The Departure Lounge Cafe - Alton

❓ FAQ 👍 Reviews 📌 Map ℹ️ Information ⏰ Hours

Address: Basingstoke Rd, Alton GU34 4BH, United Kingdom.
Phone:142080111.
Website: thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk
Specialties: Cafe, Breakfast restaurant, Wedding venue.
Other points of interest: Outdoor seating, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great tea selection, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining, Good for working on laptop, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Alcohol, Beer, Coffee, Healthy options, Quick bite, Spirits, Wine, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service, Bar on site, Toilet, Casual, Cosy, Trendy, Groups, Tourists, Accepts reservations, Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments, Credit cards, Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu, Free of charge street parking, Free parking lot, Paid parking lot, Parking, Dogs allowed, Dogs allowed inside, Dogs allowed outside.
Opinions: This company has 602 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.4/5.

📌 Location of The Departure Lounge Cafe

The Departure Lounge Cafe Basingstoke Rd, Alton GU34 4BH, United Kingdom

☎️142080111

⏰ Open Hours of The Departure Lounge Cafe

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9 am–3 pm
Thursday: 9 am–3 pm
Friday: 9 am–3 pm
Saturday: 9 am–3 pm
Sunday: 9 am–3 pm

Welcome to The Departure Lounge Cafe: A Hidden Gem in Alton, Hampshire

Nestled in the heart of Alton, Hampshire, lies The Departure Lounge Cafe, a charming and vibrant eatery that has become a beloved local hotspot. Situated at 31 Basingstoke Road, this cafe offers a unique blend of exceptional food, warm hospitality, and a touch of vintage charm that keeps customers coming back for more.

Main Services

Cafe and Breakfast Restaurant: The Departure Lounge Cafe prides itself on serving up a tantalizing array of dishes made from locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Their menu is diverse, catering to various dietary preferences and restrictions. From hearty breakfast options to light lunches and indulgent desserts, every meal is a delightful experience.
Wedding Venue: This enchanting cafe doubles as a stunning wedding venue. With its beautifully appointed interior and picturesque surroundings, it provides the perfect backdrop for a magical day. The dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure each couple's special day runs smoothly, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Location and Access

The Departure Lounge Cafe is conveniently located on Basingstoke Road, just a short drive from the A31. It is nestled in the charming town of Alton, which is situated in the heart of Hampshire, surrounded by beautiful countryside and picturesque villages. The cafe is easily accessible, with ample parking available on-site, including a wheelchair-accessible space. Additionally, the entrance and seating areas are wheelchair-friendly, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the cafe's offerings. For those who prefer public transportation, the cafe is just a short walk from Alton railway station, which offers direct services to and from London Waterloo. Several bus routes also serve the area, further enhancing the cafe's accessibility.

Featured Characteristics

Vintage Charm: The Departure Lounge Cafe boasts a unique vintage-inspired interior, with antique furniture, retro decor, and a charming vintage tea cupboard that adds to its rustic charm. The cafe's ambiance is warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy a delicious meal.
Al Fresco Dining: During the warmer months, customers can enjoy their meals in the cafe's delightful outdoor seating area. Surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful flowers, it's the perfect spot to soak up the sun while enjoying a bite to eat.
On-Site Services and Takeaway: The Departure Lounge Cafe offers a range of on-site services, including a takeaway option, allowing customers to enjoy their meals on the go. They also provide a delivery service, ensuring that everyone can sample their delicious dishes, no matter where they are in Alton.
Great Coffee, Tea, and Desserts: The cafe is renowned for its exceptional coffee and tea selection, with a variety of blends and flavors to suit every taste. Their dessert menu is equally impressive, featuring a mouth-watering array of sweet treats that are guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning of sweet tooths.

Practical Information

The Departure Lounge Cafe is open seven days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. They welcome customers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a varied menu that caters to all tastes and preferences. The cafe also offers a selection of vegan and gluten-free options, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a delicious meal. Customers can contact the cafe on 142080111 or via their website at thedepartureloungecafe.co.uk. They are always happy to answer any questions or take bookings for their wedding venue.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.4/5 from 602 reviews on Google My Business, it's clear that The Departure Lounge Cafe is a much-loved local establishment. Customers consistently praise the cafe's exceptional food, with many mentioning the delicious breakfasts, stunning cakes, and outstanding coffee. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is also a recurring theme in the reviews, with customers commenting on the friendly staff and the cafe's charming decor. The cafe's wheelchair accessibility and on-site parking have also been highlighted as particular strengths, with customers appreciating the thought that has gone into ensuring that everyone can enjoy the cafe's offerings. The convenient location and excellent service have also been praised, with many customers commenting on the cafe's prompt and efficient delivery service. In conclusion, The Departure Lounge Cafe is a true gem in the heart of Alton, Hampshire. With its unique vintage charm, exceptional food, and warm hospitality, it's the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal, relax with a great cup of coffee, or celebrate a special occasion. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the area, The Departure Lounge Cafe is a must-visit destination that promises a memorable and enjoyable experience.

❓ Frequently asked questions about The Departure Lounge Cafe

What type of food does the cafe offer?

The cafe offers a diverse menu catering to various dietary preferences and restrictions, from hearty breakfast options to light lunches and desserts.

Is the cafe accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the cafe has wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and seating areas.

Can I have my wedding at the cafe?

Yes, the cafe doubles as a stunning wedding venue with a beautifully appointed interior and picturesque surroundings.

What are the cafe's opening hours?

The cafe's opening hours may vary, but it is typically open from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Does the cafe offer takeaway and delivery services?

Yes, the cafe offers takeaway and delivery services, allowing customers to enjoy their meals on the go or have them delivered to their doorstep.

👍 Reviews of The Departure Lounge Cafe

Regan D.

5/5

The Departure Lounge hosted our wedding in September 2025 - the wedding day was perfect. Simon and the team were more than happy to help with anything we needed. The planning of the wedding was almost totally stress free thanks to them. We had the most amazing day, the hog roast and evening buffet put on by the venue were perfect. We had so many compliments from our guests on the venue, and the pricing was so reasonable!! We were able to have the marquee/field space 3 days early to set up which took all the stress away, then the team even packed everything down for us after the wedding and tidied up! Thank you Simon and your wonderful team! Regan and Ed xxx

Georgia H.

5/5

We held our wedding and reception here on the weekend, it was a fantastic day. Beautiful outside area to have an outdoorsy wedding, lovely marquee for the reception and the use of the cafe for the bar. Was exactly what we wanted from our day. Simon was incredibly helpful and went above and beyond with anything we asked! Highly recommend…

Lizzie G.

5/5

From the moment that we chose this venue, Simon and his team helped us create the perfect outdoor wedding. The venue itself is absolutely stunning and this was helped by lovely weather on the day. Our guests were able to chose how they spent their time, either on the dance floor, by the bar, sat outside on the hay bales with fire pits or even playing rounders! The staff were so helpful throughout the day and the food was incredible! Being able to have the ceremony there was the icing on the cake for us. Everyone was able to be so relaxed led by Simon and his teams flexibility throughout the day. We could not have asked for a better day!

Hayley M.

5/5

We held our wedding here in June 2024 and highly recommend it. Simon and his staff were amazing, helpful and very organised. We had the BBQ and the food was great with lots of options. The whole venue is very well priced and well worth it. You get total freedom with what you want to do and Simon is very quick to respond with any queries you have. All of our guests have been saying how great the venue and staff were on the day. I couldn't recommend this place high enough.

Graham C.

5/5

We chose the Departure Lounge for our wedding for a number of reasons. Location, facilities, reviews, food and (for us) most importantly an option of indoor or outdoor ceremony. After an entire summer of record breaking sunny weather, the forecast was 50/50 for rain for our ceremony. At around 2pm the day before the ceremony, we changed plans to have the whole wedding indoors. Simon (owner) could not possibly have been more accommodating to the short notice, and all the other requests that we've had. At no point did they try to steer us away from any idea or decision, but did everything they could to accommodate. For a small team at the cafe, it felt like there was an army working behind the scenes. We had nearly 100 guests, and the venue was turned over from ceremony, to dining, to disco in the blink of an eye. The only complaint possible, is that one of the guests failed to consume the bar's stocks of a specific spirit. Food: 5* Drink: 5* Venue/facilities: 5* Flexibility: 5* Professionalism: 5* Overall: 1500* out of a possible 5. Perfect day, didn't even notice the rain thanks to the Departure Lounge Team.

Lisa P.

5/5

We held our wedding reception here, on can not recommend it enough, Simon and the team were amazing with a professional can do attitude delivering the wedding of our dreams. The value for money is in the setting, the layout, flexibility and the extra touches already in place to make the wedding go well. We loved all the fairy lights, barrels, easels and decor all available for us to use included in the hiring fee. The quality of all the food, service and team were first class. The reception was even packed up for us to collect which made it so much easier to do the following day!! Thank you to everyone at departure lounge for achieving our dream wedding!

Rachel M.

5/5

We had our wedding at The Departure Lounge Cafe and it was the best decision we made! Simon was so accommodating to all our wishes and needs for the day, we were able to create the day we had hoped for! Being able to have the venue three days prior then if day was really ideal, we were able to decorate and take our time setting up our wedding the way we wanted, Simon and his team did do a lot to help too! Our guests have not stopped talking about how amazing our day was from the food to the location to the atmosphere. We also got the cutest handmade gift, which was placed at our table setting. Thank you Simon and your team for helping create the best day ever!

Philip W.

4/5

Not been here before so popped in for a quick bite whilst on a bike ride. Nice little place for just that. I sat outside for a bit of light and fresh air as it’s very dark inside. The wooden tables provided are in quite poor condition and in need of cleaning & refurbishment. Service, at least at the till needs to be addressed in my opinion. Extremely slow and not helped by the same person making hot drinks as they go. Food wise, the breakfast I had was pleasant enough. Good quality ingredients and well presented. I did find it a little on the expensive side though. I also think it’s slightly mean to charge £2.50 on top for a cup of tea. Opted for Coke instead which was the same price. On balance a pleasant place to visit if you don’t mind being charged a premium.

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