The Lift Cafe

4.7 ( 182 reviews )
Checking... 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM See Hours
£1–10
The Leas Lift Funicular Railway, Lower Sandgate Rd, Folkestone CT20 1PR, United Kingdom

The Lift Cafe, nestled within the historic funicular railway station on Lower Sandgate Rd, is a delightful gem in Folkestone. Patrons rave about its friendly atmosphere and top-notch service, making it a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. The cafe boasts an impressive selection of dishes, with standout recommendations including the hearty veggie breakfast and scrumptious cheese toasties, perfectly complemented by sweet pickled pears. Those with a sweet tooth will love the fine coffee and house-made cakes, which are consistently praised.

Guests like Samantha Bruce appreciate the dog-friendly policy, allowing furry companions to join in on the fun, while Theo Gulland highlights the cafe’s charm, noting the unique setting of the old funicular ticket hall. The seating options, both indoors and out, invite visitors to enjoy a leisurely meal while soaking in the site's rich history from the late 1800s.

In summary, The Lift Cafe is not just about food; it's an experience. Each visit reveals the care put into the menu and the rapport shared between staff and diners. Whether you're after a cozy breakfast or a refreshing coffee break, this cafe is poised to become a favorite stop along the coastal route.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • No wheelchair-accessible car park
    • No wheelchair-accessible seating
    • No wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Has free water refills
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available

Reviews For The Lift Cafe

Samantha Bruce
Jun 24,2025
Gorgeous little spot. I was there on a weekday (late morning) and got myself the veggie breakfast which was delightful. Is dog friendly and the doggo sat opposite me was well behaved. Was told the place will be refurbished soon which will be nice to see a little TLC put back in to the building. It’s a listed building and a little worn but it doesn’t detract from the friendly staff or tasty food.
Andy Wright
Jun 23,2025
Been to this fantastic cafe twice now and both times were great service, incredible food and drinks in cosy surroundings. Proper excellent coffee - very good dirty chai (chai latte with shot of coffee). The cheese toasties are absolutely amazing, all of them are delicious and come with sweet pickled pears. The cafe is an old funicular station with comfy seating and you can also sit in the old carriages. Staff are friendly and accommodating. Highly recommended, a real gem if you're in Folkstone.
win task
Jun 15,2025
A real gen of Folkestone. Found this cafe accidently while passing by and really fancy to see the tracks of funicular. When been near to it then realised it's cafe in restore ticket hall. Btw staff was friendly and attentive. Coffee was great too. Highly recommended.
Theo Gulland
Jun 3,2025
One of the best brunch eateries in Folkestone! Lovely staff, location, building and a subtle but classy take on traditional dishes. Fine coffee, cakes, premo ice-cream tubs and a healthy selection for breakfast/ brunch/ lunch. The sausage rolls are great for on the go. My favourite is the bacon, brie and chilli jam. It comes with a few pickled pairs which adds a level of depth to the fried aspects of the toasted bread. Hearty and flavoursome. Seating outside, or inside, a great place to wonder by for drinks, snacks or a satisfying meal. This venue along with Loaf in Sandgate makes excellent fueling stations for a coastal blitz on the bike.
Michaela Garay
May 1,2025
Lovely little cafe by the seaside! The building is from late 1800s and still preserved intact. Service is super friendly and the food was delicious! We had the Vietnamese breakfast bapz and they were sooo good!! 100% recommended!! - beautiful place to sit outside in good weather
Junebug81
Apr 2,2025
One of the most atmospheric coffee establishments I’ve ever been in. If you like olde worlde and you’re a fan of funicular railways, this place is a must for you. It has the feel of a small old train station ticket hall - the kind that still existed when I was a kid in the 70s. Plenty of wooden panelling and original paintwork. Lovely coffee with range of snack options on offer. All aboard!
mo morley
Mar 25,2025
Well worth the visit from Germany ( second year in a row) , park up & after a dog walk on sea front , just wonderful for a Coffee / Tea ( Regrowable!, ) & a snack, Carrot cake just Bombastic taste explosion! , Salted caramel Brownie Yummy yummy, & as for the Sausage rolls "Heaven" , Not my thing but having friends & relatives that do the Vegetarian/ Vegan thing , they offer some very good options!
Tarnya Louise
Mar 6,2025
Thoroughly enjoyed our time here! Came along with a friend who is now a regular and I cannot wait to go back. Cake is delicious - especially the vegan pumpkin spiced slice made by Michelle who works there. Highly recommended ...

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