Bayon Bakery Hove — Restaurant in Great Britain

The baked goods here are genuinely excellent — fresh, beautifully made, and clearly a cut above most local options. If I were judging on quality alone, this place would easily earn 4 or 5 stars.

Unfortunately, the customer service really brings the experience down. When the manager isn’t around, the staff can be noticeably unfriendly — no greetings, no warmth, just a cold transaction. On multiple visits, I’ve overheard complaints about their boss, which makes for an awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere. It feels like the customers are an inconvenience rather than the reason the business exists. Staff often seem disinterested and unwelcoming — no greeting, minimal eye contact, yawns and huffing. It’s clear there’s a lack of proper customer service training, which really undermines the overall experience

Great products, but it’s hard to enjoy them when the front-of-house experience feels so unwelcoming. A little professionalism and basic courtesy would make a huge difference. I used to really enjoy coming here but over such a short time, there’s been a noticeable decline in customer service that’s hard to ignore. The vibe has shifted from welcoming to uncomfortable, which is disappointing for a place that started out with such promise.

Until the service improves, there are better experiences to be had nearby especially for the price being charged — Ouef (the partner business of this bakery) and Babble both offer great quality and a more...

The food and service are acceptable, but the pricing and atmosphere (or lack thereof) is a real issue. It feels like this is somewhere people can go and do their instagram thing. The walls are bare, the place feels clinical with none of the warmth or bustling activity of the Hove Patisserie. And £3 for a croissant seems to be beyond even West End prices. This isn't London (thankfully) and we don't really enjoy getting ripped off like this. Unless you can justify charging almost twice what people normally pay for food, then I'd love to hear it.

I won't be supporting this bakery moving forward as it's not really a bakery, more just a little fancy eatery with delusions of grandure.

Addendum to respond to the owner: I am well aware of the prices of things, but you are literally pricing yourself out of the market around here with charging far too much for your food. There used to be queues out the door every lunchtime and most mornings, it was considered one of the beating hearts of the community. But now it's just another white box with no soul charging far too much for, again, slightly above average food. This isn't gold plated or diamond encrusted, and this isn't Dubai. You have little to no choice of pastries or sweets and just a very limited range of pastries and sandwiches. The whole experience is uninspiring and leaves me empty. A shame that one of the best bakeries was gottern rid...

Breakfast pastry with egg and bacon? Lovely idea. Except the last few times, I've found eggshell chunks baked into it.

The sweeter treats are often .. basic? Might be going for "not your average processed crap" but lands "mum made healthy cupcakes", less "artisanal baked treat".

The chai, in particular, is thin and gritty. Generally drinks are smaller than you'd expect for the price.

Expensive. Even by Brighton & Hove standards...

Staff have been hit/miss. Sometimes happy to see you and have a chat, sometimes you're a chore. Seems like I'm not the only one with this experience.

Given this is our local cafe/bakery I love its contribution to the community. It's always lovely seeing people sitting outside, enjoying a drink in the sun. It's a cute spot and on first look you're set to expect quality. Lots of potential.

Just wish that, for the expense, we were getting something I could recommend to visitors. As it is right now, I can have a significantly tastier drink at home, and no surprise gravel in my morning indulgence. If it's gonna be expensive, have the...