GAIL's Bakery Blackheath — Restaurant in London

Overworked lady with the orange and yellow hair.

Having worked for 6 years in hospitality, it takes a lot for me to write a negative review. I appreciate the busy nature of the job and the stress that can come with it. However, on my day off from my own workplace, I really did not expect to have a normal misunderstanding with someone turn to a rude and condescending encounter.

When my order was being read out to me, it sounded right to what I wanted, I heard every word and it sounded right. One thing take away and one thing to eat in. Upon looking at my receipt I realised that the lady who took my order thought I meant 3 things, with one of them being to take away and two to eat in, rather than just 2 things overall. This is a very normal misunderstanding and is not the end of the world and we both had a different interpretation of the way we were saying the order which led to this.

When I went to get a refund I was met with sighs and huffs, which is just totally unnecessary. Alongside the lady, twice, saying to me "you need to be careful as this is why we read out orders to people". I just felt the entire tone of the conversation put me at my fault and made a mountain out of a mole hill. In work settings such as this, little issues like this happen. I would not speak to my customers like this or behave in the manner the lady did towards me. I wasnt demanding or rude, I even offered to come back a bit later for the refund as I could see how busy it was. You never know what people are going through or what barriers to communication or understanding people have. You also shouldn't assume people don't know why you go over orders at the end, it can be embarrassing in situations where you're being rude to someone who has worked in the industry most of their adult life. It all felt very unprofessional and I left very disappointed.

The lady was very hardworking and clearly doing a lot to get the service flowing as well as it was but I really think a few days off is needed. I know a constant stream of customers can be tiring, especially when misunderstandings happen even when you've done all the necessary checks. Sometimes these things just happen- there's no need to blame the staff or the customer and actually ruin someone's experience. Some extra mindfulness is needed.

The food was lovely and service amazing. Very hardworking staff who kept everything clean...

Over the past year I've seen people raving on about Gail's. For a long time I've put off going in there, but decided to see what the hype was all about 3 weeks ago.

Blackheath branch was really busy on a Sunday morning, so queued up for 5 minutes. I ordered a pesto and mozzarella focaccia to takeaway. Even though it was pricey (roughly £5) I thought I was going to be blown away by the quality. When walking down the village, I decided to tuck in. It was almost impossible to eat, as the bottom of the bread disintegrated from being completely soggy from where the pesto had soaked through. Not a great first experience.

I decided to pay the same place in Blackheath another visit yesterday, to see if it was a one off. This time I tried the coffee. Black Americano to go. I left with my coffee in hand and started walking through the village, towards Greenwich park. Roughly 5 minutes into my journey, my hand felt slightly wet. I assumed steam was leaking out of the lid and down the cup. I then took a closer look at the cup and the coffee was actually leaking out of the bottom. Now I don't know if this is Karma for not using a reusable cup, but whatever happened on my two trips to Gail's, it's left a sour taste in my mouth.

I honestly don't think I want to risk entering another Gail's establishment after these two VERY unlucky...

GAIL's Bakery - Blackheath: Almost Perfect!

GAIL's Bakery in Blackheath is a fantastic spot for breakfast or a coffee break. The coffee is spot on, with a rich, smooth flavor that sets the tone for a perfect morning. The bakery selection is incredible—fresh, varied, and always delicious. Whether you're craving flaky pastries, crusty bread, or sweet treats, there's something for everyone. I also loved the breakfast options, particularly the eggs, which were perfectly cooked and paired with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The service was wonderful too—friendly, efficient, and welcoming.

The only downside is the indoor ventilation. Unfortunately, when dining inside, your clothes can pick up the smell of cooking and oil due to the design of the space. This detracts slightly from the overall dining experience, but it's a small price to pay for the otherwise amazing food and service.

Overall, GAIL's in Blackheath is a fabulous place for great coffee, fresh bakery items, and a solid breakfast. If they sort out the ventilation issue, it’ll truly be perfect! Definitely still worth a visit—this place knows how to do...