The very limited menu has been reduced further. Last Sunday 17th September 2023 Coffee - No run out of coffee beans How about a finger sandwich - No we have run out of fish fingers OK - Jacket Potato with Cheese - No you can only have beans. Also the attitude form an unapologetic member of staff really boiled my p**s Get you act together FFS

Visited the cafe on Sunday, often meet up with friends for lunch on a Sunday, service is always a bit hit and miss but we like the location. First thing we noticed was the menu had been vastly reduced, but that is okay if they are trying to simplify things to provide a decent service. Lunch menu consists mainly of paninis or jacket potatoes, the chicken curry and chicken burgers now removed from the menu. My partner ordered a fish finger sandwich. Sorry - can't do that. A jacket potato with cheese instead? Sorry, only have beans. Okay - we'll just have a coffee. Sorry, no coffee beans! At this point we left, went to a local cafe in Hythe, where we had good food, excellent service and a better price. The cafe at Calshot could be a gold mine, why can't someone please sort it out? I have heard of customers waiting 45 minutes just for a cup of coffee (at least they had some that day) Very disappointing all round.

We visited after my last review and hoped things would be better!!’ They were. A new manager was there and things seem to be looking up. She was pleased when we told her glad she was now working there and just a simple couple of cups of coffee served well and with a smile. Felt welcome again.

Like ma y locals, we have been coming here for a number of years and it has steadily got worse Today was a shambles, very very limited lunch menu, just about managed to serve 2 coffees, a cornish pasty, sausage roll and some chips (chips were good!) A chap came in from the patio and asked for an umbrella for outside table but was told they don't use them anymore as it's too windy - perfectly still day with temperatures in high 20s, more like couldn't be bother to put them out, we especially noticed the members of staff he talked to all laughed when he left! When we left at 12.30pm we noticed an abundance of staff, 3 of whom were sitting around one of the tables presumably having a meeting as 2 of them had their laptops in use. Wasn't a problem for them taking up one of the tables though as we were the last customers there so place was empty of customers once we had left Such a shame it is so badly managed, it's a great location with potential if only decent management was put in place and a much better menu offered The only good point as far as we are concerned, the young ladies serving were very friendly and polite so credit to them

After lovely visit to Calshot castle popped in here for quick lunch ordered panini's and coffees there was a notice stating shortage of staff but 45 mins !! one lady had to go cos grandson was booked in for activity although food was nice would never visit again be prepared long wait

Turned up for breakfast as we had an overnight stay in the camp site to be told the kitchen was shut due to staff shortage. The afternoon before went for cake & ice cream. The water dispensers were empty. Clean glasses was bought out but no water. Someone waited almost 15mins for water & left. Before Covid this cafe was running brilliantly and had a great menu.

Very disappointed as staff couldn’t make your coffee when you order and pay.Given a paddle with a number on it and then left in limbo whilst he started serving Hampshire county council staff who came in the cafe after we and anther couple had already ordered.Not cricket.When I complained,he said I am just doing yours now.Hogwash.Needless to say my wife and I won’t be returning here in the near future.Used to be ran by cheerful staff until some expert as usual knows better and cuts staff.

Have been visiting here for a number of years. Views are great, staff are friendly and coffee is decent. However, the management and organisation is a shambles. This time there weren’t any sandwiches, kitchen was closed so no hot food and drinks fridge was empty so no soft drinks! Previously we have had issues with a limited menu being available - you can’t have a bacon and egg bap, but you can have a bacon bap or an egg bap. Someone needs to get a grip of how this place is run. Will pick up a ‘meal deal’ on the way down next time!

Been coming here for years but never gone into the cafe until Saturday just gone we stopped in for a bite to eat with the family great to see a soft play area for our grandson the food came out very quickly despite poor girl being on her own she dealt with us very politely will definitely be going back soon.

We visited on Thursday around 10.30 really looking forward to a coffee etc inside out of the hot Sun. We had walked from Fawley village. This used to be our favourite coffee stop. Reading the numerous reviews on here it is plain to see something...

Terrible, 3rd time unlucky for us. Mother’s Day last year perfect couldn’t fault it, visited twice since then and won’t be going back again. 2nd visit 1 hour 20 for a kid’s sausage and chips as staff had been sacked and couldn’t cope now today...

Visited with friends after group activity. Very disappointed to find no gluten free items of food available at all, including snacks. As someone with coeliac disease this put a damper on what was otherwise a good day out. Come on Hampshire Council. Please try harder.

On a very cold day we stopped off for hot drinks at the cafe , we were a party of seven, and drinks two coffees two hot chocolates a tea,and soft drinks for the children, we put the order in and waited outside as we...

Don’t bother. Not worth a visit apart from the sea view. I asked the server for a bacon sandwich, not difficult you’d think? I said ‘could you make the bacon crispy please’ to which I received the (facetious) reply ‘well I won’t be cooking it...

Great location, staff do their best but under resourced, staff require training. Always running out of supplies. Site has potential but I suspect it may be managed by monkeys 🐒

The view is great, however service was very slow and when the food did turn up the panini turned out to be a toasted sandwich, this despite checking very carefully before ordering what we were getting due to my wifes allegies. The waitress was fine...

I'll start on a positive note, as a couple of weeks ago we had a lovely scampi and chips for lunch, so decided to pop down this weekend for brekkie. Good grief, wish we hadn't , I honestly didn't know it was possible to ruin...

Arrived 12.50 ish on sunny day. Cafe was ticking over but not busy. 4 people front of house, obviously training taking place. Placed order - no soup on! ????? Changed order to full English and a side of sweet potato fries for 2nd person. Asked...

Always good in the past before the Covid lockdowns, our first visit today post lockdown was a great disappointment. Coffee a waste of a drink but food when it eventually arrived was good

Cafe’s within the Activity Centre building (which at one time was a sea plane hanger) at the end of Calshot Spit and has inside (very much basic canteen style) as well as outside seating overlooking the Solent and IOW, so a pleasant spot on a...

Arrived at Calshot on a Sunday and it was quiet inside, the cafe was also quiet with a max. of 15 people in and outside of the cafe. Small queue (I was third in line for the counter) Long wait predicted for food, a sandwich...

A good basic cafe serving simple food and drink. Not a restaurant and it is designed to serve the activity centre which it normally does very well. Covid regulations being observed very well and staff terrific. Nice to sit outside as views are fantastic

Operated by Hampshire Council, the cafe is open during lockdown for hot drinks and sandwiches to takeaway or eat on the veranda outside. The cafe is deep inside a large hanger housing adventure equipment like rock climbing and high wire walking and a dry ski...

During a busy lunch period on a Saturday afternoon we ordered a number of food items and drinks at the bar and most came out as expected, although Panini's came out luck warm, not piping hot, but staff sorted without issue. Pasties, beans on toast...

This place has more of a works canteen appearance. It has the potential to be a lovely place with the windows overlooking the beach with views of the Isle of Wight on a good day. Prices - overpriced. This place has to make some sort...

Quick lunch stop , jacket tuna mayo , cheese chips , both nice and hot ,cooked well ., service excellent and quick . P.s good look out for shipping, and you can go outside.

Disappointed the dog walkers cannot take dogs into cafe! Today was definitely not a day for sitting outside after our walk with children and dogs

It was a very warm walk down from the top car park as the sun was shining. The cafe was a little busy which wasn’t a surprise. We were forced to sit inside with our larger shandy’s,as all the tables were in use outside ,...

We have been regular visitors to this restaurant for over 20 years. It used to be really good when run privately. However over the years it has been put out to private tender and the contractors keep changing. To day, [ 18/08/2019 ] we had...

The sign on the hanger read No Dogs so the wife went in and asked at the cafe could our pup come in. Yes you can come through and sit at the tables outside the waitress said. Ordered fish and chips for two, something we...

One of the worst breakfasts I’ve experienced. Hard fried eggs, microwaved bacon, all tasteless. Can’t even get the toast right!. Kitchen staff walking around in a trance and waited 30 minutes when not busy. Should have sent back. !!

Happened upon the Hanger cafe this morning with two friends. Most amazing breakfast for a fiver. Sat outside in the sun enjoying the views. 10/10.

Visited recently at lunchtime. Weather was superb and we chose to have a table outside. Three lovely fish and chips with mushy peas were served and with the splendid views over Southampton Water, made this a memorable stay. Parking was £1 for the first hour...

Years ago this place was great. Good choice of meals. Now it seems expensive and the choice is not good. It’s in a prime spot so come on. Offer some better grub please and tempt us back

Ordered meal together but paid separately, the meals came out 20 mins apart! Asked staff if the second meal was forgotten he said he would go and check .... nobody came back to explain, let alone apologise. Just hid in the back. Maybe the staff...

As a regular user of Calshot AC the cafe never fails to disappoint. Where do I begin ? Clear away plates etc when people have finished Wipe/ clean tables Repair the broken fryer to stop cross “contamination” ie. frying everything in the same fat Train...

Young girls need to no the menu when I asked if the chicken goujons were breast meat they said yes very disappointed it was cheap chewed up chicken in a batter ,when we ate there a couple of years ago I could not fault it...

Unfortunately, alot of the menu items were unavailable so there were little choice available. Also, for Vegan/Vegaitarians there was almost no choice whatsever. Especially for children. They had run out of cutlery as well!

A short, well signposted, walk through the leisure centre led to the café. On our arrival at 10:15 it was bright, clean and spacious. A very polite lady served us with three lattes and 3 fruit scones. All very nice. The coffee, although made by...

Recently went with my partner on a Saturday evening we had a cup of tea to warm up and the biggest Viennese Whirl to share which was lovely. Couldn't understand why it was so quiet, there was only couple on the climbing wall too.

arrived at 1,no jacket potatoes for an hour,eventually said they could make us cheese & ham toasties, not very good, coffee strong & cold. young staff did not seem to know what they were doing. visit here often but not impressed this time.

The place was a mess today, I could not believe that a total of nine, yes NINE tables had plates and cups left on them! One near us that I have taken a photo of, was there for almost two hours, and guess what, there...

Had a meal there Valentine's Eve - couldn't fault it - very nice cooking. We had tomato soup with croutons, main course was stuffed chicken breast with cheese followed by lemon cheesecake for desert. Will definitely go there again

I arrived here after a long walk. The staff were very pleasant and welcoming. The food was nicely prepared and good value. There were lovely views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

One of the best breakfasts I have had in ages, also good value. Highly recommended. Ingredients are sourced locally.

After recent 'unpleasant' visits to the cafe we thoroughly enjoyed our last meal there on Saturday. The young staff were very pleasant and our food was beautifully presented and not swimming in grease. We were told that there will be positive changes and so we...

The Activity Centre is in a really nice location with great views across Southampton Water and the Solent; outside seating is really nice for the views. There is plenty of parking, but it is rather pricy with an ANPR system with automatic barriers, and payment...

My friend and I stopped here mid walk for a drink and cake. There was quite a wide choice of food and drinks available at reasonable prices and the young man serving was pleasant enough - but the staff really need training on hygiene and...

The service and the food was OK. However we were warned by the staff to wait for 30min for the food when placing the order. Eventually the dished turned up 1 hour larer

Food and drink here are nice,not to long to wait and quality isn’t bad,also sells new forest ice cream plus a selection of alcoholic drinks only downside cooked food is overpriced for a cafe

Went to the calshot activity centre cafe myself my son and to other members of family the order of food 2 egg baps a kids fish finger meal and a jacket potato this order went in at 13:07 at 14:00 i went to ask where...

We visited late on Sunday after a very long busy day for them no doubt and the staff were polite and the cafe very clean and tidy. Well done Calshot.

3 of us for lunch. Ordered lunch today at 12.49 received lunch 1.40. We ordered fish and chips, cheese and ham ciabatta and jacket potato. It was not busy, only 1 person doing the cooking the other 2 girls were having a good chat at...

Really nice little place,great views of the shops leaving the harbour, the kids love the shingle beach right outside, the food is good and the coffee hot , that’s all you need

It was a sunny January day and we wanted a waterside view. The location is on the end of a spit and is part of a large activity complex including a velodrome, rock climbing walls and artificial ski slopes. There is good amount of parking...

Very friendly staff and excellent home cooked food. We loved the numbered beach hut markers for cooked food to be delivered to the table.

Lovely place to get a cuppa after i had been to see the castle prices are a bit high if you have a big family

The cafe overlooks the Solent with great views of the ships, especially the cruise ships. It's a beachside cafe with good food, but don't expect steaks! The cafe staff are very good, and the cafe is always very clean and tidy. There's free wi fit...

Great views, comfortable seating area, however food offered on the menu and the day specials are not always available, (Staff very willing but unable to assist with the availability of food. very disappointing.

Great views watching all kinds of boats going by whilst eating average but edible cafe food. Breakfasts and cream teas as well as veggie food available. Worth going. Especially as an alternative to the beachside.

After a walk along the coast we called in here for lunch. There was a limited choice of options for sandwiches/panini; after we had chosen and paid we saw burgers being brought out - yet we could see no sign of the menu options usher...

Ordered an 8oz burger with coleslaw and chips. Got a smaller burger and smaller portion of coleslaw than advertised. Noticed the difference when the 'Price' family next close to us ordered the same meal, and they had huge burgers (8oz) and double the size of...

We visited the cafe on a sunny Sunday morning it was clean , bright and the seating was comfortable and well thought out making the most of the stunning views across the water. I ordered the smaller of the full English , whilst the driver...

A lovely well run licensed cafe serving basic fare, well! Lovely staff serving always with a frendly smile. Cod and chips is a must with mushy peas to complement while watching the ships go by. Great activity centre with climbing, skiing to watch on the...

We were just visiting Calshot Castke and decided to drop in for a cuppa, and to enquire about the rather magnificent climbing walls in the activity centre. As it happens we both had lunch, and my cup of filter coffee was excellent. The service was...

Afternoon cream tea sat outside by the beach in the sunshine good value and great opening hours great service

Lovely food, friendly and helpful staff and views over Southampton Water and the Solent. Very much worth a visit if you're visiting Calshot Castle or the Activity Centre! Excellent vantage point if cruise liner spotting. Hint - if you've no change for the car park,...

The girls in this cafe are so fantastic in there customers service the cafe is well laid out and comfortable it has tvs it serves coffee/tea, beer, soft drinks cakes sandwiches paninis and so much more it's all good

Very interesting spot to stop as is overlooks the entrance to Southampton water from Solent, inside and outside area available to sit . Note you can only use ares if you buy food in cafe they also have WIFI. Asked for baked potatoes plus filling...

I reviewed the cafe with the centre but it is all good. Good simple food and well priced and super friendly staff. Comfortable places to sit inside or outside with great views watching the ships pass by and the Isle of Wight opposite - Great...

Excellent views over the Solent, good food although not a great selection, but what there is, is very good and cooked to order.

We visited Calshot Castle and went into the Activity Centre cafe for a snack. They offer a good range of reasonable priced drinks, cakes and hot food. We sat on the sunny terrace and watched the boats and ships on the Solent