They managed to fit us in without a booking and had a lovely meal, one fish and one steak. Delicious. We asked about booking for another evening but unfortunately they were closing that evening to retire!
CGaunt1136
Very nice. Shame we have only just discovered it. I had the Thai curry curry, and it was lovely. I wish you all the best in your retirement.
Robert Hall
Great food & service,walked in of street & seated straight away a few bookings turned up soon after ,must have timed it luckily ?,price was good
Julie W
5 years of visiting wonderful castaways! How we will miss you! Always a warm welcome, wonderful food and a wonderful environment. We have loved every single meal here and after eating once on our very first holiday to swanage we soon pre booked every year after that! Always a wonderful favourite. Thank you for everything and we wish you both a wonderful and happy retirement xx
Ian B
We booked a table for 4 for 8.00pm. My wife and I arrived punctually a few minutes before. Our two friends were running late looking for a parking space. While we waited for our friends we ordered a couple of drinks. One of the staff asked us when the other two were joining us. This was at about 2 or 3 minutes after 8.00pm. She told us that last orders for food was 8.00pm. We decided to order a starter while we waited and considered pre ordering for our friends as the vibe seemed to be that we were inconveniencing the member of staff.Ordering a starter didn't seem to go down well as it would mean that we would be there longer. I telephoned one of our companions and he answered his phone as he walked in to the restaurant with his wife. So, they were minutes past 8.00pm late. Soon after their arrival the same member of staff was quickly on to us to take our orders. We felt very rushed. Ok, to be balanced and fair, the first waitress who took our drinks order was polite and friendly. She also provided a carafe of water. However, the second waitress made us all feel that we were an inconvenience to her. The restaurant is advertised as open until 10.00pm. However, as the food was being served, it was clear that the staff were setting up for the next day as the place emptied and was effectively closed save our presence as the last remaining diners. When we had finished our main course and plates were being cleared, we were not offered a desert menu. We have eaten here before and it was usual for a desert board to be shown to patrons. Not this time. It was clear to us that they wanted to close and us to leave. Why take a booking for 8.00pm and then tell us on arrival that last orders are at 8.00. No time to sit down and relax. Having dined here before, I have always found the staff to be reasonably customer focused. However, it appears that customers now eat at the convenience of the restaurant. This restaurant needs to improve the customer experience. The owner/s should consider what type of service it wants to provide. Don't take bookings for 8.00pm if you don't want customers to arrive at 8.00pm and order shortly thereafter and don't start closing the restaurant around customers and a couple of hours before the advertised closing time. Turning to the food. I found my food pleasant enough although lacking in quality. My companions, two of whom ordered lasagne and one who ordered chicken, found the food to be volcanic hot. On the whole, the food was not of the standard we have previously experienced particularly when compared to when this establishment first opened. We actually left as quickly as we could so as not to upset the person serving us or unduly delay their closing the restaurant. I was planning on ordering a desert but thought better of it. We always leave a tip for staff as we appreciate that it is not easy work. However, why open until 10 when you clearly want customers out earlier. Perhaps it's time to call it a day when you want customers out. Customer service is fundamentally important. We will be giving Castaways a miss in future. What a shame.
hannah G
Extremely friendly staff Very coealic friendly Clean and bright - think busy cafe style rather than cosy restaurant Children loved their meals and said the chicken nuggets were delicious! Great varied menu Puddings delicious Nice drink selection Really enjoyable evening - quite busy and a few times a teeny bit hectic feeling, think need to book but lovely staff and food So recommend
David H
Great restaurant. Would recommend the chateaubriand.
Maria K
We ate here as a family during our recent holiday in Swanage, my parents love this restaurant so we went along with them, its really relaxed and friendly and dogs are allowed in. The menu is good with lots of tasty options, and they were very accommodating in allowing us to swap items, I had the stroganoff which was delicious and everyone else thoroughly enjoyed their meals, I would highly recommend a visit
Lisa Chapman
I'm so sorry to have to do this but the food here is not up to scratch, I do a lot of cooking and I like a home cooked meal and this wasn't one. Don't normally write reviews but I read a lot when choosing where to eat, the staff were lovely so I do hope the chef takes these comments on board.
We were delighted with this find initially. A cute cafe ambience and a very friendly welcome. Busy which also seemed promising. The starters were absolutely delicious.... homemade breaded brie, baked camembert and garlic Boursin mushrooms. Then we went for chateaubriand steak. That was a mistake... we asked for medium rare and got well done. Plus it looked like no chateaubriand I've ever ordered. They tasted nice but were really just like thin (and overcooked) pieces of steak. They came with a delicious bernaise sauce which was excellent and overcooked and unappetising cooked veg which was not! My son had rib eye which he seemed to enjoy. Dessert was an ice cream sundae absolutely smothered in aerosol whipped cream. Again, not great. Overall disappointing though the two waitresses were lively throughout. I didn't complain as my children were treating me and I didn't want to spoil our evening but under normal circumstances I would have.
plenipoteniary
Superb little restaurant - informal and unpretentious, but very good food, reasonably priced, great service. The owners are retiring at the end of the summer so I may not get another chance to visit, but I'll certainly try.
Rasa Gulbinaite
Very nice place! Everyone of 7 us enjoyed the food but couple of things I did not get: 1. Why beer was brought in the glass if it is a bottle beer? I love drinking from the bottle an 2. Why lasagna had cheddar cheese not mocarela? It really ruined a good dish of lasagna.
abaleendean
We love castaways and this was our second visit which was better than the first! We ordered chateaubriande and it was absolutely delicious. The steak is local beef from the town butchers. If you are looking for wholesome good food at a sensible price, then this needs to be at the top of your list. I will update recommend booking as it gets busy.
joanne_white
I really fancied the menu when I saw it but the food wasn’t amazing. It’s a bit cafe but with dinner prices. The prawn cocktail sauce was so acidic it was almost inedible. Service pleasant but slow. Have to say the steaks that were going out looked amazing.
Large portions
They managed to fit us in without a booking and had a lovely meal, one fish and one steak. Delicious. We asked about booking for another evening but unfortunately they were closing that evening to retire!
Very nice. Shame we have only just discovered it. I had the Thai curry curry, and it was lovely. I wish you all the best in your retirement.
Great food & service,walked in of street & seated straight away a few bookings turned up soon after ,must have timed it luckily ?,price was good
5 years of visiting wonderful castaways! How we will miss you! Always a warm welcome, wonderful food and a wonderful environment. We have loved every single meal here and after eating once on our very first holiday to swanage we soon pre booked every year after that! Always a wonderful favourite. Thank you for everything and we wish you both a wonderful and happy retirement xx
We booked a table for 4 for 8.00pm. My wife and I arrived punctually a few minutes before. Our two friends were running late looking for a parking space. While we waited for our friends we ordered a couple of drinks. One of the staff asked us when the other two were joining us. This was at about 2 or 3 minutes after 8.00pm. She told us that last orders for food was 8.00pm. We decided to order a starter while we waited and considered pre ordering for our friends as the vibe seemed to be that we were inconveniencing the member of staff.Ordering a starter didn't seem to go down well as it would mean that we would be there longer. I telephoned one of our companions and he answered his phone as he walked in to the restaurant with his wife. So, they were minutes past 8.00pm late. Soon after their arrival the same member of staff was quickly on to us to take our orders. We felt very rushed. Ok, to be balanced and fair, the first waitress who took our drinks order was polite and friendly. She also provided a carafe of water. However, the second waitress made us all feel that we were an inconvenience to her. The restaurant is advertised as open until 10.00pm. However, as the food was being served, it was clear that the staff were setting up for the next day as the place emptied and was effectively closed save our presence as the last remaining diners. When we had finished our main course and plates were being cleared, we were not offered a desert menu. We have eaten here before and it was usual for a desert board to be shown to patrons. Not this time. It was clear to us that they wanted to close and us to leave. Why take a booking for 8.00pm and then tell us on arrival that last orders are at 8.00. No time to sit down and relax. Having dined here before, I have always found the staff to be reasonably customer focused. However, it appears that customers now eat at the convenience of the restaurant. This restaurant needs to improve the customer experience. The owner/s should consider what type of service it wants to provide. Don't take bookings for 8.00pm if you don't want customers to arrive at 8.00pm and order shortly thereafter and don't start closing the restaurant around customers and a couple of hours before the advertised closing time. Turning to the food. I found my food pleasant enough although lacking in quality. My companions, two of whom ordered lasagne and one who ordered chicken, found the food to be volcanic hot. On the whole, the food was not of the standard we have previously experienced particularly when compared to when this establishment first opened. We actually left as quickly as we could so as not to upset the person serving us or unduly delay their closing the restaurant. I was planning on ordering a desert but thought better of it. We always leave a tip for staff as we appreciate that it is not easy work. However, why open until 10 when you clearly want customers out earlier. Perhaps it's time to call it a day when you want customers out. Customer service is fundamentally important. We will be giving Castaways a miss in future. What a shame.
Extremely friendly staff Very coealic friendly Clean and bright - think busy cafe style rather than cosy restaurant Children loved their meals and said the chicken nuggets were delicious! Great varied menu Puddings delicious Nice drink selection Really enjoyable evening - quite busy and a few times a teeny bit hectic feeling, think need to book but lovely staff and food So recommend
Great restaurant. Would recommend the chateaubriand.
We ate here as a family during our recent holiday in Swanage, my parents love this restaurant so we went along with them, its really relaxed and friendly and dogs are allowed in. The menu is good with lots of tasty options, and they were very accommodating in allowing us to swap items, I had the stroganoff which was delicious and everyone else thoroughly enjoyed their meals, I would highly recommend a visit
I'm so sorry to have to do this but the food here is not up to scratch, I do a lot of cooking and I like a home cooked meal and this wasn't one. Don't normally write reviews but I read a lot when choosing where to eat, the staff were lovely so I do hope the chef takes these comments on board.
Restaurantji Recommends
We were delighted with this find initially. A cute cafe ambience and a very friendly welcome. Busy which also seemed promising. The starters were absolutely delicious.... homemade breaded brie, baked camembert and garlic Boursin mushrooms. Then we went for chateaubriand steak. That was a mistake... we asked for medium rare and got well done. Plus it looked like no chateaubriand I've ever ordered. They tasted nice but were really just like thin (and overcooked) pieces of steak. They came with a delicious bernaise sauce which was excellent and overcooked and unappetising cooked veg which was not! My son had rib eye which he seemed to enjoy. Dessert was an ice cream sundae absolutely smothered in aerosol whipped cream. Again, not great. Overall disappointing though the two waitresses were lively throughout. I didn't complain as my children were treating me and I didn't want to spoil our evening but under normal circumstances I would have.
Superb little restaurant - informal and unpretentious, but very good food, reasonably priced, great service. The owners are retiring at the end of the summer so I may not get another chance to visit, but I'll certainly try.
Very nice place! Everyone of 7 us enjoyed the food but couple of things I did not get: 1. Why beer was brought in the glass if it is a bottle beer? I love drinking from the bottle an 2. Why lasagna had cheddar cheese not mocarela? It really ruined a good dish of lasagna.
We love castaways and this was our second visit which was better than the first! We ordered chateaubriande and it was absolutely delicious. The steak is local beef from the town butchers. If you are looking for wholesome good food at a sensible price, then this needs to be at the top of your list. I will update recommend booking as it gets busy.
I really fancied the menu when I saw it but the food wasn’t amazing. It’s a bit cafe but with dinner prices. The prawn cocktail sauce was so acidic it was almost inedible. Service pleasant but slow. Have to say the steaks that were going out looked amazing.