Cuckfield Pantry and Tea room in Mid Sussex

We stopped here for coffee and after placing our order we waited ages for it to arrive. 5 minutes after our order arrived we were then told that they were closing in 10 minutes. Not impressed was an understatement. Steer clear of this place if this is the service that is expected.

I don’t understand the previous and unreasonable comments. We thought this little cafe was fabulous. Spotlessly clean, good presentation on morning coffee and cake and very friendly lovely couple who run it. Looks like they also do lovely lunches so we will be back for another visit.

Popped in here with a friend whilst visiting Cuckfield around 1.30pm on a weekday- the place was almost empty. We took a table and ordered a coffee each to be told we cant have drinks without food over lunchtime. When showing our surprise the owner said it was written on the door. A strange prospect for a tea shop, which was virtually empty, and an interesting business model to turn customers away. I also noticed on the menu when leaving that if you dare to share a cake they'll charge you a £1 extra. I cannot comment on the food or drink, as they refused to serve us the latter, but can highly recommend you take your business to somewhere that wants it, up the road to the friendly Corner House Cafe.

On Friday 23rd August 2024 at around lunchtime myself and a friend who lives locally decided to visit this establishment for a coffee and a cake. There was one other couple in there so it wasn’t busy. We sat at a table that had a Reserved sign on. Big mistake! The guy who was working there (I am assuming the owner) said we had picked the only table that was Reserved and asked us to move. He was wrong…there were other tables. When I politely asked if we could sit there until those it was reserved for arrived we were spoken to in an unfriendly and sarcastic way “could you move to another table..thank you!”. Unfriendly, Rude, Patronising, Unhelpful, Ungrateful, Unappreciative! How not to run a business. This guy needs to be promoted to Sales Prevention Manager! We walked out without even acknowledging him and went to another local coffee shop that Is highly recommended. Judging by other reviews our experience was standard. Don’t waste your time or hard earned cash here is my advice.

I do like this tea room but when overcharged by a fiver for a large breakfast, pot tea and jam from shop and not enough water in tea pot stops me from giving higher rating.

Place looks really nice but wasn't a good experience. Place almost empty but took some time to serve us. Then the not so friendly waitress said we couldn't just have hot drinks as it was lunchtime. We may have got food after but decided to leave and go to the Talbot across the road where we did order both drinks and food. Much better experience.

What a wonderful little Tea Room and Diner in the pretty village of Cuckfield! My husband and I went for a light lunch on Sunday 11 February and enjoyed it so much we went again the next day. Sue and Paul are so friendly and charming and the food was delicious - I especially enjoyed the home made butternut soup. They also sell little souvenirs and lovely bits and pieces - I bought a local tea towel and a beautiful old tea set which I will treasure. Treat yourself and visit the Tea Room if you're in the area - you will receive a warm welcome and won't be disappointed!

I am sorry to read some of the unkind and frankly incorrect reviews on here. Many negative reviews on TA are from one or two time posters; this is a testimony to the veracity of these reviews. My husband and I had the pleasure of having lunch at the Tea Room on two occasions. Both times the owners were very welcoming and pleasant. The food was stellar: we had salmon with cream cheese on a bagel and the coronation chicken sandwich on the first visit, and chicken salad sandwich on brown bread and BLT sandwich on the second visit. Both meals came with coleslaw and small salad to accompany and were attractively presented on lovely English china plates. I had tea, flavourful Yorkshire tea, my husband had coffee which he enjoyed as well. I will definitely return when in Cuckfield again and highly recommend this quaint and lovely tea room.

Thought this would be a nice little tea room I have driven past a few times and wanted to visit I was gasping for a coffee one morning and thought I pop in have a quick look I was greeted by a couple who run the establishment I’m not sure if I had walked in on an argument but was an uncomfortable atmosphere. The woman serving asked me what I would like I asked for a latte to go the gentleman I say that loosely tutted and murmured something I asked him if it was problem I could go else where he then said yes there’s a cafe up the road so I went there instead surely this is a new Karen’s style Diner where the Staff are intentionally rude????

As soon as walked in was told immediately that we couldn’t sit at a table unless we ordered food, we were only after a coffee initially but agreed to get something to eat and asked if we could have a coffee whilst took a look at the menu. The man serving us said he would wait until we decided on wgat to eat before being serving our drinks we were looking at the menu and he was being impatient we felt under pressure to buy food I ordered a bacon and Brie sandwich my friend ordered scones was told that both needed to order scones as coke for two? I agreed to that. We were served are Lattes and after waiting 20 mins our food came over and we were pressure into buying a second drink I did get another coffee but my friend didn’t want one and asked for a water which he replied had to be bottled water. The sandwich was ok the bacon was shrivelled to almost nothing and not much in it. The scones were alright but with cheapo jam prob Tesco value. For what we paid I think was a rip off and we were only people in there. Pretty much everything in the tea rooms was for sale it’s a bit of a bric’ a brac type store. The W/C was not very clean and had a damp towel dry hands on. On way back from using the W/C walked past the back of kitchen could see in and it was filthy the bin was over flowing was flies all over it the floor very dirty and parts off floor held together with duck tape. We wish we had gone to Toms across the road now which we have been to since and such a much better experience

We thought this would be a a quaint little place for afternoon tea but was very disappointed. It’s very run down and trip hazards on dodgy laminate flooring which loose and coming apart. Not particularly very clean and the couple elderly couple that run it are just rude, I feel it’s very over priced and because of location they justified the prices! Would not go here again

This is a charming place run by a husband and wife team. Everything is home made and served with warmth . Beautiful home made cake and scones .Proper lots of tea and good coffee .

Unable to give a credible star rating as we were refused service. My Husband, Father in Law, Son and I had been in the cemetery laying flowers and fancied a quick hot chocolate/coffee before going home. We popped in and noticed a sign on the door saying “drinks only” between 11.30am and 1.30pm (I think) were not permitted. I went in in anyway and asked as it was very quiet in town to double check the flexibility around this rule, there was only 1 table of customers in the cafe at the time however I was still told that we could only have a drink if we ate something. On this occasion we weren’t ready to eat and as were not allowed to just have drinks we couldn’t stay. I was told all the tables would be busy despite there only been 1 reserved and another 4 empty. I understand the need to make money but turning away local people who just wanted a quick drink when your establishment is empty seems a little short sighted and was a real shame as it looked lovely in there. We went to The Talbot instead for a hot chocolate and were in and out in 30 minutes, perfect.

Wife and I popped in on off chance and were welcomed. Plenty of fresh sandwiches, scones and cakes and left complete (with cakes in bag,,). Would definitely be back.

I have never experienced such patronising rudeness from someone serving in a cafe. A simple question on what cakes were in the display cabinet was met with a abrupt rattling of flavours. We asked again but felt we were a nuisance to this gentleman. The ordering of coffee was treated in the same manner. We asked what milk was available, and was offered oat. We decided to please have ordinary milk to then be treated with uncalled for rudeness in his description of skimmed milk. I don’t know what to say, we were then told we needed to order food not just coffee and cake so could not be served. We crossed the road to Toms Food for a completely different experience of politeness and great service.

Lovely home made lunch - macaroni cheese was very cheesy, steak and kidney pudding was huge and very filling. Lovely place to stop for lunch !

We had a lovely lunch here of various sandwiches- the bread was so fresh and tasty and nice range of fillings. Nice accompaniment of salad and a few crisps

Having read reviews and responses I can not understand the owners. The responses are unprofessional and not required. The owners sadly have no idea of customer service, the gentleman is point blank rude. Covid is not something that can be used as an excuse now. The food was poor, cup dirty and just grunts at customers is unacceptable for a “welcoming service”

Was asked to get up from the tables and stand at the entrance, since it was a takeaway. There was just 1 table occupied!!!!! Order - chilli con carne: 4 tablespoons of rice with a very tiny portion of chilli concarne priced at £8. Meatball pasta : Pasta heated in a microwave, with heaps of terrible tomato sauce and 3 meatballs, priced at £8. Terrible service, unwelcoming, below average food, overprice. Would not go again!!

I took my wife to The Pantry, having visited it on my own a couple of years ago on a cycling trip and been impressed by the coffee and cake I'd had. I had the fish pie and veg from the specials board, whick was excellent: big chunks of salmon and (I think) smoked haddock in a really tasty sauce. My wife had a baked potato, which she also enjoyed. The real standouts, though, were the puddings. My carrot cake was, quite simply, the best I've ever eaten, and my wife said the same of her fruit crumble and custard. Delicious! The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and the decor charmingly quirky. I also liked the Covid-safe measures in place. Food is served to a central table where you can collect your food, avoiding close contact with staff. We'd recommend a visit for the puds alone. More please!

My wife and I had been on a local walk with our daughter and 3 year old grandson when we called in at the Pantry for lunch. It was excellent. We were well received by I believe the husband and wife team that run the...

My husband and I visited the tea room for lunch today and really enjoyed the food and drinks consumed. I notice that there are quite a few negative reviews on this page and I believe that these customers have perhaps misinterpreted the owners “ways” ....

This is the oddest place I think ive ever been! Strange atmosphere, smells awful, im pretty sure server broke wind as he took my order!! 😬 Service was dreadful!

Stopped for a tea with a friend to be greeted by a rude man telling us to sign in - then given a lecture of on what we could and couldn’t do. This was followed by more rudeness and then telling us we both had...

We went to have coffee at 10.30 am, despite being completely empty with no customers, the abrupt man behind the counter refused unless we spent £5 each. My friend had gone the previous week - and eaten - and been refused a glass of water...

We spontaneously stopped here on a Monday lunchtime after going out for the morning.We managed to park right outside (hour max) and got a table straight away. We were very lucky as, after us, it soon filled up and others got turned away. We ordered...

I recently booked an afternoon tea for myself and a friend for the first time, and we both really enjoyed it, we couldn’t fault the service very friendly and attentive. We both thoroughly enjoyed the sandwiches and cakes. There was a good selection of cakes...

Went in there today for tea and cake. Hands down the rudest person that we have had to deal with in many a year! Made us feel totally unwelcome and after buying over £20 worth of tea and cakes (bland and tasteless) he refused to...

The man serving was overbearing, aggressive and rude, as others have found. He has obviously not grasped the concept of customer service. The cake was tasteless and dry, a point he agreed with when I pointed it out. The tea was served in a pot...

My wife and mother in law visited today and after placing an order (minimum £5 spend required per person seems harsh for a coffee shop, they weren't allowed to share a cake!! ) were then told by the person that served them "that he had...

We loved that breakfast was still being served after 11 a.m, well worth it. Brilliant sausages etc cooked beautifully. Everything was excellent. Very quaint and close to the hotel we were staying in and the owner is warm and welcoming. Thank you we will visit...

What appears as a 'quaint tea room' kind of place didn't really cut the mustard! We stopped off for a coffee on a walk and as we'd booked Sunday lunch elsewhere that's all we wanted. We commented on the breakfast menu and our server came...

My son had bought me a voucher for mother’s day and we found time today to use it. We were warned to pace ourselves by the very friendly lady who looked after us. We didn’t listen and stuffed ourselves with the pile of delicious finger...

RUDE, DIRTY I visited this establishment on the 3rd of July with my partner and our 2 friends who were on holiday travelling from america. We were in the area and they had asked to have a traditional English afternoon tea to get a taste...

I am a great fan of traditional English tea rooms. They can be an excellent way to have lunch or afternoon tea. Cuckfield tea room and diner is a lovely tea room that also serves all day breakfasts, jacket potatoes and a selection of lunches....

A place where you can have a cup of tea in elegant surroundings, buy things and sit on a comfortable couch with cushions which adds a flavour of home. Very friendly couple running it and good choice of cakes. Unusual tea pots. Not sure whether this would be suitable for children though.

A delicious teacake and cappucino were to be had at this corner cafe. Staff are quick and pleasant. Surroundings very pretty.

I’m writing this review on behalf of myself, mother and brother. My brother booked a table for Mother’s Day breakfast/ brunch and was charged a deposit to reserve a table. We weren’t greeted when we arrived and after sitting down for a short while (I’m assuming) the manager came over to us to take our drinks order. I have IBS and I am aware that nowadays a large amount of people have “fad” diets, however I have a genuine diagnosed condition and struggle with a variety of foods including large amounts of dairy. When I asked if there were any dairy alternatives to have in my coffee, the response I got was “we only have dairy milk”. Firstly, this came across very abrupt and there were absolutely no alternatives offered and no apology, considering the tea room is next to a co-op...it can’t be that hard to provide at least one alternative in today’s day and age surely? I guarantee I’m not the only person who has asked the question. After this, the manager rushed off without taking a food order even though we were ready to order at the time. When drinks were brought to our table, there was no tea spoon with my coffee (a minor note, but still!) When food arrived it was nice, but no check backs to see if everything was ok (I’ve worked as a waitress, it’s common courtesy to do so and can save on bad reviews.)During the visit I overheard a table nearby ask if there were any egg alternatives to scrambled (as this is the only egg option on the menu, which we’d also noticed), the customer was met with the answer “no, just scrambled.” I sort of see the reason behind this, scrambled eggs are easy and only providing one egg option makes cooking the breakfast and getting them out quicker and is an easier way of doing things, however I have spent 5 winters running chalets in the Alps and I have had to cater for many palettes and for up to 16 people at a time; some mornings with everyone choosing different egg options and it’s really not that hard to do. Plus, scrambled egg is once again made with milk, which a lot of people can’t tolerate.At the end of the visit, my brother and I got up to pay, the manager was at the till and my brother was trying to decide what piece of cake to buy to take home with him (so it could be added to the bill), the manager made us feel like we were waisting time by taking too long to choose and said “well I’ll go do something else while I’m waiting”. The lady who was cooking and helping with cakes (possibly his wife) had a totally opposite attitude, she was very polite chatty and helpful, my brother chose the lemon cake and made a comment about how it would taste, the manager overheard this and said “well I guess it would taste lemony” (Again giving off sarcastic unwelcoming vibes). Once we paid and were about to leave, my brother remembered he hadn’t been given his deposit back or had it taken off the bill, so had to go back and ask.Now, having read other reviews on here, some good and some also a similar nature to our experience and reading the responses you provide back...I’m going to say arguing with people’s honest opinions and being rude and sarcastic in your responses just shows guilt in my eyes. You advertise trip advisor on your menus, so don’t tell people “they should have said something at the time” as I can’t imagine you’d have wanted everyone in that small space to have overheard what was going on at the time. This review is so you can maybe make some changes to the customer service and also menu choices. The establishment very much gives the current impression “if you don’t like how we do it then f*ck off!” I’ve worked many many years in kitchens, restaurants and bars, some very busy and some quiet, so I know it’s stressful and know sometimes you can be tired or grumpy and customers can be awful! But you have to bite your tongue and smile and be polite and move with the changing times. People have different diets, people like different options! You give off the impression customers aren’t important and you hate your job. Also if you are advertising for special events like ‘Mother’s Day’ then you should make an effort to make every mum feel special, my mum actually asked us if we could pay and leave as she felt like she wasn’t welcome there. We have lived in and around cuckfield our whole lives and are very disappointed with today’s experience. I await a poor retaliation back, I actually expect it and hope anyone else thinking about going here for a special event, finds this helpful.To end on a positive...the lady you have working there is lovely, so well done her!

Great quality homemade cake and tea. A lovely atmosphere, very eclectic and friendly. We will be back.

Situated in Cuckfield we decided to give a try for lunch as an alternative to our usual eateries.Good home cooking with cosy ambience. It's a shame it' not licensed

A group of us had a lovely afternoon here today. We ordered a huge variety of food and it was all amazing. I had the macaroni cheese and it was really good. We took our 4 month Labrador for his first experience of a foodie place and he was very relaxed and happy while we all ate. Highly recommended for good food, relaxed atmosphere. The staff are all very friendly and lighthearted too. Just wish I’d had a bit of cake now as the selection was brilliant but I was too full at the time... I’ll just have to go back again!

Friendly & relaxed atmosphere with superb service - never rushed. Food was very enjoyable - all four of us chose different items from the menu - they all came well presented & tasty.

Recently visited this cafe for lunch. Lady working there was friendly and welcoming. We were served by a man. Both of us ordered soup. I had carrot and coriander whilst my friend had cumin and lentil. Both were served lukewarm so we had to request that they be heated up. We were both given a slice of bread but no butter so had to request butter which when it came tasted really horrible so we did not eat it. My soup was very thin and watered down whilst the other soup was too thick. Not a pleasant experience I’m afraid.

Me and my partner visited the Cuckfield Pantry and Tea Room last month on a Saturday morning after looking around the local area for somewhere to have breakfast. Cuckfield is a beautifully quaint English town and the Cuckfield Pantry and Tea Room fits in well to the visual aesthetic both inside and out. Unfortunately, the positives stop there. Both me and my partner had a traditional English breakfast with bacon, egg, sausages and toast etc. Our bacon was burnt, the egg was poorly made and the sausages were awfully bland. Both myself and my partner are far from the best in the kitchen, but we were very disappointed as this seemed like something we could have made at home and in truth, to a better standard. In all, the bill came to around £20 including a pot of tea and a coffee. We certainly won't be rushing back any time soon...

Cappuccino, Victoria sponge and a strawberry milkshake. Milkshake was delicious and they use paper straws which is always good to see. An eclectic selection of prints, cards and other miscellany for sale. Fast service and the man was very good with children who came; in having a joke and gentle teasing.

Stopped for tea/coffee and cake. Welcoming staff and amazing cakes Lunch menu too. Will try another day

Small Tea Room serving good lunches prepared freshly when ordered making for some really good lunch time snacks and cakes. Also sells pictures, cards and other things for around a home. Well served by friendly people with a sense of humour.

Good sausage sandwiches and cappuccinos. I have visited this place a few times and always had a positive experience. There always seems to be a personal approach from hardworking people with customer satisfaction at the centre, unlike some of the big chain coffee shops. Even got good entertainment today!

Decidimos comer, ya estábamos en el pueblo, así que nos fuimos a la sala de té. Pedimos café y sándwiches, ambos eran entonces fresco y sabroso. El personal era agradable y servicial y la habitación era espaciosa y limpia de té. Como nos muestra un gabinete pasado como fuimos decidimos probar. Las tartas eran frescos, de buenas porciones y terminamos nuestra visita muy bien.

Fuimos en domingo y pedí un plowmans almuerzo. Lo que me dieron fue de tres rebanadas de pan de plástico y trozos de queso thrree. También había un poco de ensalada, y minúscula, un poco de col. Hay además de dos rebanadas wasthe de pera ¿POR QUÉ? Había que admitir algunos pickle de cebolla roja y dos cebollas en escabeche. Hablo de pan y queso, no una plowmans! Yo no tengo cosas que están en el menú no pavimento algo juntos y decir que eso! Comida de mi marido estaba igual de decepcionante y vamos a votar con los pies y no volver.

Lovely homemade cake and fabulous milkshakes, what is there not to love about this tea room. Looking forward to returning very soon.

Almorcé aquí después de una reunión. La felicidad de encontrar un café que tiene espacio. Mucho espacio para sentarse y hablar, post-mortem de la reunión y no sentir agolpadas o prisa. Se sirve té en una taza taza y elegante y china césar sabroso platillo, envoltura. Aseos en el mismo piso que el café. . . felicidad. . No escaleras arriba o abajo! Obras de arte en las paredes y detalles para comprar en las mesas esparcidas por. Comer aquí.

Mi esposa y yo visitamos el domingo pasado la hora del almuerzo para tomar una copa y un aperitivo. Ambos fueron ordenados patatas chaqueta que caliente, pero pequeño y poco apetecible. Las bebidas eran corriente menos y mi chocolate caliente muy decepcionante. Parecía que había un ambiente en el lugar y observó que el dueño era informal, hasta el punto de ser un poco destartalado. Esta es probablemente la segunda vez que he estado en la despensa. . . . . La vez anterior. También bastante 'normal' y esta vez es la última.

Tenemos amigos en Cuckfield y accedió a comer en la despensa, donde están los clientes regulares. Los cuatro fueron recibidos efusivamente, y la amabilidad, junto con un servicio eficiente, hizo un maravilloso almuerzo. Menú realista, con una buena selección de golosinas en un gran ambiente. Simplemente disfrutamos de la comida y de la compañía.

Decidimos entrar para café a media mañana y pedí un café con leche y chocolate caliente. Como estábamos sentados allí otra pareja nos sirvieron una salchicha de bap y parecía tan bueno que decidimos pedir la misma y no solamente buen aspecto pero sabía muy bien. Las bebidas eran muy agradables, así como la comida. El personal era excelente y muy acogedor y atento. El menú era muy amplio y muy bien de precio y tenía algo para todo el mundo. El comedor era espacioso, bien ventilado, y estaba decorado con colores brillantes y bien iluminado. No cabe duda de que volveremos a probar otras cosas en el menú.

Un salto para un almuerzo rápido de queso y cebolla sandwichera y taza de té. Servicio muy rápido y la comida muy sabrosa. Sin duda volveré

Tuve que esperar un rato, así que decidimos venir aquí para una parada para tomar el té. Cuando llegué me pareció que el personal era amable y profesional. Ellos eran muy serviciales y yo decidimos hacer un sándwich, así como una bebida. El té era...

Went here with family for tea and cake. The selection of both was good, we all got what we wanted. The reason I marked it down was that the cakes we had were all very very chilled, fresh from the fridge. Whilst this extends the shelf life of fresh cakes, it really affects the texture and the taste, so it wasn't quite as tasty as it could be sadly.

Excellent service and great food. Far better than the ‘nice’ hotel round the corner who could learn a lot about customer service from hereArrived 20 mins before closing and still had wide choice and prompt service. Would definitely return.

Lovely little tearoom in Cuckfield. I have been here several times and the staff are always friendly and happy!

Only went in for a bacon sandwich while working in the village. Really friendly staff, great food and local produce. Hope to visit again when not working!