Café Chambers — Restaurant in Canterbury

Eaten here before and the food was great but so disappointed this weekend with apparent lack of interest in customers on my return.

Went on Saturday with my daughter and sat down outside. Was greeted by waiter who asked if we could go as they are not serving new tables for '10 mins'. Just decided just to go elsewhere

Returned on Sunday with both kids, was told again they would not be seating anyone for 10 mins and to come back. This time and despite the rain we decided to do a lap and return. 10 mins later we were told to come back in 15 mins, on asking if we could pop our names down, we were told 'no reservations'. The man was very sorry but effectively we had to go away and try later again - despite the obvious flaw in this protocol that we had all just witnessed.

You do not need a reservation system, just a pad and paper, jot a name down so someone can come back. You could even go the extra mile and text them if you really have no idea on your table/cover throughput. Without this, by the time I might have returned with soggy kids another 15 mins later there is a high chance some passing customer would have come in and have been seated. Despite lots of sorry - there was no real interest in managing this, just for the problem (ie customer) to go away until later.

When trade is great, you can get away with this but when a business lets its lack of staff or even its success be an excuse for treating customers as an inconvenience, this can be a slippery slope. I won't bother again - and that's a real shame. Food is good.

On a positive note and in case the same fate befalls you too - Chuck and Blade 2 doors down does some fantastic pancakes albeit with a much smaller selection of toppings.

Update : Just seen response and felt compelled to update as the reply completely misses the point. The original review is completely fair as it is entirely factual. I note nothing factual is contested

No 'bookings' or 'guarantees' of a table are needed. However you clearly cannot suggest you have a 'first come - first served' policy if you do not know who came first and you send them away to wonder back later (multiple times). What you have is a 'first come when a table became free' policy - which in busy establishment almost guarantees its not first come first served.

As mentioned, this is not a complicated problem to solve with a pad and a pencil. The fact the business is not impacted (as they are in high demand) and just prospective customers I would hope mattered more than the...

Awful experience, will not return and advise others to avoid. Out of spite it seems my 2 year old daughter's pancakes were burnt as all the others in the restaurant looked fine.

The man at the front of the house said I couldn't have salmon and egg on my pancake even though it's available on toast as the chefs don't allow any changes and seemed annoyed that I would ever want anything changed (Quite funny that they have just ask written on the wall) so I said I'll look again and decide but I'll order my daughters now please as she's hungry.

Her juice came straight away so when I decided to not eat 10 minutes later I was surprised that they only then put through my daughters order. I should've just paid for the juice and walked out then but I had promised her a special lunch with pancakes.

Another 10 minutes later my her order came, 2 burnt, dry pancakes and a sausage that looked microwaved to be honest, probably why they can't change anything.

They rudely gave it to me and walked off saying nothing even though I said thank you. I then had to walk to the counter to ask them for maple syrup as they wanted nothing to do with us and she nearly vomited at the table through the horrible taste of the pancakes.

I got her in the pram, paid and left, never to return.

the photo is after I had cut up the pancakes, they didn't give it to us like that, but that's how...

Love this place! The young lads working today (morning of 19/7/2025) were superb - really courteous, patient and dealt well with a member of our party who has very complicated dietary requirements.

Pancakes are delicious! I had the apple strudel stack which were divine, someone else had the big traditional breakfast which was ace, and the other had the gluten free pancakes which were really nice!

Nice to see Yorkshire tea served, a proper brew!

Some of commented on the decor - I liked it! Nice and bright, sort of 60s/70s feel with the orange and swirly shapes. Food came quick and everything is priced quite fairly. Good portions, I felt.

One tiny thing I’d say is perhaps (just in case) have some pre-prepared egg white prepared for the odd customer who might want an egg white omelette or something. We asked for such, but unfortunately they can’t really serve it as there’s always the threat of some yolk remaining which could still cause a reaction if ordered due to allergies. Totally understand that.

Definitely will come again, and really appreciated and impressed by the very inclusive and varied menu...