Cleethorpes Discovery Centre Cafe in North East Lincolnshire

On arrival the place looks very appealing and an extensive menu ( not cheap ) Unfortunately the quality of the food is not the best , which would not reflect the prices as its not the cheapest. Bread was cheap , eggs were watery The staff are not the friendliest either. We had a sickness bug the same night and I wasn't sure if it came from the same place ( I visited with my sister and 18 month old ) Anyway a week later I returned with my partner and dog just had a cake and drink. The same night and day after we both had a dodgy stomach and I'm wondering if it's from the same cafe ? I'm not 100% sure but I won't visit again now

Very interesting place..Recommend a visit.

The good: nice location, coffees are good and have non dairy options, price comparable with other cafes in the area, nice range of cakes The not so good: Staff always seem quite surprised to be asked to prepare food and drink. Always seems to be about five staff behind the counter and yet somehow service is very slow, even if you just order coffee to go. The frankly baffling: they have these huge magnificent looking scones which come with jam and cream but twice now they’ve gone and microwaved the things so when they arrive they are vaguely warm and gone all tough and chewy. I think microwaving a scone might be a war crime, no joke, I think it’s in the Geneva convention. Please desist.

This cafe used to be good, staff were happy & friendly, when I’ve visited recently the impression is of disinterest, I didn’t find anything savoury I fancied on the menu either, so I ordered the fresh cream scone, now that was nice. With the view over the boating lake I feel this could be better, I would go again & hope it’s better next time

Takeaway / delivery. If only u could have zero stars!!!! Someone else's order arrived, just managed to catch driver, so returned it with him, told to call the restaurant, 5th attempt, got through and was told by a women they hadn't had any uber eats orders, so how did the driver rock up at our address with another uber order from the same place? Found ours via order ref number and told us they would make it as soon as the driver returned, 1 hour 40 mins later another 6 attempts of calling and ringing out and no food! Absolutely fuming. Have now received a refund from uber but too late to order anything else now!! Can't rate the food for obvious reasons but probably just as S@#t as their customer service!!!

Myself and hubby decided to go to the tap house yesterday for a bit of tea. There was a wedding on in the main room so we sat the other side where the cafe is (nice view of boating lake) our food was nothing special, over cooked fish cakes and chips and the tiniest pot of peas. We asked for a glass of white wine, to be told they had run out! So decided on coffee with a little shot of brandy? No ! Ran out brandy! The ladies that worked there worked really hard and we were given a small refund. Not their fault at all. Shame , we won’t be going anytime soon

The food in here is plentiful,huge portions and amazing Just about every drink to suit everyone I know they cater for everyone and dog friendly Turn them heaters off lol

Lovely place and friends staff as always

This cafe is extremely busy and the staff bless them are very polite, and you can see how hard they work they where all younger , and didn't stop. The food is average, i had toasted sandwich with chips and coleslaw. My son had a panini. A pint of lemonade, and I had fresh orange. It's great to stop so close to the lake. It was very noisy when we went in but that's because it was busy, also it's really bright. Its probably better to visit here during less busy times, if you need the quiet for health reasons. The prices are a little more exspensive than some other places.

Great place for a rest whilst walking around the boating lake. Cafe on ground floor, first floor Discovery centre. Kids friendly. Also pet friendly the cafe allows dogs inside, but their most not seat on the sofas

How is it ok for this cafe to leave rubbish out over night? + rubbish bags down the other side? Not to mention they are blocking a fire escape of. Not good at all!!!!!!

It's a great place to take your loved ones. In the week especially, when it's quiet, you can watch the Wildlife on the Boating Lake. The center is informative too, with the upstairs lookout, where you can see the birds over the Estuary. It can get very busy at peak times,because its so popular among the Elderly.

Went in Monday dinner Inside building stunk of paint We sat down for 10 minutes no service we left🤔

Now called the Tap House, cosy warm although a little pricey

OK for a quick visit a bit over priced

This was our first visit, we wanted to try Greek gyros. They came with cold flat bread and not a lot of taste. The pork was burnt to a crisp and the chicken gyros had hardly any meat untill I found a decent piece at the bottom of the wrap, only it was raw! I complained to the waitress, she took my plate away but there was no apology from the chef and nobody came to see me. When we were leaving I was offered a free muffin which I accepted. Won't be returning to eat though.

Doesn't exist anymore. Might want to update your facebook page! We were expecting an exhibition but all we got was a little trinket shop and a telescope! So disappointing! Review sites still shows it and facebook still says its open. Very missleading!

We visited on a Saturday evening, the place was busy but not full. We ordered two different pizzas and both were equally bad. Mine was the Cajun chicken pizza which was just a sea of Mozzarella and plain unspiced chicken of the sort you buy ready cooked from the supermarket to make sandwiches. It was bland Mcbland - no taste whatsoever. My wifes was marginally better on the taste side but both were completely soggy, disgusting and only the crusts were firm. The staff were disinterested in any customers and spent most of the time chatting at the bar. When we reported our dissatisfaction we were told the "chef" would be told but no one returned to speak to us. This was our first and last visit, we won't be returning and wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

Lovely friendly staff set in beautiful surroundings.

We had to ask for a menu. No problem. I had to ask where to order. No problem. Asked what the soup was.....server had to go and ask.....no problem. Coffee arrived which was very good. Soup and sandwich arrived. Soup was a lovely consistency and tased good. Pity it was tepid....well cold really. Sandwich on brown bread......I think they had used the top slice of a loaf which had been left open as it was VERY dry. All for the sum of £11.20. Shame as it's a popular spot.

Nice place, friendly staff, good food and gift shop upstairs.

I went to the shop of crafters It had about 60 different crafters in there all oround, I literally covered birthday's and got ahead on the Christmas shopping there, was something fir everyone I loved the concept of 1 business hosting space for local people to showcase their homemade crafts

Really nice place with a nice view over a lake. It was very quite only to customers and though we were waiting about 30 minutes for the fish and chips. The food was r really good, very nicely served however I would remove the paper and use someone different from the dish as it’s all soaked and you could eat the paper. Overall nice place to eat. They have children high chairs and children forks.

Love the discovery centre....such lovely things to buy.

We sat outside with our dog and had to wait a while for our food. I think our order was given to another couple as several people who ordered after us actually got their food before we did. The food was worth waiting for though, I got the impression that there was a lack of waitresses as the one who served us looked frazzled. It's situated at the side of the boating lake so it doesn't have its own car park but there is a public carpark close by. Wheelchair and pushchair accessible but children must be supervised due to the close proximity to the boating lake.

A week at Cleethorpes. Thorpe Park has always laid everything on and my grand children absolutely love coming year on year, we ask do you want to go somewhere different and every year they say no Thorpe Park. They just love the freedom on site to be able to do as they wish with in reason, and it gives us a bit of chill time to because we can trust our grandchildren not to disappear.

Excellent service and a great breakfast

Food not bad, only thing worth commenting about (other than actually offering gluten free options that were not jacket potatoes!) is the young dark haired girl who went above and beyond with service at every table. Appeared to be working front of house completely alone yet on 2 separate loo breaks and 1 trip to the gift shop saw another blonde staff member socialising at a table 2 of the times and a dark haired older staff member CONSTANTLY on her phone who spoke rudely to the dark haired young girl when approached for support in serving. I will never understand how some working people deserve a medal and some are bad mannered and idle yet managers don't see this? I doubt I will return, it was quite an uncomfortable atmosphere among the staff. I felt so sorry for the hard working girl I just wanted to rescue her

very poor food ,limited menu ,stale muffins and rock hard scones , the ladies serving were polite, definitely won't be going again.

Took an age to get served. What has happened to this place, used to be so good. Signed thirsty of Waltham

Very clean and tidy the prices are a bit expensive but lovely if you don't mind paying

Very tasty scone with Jam and Cornish cream. Friendly staff. Lovely views over the lake. Very enjoyable

A very good place to eat and have a drink

Good atmosphere, very helpful staff. Amazing pizza and lots of choices on drinks

Just had coffee on this visit but have had food too on previous occasions. Pleasant and helpful staff, good choice of food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Excellent pizza, one of the best. Great selection of beers. Not the cheapest but good quality.

Really friendly and interesting place to visit, especially with young children. Great value for money

Absolutely love this place! We have a static caravan nearby and walk our energetic dog miles and miles everyday we are in Cleethorpes. We stop here for a cappuccino and scone everytime! Sitting inside or outside we love the atmosphere. Just amazing. Superb service. Very cozy and homely. Thank you.

Beautiful food, awesome selection of beers, great service and stunning location. Highly recommended

Lovely gift shop upstairs, local crafters beautiful pictured. Food downstairs was lovely

Nice and clean with friendly staff and good service

£3.50 FOR ONE SCONE DEAR I SAY ANY MORE EXPENSIVE

We went in to the cafe on Easter Monday. We was told that no seating in front of the bar could be used. But we could sit outside. When asked about ordering we were then told to order at the bar in front of all the seating that was empty. We asked why we couldn't sit down but was told once again that this seating was not being used today. We couldn't work what the difference was from using the outside seating. Don't think we will be going back again.

Lots of novel/interesting draft beers and the food is good. Need to layer up the dirty fries rather than just toppings.

Absolutely beautiful scone and really nice cuppa and latte definitely worth going back and I will be back here soon. 5 stars for service staff food and drink. 5 stars for the scenery too beautiful lovely welcoming people and staff definitely well worth coming here very very nice place great place to eat in take out

Food was amazing i had morrocan lamb pizza it was so nice wasnt cheap but was happy paying 15 pound because it was probably the best pizza ive ever had

Served a nice late breakfast, went down really well after rowing on the boating lake next door

Was to over crowded and half the item you asked for where not available

Brilliant cafe, friendly staff. I always great for this cafe when I visit Cleethorpes. Food is great, just be aware that at the time of writing they close 4pm on Mondays

Enjoyed some Scallops & chips they were very nice.

Great for a stroll among the water fowl.

Lovely food, fast service and really friendly staff.

Lovely looking place now is been done up , staff very helpful , loved it

Lovely food and staff. Been a few times here also enjoy the gift shop upstairs.

Brilliant place to visit for a cup of coffee or a meal. Friendly staff nothing too much trouble

The craft shop on the first floor was excellent, but a lot of people don't know its there! Haven't used the tapas restaurant so can't comment on that, and sad to see the coffee shop has gone, along with the toilets.

A really nice place to visit excellent food and the craft shops are worth a visit

Visited the cafe on Bank Holiday Monday,we were buying coffee and cake and were 2nd in the queue when it opened at 10am.i needed the toilet and was told I couldn't use it unless we were eating in and was directed to the public toilets. Came back,placed our order( which we were going to have in the cafes outside seating area)And was told again,whilst paying , *they weren't a public toilet!! * Rude arrogant full of her self staff member! The little blonde one was lovely! Apart from miss personality,the coffee and cake was lovely. BE KIND !

We visited the Tap house today. We had been previously and always enjoyed the food. However, today we had very poor service. We got to the welcoming table to be told they were busy but there was a table free outside. The lady at the counter took our names and phone numbers but said they had run out of wooden spoons so we would have to explain this fact when ordering. However, this was where our problems started as we soon discovered the wooden spoons hold all the power! My sister ordered. After 15 mins, no drinks. Asked where they where, we are busy was the response. Then another 10 mins passed with no drinks so asked again - order taken again. Then apparently our order was lost. Eventually we worked out that the staff thought we had snuck in as we didn't have a wooden spoon. After a 40 min wait and yet another person asking what we had ordered we just left. Complete shambles and we were made to feel like we were in the wrong.

The food cannot be faulted , absolutely delicious hence the four stars. Being ignored by staff and waiting time atrocious, such a shame

Absolutely appalled that my 6 month pregnant best friend was refused the use of the toilet when absolutely bursting !!! Spoken to disgustingly rude by staff member and made to hunt for a public toilet. I will be making a formal complaint.

Anything goes at the discovery centre has such a lot of amazing local craft . A must see place

This is a review for Cleethorpes Taphouse and Kitchen (on the site of the Discovery Centre cafe). As we are in Tier 3 restrictions, we are trying to support local business with take away service. We found a pizza deal on the Taphouse facebook page (also had their menu) and ordered two pizzas. We ordered and paid over the phone and delivery was arranged for 1/2 hour later. The pizzas arrived 10 minutes early and were in card boxes and hot. We felt the toppings were of good quality and generous. I had goats cheese with rocket and walnuts and it was well presented and delicious. The barbeque one was equally good. Well done to a local business. (see photos)

We came here just before the second lockdown started. This was our first time here, and to honest it will be our last.When we arrived there were only a dozen people seated (half had already been served) When we ordered we were told there would be a slight delay (as the food was being prepared fresh) that’s fine we said ( thinking it was because they don’t want to prepare food if they don’t get the custom) We got our drinks within 10 mins .... the tea was weak as water, the tea pot leaked all over the table as did the 1980’s stainless steel milk jug. It took a further 10 mins to get a member of staff to change it (7 waiting staff).I had ordered the full English and the wife had ordered a toasted tea cake. And then the wait started ....... 20 mins, 30 mins, 35 mins .... when we asked about our food we were told it was on its way. Meanwhile other customers were waiting to pay their bills. 10 min wait, 15 min wait..... We had hit 45 min wait for our food now and we’re getting quite fed up with it ..... finally 53 minutes after ordering our food it arrived. The wife’s Tee cake was cold and the eggs on my plate had been fried to within an inch of their life .... all dried up. We asked for some fresh eggs and the bill. We just wanted too get out of there by now When the fresh eggs arrived they were just as bad. We paid the bill, finished up and left. Only too be stopped at the door and asked if we had paid ...... Yes I said... you need to keep an eye on who’s doing what here.We’re very busy was the reply ...... seriously I thought .....you’ve only had a dozen members of the public in (since we were there) and you have at least 7 staff serving and you can’t cope ???On the positive side. The place is clean and tidy. And the quantity of food I got was greatIt’s a shame it can’t be run betterWe won’t be going back......

Friendly staff, fantastic service. Absolutely love the pizza and I can’t wait to come back and try the fish and chips. Fantastic array of beer available in both can and bottle form. I had a glass of docks beer but I was very disappointed with it but thanks to the array of choice I then got something far better.

Visited when 50% off staff was great and helpful, had starter and pizza very good food enjoyed that prices on a normal day i would still pay because of the quality of the food.great selection of beers on tap but i had a docks beer overtime i think was about £4.20 a pint ! To have a local beer great but it was rerly not enjoyable dint go down very well i felt a waste of a pint i wouldnt av it again, so i orderd a atom beer for same price absolute blew there beer away .

Great for a coffee , and walk around the boating lake

A great place for visitors to find out information about the local area.

Good for families with of nearby attractions

Great place and it's fantastic.

Ok for a few hrs with kids for an ice cream

Great bar with good food inside

Obviously with Covid-19 and restrictions in place, it's a little difficult, but we sat outside and enjoyed the Capaccino.

Saw a seagul eat a little bird. Wish I could have hit it with a rock but I missed. The place was nice though

Very unintresting. And the lift is just a generic hydraulic (0.66 m/s) which is quite slow for 3 floors. And it has the silly voice!

A must visit, staff are helpful & courteous refrements are good

Great now that it is dog friendly. Great food.

Sorry looking place since change of owners.outlook over lake is pleasant.

Since being taken over its gone downhill. Prices gone up service a lot poorer. We only went infor coffee service was slow. Could understand if was busy but it was not. Had to go and ask if our drinks were ready.

Expensive and coffee was cold and cups were very small not visiting again

Me and my daughter took family that were staying over from London for a walk round boating lake and sandpit last sunday. Cannot believe how down hill this has all gone! It was absolutely disgusting full of litter and cigarette ends it was quite upsetting to see as we have come here for many years. I hear the new owner Is angry at all the complaints and yes I partly agree people should pick up their own litter. But I have to say it was never like this when the council ran it so what's his excuse? I think greed and disinterest in children's safety springs to mind! I really hope he gives it up and let's someone who cares have a go should be ashamed of himse!f!

We were told there was an hour wait for food which was absolutely fine. However after an hour, we were able to finally order our pizzas...another 1 hour and 45 later we finally received our pizzas at 10pm...after sitting down just after 7pm. Great food, but so under staffed! So staff are stressed and do not even check back due to having servers preparing food in addition to serving waiting customers. Will NOT return!

Meals were okay but more a light lunch except pizza. Good you could order either side and sit either side. Lovely view.

Not enough outdoor seating and so much bird muck on the grass. Good selection of beers. Could be so much more with minor tweaks. Great location.......come on guys......it's there. Make the most of the potential!!

This cafe used to be really great- with lovely friendly staff, but since Taphouse has taken over most of the old staff has left and it's not a very welcoming place anymore. Staff are grumpy, we now have to sit down and wait for our drinks to be brought to our table instead of taking them with us when we pay (and they take absolutely ages to arrive) coffee is awful, decor is no longer light and airy but dark and masculine (as are the staff uniforms)--- and the lovely charcoal drawing of Discovery Centre has gone . The seating around the sandpit (which is owned by the same people) is weed ridden and full of litter. Not going again, even though I used to be a regular visitor there---it's no longer a nice place to visit.

Fantastic venue.Now called the Cleethorpes Taphouse and kitchen

Always take a trip to feed the ducks when visiting family up north.

Food once it eventually arrived was good, however asked for brown bread and got white. Did want soup too but was told, no soup that day, chef not happy with it. Drinks came soon but waited over an hour for 2 sandwiches. Having to keep asking. There is a sign saying staff training, please be patience. However some seemed slightly on the defensive. First told only one chef on, when the sandwiches eventually arrived, I was told it took so long because it was cooked fresh!! That's a bacon and pre cooked chicken sandwich, then they had ran out of bacon and had to get some more. An explanation whilst we where waiting would have been nice. Apologies where given and we had a complimentary pot of tea, which we didn't actually want. Saw some people walk out and people ask for their money back, as they could not wait any longer as their car park ticket was running out. Not may table and chairs outside, despite it being high summer and plenty of space for them. Although drinks seem to be well organised the food prep seems to be very slow and need a better system in place. Have been before, when it was not too busy and the food service was slow then, however never waited this long any where for a sandwich.

We took the dogs for a walk round the lake and decided to sit outside for some food. Coffee arrived in tiny cups, no saucers and the waitress spilt half of it on the table. Wasps all around and no deterrents or catchers outside. Food(sandwiches) took around 40 mins to arrive and the crisps were stale and the order wrong. It wasn’t even that cheap so it definitely was not worth the time or money.

Interesting place, has exhibitions too.

Argumentative/ shocking service. Bought wrong food to table to be argued with that it was correct as ordered it two separate orders even though it was wrong. Our second order came before the first order placed and they discarded the first orders receipt and then had to wait over half an hour for the order so we all ate separately. Would not recommend this place !!

I have been coming here for many years now with my husband it's such a wonderful spot and always enjoyed the coffee and scone and atmosphere. Since new taproom has now been put in we have tried it twice and cant believe how downhill it has gone! For starters all prices have gone up and coffee is not as good! Staff seem miserable now always friendly before! Apparently the new owner puts less staff on and it shows place looks scruffy fag ends everywhere (poor ducks!) And it looks like pure shambles to me! What a shame that some random person has just taken over and clearly doesn't know how to run a business!! Wont be returning in a hurry

Lovely, bright and pleasant atmosphere. Lots of young families in summer time . Food was good and reasonable in price. Coffee was great. Service was a little slow but they were busy. Will go again off season though.

My husband and I were recommended to this venue for lunch We were not disappointed Lovely food Lovely presentation of the food Excellent customer service and a great tour guide ! We shall certainly return and recommend to family and friends

We have visited the cafe at the Discovery Centre on many occasions in the past and it has always been a pleasurable experience. We made our latest visit on Saturday 22nd June and what a shock we had! Everything about the place has gone south and I don't mean by a small amount, I mean massively.We ordered 3 drinks, no food. The girl on the till told us there may be a slight delay, that delay ended up been 35mins! We asked one waitress if she could find out what was happening with our drinks, she never returned with a reply. When my patience eventually ran out, I returned to the till to ask for our drinks to be served in take away cups as our parking was about to run out because we'd waited so long. To my amazement the dark haired guy operating the coffee machine was just putting the finishing touch what looked like our order. When asked if that was number 63, the drinks where thrust in front of me with not a single word! Not a yes or a sorry for your wait, nothing! My advice to anyone wanting to use this cafe would be to make sure that you put an extra hour on your parking as you will need it.We won't needing the extra parking because we will not be returning to this establishment due to the poor service, the lack of any resemblance of any organisation and utterly rude staff.

The friendliness of the new proprietors and the acceptance of dogs, with a wide variety of beers should make this venue another asset to the facilities of this vibrant seaside resort.

I was in a queue for what seemed an age. The Morris Men were coming in ordering before they were due to dance outside the Wellow. We had two queques forming in the end those who were ordering and those who'd paid and waited for coffee etc. If ever a place needed more staff it was here. The coffee was left as it wasn't a nice one and I didn't have the time to complain as I felt sorry for them!

We have not visitied the centre for a few months and are aware that there are works ongoing.

Previously a favourite Friday haunt of ours, but today all change and sadly not for the better! No longer run by the same people, no play area my little boy loved, over half the area shut off for refurbishment (in half term!!) similar menu however the prices have gone up quite a bit, the portions down and quality of some of the ingredients noticeably changed, again not for the better! Food all arrived staggered and toast for my little boy burnt........usually smiling and happy staff......same people but clearly not as smiley

Nice cafe friendly staff good meals just at the end of the boating lake.