Courtyard Cafe in Lewes

Very disappointed after a 20k hike to be told at 11:30 on a sunny Saturday that the cafe was not offering food. Apparently they had a busy morning and no food was available, not even sandwiches or cake. Not helpful when you are walking and 10k from the next stop. Best we could get was a chocolate bar. Poor.

although the cafe is open you will be turned away after 4pm if you are not staying. we had walked 12 miles and were looking forwards to tea and cake but received a very hostile reception from the manager who told us the yha covid risk assessment meant non residents were not to mix with residents after 4pm - could we have a takeaway we asked? at which we were virtually shoved out the door and had it locked behind us. Extremely rude and most unwelcoming - don't dare to turn up after 4 and expect a cup of tea in any form

Lovey home made quiche served on sustainable wood platters, cosy courtyard, sheltered and just across the road from easy seaside walk

This cafe is set in a lovely location and it's a good place to stop for a snack / lunch whilst out hiking on the South Downs. It's just a short walk from the Southease train station which is also handy if you want to cut the hike short. My friend and I like the tomato and red pepper soup for a quick lunch.

We were staying overnight at the hostel and had tea and cake when we arrived. Good value and just what was needed. We also ate here in the evening. Again, service was friendly and quick. Our food was just what we wanted, and was hot and tasty.

Indifferent service, lack of variety on menu and half the items listed unavailable. The only thing this cafe has going for it is the view!

A Sunny Saturday lunchtime ... and a pause was called here for a light lunch ~ jacket potato and salad; and a coffee When I had been once before, I did have an espresso ... sadly on this occasion the machine was out of action. However, the food was good and fairly-priced; and the setting in the courtyard in the sun was perfection. Thank you. Drinking bowls for dogs provided in the courtyard as well.

My wife and I (and dog) have been walking the South Downs Way in both directions (in stages) and always stop at any venue that serves food on the route. The Courtyard Cafe is ideally situated near Southease village and railway station and makes a good stop prior to making the ascent from the river. We had tea and tea cakes - a simple snack - but very nice - and excellent value - served by efficient and friendly staff. Nearby Southease church is worth visiting, with its round tower and faded wall paintings.

We stopped for lunch after walking the South Downs Way from Alfriston. We needed something quick as we were catching a train. The staff kindly wrapped our falafel, mozzarella and roasted vegetable panini so that we could take them away. The filling was sparse (I think the ?1 falafel had been spread across the panini) and the bread was insufficiently grilled. There were a few small pieces of roasted vegetables. We both abandoned the sandwiches and had lunch when we got home. This could be such a lovely place to stop for lunch but I think the food offer needs to be improved.

Lovely location, and good for walkers .... but I was very disappointed with the food. I ordered Mediterranean vegetables .... I didn't eat them ... not what I was expecting at all ... and that is the type of food I would normally enjoy. Also had cod goujons with it, they were OK. Still hungry, I had a piece of cake. With a cup of tea, was £14 ... which strikes me as quite expensive ..... Service wasn't very friendly, I had to ask for milk with my tea, and when I asked what the cakes were, I was told 'labels are on them' ...... Next table has just asked to order ..... apart from me, they are the only people here. Server has just made them all stand up (they are all elderly !), to come to counter to order .... how hard would it have been to have taken their orders at the table ?? Lots of crashing around with noisy cups in the kitchen .... but by now, maybe I just have my cranky pants on !!! I wouldn't come back to eat.

Popped in here s in need of a coffee after a day out. Sat in the garden. Nice views ,great service in the café and a good selection of snacks. Very disability friendly

Have driven past many times however decided to visit. Set within the YHA farm hostel. Car park and many walking trails. Walked first to Southease village then along River Ouse. Tearooms offer selection of paninis and jacket potatoes with side salad for £5.25. Also salads, tapas style dishes and stone baked 12inch pizzas. Cream tea and cakes good value. Americano coffee very good. Seating inside and out and allows dogs into both areas. Will definitely go back soon.

We eat our meals here while staying in the Hostel for the weekend. All of the food was freshly prepared and a good variety with options. The Apple Crumble and Custard was to die for!

We called in to the Courtyard Cafe after finishing our walk along the Downs. Pleased to find that we could sit inside with our dog. We ordered two cheese toasties and a tea and coffee. The food was OK but at £4.50 for a basic sandwich it's quite pricey. Service was excellent just wish it had a more varied menu.

We did rather a wet walk but that didn't matter. The food is good, value excellent and well worth a return visit.

Lo visitamos en un día laborable soleado y había aprobado muchas veces, pero nunca había estado en su interior. El alojamiento es nuevo y dispuestas alrededor de un patio soleado agradable, pero hay mucho ruido de la carretera que alteren la tranquilidad. Un montón de aparcamiento gratis en la parte de atrás.

En un día precioso paseo entre Alfriston y Kingston, nos encontramos con la cafetería Courtyard inesperadamente en el momento adecuado para un descanso - 12,00 - ninguno de la información que teníamos en la SDW mencionado este lugar.

La ubicación es estupenda, pero cayó en el café para el almuerzo y me decepcionó. No hay otros clientes pero el personal era charlando y relajante en vez de coger nuestro pedido. Mesa estaba sucia y no habían limpiado mientras estuvimos allí, tuve que cambiar los platos sucios. Bebidas llegamos después de 10 minutos, pero aún así no hay comida. Finalmente después de 15 minutos tuve que preguntar dónde nuestro sándwich era. El pan estaba seco. No comer aquí de nuevo. Muy caro para tan mala comida y servicio. El personal era agradable y se disculpó pero realmente necesitan ponerse manos a la obra y ser más eficientes. Para un YHA en South Downs no había información sobre paseos locales o cosas que hacer.

La ubicación no podría ser mejor: en el corazón de las cosas negativas, pero fácilmente accesible a pie desde el South Downs Way, en bicicleta, en tren o en coche. Está cerca de los principales en Lewes-Newhaven Road y Southease estación y tranquilo. Hay magníficas...

Después de haber oído sobre este nuevo té maravillosa tienda de YHA , planeamos nuestro paseo por lo que en el tiempo para el té de la tarde y pasteles. Los precios no eran baratos pero por lo menos hay una buena selección de tartas y bollos. Sin embargo ten cuidado, pregunte cuando estaban cocinados. Los bollos que teníamos estaban secos y preparado algunos días antes. No estoy seguro de si el problema es el volumen pero necesitan a tiro de piedra, lo que no es utilizado regularmente. Hace pensar sobre formación de personal. Fueron lo suficientemente amables y sustituirá el bollo con tarta pero que arruinó la experiencia.

Arrived at 08:45 and hot food supply was already scaled down; had to wait for a meagre supply to be offered reluctantly. A bit disappointing.

Called in for lunch, I got the feeling that the 3 staff members although trying their best were totally untrained, unprepared for customer service and appeared to have been dropped in at the deep end and left unmanaged.My order was taken then 10 minutes later I was told that they were very busy and it would take another 25 minutes for a breakfast bap. There were only 3 customers who had not been served their food, but I changed to something which didn't require cooking to try to help.My coffee arrived after 15 minutes and food 15 minutes later. The poor woman next to me waited 40 minutes and 2 attempts for a jacket potato.The atmosphere was hectic and I lost count of the number of times that the staff said sorry.I in turn felt sorry and embarrassed for the unhappy staff.Some training and better managing required before I will be persuded to try again.

Always driving past but never enough time to pull over. On a weeks holiday so grabbed a friend to try out. Beautiful setting, train station down road. Parked on main road but did see sign for a car park once you pull into farm site. Ok everything spanking new so should look good, clean. Walled garden, child friendly. Menu suitable for all. Very tasty and fair priced. The accommodation block looked impressive. Will visit again.

good food, good vegetarian selection, lovely sitting watching the birds in the wildlife garden - lovely views too

New Cafe, situated at the YHA at Itford (Southease), East Sussex.There is parking on the A26 and also within the courtyard of the YHAWe planned our walk to Firle Beacon to start and stop here, just because there was a cafe that we could have a welcome tea/coffee after our walkThis is a nice cafe that does meals as well as tea and cake. The prices were as you would expect for a cafe situated right on the South Downs Way. The staff were really helpful and the cream tea I ordered came with a huge scone, jam, clotted cream and a ramekin of chopped up strawberries - fabulous! The tea was nice too!There is a nice outdoor area with a large grass area and water bowl for the mutt.As we had a dog, we were re-directed around and into the bottom gate, it would be helpful if there was more signage to this gate (and maybe make the gate easier to open)Will definitely visit again, even if not going for a Sunday walk