Cafe at John Lewis at Home in Poole

My friend and I went to the cafe today for a coffee but ended up trying the red lentil soup and so glad we did, the best I've had in a very long time. Super friendly and helpful staff too. Will definitely be going back.

Went for lunch with my daughters and some friends. I was very surprised to see the rolls (although they looked very nice) to be uncovered in the fridge that you help yourself to. Only tuna or egg were the options so I had the egg mayo. It was unsurprisingly very dry as it wasn't covered, but tasted ok. The next day however, I had let's just say an 'upset' tummy. I'm convinced it was from the egg mayo! 😞 My daughter's kids lunch pack was good and my other daughter's toasted sandwich was good though.

Met a friend here, hadn’t been before so didn’t know how the system worked, was waiting around for some time and ignored by all the staff members, when approached I asked the lady at the counter how in order something and had my head bitten off, explained I hadn’t ordered anything before …. I asked for a bagel and they didn’t have any, ordered a grilled cheese sandwich instead as I felt pressure from her and the queue building up behind me. Asked for an ice coffee, they don’t sell them … had a latte and it was the worst coffee I have ever tasted, the sandwich arrived, they call out your name?! Not good when busy as you can hear, maybe table numbers would help?! The sandwich was greasy, eat half and left it! The only good thing was the free water, £9.20 waste! Extremely overpriced, plenty of other nice places to eat with nicer staff.

I had some time to kill as I waited for my car to be serviced/MOT’d so I popped into John Lewis for a coffee. In these enlightened times when you can get great coffee on the hoof, even at motorway service stations, I have to say this was one of the worst coffees I have ever tasted. So bad that after one sip I had to leave it. Fortunately the carrot cake was lovely and they do have jugs of water on the side so I had something to wash it down with. But come on John Lewis no wonder it was quiet as on previous visits the cafe was so rammed I had to abandon my quest for a coffee. I did consider reporting it the the counter staff but they looked so done in that I didn’t think they could take the criticism. Later that day still waiting for my car I popped into B&Q at Fleetsbridge. Fab little cafe there and even better fab coffee.

I had to go to pick up an item, so decided to try out the cafe first for a coffee, really, just to see how true the reviews were. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, despite being packed, late saturday afternoon. True, I've had better coffee, but it was service with a smile, the cafe was clean and the cake was fresh and delicious, so no complaints here. Just wondering what the complainers wanted?

shame Rachel, it's very bad of you to lie even though report me to blue arrow I tried to help dear people, I can't call her Mrs. Rachel Cafe John Lewis, she lied that I was rude to people, I never had contact with people, the lie she invented she does nothing all day but spies on others shameeeeeeee on youuuu

The young girl on the till didn't speak once. No hello, thank you or anything. How's that for customer service for John Lewis. Then the lemon drissle cake was last slice. Big regret as totally stale. Shame on you John Lewis

This was a visit to John Lewis at home store in Poole yesterday. I decided to check out their garden section in search of a cushion storage unit. A mature gentleman approached me to ask if he could help. I explained what I was looking for and told due to limited space, they didn’t have one to show. Firstly he suggested I should take a look online. It might have been nicer, as the store was so quiet, that he offered to do it with me and then might have got a sale. When I suggested I’d prefer to see it physically, he suggested I go and take a look in ‘Homebase!’ I told him I had JL vouchers I wanted to spend. So then he referred me to going online again. Not the service I expected from John Lewis. How times have changed!

Very very little choice for gluten free. Who wants to wade through a book and look at each cake individually to see what you can and cannot have that is gluten free. It would make much more sense if they put a ticket on the item advising gluten free. Gluten free scones are not very nice either, very dense and heavy. Its not difficult these days to order in gluten free cakes, tea cakes etc. John Lewis obviously do not care about Coeliacs, Gluten free customers.

popped into the cafe on Saturday 19th feb and decided to have a bit of lunch too. the queue took absolutely ages .there were 3 people in front of me ...........at least about 15 minutes. I dont know who but it's always very slow here . the selection of food is terrible . I opted for the sandwich as pictured below. I had to ask for butter as there was none and it was also so dry as there must have just been a lick of mayo in it ! the squares were so tiny too and I understand it's part of the children's meal ........but honestly !! and it cost £2.50...I didnt dare complain as I thought I'd probably be there till 5pm !!!

Lunch time visit and had the soup of the day. It was a lovely Thai spicy chicken and coconut dish, served with a sour dough baguette. Lovely and creamy with a spicy coconut and lemongrass flavour. Just what the doctor ordered. Will try lunch here again next time I am in the area.

I know we should have patience and tolerance during these times of COVID-19 but queuing for 30 minutes whilst one person is serving and one is sat on the till as they are on crutches is ridiculous on a busy Saturday. Only stayed as it was an afternoon out for my disabled mum.

I have frequently complained about cold coffee and also poor quality. The staff have always been helpful.

I often meet my friends for lunch or afternoon tea and we are never disappointed. Fantastic quality food, great menu choice and lovely staff. Perfect place to relax and enjoy time out with friends.

You expect better... a) because it's John Lewis and b) because it's not cheap. The chocolate pantone-topped cheesecake was heavyish but enjoyable. The sandwiches were awful. Dry bread, minimal and tasteless filling, and if there was any butter on the bread it was just the stingiest smear. Fifties British Rail quality at trendy 21st century prices. Never again. Should have complained but who needs the stress over a sandwich.

I visited for tea and cake with my children whilst christmas shopping. The staff were lovely and very helpful. We wanted vegan cakes and the staff were more than pleased to help us choose and explained carefully about cross contamination etc - they really knew their stuff! We also had lovely herbal teas which were beautifully presented in their own teapots, giving you 3 cups full. It was a pleasant experience and we were pleasantly surprised that our dietary requirements were met here, if not exceeded - Thank you!

When I visited over a year ago I was really impressed with the service and quality and left a review recommending the coffee and croissants. After visiting this weekend I am disappointed that everything about the place has gone downhill. Not enough staff and they did not seem to know what they were doing. Coffee was weak and insipid. Mucky cutlery. Scones overcooked with sultanas like bullets. Sorry but wont be visting again in a hurry even if I did have a free coffee and cake voucher!!!

Amazing service, fast paced, loved the apple tart! The guys who served me on till were so friendly!!

Went today and took mother in law as a treat. She had a flat white which came in a cup so small we thought we were in France. I had an Americano which was in a large cup. Super. However how disappointed were we when we tasted the coffee? I have no idea who they use or maybe it was how it was made. Definitely won’t be going there again. And don’t even start me on the price of my husbands mint tiffin slice.

Dressed like an upmarket Cafe which sits well with the brand but in all honesty the service could have been much better, stopped for a coffee and a cake with my wife, it wasn't busy and their were two members of staff serving, however, when we came to select our drink neither had turned to take our order and continued in their own conversation for a period of 5 minutes. At this point we decided we didn't need to provide our custom and left, disappointed.

A good basic café with plenty of choice for beverages and food. It is located on the 1st floor of the building, there is wide access for wheelchairs or buggy's.

Called into John Lewis Poole for a browse and finished with a coffee in the cafe. Staff were friendly and quick and the tea and coffee fine? Did not eat as it too early but what we did have was ok. The tables were clean and the finished cups etc were cleared quickly. Overall very acceptable.

This little cafe is amazing for gluten free biscuits and cake choices. The sandwiches are good and my favourite, the soup, is always excellent. It can however get very busy and noisy so best avoided at peak times. The cafe is situated in the first floor of the home store so does not offer great accessibility. There is lift access if needed.The Service is efficient and staff pleasant as you would expect from John Lewis and they do serve up a really nice coffee. The downside of this cafe is cost.All of the items sold are expensive and you get ‘snacks’ for the price of a meal elsewhere.

Visited the Café today to purchase a light lunch and hot chocolate. I joined the queue and picked up a sandwich and ordered a hot chocolate. The queue went very slowing ie.10 minutes, despite there being a number of staff behind the counter. None of them seemed to be helping to serve other customers in front of me. When I reached the cashier, I was asked again if I wanted a drink, I told the lady I had already ordered a hot chocolate. I was then informed they didn't have any. No apologies were given, so I left in disgust. What a wasted journey to John Lewis.

In comparison M&S; far out shine this place when it comes to their customer cafe. Not only expensive in return for nothing special but my tea cup was dirty & had to wipe it clean before pouring my tea. Scones looked cremated too. Not good

Visit to buy some excellent lighting. Good time for a quick coffee. Long queue at the counter. Two people serving but several others hovering about. Waited and waited while they dithered about over orders and bills. Quality was good when we eventually sorted the order and got it. Strange because we had a similar awful experience at High Wycombe yet our John Lewis at Southampton is brilliant.

Not my first bad experience here but today was particularly awful. Despite a voucher for free drink and cake there was no soya milk or dairy alternative because they'd 'run out'. In a week when a major outlet is on trial for 2 deaths attributed to their lax attitude to dietary intolerances I would expect a more accommodating attitude from staff at JL. There was a small selection of pre wrapped gluten free cakes but no fresh gluten free ones and only a choice of 3 for my non GF friend. She ordered an Earl Grey tea but was given normal. A whole tray of china smashed to the floor in the background whilst we were being served and the whole place has a grubby run down appearance. Certainly not what I'd expect from JL. Very poor indeed. Don't think I'll bother even if it is free next time.

Went to John Lewis at Home to look at coffee machines but whilst there decided to have coffee and cake.

Very wet miserable Sunday joined a long queue for a snack and a coffee. Was very impressed by the efficiency and professionalism of the staff who were working hard to serve customers with a smile and a friendly chat. Delicious cappuccino and very fresh croissants. Well done for brightening up our day.

To be brief. Two sandwiches & two teas, the bill was £16.15P. The teaspoons were stained and initially no receipt was offered or given until requested.

We had BLT sandwiches. The bread was so stodgy it stuck to the roof of my mouth, needing a drink to dislodge it. The after taste stayed all afternoon; a sort of TCP taste which polo mints couldn’t shift. It’s a shame as the beef, rocket and fennel rolls are very scrummy. This visit though was a true disaster.

I am surprised at the number of less than positive comments from previous reviewers, herewith my thoughts:

This was second visit in last couple of months. Felt the same first time but thought should give it another try. Awful treats.. Cakes, scones, pastries everything rock hard and stale. Would now shop at JL but treat myself at Patesserie Angeliique in Westbourne. No more JL cafe.

Stopped by for coffee & cake while shopping. I've been numerous times and every time it has been really busy which is a good sign but the queues are always bad and there's a lot of waiting around.

Best place around for a coffee and cake or sandwiches . Relaxing , busy and very efficient . Although busy the staff keep it clean . Plenty to look at in j Lewis and the rest of the retail park

Good quality that you mite expect. Light lunch well priced. Small but well prepared menu.freindly staff. Pleasant atmosphere

After a good slog around John Lewis it was great to sit down and have a remarkably good cup of tea and a lemon muffin.

Lack of any adult leadership meant that the service was slow, tables were not cleared and the cutlery ran out. John Lewis, shame on you, you've taken your eye off the ball.

Best go early, nothing left in the afternoon, at least that is what we find, quite expensive for such simple food!

Es una tienda de café y como tal, siempre está lleno y los precios son bastante altos. Cuando yo estaba aquí, los clientes no tener que recoger las mesas en sí, ya que estaban con una pila de platos sucios y tazas. Servicio amable y genial con el café y el pastel vales!

En cuanto a l conocer a John Lewis tienen el monopolio de la preparación en este complejo; lo que parece que puede cobrar lo que quiera por comida y bebidas. indiferente El personal no es muy servicial. Venga John Lewis lo puedes hacer mejor que esto.

Paramos aquí para un almuerzo ligero y tomó la zanahoria y cilantro sopa. No está mal. Pero el pan de acompañamiento estaba seco, ligeramente rancio y desapareció en un pajote en cuanto toqué la sopa; desagradable. Luego está el precio de más de 14 libras para 2 sopas y un café con leche y un té. Bastante caro.

Larga cola, mesas sin recoger, inútil, el servicio es lento. Muy caro para lo que teníamos. El rollo era casi 7 libras y no tengo mucho de llenado y mi sopa estaba tibia. Era tan pobre, evitamos que en nuestra última visita a pesar de que se necesita un café. La actitud de mi marido fue que se negó a darles ningún encargo porque no se lo merecen. También tuvimos una mala experiencia hace unos meses en la sucursal de Southampton. ¿Por qué John Lewis, un pobre?

Quick pit stop here whilst out shopping on a Saturday. We had Thai chicken soup and a prawn sandwich. Neither were particularly nice and both around a fiver. I would not stop here again other than for a coffee. Sorry!!

Ate here quite late in the day. tuna and cucumber roll seemed to be lacking filling.Really quite dry and not cheap at nearly a fiver!Highlight was ginger cake with crystallised ginger on top. Very clean and tidy.

I've often wondered why the JL cafe in Poole hasn't had the foresight to get a second till or second coffee machine/barista on the go during the busy period...there is definitely space to have one or the another..or in fact both. The queue tails off into the store at times which looks horrendous. The staff generally are so very grumpy here, and they clearly don't enjoy the job at all because of the long queues. With the exception of some of the younger female staff who always do there best to look cheery and welcome you with a smile, the slow older members of staff are generally nothing short of useless. There seems to be a pattern emerging whenever I go in, where younger staff are left solo on the front counter to deals with the queue, while the older staff hide out the back pretending to wash up. The clearing of tables is done so intermittently and without urgency. A member of staff strolls around with a trolley once in a blue moon without a care in the world. They clear maybe 3 or 4 tables, fill their trolley and disappear, not to be seen for another 20mins...I just don't get it! You charge the world for nearly every product in the cafe but can't give us a clean table to sit down on. Every now and then, someone, dressed in what appears to be a management uniform comes round to check up on things. Surely they can see the restaurant looks like Beruit, but they seem more concerned with skimming the till. I dunno, it seems you need a vocal and active team leader on shift to help out the younger staff and give everyone else a kick up the backside. There's no system, no direction and it's all just so out of keeping with JL standards. I know it's stressful with constant queues, but many hands make light work. At the very least you should employ, or delegate a member of staff to the clearing of the restaurant as their sole responsibility, especially during busy times. Get a dustpan and brush out, sweep the floor, clean the seats. Everything is so sterile, grubby and robotic..such a shame! I really hate to pick on the older staff, but this environment, despite it being full of over 50s customers, is just way too quick for them. JL cafe is totally missing a trick.

Coffee & food are ok. Staff friendly & accommodating. However,perhaps it's because I have usually visited here at weekends with husband when it is at its busiest which unfortunately means long queues & lack of tables.

Love JL coffee and cake, even better with the vouchers they send us.The Banoffee Cheesecake is awesome and in my opinion they best on the menu.

Ordered 2 teas, a pain aux chocolate and a scone. The teas were disgusting. The pain aux chocolate rubbery and the scone was In a plastic insert and tasted off and very hard. The butter warm. Told the cashier and shrugged her shoulders. Paid £10 for absolute crap!!!

Seem to be a lot of whingers on here. I thought it was absolutely fine, maybe some of the negative comments have been taken on board, service with a smile and pretty quick, coffee lovely and as has been said before, carrot cake very moreish.

Visited the cafe for coffee. Food good but overpriced lots of tables with used cups and plates everyone had to clear a table to be able to sit down. That is on a monday not a particularly busy day would not go near it on a sat or sun in fact would not arrange to meet there again !

I too was not happy with the service. Young lad taking the orders, and payment, at about 2 clock today was very good and doing his best. However, lady behind him did not even attempt to help customers. She could have asked my order and had it ready as I got to payment point. She tidied around instead, slowly, with her back to the queue. It was not busy by the way. I ordered soup, she served it from a large tureen managing to find not one bit of chicken. Disappointing, since it was a Thai chicken soup after all! She was not friendly. I do not like "familiar" so when I say not friendly I mean quite off putting. I've had better service before here, and good coffee and cake, but the staff are always slow.

Me and my Nan usually go here because it's close to home however other than that I probably wouldn't ever go there. It's nice for one time really then it just feels the same hardly anything new added and fairly limited food options. Not that the food is bad is very tasty don't get me wrong but I do like some variety in my life. And the price is average. Not to high not to low. No real complaints just kinda average

Called into John Lewis at Home to look at their range of TVs and as it was lunchtime decided to get something to eat.Since our last visit they have added more tables and chairs which made it easier to find somewhere to sit.Queued up and ordered two coffees, piece of cake and two bacon rolls only to be told there was no bacon ready and it would be 15 minutes so decided to have some other rolls instead. There wasn't much choice, ham and emental, egg and cress or tuna and cucumber.Total bill just over £13 but with a voucher for a free drink and cake the bill reduced to £8.90.Food and drinks were nice but it was disappointing that we didn't get totally what we wanted.

Sometimes I'm required to attend extended shopping trips, mainly as transport manager and very occasionally for advice and opinion...normally of the 'fill it fit?' style.Being experienced in these matters, my wife and daughter were already aware of the cafe in John Lewis, of course, but it was fresh territory to me.We headed straight there, essentially to fuel the inevitable energy-consuming exploration of anything and everything...several times over...on both floors. I was grateful for the escalator to get me up to the first floor, home of the cafe.It wasn't too busy and we were quickly and efficiently served with our snack lunch food and drinks. The young man serving was very pleasant and helpful. Everywhere was clean and tidy, items neatly set out and accessible.Two of us opted for pre-packed salads...ham hock...that were very tasty, if a little heavy on the green leafy side. Not huge and not especially good value. The cakes were okay and the lemon tart I had was delicious. Pot of tea was superb...good taste, really hot and the spout poured only into the cup!!! So it should, you may think, but it isn't always so. I got just about three cups from it, too.The ladies swept off on their mission and I was left to peruse my surroundings in the cafe. This wasn't going to be a bad place to spend a couple of hours. I would spend more money, of course, and allow myself a cursory stroll around the first floor. Even try out a bed or two, a sofa or three...dining chairs even. After all, I might be asked something about them later.My second light snack, a sensible two hours later, consisted of the tempting prawn and rocket pre-packed sandwich. Looked lovely but on opening and tasting was starting to feel its age. It was okay, just a little tired. Bit like me. Another pot of tea washed it down well and I was ready to go check on progress. They were so happy with their choices. This is win/win/win.I was happy, too, in the knowledge that next time a major shopping trip to John Lewis reared its head, I could willingly tender full 'indirect shopping support' from the confines of the cafe...indirectly.I didn't notice any hot choices...there might be, not sure.One member of staff, I think from North America, was one of the most industrious and happy people I saw that day. A refreshing change from a few of the floor staff who were ill-informed and ill-mannered...snippets I casually picked up ambling around as I did. A smile and pleasant attitude isn't difficult and would go a long way to increasing smiles and attracting return visits. Surprised John Lewis hasn't adopted that strategy, across the board. Some do it, naturally...all could do it as a matter of policy.Oh, and what happened to the down escalator? Those of us who find climbing up stairs difficult, may very well find descending tricky, too. Maybe even more so. Did the designers not think of that!?

Had a delicious slice of banoffee cheesecake and a cappuccino today. I'm very fussy about my coffee and this is one of the few places in Poole that gets my approval

It's a characterless place. I have been in better works canteens. Staff are dour and communication is almost non existent. A smile is a luxury. Cakes are drastically overpriced. I had a hot cross bun and asked for it to be toasted she said we don't have a toaster. I said but you are a cafe!!! The whole queue was in an uproar with laughter at her answer. It has no resemblence to the service you receive when stepping into the store. This cafe is very downmarket

Very unimpressive quality "Luxury hot chocolate" drinks- £2.90 each and, underneath the cream and marshmallows, the 'chocolate' drink tasted and appeared to be brown waste water.... With no luxury in sight.Take them back, what, for more of the same?

Having recently received MyJL vouchers in the post I usually use them in Southampton I was passing the Poole store so decided to have a coffee and cake. Very impressed with the friendly speedy service, delicious cheese scone and coffee. Extra nice because it's free!! Will definitely be visiting again. Impressed with the rest of the store too.

Called in for cake & a coffee. Not very impressed with the service, the lady taking then money was not very friendly, hardly smiled & was quite offhand! They had a few young people preparing & serving the drinks who were very slow. Some of my coffee was spilt in to the saucer & not very warm. Totally different level of service to what you receive in the shop & it's not exactly cheap!

Nothing exciting but okay of you are in the area and want to stop for a bite to eat or drink. Certainly not somewhere to go out of your way to get to.

Annoyingly boring and expensive for what is on offer. Tables not cleaned up regularly. Teapots so full that they slop over. Staff don't appear to take pride in providing a good serviceunlike in the shop itself. Mediocre, but they have a captive market

Popped in for coffee whilst visiting retail park,coffee very good and nice choice of cakes and pastries.Staff very pleasant would go back

John Lewis should be ashamed of their cafe. The food and drink is expensive and not particularly good. I had the the most tasteless blueberry muffin ever.The service is slow and the staff do not appear to be motivated.Despite its shortcomings, it remains popular, probably due to its location and the free parking.

Been many times here but popped in today for a cup of tea with my mum and sister.I do find the food to be expensive but everything I have had has been good and the drinks are reasonably priced. Also there is a good choice for gluten free eaters like me.It is the only coffee shop on the retail park so you don't really get much of a choice of where to go but I've always enjoyed my visits and today was no exception.

I had the misfortune to buy a coffee and a dish of yoghurt and muesli with slimy frozen strawberries, what a mistake. This is the most awful cafe with poor service, long queues, uncleared tables and expensive poor quality food.

We visited for coffee and cake - the queue was long and the drinks menu was largely unavailable. There were lots of staff behind the counter but no apparent organisation or structure - another customer was complaining about non-delivery of his food. The cake was dry and there was no jam for the scones! Really, it can't be that difficult to get this right! Better management required.

A friend and I popped in for a cake and a cuppa Thursday morning - there was a big queue but I would suggest that's because there is nothing else on the retail park.The tea was ok, we shared a mince pie which was ok, I asked for some cream but was told if I wanted cream I could use the small long life pots that go with a coffee. Staff were pretty miserable - all in all average - wouldn't rush back

Cakes are quite expensive (scone £2.20 + 60p for the jam) so ended up opting for a modest jacket potato with filling for £4.50. Pot of tea £1.90 is decent. High chair and microwave available for infants.

Often call in here for coffee and cake with family and friends. Nice and clean, good service. The cakes are delicious especially the scones.

Got to say the worst cup of tea in a long while but the best carrot cake I've ever tasted ??? I suppose the simple answer is forget the tea and eat cake!!

Went in on Sunday morning for a quick coffee and a bacon sandwich. There was a small queue but impressed with the speedy service offered and the polite and friendly staff. I had a simple black coffee and bacon sandwich which was lovely, made with thick bacon and not the thin, cheap stuff you find in the supermarket. Coffee was lovely an served in what I thought was a large cup however was surprised to find it was a regular size which was impressive and offered value for money. Whilst the prices were a bit more than I would expect, overall it was good value for money and my wife and I shall be back soon to try some of the lovely looking cake!

We had quick pit stop this afternoon at the very well appointed cafe in John Lewis. We were served very efficiently by the courteous staff. It was easy to find a clean table. We had two pots of tea which you could get two cups of tea from and a slice of carrot cake "to die for"!!

Very slow, I never go to the one in my home town of York as it is awful, this was worse, slow, inefficient and seemed understaffed even with 3 people they were struggling and it was 1.30. Display was very limited then whilst we were eating it was then stocked up. Expensive and disappointing.

On the day we visited the coffee machines were out of order so we had tea. Milk is supplied in one large jug on cutlery stand, so help yourself but nothing to actually pour it into. No teaspoons available. No serviettes available only paper hand towels. Girl making the teas extremely sullen and painfully slow to watch! Bacon sandwiches soggy and wet on the bottom. All in all a complete waste of money and extremely disappointed in John Lewis.

Some of the staff, though not all, look a bit on the stupid side, and indeed behave so. They should not be employed in a position where they come into contact with the public as they present a bad image of today's young people. The older staff members, being of a different generation with associated values are much better. Expensive coffee and cakes, still, it's a handy place when shopping. Just been refurbished so the surroundings aren't unpleasant.

Two gormless male staff behind counter. Snails move faster and have better social skills!!. No water, no clean glasses, no napkins. Tables not cleared. Waited for so long for a coffee I could have picked the beans, roasted and ground them myself many times over.

Sullen staff, long queues for very little, no help offered to elderly, no napkins, no spoons, very poor organisation. I don't know why I keep going there. Oh yes I do; I had a coupon which gave me a free drink and cake. Otherwise I wouldn't bother.

You wait ages to be served and the food is very expensive. We recently purchased a pot of tea and prawn and rocket sandwiches. Couldn't taste the prawns at all and the cost was around the £5.00 mark just for tasteless sandwiches. On another visit (should have known better from the last time) we had a jam and cream scone, muffin and a pot of tea. The scone was rock hard, there wasn't any milk so I had to go looking for it, no teaspoons and only one knife. The tables aren't cleared very promptly either. This cafe is so different to the Southhampton store, which is a joy to visit. We won't be using the Poole one again.

Great view of the busy junction. Good coffee and cakes. Easy free parking. Toilet son the same floor reached by escalator.

The menu at this café offers bacon sandwiches at £3.95 and sausage baguettes also at £3.95. Calling in on a Saturday morning I chose the bacon sandwich but my other half decided he fancied a bacon and sausage sandwich. Now in my experience, eating establishments will do their best to oblige especially when a request such as ours is so simple. Not at 'Jobsworth' John Lewis they don't!I was informed that they couldn't meet our request because "there isn't a button on the till for it"!!Now my sandwich had a filling of 2 rashers of bacon. Surely one sausage could have been substituted for one rasher bearing in mind the prices were the same? As it was the sandwiches when we got to eat them were not very appetising. Thick farmhouse bread with 2 small, lukewarm rashers within. The bacon was so minimal and the bread so thick that you really could only taste the bread.This cafe let down the John Lewis name on several levels and needless to say we won't bother eating here again!

Places like this make me wonder what's wrong with having waiting staff. The queue at the counter of this cafeteria goes interminably slowly, because inevitably it has to go as slow as the slowest person and as slow as the slowest method of making or serving anything. So even if you want a straightforward soft drink and a sandwich, you STILL have to queue for anything up to 15 minutes. Why? What's the point of that? Look, I know the Brits love a good queue and hate to complain, but I genuinely think the coffee here is excellent, as is the choice of snacks. The stupidity of this system is that the place still needs the staff to operate it and clear away the plates, but because there's no table-waiting, the staff don't get any tips. The enjoyable (and tip-earning) part of their job is bringing the orders out, not clearing the rubbish away afterwards.So, the solution is to add waiting staff. Queues vanish, staff are motivated more, customer experience is vastly better. Everyone wins. John Lewis just has to get over this weird British antipathy towards having waiting staff.Seriously, the business model of this place just makes no sense whatsoever. Which is why I don't go any more and wouldn't recommend anyone else to.

Whilst visiting John Lewis at Home we fancied a coffee so headed to the cafe on the first floor which is accessible by stairs, escalator or lift.It is also worth mentioning that you can park outside the store and this is free.The cafe is quite small with a selection of tables and chairs and a higher counter where you can sit on stools and look out the window.You queue up and order and pay for your drinks which they make to order and you take them to your own table. The coffee is really good quality and tastes nice. We looked at the cakes which were very nice looking but quite expensive and in the region of £3 each so we didn't indulge.They do also offer sandwiches, teacakes and other light meals.A pleasant and convenient cafe but quite expensive to eat there.