Great brunch and coffee served here. Fantastic service: polite, cheerful, attentive, helpful, prompt! Well-lit, comfortable and well-spaced seating, with relaxing, congenial atmosphere. Lovely café bar! Thank you so much. ☺?
Samuel Williams
Not very welcoming but the coffee was nice.
Martin L
Having been to Blinis many times over the last twelve years we were surprised to find several free tables at 1.30. The reason may be the food, which has really gone downhill. The burger was pretty standard but the accompanying 'gourmet' chips were anything but - enormous, flabby and undercooked - while the victoria sponge was a peculiar muddy brown colour with the wrong sort of sponge, one thick layer of goo, plus it tasted disgusting. To be fair they didn't charge us for this excrescence. The saving grace was the polite and friendly service from a bearded waiter (his colleague evidently hadn't finished his course at the charm school) and as always the perfect location and light comfortabl;e atmosphere, although the chairs were getting a bit grubby and could do witrh a clean. As others have said, a disappointing experience and maybe one not worth repeating.
tek nothing
I recently discovered this delightful, quaint restaurant near the seafront, and it quickly became a favourite spot of mine. The restaurant's charm is enhanced by its proximity to the sea, creating a serene and pleasant atmosphere for diners. The menu boasts a variety of good food, and what truly caught my attention was the excellent selection of take-away cakes they offer.What sets this place apart, besides its cosy ambience and tasty food, is the consistently great service provided by the staff. Their attentiveness and hospitality truly enhance the overall dining experience. Whether you're looking for a relaxing meal or a sweet treat to enjoy later, this restaurant near the seafront is definitely worth a visit.
watsoncaroline770
Very tranquil and a lovely atmosphere. Warm and friendly and attentive staff. Menu lots of choice and great quality. Would highly recommend visiting there.
andrew beal
Excellent food. The service was good but could have been sliggtly more attentive. I will very happily go back!
Diane Melling-Picken
Always go to Blinis cafe when we visit Sidmouth. Great food and good service.
margaret seward
This is based on our last visit.6th April
Ken Lloyd
Although the staff are friendly and, the seating is comfortable, I cannot recommend Blinis for coffee and cake. The coffee is OK but the range of cakes is poor. I opted for the carrot cake, which was dry and tasteless. I am told that the lunch choice is better.
chrispB9217FX
I have been to Blinis a few times and have always been happy with the food and the atmosphere. This time I tried the 'grilled halloumi in a toasted bap with hummus, roasted red pepper & sweet potato fries'. Not being a sweet potato fan I switched to 'aspen fries; skinny skin-in fries with truffle oil & parmesan'. The grilled halloumi was cold and tasteless: halloumi needs to be properly grilled/pan fried to bring out its flavour, and preferably served hot. The 'skinny fries' seemed to be standard catering pack chips with no obvious taste of truffle oil and precious little parmesan, and not particularly skinny. Blinis has an interesting menu, why should it be beyond the the capabilities of any chef to peel & slice a few maris pipers and make proper chips/fries? Rather than pudding we decided on cake & coffee. The Devon Apple Cake was dry and distinctly lacking in apple. Although the restaurant was 'fully booked' and a number of people were turned away, fewer than half the tables were actually occupied...I can only surmise that, like many establishments, they are suffering from staffing problems. As I say, I like Blinis so that's why I am probably being generous with 3 stars.
Was here several years ago and whilst clean and friendly this time the food was poor. The prawns had been nuked and my partners tempura weren’t great. Probably still good for a coffee and sandwich but would stay clear of the ‘cooked’ mains.
jop133
It was so good to find a cafe/restaurant with a different and interesting menu. Reasonable prices for the location, the quality of the food and the service. Lunch really felt like a special treat. A special shout out for the key lime pie - zingy and delicious.
Singalong with Christy
Delicious food and attentive staff. The tempura-battered monkfish was a delight, perfectly paired with a pomegranate and orange salad and curried mayonnaise- the sweet potato fries were to die for. The calamari (pictured) was light, fresh and delicious and the steak sandwich hearty with garlic fries and perfectly cooked and tender steak. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
nick rogers
Absolutely disappointingNo chef on duty, chips came with starter instead of mains,food not good,VERY little discount given,by abrupt staff.Sorry such a shame.Will not return there
Great brunch and coffee served here. Fantastic service: polite, cheerful, attentive, helpful, prompt! Well-lit, comfortable and well-spaced seating, with relaxing, congenial atmosphere. Lovely café bar! Thank you so much. ☺?
Not very welcoming but the coffee was nice.
Having been to Blinis many times over the last twelve years we were surprised to find several free tables at 1.30. The reason may be the food, which has really gone downhill. The burger was pretty standard but the accompanying 'gourmet' chips were anything but - enormous, flabby and undercooked - while the victoria sponge was a peculiar muddy brown colour with the wrong sort of sponge, one thick layer of goo, plus it tasted disgusting. To be fair they didn't charge us for this excrescence. The saving grace was the polite and friendly service from a bearded waiter (his colleague evidently hadn't finished his course at the charm school) and as always the perfect location and light comfortabl;e atmosphere, although the chairs were getting a bit grubby and could do witrh a clean. As others have said, a disappointing experience and maybe one not worth repeating.
I recently discovered this delightful, quaint restaurant near the seafront, and it quickly became a favourite spot of mine. The restaurant's charm is enhanced by its proximity to the sea, creating a serene and pleasant atmosphere for diners. The menu boasts a variety of good food, and what truly caught my attention was the excellent selection of take-away cakes they offer.What sets this place apart, besides its cosy ambience and tasty food, is the consistently great service provided by the staff. Their attentiveness and hospitality truly enhance the overall dining experience. Whether you're looking for a relaxing meal or a sweet treat to enjoy later, this restaurant near the seafront is definitely worth a visit.
Very tranquil and a lovely atmosphere. Warm and friendly and attentive staff. Menu lots of choice and great quality. Would highly recommend visiting there.
Excellent food. The service was good but could have been sliggtly more attentive. I will very happily go back!
Always go to Blinis cafe when we visit Sidmouth. Great food and good service.
This is based on our last visit.6th April
Although the staff are friendly and, the seating is comfortable, I cannot recommend Blinis for coffee and cake. The coffee is OK but the range of cakes is poor. I opted for the carrot cake, which was dry and tasteless. I am told that the lunch choice is better.
I have been to Blinis a few times and have always been happy with the food and the atmosphere. This time I tried the 'grilled halloumi in a toasted bap with hummus, roasted red pepper & sweet potato fries'. Not being a sweet potato fan I switched to 'aspen fries; skinny skin-in fries with truffle oil & parmesan'. The grilled halloumi was cold and tasteless: halloumi needs to be properly grilled/pan fried to bring out its flavour, and preferably served hot. The 'skinny fries' seemed to be standard catering pack chips with no obvious taste of truffle oil and precious little parmesan, and not particularly skinny. Blinis has an interesting menu, why should it be beyond the the capabilities of any chef to peel & slice a few maris pipers and make proper chips/fries? Rather than pudding we decided on cake & coffee. The Devon Apple Cake was dry and distinctly lacking in apple. Although the restaurant was 'fully booked' and a number of people were turned away, fewer than half the tables were actually occupied...I can only surmise that, like many establishments, they are suffering from staffing problems. As I say, I like Blinis so that's why I am probably being generous with 3 stars.
Restaurantji Recommends
excellent menu in this unique basement setting.
Was here several years ago and whilst clean and friendly this time the food was poor. The prawns had been nuked and my partners tempura weren’t great. Probably still good for a coffee and sandwich but would stay clear of the ‘cooked’ mains.
It was so good to find a cafe/restaurant with a different and interesting menu. Reasonable prices for the location, the quality of the food and the service. Lunch really felt like a special treat. A special shout out for the key lime pie - zingy and delicious.
Delicious food and attentive staff. The tempura-battered monkfish was a delight, perfectly paired with a pomegranate and orange salad and curried mayonnaise- the sweet potato fries were to die for. The calamari (pictured) was light, fresh and delicious and the steak sandwich hearty with garlic fries and perfectly cooked and tender steak. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Absolutely disappointingNo chef on duty, chips came with starter instead of mains,food not good,VERY little discount given,by abrupt staff.Sorry such a shame.Will not return there