Beach Café — Restaurant in England

0 star if one was available! Good reason too...

AVOID TEMPTATION -

09:02 - All doors open, staff visible and setting up the chairs and sauce pots etc. I observed the 'Closed' sign on the door, but thought to ask when they were opening (as there was no display of operating hours).

I poked my head in the entrance and said "excuse me, what time are you opening today?" ... as one of the ladies looked at her watch, the elderly "fossil-like gentleman" that wasnt 'gentle' muttered under his breath, "when we're ready". Unfortunately for him, I heard him clearly. I went on to state to him that it was unnecessary for him to say such a comment and I was not accepting his sarcasm (especially when the world seemed so wonderfully perfect I.E. coastal perfection, beautiful sunny day and a calm atmosphere) - all I wanted was a nice breakfast and drink!

Afterwards, I decided to leave and not give the cafe any of my custom. So disappointing and extremely dissatisfied with the lack of care at the ease of inviting people to their wonderful location.

I asked a very simple and understandable question, this surely only requires a simple response. For all I knew, they may have been preparing to open at lunchtime!?

I am pretty sure the man in question worked in the fossil shop attached directly next to the cafe. My advice to this chap and more for the cafe staff is to keep him locked up in the cabinet with the other fossils! Maybe that way, nobody will detract away from an idealistic setup for many within the catering world.

Perhaps its his toxicity that is disheartening the cafe staff! - hence the other reviews that read about...

28/04/25 11:20 am Visited for coffee. Cashier unhelpful at every encounter. Told to sit outside and she would call when ready. Table and benches dirty and no shading provided although it was a hot day. No call was heard or if so any effort to ensure we got our order. I went in to enquire and was told to fetch them from a table behind her. This required a walk outside around other tables to the other door! I asked for a tray from pile nearby her to carry 4 drinks. She Refused as they don’t hand out trays! Took empty cups etc back inside as no visible bin available by tables outside. She would not take them and said to go outside again and put in bin under the table right by her side. A strange set up certainly not to aid customers. Who ever manages this place needs to be replaced and the cashier. Not surprised to see majority reviews one star! How come Charmouth Tourist Board allows this to go on for 4 years? Tourists are a captive audience here being treated abominably. Advice AVOID Beach Cafe. Go across bridge over river to a small cabin on beach, where staff are friendly OR take your own...

Wow - for such an amazing place as Charmouth, this cafe is a massive disappointment. Turned up at 5pm on a hot sunny Thursday in May and were told they were closed. Loads of people wanting drinks and food but fair enough, they are entitled to close. Turned up next day at 4pm, again hot and sunny and very busy, to be told they were closed! Again. I expressed surprise as we'd walked a long way, and had planned to be back at the cafe in plenty of time for refreshments, to be told they were closing early as they weren't busy! Believe me, it was busy! I think all this would be completely fine if the women serving had been a little more polite, helpful, smiley, warm, apologetic etc but they were none of these - curt, to the point of rude. Shame, this place is so perfect to serve the lovely people visiting the beach, and to complement the amazing museum and shop next door but they totally let it down. Definitely...