Dem Shish Restaurant & Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in Eastbourne

Utterly disappointed with the approach and service! I have booked a table month in advance for a group of 5 people for 6 pm on Saturday. Arrived 15 min earlier and was sit at the table served to 5 people. After 1 3/4 hour we were told that due to their busy schedule and supposedly, 2 hrs slot for a booking, we have to move to another table in the restaurant. I was told, apparently, that a note of 2 hours should be on my booking confirmation. I have found it, and Ta-Dam! - there was no such a note. Another excuse was that restaurant is pretty busy every week and sometimes this happens, and they do move clients around!!!! I have been here before 3 times, and never witnessed such a thing! Then I was told that the company of 6 is about to come and that waitress has put us in the wrong place, so we were asked to move tables again. ok, we have moved to another table - and here comes another lie! Our place for 5 has been divided into 3 small tables and completely different couples were placed there with an interval of 30 min in time! I have told to the manager that this is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable! The management not just spoiled our dinner out, but also lied to us all the time! I have observed the place all evening and no one was asked to move tables after 2 hrs of dining there. I wonder what was the REAL reason for it - the different language of conversation? I go out nearly every week, personally know many owners of various restaurants in Eastbourne, some are my good friends for a long time. All agree, that this is absolutely appalling! I never ever faced such service in any other restaurant in Eastbourne. When I was trying to get this message to a manager, he said they are so busy, so they don't care. If I want to book a place with them next Saturday, I won't be able to do that. And guess what?! Came back home, booked the table for next week just out of interest, got the confirmation email and, no notes there saying I should stay there only 2 hours, as they have a queue by the door of customers wishing to dine there!!!! NEVER EVER AGAIN and will not...

Booked a table for 6 in early evening. Very busy. Received a warm friendly greeting as we were escorted to our seats by the manager. There were plenty of staff available who were friendly and attentive. The service was fast and efficient. We ordered a DemShish special for 3. Babaganoosh and special cucumber salad. My wife had halumi kebab and salad, my nephew had iskander kebab and I had mititi kofte and klefti. (In English, meatballs for starters and lamb shank for main). All standard Turkish fare, but the spices, sauces and seasoning made them taste really excellent. Everything was eaten and every plate and platter was completely cleared. All served with wine and beer We all loved it. I would say probably the best Turkish food I have eaten outside of Turkey. And all for a good price. A couple of things to note. Firstly you have to eat within 1 1/2 hours. If you like a long slow meal this is probably not for you. Secondly, the staff gather by the main counter and look like they are standing around gossiping, but don't be fooled. As soon as your food is cooked they bring it straight away, as they have ear phone contact with the kitchen, and if you need anything their response is immediate, and always smiling. I write reviews on places I visit all over the world and I came away, feeling well looked after, well fed, and well satisfied. Probably in my top 5 restaurants in the UK. Although my first visit here it most certainly will not be the last. I highly recommend a visit. You will not be...

We went here in a busy Saturday night during the Eastbourne Airshow weekend so the place was mobbed. Dem Shish had been reccomended to me a number of times by some local friends, but I usually stay at the other end of town so I have never actually tried it before.

We had a table for three and they managed to give us a choice, even though they were super busy. The food was all very good and the portions were excellent. We had the sharing platter for three people and everything was very well cooked, and the meat was of an excellent quality.

Pricewise, it was very reasonable considering.

Even on a busy night like this where you’d expect a bit of a delay in service, we had all the grilled meats delivered to the table in about 25 minutes, which I didn’t think was bad considering they would probably take about 15 minutes to cook from fresh anyway.

The only thing I’d worn of, is that it is very loud within an in-house DJ and several pauses in proceedings for in-house fireworks and singing happy birthday. This happened about four times during our meal, so if your birthday grinch or just don’t like loud noise in a restaurant I would very much recommend booking a mid week or perhaps a Friday.

Personally, why I found it a little bit loud I do realise that’s my own preference so I would definitely go back for the food and perhaps book a weeknight.

Sorry for the lack of photos, we were all absolutely famished and dived in on the food before taking...