Drifters

Drifters, 8 Quay St, Lymington SO41 3AS, United Kingdom
$$$ Cafe
(34 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Discover Drifters: A Hidden Gem in Lymington

Nestled at 8 Quay St in the charming coastal town of Lymington, Drifters is not just another café—it's a delightful takeaway haven that radiates warmth, friendliness, and a true passion for great food and coffee. Owner Bianca has been welcoming customers for over 17 years, and her commitment to providing excellent service shines through every interaction. Step inside to experience the quaint ambiance filled with the delightful aroma of freshly brewed Illy coffee and the mouthwatering scents from the grill.

Drifters specializes in a variety of enticing café fare, primarily focusing on artisanal paninis that are both delicious and satisfying. Picture sinking your teeth into a scrumptious roasted vegetable and hummus panini, brimming with flavor and perfectly toasted, or indulging in the savory harmony of bacon, brie, and cranberry sauce nestled in warm, crusty bread. Each dish promises to excite your taste buds and leave you yearning for more—just ask the many satisfied customers who can't resist coming back for their favorites.

The café's atmosphere is undeniably welcoming, making it the perfect spot to unwind with a friend or grab a quick bite before your next adventure. Paul Leach describes it as a "delightful take away café" and praises the "lovely food and coffee." Meanwhile, Iain Wilson had a particularly heartwarming experience where the genuine kindness of the staff stood out, exemplifying the café’s commitment to excellent service. Drifters is not just about satisfying hunger; it's about creating a sense of community, one panini at a time.

For those looking to enjoy a leisurely afternoon, the café also offers a tempting selection of desserts, including the brilliant millionaire shortbread that one customer raved about. Or perhaps you might opt for a fluffy flapjack or rich chocolate shortbread slice to accompany your coffee. As Ryan McFarland noted, even the hot dogs are a hit—perfectly priced for a budget-friendly, satisfying meal while you’re on the go.

Every visit to Drifters feels like a unique experience, with the staff's approachable demeanor and eagerness to please standing out in today's fast-paced world. Whether you're stopping by for a meal to fuel your travels or seeking a cozy spot to relax and sip on a fantastic iced coffee, Drifters is a must-visit destination in Lymington. Make sure to drop in, as you’ll undoubtedly discover your new favorite café and perhaps make an acquaintance with Bianca, who knows the importance of making every guest feel special.

In the heart of Lymington, Drifters isn't just about coffee or food—it's about community, commitment, and the joy of simple pleasures. You won't regret your visit!

Service options
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
No delivery
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Payments
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

34 Reviews
Paul Leach

10 Sep 2025

We are so happy we found this delightful take away cafe. It’s a gem. Lovely food and coffee and very reasonably priced. We bought a wonderful roasted vegetable and hummus panini - delicious! Bianca, the owner told me she had been at this location for 17 years. She is so committed to providing an excellent service and it was a joy (whilst waiting for my order) to see how kind and friendly she was with every customer. Oh yes and the cakes and flapjacks look amazing!

Iain Wilson

06 Aug 2025

What an amazing place. Service is beyond awesome. Card fault so owner said take stuff and pay later which was just so kind. Brilliant millionaire shortbread and coffee. Sorted card and went to pay. So unexpected and lovely in this day and age. YOU GOT TO VISIT THIS PLACE. Will be back again for sure.

Jstnmrcn

31 Jul 2025

Bacon, brie and cranberry sauce panini please. Stumbled into this charming coffee shop and instantly locked in with the paninis.

Ryan McFarland

30 Jul 2025

Amazing hotdog and chips! Very good price. Think it came to just over £8 for hotdog, chips and a can of Diet Coke. Will defo pop in again when we come to collect the scaffold

Tania Morris

28 Jul 2025

Bought a delicious panini from here for my train journey home to East Yorkshire. Was going to toast it but ate as a cold sandwich instead as a hot day. Great range, recommended.

Teckle Channel

23 Jun 2025

Came in for a Pastrami, monteray jack cheese, english mustard and pickle panini, a latte, and a cappuccino. We were initially drawn in by the illy coffee sign as it's our favourite coffee and it didn't disappoint. Was the best coffee I've tasted in a long time and unlike many takeaway coffees where half the cup is froth, it was a delicious FULL cup of coffee. The panini was delicious, and enough to share so we had room for an ice cream afterwards! Next time I'll be trying the cakes. They are very generous sizes and I do love a big cake!

Alex Stevens

21 Jun 2025

Very reasonably priced, only downside was how long it took me and partner to decide on what to order, as everything looked amazing! We each had a panini which I would highly recommend- also bought a flapjack and a chocolate shortbread slice to go which went down a treat! Will definitely be returning!

Philip Everett

30 May 2025

Excellent iced coffee, friendly, accommodating service and a delicious meatball panini. Very reasonably priced. Will visit again.

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