Our award winning Restaurant and Café are run entirely by the hospitality and catering students under the expert guidance of their lecturers, providing guests with a vibrant and quality dining experience in high quality modern surroundings.

Students are responsible for everything from the preparation and service of meals to general front of house operations. Located on the ground floor within the main building providing easy access, the area provides two distinctive dining options.

The Café Bar

Providing a Café and dining service to students, staff and the public, the Café is open between 09.30 (10.00 Monday) to 15.30 (15.00 on Friday). Authentic Italian coffees, hot beverages, milkshakes and fruit smoothies are available as well as a range of freshly made snacks, cakes and pastries in a contemporary and vibrant Café atmosphere. Between 12.00 and 13.30 (13.15 on Monday) a light lunch menu features a range of freshly prepared and quickly served dishes including the very popular Salad Bar. Please ask about our Café loyalty card.

In addition a 'Chef's Own to Go' menu offers guests the opportunity to buy snacks items, salads and beverages to take away.

The College Restaurant

The College Restaurant offers a more formal dining environment at lunch and dinner. The contemporary design, encompassing the latest trends, materials and decor in a luxury restaurant environment, combines with a range of exciting and modern menus at lunch and dinner to offer guests an outstanding meal experience.

On Monday we offer our new ‘Lunch Club’, serving freshly prepared dishes which are quick to serve at very reasonable prices, available from 12.00-12.45 with each menu a special offer is applied.

Lunch is served Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 with last orders at 12.45, offering a Table D’Hote style menu with the choice of two or three courses. Menus offer a wide range of dishes reflecting cooking trends and commodities appropriate to the national reputation of catering education at South Downs College.

All food is freshly prepared from the best ingredients by students under the direction of our highly qualified and experienced lecturing team. Dishes are principally modern British and European in style and also include vegetarian dishes, Chef’s specials and Ethnic or International choices.

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings our award winning Fine Dining service offers a three course gastronomic menu priced at £20.50, commencing with a complimentary Amuse.

These menus provide diners with the opportunity to sample food prepared by our Level 3 students under the direction of expert Chef Lecturers. Both staff and students have current or recent trade experience and students are placed in some of the country'ss top kitchens as part of their programme.

Our Thursday evening serves a three course taster menu where guests can sample all the starters and desserts and choose a main course. Serving a range of simply cooked gastronomic dishes, freshly prepared to order for £15.95 Dinner is served from 18.00 with last orders at 18.45.

Large groups and parties can be catered for by appointment as part of the Restaurant’s function programme. An interesting and comprehensive list of international wines is offered to complement the meal, with the opportunity to enjoy an aperitif or cocktail before your dinner or relax in the Bar with an espresso and liqueur to complete your dining experience.

Over the year a range of ethnic and themed events offer customers a variety of dining experiences including the opportunity to sample menus prepared by celebratory guest chefs from top local and national restaurants. Our free publication 'The Restaurant News' provides diners with all the latest news and events and can be downloaded here.

The College Restaurant and Café offers guests a truly unique and memorable dining experience.