Dem Shish in Eastbourne

Had a meal with a few friends the other evening. The atmosphere was nice although at times was very loud due to birthday parties but this is their vibe and they are known for this so expect it to get a bit fun and rowdy. Live dj playing throughout the evening. Again this is known for it so be aware not quiet. The food was good but I expected it to be better from a proper Turkish restaurant. Some of the dishes were very basic and I wanted a little bit more wow for the prices. Side dishes were pretty plain. Meats were good but again I've had similar if not better from a good Turkish take out. If you want a fun night out with friends and just want to eat then and not to worried about the quality of the food then this is a good place to hit. Staff were really, really nice and friendly and could find no fault with anything apart from wishing the food was a bit better.

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀I have just finished my dinner in this Resturant, I have to say the food was absolutely delicious me and my friend chose a mixed kebab. The chicken was juicy and tender as was the lamb and everything else on the plate was fresh crispy even the rice was good as well. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀I’ll be sure to come here with friends and family without a doubt I also like the way they cook the food because it’s done on a barbecue not a gas barbecue it’s fantastic. I also complimented the chefs. The staff was friendly. Outstanding service from Victoria and Amber, and Sidad also Tory is a nice lady 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠 THANKYOU a nice chatty friendly bunch.

I come to this restaurant often, but this is the first time I'm writing a review, the food is always delicious, but the new service guy, I think his name was Steven, made this experience better, he was elegant and a gentlemen. These are the images I like to see in Eastbourne.

Loved this place. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. The meat was superb cooked to perfection.

It was very noisy with live music which was too loud service was a bit slow. We'd not tried this food before so I'm sure it was OK but not to our taste. Too much yoghurt and not enough salad

Food is absolutely amazing, you will not be disappointed. As for the service, polite staff, but as soon as you put your fork down they are taking your plate away and trying to serve your next course, there was 2 of us and I had finished my starter but my colleague hadn’t and my plate was gone and my main was on its way, when I asked them to hold fire they put our mains under a hot lamp until we were ready. From starter to bill was 1hour and 10mins, far too quick and could understand if fully booked but restaurant was half empty, such a shame cos the food was out of this world and would return just because the food was amazing.

I suppose I went to Dem Shish with an open mind. This was my first visit but I had heard good things about it and my partner was keen. We entered and were placed on a table that felt rather cramped and too close to other diners. We asked to have a more spacious table and were put in a corner away from other diners. Much better! A lady nearby smiled at me and told me she and her husband had been put on the same table and they had also asked to be moved. We ordered our mains and olives to nibble while we waited. Two plates of the most delicious kebabs with rice and salad arrived and we enjoyed them enormously. The entertainment was the resident singer who also played the saxophone. He played and sang a string of romantic songs. This was the icing on the cake for me. Excellent food and wonderful entertainment!

Second time coming here. The place was excellent again. Great food. Lively atmosphere. Definitely going to come again.

Lovely food. Will definitely return. Good service too

Food was amazing, great atmosphere and staff are all so lovely!

Delicious, good value food. Would 100% recommend

Nice, clean shop, with great service and live music. The food is just as good as at the grill house you trust in Germany. My recommendation Adana.

Nice food, slow slow slow service to many waiters serving the same tables so no consistency if service, felt as if you’ve been forgotten, needs some one to take charge as you could see they where hard workers but disorganised

I really like this restaurant. Really tasty food. But the toilet are awful. One almost completely sideways with flush hanging off. Bin lid broken, toilet roll dispenser broken and various other issues. They charge premium prices for a premium experience. However you can’t charge what you do with such awful toilet facilities. You are going to loose returning customers. Please look to re-invest your profits into the business!

This really is a 5 star restaurant. We had the DemShish sharing platter and it was delicious. The cocktails were just as good and they even made one for me which wasn’t on the cocktail menu . The staff are attentive and friendly… NO bored or grumpy faces serving you here !!! . The evening was a delight , a must “ eat at “ when in Eastbourne. Big Thanks to you all for a delightful evening.

We visited this restaurant with a friend having been before just over a year ago and loved it. This restaurant has received numerous national awards so we have been looking forward to visiting again. The atmosphere is still very fun and it seems to be at least one persons birthday on every table. We booked our table for 20:30 and it was pretty full when we arrived although it quickly thinned out. We had the cold meze between us to start which was absolutely delicious and the highlight of the meal. For mains we had the mixed shish which was ok and the Ali Nazak Lamb Kebab. The Ali Nazak tasted like a pasta bake. Overall it doesn’t seem to be as good as it was a few years ago this combined with the price increases facing the entire industry mean that whilst the food is still nice it feels a lot of money for what your get. Our bill for what the two of us had was just under £100. This included around three drinks.

It was my birthday and I booked a drag brunch for 6 people. Unfortunately my son couldn't come. They wouldn't refund us the money or take the £25 off our bill. I complained to the manager who really didn't care. Don't waste your money. Drag was below average and food edible but not anything to go back to

Been a few times before, food good but last night we ordered a platter for 4 and we were fighting over 2 chops. Come on, you don’t pay for 4 and have enough food for 2? I was asked if we wanted more food, yes of course we did, but we had to pay for it. The salad served was enough for one person, when we asked for more, over came another big dish, which we were billed for. I know we are in a cost of living crisis but to cut portions? After complaining the manager agreed a paltry 10% discount and waived the service charge. Did they really think we would have paid it! We won’t be hurrying back.

The manager was really rude to us The service was good but the manager was really rude. Me and my family went to drag brunch for my mums birthday but someone could not go and when we asked if we could have the money off the drinks for the ticket the manager was really rude about it. The food was sub par and the drag left a lot to be desired (we could not understand a single word) nothing special and would not go back.

Manager was really rude, wouldn't refund a ticket for someone who couldn't attend. Didn't provide us with the extra food and when we said we wouldn't be back he said he didn't care and wasn't apologetic at all. Drag act wasn't entertaining, spend your money elsewhere.

Very disappointed by the manager on my birthday. I booked for 6 people for a drag brunch but my son was unable to attend. The manager wouldn't refund the £25 or take it off our bill

Literally not one bad thing to say about this place! Me and my boyfriend went out for dinner on valentines and we had the best night ever! Service was so great, food was sooo nice!! Prices were reasonable. They had a singer there and a complementary glass of Prosecco! Absolutely loved it, definitely recommend going! Great place great atmosphere. Drinks were very nice as well we had cocktails.

Good food..Good atmosphere. This was my second time and I want to say that I was very disappointed how I was treated. Was ignored by the waitresses, passing next to us didn't even bother to serve us , waited 30min to be served after several attempts to get anyone's attention. Instead the ladies next to us who git in the same time as me ,got what they needed in seconds as they knew the waitress and giving them all the attention. I don't care who gets attention or served but I don't like to be ignored and not be served. Even when asked for desert waited 20min and after I just need to stand up and walk bcoz all the staff were just chatting in the front of the bar and couldn't get anyone's attention to get a desert. Instead they rushed to give me the bill to pay without even any apologies for not attending in taking my order. Very disappointed..horrible treatment received from this place wich is an award winning restaurant. Basically ruined the nice evening.

Traveled a long way for a special birthday party and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and plenty of it. The service was quick and very friendly. Highly recommend.

Absolutely great night great food and the restaurant The service was amazing.a

We had a celebratory lunch for my grandson's 21st. The food was superb and the staff made it very special for him.

First time going and it was brilliant

Fantastic chic venue in Eastbourne; live music and space for private events in a tasteful and atmospheric room. Great team with lots of energy, and the food and drinks are varied and of superb quality. Highly recommended.

Good service tasty Turkish meze starters the Turkish baklava was the best I ever had in a while worth a try

Food is great i highly recommend. Best food in town. Excellent friendly service 👍👍👍Amber and komer very frendly excellent sevice

It was such an amazing experience! Food was incredible, and live music as well as the atmosphere. The waitress that i believe was called Reyna was really lovely, loved her service. Definitely coming back soon!

lovely food and drinks been here a few times and always superb

WOW! What an amazing experience. I totally recommend Dem Shish. Thanks to all the staff, I had an amazing Birthday and an evening that I will always remember. Wishing you all an amazing 2024 and many more years to come.

The food was ok; whilst eating our starter the staff wanted to take it away because our main meal was ready; I was always under the impression that the timing should be with the customer and not the kitchen. I thought the staff were quite abrupt and not particularly welcoming. The music was quite loud which isn't a problem if the quality is good which it wasn't. I think for what it was; the food is expensive for what you get; one of my vegetarian friends had some chicken on his plate having point out that he is a vegetarian when he ordered, not the best and sorry to say wont be going back.

Food very good but very very busy

Terrific food not so keen on the loud live dj music but after a few glasses of wine it grew on us properly wouldn't go there again as we are of an older generation but the food was good

My first visit to Dem Shish, food was good, having visited Turkey a number of times and enjoyed the food I was loving the authentic tastes at Dem Shish. Cocktails were good, priced in line with local bars. Live music was good too! Were quite a few people eating mid week, would suggest reserving a table on a weekend.

Food was great, but flies and cobwebs everywhere (Baklava wasn’t fresh)

Staff make the experience far less enjoyable. Love the food here, been a few times and it’s always been delicious. However every time I’ve dined here, the staff have been generally unpleasant. The food was the only thing that brought me back but have decided it’s not worth it. Better places to eat with more friendly staff.

Overcharged watch your bill should be 20% off did not take it off. Staff standing around watching

Visited Dem Shish last night to celebrate a birthday and it’s safe to say they did not disappoint! The food was absolutely gorgeous and you can tell it was made with heart and cooked perfectly, the cocktails were also some of the best in Eastbourne. Service was excellent, both waitresses and the owner himself made sure everything was okay, and the Celebration cake did not disappoint with the sparkles, music change and everyone joining in to celebrate!!! Overall I would recommend to anyone wanting to go on a date, celebrate a birthday or an overall night out, 10/10

We had a good dinner out celebrating my Dad's birthday. The staff attended to our mixed up orders as soon as they can and got it right. The ambience and the live band was really nice. I would strongly recommend this place an definitely will come back here again.

Delicious meal, good music, excellent value for money

Heard a lot of good things about this restaurant, how disappointing. Food was fine but service, atmosphere bad. Two girls screeching and vaping, nothing done by staff, starter taken away we hardly had chance to dip one piece of bread. Charged different, obs more than on menu and when challenged told old p menu and when did I take a photo of prices, service charge added. Rude staff… we were going to go back but will wait until staff turnover

Been here before a few times and loved it, returned tonight, food was lovely but music was so loud with 2 extremely loud drunken girls yelling and vaping in the restaurant totally ruined the evening which staff didn't seem to see as a problem. Given lovely complimentary starter just stared to eat it when waitress took plates away as she said the main course was ready to be served. Bill was more than prices on menu, charged extra for swapping rice for chips and service charge. Service wasn't very good the Waitress was argumentive and rude over prices when we showed her the menu as prices had increased, she said you clearly have the old menu by mistake and the service charge wasn't actually service charge but added into the overall bill something that had just been introduced but couldn't explain although showed on bill as 10% service charge .Sadly we won't be returning again

Nice food. Service not great. Plenty of staff but we were left for a long time with dinner plates in front of us & when they were eventually collected, we weren’t asked if everything was ok or if we’d like to see the desert menu. Nor were we asked if we would like any more drinks. Music was very loud but the most irritating thing by far is that the tables are too close together so we had waiting staff or diners walking behind our chairs, constantly knocking into them. It wasn’t a very relaxing meal to say the least! Came out with hoarse voices trying to be heard above the music. Great place for hen parties etc but won’t be eating here again sadly.

We had amazing food and service, thank-you. The staff seem unhappy despite our pleasant experience but were attentive and we we felt looked after.

Amazing place, can't wait to return 🙌

A nice cozy restaurant serving Turkish food. Brought my wife here on a date night while on holiday in Eastbourne. It was a quaint, interesting ambiance. Had a relaxed vibe. Their Negroni was one of the Best we've had. The Blue Ocean was okay. Our starters - calamari, which was fresh, tender (not rubbery) and fried in a light batter; aubergine cold mezze - creamy and light served alongside a lovely chili sauce and Turkish bread (like a crispy naan). Our shared Main: lamb shank - tender, flavourful, and simply seasoned to highlight the quality of the meat. Pricing - reasonable Overall, we had an enjoyable evening.

The food was good, although they do not offer flat breads with the dishes, which were missed. The main waiters were attentive and friendly, but others were not sufficiently trained; they were unable to answer questions and looked scared, rather than welcoming.

Enjoyed a wonderful Tuesday night at Dem Shish with the awesome Luch Stefano providing musical atmosphere. The food and cocktails were delicious, and the service was fast. Highly recommend going on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday for 20% off the entire bill. Just don't forget to add a tip, as there is no service charge added at the end!

Went here with my wife and 2 friends in August as read good reviews and it also won an award for the food. The restaurant seemed nice, staff friendly when we arrived but immediately hit by the volume of the music when walking in. Sat by the open kitchen, behind glass so all smoke remains in the kitchen, and it was interesiting to see how busy they were and how the kitchen worked. Really good service from the waiting staff, very friendly and attentive and our server talked about how well the staff are looked after. Food was good all round. Starters and mains all good, tasty, fresh and big enough portions. So if all that was good, why the poor review? One reason and one reason only, the music. It was loud when we went in and we struggled to talk but once the DJ started that pretty much put paid to any conversation. We left after the mains as we didn't see the point in staying for pudding or an after dinner drink as we couldn't really talk. We're not that old but we go out to talk and catch up, not listen to bad music pumped at high volume. Personally I think it needs to decide what it wants to be. Restaurant or semi night club with food. We wouldn't go back again as there's other good places to eat in Eastbourne where you can relax and talk and enjoy good food.

We came here on a Monday night and had a great time. This restaurant is always full which is why we were tempted to try. The portion sizes are massive and the food was quite good! The only negatives I can think of are related to making a British taste instead of authentic Turkish flavours: some of the sauces are too sweet as typical in takeaways, and the samosas and breaded calamari are a bit random in the mezze. These are minor points though. Honestly, I think this is the only respectable restaurant in all of Crawley.

Don't Go for the Lamb Shank, more like Mutton Shank so dry/tough and tasteless (SHAME) Had a great hen do there for my cousin on Saturday.

Nice enough place with a good ‘party’ atmosphere as long as it’s that you’re after. A bit loud music but ok. Can’t talk about others but my food was just ‘ok’. Had the kleftiko but didn’t fall off the bone like it should so imo was slightly under done. I was with a group so wouldn’t make any comment about it on the day. Looked like it was running at full capacity so some things a bit slack like supply of bread etc when requested. But still decent value I guess.

I had dinner here last night as a group of three. The place was very lively with a DJ and lovely atmosphere, however they are not disabled friendly so we had to sit outside with my service dog. The food came promptly and we had their special which was a mixed grill for three. It was fantastic and more than enough for the three of us.

Excellent place for cocktails at a reasonable price.

Amazing food!! Great service!! Very welcoming. Would definitely recommend

Absolutely fantastic food and service, Can definitely understand how they won kebab restaurant of the year, they really deserved this title, we’ll done Dem Shish Team

This is a popular spot for us. The place is super clean. Staff friendly and helpful. Food is always spot on.

Very lively restaurant. Food was good. I had the salmon steaks. Girlfriend had the sea bream, bit of a proxy size though. The loud music , to some , provides an atmosphere, but to us it was like dining inside a nightclub at times.

Visited for the first time this evening, was lovely 😍 fantastic lush tasty food, fabulous service/ experience.

Staff were so friendly, fantastic customer service. Special thanks to Amber, who waited on our table. Such a joy. Great music, just a shame my friend and I couldn't hear each other talking (our problem, not theirs, everyone else seemed to manage 😄)

Drove an hour to get to the restaurant for 10pm but they’re closing because it’s quiet. Closing times advertised as 11pm. What a waste of time and effort.

Went there for the first time tonight and was blown away by the great food and service, I was truly amazed by the experience and the way they treat you like royalty, you would be mad not to try this place, the staff and management are really hard working and take great care of you

We were a group of six and could hardly talk to each other as thr music was too loud

Very rude staff. Food ok nothing special. A member of staff there as a customer bragging she worked there but awful behaviour from her.

Fantastic food, great service and exceptional entertainment too! Honestly, cannot fault this place at all, highly recommend to everyone!

Mot the turkish cuisine I was expecting

Fantastic restaurant, excellent service and the food was delicious. We went on the late August Bank Holiday, so I would say probably not as busy as the weekend. Live music was very good and not to loud, and the atmosphere was great. I cant recommend this place enough, and we will definitely be back next year , on our yearly trip to Eastbourne.

Lovely meal in a friendly vibrant restaurant, our group age ranged from 85 to 18 and we all enjoyed it.

The food overall was very good - as a vegetarian there was a really good choice and very good sized portions. The restaurant was absolutely packed which is great and nice to see they are doing well. However, the two of us were hoping to enjoy a non rushed meal and the reverse happened. Including having starters and a main course, we were rushed through in less than an hour. Literally as soon as we ordered, the starter arrived. As soon as we finished the starter, the main course was delivered- it felt like we were part of a race!! They had a DJ in the restaurant the night we went - was completely unnecessary as the noise from all the chatter was very loud and they could have just played a decent soundtrack instead Overall an ok experience and would go again but I was not after a fast food experience- we wanted a relaxing dinner and evening and unfortunately that is not what we got.

Delicious food, very popular. Attentive staff. Definitely worth a visit.

Great staff and the food was absolutely lovely. Will definitely be going back

Very good food, amazing service and a great atmosphere with good music. Would definitely recommend

Amazing place for couples and families. Not many places like this in Crawley. Food is really nice. Highly recommended.

The restaurant had a lovely atmosphere about it ,friendly staff very helpful ,it had live music which was nice. The food was absolutely amazing, really inejoyed the starters,main and the dessert a little pricey but we'll worth the money. Will go back there again .

Seemed rushed, was told we were having complimentary bread and dips which we were going to order, but they never arrived. Went elsewhere for drinks and pud

1st time there . Will definitely be going back. Food was fantastic.

Visited where again whilst ya willing with work. The staff always look after me and welcome me back and have a genuine interest in how i am. The food is always spot on too. I enjoy the atmosphere and I don’t feel self conscious eating...

The food, staff and entertainment was amazing!

Had a fantastic meal. Excellent variety,quality and service. Great value for money. Definitely will go back when we visit Eastbourne again. Highly recommend. Many thanks to our lovely waitress Amber.

Great food reasonably priced, starters, main course are fantastic, very good size portions. Been there twice before will be going back.

Truly enjoyed our dining experience there.

We had agreed to meet up on Thursday 10th August at 7 pm and were in the end a group of 14. I had been here once before about 2 months ago. The service was very good and our waitress quickly took out drinks order...

We visited here on bottomless branch. I would highly recommend. The food is first class. Amber the waitress is second to none. Professional and very good at what she does and is an asset to the restaurant. Hamed the barman has a permanent smile on...

If you know anything about food you wouldn't eat here. Customers who visit here usually go for alcoholic drinks first and then order food while drunk and they think they had a great experience a kebab shops meat is much more flavoursome and much better seasoned meat. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

Me and my boyfriend took my nan to this restaurant for our grandads 2 year death anniversary (celebrating his life). We booked a table and unfortunately it wasn’t ready just yet, this didn’t bother us at all really as it worked in our favour as my boyfriend was still trying to park the car. A gentleman (I’m assuming the manager) couldn’t do enough for us, he got us a little table for the mean time, got our drinks order and took off a drink from the tab. The food came out so quickly and the staff was so friendly. We had a nice meal and great music too (even nan was bopping along). Definitely recommend.

Fabulous atmosphere and fantastic food. The staff were great and very friendly. Best food we've had for a long time. Highly recommend this.

Incredible atmosphere and delicious food! There is a saxophonist on a Monday who is really good and the perfect amount of noise so it doesn't disturb your dinner. Only bad point - every 20 mins or so they play this annoying birthday song through their speakers which cheapens the experience. It reminds me of Frankie and Bennys.

The best place for a Monday Night. Unexpectedly it was busy, great music, fanatastic food, Efes on pump and an absolutely amazing atmosphere. Would definitely highly recommend!

Lovely Turkish place, unfortunately is losing bit of value cos of the skimpy clothing looking waitress, I expected bit more value and respect for the guests. I recommend more turkish music as well. Thanks!

Went here for dinner with my friend after her baby shower earlier that day, so we weren’t as hungry as we could’ve been so could only manage to share cold meze, halloumi and a Greek salad. The food was utterly delicious, drinks were good -...

An absolutely fabulous and vibrant restaurant. The food is the best I've ever tasted. I cannot fault this place. 😋🤤

A well-presented restaurant with lovely food. We went on a Saturday and the music was deafening. That is fine had we known as we wouldn't have selected it that night and that occasion.

A well-presented restaurant with lovely food. We went on a Saturday and the music was deafening. That is fine had we known as we wouldn't have selected it that night and that occasion.

One of my favourite places but on this occasion weren't offered a dessert so just got the bill

5th time I've eaten here. Food is plentiful and delicious. Service good as well. All freshly cooked .

This restaurant is lovely, the staff are friendly the food is amazing I will definitely be returning and recommending to friends

We really enjoyed ourselves here. The food was good on the whole, there were plenty of staff, all really attentive and cheerful! If you fancy good food and a fun noisy night in a great atmosphere then come here👍