Booking a Table at Café Nucleus
Booking a table is easy – use our calendar to select the number of people, choose a date and then a time.
Please note:
We have a 15 minute grace period. We may contact you about this booking, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date.
Evening Dining Times – Rainham:
Good News! We only have one sitting on Friday and Saturday evenings so your table is just for you whatever time your reservation.
Daytime Dining Times:
IMPORTANT: We operate a table turn policy which ensures we have availability for all our booked guests.
- Your table will be booked for 1h 50m for parties of up to 4 guests.
- We allocate 2.5 hours for parties of 5 up to 8 guests and 3.5 hours for parties up to 10 guests.
Sunday Roast Times – Rainham:
Our Roasts are prepared fresh each Sunday and are served from midday until 4.30pm
More Booking Info and Frequently Asked Questions
Can i choose my table in advance?
While we always do our very best to fulfil our guests’ requests, all tables are allocated on arrival and can’t be guaranteed in advance. We only offer a guarantee of interior dining or Al fresco dining.
Unfortunately we don’t allow guest to choose tables for their interior dining experience, Afternoon Tea in Rainham is sat in the Wine Chamber or the Parlour daily from 15:00.
What is the maximum number of people i can book a table for and do i have to pay a deposit?
- You can reserve tables from 2 to 20 guests in Rainham.
- Please include younger guests in the final booking number, otherwise we may be unable to sit your party. Due to the historical nature of our Rainham café restaurant, we do not have space at the side of the table for the pram to remain with you, we have a safe area to store your pram during your visit.
- In Rainham we can sit up to 10 guests on a single table subject to availability.
- Larger tables of 5 guests + will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £5 a head. All deposits are fully exchangeable with 48hrs notice of cancellation.
- Guests enjoying Afternoon Tea are also required to pay a non-refundable but fully exchangeable deposit (48 Hours needed for changes)
Do you cater for special dietry requirements?
All of our menus are available on our website but should you have any specific requirements related to an allergy or intolerance, please specify at the time of your booking and we’ll try our best to accommodate your requirements.
Our menus are clearly marked with GF for Gluten free available, VE for Vegan, V for Vegetarian and P for Pescatarian.
Are there any restrictions on Seasonal special menus?
Yes, there are restrictions. Prix-fixe menus, such as the “A Winter’s Day Set Menu,” are not available when special menus are in place, including Valentine’s Day Evening, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and the Christmas menus (mid-November to December).
Do your cafés have parking?
Our cafés don’t have their own car parks but there are public car parks nearby each one – see below for links.
Café Nucleus Chatham (272 High Street, Chatham)
Café Nucleus Rochester (15a High Street, Rochester)
Café Nucleus Rainham (35a High Street, Rainham)
How do Afternoon Teas work?
We take reservations for Afternoon Tea daily from 3pm, when you book you will be asked for to pay a deposit which will be deducted from your final bill on the date of your visit. If the option for Afternoon Tea does not show at 3pm onwards, we may be fully booked for your desired slot. All deposits are fully exchangeable with 48hrs notice.
Our Afternoon Teas start from 28pp at Café Nucleus Chatham, and 40pp at Café Nucleus Rainham
We are taking bookings for our Afternoon Tea, Champagne Afternoon Tea and our seasonal Afternoon Teas (Spring, Summer, Winter, Festive).
Do you accept Buy a Gift or Red Letter Day vouchers?
Sorry but we do not accept Buy a Gift or Red Letter Day vouchers.
Do Gift Vouchers need to be redeemed in full?
Yes, they do. We can however issue the change in Paper gift vouchers in dominations of £10, £15 & £25.
Do I have to pay a cover charge and service charge?
A voluntary £2 cover charge will be applied to guests dining in the boardroom – this is a donation to the Halpern Charitable Foundation for their community outreach programmes in the Medway Towns.
A 12% Service Charge is applied, this is distributed amongst every single member of staff with no deductions made by Café Nucleus except for taxation.
How do I book Nucleus At Night at Café Nucleus Rainham
We take reservations for Nucleus At Night in Rainham on Friday and Saturday evenings. Click here to book a table or call 01634 406971
Can I bring party decorations for my table?
We do not allow any party decorations in our café restaurants such as banners, confetti and glitter. Balloons are more than welcome, please call our reservations team who will be delighted to help.
We can organise flowers and balloons for your table with 48 hours notice from our Floristry partners, MaSK Flowers – please contact us for more details
Do you offer a children's menu?
Although we welcome younger guests at all of our café restaurants, we don’t offer a children’s menu. We have limited space for prams and buggies due to the historic nature of some of our buildings.
Tell me about Accessibility for Café Nucleus Rainham
Our café restaurant at The Langton Studios is accessible on the ground floor to guests in wheelchairs.
When booking, please let us know if you need disabled access and our team will roll out the ramp and assist on entry into the building. Once in the ground floor we have an accessible toilet available.
Are your cafés dog friendly?
Well behaved pooches are welcome between 9:30am until 5pm in all our cafés. In Rochester dogs are welcome on the ground floor in the café bar only after 5pm on Friday and Saturday.
Did you know that the Nucleus family also includes Beaux Aires – a local kennels and cattery? Click here to see the Beaux Aires website.
Is there a dress code?
Our dress code is smart casual. Tailored shorts and short sleeved shirts are permitted during fine weather.
Can I just come in for a coffee?
Yes, of course you can visit us for just a coffee, tea, cake or even something a little stronger.
Can i visit the Nucleus Winery?
Yes – we do special events during the year where we welcome visitors to our Winery at Fort Borstal. Interested? Click here to email us and we will let you know when the next date is!
Treat someone special to a great day out
Our gift vouchers are one of our most popular sellers and with good reason! From afternoon teas to fine dining options, our vouchers can be used in any of our locations and are valid for one whole year. So whether that special person is a good friend, a great colleague or your favourite family member, you’ve just found the perfect gift.