Cafe du Soleil

Cafe du Soleil

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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Cafe du Soleil
Review
At a glance
Closed now
See all hours
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Cafe du Soleil is situated beside the river Stour in Canterbury occupying a former 18th century wool store and is accessed by its own bridge over the river. The building was restored with a grant from English Heritage and showcases the extensive use of reclaimed building material from the 14C city wall. Our cuisine draws influence from Provence in southern France, and from Italy, to create a modern Mediterranean cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons, and much of our food is cooked in our wood burning oven, fed with locally sourced wood from managed forest.
Features
CUISINES
Pizza, Mediterranean, European, British
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Save this restaurant
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 21:00
Monday
12:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
12:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
12:00 - 21:00
Thursday
12:00 - 21:00
Friday
12:00 - 21:30
Saturday
12:00 - 21:30
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4.6
4.6 of 5 bubbles
(1,759)
Excellent
1,211
Good
413
Average
85
Poor
36
Terrible
14

TWDB
Appledore39 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 family
The third occasion that we have dined at the Café du Soleil this year and yet again it a most enjoyable experience. We booked a pre-theatre supper although we had not alerted the restaurant ahead of time, relying on past experience of the efficiency of the service. Upon arrival we were instantly shown to our table. Drinks and food menus were provided by our server as we were seated. We ordered drinks whilst waiting for the arrival of the third member of our party. Once our guest arrived and was seated and a drink order placed and served, we placed our food order. Our meals arrived in a timely manner. The presentation was excellent. The quality and portion size of our starters and main courses were perfect as was the timing of the service. In conclusion, we experienced a most enjoyable start to our evening with high quality, suitably priced food and drinks, served by a most engaging, professional young man who was an excellent ambassador for the restaurant. Thank you. We will certainly return when next in Canterbury.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Googly2010
Tonbridge829 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 couples
My wife and I were so glad we chose to dine here before a theatre visit. It is impossible to pick a winner between the lovely service, the calming ambience of the dining area and the superb food. The menu is loosely Mediterranean with influences from around the world, and includes something for everyone. The food is beautifully presented, well cooked and tasty. My deconstructed aubergine parmigiana was delightful, my ribeye steak cooked just as I like it and the accompanying ratatouille was unctuous. My wife’s tempura sushi (salmon based) was delicious and her beef rib fell apart. Desserts were good, but with a fairly standard choice. Note that you can ask for changes to the dishes within reason. My wife really should have asked for some potato-based side instead of the huge plate of Mac’n cheese that came with her beef. (A modern fad.) However this was our fault for not asking when ordering. A big thanks to our lovely waitresses Riley and Eliza and the kitchen team. As usual my wife was unable to persuade the talented Italian chef to marry her! We had a cocktail plus G&T and a bottle of wine and the bill came to £136 before the voluntary gratuity. Next time we are in Canterbury we will definitely return!!
Written 24 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fat Cat reviews
Canterbury182 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 couples
Lovely food, fabulous service. Booked an early table for dinner (although it came up as lunch on the booking app) don’t be put off by the £20 per person cancellation fee (less than 24 hours notice) as if you book, keep your booking. We had the bonus of discovering it was happy hour between 5pm-6pm so half price prosecco ! The service was excellent. The food was amazing and we have already booked to go back in a couple of weeks.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Donna S
1 contribution
1 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 friends
I have never written a bad review before but after my experience yesterday at Cafe Du Soleil in Canterbury I was so shock at the way they dealt with a complaint. About a month ago me an my partner dine there and I had the most beautiful Napoletana pizza. My partner also try some and was impressed we rave about it to friends. Yesterday we went back for lunch and was looking forward to the same experience. I order the Napoletana pizza again and my partner order the Marinara. When the pizzas came I was slightly taken aback how different my pizza looked, there was hardly any cheese and it was drowned in olive oil. My partners had no cheese on his and so many olives he had to pick them off the pizza. I try mine and after a few mouthfuls I couldn't eat no more as the oil was overpowering the taste. I wouldn't normally say anything but it was such a difference from last time. I asked for the bill and was asked if I wanted to box the rest as I had left 3/4 of pizza left. I very quietly told the lady that last time I was here this pizza was amazing but I found it uneatable as so much olive oil and hardly any cheese. The lady said she would speak to the chef, which I was unsure why she was doing this as we wanted to pay and go. We had to wait a while and then she came back with my bill apologising and stated that she had added a discount. When I look at the discount it was for £1.35. Unbelievable they might as well not bothered. Then they made us wait even longer to pay the bill.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julian G
1 contribution
5 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 friends
A really great evening. All the staff are fantastic especially Eliza who looked after is really well and cannot be faulted. Other staff were also excellent, notably James and one or two others whose names are unknown! The menu had a great range and variety of dishes with making it almost too hard to choose! The shared platters and the mix and match worked really well and portion size was very generous. The place had very good atmosphere with plenty of space allowing us to talk as a group without too much background noise or feeling overcrowded. The booking process could not have been easier.
Written 20 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sophie H
Canterbury2 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 family
My experience at Cafe du Soleil was absolutely incredible! The food was phenomenal - every dish was bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection! The chefs definitely know what they are doing! It was just amazing! But what a truly made our evening unforgettable was our server, Megan. She was so friendly, chatty, and welcoming, making us feel right at home from the moment we sat down. Her positive energy and genuine care for her guests were unmatched, she recommended some wonderful dishes and paired some incredible wine with them, absolutely nailing the combination. Megan is such an asset to this already brilliant restaurant, and her amazing service added a special touch to an already fantastic meal! Highly recommend this place - ask for Megan if you can!
Written 23 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Suzanne H
7 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 family
We went with my dad in a wheelchair before a show at the Marlow Theatre. We have been doing this for the panto every year for 15 years, but it is the first time we came here. I so wish we found the restaurant earlier! They were so helpful holding doors not just for the entrance but for the disabled toilet area. The food was absolutely marvelous. The best cooked food of everything I tried, and we were sharing bits off our plates as it was sooooo good and we wanted each other to try different things. We are going back soon with other family members even though its a half hour drive for us. Everything was clean and looked good. They also served us quickly when we said we were going to a show and gave us a complimentary glass of wine with our Marlow tickets.
Written 7 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter
Vancouver Island17 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 couples
We met at Cafe Du Soleil with friends who we had not seen for 30+ years. We really wanted this would be a special occasion. It was! From the initial greeting to the time (2 to 2 1/2 hours later) we left, everything was just perfect. The menu provided many options. We asked our server for recommendations, as a result of which my wife and I chose the sea bass. It was outstanding. While it is not cheap to dine at Cafe Du Soleil, we felt we had excellent value for money (approximately $75 each). Quite simply, this was a memorable experience. I strongly recommend dining at Cafe Du Soleil.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lord H
Teddington185 contributions
2 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 couples
We visit this restaurant on a fairly frequent basis but the poor welcome, badly cooked food and long waits we had this evening were unacceptable . Arriving with my small support dog I was refused entry, only when I pointed out to the young lady this was illegal did she eventually relent . My burger arrived after a thirty minute wait and was overcooked and the bacon on top was rancid.This meal or service did not reflect the normal standard here and perhaps management should pay more attention to staff training and maintaining their usual high standards.My partner was refused a gluten free pizza which she has eaten there many times before . Worryingly she was told that they never do gluten free so it would appear that on previous visits she had been exposed to gluten !!!
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andy L
1 contribution
5 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 couples
We had walked past this restaurant on many trips to Canterbury and thought how nice it looked. Tickets booked for the Marlowe matinee performance so we made a booking for Saturday lunch and it didn't disappoint. We chose the sharing feast for two which includes a choice of two side dishes, the roast Mediterranean vegetables and the wood fried Italian sausages. Very impressed with the dish which despite being quite filling, we followed with dessert, the burnt Basque cheesecake, tiramisu and coffees. The staff were friendly and polite, the service was excellent. Will definitely be returning on our next visit to Canterbury. The restaurant is quite small so I would advise booking.
Written 27 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

garyparker231
Canterbury688 contributions
2 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 friends
We attended a group birthday party tonight and things came out which was ok. We were missing one dish and the young lady said they had forgotten and went to make up another plate of sushi. Then at the end a young lad in a white shirt came over to argue with my wife which was unacceptable. Instead of talking to the person who was sorting out the bill, the lad came over and seem to want to make a point. My recommendation would be to speak to the bill payer and ask them to sort it out instead of saying the customer is wrong and argue with her at the table. Had that been in my hotel, he wouldn’t be working there tomorrow and this was one of the worst experiences we have had. As we are Canterbury based that’s not a good thing to do and annoy your customers but we won’t be back
Written 8 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

M D
9 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 friends
Definitely one of the must visit restaurants in Canterbury. Top notch food with brilliant customer service. Will recommend the chicken caesar salad and homemade fettuccine. The food is reasonably priced and comes in great portions. The sticky toffee and pecan pudding with vanilla ice cream is simply delicious. Absolutely worth the hype!
Written 6 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jane Doe
2 contributions
5 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 family
I wanted to say thank you to all that were involved in helping us have the most wonderful wedding reception at Cafe Du Soleil. The communication leading up to the day was exceptional- you all answered my queries and worries promptly and overall put my mind at complete ease. You were all so flexible and helpful. On the day the staff were fantastic- everything went seamlessly. The food is still being talked about today and we are constantly getting compliments- with people saying it’s the best wedding food they’ve had! You went out of your way to help in every way you could, including looking after our cake and clearing away for us the next morning! We aim to come back to Canterbury yearly for our anniversary so really look forward to eating at Cafe Du Soleil for years and years come. It’s a truly special place.
Written 6 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael H
1 contribution
2 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 couples
Well how do I start, I suppose first of all I should say my wife and I like to cook and can appreciate the time that goes into a dish. We have had some lovely times at this restaurant over the years, but I am sad to say our recent visit was not so good. I have thought about this and how to phase it, but I suppose most of the regrettably bad feedback comes from one rude member of staff, I can appreciate anyone can have a bad day, but having said that myself and my wife and I work incredibly hard and only have a night out once in a while, so hope that we have a nice time when we do, but unfortunately one member of staff seems to have a priority over her brown ringlets Than customers. Call me old fashioned but I believe when you put a drink or food down on someone's table it is polite to say Something not just walk off. I am sorry to report that the food was not up to the standard we have experienced before in this restaurant,I hope things get back to the high standards and experiences we have had in the past.
Written 28 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elizabeth A
1 contribution
5 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 business
A group of 60 of us visited Cafe du Soleil on a work trip to Canterbury. When booking, the staff were responsive and helpful, and on the day they went above and beyond to make sure everyone was catered for, even when we added additional guests on the day! I would highly recommend this restaurant and will be sure to return if I come back to Canterbury with family or friends.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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