Stables Café — Restaurant in London

After giving this place the benefit of the doubt and too many opportunities to redeem themselves I feel compelled to leave a review. This cafe whilst it is in a nice setting has the oddest set of rules and off-putting customer service. -my very straightforward order of coffee and cake has been both forgotten about and incorrect on 3 occasions. -lengthy waits for everything even takeaway hot drinks -charged full price for a takeaway cream tea, to discover I only received a scone...and then told they dont do the cream and jam to takeaway when I returned! No offer of a refund or even an apology for not making me aware. -unable to sit at empty 'reserved' tables even on quiet weekdays often selling out of baked goods on their first working day of the week (Thurs) -a no laptop policy even at quiet times -starting a takeaway only service from an outside hatch at 3pm when they claim to open until 4pm. Bizarrely they even lock in those customers who are already sitting inside?! -Staff seem to be very dedicated to certain customers and just just inhospitable to other paying customers.

As a local to the park I really wanted to like and support this local cafe & business rather than go to another chain but staff make it so hard to do so! I don't understand what is going on here. Unfortunately I've now decided I can't face going there again. I would love to see this local business being run well and more welcoming...

This is such a beautiful quaint little cafe, with a wonderful atmosphere and a lovely team working there. Without fail during every visit I'm greeted with a warm and attentive welcome, followed by amazing customer sevice; it's nice to go to a place where the staff are genuine and lovely people, who show a real interest in their customers. I live right up the road and it's been a great place for me to pop by and grab a tea, or a coffee and sit in the sun on my laptop doing work, as it's really relaxing and has a beautiful garden terrace. The breakfast there has probably been my favourite so far; everything is made fresh with quality ingredients, and tastes exquisite. I think the most impressive thing about the cafe is that all the food is homemade by the in house chef there, and without fail everything is made to such a high standard! A really lovely place to stop by in the morning or afternoon, not to mention that it's garden terrace is dog friendly so there are always friendly doggos to say hello to! 10/10 would recommend, and will continue to...

When the cafe is actually open, which is a rare occasion 😂! There are very unclear rules, particularly with regards to bread. They are exclusive to only a select handful of customers and discriminatory to others (what?!?!?). Whilst we were in there I was told (passive aggressively) that you need to pre order/ they don't actually make bread there that isn't for the breakfast (which is it?) and my friend was told that they don't even sell bread, and all in the same moment a customer comes in after us and collects and buys bread... this all seems VERY odd to me 🧐

A community cafe should serve the community, not a select few white middle class favourites! It's a shame as this cafe could be wonderful if run by the right people. There are plenty of other wonderful bakeries and cafes that cater to ALL. To name one, Karma Bread have just opened in Brent Cross Town and their original cafe in Hampstead Heath is a really lovely inclusive place. On a side note, the Stables coffee was also overpriced, watery and...