Rainbowls Cheltenham Fairview — Restaurant in Cheltenham

I have been debating on if it was worth leaving a review for Rainbowls Cheltenham, however after my 3rd visit I feel that I must share my experience in the chance that the staff read and review my comments to enhance customers satisfaction and expectation.

My partner and I first visited rainbowls a few years ago when they first opened, the visit went okay however my partner and I both left disappointed. The "acia" bowls we ordered were not like any others we have tried before, very wet in consistency and almost drinkable if served with a straw, the service was slow and the coffee wasn't great. We did however give them the benefit of the doubt as this was within the first month of their opening and we understand as a new business some errors are bound to occur.

My second visit was a few months later, this was actually because they posted a lovely looking drink on their instagram page that I fancied trying so I popped in and placed the order 'to go' the drink was served looking nothing like the image online and tasted like something I could of made at home in my Nutri bullet in a couple of minutes for half the price. Not a great second experience and made me think about not returning.

Roll onto June 2024, we were actually on our way to Dunkertons to sit in the sun and grab a coffee. We passed Rainbowls and discussed perhaps trying them for a refreshing acia bowl in the hope we would be "3rd time lucky" We made the choice, parked up and ordered. The restaurant was half full with most tables already eating. We must of waited for at least 30 minutes for our two bowls to arrive, the long wait took us by surprise considering there were 4 staff members behind the counter... Sadly the bowls arrived and again my bowl was nothing like classic 'acia' however the taste was good, my partners bowl on the other hand was served warm and tasted bad ... definitely should of been served with a straw this time ! In conclusion this business should learn how to serve 'acia' or rename the menu items to 'smoothie bow' or something more suitable for what they serve customers. The cost for both bowls (no drinks) came to just under £20.

We...

We’ve just moved to the area and this is in walking distance so I was excited and hoping to love it

Food: the food was ok. We had açai bowls. I expected them to be bowls of solid food but they’re actually smoothie with toppings that you eat with a spoon. Wasn’t what I was expecting but was ok and I’d eat another one!

Service: the food is expensive so this little place could be a goldmine but the inefficiency is astounding. I heard people come in and ask what today’s wait was and turn around and leave when they were told it was 25 mins to wait for a smoothie. So it’s obviously a known issue. And when customers are coming in and ready to give you their money but efficiency is driving them away, you’d thought something would be done about it, wouldn’t you?

The place makes a small number of dishes and the ingredients should be ready and available like a factory conveyor belt. But it’s not. Staff are squeezed into a corner and they seem to be inefficient, disorganised with little sense of urgency. I was desperate to call ‘Stop, stop, stop!’, put the closed sign on the door and give all the staff post-it notes to do some current state and future state process mapping. This little place is ripe for improvement and has the potential to be extraordinary. They produce gorgeous instagramable bowls that have the opportunity to make someone a fortune. And feed people when they’re hungry.

My advice is definitely don’t go when you’re hungry!! Give your hunger a 30min lead in time!

Oh yes - and I saw a member of staff touching her face and mouth and then going on to prep food, so interesting to note that other reviews have spotted this too, yet it’s...

I thought long and hard before giving this rating as having lived in the town for over 20 years I feel passionate about supporting local businesses. The food was tasty and well presented as mentioned in many other reviews. The service however was of a low standard in my view.

In summary, arrived on Sunday afternoon at approx 12:30pm and while busy, not packed as tables were still available. My wife and and 2 kids ordered and then waited for 45 mins for the food.

Main issue is we weren’t told about the excessive wait times and were left in the dark trying to keep 2 hungry kids entertained. When the food was eventually delivered no acknowledgment of it being delayed.

I complained to waiter who said ‘we’ve been busy all day mate’. Then who I assume is the owner came across and basically said yes they are busy and did recognise they should have told us about the wait but made no attempt to rectify the situation. As we had paid up front there was little else we could do other than say that we sadly won’t be returning and would caution others visiting on a day where there are more than a handful of people in the outlet unless you are prepared for...