Haven Cafe — Restaurant in Marlborough

Dangerous for Coeliacs – Zero Stars if I Could

I’m absolutely appalled by my recent experience at Haven. I requested a gluten free option due to not just dietary restrictions but the consequences of my allergy. Unfortunately my dietary needs were not taken seriously.

Within hours, I became very ill — something that only happens when I’ve been glutened. Either there was cross-contamination in the kitchen, or worse, they served me food that wasn't actually gluten free. In either case, it’s unforgivable.

Coeliac disease is not a trend or a preference; it’s an autoimmune disorder that requires strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. One slip-up can lead to days or weeks of recovery.

If you have coeliac disease or any serious gluten intolerance, I strongly advise you to avoid this place. They’re playing roulette with people’s health, and I wouldn’t trust them with mine again.

Use caution, and consider dining elsewhere where food safety and dietary restrictions are respected...

Nice seating along the windows, nice and warm on a winter morning. Huge selection of cabinet food and cakes, looks amazing, and variety to suit many diets! Coffee roast never tastes the greatest served black, a bit earthy, could benefit from a lighter roast. Perhaps the team could offer a couple of different roasts on the menu "Organic" and "House blend" for example, which is common in other coffee shops. I'm a house blend kinda guy. Outdoor seating isn't the best, you feel like you're jammed into a kindergarten some days. Perhaps they could build a new patio area outside the main door with a bit of wind shelter. Will keep coming back here...

Had a group of 5 of us. Bought coffee, milkshake and food. Coffee came first before anything else. Then 7mins later the tea and then after 14mins waiting for the food (only to be toasted), there were 2 of them in the cabinet only to tell tell us last mintue that they had sold and had to make new ones. Really need to improve on service timing, especially if there is an group of people.

They did do complementary free coffee cards which is considerate, most cafes would...