We love coming here, and will continue to do so, but the number of young people working here who either can’t, or won’t, grasp basic instructions is really frustrating. If you ask for something like this which even remotely deviates from the norm (cooler than normal hot chocolate as it’s for a child), you are met with either a deer in the headlights look, or sass. They also shove the food and drinks on the table and are lacking either manners or confidence, it’s hard to tell which. I’m all for a young work force, and it’s great to see teenagers working, but the whole thing needs an “adult” to oversee the operation & to teach them how to deal with the general publicVegetarian options: It says the eggs benedict dish is suitable for vegetarians & then lists the first ingredient as “roast ham”
James Lofthouse
Quick service, good food and it's reasonably priced. Can't really go wrong for a garden center cafe!
Richard Kaye
Have noticed over the last 6 months that this cafe has become worse and worse. It used to be a very nice place to eat and have a drink. The staff are very young and don't seem to be managed at all. Long waits for food, orders forgot, tables not cleared and lots of staff hanging around the kitchen. It's obvious that the manager is not managing.This place could and should be a lot better. It's a shame to see it like this as I used to love coming here. I hope they are taking notice of the reviews that they are getting because if it was me I would be very upset
CRAIG ARMSDEN
Dreadful slow service,, too busy chatting amongst themselves..
Helen Gallagher
popped in with my husband for something to eat Sunday Lunchtime.Had the giant yorkshire pudding with roast beef etc.couldnt finish it, it was such a big portion. Lovely treat. Might do this more
Katie Fay
Great place for a hot chocolate after an energetic winter
Liz Lawrence
Not bad food, decent selection. Ok coffee, nice milkshakes. Small ice cream bar. Very nice ice cream. Lovely gift shop, great garden centre.
charlotte_top_scran
My husband and I have been coming here for breakfast with our dogs for a few years now and always enjoyed it. On Christmas Eve we decided to come for breakfast on our way to St. Ives for a dog walk. We were up early so checked opening times before we set off. I checked Google,the garden centre website and then Facebook, especially with it being Christmas Eve I didn't want to rely on Google only, as in my experience this is sometimes inaccurate for business opening times during holidays. Apparently the cafe opened at 10am. I did see mention of Santa Claus visits with breakfast, so anticipating this might make the cafe busy I tried to find the dates but couldn't see them. There was no suggestion it was closed. On arrival at 10am the noise from the cafe could be heard from the doors of the main building and walking towards the cafe we could see loads of full tables - obviously it had opened well before 10am. The lectern at the entrance had a sign saying the cafe was fully booked. We spoke to a young girl in the cafe and asked if we could wait until a table became free. She advised we could order drinks and have them in the ice cream parlour but the cafe was only serving breakfast. I asked again if we could wait for a free table as it was breakfast we were hoping for - then she abruptly informed me (as though she'd already told me, which she hadn't) that the cafe was closed and only serving pre-booked breakfasts for Santa visits. Why not just say this in the first place? They could have put a notice on their website, their Facebook page, on the garden centre doors, inside the garden centre, made a clearer sign for the lectern and/or had staff who could communicate politely and clearly that the cafe was closed and only serving pre-booked breakfasts for the Santa visits but instead they opted not to do any of this, turning customers away (other people arrived about the same time as us and were also turned away). The silver cloud is that we finally tried the cafe at St. Ives which was lovely. We won't be returning. This place has been going downhill since after COVID/it's makeover when the menu was downsized and it became counter service. We continued to visit as it held personal meaning for us, with good memories, but this visit was the last straw.
Katie Whitley
I brought my 2 year old to Santa Land to look at the lights today. I thought we may as well have lunch while we were there. I ordered my daughter a small cordial and food, the drinks arrived and her drink was in a tall glass which she spilled within seconds of the food arriving into her food. I was told she couldn't have a replacement and I had to reorder (a bit stingy but fine, I was happy to pay again). I was more mad at the fact that I then had to re queue with my impatient hungry toddler, leave my food at the table going cold, then her food order wasn't even fast tracked. She had to wait all over again (and the service is not quick). I wouldn't have bothered but she was hungry and there is nowhere else close by for food. I witnessed 3 complaints while waiting for her food, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the waitress who was taking the brunt of it. Way under staffed. The management need to do something as the customer service is awful. Safe to say we won't be returning.
Laura Harrison
Brilliant place, loved it. The service in cafe let it down. The coffees arrived 20 mins after service of scones (although delicious) a prompt. Staff slightly stressed/ rude. The gift shop is
A fair review, food was alright and came out at a good speed, had to wait about 20 minutes in a queue to order on a Tuesday lunch, coffee never arrived and had to find out it was lost in translation. Then after 45 minutes after ordering it came burnt milk and burnt taste coffee. Not good. Seemed in dissaray with no management and still keen to fill the place when clearly they couldn't handle that many customers. Such a shame I used to like this place.
Carmel Allington
What an experience, so gone down hill to how I remember it. Waited nearly an hour for food to arrive, drinks only arrived 10 mins earlier luke warm, as though they had waiting 10 mins to be taken out. Food when it did arrive, cold, tasteless and items missing from menu.Prawns were tasteless other than water.Tables not cleaned between customers, floors dirty. Staff seen to cut cakes with dirty knives. Staff asked if we could order further drinks, told no, staff are stressed. The place was empty as people were asking for refunds as waiting too long. Staff just wandering around with hands in pockets. Never again.
Kyle Maddocks
What a shame. I tried this restaurant early November, it wasn't very good, the cakes were dissapointing and drinks took a long time to arrive and the tables and restaurantneeded a good clean, and service wasn't great. I thought maybe just a bad day but even so the place seemed poorly run, has changed alot to how it used to be and not for the better.Later on in November they advertised for staff, myself being highly experienced in hospitality decided to apply, i went for a trial shift.I had to work my socks off as lack of staff, I think they may need to up wages if they want to attract better more mature staff. Customers have to order and pay at the till, the restaurant wasn't very clean, not sure if they have a cleaner or if staff do it at the end of shift. Anyway I tried my best but felt like I was losing a battle as there was just no leadership and felt a bit chaotic.The manager sat in the back kitchen most of the shift. I was having to serve hot food on cold plates to customers, I felt embarrassed. Although the food itself looked nice enough.Anyway I thought maybe I could just go to work and get paid and go home, i was in two minds. But now I know that I definitely would not have been able to go to work just to get paid and not care as I am too passionate about the industry.I spoke to the manager about a family member being ill and that myself and partner are caring for her and that we spent Saturdays with her, however I was willing to change the day to Sunday as they needed me to work Saturdays so I asked if it was a possibility to work another day and have Mondays off so I could have some time with my parter and other family still, the manager showed no compassion at all and accused me of expecting them to jump through hoops for me! I was absolutely appalled and disgusted! No wonder they are short staffed if this is the treatment!After being abruptly told no I wouldn't be able to have Mondays off, i said ok but would it maybe be possible in future? I was told NO, it will never be possible and then the manager retracted the job offer!I was absolutely appalled and disgusted, the manager showed no empathy or care for my situation and acted very unprofessionally and was actually quite rude.The thing is I would have just worked the Monday and got on with it, I was also accused of expecting to work a 4 day week when the full time staff work 5 days! Even though the job ad stated they were looking for staff for anything between 8 and 40 hours. But after the disgusting attitude from the manager I was relieved I wasn't going to work there and felt like I had dodged a bullet. Also by that point I had searched reviews and found alot of poor reviews on trip advisor that confirmed that how I felt on that first visit to the restaurant and on the trial was obviously not a one off and there is desperate need for improvement.My aim for review is that the manager may take on board feed back and constructed criticism and look to alter the attitude and make improvements necessary because the place could be fabulous again. You also have to understand that staff are humans who have a personal life and sometimes they need a bit of give and take.
staceylouisechapman
Came in yesterday with friends and the kids. There were a lot of us and we were sat on a big table together which we counted as lucky. Counter service so went up to order drinks. Served by a very positive and enthusiastic waitress who advised us to all order together when we are ready for food as it would then all come out together. Me and both my friends made comments to one another about her service and she was even asking the kids what they’d asked Santa for. When it came to ordering food we were served by a gentleman who did not hold the same qualities. He was visibly stressed and annoyed and we all came away feeling like a nuisance and disappointed with the service. Asked to speak to the manager who couldn’t have been more useful! She listened to what we had to say and made up for the experience completely. If I wasn’t for her and the lovely waitress we would not be coming back. The one negative part of our experience did not change how good the food was or the service from the other members of staff.
DR1234817
we had just been to see santa which was ok but then wanted to go to the santa christmas cafe which was closed so went off for an ice creams and coffee we sat in the ice cream parlour we waited half hour for the coffee the children had eaten their overpriced ice creams so we asked again and a very rude girl said we have lots to do you will have to wait !!!!! we had already paid for it so waited again then asked for it to take away they were serving the cafe first this is ridiculous either get more staff or open the christmas cafe or get another coffee machine and looking at the other reviews this needs a good sort out not happy at all with this service
We love coming here, and will continue to do so, but the number of young people working here who either can’t, or won’t, grasp basic instructions is really frustrating. If you ask for something like this which even remotely deviates from the norm (cooler than normal hot chocolate as it’s for a child), you are met with either a deer in the headlights look, or sass. They also shove the food and drinks on the table and are lacking either manners or confidence, it’s hard to tell which. I’m all for a young work force, and it’s great to see teenagers working, but the whole thing needs an “adult” to oversee the operation & to teach them how to deal with the general publicVegetarian options: It says the eggs benedict dish is suitable for vegetarians & then lists the first ingredient as “roast ham”
Quick service, good food and it's reasonably priced. Can't really go wrong for a garden center cafe!
Have noticed over the last 6 months that this cafe has become worse and worse. It used to be a very nice place to eat and have a drink. The staff are very young and don't seem to be managed at all. Long waits for food, orders forgot, tables not cleared and lots of staff hanging around the kitchen. It's obvious that the manager is not managing.This place could and should be a lot better. It's a shame to see it like this as I used to love coming here. I hope they are taking notice of the reviews that they are getting because if it was me I would be very upset
Dreadful slow service,, too busy chatting amongst themselves..
popped in with my husband for something to eat Sunday Lunchtime.Had the giant yorkshire pudding with roast beef etc.couldnt finish it, it was such a big portion. Lovely treat. Might do this more
Great place for a hot chocolate after an energetic winter
Not bad food, decent selection. Ok coffee, nice milkshakes. Small ice cream bar. Very nice ice cream. Lovely gift shop, great garden centre.
My husband and I have been coming here for breakfast with our dogs for a few years now and always enjoyed it. On Christmas Eve we decided to come for breakfast on our way to St. Ives for a dog walk. We were up early so checked opening times before we set off. I checked Google,the garden centre website and then Facebook, especially with it being Christmas Eve I didn't want to rely on Google only, as in my experience this is sometimes inaccurate for business opening times during holidays. Apparently the cafe opened at 10am. I did see mention of Santa Claus visits with breakfast, so anticipating this might make the cafe busy I tried to find the dates but couldn't see them. There was no suggestion it was closed. On arrival at 10am the noise from the cafe could be heard from the doors of the main building and walking towards the cafe we could see loads of full tables - obviously it had opened well before 10am. The lectern at the entrance had a sign saying the cafe was fully booked. We spoke to a young girl in the cafe and asked if we could wait until a table became free. She advised we could order drinks and have them in the ice cream parlour but the cafe was only serving breakfast. I asked again if we could wait for a free table as it was breakfast we were hoping for - then she abruptly informed me (as though she'd already told me, which she hadn't) that the cafe was closed and only serving pre-booked breakfasts for Santa visits. Why not just say this in the first place? They could have put a notice on their website, their Facebook page, on the garden centre doors, inside the garden centre, made a clearer sign for the lectern and/or had staff who could communicate politely and clearly that the cafe was closed and only serving pre-booked breakfasts for the Santa visits but instead they opted not to do any of this, turning customers away (other people arrived about the same time as us and were also turned away). The silver cloud is that we finally tried the cafe at St. Ives which was lovely. We won't be returning. This place has been going downhill since after COVID/it's makeover when the menu was downsized and it became counter service. We continued to visit as it held personal meaning for us, with good memories, but this visit was the last straw.
I brought my 2 year old to Santa Land to look at the lights today. I thought we may as well have lunch while we were there. I ordered my daughter a small cordial and food, the drinks arrived and her drink was in a tall glass which she spilled within seconds of the food arriving into her food. I was told she couldn't have a replacement and I had to reorder (a bit stingy but fine, I was happy to pay again). I was more mad at the fact that I then had to re queue with my impatient hungry toddler, leave my food at the table going cold, then her food order wasn't even fast tracked. She had to wait all over again (and the service is not quick). I wouldn't have bothered but she was hungry and there is nowhere else close by for food. I witnessed 3 complaints while waiting for her food, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the waitress who was taking the brunt of it. Way under staffed. The management need to do something as the customer service is awful. Safe to say we won't be returning.
Brilliant place, loved it. The service in cafe let it down. The coffees arrived 20 mins after service of scones (although delicious) a prompt. Staff slightly stressed/ rude. The gift shop is
Restaurantji Recommends
A fair review, food was alright and came out at a good speed, had to wait about 20 minutes in a queue to order on a Tuesday lunch, coffee never arrived and had to find out it was lost in translation. Then after 45 minutes after ordering it came burnt milk and burnt taste coffee. Not good. Seemed in dissaray with no management and still keen to fill the place when clearly they couldn't handle that many customers. Such a shame I used to like this place.
What an experience, so gone down hill to how I remember it. Waited nearly an hour for food to arrive, drinks only arrived 10 mins earlier luke warm, as though they had waiting 10 mins to be taken out. Food when it did arrive, cold, tasteless and items missing from menu.Prawns were tasteless other than water.Tables not cleaned between customers, floors dirty. Staff seen to cut cakes with dirty knives. Staff asked if we could order further drinks, told no, staff are stressed. The place was empty as people were asking for refunds as waiting too long. Staff just wandering around with hands in pockets. Never again.
What a shame. I tried this restaurant early November, it wasn't very good, the cakes were dissapointing and drinks took a long time to arrive and the tables and restaurantneeded a good clean, and service wasn't great. I thought maybe just a bad day but even so the place seemed poorly run, has changed alot to how it used to be and not for the better.Later on in November they advertised for staff, myself being highly experienced in hospitality decided to apply, i went for a trial shift.I had to work my socks off as lack of staff, I think they may need to up wages if they want to attract better more mature staff. Customers have to order and pay at the till, the restaurant wasn't very clean, not sure if they have a cleaner or if staff do it at the end of shift. Anyway I tried my best but felt like I was losing a battle as there was just no leadership and felt a bit chaotic.The manager sat in the back kitchen most of the shift. I was having to serve hot food on cold plates to customers, I felt embarrassed. Although the food itself looked nice enough.Anyway I thought maybe I could just go to work and get paid and go home, i was in two minds. But now I know that I definitely would not have been able to go to work just to get paid and not care as I am too passionate about the industry.I spoke to the manager about a family member being ill and that myself and partner are caring for her and that we spent Saturdays with her, however I was willing to change the day to Sunday as they needed me to work Saturdays so I asked if it was a possibility to work another day and have Mondays off so I could have some time with my parter and other family still, the manager showed no compassion at all and accused me of expecting them to jump through hoops for me! I was absolutely appalled and disgusted! No wonder they are short staffed if this is the treatment!After being abruptly told no I wouldn't be able to have Mondays off, i said ok but would it maybe be possible in future? I was told NO, it will never be possible and then the manager retracted the job offer!I was absolutely appalled and disgusted, the manager showed no empathy or care for my situation and acted very unprofessionally and was actually quite rude.The thing is I would have just worked the Monday and got on with it, I was also accused of expecting to work a 4 day week when the full time staff work 5 days! Even though the job ad stated they were looking for staff for anything between 8 and 40 hours. But after the disgusting attitude from the manager I was relieved I wasn't going to work there and felt like I had dodged a bullet. Also by that point I had searched reviews and found alot of poor reviews on trip advisor that confirmed that how I felt on that first visit to the restaurant and on the trial was obviously not a one off and there is desperate need for improvement.My aim for review is that the manager may take on board feed back and constructed criticism and look to alter the attitude and make improvements necessary because the place could be fabulous again. You also have to understand that staff are humans who have a personal life and sometimes they need a bit of give and take.
Came in yesterday with friends and the kids. There were a lot of us and we were sat on a big table together which we counted as lucky. Counter service so went up to order drinks. Served by a very positive and enthusiastic waitress who advised us to all order together when we are ready for food as it would then all come out together. Me and both my friends made comments to one another about her service and she was even asking the kids what they’d asked Santa for. When it came to ordering food we were served by a gentleman who did not hold the same qualities. He was visibly stressed and annoyed and we all came away feeling like a nuisance and disappointed with the service. Asked to speak to the manager who couldn’t have been more useful! She listened to what we had to say and made up for the experience completely. If I wasn’t for her and the lovely waitress we would not be coming back. The one negative part of our experience did not change how good the food was or the service from the other members of staff.
we had just been to see santa which was ok but then wanted to go to the santa christmas cafe which was closed so went off for an ice creams and coffee we sat in the ice cream parlour we waited half hour for the coffee the children had eaten their overpriced ice creams so we asked again and a very rude girl said we have lots to do you will have to wait !!!!! we had already paid for it so waited again then asked for it to take away they were serving the cafe first this is ridiculous either get more staff or open the christmas cafe or get another coffee machine and looking at the other reviews this needs a good sort out not happy at all with this service