The Cafe @ Waverley Abbey — Restaurant in Waverley

I've had some wildly different experiences at this cafe in the last couple of months, and I've ultimately decided not to return. The food is fine, the coffee is fine, but the environment is strange.

On my most recent visit, I placed my order at the counter and when I inserted my card the staff member informed me that on this screen I could specify how much I wanted to tip - and then coldly informed me that "our standard rate is 12.5%". She stood there and watched me very closely as I nervously typed in a percentage.

I felt badly about this experience. I hadn't even seen my food or coffee yet, there was no table service, and this minor interaction didn't warrant a tip in my opinion, especially considering how uncomfortable it made me.

I am usually a frequent tipper, and had there been a tip jar or card scanner that I could use after I had experienced the cafe's offerings, I would have considered tipping despite the lack of table service. But to pressure a customer to tip at the same rate you would tip a waiter at a restaurant before they've even made your coffee is wild to me. It left a bad taste in my mouth, and I don't think I'll return.

It's a shame, as it could have been a regular...

Weekend cafe trips are our thing, and I'd say we've been to 30+ across Surrey. I really think the owner and staff should go on a few Cafe trips to get some positive inspiration on what a good cafe is like. There was nothing outright wrong here, but everything could be improved significantly. I hope this doesnt come accross overly harsh but the staff were very slow, food choices limited, trays to small to fit cake and tea for two, tea not from teapots, giving the awkward option to tip before receiving food/drinks/service, menu board colour combos and font size make it very difficult to read from the queue, hotcross bun served cold. Its a lovely space in a beaitiful setting with so much potential. It would be amazing if some of these minor little things were improved to make a...

My first visit. The environs were pleasant but it was far too hot to linger inside the café as there was no air conditioning. I took my coffee and savoury scone to an outside table. Unfortunately I found my cappuccino to be bitter and it had very little froth. It just wasn't very nice. My savoury scone would have been ok had I liked a strong onion flavour and lots of onion pieces overpowering any cheese taste. I didn't so I discreetly threw away most of it. This was a real shame as I was looking forward to being in beautiful surroundings looking at the lake. I frequently visit Waverley Abbey ruins because it has a tranquil atmosphere but I'm unlikely to visit the cafe again (unless it's the winter, then maybe for a...