Coffee#1 Penarth — Restaurant in Wales

I have always loved Coffee #1, and believe it is the best chain around this area. I order a large caramel latté with extra caramel and an extra shot, and after 2 of those (I'm beginning number 2 as I write), I can't think straight anymore, my handwriting goes completely wonky, and I forget the way home. That's the sign of a potent brew. The taste is good, but I've had 99 doses of radiotherapy (yes, ninety-nine) on my throat area, so my taste buds are redolent of a bad night out in Mogadishu. The latté art is spot on, so I don't hold it against the (traditionally harassed) barista that he could only with great effort hold back a wince of distaste at my Philestinism when I said yes to his offer of a swirl of squirty caramel sauce on top of the accomplished rosette. I ran a coffee shop for a while, and I used to snarl at everyone even though my latté art was poop and I only knew how to make one type of drink, regardless of what was ordered. The atmosphere is lovely, and I'm here at 1pm on a Tuesday. It's gently buzzing and only disturbed by one SCREAMING baby, (too many ristretto, methinks). We look out onto the fairly dull Penarth main street; more stimulating to point your chair inwards - this cafe is surprisingly deep, with enough tables for me not to feel too guilty/awkward at taking up a potential 3 seater on my lonesome. (To be honest, with a stoma in your neck and an electric voice, you get away with pretty much anything anywhere anyway - never underestimate the power of sympathy/revulsion). The atmosphere is in fact so pleasant that although I only came in for a takeaway cup, I've ended up staying for 2 and a takeaway pecan/salted caramel brownie for my dear wife. Come to this cafe. I don't think...

Never actually written a bad review before, but Janine and Justina did not provide good customer service. Me and my partner picked up our drinks and sat down on a table (the only one available at the time) to do some work. About 45 minutes later Janine came to the table and said very abruptly, excuse me, you shouldn’t be sitting there, that’s the family table. At the time I said we didn’t know and there were no other seats available (the shop was busy at 2:30pm and at this time had become quiet). She said that just this once we could sit there. I was so confused at this point as I thought I had missed a sign and went to the counter to check whether I had missed something. Justina left behind the counter and asked me to show her the table. She just said, you’re not supposed to be sitting there and asked us to move to make room for other parties. I explained that Janine had made an exception today, and she said okay and left. I thought she could say, sorry about that I realise it’s not very clear to customers as there are no signs or information that this table is the family table but it is our company policy and if you wouldn’t mind moving if you see a bigger party that would be lovely. Or even, we will get that signposted for customers. It was a bit rubbish as I ended up being disturbed from my work and feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed as if I had done something wrong. In any case, we used our common sense and courtesy and asked any parties (no families actually even came that afternoon only parties of 2) if they wanted to sit...

A Real Shame – Great Coffee, Awful Staff

It’s an absolute shame that Coffee #1 serves such high-quality coffee because the experience is completely ruined by the rude, miserable staff. The place itself is somewhat clean, but the service is consistently terrible. Every time I’ve visited, I’ve been met with the same gloomy, unfriendly faces—it always seems to be the same women working there, and they clearly have no interest in making customers feel welcome.

As someone who works in a café myself, I understand how demanding the job can be, but that’s no excuse to be so rude—especially when people are paying premium prices for their drinks. The worst experience I had was when my group simply moved a few chairs so we could all sit together, only to be snapped at and told to move them back. This happened multiple times, making us feel like an inconvenience rather than valued customers.

I won’t be returning to Coffee #1—no matter how good the coffee is, the service completely ruins it. If you’re paying top prices, you should at least expect basic courtesy, but apparently, that’s too much to ask here. Avoid it unless you enjoy being treated...