The Rabbit Hole Tea Room — Restaurant in Stoke-on-Trent

Came in on spec on my own but they were fully booked. Nice setting and vintage music makes you feel liked you've stepped back in time. But nothing very different from other tea rooms around SOT. Did feel a bit cramped and a little noisy. They had a sofa at the back where I could have a sandwich and drink. But it wasn't really an appropriate place to eat. Ate at my lunch on my knee, the coffee table was to small.There is back area which also had great decor. It had 2 tables one had a post in front of it. It's also away from the main dining area. Service was ok but nothing amazing. Am disappointed, but will try again and ensure I book a table in advanced.

Reply to owner - I'm sorry that my comments have disappointed you. The comments are superficial and observations. I dont think my 3 star rating will deter people from coming. This is not my intention. I'm no guru, you're a small, young family business but please see this as more of a learning curve. The service recieved was standard and lacked personal interaction. Yes I was advised the sofa is suitable for tea and cake, however I was hungry and I asked if it was possible to have a light lunch. To which you said yes. Maybe you should have no. Having sat there i dont think its even suitable for tea. I did feel out of place. I came in for the decor and dining experience, regardless of where I sat. Isnt that what a cosy tea room is about? The back area looked finished and even had diners there. I was just puzzled as to why the post wasnt painted in full since everything else seemed perfect. You only asked me if everything was ok when i came to pay not during. I would have gladly given some feedback but it was my choice to have lunch on the sofa and thought it was my fault (in which your reply suggests it was,) that I didnt receive some attention. But on reflection, you should be ensuring I was comfortable, especially knowing that this isnt the best place to eat. I hope that this explains my 3 star rating. Some personal attention, not just the standard 'was everything ok' at the end would have maybe got you 4 stars. I'm in full support of local businesses and whilst my first dining experience wasn't the best I will come again. The decor, food, music was great and your prices I found reasonable. I would have liked to have read some acknowledgement of my return in your comment for encouragement and that you'll ensure that I have a table in the main dining area when I book, instead you've focused on...

TL:DR - The decor is great, the food is okay but the service is beyond APPALLING.

The place looks brilliant when you enter, top marks to the interior designer. Also, the food was good but overpriced. Nearly £15 for a decent sized portion of picnic food, about £5 for a portion of quiche.

However, the only good points are ruined by the employees. The owner guy seems tolerable but the staff are absolutely terrible. Inattentive, rude and argumentative.

The service was a comedy of errors. They got the bookings wrong and had to move other customers from our table. We asked several different servers about items on the menu, they went away to check and didn't return. It turned out about a 1/4 of the menu wasn't available. We only received half the amount of tea we ordered, said they were bringing more, then didn't. Once we had received the food and drink nobody came back anywhere near our table. Two members of staff stood talking to regulars and the young servers just hid behind the counter. Had to go to the counter to request more milk, okay, but then they sent it back with one of our children because they were apparently too busy talking to do it themselves. Same again with the bill, we eventually sent one of our children back up to get someones attention, then they made a fuss about splitting the bill saying they're too busy.

After making a remark to a young member of staff about the poor service, and half their staff spending more time talking rather than serving, the older woman who works there became very confrontational causing our children to get very upset. A youth working in a baseball cap who looks like he's fresh out of Werrington YOI started threatening members of our party and we left while they were still arguing with us.

All-in-all, quite entertaining if you like abysmal service and...

These are photos from two years ago when I came as I forgot to take any yesterday unfortunately. We came for the afternoon tea and it did not disappoint, but then, the rabbit hole never does! This is been my fourth time visiting and it everytime I come, I notice something different with the amazing decor, there’s something new that catches my eye and it’s mesmerising, intricate details on the walls and surrounding the room, are a reflection of the food. You order 4 sandwiches per person, 1 cake, 1 scone snd 1 drink. You think that’s it for afternoon tea but on the stand, comes lots of surprising, delicious extras! Little cheesecakes, mousse, cupcakes, salad, crisps, fruit, various condiments plus more if you ask, but really there’s nothing you’d need that isn’t on the stand, unless you’re fussy!! I like the sandwiches with no extras, just as they are and pick at the salad, it looks so much more appetising on the stand too with the colour laid out beautifully. Everything is delicious, they offer you boxes to take things home too so you don’t have to leave anything behind. We came to the end of our tables time limit and a member of staff came over and politely explained the time has come to and gave us the bill, I didn’t feel rushed in any way and it’s clear upon booking the time slot you have to be done for. Everything was done to perfection. I hope this place is around for many, many years to come as I plan on bringing my young daughters here again every birthday as a tradition for afternoon tea🩷 thank you once again for a very welcoming, warm and...