16/03/2025 Update
We were in the area and I had my child with me so decided we would give Depot another try. Not sure if I'm cursed at this place or what but we waited to be seated for 10 minutes at the sign in the entrance that literally states "wait here to be seated." Other people were just milling around waiting for coffee and staff were oblivious we were stood there. We walked out and went elsewhere. Again, awful service, do better.
Original Review 2024
As a local we have used Depot many many times, at first it was good but the place has really just got worse overtime - especially service. We've given it the benefit of the doubt and kept returning but the last 3 visits have been so very poor. Service is so terrible, as others have said the wait for a simple order is ridiculous and I really think the way they seat and take orders needs looking at - I think currently the people taking orders have no clue who is waiting as though they're just left to wonder round and figure it out. We've had many visits where we have been seated and left there 30-45 minutes before someone has taken our order, drinks and food often come 20 minutes apart - we have to then ask for water for the table and cutlery because it's often forgotten, we've been served cold food before, the amount of times we've ordered things to be told sorry it's out of stock is really just poor management. I've previously paid for baked goods, physically pointed them out in front of me for the table, for them to be then be sold to someone else shortly after and them then have to refund me because "they have none left"... It's just poor. Yes it's ideal as it's in the park, but to be honest the time it takes from walking in to be served food I could literally walk home, cook it and then come back. Unfortunately this is the last time we will be visiting, I'd love to see it improve but for the prices theyre charging I'd expect warm food that is actually available and not sold out...
Read moreWe chose Depot Bakery as we had been to the Burton Rd café for coffee a while ago and enjoyed it but chose the Hillsborough Park one as we needed to pre-book a table for 6. The menu seemed a bit limited when we looked online but we managed to find something we all liked. On arrival at 13:30 we were informed that all those choices were unavailable along with many other things on the menu. There wasn't really much left to choose from after that. We all had toasties, which were really hard, on sourdough with hardly any filling and very overpriced. The fries order was wrong and when we queried it they were reluctant to put it right. The coffee was almost cold by the time we received it and the noise levels made it impossible to speak to each other - babies screaming and dogs barking - we took our own well-behaved dog and he didn't make a sound the whole time. Also the staff gave the impression they didn't enjoy working there. Positives:... it's in a nice setting in the park with the walled...
Read moreWe love Depot for the food and coffee and it's really handy being in the park. The staff are friendly and we've had a few really nice visits. However, we've become increasingly disappointed as time has gone on. A) it is often unclear whether it's table service or order at the bar, and this seems to change depending on the day and where you're sat. It is currently take away even if you're sat in the garden which feels quite bad from a waste perspective, as you end up using a lot of single use cups and trays. B) As others have said, service can be very slow, even for takeaway hot drinks. C) As far as I'm aware there's no signs for the toilets, feels like this is an oversight from an accessibility standpoint. D) Several times we've arrived to be told they've run out of food, or are randomly closing early (as in January).
I think with speedier service and a uniform ordering system (make it all table, or all order at the bar) it would be a...
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