Coco Café — Restaurant in Galway

Had an absolutely horrible experience here.

I have a rare but very serious food allergy to buckwheat. The most common thing this comes up in is darker colored breads, and if I'm unsure what type of bread will be included in a meal, I always ask the server to check the ingredients for me. However, white breads are safe for me, so if I see on the menu that the bread is white, sourdough, ciabatta, etc, I know it's safe and I don't ask about it.

So, I was eating here a few days ago, and ordered the breakfast sandwich, and since on the menu it said the bread was ciabatta, I didn't mention the allergen because I have never before seen a ciabatta that wasn't white, and it didn't specify otherwise on the menu. So imagine my surprise and dismay when the dish arrived, and contained the darkest ciabatta I've ever seen. I apologized profusely to the server and asked if she could double check the ingredients for me to make sure it didn't have buckwheat, and she returned and told me that they had no idea if it did or did not. How do you have no idea what is in the food you're serving? That seems like a massive liability. Well, I didn't have my epipen on me that day, so I decided that to be safe, I should send it back and order something else. I apologized profusely, but again, I have never seen a brown ciabatta, and the menu did not mention that it was brown, so I had no reason to assume there would be an issue.

When it came time to pay the bill, I split it with my friend. I paid first, noted the dish I ate and my drink, no issue. Then, when my friend had her turn, she also listed every specific item, her dish, our other friends' dish, etc, and the man ringing us up (who I believe was the manager) did not say anything. He did not mention any other dish, but he notably did not give us a receipt, we had to specifically ask for it. When we stepped outside and looked at it, we saw he charged us for the dish I had to send back. The fact that he did not mention it to us and also did not give us a receipt without us asking really felt like he was trying to sneak it by us and hope we didn't notice - shady af.

When we went back in to bring this to his attention, he was very rude about it and just kept saying the food was ordered, and he was not made aware of any allergen, so it must be paid for. When I explained my reasoning as listed above, he rudely retorted, "we always use a brown ciabatta." How the hell am I supposed to know that if it doesn't say so on the menu? We were not informed when I sent the plate back that we would be charged for it - if we had been made aware ahead of time, I would be annoyed, but I would be much more understanding. At this point we asked if we could take it with us since we were being charged for it (because at least my friends could eat it later), but we were informed that it was already in the bin. So, we were being charged for food that was just thrown away. Again, if I had been informed that we would have to pay for it, I would have requested that we have it boxed for takeaway, but since we were not informed, I could not request this. But the fact that they did not know what was in the food they are serving, did not have clear wording on their menu that might alert people with food allergies, did not inform me that they would be charging me for something I had to send back so as not to risk anaphylaxis, did not give me an opportunity to save the food for someone else by alerting me that I would be charged for it, that the manager tried to sneak it onto our bill without us noticing, and then that he was very rude when we tried to explain our side - I'm honestly surprised this place is even still operational with disgraceful...

Coco Café in Salthill is a true gem that stands out for its exceptional quality, service, and warm atmosphere. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a smile and genuine hospitality, particularly from the manager, Chris, who goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels like family. His friendly and attentive presence truly elevates the dining experience.

The food at Coco Café is nothing short of outstanding. Every dish is crafted with care, from the freshly prepared breakfasts to the vibrant, flavorful lunches. The ingredients are top-notch, and the flavors are well-balanced, offering a perfect combination of comfort and sophistication. Whether you're enjoying their famous coffee, a hearty sandwich, or a delicious pastry, every bite feels like a special treat.

The service here is simply brilliant. The staff are attentive, efficient, and always ready to accommodate your needs, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re popping in for a quick coffee or settling down for a meal, you can expect to be treated with warmth and professionalism.

Coco Café, under Chris's expert management, provides not just a meal, but a memorable and welcoming experience. It's a must-visit spot in Salthill, and I can't recommend it...

I discovered Coco a few months ago and I've been going back ever since. The sandwiches are fantastic and the setting is superb. We felt like having a sweet snack after today's sandwich and tea. Having already settled the bill, I went to the counter with €5 in my fist and chose 2 x Loaker Napolitaner. Well I needed an extra 70 cent, I'm afraid. Outrageous price. €2.85 for a bloomin' wafer bar! I've just checked and I see that they're £1.10 in Tesco - that's roughly €1.26. Do the math! Please don't spoil everything by charging this price. I'm sure that these weren't flown in from Napoli today for my delectation. Your main courses and sandwiches etc. are excellent value. I'm still giving this place 5 stars though. But I'll be sneaking a Tunnock's from Tesco out of my pocket next...