I moved to Chichester last July. I found this hidden gem in yesterday, as I cut through from North Street to East Street. If you want to be transported to a time gone by and relax in front of one of its three open fires, enjoying homemade organic food, this is the place for you, The piano wasn’t being played yesterday, but the book was open at Moonlight Sonata and I’d have been welcome to play (if only I could). I thoroughly recommend it for a completely different eating out experience. Can’t wait to sit in the pretty garden in the summer …
citizen3000
This place used to be called St Martin's Tearooms, I think. We visited most week-ends from the 1980s until 2020. We were happy with a pot of Earl Grey leaf tea and a cake or a scone. The tea was served in ceramic teacups. During covid the owner decided to change to paper cups and teabags. No teapot either. So, after our custom of 35 years we decided to go elsewhere. Significantly, the place is now called a "coffee house". The prices, which some reviewers have objected to, never bothered us as long as we were getting what we wanted. The fact is we can no longer get a decent cup of tea.
Hazel Birch
After recently moving to the area, I looked up a few local coffee places and was keen to check this place out as it looked so charming. Unfortunately, aside from the charming old building and log fires, there wasn't much else on offer.There was no music that created a dreary atmosphere. The coffee was dreadful and expensive for what you get.The till server was impatient and got frustrated taking an order of 4 drinks.The owners clearly don't know what they have here because with a few tweaks, this place could be a real coffee and cake destination. Some nice relaxing or easy listening music, improve the coffee quality and service, introduce a limited menu of quality food and cakes, and they would be on to a winner. With the amount of space they have advertising it for students or people to work would also make it a great peaceful go to place for working. It's a shame as the building and location seem wasted when it could be so much more. Unfortunately, due to the terrible coffee, I will not be making a return visit. ?
Guide31647351691
This is most over rated most expensive coffee shop ever, rude, snobby and the vegan food was tasteless. I will never ever return.
Kayleigh Z
We would also leave one star if we could. We wanted to find a nice little independent coffee shop off the main high street and came across this one. We entered through the back and we were immediately intercepted by a busy body hastily removing her marigolds and told ‘they do not have baby facilities’ I explained this was fine as we didn’t need a highchair and would happily go elsewhere to change the baby if need be. We were then asks in a patronising tone if the baby ‘would be quiet?’. I immediately turned to leave as I couldn’t not believe how ride this woman was being and didn’t want to give them our custom. We went round the front where my husband went in to complain about the employee’s attitude where he was met with no apology- just silence by the owner. I think they believe this place is special and they are in a position to turn people away if they are deemed to be inconvenient- we’ll see how long they last with this kind of attitude.
Jan Cope
My first time here. I only found it by following a sign on the main street. It really was worth looking for. The service was good. The soup and bread were absolutely delicious and very filling. The coffee was ok although the cup was quite small for £4.95. It made for an expensive lunch but as a treat it was definitely worth it. The open fire and the historic building really made it special. It was so peaceful with a lovely ambience. I liked the open kitchen idea. All in all a real find. I will look forward to returning. I'm thinking of moving to Chichester and St Martin's is a definite plus point!
Truthseeker
A lovely building that is steeped in history but that's as good as it gets.overpriced ...£3.55 for just a mug of tea (put your own tea bag in ). I went at a friend's request but wouldn't have stayed if on own. I think people are voting with their feet as cafe was very empty. If you have money to burn you'll be OK.
Katie Steel
If I could leave no stars I would. Absolutely disgusted - asked to leave as I dared to enter the empty cafe with my pushchair. I used to love this place but will never visit again after being asked to leave simply for being a new mother. I’m a conscious and considerate guest but hurt and disappointed by this cafe. Do not bother to visit.
B8093YMkaties
If I could leave no stars I would. Absolutely disgusted - asked to leave as I dared to enter the empty cafe with my pushchair. I used to love this place but will never visit again after being asked to leave simply for being a new mother. I’m a conscious and considerate guest but hurt and disappointed by this cafe. Do not bother to visit.
Shona Paffey
Absolutely gobsmacked.My 14 year old daughter emailed (off her own back) enquiring about potential employment. Phone call back and interview arranged, fine.After a 45 minute interview was then asked about her covid vaccine status, the cases of covid currently at her school and how many times she has had covid.This made her feel extremely uncomfortable and the conversation got very strange.She wasn't offered the job because apparently the cafe is very quiet at the moment (why waste her time in the first place) and because of her not having the vaccinations.I phoned the cafe to speak to Keith about the situation, not phoning because I was upset she didn't get the job but to discuss why her covid status was even question. To this he replied 'I'm terminating this conversation because it is stupid and I need to take it up with my bank or building society'Baffled.The employment agreement she was also given is questionable
Thank you and a great find . Delicious organic carrot cake and coffee in a truly atmospheric venue in Chichester.
Sunshine66393047318
The pros: this is a stunning listed building, with many private nooks and crannies, decorated with tapestries and antiques, with open roaring fires and a pretty garden. There was always somewhere quiet and private to sit, even when it was packed (which it usually was, pre-covid). There are books to read and games like Scrabble to play. The food is organic, with options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free people. The cons: food is utterly extortionate (I was charged £6 for apple juice from a bottle! It used to be freshly squeezed!), the portions are tiny, and the menu is getting ever more limited. The elderly owner has always been eccentric and stubbornly independently minded, but he is now running his long-established business into the ground. It is nearly empty since Covid with an unwelcoming atmosphere. I say this with respect and care, but my interactions have led me to think that one of the staff members is suffering from the early stages of Alzheimers which is leading to exceptionally poor customer service. We used to visit St Martins several times a month with our group before Covid. The food was expensive, which is to be expected as it's organic, but the food was nice enough, and the location and atmosphere were second to none. It was like being in a secret 18th century tavern with all the benefits of modernity. Victorian larpers used to have their events and meet ups there. I sincerely hope this business can return to its former glory, it is an absolute gem and deserves to be a tourist hotspot. It is special as one of the few organic cafes in the country. Even basic, common, non organic food served with a bit of ceremony and care would enable success (pretty teapots etc). Scrap the minimum price, improve the food and menu, give fair portions, and only have staff who are capable of decent customer service front of house. My advice right now is to not expect too much, and to just see your payment as a way to enjoy an ancient building.
joannah2348
I arrived early so I ordered a Cappu + flapjack (£5.95) = total of £9.90. Don't care if it is organic and made with love (I doubt it) it is too expensive. Friend arrived and we ordered 2 dragon pies and a shared 'salad'. Total just under £30. Dragon pie very ordinary and small helping and salad was frozen peas and other bits and had obvs just come out of a fridge. Awful.
Judy U
I came across this lovely little place by chance. On my way back to the car park I decided to take an alternative route via a side street. Along with a charming boutique and an ale house, there was this coffee shop. I chose to sit in the back garden as the weather was very pleasant. I was surrounded by flowers and other plants as I drank a very nice cappuccino. Highly recommended and I shall be returning soon.
Jackie H
Lovely atmospheric coffee house in historic Chichester. Fresh baked organic carrot cake and coffee . What a great find and will be back thank you
I moved to Chichester last July. I found this hidden gem in yesterday, as I cut through from North Street to East Street. If you want to be transported to a time gone by and relax in front of one of its three open fires, enjoying homemade organic food, this is the place for you, The piano wasn’t being played yesterday, but the book was open at Moonlight Sonata and I’d have been welcome to play (if only I could). I thoroughly recommend it for a completely different eating out experience. Can’t wait to sit in the pretty garden in the summer …
This place used to be called St Martin's Tearooms, I think. We visited most week-ends from the 1980s until 2020. We were happy with a pot of Earl Grey leaf tea and a cake or a scone. The tea was served in ceramic teacups. During covid the owner decided to change to paper cups and teabags. No teapot either. So, after our custom of 35 years we decided to go elsewhere. Significantly, the place is now called a "coffee house". The prices, which some reviewers have objected to, never bothered us as long as we were getting what we wanted. The fact is we can no longer get a decent cup of tea.
After recently moving to the area, I looked up a few local coffee places and was keen to check this place out as it looked so charming. Unfortunately, aside from the charming old building and log fires, there wasn't much else on offer.There was no music that created a dreary atmosphere. The coffee was dreadful and expensive for what you get.The till server was impatient and got frustrated taking an order of 4 drinks.The owners clearly don't know what they have here because with a few tweaks, this place could be a real coffee and cake destination. Some nice relaxing or easy listening music, improve the coffee quality and service, introduce a limited menu of quality food and cakes, and they would be on to a winner. With the amount of space they have advertising it for students or people to work would also make it a great peaceful go to place for working. It's a shame as the building and location seem wasted when it could be so much more. Unfortunately, due to the terrible coffee, I will not be making a return visit. ?
This is most over rated most expensive coffee shop ever, rude, snobby and the vegan food was tasteless. I will never ever return.
We would also leave one star if we could. We wanted to find a nice little independent coffee shop off the main high street and came across this one. We entered through the back and we were immediately intercepted by a busy body hastily removing her marigolds and told ‘they do not have baby facilities’ I explained this was fine as we didn’t need a highchair and would happily go elsewhere to change the baby if need be. We were then asks in a patronising tone if the baby ‘would be quiet?’. I immediately turned to leave as I couldn’t not believe how ride this woman was being and didn’t want to give them our custom. We went round the front where my husband went in to complain about the employee’s attitude where he was met with no apology- just silence by the owner. I think they believe this place is special and they are in a position to turn people away if they are deemed to be inconvenient- we’ll see how long they last with this kind of attitude.
My first time here. I only found it by following a sign on the main street. It really was worth looking for. The service was good. The soup and bread were absolutely delicious and very filling. The coffee was ok although the cup was quite small for £4.95. It made for an expensive lunch but as a treat it was definitely worth it. The open fire and the historic building really made it special. It was so peaceful with a lovely ambience. I liked the open kitchen idea. All in all a real find. I will look forward to returning. I'm thinking of moving to Chichester and St Martin's is a definite plus point!
A lovely building that is steeped in history but that's as good as it gets.overpriced ...£3.55 for just a mug of tea (put your own tea bag in ). I went at a friend's request but wouldn't have stayed if on own. I think people are voting with their feet as cafe was very empty. If you have money to burn you'll be OK.
If I could leave no stars I would. Absolutely disgusted - asked to leave as I dared to enter the empty cafe with my pushchair. I used to love this place but will never visit again after being asked to leave simply for being a new mother. I’m a conscious and considerate guest but hurt and disappointed by this cafe. Do not bother to visit.
If I could leave no stars I would. Absolutely disgusted - asked to leave as I dared to enter the empty cafe with my pushchair. I used to love this place but will never visit again after being asked to leave simply for being a new mother. I’m a conscious and considerate guest but hurt and disappointed by this cafe. Do not bother to visit.
Absolutely gobsmacked.My 14 year old daughter emailed (off her own back) enquiring about potential employment. Phone call back and interview arranged, fine.After a 45 minute interview was then asked about her covid vaccine status, the cases of covid currently at her school and how many times she has had covid.This made her feel extremely uncomfortable and the conversation got very strange.She wasn't offered the job because apparently the cafe is very quiet at the moment (why waste her time in the first place) and because of her not having the vaccinations.I phoned the cafe to speak to Keith about the situation, not phoning because I was upset she didn't get the job but to discuss why her covid status was even question. To this he replied 'I'm terminating this conversation because it is stupid and I need to take it up with my bank or building society'Baffled.The employment agreement she was also given is questionable
Restaurantji Recommends
Thank you and a great find . Delicious organic carrot cake and coffee in a truly atmospheric venue in Chichester.
The pros: this is a stunning listed building, with many private nooks and crannies, decorated with tapestries and antiques, with open roaring fires and a pretty garden. There was always somewhere quiet and private to sit, even when it was packed (which it usually was, pre-covid). There are books to read and games like Scrabble to play. The food is organic, with options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free people. The cons: food is utterly extortionate (I was charged £6 for apple juice from a bottle! It used to be freshly squeezed!), the portions are tiny, and the menu is getting ever more limited. The elderly owner has always been eccentric and stubbornly independently minded, but he is now running his long-established business into the ground. It is nearly empty since Covid with an unwelcoming atmosphere. I say this with respect and care, but my interactions have led me to think that one of the staff members is suffering from the early stages of Alzheimers which is leading to exceptionally poor customer service. We used to visit St Martins several times a month with our group before Covid. The food was expensive, which is to be expected as it's organic, but the food was nice enough, and the location and atmosphere were second to none. It was like being in a secret 18th century tavern with all the benefits of modernity. Victorian larpers used to have their events and meet ups there. I sincerely hope this business can return to its former glory, it is an absolute gem and deserves to be a tourist hotspot. It is special as one of the few organic cafes in the country. Even basic, common, non organic food served with a bit of ceremony and care would enable success (pretty teapots etc). Scrap the minimum price, improve the food and menu, give fair portions, and only have staff who are capable of decent customer service front of house. My advice right now is to not expect too much, and to just see your payment as a way to enjoy an ancient building.
I arrived early so I ordered a Cappu + flapjack (£5.95) = total of £9.90. Don't care if it is organic and made with love (I doubt it) it is too expensive. Friend arrived and we ordered 2 dragon pies and a shared 'salad'. Total just under £30. Dragon pie very ordinary and small helping and salad was frozen peas and other bits and had obvs just come out of a fridge. Awful.
I came across this lovely little place by chance. On my way back to the car park I decided to take an alternative route via a side street. Along with a charming boutique and an ale house, there was this coffee shop. I chose to sit in the back garden as the weather was very pleasant. I was surrounded by flowers and other plants as I drank a very nice cappuccino. Highly recommended and I shall be returning soon.
Lovely atmospheric coffee house in historic Chichester. Fresh baked organic carrot cake and coffee . What a great find and will be back thank you