Shoreside Cafe — Restaurant in Chichester

We tried this place out today for a lunchtime snack and coffee. It looked like an ideal location to take in the views and have a bit of a break from walking round the harbour. At the front there is so much information it is hard to decider with A boards and posters and blackboards everywhere. There was a menu in the window which looked tempting so we went inside. This was where it got complicated. There was a roped off in and out system which seemed to be stumping the people already inside. The next perplexing issue was trying to navigate what on earth was available. No sign of the menu but literally dozens of instructions, offers, notices and add ons that it was vertically impossible to pick anything to eat. Luckily there was a blackboard of drinks to make that bit easier. We decided upon a baguette and a crab sandwich which we had remembered from the menu in the window, unfortunately both out of stock so we ended up with a chicken sandwich and sausage roll. Both were nice but not amazing. Sadly the cafe was not making the most of the views with only one table in the corner looking at the harbour, the rest was obscured by yet more signs and room dividers. A place that could be pretty special if it tried but sadly...

It's a nice location, but I feel they could decorate the place so much better to take advantage of the view. Tea was lovely and just what I needed. The cakes were OK, but nothing amazing, which was ashamed as I don't always buy cake, so when I do go out for cake I want it to be good (I can make much better at home) The oreo cake was nice in flavour but quite dry. The rainbow blondie was also quite dry, shame.

Have seen other reviews saying about the plastic and paper plates. And I've seen the cafe owner responding, saying it's a take-away place. The thing is, you still have seating. And it's not just one small table. You have around 8-10 tables. That's not take away with "some seating." You need to accommodate your eating-in experience with the expectation of your clientel, which the reviews is a clear indicator of letting you know they don't like how non-sustainable you are. And even though you say you recycle, you can't recycle paper or plastic with food on it. So do you wash it properly before recycling, which, if so, just get porcelain and proper cutlery. Or do you just throw it in the bin?

So, nice location, nice tea, wouldn't buy the...

little to no savoury vegan food. expensive for somewhere that has uncomfortable seating and laminated menus. such a waste of an amazing location and a beautiful view. why no soft furnishings? - attempt to keep people's visits short by keeping them uncomfortable?? shame. heavy slate menu fell on my mother's foot from a shelf (no fault of my mother's); no sympathy or apology offered, just a healthy & safety form proffered. my mother was in too much pain to complete it. after complaining her bill was reduced. staff are never able to answer basic questions on the menu and generally seem half asleep. when it's raining outside they still don't allow customers to drink tea inside once it's officially takeaway only (what's the rationale, no crumbs to clean up - so jobsworthy for a village cafe). Would go to Julie's Pop-in's for friendliest and welcoming service every time, plus she's a great barista which is...