La Patisserie Shoreham — Restaurant in Adur

The food is nice enough but there are no toilet facilities, no WiFi password and very slow and unapologetic on service. Dogs are unwelcome, unlike all the other cafes on the same road, who also offer WiFi and toilet facilities. ——————————————— Helene, thank you for your response. As it wasn’t you I asked about using the toilet, I’m not sure how you simply come to the conclusion that I didn’t ask at all and patronise me as if I didn’t (I did). I’m aware many businesses have staffing shortages right now, which is why I didn’t chase my coffee after waiting almost 15 minutes yesterday. I was a little disappointed to not have my wait acknowledged, after all a light apology costs you nothing and shows a level of respect for your customers. The other bustling (dog friendly, WiFi providing) cafes on your strip, which I also frequent, are still polite and friendly - indeed I highly recommend Ginger and Dobbs and the new Toast on a regular basis. It’s a cheap shot to imply I was grumpy - as if this would explain a less than five star review. In actual fact, I was super friendly, polite and patient. I didn’t even given a bad review to be on the receiving end of your passive aggression - you still got three stars! Only reduced to two now due to your untruthful and unwarranted response. As for your nanny style attempt to belittle me for requesting WiFi - perhaps try keeping up with the times. You don’t know why I needed WiFi in that moment, yet you’ve made an assumption that I didn’t need it. Whilst you are not obliged to offer it, it is reasonable to expect it from a cafe in 2022, (particularly when said cafe expects you to wait for longer than the norm for a coffee). Lastly, you overlook the fact that dog owners cannot use your cafe if they are alone with their dogs, because you don’t allow them in to simply place an order and you’ve refused to let them place an order and pay at the door. You can facilitate this (I’ve done it with you through the pandemic), you choose not to. This is, of course, your prerogative, but please do not try to make out that having outdoor seating classes you as ‘dog friendly’. You have outdoor seating to bring in more business. If there are groups where some have dogs, the others can go in and order on their behalf. You can’t stop dogs from sitting outside on the pavement - that is all. I have first hand experience in this. Just as I do of being refused toilet access. I have continued to use your cafe for many years, without complaint, in spite of these experiences and have supported you through social media. The same would have been the case after being refused WiFi access on this last visit. What prompted me to give an informative review and less stars than I’ve given you in the past, was your disappointing attitude to such a long wait for a coffee, followed by a very blunt response to my polite WiFi request. You write as though all customers should automatically understand that you’re busy and don’t want to provide WiFi while they wait - unapologetically. It’s pretty arrogant. ————————————————— All your second reply tells me is that you don’t know what goes on under your nose. I once walked in to order a cappuccino with my small and well behaved dog and was told he would have to wait outside. Knowing I cannot do this, I simply went to the much friendlier Tom Foolery. But when I needed some macarons, my dog was with me. You were quiet, so I opened the door, explained to the staff that my dog couldn’t be left outside, could I purchase at the door instead - the reply was a straight ‘no, sorry’. On another occasion, my, then 10yr old, needed the toilet whilst we were having lunch. Your staff member told us that there were no customer facilities. He had to run to the Tap House, who graciously allowed him to use theirs. In parts of your cafe particularly, the data signal is very poor. So I would strongly recommend that people use some of the other great cafes in the area if they want to use their devices whilst in the cafe. They offer WiFi...

Fantastic patisserie offering real French cakes and breads. Never fails to impress, and the length of the queues outside the shop sum up this place!

Update: 25/10/2021 I posted the review above a few months ago, but was really disappointed with my latest visit yesterday. The thing is, a real French Patisserie like this place make real patisseries. And over the years, I have been extremely impressed with the skill of the team who construct these masterpieces. Admittedly, it is clear the time spent on making these had decreased over the years slightly, with shortcuts and fewer fussy touches - probably because the majority of people don't notice. And I'm (reluctantly) ok with this. None the less, they continue to make these wonderful, self supporting deserts, with their Pistachio and Chocolate Mouse being a favourite of mine.

These wonderful creations were always free-standing on a piece of coated card, packed in a cardboard box to take away. It's how it should be. And eco-friendly, too.

To my horror, when I visitrd on this weekend, I discovered they are now made and served in plastic bowls. Why, I have to ask? I don't want to go into an authentic place like this and be served up a patisserie as if I were eating a cheap(er) Cadbury chocolate trifle! It's just wrong. And why, when the world is moving away from single use plastic are we now serving these in a plastic pot?

Needless to say, I voted with my feet, and will not be buying ANY patisserie from this place served in horrible plastic bowls.

Please, La Patisserie, sort this out! And what happened to the lovely patisserie, like the black forest you did when you...

This is my new place of morning coffee delight. I like my coffee. I like cycling before work. I like to use the ride as an excuse to have a naughty treat. I’m so glad I found La Patisserie this year.

The service is great, I’ve never had a bad experience and I’m awkward with oatmilk so I’m patient and clear. The coffee is my favourite in the south coast. The lovely French lady who makes the coffees is not only enchanting, but also superb at getting the mix of milk, coffee and vanilla spot on.

Then there’s the food that’s on offer - oh my..! It’s the most tantalising selection I’ve ever seen, and whoever bakes the almond bites and the other amazing cakes really knows what they are doing.

I don’t care what prices are listed, I come for the best coffee and the best cake in the south and am never disappointed. The staff are always polite and friendly, and I wish I spoke better French to give them a better experience from me!

Love this place. Love the atmosphere. Love the coffee and the food. I am so utterly glad it opens at 7.30 so I can ride 10 miles to get my breakfast and get back in time for work.

Thank you, to the best morning experience...