Dobbies Garden Centre Brighton in Brighton and Hove

Sadly wasn’t great today. We got there approximately 10.45am Sunday morning just in time to get ahead of the morning rush as this cafe can get really busy. Walked into a bit of a disaster, it doesn’t help when people at the till ordering their food think they’ve got all day and completely oblivious to the queue behind them. However whilst customers occupy the servers attention potentially another server could take orders but there wasn’t any. Always massively understaffed. Food was going to tables way before people got their drinks. No sausages today either due to an error with the delivery, fried eggs were hard and not runny, the food luke warm. The bacon undercooked. There was a family with 3 children who were shouting at the top of their voices and wasn’t told to respect others. Usually the food here is very good but sadly today is was so so bad Agree with other reviews the place could do with a refurb. In the summer it’s a beautiful spot and the cafe could be an absolute gold mine but it’s not used to its full potential.

Really felt for the young staff who seemed to be left to cope without any direction. The person on the counter had to make the hot drinks, serve and take the money - one person on a Saturday lunchtime is unfair on them and the customers. Our coffee was very weak and tasted strange, but we did not have the heart to take them back. The restaurant also needs a refurbishment. Such a shame as it was good, where are the Leadership Team of the Garden Centre supproting and guiding the team??

Very frustrating wait time in the restaurant queue 20 minutes. Third time same experience. Everyone complaining very badly organised ie one person taking orders (doing her best) 3-4 not sure what their dedicated task was! Definitely think twice before using again! !!

The tearoom used to be my favourite place in Brighton but unfortunately not anymore. We had afternoon tea there at the end of last year. No one told us that we can have cafe latte only two cups each. And the lady who was making espresso in the coffee counter was very rude. That’s a pity as I really like their afternoon tea. Will look for another place for the next time.

This is one of the worst garden centre restaurants we have been to, and we got to a lot. When you walk through the door it doesn’t come across as a welcoming environment. Tables although wiped over feel sticky and unclean. The whole counter area looks in need of up dating. But getting down to our meal well I had a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich which was okay but I added a portion of chips which cost £2.75. There were eight chips six of which were only inch and half long. That’s 34 pence a chip. Hardly good value!!! Have now stopped our Dobbies card and will be going else where.

Six of us went for breakfast in the café/restaurant but I'm sorry to say what a big disappointment. The staff were overworked and muddled. The food arrived cold, the coffee even colder and the food overpriced and uninspiring! The avocado on toast for two of us looked like we were sharing half an avo between us served on dry unbuttered toast and overwhelmed with coriander? Never again!

Advertising for staff with one quite elderly but attentive lady talking orders. Not helped by a trio ahead of me who really dithered about for ages, the oldest coughing into her hand repeatedly, then the teenager changing her order twice. By which time a queue of 5 groups had built up, including the lady behind me holding her three-year old daughter. In its day I lunched there for months as Wyevale with brilliant service. Will be a long time if ever to go back.

A small group of us booked the Christmas afternoon tea. It was VERY reasonably priced at £10 per head and there was a very good selection of sandwiches and goodies. In fact there was too much but we were able to take home what we couldn't manage in boxes. The staff were very helpful and attentive and we were able to have as many cups of tea as we wanted. The cafe does need to be modernised, however, hence the 4 stars and not 5.

I really like going up to Dobbies restaurant, I particular like their scones, but I have noticed that the whole restaurant is in major need of a revamp. The counter looks like it has seen better days especially around the coffee and sink area and on the quick glimpse when the door opens the kitchen needs a good clean especially the bin area just inside. Yes, the prices are a bit high but the food that I personally have had hasn't been too bad and been hot. But looking around I think that it could be so much better and attract more custom if perhaps more staff training and a revamp is done.

Since the garden centre was taken over by Dobbies the quality has really deteriorated, especially in the cafe. We used to come here regularly but the last few visits the food has been so bad we've actually left it and the prices are much higher than before too. Fish finger sandwiches made with fish fingers that are clearly from a cheap packet. A stone cold Lasagne that they swore their thermometer said was the right temperature. Soggy Oven chips and a very below standard Roast dinner with bits of chicken that looked like they were out of a pre cooked packet. Not great Scones either, which used to be one of their best things. Really poor Decaf coffee that's basically just hot milk too. The staff often seem confused and act like they've never worked in a cafe before. Sometimes a simple question gets a look from them as though you've asked them to explain quantum physics. The Garden centre itself is ok but expensive and there's much better around

Such lovely lasagne and chips for reasonable price. Clean place throughout. Staff are friendly. Very good air ventilation on very hot day. Dog friendly.

Been here a few times and not cheap,18.00 for two breakfasts with drinks. Every time we go in there we ask for well cooked sausages as normal not cooked on one side, a d they seem unable to do this. Breakfast came swimming in oil and had to soak it up with napkins . My husband had raw bacon fat on the edge of his bacon. I heard another woman ask for well cooked sausages and she sent them back saying they are raw. The staff are lovely , looks clean , but they just don't give you what you ask for. Lots of lights don't work so leave with a headache, big holes in ceiling. Just wish they would cook the food properly. 😩

Went for a lunch and we both ordered a Ploughman's platter. They arrived with, amongst others, a whole apple on the plate. I noticed mine had some dirt spots on a and wiped them off with a serviette. My partner on seeing my actions looked at her apple to discover it was badly rotten. Further inspection showed that the celery sticks were brown on each end from having been cut and exposed to air for some time. Our concern was that obviously the fresh produce had not been washed prior to sering to remove insecticide, bird droppings etc. Upon complaining I was told by two of the staff that "They only came in yesterday" I personally don't care when they came in, I do care that they were not inspected and washed prior to serving to customers. They very generously offered to replace the apple, strangely enough we had rather gone off the whole idea of eating there. The "manager" said he would refund one meal, which he didn't, he disappeared, and I had to go and join and wait in the food order queue to get the refund. I feel they are very bad on food hygiene and customer service.