Cafe koko in East Ayrshire

We came in for a coffee but we were presented with glorified hot milk. My father and I ordered a cappuccino but I've had better instant coffee and my daughters latte was essentially white in colour. None of the drinks had an ounce of coffee flavour despite that being the entire focal point of the shop. Furthermore, the selection of cakes and sweet treats were poor. I got a chocolate orange tray bake which was edible, but lacked in flavour.

Having read good reviews on the place for the last few weeks so they'd be the most recent, I was excited to try somewhere new so I could take my disabled partner out for the day, as he doesn't get out often due to his health. The staff were pleasant enough when we turned up and we were told we could sit anywhere. Placed our orders, and in retrospect, I'm glad they were only small for both of us though both my partner and I expected my partner's to be larger. We were in at around lunchtime, 12.30 or so, and the place was completely empty save for a couple of walk ins collecting coffees. Not quite what you'd expect for peak lunch time rush hour, but OK. Orders eventually came though my partner was told immediately there was no jalepenos for his nachos (which were on the menu as being chilli nachos, so you would expect chilli, no?). No explanation was given for there being no jalepenos just that there were none. What he got was a handful of tortilla chips from a packet, a handful of bright orange microwaved melted cheddar on top and this all drowned, and I do mean drowned in sweet chilli sauce. They were genuinely swimming in it, and he had to go and wash his hands when he was done eating. He also had to use my napkin since one of them came wrapped around the cutlery, with a big cafe koko sticker on it, rendering it useless since the napkin tore to shreds trying to take it off (I know places these days think that this is a cutesy little touch but stop it guys. You're just wasting a ton of paper and irritating customers who are mostly too polite to complain about something so minor). There was no promised chilli on the nachos, no explanation given, and he wasn't even told it wouldn't be coming with chilli so presumably when they wrote chilli nachos on the menu, THEIR idea of chilli is half a bottle of sweet chilli sauce on a handful of chips and that's good enough, that's technically chilli. He ate them because he was extremely hungry, and has a number of health conditions (both of us were clearly displaying our IDs complete with sunflower lanyards, his displaying his main disability, mine detailing I'm a carer) one of which means if he doesn't eat enough or regularly enough he will feel and be sick, and likely pass out very quickly. He didn't feel comfortable confronting them about the state of the nachos in store because of aforementioned disability, the staff were also preoccupied with other things and given their conduct over the food up until this point it didn't seem worth it. He did however mention that his hands were really sticky as he had to pass by them to go to the bathroom to wash his hands since they all had full eyes on him as he went and came back out. All they could give was a half hearted "oh, sorry". My own lunch was soup of the day and a Latte. I was given a potato soup, I asked beforehand. What I presumed was going to be handmade soup turned out to be canned and had a strange, sickly sweet taste to it, not like sugar but rather like vegetables that were starting to go off but had been used anyway (in retrospect, this may mean that it was home made, but either several days old, or made that day with extremely old vegetables, neither of which should have happened). I wad given a slice of brown bread with two little pats of butter which to be fair, is quite generous, on the butter side of things as most places will skimp and only give one. My bread was a little stale, was a little tough to eat along the crusts but nothing I couldn't live with. It still shouldn't be happening though. Especially not in a place with such a high reputation. The soup turned out to be a broth rather than a soup as well. While I like broths, not really as filling. They could do with updating their menu to state as such, since broths and soups are not made equal. I also ordered a Latte, which was fine and came with a Lotus biscuit, always a nice touch. You can't really mess up a basic Latte though. It was above lukewarm, but not quite drinking temperature. Considering we were the only ones in, I shouldn't have had to wait an extra few minutes beyond my soup arriving to receive it. During the eating of lunch, the staff then decided to sit down at a table and proceed to hold a phone call with what appeared to be one of the girls mothers, at full volume, on speakerphone. When that was done, they continued to sit and stream videos on the phone, also at full volume, for the rest of our visit, despite us looking over constantly. No apologies were made for this at all. Poor poor show on their part. This is meant to be a quiet hide away type place, it interrupts customers ability to enjoy the environment in general, neither of us could hear ourselves think, I had to speak louder as well for my partner to hear me, and he was sitting right in front of me. Even this didn't clue them in so I can only assume they knew and simply didn't care. It was so disruptive we just got up, paid, and left. Though while waiting for him to finish paying I did notice that the place wasn't the cleanest for a place serving food to the public. Right by the place where all the food is prepared, there's a bug space at the window which is just full of clutter, dirt, dust and grime. No excuse for this in a food service place, especially not when we're still coming out of a pandemic, and especially not when the staff are just stood around gossiping and watching YouTube at full volume because they have nothing else to do. As someone who has worked in a few cafes in my time I would most certainly have been fired for any one of these things. In the event that any of the staff see this (or indeed my partner's review) I will say this. I am not just being negative for the sake of being negative. These were our genuine findings and this is my genuine review from my own viewpoint. Constructive criticism does not equate to unnecessary negativity. For all of my criticism of what little food there was, I do have experience and knowledge to back my words up. I an an experienced cook myself (34 years, in fact) and have worked in many kitchens over the years, as well as cooking every single day from scratch at home. Use fresh ingredients, all of the time. If you cannot do that, don't do it at all. We CAN tell. Teach at least one of you to make a decent, basic chilli. It doesn't take much work, and can be left sitting warm in a slow cooker or something else the whole day. This will not ruin the chilli, in fact homemade chilli often benefits from this as it allows the spices, seasoning, and other flavourings to mingle. If I can make a good sized batch of chilli at home for less than a fiver that lasts us a couple of days, sometimes three, I don't see why you cannot. It's also freezable. You do not have to make your bread from scratch, especially given how long it can take, but it would pay to learn how if only for special promotions. Otherwise, have fresh bread all of the time. Do not scrimp on quality here at all, especially when you're trying to market yourselves as a couple of steps above a greasy spoon. A cheap slice of white is fine in a greasy spoon and fits in. The same wouldn't be true in your venue. Packet tortilla chips are fine. Even nuking cheese can be fine, but look to elevating the quality of ingredients if you must do that. Otherwise learn to make proper Mexican queso. The expense may be a little greater in the short term but when customers notice the dramatic difference, you won't be able to stop them from buying the nachos, they will pay for themselves. Soup is self explanatory, takes 5 minutes to make, fresh ingredients always, veg is incredibly cheap to get. Can leave it sitting warm in a crock pot waiting to be served all day as well and can also be frozen. FYI, supporting an MLM (Arbonne) is not a good look either, these schemes are incredibly predatory and leave the sellers and often their loved ones thousands upon thousands out of pocket. They are only allowed to legally operate in this country and in many states in the US by using a legal loophole, calling themselves network marketing instead. This is another reason I cannot continue to give my patronage to this place. We can tell, as customers, when corners are cut. Most won't speak up in person because 9 times out of ten staff will deny there's a problem and make a bit of a show of it, embarrassing the customer, hoping they'll settle for something inferior as a result, or they'll simply say sorry and give you evils from the kitchen or till for the rest of the visit. Either way, it always results in an uncomfortable atmosphere. So most will vote with their feet and wallet and just not come back. These are not people who are running a cafe because they love food from the bottom of their souls (if they are, they badly need a few cooking lessons). These are people making food for profit.

Called in here for morning coffee which was excellent, added a delightful home naked cake all round great value, speedy service and spotlessly clean would certainly advise a visit if your in the area!

I had Lentil soup, a cake and a cup of tea and enjoyed what I had. My parents come in here quite often and say the food is always nice. They had a good range of cakes available. The lady with the dark hair was very pleasant. If I didn't live 200 miles away, I'd be a regular.

We are young locals who visit cafe Koko every week and are never dissappointed! The service is great and the staff are so friendly, never harassing you. Fast service and probably the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted! Very welcoming and cosy, comfortable enviroment suitable for all ages and preferences. Highly recommend if visiting Kilmarnock!

Situated off John Finnie Street Cafe Koko is not somewhere you would come across if your in the town shopping. Been there a few times for coffee and very nice there coffee is! Not tried their food yet. The cafe itself is reasonably pleasant although now generally the warmest place. It's clean , comfortable and the staff are pleasant enough. It's good to have places that are not big chains, keep it local!

Stopped in for a breakfast a couple of times, everything freshly cooked and well presented, nice staff, place is clean and tidy and warm , good prices and selection,

Found this wonderful little cafe by chance. Food was well presented freshly made and good value. Had coffee which was also freshly made. Was naughty and had piece of chocolate fudge cake.... which was very scrummy. Will be going back next time I am in kilmarnock

I popped in here before visiting a client nearby. It was nice to see a varied breakfast menu and very good prices. The banana fritter was a great idea and the cheese scone was lovely. Plenty of on street parking nearby, lots of seating inside and a nice place to have a leisurely breakfast.

After completing a job in Kilmarnock, I was heading back to my vehicle when I noticed Cafe Koko. Might as well pop in for a coffee, I thought. I was greeted warmly by friendly staff who took my order of an americano & a slice of pecan cake. Coffee was good & the cake was lovely. Spot on.

Visited here with family and I was shocked at the service received. A staff member in particular came across very rude and uninterested in what was going on- no sort of friendly atmosphere. Even when leaving the staff member did not say thank you or even bye- unsure of her name it might have been Julie. I will not be back and will not be recommending the cafe.

Use Kokos most days for lunch. Home-made soup is excellent and made with gluten-free stock. Recently have added a few gluten-free cakes which is a bonus. Staff are lovely and very helpful.

Went with my fiancé and her family for breakfast/brunch. First of all there was a dirty table which had a tea bag on it which looked like it was there for a long period of time. The staff was sat about eating and took no interest on our arrival. While we were in the process of ordering we noticed the staff was very rude in her approach. There was sarcasm and her manner was rude towards us. We decided not to proceed with the order and find somewhere else. While leaving she muttered something under her breath. I am flabbergasted as I am not from this area I was looking forward to the typical friendly Scottish hospitality. Going to Cafe KoKo I didn't experience this and was offended. I would not recommend here unless they improve their staff approach.

Lovely home made soup served every day.All dishes presented well,good size portions.Caters for young children as well high chairs available and kids snack boxes.

My profession takes me from court to court in many towns throughout the U.K. It is always a challenge to find an eating place that can provide actual food at an affordable price. I have developed the habit of asking the court officers about where they breakfast. Sure enough I was directed to the Cafe Koko in Nelson Street just a few hundred yards from the court. Breakfast was the most splendid bacon roll (in the Scots style) along with tea served in a very friendly and jolly way given the early time in the morning. I went back for lunch. Super! And the fruit scone I had has yet to be beaten anywhere. I will be back!

Para el almuerzo y Nos dejó en el restaurante fue más grande de lo que me pareció cuando se ve desde la vista lateral con vistas a la antigua oficina de del Royal Mail. El lugar es quizás un poco descuidado pero tiene una decoración elegante y distinguida con cómodos asientos. El personal era muy atento, amable y nada era demasiado problema. Un menú típico y bastante sencillo con las deliciosas opciones habituales y precios muy razonables. El café era bueno y la oferta de café y una bienvenida bollo.

Me vienen a Koko de café regular y el personal es tan amable siempre educado y profesional siempre tomarse el tiempo para preguntar cómo su día ha sido etc, la comida es estupenda y a un precio razonable. La cafetería está decorado de forma moderna y los baños están limpios :) no atención a algunas personas que supongo que no se puede contentar a todo el mundo! Sigan :chicos de trabajo ) definitivamente la mejor cafetería en kilmarnock

Echoing the sentiments of another recent reviewer (stillroaming40), I was a regular user of Café Koko during previous ownership/management and also after the most recent ownership/management change.Under the previous regime, the premises were very pleasant and staff were very attentive, making this a nice place to visit for tasty and reasonably priced coffee and food. This continued for a while but on my last 3 visits recently, during late 2013 and early 2014 (I gave it a second and third chance!), I have noticed that the quality of staff, service and food has declined. Most notable is the level of service and attentiveness / efficiency of staff, which I find to be poor. The premises are still very busy but it appears that the staff on duty are unable to cope with the volume of patrons (despite there being apparently sufficient staff present) and on all 3 occasions, I found myself awaiting service for a long time until eventually going to the counter to make sure I was served. Tables are regularly left un-cleared for lengthy periods and when eventually served, crockery and cutlery is almost thrown onto the table.A real downturn in my opinion and a terrible shame!

best paninis in kilmarnock!! Great wece for a coffee/tea with yummy fresh cakes and absolutely spotless, would definatley reccommend this place.

This friendly coffee shop serves great food and the decor is current and welcoming. I frequently visit cafe koko with my family and staff always seem to go out there way to accommodate us with our baby! There chicken and rice soup is amazing, there prices are reasonable too. Keep up the good work.

I have eaten here many times due to it being close to my employment. A couple of years ago, this cafe was an absolute pleasure to visit and to eat in. I have been there three times this year (2013) and at each visit, I became more disappointed.Firstly, on my last visit, it was a Friday at 2.30.p.m and not busy. I saw about 4 waitresses yet they all ignored me as I took a seat. I was alone and generally feel okay with my own company but as time passed, I was starting to grow increasingly frustrated watching one waitress eat something while behind the counter and another stood doing nothing. It took her exactly 20 minutes before she came to get my order. My table remained uncleaned with crockery on it. I am surprised that waitresses there no longer seem to greet customers and my reason for being harsh in this review is that I have experienced this cafe to be fantastic in the past with better than average service. The decor is still modern and pleasant and the food is tasty (good soup). Come on Cafe Koko - don't lose the plot when you were doing so well!! My colleagues are in agreement. You have lost our hard-earned cash because your staff are no longer up to standard. They all appear so glum, fed up and disinterested in customers....such a sin when your food is good and venue pleasant.