Depot Kitchen in Lewes

Lovely cinema. Very clean and comfortable with fine cafe and bar. We have now taken an event update subscription to the Depot.

Firstly I would like to make it clear, that we love The Depot cinema, the staff on the booking desk and the volunteers that over see your entry to the screen are helpful, professional and charming . The cinema itself is clean, comfortable, friendly and competitively priced. However this review, following our trip to watch Paddington @ 3pm today, is solely related to the hospitality part of the business. Last year, after too many over priced and underwhelming meals, with appalling service. We took our pre/post cinema dinner custom elsewhere. But opted not to leave negative feedback. Today we arrived 15 minutes early and decided to purchase two hot drinks to take into the screening. From the placing of the order, with a very brittle, uninterested woman, who did a remarkable job of efficiently removing the “service” from “customer service”, to actually receiving our hot drinks at the other end of the bar was 15 minutes. There were 3 of us in the drinks queue. Waiting by the coffee machine it was evident that the baristor was completely out of his depth. His flustered, erratic, muddled, rude manner was appalling. Culminating in abusive verbal interactions with customers. My order was for two oat latte (my wife has a severe lactose intolerance). I observed him making a latte with cows milk, he then handed it to me. I questioned him, reminding him my order was for oat milk, his response…..he asserted it was indeed oat milk!!!!! A complete lie, I had watched him pour the cows milk into the jug (assuming it wasn’t my order). I reiterated that it wasn’t oat milk and I had watched him use cows milk. At which point he was extremely offhand and verbally rude. As the coffee order had taken 15 minutes to make, the film was starting, so I didn’t have change to escalate this intolerable lack of service but more importantly his complete lack of customer care, in lying about the milk used. People use plant based milks for a plethora of reasons, from taste preference to perceived health benefits, to (like my wife) acute intolerance to lactose since childhood. The potential consequence of his lies could have posed serious health risks, if he had not been challenged. Please can you implement immediate training, not just in customer service, but also in the far more serious issues of allergies and allergens within catering/hospitality. As training in this is a mandatory requirement, it does pose the question had the necessary training procedures being followed??? Needless to say we will no longer be using The Depot for any form of beverage purchase. I am More than happy to discuss this further.

Lovely atmosphere and good food. Helpful and considerate staff. Thank you

Good place to sit in the sun and sip drinks.

Didn't visit the cinema but had a coffee and a cake in the café. Unfortunately the custard cake was really dry and I couldn't finish it, although my friend did, he must have been hungry 😊. Staff friendly so, worth a visit despite the cake.

A great place to visit to see great movies & to have great food

Superb Cinema, Restaurant and Coffee shop in Lewes. Well worth a visit.

Enchanting Danish supper and film evening - thanks to all who made this happen!

Visit for a coffee in the cafe.

My wife and I decided to eat at the Depot after watching a film – we won’t be doing that again! The staff were friendly, but it was hard to attract their attention. The food was very basic, sloppily prepared, and overpriced. Delicata Squash and Feta Salad £13.00 Out of the bag salad leaves with under cooked squash, with the skin still on and a few bits of feta. Apparently the dressing was nice. Cod Goujon and Dill Aioli Sandwich £10.00 Overcooked fish in a dry, barely warmed bun, a few leaves and some grated apple. Asked for some mayonnaise, which at least made it edible.

Only came for food and I was a little disappointed. Expensive for what it is, we ordered some bread on the side which was absolutely swimming in oil to the point that it wasn't edible. The cinema is meant to be great but I'd go for food somewhere else first. Very pretty location and friendly staff

A lovely spot in the middle of Lewes, a cafe/ restaurant as well as a cinema! Went for a brunch and was pleasantly surprised with a delicious meal! Staff were super friendly and service was fast and efficient. Space is well laid out with plenty of tables and chairs. There is also a section with comfy couches if you just want a coffee and a chat. Would highly recommend ⭐️😊

More than a cinema Highly Recommended :)

If you're looking for a cinematic oasis nestled in the heart of the city, Depot is your haven. This refurbished space is more than just a cinema – it's an experience. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a world of independent and foreign films, thoughtfully curated to ignite your imagination and expand your cinematic horizons. The ambiance is as inviting as it is chic. The café exudes a cozy charm, offering a delightful array of snacks and beverages to enjoy before or after the screening. Whether you're craving a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a decadent pastry, the café's menu has something to satisfy every palate. Venture into the courtyard, and you'll discover a tranquil escape from the bustle of city life. With its lush greenery and serene atmosphere, it's the perfect spot to unwind and discuss the film you've just experienced or simply soak in the ambiance. But Depot isn't just about films – it's also a celebration of art in all its forms. The art gallery showcases a rotating selection of works from local and international artists, adding another layer of cultural richness to your visit. What truly sets Depot apart is its commitment to showcasing films that might otherwise go unnoticed. Here, you'll find a diverse lineup of movies that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought. Whether you're a cinephile seeking out the latest indie gems or simply looking for a unique night out, Depot has something to offer. In a world dominated by mainstream cinema, Depot stands as a beacon of creativity and diversity. It's more than just a cinema – it's a community, a cultural hub, and a testament to the power of film to connect us all. Whether you're a seasoned film buff or a casual moviegoer, a visit to Depot is an experience you won't soon forget.

Now that’s how a cinema is meant to be

Used the restaurant and ordered a burger and double fried chips. The food was unfortunately a little average, and somewhat dry. Nice decour and staff were polite and attentive though. The cinema was comfortable and cozy though. Pricing is reasonable

Great food and excellent value for cinema

Great food , price for movies is amazing , comfortable and nice to be able to take an alcoholic drink in . Highly recommend

Had a lovely glass of red and you are able to take your drink into the cinema if you haven't finished it!

Was at a wedding reception there. With a buffet in the garden then into the function room for afternoon tea and later a disco with more food. All the staff were very polite and attentive nothing was too much for them.

Great Coffee at a realistic price. Exterior seating is great for a sunny day.

We hadn’t been to The Depot before, but were curious to try it, so drive down from Tunbridge Wells. While the design and architecture of the venture are great, rarely have o been to a cafe where the staff were so unfriendly and had such an attitude of complete indifference. The young woman who we first encountered must have realised that we didn’t know what food or drink was available, but took some time to point us to a menu. When we did order we waited quite a while feeling pretty conspicuous to the right hand side of the counter, and when my asked if a coffee just produced was for me - she having received her tea about five minutes before - the young lady barista said, quite tersely: ‘There were others who ordered before you’. It is a pity that the staff at the cafe were so unwelcoming. In contrast, the young guy by the doors to our cinema was very pleasant. The cinema itself had a really nice atmosphere. With comfortable seats and good sound, and it was a nice change not to have to sit through ads. The very poor cafe experience marred our trip, however.

Really nice staff. They do half prices on Tuesdays

What a little gem ... Found this by accident on a Saturday night with a DJ playing some fabulous disco music .. great place to relax and enjoy some good music. Loved it!

Excellent restaurant and cinema

Fantastic cinema, great ambience, brilliant prices, wouldn't hesitate to recommend!

Lovely cinema very comfortable friendly young staff. Film volume was on the load side.

Great price, nice venue and very comfy. Would recommend over big chain cinemas

A small place but an awesome setting with a restaurant and a cocktail bar. Well worth to visit for films and food/drinks.

Drinks and food outside with friends, good value. Shame no table service outside

Great foreign language films Very comfortable seats

As someone who has not gone to the Cinema in years, this place has completely turned me around. Good value, friendly, great atmosphere, incredible Coffee. Plus Great staff and the food was incredible. Quintessentially Lewes and I love it. I will be returning

I have eaten at the Depot a number of times before and the experience has been variable. The lunch menu is now very limited and expensive for the size of the portions. For £10 we were each served with a very small tapas plate of marinaded fish with one piece of focaccia. It was tasteless and something that you could have got out of a jar for £2 at most. We ordered a plate of chips because the size of the portion was so small, we needed something extra despite this item being billed as a main dish for lunch. We complained to the waiting staff but there was no recognition from the management that we had a point, no offer to reduce the bill for example. I very very rarely complain but I was incensed and very disappointed that the Depot could serve what was in fact no more than an appetiser as a proper lunch. The waiting staff were very helpful but clearly unable to do anything to address the appalling standard of food they are being expected to serve up. There are many good lunch places in Lewes where you can get delicious reasonably priced food, don't go to the Depot.

I come here for coffee quite often, the coffee is good but the service is getting worse. It seems to take longer to get a coffee to your table (a distance of about 30 metres) than is reasonable. Today I ordered a flat white, sat with my friend chatting on the clearly numbered table outside and after 20 minutes when my coffee still hadn't arrived, went in to enquire as it wasn't that busy. There was a barista casually sipping coffee at the machine ( possibly my missing flat white) I explained to the cashier I was still waiting for me coffee. She in turn went to speak to the two baristas and came back to inform me that they had 'tried to deliver it' but that they couldn't 'find' me. I explained that myself and my friend were on table 45 (as per the original order she had taken ) and that no one had been to our table to which she again replied that 'they tried yo deliver it. I explained that could not have happened as we both would have seen someone standing at out table eith a coffee. At this point an older member of staff in a green top came over to me, I again explained what has happened, she went talked to the baristas and said the same thing that 'the waiter had been round but that nonone had 'claimed' the coffee which is why I hadn't received it. There was no apology offered and I was made to feel that it was my fault in some way that the staff had failed to deliver my paid-for coffee. Mistakes are made, I was a waiter myself for years, but if you make a mistake it it is YOUR responsibility TO APOLOGISE THE THE CUSTOMER as well as putting right the mistake. I can't believe the arrogance of this older female member of staff in green who looked at me as if I was the offending party and didn't attempt to apologise either at the bar or when she delivered the coffee to my table five minutes later. Some customer training exercises in humility and respect would go a long way here. Still haven't received an apology. Disappointing.

The small screens are excellent and have excellent sound and comfortable seating, and a clientele that doesn't talk through the movies. One of the screens has loud, rattling aircon, however. Most of the independent movies they show are either woke homework films or twee films for the middle class old women who make up the largest part of this cinema's audience. They do also show the occasional classic film and art film, and it's a good place to watch a big new release while avoiding the jabbering masses at the big cinemas. Haven't tried the food but the garden is a nice place to have a drink in good weather, they have beer from the local Abyss brewery on tap which is excellent.

Nice place to go in the sunny weather. The food was nice and the coffee was good. It's definitely a little pricey and I wouldn't rate the Elderflower spritz as it's a little too sweet but it is still definitely a nice place to stop before or after getting to the station.

Lovely independent cinema that features curated showings along with box office hits. The seats are super comfy and you can take glassware and drinks from the bar in which feels like a treat. The snacks are on the premium side - the only thing missing is fresh popcorn!

Really impressed with the Depot. We were lucky to pitch up on a day they were offering 2-4-1 main meals. The staff were very friendly, service was quick and food was good. As it was warm and sunny we took advantage of one of the outdoor tables which was a pleasant place to sit. Previously we have sat inside on the comfy seating. Will definitely return.

Expensive drinks considering the area is full of pubs, however nice seating area so balances out abit

Independent cinema friendly good food and comfy seats

A great place to relax and watch a movie and you can even get a drink here

I love the place, the atmosphere and the people but the wine and coffee needs a little more love.

Like it here usually and would give 4 -5 stars for other visits to cinema, food and summer outdoor events but went yesterday evening and the thai food had run out by 7.30pm for an event that was due to last until 10.30pm and no kitchen operating! Obviously we left but this is very poor and it is up to depot to ensure that there is adequate provision.

Lovely independent cinema ,we watched the premier of 'Wilding ' with our daughter and son in law ,the cinema was cosy and the seats were comfortable, loved the art work on the walls ( some quite rude but made me laugh ) Very easy to park as it's right by the train station .

It’s great to have a local independent cinema showing a range of productions but still find myself making the effort to go to Duke of Yorks, where I can be trusted like the adult I am to eat popcorn and cake without making a mess whilst I watch a film. Not eaten here, the bar service is generally a bit haphazard and it’s very bright so doesn’t encourage me to spend more time than necessary beyond drinks for a film.

A good spot to come to for something at most times of day as found a very good lunch and drink time to come here, useful for somewhere to eat and drink that can be found with lots of options to have.

Cuppa tea and a cake, sat out in the wild garden - perfect!

Great venue.Varied selection of films on offer. Great restaurant on site too.Seats in the different screen cinemas extremely comfortable.

Waited 15min for a coffee, went back to chase it up, waited a couple of minutes for the sleepy barista to confirm I ordered and paid, “we’ll bring it out”. Waited another 5 mins. Went back, one of the 4 other staff behind the counter said “yeah it’s been at the end of the counter but there was no one to take it out”. Seeing as I carried the rest of the drinks out not sure why they went for this approach but suffice to say I think it was a smashing choice and will no doubt catch on in other venues.

Comfortable seats, great sound, and decent prices. What's not to like?

This was where I first realised that cinemas were celebrating "The Crow." atmosphere within the venue is calm. the bar staff are lovely. I was there for a film industry talk; the room was spacious & had no outside interference. Can't quite rate the screening facilities as I haven't seen anything there as yet.

A great spot to have something to eat and catch a movie

A really enjoyable visit to the Depot. Great film. Comfy seats. Super trailer reminding people to take their litter with them! Seems to effective, the movie theatre was spotless and the upholstery in very good condition compared to other cinemas.

Great fun ,we saw a live stream of the Royal ballet's, Swan Lake. The food was lovely and fresh and the cinema seats are very comfortable. Good choice of fil.s that cover every taste.

One of my favourite destinations

Plenty of spaceport a quiet coffee.

What a great cafe in the center of Lewis. Lots of outside seating. Clean, frrindly staff and inexpensive coffee.

Lovely cinema with large comfortable seats and reasonable prices- always lots of things on here not just at the cinema, it’s a nice place to eat and drink with a nice atmosphere too!

Love this cinema. Love that all of the screens don’t have loads and loads of seats so it’s cosy and intimate. Love that they play a whole range of interesting films that you don’t get at your big chains. I do wish they sold popcorn though :/

It's a very laid-back atmosphere, We watched back to black, which was a great film

I always go to this cinema which has a terrific restaurant doing snacks as well as meals. Very comfortable, spacious cinema seats and, best of all, the cinema does not show adverts, just trailers for forthcoming films.

Lovely seats, lovely staff, great audio and sound, lovely atmosphere all round.

Ate at the Depot last night. We were a party of 4 and it was the first time there for all of us. In short - fabulous. We'll be going again definitely. Location: proximity to Lewes town centre or the station - tick. Building: amazing. Menu: was all delicious. I could have eaten every single item on it so had to restrict myself to one main! Plenty available for veggies or vegans too, which catered for one of us so she was happy. Waiting staff: so polite and helpful. Really made a change to be served by someone who was bright, knew the food, was also attentive and had a sense of humour. Thank you for improving our evening. And the final plus point - there was ONE popcorn panna cotta left over, so we were offered it for free! And it was 100% worth it! Brilliant restaurant - yes, we'll be going back!

What a lovely restaurant, especially in the sunshine when you can sit outside.

Great venue for a fresh cinema experience. Very clean, friendly staff. Enjoyed watching Dune part 2

Lovely cinema but the film yesterday was awful

This cinema is a really nice place for all ages. It is disabled friendly. The facilities are good. There is a nice bar where you can have coffee and alcohol. The staff are friendly and the place is clean.

Great place shows great films at a good price.

Really lovely place to go for either the cinema or the cafe. Both reasonably priced and deserving of support.

Children received a gift card for Christmas from their godmother.they were very happy to receive one.but now there isn't anything being shown that is suitable for them.there has been some great films released but u don't seem to show them here like Ghostbusters, Aquaman 2 and other big movies. I have been checking weekly to see if this changes but no new films for there ages of interest, this is stated by so many other people who have children around that age, it appears teen years are forgotten, with more concentration of arty films and less for teen ages. When they said a cinema was coming to Lewes we all thought great this will be good for the town but unfortunately you don't cater for everyone as mentioned above.

Great cinema. Diverse films. Really comfortable seats. Cafe.

Fantastic cinema. Staff are exceedingly friendly & helpful. Screens are decent sized with great audio. You're allowed to bring in alcoholic drinks to films & the chairs are all setup with cup holders, as well as being very comfortable. They support local art & have regular events celebrating cinema/arts, they also regularly show royal opera house performances. Fantastic venue. I've not eaten at the restaurant inside, but friends who have do recommend. If you're wanting to support local cinemas & more independent films definitely visit

Great place for independent cinema. The food looks nice too. Quite a posh cinema experience, with super comfy seats.

Certainly one of the best cinemas I've been to. Super comfy seating , proper bar that allows you to take a pint in with you 'in a glass' just like an adult and bistro style cafe/restaurant. It has a number of screens of varying sizes . I would describe as a sophisticated boutique cinema with a wonderful vibe. They put on some truely interesting stuff here. A cool place to go. Oh and it's not uber expensive either

Always fantastic to pop in - the coffee is the best I have had in a long time. Be back soon!!!

Like hot chocolate with water… I guess they have run out of alternative milk… on Sunday at 8pm The first one was lukewarm… not pleased at all…

Lovely inclusive atmosphere, great food, lovely efficient staff and comfy seats in the cinemas.

Always the best seat in the house. Perfect cinema.

restaurant and bar staff went above and beyond for me

Love the atmosphere, staff lovely. Veggie breakfast great Even the poached eggs were good. ( I hate it if there is any runny white) Film good too!!!

I love this cinema, it is near the train station of Lewes, so easy to reach from Brighton. It always has a great selection of movies, it's really comfortable and the audio is good too. No ads fortunately. There is always a great atmosphere in the lounge, the restaurant and the garden just outside, so you can enjoy being there before or after the movie for a drink and also to eat.

Valentines menu - sadly, dreadful food. Dry tough ribs, greasy hard fried fish, uncooked potatoes, dessert was the only enjoyable part. So disappointed as love this venue. Has there been a change of chef?

Well organized and clean. Sound quality good..not too basey

Independent cinema that shows a great selection of world cinema. £10 standard price or £9 for adults if you get their membership where you pay 4 films upfront. Tuesdays is just £4.50. Those under age 25 never pay more than £4.50. A selection of craft IPAs from local breweries.

Went to the cinema but had some food beforehand. Lovrly atmosphere and food. A gem of a place.

This is a great venue. Very nice ambience in the restaurant/bar, very comfortable cinema, sensible prices and easy to get to.

Went for a drink, perfectly pleasant place to stop off for a drink if a little utilitarian on the decor.

We decided to stay and have some lunch here after seeing a film, the restaurant was quite busy and the tables were way to close together to the point of it being impossible for our friend with mobility issues to even get into his seat. We asked if we could put 2 smaller tables together to make it big enough for the three of us which is what we did. Food was ok, I had pear, goats cheese and truffle/honey dressed salad which was unusual but a bit too sweet for my taste, with too much pear. My partner had a burger and chips which he enjoyed, the chips were dry and crispy, not homemade though. My friend had the full English breakfast with perfectly cooked poached eggs. We chose a bottle of Spanish white wine which was not very good. I would eat here again before or after a film although it’s not somewhere I would go for the food itself. It’s redeeming features are you can pay in cash and there is no service charge added so you can decide your own tip. Also on leaving we chose to leave by the back entrance as this was an easier way out for our friend with mobility issues but the manager? Told us we couldn’t go this way, we chose to find out ourselves and it was a much easier route out of the restaurant so don’t really know why he told us we couldn’t go this way.

Hake, burger and confit potato. Burger as dry and chewy. Roll was soggy perhaps due to the mountain of caramelised soggy , tasteless onions. Similar in quality to a cheap roadside burger! Confit potatoes were burnt apparently because they are deep fried! Cremated more like. Food terrible

Crowded at times, especially when there's a midday cinema event on, but overall effective and flawless albeit a tad professionally friendly when ordering at the counter. It works well as a place you'd visit for an informal meeting but not a cosy place where to enjoy a company of two.

Busy independent cinema with a great range of films.

This independent cinema is so affordable to watch stuff on the big screen, way more cheaper than the commercial cinemas. I’ve heard the food and drink is expensive but good quality. The cinema is comfy too which is always a bonus, I recommend to book the tickets in advance :)

Great cinema! I've been several times and each time it was amazing. The seats are very comfortable. Great cafe inside to enjoy drinks and food. Highly recommended 👌

All good here. Nice cinema venue with three screens, bar, restaurant and spacious outside area. A real asset for Lewes.

It's a lovely spot but the service has been patchy in the past.

Incredible local cinema, amazing for accessibility, quiet and friendly vibes! We come as often as we can

First choice of cinemas in this part of Sussex. Small, eclectic, good range of films. Quality food & a bar, friendly staff & a number of event screenings too.

Love going to this little cinema. Staff and seats are great !

What a cinema should be, comfortable seats, helpful staff, quality drinks and good food. Website menu needs attention to line up with daily menu and show full range of gluten free dishes

Went in for a family meal and the waitress we had found out it was our son birthday and she brought him over a mince pie with a candle in it and said happy birthday to him and it made his day