Whitecliffs Saltdean Reviews Summary

Location & Views

Pros:

• "It has a really nice view."
• "The view is amazing and staff very helpful."
• "Fabulous location and view (right on Undercliff)."
• "Absolutely beautiful view and location."
• "Gorgeous cafe with breathtaking views."
• "Great place to sit and stare out to sea."
• "Very good views looking out over the beach, and out to sea."

Cons:

• "This place is terrible such a waist of property perfect location and space that has the potential to be something amazing ALL year round but absolute inexperience and lack of care make it an overall disaster time and time again."
• "It has potential but the management are not using the beautiful building or views to their full potential."
• "This place is a disaster. Amazing location, with so much potential, but the people managing the place have no idea what they are doing."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "Food at worst is better than average for this type of establishment and often excellent."
• "Had a hot chocolate, and fantastic fruit cake."
• "Just had the most amazing Sunday Roast with the best, direct view of the sea."
• "When the food is good, it’s lovely."
• "Great staff, amazing food."
• "The buffet was delicious, and the service at the bar was great."
• "The foods was amazing, the dessert and cakes to die for."

Cons:

• "Neither potato or chips were available."
• "I felt the food options were disappointing."
• "All cake v dry as is all pre sliced (even sponges)."
• "The fish and chips were cold and partly inedible."
• "Food very disappointing! Had a sausage and onion sandwich but, no onions and stale bread also."
• "Our chips were bland and undercooked. The pastries greasy and lacking in filling."
• "Unfortunately I experienced the most dry and embarrassing sandwich of all time here today."

Service

Pros:

• "You can also book private parties here."
• "A very pleasant experience, the new management have made massive improvements to all areas."
• "Nothing was too much trouble for them."
• "The staff are incredibly accommodating and friendly and know us well."
• "The staff are very welcoming to both people and dogs."
• "The service was great: nothing was too much trouble: very courteous, attentive & polite."
• "Staff are very friendly and helpful and the location is beautiful."

Cons:

• "Incredibly rude waiter, made to wait 30 minutes before we could order."
• "Well sat there for 10 mins I could see other people was being served so went inside and complained."
• "Staff struggled under pressure today as me and a friend were waiting 10 minutes at least for our drinks."
• "Awful service waited 15 mins to be served then ordered at till, long wait for cake."
• "Service was really not good, very slow despite not being very busy and loads of staff."
• "Perpetually harassed staff."
• "A very poor experience. Paper rubbish not cleared from outdoor seating area, dirty tables and poor service."

Atmosphere & Ambience

Pros:

• "Good atmosphere; keep working on the service!"
• "Great place...great staff...smiley faces fabulous hot chocolate...great variety of veggie vegan options."
• "Historic Saltdean cafe with a boho vibe, & good coffee."
• "Lovely decore, comfy seating and a super relaxed, well looked after experience unfolded."
• "A really social experience."
• "Good choice of coffee and cakes, which were lovely."
• "Serve yummy baked goods, great coffee & have a personable service."

Cons:

• "Always Loved this venue but sadly let down by limited menu and patchy service."
• "Limited menu, drinks and food served in paper cups and paper bags, why not proper cups and plates, so much more civilised."
• "Not the cleanest service and staff struggling with keeping up with that orders."
• "Overloud piped music through the music system meant you could not have a conversation."
• "Very strange system/service."
• "Awful cheap cast-off stone tables from a poor reclamation site."
• "When I went to walk in the Cafe there was a child gate across the front door and staff looked at me funnily."

Management & Operations

Pros:

• "The couple who own it truly care about what they are doing & respect their community."
• "The whole team at Whitecliffs did a fantastic job for our Dad's memorial ceremony yesterday."
• "JulieAnne and Steve could not have done more to make my 60th Birthday Party such a wonderful night."
• "The new owners are really turning this place around."
• "The whole team were so welcoming and considerate."

Cons:

• "We organized a surprise birthday party here, paid up front and a week before they demanded another £300."
• "The only problem is. They only accept cash."
• "Overpriced under serviced. £14+ for 2 coffees, sausage roll and a scone that was as dry as the white cliffs and in a bag."
• "Incredible location but it's such a shame that they use disposable cups and dishes for all food and drink even when you sit in."
• "The owner was walking about chatting to customers whilst turning off the fire alarm that had sounded twice during our visit."
• "The manager had his feet up and shoes off laying on one of the couches. It was not a good look for anybody, let alone the management."
• "The experience was clouded by a passive aggressive lady, possibly the manager."