Faculty Coffee — Restaurant in Birmingham

Genuinely awful experience, I’ve never had staff be so rude to me. Do not come here.

I wasn’t going to leave a review but after seeing similar posts on here I thought I should.

I had a wrap with me which I bought before knowing we were going to this coffee shop. I bought a coffee and cake thinking they would be happy for me to quietly eat my wrap. Which they were not. And that’s fine I understand that completely. However, when I mentioned that the reason I assumed it was ok was because a person (who turned out to be staff) was eating McDonalds at the counter, I was met with rudeness. Staff laughed at me, saying “well he’s staff so he can”. I accept that’s their rule and I stopped eating it.

I asked for a refund and they refused, despite me not touching the cake which was laid on the table by the lady literally 1 minute earlier, and hadn’t even been looked at, let alone touched. The fact I asked for a refund seemed to anger them even more.

I asked if this is how they treat their customers, and I was told “yes when you act like an idiot”. Another customer; who was familiar with the staff, was joining in, making snide remarks with the staff, mocking me. It seemed like they wanted me to argue with them rather than diffuse things.

The barista was then leaning on the counter, glaring at me. When I asked him why he was acting aggressively he denied doing anything. I didn’t realise leaning towards someone and glaring at them was a friendly behaviour.

The coffee was actually good, which makes it even worse. I’ve seen quite a few people say they experienced rudeness too, which is why I posted.

I understand it’s hard for staff when customers aren’t happy. But they presumed straight away when I mentioned the McDonalds that I was arguing to continue eating, which I wasn’t. I was trying to explain why I thought it was ok. But they were so rude it wound me up into a back and forth with them, which was completely unnecessary.

Addition to respond to the message from the coffee shop 18/05/24:

Yes I understand that eating outside food in other places can be an issue for some places, which I do acknowledge. Which is why when I was asked, I put the food away. I never intended to cause issue.

However, the way in which your staff responded to me was unnecessarily forceful. I wasn’t swearing or shouting, and I remained seated the whole time. I was expressing an opinion which was that staff didn’t need to be so forceful about it. Rather than attempt to defuse and move on, your barista in particular continued to make snide remarks, whilst someone else calls me an idiot. Wasn’t this on the CCTV?

Yes of course there are implications for small business with outside products being brought in. But it felt like you wanted to make an example. It’s not like I took KFC into Burger King, I had a non-branded wrap. I’m not saying it’s wrong, it’s your policy, the response just seemed a little over the top in the context of the situation. You didn’t offer for me to sit outside, my colleague suggested it and I said it was fine because I wouldn’t eat my wrap inside. I would’ve left but I was refused a refund. The reason things escalated was because your staff continued to make snide remarks and another customer, who I assume was familiar with the staff, was also being very antagonising and inflammatory. You haven’t mentioned any of this in your feedback which is disappointing. I’ve witnessed other customers get far more upset than I did and the staff handle it way more professionally. The barista’s behaviour was awful.

Other customers have commented that they have experienced rudeness from your staff, not just me, and I have NEVER had any issue in any other coffee shop, and I get coffee regularly. I’m happy to accept I was more frustrated than I would’ve liked to have been, but that was a result of unnecessary provocation to an extent. It’s up to you if you want to address the issues with your staff or not. But they clearly need support to maintain...

I recently discovered this charming little café tucked away on a quiet side street, and it has quickly become my go-to spot for a perfect afternoon escape. From the moment I walked in, the cozy ambiance enveloped me—soft lighting, rustic wooden tables, and the irresistible aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafting through the air. The menu is a delightful mix of classic and innovative options. I opted for their signature avocado toast on sourdough, topped with poached eggs and a sprinkle of chili flakes, paired with a velvety latte made from locally roasted beans. Every bite was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced—the bread was crispy yet tender, and the coffee was rich without being overpowering. The pastries, especially the flaky croissants, are baked in-house daily and melt in your mouth. What truly sets this place apart is the exceptional service. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do—they even recommended a seasonal special that exceeded my expectations. It's clear they take pride in creating a welcoming experience for every guest. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite, working remotely with their reliable Wi-Fi, or lingering over brunch with friends, this café nails it every time. Affordable prices, high-quality ingredients, and a vibe that's equal parts relaxing and invigorating—five stars without hesitation! I'll...

I don't even want to give this place one star. I come from Melbourne in Australia which has one of the best coffee scenes in the world. I went to this place because I thought they may have been good. I never got to try the coffee however, as the girl that served me was so rude that I decided to cancel my order. I asked for a skinny latte with an extra shot. I was promptly informed that they only use full fat milk (ridiculous in this day and age when every second person can't digest something). I don't mind full fat milk so I decided to proceed with the order despite my irritation at their coffee dictatorship. I then reiterated that I wanted an extra shot, to which she responded that they already put two cups in the TEA cup that they serve their coffee in and that I was unable to request an extra shot whether I liked my coffee that way or not. Simply the rudest most arrogant place I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. Beyond rude. If you actually listened to your customers instead of insulting their knowledge of coffee, you might have a few more. Condescending and despicable treatment of customers. I'll be going elsewhere for my triple shot...