Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Arun

Oh Costa, thou art a temple of caffeinated divinity, and I, a humble worshipper at the altar of your espresso machine. I entered your hallowed establishment seeking refuge from the cruel winds of the high street and was met with warmth, the comforting hum of milk steamers, and the seductive scent of roasted beans dancing in the air like a barista’s lullaby.

But let us speak of the holy grail itself – the flat white. Flat, they said. And flat it was – flatter than a pancake at a yoga retreat. If this drink were any flatter, it could be used as a spirit level. Yet, paradoxically, it lifted me higher than any latte-laden cloud could dream.

And white! Oh, the brilliance! This wasn't just white; it was celestial, the kind of white angels wear when they’re on their way to yoga. Each sip was like receiving a velvety kiss from a caffeinated cloud – silky, smooth, and whispering tales of creamy joy and Arabica excellence. The milk was steamed to such silken perfection I suspect a unicorn frothed it with a touch...

Took my mum here for a hot choc. We had muffin each & shared a toasted sarnie. Few more staff on compared to my last visit a while ago, so service this time, unlike previously was good. Food as ever was tasty. Sat outside as my mum smokes, so here you have to put up with cars going in & out of the small "business park" Costa is situated on, but we are aware as locals of this. Busy & open I think until 6pm (no longer 7pm as it was pre covid). Perspex screens have also been taken down at the till area where you both pay & wait in line, clearly covid no longer exists! Items not cheap, nor hugely expensive here, it's a luxury to go on our budget. Will go again, but I'm not a regular...

This site has a good Costa, and difficult to complain about things that are in the branch's control.

However, in my opinion, the food had taken a really big hit in terms of quality. Toasted Tea cakes were always wonderful at Costa, but they're now tasteless white bread with a few raisins in them. No spices or anything - or if there are, only trace amounts. A hot chocolate and a toasted tea cake was a staple of mine. Not any more. I shall not be doing Costa again. There's no point.

Cost of living? Cheapness in the supply chain? Dunno - but as someone who is happy to pay for something nice, it was great....