Coffee#1 Above Bar — Restaurant in Southampton

(tl;dr at the bottom)

Really lovely little café. Helpful staff and very atmospheric interior, great for a little relaxation on a busy day shopping or working.

I've removed one star purely on the basis that I feel like the service, as efficient as it is, could be just that bit more personal. I've been a few times and it doesn't compare to going to a locally established coffee shop where you're made to feel a bit more at home and welcomed. Which, in my opinion, can be important to people.

Also (this is more for the franchise than the singular location, plus it's also more of a personal vision of mine more than anything) it would be nice to see mental health awareness be embraced by these coffee shops. Hosting a 'mental health matters' morning once a month/Fortnightly/weekly with discounted foods and drinks, signposting to local charities / support groups, and a welcoming smile.

tl;dr Good coffee shop, effeccient service, lovely atmosphere. Just be nice to have a bit more of a personal touch. And an opportunity there for some mental health awareness due to its...

Nice coffee and I’ve visited this and another branch on former visits to Southampton. HOWEVER, after the most disappointing service on what was a very quiet day, today; I then proceeded to sit outside in sun. Three of the four tables were full of previous customers glasses, cups and full ashtrays (it was only 13:30). The lady waitress then cleared these and could not be bothered to wipe any of the tables clean - I sat at dirty table for 30 minutes. The seating area outside was covered in coffee shop napkins and paper from sugars etc on ground and as my pictures reflect, the wider street was clean. I thought this coffee shop was one of the better ones until now, it’s turning into a filthy dump with staff who have no pride or standards it seems. I empathise if the owners are not aware or maybe popularity has made them complacent. I’ll be reluctant...

The coffee was good but I will never visit again, sorry to say that but the staff was not wearing a mask at all apart from one member of staff who was “elegantly” wearing his under the chin. I also noticed other hygienic flaws with the staff members, particularly the blond guy who made our coffees, and was disgusted when he put our cups on the tray he touched with his fingers (hopefully clean, but at this point I really doubt it) the rim of the cups. All of the tables were full, no social distancing rules applied and there is probably one meter or one and a half...