It often seems moaning about ‘the council’ is Britain’s national pastime.
Most Facebook groups would be tumbleweed-quiet (apart from the missing cat notices) if you stripped out all the “Why don’t they…?” comments complaining about Wherevertown Council.
I’m all for local authority scrutiny and impartial reports by journalists about what is going on: the good, the bad and the ugly.
But most sentiment (online at least) towards councils, who are for the most part trying their best amid neverending budget cuts, is overwhelmingly negative.
So I’m pleased to report, impartially and having paid for my own lunch, that the DQ café is spot on. It’s also run by Eastbourne Borough Council.
It is, as the most hackneyed phrase goes in any travel writing, a hidden gem. It’s tucked away behind the tourist information desk in the Welcome Building on Compton Street.
I say ‘hidden’ like it’s hard to find and ‘tucked away’ like it’s a cosy little nook of doilies and drapes. It isn’t either.
The huge glass windows looking north over the tennis courts let in welcome winter light on a grey winter day. Or the International Lawn Tennis Centre, to give it the official title.
Ordering at the long counter, the towering cakes under glass domes are well positioned for those who like to plan ahead to pudding, whatever time of day or type of meal. Which is everybody, right?
The menu is classic café fare: toasties, baked potatoes, salads, light (thankfully not lite) bites and even the mandatory 2020s offering – sharing platters. And with vegan choices, so big tick there.
It’s not the venue for the full English fry-up, but other cafes are available for that delicacy.
There is a section mysteriously headed Brunch & Beyond. It’s bagels, croissants and, of course, avocado type stuff at the lighter end of early-in-the-day eating. What is ‘beyond’ is unclear.
When in doubt, have a toastie is a useful approach to life.
The brie, bacon and cranberry offering I chose (above) oozed with a generous filling. A side salad and coleslaw made more of a meal of it. It was £5.80, which felt decent value in this climate of ever-increasing food costs.
The food here has been officially recognised by people who know even more about eating than I do: the DQ Terrace won silver in the Taste of the South East category in the Beautiful South Awards run by Tourism South East in 2021/22.
Of course, sometimes food consumption is the incidental part of going to a café. The main objective might be a work meeting, catch-up, gossip, comprehensive takedown of a mutual enemy or you might simply need a change from the Work From Home scene.
For all those reasons, it’s a good choice. The tables are well-spaced plus there’s a longer table with benches, ideal for book groups and gatherings, and sofas for lounging and cogitating.
Even better, it’s licensed so you can order a livener in that sweet spot of calm after a hard day at the coal face of the keyboard.
You can mentally check out and gaze across the tennis courts, dreaming of summer and ice cream on the prom.
After all, the sun always shines in Eastbourne – metaphorically, if not meteorologically.
DQ Terrace & Café, Compton St, Eastbourne BN21 4BP
The Eastbourne Reporter pays its way and reviews anonymously
Comments are welcome but they are pre-moderated
:: If you like my original journalism, please support me
Glad you enjoyed it.
Personally, although not moaned about on social media, I wasn’t over impressed with the hygiene practices. Okay tongs to remove scones from display to plate is good practice. Picking them up by hand to put in a microwave to warm out of public view not so good. Staff jackets on counters not so good. Dealing with stock/provision deliveries whilst preparing food not so good. But as you say it is run by Eastbourne Borough Council.
Perhaps it was just a bad day.
Wishing all your subscribers compliments of the season. I would say Merry Christmas but don’t wish to offend.
Another enjoyable piece of writing Rebecca- cheerful and positive amongst the bitterness and dreadful activities in political groups in Britain. I always appreciate your humour, the comments about the people, the decor, and the food! Let’s go there on my next trip to Eastbourne, after the Thai restaurant, that is….
A little gem I had forgotten about until reading your article, which as always, is packed with useful information and good humour.