Goat Ledge — Restaurant in Hastings

The Good: This cafe has really brought the area to life, it is now a family space where kids can access the small play area safely. The staff are always friendly, approachable and welcoming. The area is always clean and tidy with plenty of seating options. You can rent a little hut for an hour and a half through their website which ensures guaranteed seating and some relief from the intense summer heat - perfect for the kids and fussy adults, such as myself! The cafe and surrounding huts and seating areas are very vibrant and colourful and the area looks gorgeous when lit up by fairy lights in the evening! The location is ideal with Warrior Square Gardens behind the cafe, the beach in front, a playpark to the right and a long stretch of seating to the left featuring stunning works from local artists! I would say the prices are just about right, a little on the higher side but it is always well staffed and it is clear that a lot of investment has gone into the surrounding area. The hot drinks are made well and there is a wide variety of cold drinks. The menu is very varied and you can't go wrong with a fish finger butty and portion of fries. Being born and bred in St leonards I can certainly say that the Goats Ledge is a perfect addition to the area, it brings in business without alienating locals.

The bad: The wait times can be a bit on the long side for food and drink - but this isn't a fast food restaurant so a wait is expected. I did wait a very long time for a latte on my first visit and there weren't any queue's, but we are all finding our feet post-lockdown and the coffee is well worth the wait - trust me. On busier days the waiting time is considerably longer, however, when ordering food you do get a 'buzzer' so you can return to your table to wait.... The same system for hot drinks might be a good option. It is fair to remember that this is a small space, they're limited on the equipment and staff they can fit in such a small area and the wait is DEFINITELY due to popularity.

The ugly: Has to be the kids menu, this place attracts a lot of families but feeding and hydrating the kids can be a hefty cost. A small carton of orange juice retails at £1.50 and most kids I know drink like camels. Being called Goat Ledge they could cater better to 'Kids'. But to be fair, that is the only real negative to the place.

I'd strongly recommend Goats Ledge to families, individuals, couples, groups of friends... Anyone really. They serve alcohol so it would be a perfect evening hang out spot for some adult...

Goat Ledge was featured in the i newspaper's list of 50 best seaside restaurants/cafés, and it lived up to the hype. More of a seafood shack than full-blown restaurant, the emphasis here is on freshly-caught produce, a simple but delicious menu, and laid back vibes.

We ordered the classic fish burger which was crispy, perfectly seasoned and came in a beautifully glazed brioche bun.

The katsu fries were divine and the perfect balance of savoury, a hint of sweetness and a low, slow chilli kick that leaves a tangy heat in the mouth.

The vegetarian "pulled pork" oyster mushroom burger was an umame treat from start to finish and utterly moreish, I could have eaten two! Fries were crispy, fresh and not too oily.

The bean salad with salt n pepper fried squid was fresh, zesty and complemented the crispy crunch of the squid really well.

Service was friendly and relaxed and I can totally see why people go back here time and time again. And absolute gem in St Leonards / Hastings!...

Nice simple fresh fish menu with vegan options including a yummy vegan sriracha mayo, they also offer gluten free bread and meals with no-gluten-ingredients. But the kitchen has quite a bit of flour and batter going around so that's not suitable for coeliacs.

Service is slow, especially in the summer when it's busy, but the staff are all friendly. Expect to take your time and sit and relax while you wait for your coffee or food! There's usually a great selection of world music and the sea is always a new view. One of the best locations in St Leonards for sitting and watching waves, or going for a dip at high tide.

No toilet facilities in the cafe (public loos nearby) and while there's seating outside much of it is on picnic tables and some is over the pebbles, so wheelchair access isn't great. That said there are often pushchairs and babies, it's also a welcoming...