Driftwood Cafe in Thanet

We caught the bus into Birchington so we could walk at leisure around the town. We started one side of the high street and decided to visit this cafe on the back of their bakery shop. It was very busy but as it was a Saturday and Christmas market day it had to be expected . We found a table in the main area under a heater. We were greeted by a young lady given menus and within 15 minutes we had our coffees and food . The food was exceptional I had a sausage sandwich in white bloomer bread and my wife had scrambled egg on brown whole meal bread . We would definitely visit again when next in town and perhaps try a day during the week. The bread and cakes on sale in their shop were going quick and they looked good and well priced.

Possibly one of the best breakfast I've ever had, although drinks not included in price, really worth it......amazing.....

Have not been for several years and it has been refurbished especially the alfresco side. Ordered with the delightful Stacey , taken and delivered as ordered too. Man size portion of The Monty ,great value and taste . I just managed it too. Back ground of radio not tuned properly or poor speakers with Seagulls contributed to the ambiance . Shall return .

Visited today for lunch, very good value,all ingredients were very fresh and tasty. Staff very friendly and welcoming. Will definitely visit again.

We were visiting Thanet this morning due to work and decided to have some breakfast. Although the special was priced at £9.40, no drinks included, was worth every penny. Good quality ingredients, not cheap powdery sausages. Tasty mushrooms, too. Well presented and great service. The place was also absolutely spotless. When in the area again, will definitely pay them another visit. Thank you

After eating outside this establishment on sunny mornings over the last year or so, I wasn’t looking forward to sitting in the new enclosed seating area. I am pleased to say it was light and airy and we were given the option to open the impressive window even further to let even more air in. As always the food was fresh and perfectly cooked

The driftwood cafe is an amazing place to eat. The food is excellent, the service is always amazing and The burger sauce is to die for.

Best brekkie of our holiday, friendly staff and good quality food. Not a typical greasy spoon, very very nice and good food choices also.

Family day out and looking for a new cafe. Stumbled across this gem. Amazing service and food. Staff couldn’t be more accommodating. Highly recommended.

Really nice food - the pain is come with a generous side salad and coleslaw, what a lovely bonus! The wine was very chilled and the food quality was fresh and a definite cut above most cafe food.

Quite unfriendly staff, burnt coffee, raw/undercooked eggs and tough bacon. Sadly we won’t be returning, the food was inedible.

Popped into what looked like a lovely little cafe. There seemed to be a shortage of bread at 12.30! Anyway ordered one jacket potato, which was very good indeed and one panini . As soon as it arrived I just knew it was not going to be good. It didn't look appetising at all. It was quite soggy. Managed to eat half ,but couldn't face anymore as it really wasn't nice. Such a shame as the other meal was lovely. We did inform a staff member that it had not been nice and that was why it wasn't eaten. They did say sorry . Not sure if they have a bread issue as the other table near us also left their bread. They seemed to have trouble eating the roll as it was so hard. Such a shame . Better luck next time .

lots of choice, very clean, lovely sausage sandwich to take away with a fresh cup of tea, all you can ask

My very unpleasant experience on the afternoon of 12th September was simply caused because we saw the opening times of this café on a large sign visible from the main road outside the building and not the much smaller sign on the back of an open door showing the current reduced times . I tried to point out this discrepancy to a very young man who appeared to be the only staff on duty, but was utterly disgusted by his rude and hostile response. It may now be common for young people to speak to schoolteachers etc in this cocky offhand manner, but I don't recall ever having been spoken to in such a rude manner before by a member of staff anywhere. This is only the third one-star review that I have submitted in many years of using Tripadvisor, which is probably an indication of how upsetting I found the experience. If this is the calibre of staff that the Driftwood Cafe now employs I will in future take my custom to one of the many other cafes in Birchington.

Had a very pleasant lunch here of cheeseburger and chips. Clearly hand made and was excellent, as were the chips. Service was attentive and the whole experience was very good. Will be coming back again to sample other items. Can recommend highly.

Been going in here for a while but asked for my coffee to be a little warmer and stronger and they were very rude said I was complaining so we left the drinks and went somewhere else

Went here on a recommendation from a friend. Breakfast is great, lots of selection especially for fussy kids like I've got. Went back for two for Tuesday pizza night and pizzas are really good. Eldest had a burger and youngest a jacket potato with tuna. Everyone loved their choice and my eldest is very picky about her burgers.Would highly recommend.

I go here quite frequently and always very much enjoy it. The food is very nice and the staff are friendly.

Visited for lunch 15th Feb - found hair in my food - "thanks for pointing it out" they said but weren't surprised - won't be visiting again.

Visited for lunch 15th Feb - found a Hair in my food "thanks for pointing it out" they said - didn't seem very surprised - won't be visiting again.

We have visited here before in the better weather where we sat outside and had a thoroughly pleasant experience. Good service and good foodBecause it was bad weather this time we sat inside but waited an extraordinarily long time to be acknowledged in the first place. They were not particularly busy. Eventually placed a drinks order and then waited some time for the food order to be taken. Ultimately we were served but we found the overall attitude a little off putting and sensed a distinct reluctance from the staff to serve. The food was fine but not as good as previously. The overall experience has made us reluctant to return

Lovely atmosphere and serves wonderful food. Pizzas are massive and tasty Has a bakery attached with delicious baked goods. Staff are always friendly everytime we've gone in. Fantastic service even when busy

Visited this cafe with my elderly grandmother, and wanted to leave almost as soon as we'd sat down.The waitress was one of the rudest I've ever been served by, and it was almost as if our custom was an imposition on her.Besides myself, the disrespect she showed to my grandmother, who is a local, was appalling. The food is what you expect from a run of the mill cafe, but is massively over priced - over £6 for an omelette and that's without any sides! It made London seem cheap. Laughable.

I visited this cafe while in the area Sunday, it was the worst croque monsieur I’ve ever eaten, I waited half an hour and there was only 1 other customer in the restaurant, the lady who served me was so rude, I had to leave my food as the ham was full of fat and chewy, it was terrible and after complaining they had the cheek to charge me for my coffee, they just glared at me, I was not offered an exchange of an apology as the chef and waitress were to busy having an argument with each other, I then went to the little deli next door and it was lovely food and also very friendly.

Nice options, nice salads, now doing really good pizzas, 2 for 1 on a tuesday! Massive pizzas! Kids welcome, has high chairs. Good cakes.

I love coming here and recommended it to a friends family. We arranged to go there last Friday. It was for my brothers birthday, when we went in we were treated with a lovely hello and a smile. We sat down on our reserved table (for 10 people) and we ordered drinks. Drinks came out quick and was lovely. By this time we were the only ones left in the Cafe.Then it came to ordering food, We ordered: 4 pizzas, 4 burgers and 2 salads. The salads came quite quickly and my family said they were great. The burgers then followed, which once again were delicious according to my family, but here comes the bad news, me and 2 of my mates pizzas came 10 mins after all the other food. They said they were sorry and gave us a free beer, but then we realized my other friends pizza didn't turn up. We waited thinking It was being cooked. We waited another 15 mins, so we went up and asked about it and they said they forgot to put it into the oven. So now we waited another 10 mins just for it arrive and by then everyone else had finished. They once again apologised and removed some of the food items from the bill. I would definitely recommend this cafe but if your going with a lot of people be ready to wait a very, very long time for food.

I needed a break and decided to have a light lunch at driftwood. There's decent choice here and I was very happy with my brunch. Service was excellent, the place was bustling and very clean. I'll be back.

Staff seemed to be a little sullen today the fella was definitely of Great service and atmosphere Lovely area to sit outside

Great little place in Birchington for a spot of lunch . Clean friendly great choices on the menu to pick from. Plenty of staff to meet your needs . The only downside if you can call it that is the parking as there isn’t any really . But five minutes walk up the round and there a car park

Popped into Birchington on our way to Quex Park for some brunch - lovely poached eggs (on their home baked bread) and the best croque monsieur my daughter’s ever tasted. Speedy service, well priced.

The plate came with spaghetti Bolognese in jacket potato and garnish salad. These owners care about everything, the salad was a masterpiece of fresh ingredients! Home-made I’m guessing, coleslaw and bolognese.

I havent been here for three years and I only came again as friend said had changed management. Maybe but my salad had the same failing as last time . No dressing and none offered. Last time in desperation I asked for olive oil and they said didnt have any. What? Anyway this time my dry salad was accompanied by buttered toast. So the Greasy Spoon bit creeped in. Strange accompaniement to Greek Salad. The menu promised=========wait for it -----------Artisan bread. Dont eat here.

Two for one pizzas on Tuesdays, which are really excellent. Good service, nice staff, nice atmosphere.

Have been here many times, but usually Lunch or Coffee, which is lovely. Today we went for Breakfast, lots of choice, both had No1 breakfast and tea. The service was friendly and quick, nice mug of Tea, swiftly followed by our food, fried egg, sausage, beans, bacon and toast, all very good, and only £15.60 for the two us, brilliant! Be back again very soon.

Lovely breakfast The egg was cooked to perfection Great fried bread Really nice fresh tasty bread served with the meal Nice coffee Friendly staff

Have been here on multiple occasions and had the croque madame with chips and a very, very good flat white.

Great cafe. Do really quirky and filling salads too! Check out the tropical salad. Also 2 for 1 take away pizzas on a tuesday! Just wish they stayed open later then 730!

My sister and I decided to visit Birchington for the day from Folkestone, we were looking for a place for lunch and found this one quite inviting. We were not disappointed, delicious Spaghetti Bol, pot of tea and cake for afters. Friendly girls serving and service was quick. Nice lunch.

Afternoon tea and cakes served on the veranda on a warm and sunny May day was a pleasant enough experience in itself. A lovely pot of tea, sensible pricing, and an efficient and friendly service (albeit slightly slow) made for a very enjoyable interlude.

Friendly service, an excellent Full English with good coffee. My daughter had sausages, lots of them - really good. The only disappointment was my wife’s salmon and scrambled egg on toast. A bit dry and no artisan bread so points lost there.

plenty of choice of food breakfast and main meals very clean and staff very friendly and help full. we use this cafe often.

It’s ok slow service ok for a take away but give the cafe a miss, nice and clean and easy to park near by.

Stumbeled across this cafe on the off chance. Looked busy from the outside so decided to pop in for a bite to eat. Great menu, lovely place and friendly staff. It's nice to discover these little places, and so glad we did. We will return.

This is the most recent place we use for coffee on a Saturday and has so far always been good. It is comfortable and has a good menu.

Had very tasty lunch at the Harbour Bakery Driftwood Cafe in Birchington , Kent . Excellent menu choice very varied and home cooked. The best cheese omelette and poached eggs. Great, friendly and efficient service. Would definitely recommend and will certainly return.

Absolute rubbish , porridge was unbearable ,the amount of salt on it you couldn’t even put it in your mouth. Mentioned it to staff they didn’t care and still charged me for it , on top of waiting 15 minutes for it , maybe it took that long to load the salt in who knows

Was taken here for my birthday treat for lunch. Wow, it certainly didn't disappoint. The service is great, the staff are friendly and the food is delicious. Definitely recommend!

Myself and my family visited this cafe for lunch after we had been to the cinema on a Saturday afternoon. It was extremely busy when we arrived but thankfully a table had just become free.

Went to get a sandwich today waited ages to be served a polish guy pushed past everyone and he got served first by one of the miserable assistants another gentleman ordered a bacon and egg roll took ages to microwave the bacon used to be a good bakery like there other bakery in Ramsgate but now it’s too fancy charging 5 star prices for 2 star food and 1 star service really really poor!!!

Great staff as well Very busy and compact! Outside sitting Food was very tasty and lovely bread Reasonably priced as well Lovely gem

I have visited this cafe a couple times when visiting family. Today I had the vegetarian breakfast, it was cooked to perfection, plentiful, and very tasty. It is an all round enjoyable experience and the rest of my family enjoyed their food too, I cannot fault anything. Highly recommend a visit for some great food.

All the food is great service is amazing and the place is beautiful what more could you ask for !!!!!

As with many places and favourite places they change or get complacent and decline . We had used the bakery many times ,especially for their Russian honey cake ,but no longer stock it . We decided to give the café a try on a busy sunny Saturday morning .Walked to the counter and asked for the menu and if it were waitress service ? It is . Paced our order and service was very quick . Bacon and sausage of good quality but chips were bitter to taste , mushroom watery , but the plate was warm and you get what you pay for , but most annoying no discount for not having beans . May not return as the chain smokers and dog owners clustered together with empty cups upon the outside terrace was unsightly and un welcoming too.. The bakery adjacent has declined too. Their bread used to taste a lot better.

Had a lovely chicken ceasar salad and chips, the portions are very generous ! the pizzas are blooming good too ... defo recommend

Lovely bakery and good cafe. Nice atmosphere where you can sit inside or outside. Service is very friendly and food is great. My daughter loves the pizzas and hot chocolate. Well worth a visit if you are in Birchington.

Had 2 of the delicious pizzas between 3 of us, which was plenty. Lots of topping on crisp thin base - just yummy! Sudden downpour and thunder arrived and we asked to buy 3 bin bags to use but instead we were given a lift home! It was closing time but even so, fantastic kindness from the staff - thankyou so much!!

Lovely pizzas and great atmosphere. Superb service, including help with our journey home after the unexpected downpour tonight. Superb food, value and service. E Thank you ladies!

Nice food and good service but over loud music ruined the visit The waitresses are friendly and helpful.

Relaxed atmosphere and lovely outside seating area to enjoy a tea/cofee. Delicious cappucino. Central position to sit and people watch or chat with a friend.

Tables too close together and musak can be too loud but service always quick and efficient (can be frosty!). The veggie burger is not good but other stuff cooked well and appetising.

The food was good but a bit pricey. We were served by a pregnant lady who gave truly exceptional service, she was friendly, smiley and gave great recommendations. Would definitely visit again as long as she was our served again!

This small cafe is behind the Harbour Bakery and is part of that business. We found it by chance on our way to Quex Park. I had an unusual panini. It was Stilton cheese, onion and cranberry. Great combination!

Well what can I say, I normally avoid giving a bad review but there are exceptions and this is one of them.

We have had coffee and cake here many times. Decided to try the breakfast well all I can say is superb, excellent food service and staff. The size and quality was right and I came satisfied and full. Look forward to the next one. Highly recommend if lunch is like breakfast you will not be disappointed

Always love having food here! Staff are amazing and food even better! Great outdoor seating with a welcoming feel to the restaurant!

Very tasty pizzas with lovely fresh flavours. We were all full up and had to take some home. We'll be back xxx

Have just returned from lovely lunch here. Very busy when I arrived at 1.15 but there was one table available. I had tried calling reserve fron 9 am but phone constantly busy. Service was very good lovely polite waitresess. My friend had exceptionally good croque madam I had a very tasty burger we shared a massive bowl of chips. This along with two bottles of lovely white wine for very reasonable price. Will be back soon highly recommend.

A lovely full English breakfast. Well cooked and staff friendly too. You should try it. It's on the small side but you can book a table.

Great cozy atmosphere and great food and selection available. Staff friendly and polite. Will use more often now.

Visited a couple of times with friends when on a long cycle ride. Only wanted coffee and a cake. The service is excellent and friendly and the cakes and coffee great value and quality. Great place to have a snack.

Four of us visited early evening on a Saturday. Our meals were a combination of pizza, spaghetti bolognese, and Spanish omelette. All of our food was delicious. We followed with cheesecake and ice cream. The service is excellent and the food is very good value for money.

This place is so clean and decorated in a quirky manner. Lovely staff here and friendly. Great food especially the tropical salad in the summer really tasty and great portions.

Popped in for a Cuppa and bite for lunch, although busy, we found a table which was being cleared and cleaned. We were given a Menu and asked if we would like something to drink. We ordered Tea, and two Croque Monsieur. Our pot of tea was swiftly served, and did not wait long for our food, which was served with salad, and was very tasty. We found the Staff very friendly and efficient, the food good, and prices reasonable, and will return!

I went to order two cheese and onion pasties, and I was incorrectly given one cheese and onion pasty and one tuna pasty. The lady serving also argued that she had given the change when she did not, as well as had gave the incorrect change.

Absolutely delicious breakfast and served by a lovely waitress. Nice area outside to sit with the dog. Perfect Sunday brunch.

Had luch a couple of times while staying in Birchington. The food was good and service good. We we able to get an alcholic drink too if I remember rightly.

We ordered several pizza's to take out for a meeting , they were freshly cooked in time and so tasty! Pizza's are buy one get one free on a Tuesday !! Highly recommended !!

This is the place to come and have a coffee, snack or light lunch. The pizza is very good also. The best service, clean and very quick service. Eat inside or out. It really is very good.

Good staff, very friendly, tables always clean.Good variety of dishes, cakes delicious. Poached eggs always good for brunch

Great pizza, thin crunchy base and plenty of topping. Only slight moan is price of bottled beer a bit high.

Saturday morning at 06:30, they aren't meant to be open till 08:00 and I got blasted out of bed by their radio! We have lived above the various shops here since June 2000 - the cafe was opened in 2015 and have been making me and my family's lives a misery with their noise and inconsiderate behaviour since. Can't comment on the food as we have and never will eat in the place.

Stumbled across the driftwood cafe and really liked it.The food is excellent and a special mention to the spaghetti carbonara, which is one of the best l have had.Tuesday buy one get one free pizza night is a bargain.

This restaurant is at the rear of a bakers half way down the high street. You can opt to sit in or on a small terrace outside ( with the smokers !).Food is simple but very nice and at a good price.We had the pizza which was very good. Good service and the coffee is good too.

A great place and we always have the croquet monsieur - delicious every time. Great size portions with not too expensive prize tag. Cant fault

Just looking for somewhere for a little snack at 5pm as other cafe's were closing... extensive menu for snacks & full meals, great customer service, lovely atmosphere, so much cheaper than parents are used to paying in London! All round fab & will be back :)

Phoned in at about 7 pm to order a 2 for 1 pizza night . first attempt to reach the establishment the girl hang up on me . Second attempt i asked if they did the offer for Tuesday and the girl said yes, as i was about to order the girl said to me hang on let me ask ,it took her less then a second to come back to me and said sorry we have sold too many tonight we dont have anymore . how many is too many ? Could the chef be bothered to cook that night or are they just struggling ? A little advice if you are gonna advertise pizza night 2 for 1 make sure you have enough dough on that evening unfortunately i wont be coming back .

Visited this cafe for the first time today with two of my friends and was not disappointed. I ordered the chicken burger with chips and it was so delicious!! Was not skimpy with portions and chicken was delicious. The service was great, waitresses were really friendly and made sure we had everything we wanted. One lady chef cooking everything and doing an amazing job! Couldn't recommend this place enough, prices were great for the quality of food you receive. Will definitely be returning as soon as possible! GO!

Nice restaurant even better staff,Go there eat pizza simple as that...front is a sandwich shop pretty spot on too..

We often have lunch here. The food is good and well presented. The staff are very pleasant. Well worth a visit

Although we live in Birchington and buy our bread regularly from the bakery this was our first visit to the cafe and we were not disappointed! The service and vast choice of food was excellent as was the portion sizes and presentation.Highly recommend.

Beautiful food especially the tropical chicken salad very tasty meal.Friendly staff and great decor.

Where to start...... they do superb sandwiches made with their very own breads, or specials such as spring rolls or samosas. The toasted ham and cheese butty (it has a name but it eludes me atm) is a meal in itself. There is a selection of speciality teas and coffees as well as cold drinks, wines and beers. Cakes too, it is attached to a bakery after all.Tuesday night is two for one pizza night. The Pizzas are huge and there are lots of tasty versions to try.So pop along, you won't be disappointed.

We've been here a few times & always for a lunch time meal. Great food, good atmosphere ..can get busy but seating outside also.Recommended

A large group of us ate here on Tuesday evening, the food was superb as always and the atmosphere was lovely. We ordered pizzas, pasta and an omelette meal 11 of us in total and with wine, beer and soft drinks the bill came to £110, fantastic value.

Always a friendly service in here. Food is always well done and have visited a few times now. Always look forward to visiting when here seeing friends. Only down side is that you don't get asked if you would like more drinks or anything else.

I eat here weekly this place is so good. It is made to order and is always amazing! I recommend the spaghetti bolognaise. Staff are hard working and polite - sometimes it is so busy - would be great if they had room for more tables :)

Discovered this by chance last year. Lovely food, all cooked freshly, hence a short wait. I have eaten here twice a month since the summer, sampled most of the menu with no complaints. Staff are always accommodating and polite. Love the burgers, omlettes and salads. Don't like peas and the Bubble and squeak appears to be blended peas. That's my only criticism. I have seen this place bursting at the seams and experienced long waiting times in peak season, however, the wait is worth it and not something I would complain about for freshly cooked food. Fair prices, only moan is the Green tea is always a different brand and not always nice. Overall I think it's fab!

Wow!!!what a nice place to have a simple pizza and lovely stilton cheese parmaham panini,we pop.in for cofe:)finish with tasty,home made food,all my family left happy.chefs working hard,you can see how they prepere a food,abd lovely waitress,will recomennd and when i will back definetly!!!!

The pizza here is incredible. The service is excellent, and the prices are fair. The pizza is some of the best in Thanet. Absolutely recommend!

Although reccommeded by others in the village, I have had poor experiences the 2 times I have been to this cafe. Ignored by staff and the pastries and cakes look nice but are very disappointing.