The Courtyard Restaurant & Coffee Shop — Restaurant in Borough of Swale

Horrendous experience with this place. I had heard nice things before so we gave it a go. They seem to snatch menus back off of you as soon as possible and even though the staff member taking my order for drinks, said she would put them on the bill for our table, another lady shouted over to make me pay now. This was instantly rather rude and really weird. Once seated we ordered food so I can't see why the drinks couldn't have been added to the same bill. The kids all ordered the chicken burger which all came out with burnt chips that looks like they'd been re heated from the day before. My brie and bacon baguette came out without the brie. When I asked for it to be corrected, they disappeared with it, added the ice cold brie and brought it back. By this time the bacon was cold and chewy with ice cold solid brie with it. I asked for a fresh one and got snapped at that it was fresh. She did eventually go and prepare a fresh baguette, however, they didn't bother buttering the roll and then served it with a few cheese and onion crisps which are an acquired taste, not what you'd expect. When I asked for sauces for the 3 kids, we were given 4 measly cheap sachets and we had to ask for more. Whilst sitting writing this review, a male (assuming manager) was reading over my shoulder and said he hoped I have the write site. He then pulled out his phone and took photos of us and the table and said he will post them in reply to my review to prove we ate the food. You'll see the boys left their chips and I left my cheese and onion crisps. I asked what the problem was, he became defensive, aggressive and he refused to actually answer me - this was in front of the whole restaurant. I got my phone out to record him and he stormed out to the kitchen, refusing to be aggressive on camera. Overall, the food was just about edible, hence why we ate most of it (plus no other choice) but the service was the most horrendous I've ever encountered. They tried to humiliate an autistic mother on her own with her 3 children just because they couldn't accept the food wasn't great. I hadn't paid my bill at this point, so I left £40 on their counter (which was still too much for the quality of food) and left. Another customer came to check I'm OK and I went to the main Brogdale farm office to let them know what happened. They've asked for me to write it to the main estate owner so that they can deal with it. Its a shame that one business can lower the tone of the...

I booked an afternoon tea for myself & friends for my birthday but unfortunately had to postpone it for 2 weeks as myself & a friend had a nasty virus for 2 weeks. By the time we were able to attend 2 people were on holiday, 1 who has terminal cancer wasn't up to it so it left 4 & we took 2 grandchildren too. The afternoon tea arrived on 1 cake stand plonked in the middle of the table so most of us couldn't reach it, it had 6 scones, 6 pieces of cake & a few finger sandwiches which wasn't even 1 whole sandwich each. The scones were dry, the cake tasted strange, the best bit were the sandwiches just a shame not more of them. Not once were we asked if everything was ok, not once were we asked if we wanted more drinks, 2 people had tea & were given a small teapot that didnt even fill their cups, when we asked for more tea, milk & sugar we had to ask for the milk & sugar twice!!! When I paid I was charged for 7 & told by a very abrupt woman who I think was supposedly the manager that was how many I had booked for. When I pointed out we were given less she said she could put a scone & cake in a box to take away which she did then literally threw the box at me, very professional....NOT!!! Have had other afternoon teas in other establishments & the service was excellent, unfortunately this was terrible & not surprising with the ' managers ' attitude, I suggest she attends a customer service course & take her staff with her!! Most defiinately will not be returning or recommending to anyone, bad customer...

Popped in at 310 for a cuppa whilst waiting for our chocolate to cool. The board outside said it closed at 4.

We were reluctantly met with a grimace and was told 'we close very soon at 330'. The conversation followed 'we just wanted a couple of drinks of possible please' Met with an eyeroll and "drinks only".

It was clear our custom was unwanted as soon as we stepped though the door, and we were made to feel extremely uncomfortable.

With the kids badgering me for a drink, I purchased a couple of cans and went for a walk outside in the rain instead. (Yeap made to feel that uncomfortable)

It's a real shame, as the cafe looks emaculate and I've heard lovely things about the place. I'm sure if you catch them on a good day, they are friendly and welcoming. Perhaps the half term rush, the muddy floors, grey skies, and rain was enough to take for one day, and I get that.

Maybe next time, though, change the sign and a simple "'really sorry guys, we are closing a little early today, but I can grab you some drinks to enjoy outside" would have been a nicer, more appropriate...