Our Favourite Cafe’s and Eateries
For some reason driving a car brings on a terrible hunger, on our early morning blats we find that a healthy Full English helps stave off those pangs. Over the years we’ve found a select group of Cafes that suit us : Decent parking, out of Town, super grub and often a great outlook to complete the package. In other pages you can find some great driving roads and routes, these Cafes and eateries compliment such ‘drive outs’.
If you’d like to suggest or recommend an eatery please drop us a line at [email protected]
Kent & East Sussex
Ashford: The American Diner at Bybrook Garden Centre -Canterbury Road Ashford TN24 9JZ. Rock and roll! Original American Diner, sitting inside can be a challenge for large parties, plenty of space outside ( and good parking too). Many car based evenings held.
Bexhill: The Sovereign Cafe, West Parade TN39 3DX. We love this Gem of a Cafe, set in a fantastic spot on the actual promenade with the beach just a few feet away, the outlook as well as the food is terrific. Open 7 days a week, on road parking normally available right outside (free).
Deal: Jasins on Deal Pier was a great find. For us a good Cafe isn’t just about the food but also the outlook/scenery/location….this modern Cafe on the end of the Pier ticks all the right boxes, and the ‘Mega Brekkie’ – well are you really that hungry?
Hawkhurst: Waterside Cafe, Hawkhurst Fisheries( Hastings Road TN18 4RT), open 7 days a week. We found this lovely Cafe a few years ago, on a fine day sit outside just a matter of feet from one of the Fishing Lakes. Large car park – of special note from me, very good coffee to accompany the tasty brekkies.
Hythe: Well actually just outside of Hythe is our fav Cafe in this area – The Airport Cafe at Sellinge TN25 6DA. Open 7 days a week, huge car park, good ‘old style’ truck stop with good food.
Lydden: H’s Cafe at the Honda Shop ( A2 heading south CT4 6SA) is well worth a visit, 7 day opening, good parking and good locally sourced food.
Staplehurst/Sissinghurst. The Knoxbridge Cafe sits to the side of the A229 just south of Staplehurst. Open 6 days a week there’s plenty of parking and a good choice of brekkies.
Rye / Lydd / Romney: Our favourite Cafe for trips to Rye,Lydd or Romney is actually Oasis Cafe (Previously Oasis Diner) just outside Rye on the New Romney Road ( the A259 ), at Old Romney. Now under new ownership and recently updated. Unlike 1-2 other eateries in that area there’s space to swing a cat ( get a table) , the brekkies are plenty large enough and so is the car park. Closed Wednesdays.
St.Johns Cross nr Battle / Robertsbridge
TN32 5JH www.route1066cafe.co.uk
We stumbled on this gem recently and can certainly give the 1066 a hearty recommend!
Large car park & garden, 5 star Food Hygiene rating & accept debit & all major credit cards. Open weekdays 6:30am-4:30pm & weekends 8am-5:30pm.
All Day Breakfasts, lunches, sandwiches, snacks & soups, hot & cold drinks, milkshakes, smoothies, cakes and ices, and also kids meals, vegetarian options & Carvery on Sundays from 12-3pm. Keen petrol heads themselves, bikers and car enthusiasts are very welcome here.
West Sussex, Surrey and Hants
Alton Hants: The Departure Lounge, Basingstoke Rd Alton, Hampshire GU34 4BH. Great brekkie 6 days a week( closed Mons), plenty of parking, licensed for other events. http://www.thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk/
Cowfold: The Chalet Cafe, A281, RH13 8DU . Always a hit with cars and bikers as there’s plenty of room ( especially outside), a huge car park and generous portions of good fare. This Cafe passed the ‘Mrs’ test when I popped in one lunchtime with wifey and she declared that the omelette was one of the best she’d had.
Ferring: The Bluebird Cafe, Ferring Beach, BN 12 5QZ. What’s not to like about this Cafe that serves great food and which is situated right by the Beach, definitely one to sample on a sunny day.
Goring By Sea: Sea Lane Cafe, Marine Crescent, BN12 4HR. Another Cafe by the waters edge, large public car park immediately behind it, good food 7 days a week.
Henfold (Nr Beare Green). Henfold Fisheries, Henfold Lane, RH5 4RW. Stunning setting for this Cafe by the bank of this lovely Lake. Open 7 days a week, decent parking and plenty of outdoor seating, wood burner for cold winter days.
Horsham: Sumner Ponds Fisheries Nr Barns Green RH13 0PR . Lovely setting for this cosy Cafe, good brekkie fare, good sized seating inside and out ( overlooking the Lakes ), plenty of car parking.
Littlehampton: Boathouse Cafe at Littlehampton Marina BN17 5DS. Water, boats, sunshine, brekkie on a raised deck ( no pun intended) – is there any better way to end a run out?
West Grinstead ( nr Cowfold ) – A272 RH13 8LU. The Orchard Restaurant. This large all day Cafe/Restaurant has table service and good food to match, open 7 days a week with very large car park.
West Meon: Loomies, West Meon Hut, A272, GU32 1JX. An old favourite with bikers and also car clubs, plenty of parking and a petrol station next door. Good dependable tucker 7 days a week.