Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Sunderland

Costa is a place, that exists. Other than that, there's really not much more to say. It's standard, is mediocre, and it does what it's supposed to do. Nothing special.

The thing with mainstream High Street cafés is that they're honestly hit or miss. People go to Cafés to relax, but Costa is often packed with loud people. It's less of a Coffee Shop and more of a fast food chain. Yes the decor is nice, it's built to be cozy. But when you go and there's one seat available, and you have to shout to be heard, and when you're overwhelmed staring at the menu, trying to figure out what a frappilippyboppyoopiedoopiecchino is while being stared down expectantly by a worker who looks like they want to die ... Kind of takes away from what a Café is supposed to be in my opinion.

On the other hand, if you catch Costa at a decent time, its fantastic. Nice and quiet, a variety of relatively cheap tasty drinks. It can be an amazing place to relax, or chill with friends. I actually caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in a while here, and it was one of my favourite moments of this year so far. I'd recommend the Salted Caramel Frappuccino or something like that. It was pretty good!

Although I will say, the last time I went here with my girlfriend, we left after less than 30 seconds because they had no ice? Half of the menu is iced drinks? It was late morning? What?

Either way, the coffee here is standard, the atmosphere is mediocre, the staff are okay. Just an all-round...

I prefer Costa to Starbucks, but then again I suppose it's entirely up to you, I think younger people prefer Starbucks they seem to do a lot more chilled 'hip' beverages and Costa is more a chilled out vibe of a place, I'm not decrepit but it's nice to go somewhere and get some peace lol, anyway since COVID my taste buds have totally changed and I'm finding a lot of coffees very bitter, however Costas latte hits the sweet spot every time, lovely taste and always pipingly hot, the food side always look nice and fresh, my son loves the millionaire shortbread, price wise it's on par with other chains so it's not surprising it can cost between 10 and 20 quid for 2 people to eat and have a drink, the staff are always pleasant if a bit young sometimes but as is life these days, almost all food and coffee shops employ younger staff, when companies say they are not aged when employing staff.... legally they are, but deep down us oldies know can't get a look in for jobs lol, and why not when we need to support our younger workers, keep up the good work and I'll keep popping in for a latte every...

Got ripped off £20 by assistant manager (Sarah - female 40s) at 1100am on weekend of Xmas. She not only denied I'd paid her £20 in front of customers, but repeatedly demanded to her manager the same when I asked him to check camera and cash up if needed, because I had in fact paid her £20. This was highly embarrassing but after the checks were made manager was honest enough to return my money and explained staff were quite busy although no apology offered. complained to Costa head office and awarded 1000 points on my card for the bad service. I've since visited and again no apology offered from this woman. I think she thinks if she tucks her head in the sand I will forget about it. But I won't. Nobody is too big or good to apologise when they are wrong. I...