Bluebird Bakery — Restaurant in England

First time here, will definitely revisit. Large, spacious café with big plate glass windows overlooking Acomb Road. Kids' play area in corner inside, window bar stools and separate tables to sit at, including plenty of outdoor seating to the front with most of them under cover. Attractive floral planters outside and lots of plants in hanging baskets inside. Also, little vases of fresh flowers on the tables inside, a nice touch, better than plakky ones. They're also going to be open late til 9 p.m. for Christmas shopping. There are 2 separate till queues - one for dining in and one for takeout, which is a good idea. I understand it gets pretty busy, but I went midweek and was there early at about 8.30 a.m., so not too busy and certainly not noisy at that time. Dogs are not allowed inside but there are dog treats available on the counter. This is a vegetarian and vegan place, no meat. I had a very good hot chocolate and an almond croissant which was lovely. I also succumbed to what I thought was going to be a cinnamon swirl, but was in fact a cinnamon bun. It was huge, the size of your head! An elephant would have been most content with this humungous bun - maybe I was an elephant that day, ha ha. Very tasty. For takeout, I purchased some cheese straws and cor, they were grrreat, to quote Tony the Tiger. But am saving the best til last..... the spinach/chickpea rolls were out of this world divine!! The light pastry was melt in the mouth lush. So, so addictive, am going to have to get to Bluebird regularly for these. Can't recommend these rolls highly enough. Simply gorgeous. Nom nommm yummy! And the staff were polite and efficient too. Very highly recommended with bells on - their products...

I was recommended the Bluebird and was excited to visit it. The first time I went, I walked in with my dogs as I had been told it was dog friendly. Within seconds one of the staff marched over and said I needed to take my dogs out NOW. I said i thought it was dog friendly but he just escorted me to the door saying it was a bakery and no dogs allowed. Luckily my friend then went in to order us coffee. We felt a lot like naughty schoolchildren. Working on the principle that everyone deserves a 2nd chance, I went again with my dogs and this time stood at the door and asked if i could quickly order coffee to have outside. The girl serving said no as I had dogs with me. I explained I would literally be 1 minute but was still told no. I then asked if someone could come outside and take my order and was told it was not possible. I asked what I was meant to do and was shrugged at. I wont be returning and dog owners please beware. There was really no reason why the staff should be so negative and dismissive! What a comparison when you look at the lovely, wecoming Rubys cafe down the road who allow dogs inside whilst you visit and offer them treats! Get with the times Bluebird. Other places sell nice bread too and treat...

Called in on Thursday to see what they are like. As the saying is “first impressions count” well not impressed. First off two tills each with a chalkboard in front 1. Eat in 2. Takeout and two queues in front of the tills, standing in eat in with others only to find out after five minutes that till isn’t being used. Only three sandwiches on offer, so x2 sandwiches and tea are ordered £12+ took a seat and watched the confusion when the customers didn’t know if there was one or two queues, a lady in a wheelchair tried to order at the eat in till (closed) and was constantly ignored by the staff even a man in the queue suggested turning the chalkboard round to stop the confusion. No one seamed to be in control and we watched people leave due to the confusion and time waiting. Our order arrived in about five six minutes not bad considering they only had to make two cups of tea, because I had been informed that the sandwiches are pre made. Would have given a lower rating after this visit but it’s just opened and like anything they need to settle in before you can give any...