Cocoa by Ali in Birmingham

I hired Coca by Ali for a private dining experience for my birthday. An aestheically pleasing venue with great customer service - shout out to Jude and the team for cooking me a lovely birthday dinner. It was very reasonably priced to book with different menus to choose from in advance. Hearty portion sizes. Communication was seamless on Instagram, and everyone enjoyed themselves. I'm sure there will be some repeat customers as a result.

One of my favourite spots in the country! Healthy meets indulgence - plenty of options, stunning menu and decor.

Ordered a birthday cake. It was not made to the expected standard. It didn't have the message we asked for on the cake. The sponge inside was broken they added extra icing randomly (see photo). I could have made the cake myself instead of paying what is an extortionate amount. When considering placing the order, they were messaging constantly. I contact them to complain and seek some resolve and depsite my messages they're after a month of receiving the cake still not responding. Terrible service and disappointing cake considering its from the business of the man who's appeared on bake off. We asked for a sophisticated look at gold leafs we're randomly placed on like a 4 year old would have. Overpriced and they shoved a few plastic pieces on for decoration. Despite me expecting icing decoration. There was nothing special at all about this. A Betty crocker gluten free cake would have been cheaper, more moist and I could have bought my own decoration pieces. A drawing from their team of what we were getting and what we actually got.

Brilliant food!!! Brilliant service!! Brilliant food!!! Brilliant service Brilliant food!!! Brilliant service

I booked an afternoon tea here with my mom to treat her for Mother’s Day but unfortunately I found out on the day that I had to move my booking. Customer service was extremely unhelpful and refused to return my deposit. So I asked if I could at least move my booking and they refused to do that too. It’s not because they couldn’t and they weren’t busy, no they’re lazy and care more about profit than customer satisfaction. They refused to accommodate me in any way despite me calling 6 hours in advance. I reluctantly showed up with my cousin instead as not to let my deposit go to waste and I was very disappointed. The afternoon tea did not have clearly labelled vegetarian options and I clearly stated in my booking that I am a vegetarian so I accidentally ate a chicken sandwich and the chicken was cold and chewy making it even more disgusting. It would have been forgivable if the chicken was actually nice but it just tasted like some cheap supermarket sandwich chicken which had been reheated in a weak microwave. My dessert had a decorative feather in it which was huge hygiene issue as the feather was dusty and sticking into my dessert. The place was disgusting, the floors were sticky and the table was had grit and stains on the bottoms of the legs. The cutlery was filth and I could see spots of dried food from where other customers had used the cutlery to eat beforehand. Service was slow despite the place not being busy. Absolute joke of a place and overrated cafe. Owners do not care about customers but are looking to get the most instagram likes and quick money. Not even worth the aesthetic, a McDonald’s would be better quality than this place.

2nd time eating here, first time I came we ordered so much off the breakfast menu. It was 10/10 for me and I will be coming back. The space is so chill and I love the staff, so helpful

Nice food but the service was really bad. We had to ask so many times for the same thing, the waiter kept forgetting, we’d nearly finished eating by the time our drinks arrived and then trying to get the bill was complete chaos. Such a shame because the service was so much better last time I was here. Food was really enjoyable though so it was such a shame that the service let it down.

Visited here multiple times, and the food is always great. The drinks are amazing, along with the presentation. Paul has greeted us whenever we have visited and been a delight, he was funny and also delivered ever dish with a smile!

Pretty good afternoon tea! We went today on a Wowcher deal. One drink per person is provided and I can't see the issue with that. I bought an additional one and the price was reasonable. Sandwich fillings were Samosa, Katsu Chicken and Cheese. Scones were nice and provided with clotted cream on an interesting base of ground biscuit alongside a large serving of jam. All other treats and cakes were great. I didn't have any issues unlike previous reviews. The only possible recommendation I would make is don't use transparent glass cups for serving pots of tea as they show dry stains easily.

First impressions, great aesthetic and lovely location. Me and my sisters were promptly seated by very friendly Jude and given menus to view. We ordered 3 small plates to share and full vegan breakfasts - special shout out to the amazing quality of vegan meat substitute sausages and bacon; alongside the beatroot humous, which was served with warm flatbread! Will be visiting again very soon :) Great bonus was the free cake given when you tag and post your food on social media!

Excellent service & food. We were served by the lovely Jude who made sure our experience was 10/10. Loved the oat milk latte, vegan breakfast and cakes. Will definitely visit again soon!

Cocoa by Ali has become my favourite spot to visit in Birmingham. The food is always 10/10, the drinks are not only very aesthetically pleasing but also taste so good, but most of all the atmosphere and the staff is incredible. On a few visits now we have been great by Paul and he has always shown us so much kindness, it is funny that he now remembers our faces as we have visited so often. Highly recommend trying the pancakes and Mermaid Latte! I will be back very soon!

Went with a Wowcher, booked through Wowcher, told them on arrival but at the end was charged an extra £27.84. They would not accept the voucher as complete payment as stated on Wowcher. I messaged 23/12/2022 but still no reply. See message below. My son and his partner came this afternoon to use a Wowcher I purchased on his behalf. It clearly states that the Wowcher covers the price of the afternoon tea and yet my son was charged an extra £32.84. I understand that his partner had a drink so he expected to £5 for the drink. He and his partner questioned the payment but was told that the Wowcher was only a part payment which is not how it is sold. My son is autistic and finds social interaction extremely difficult. Could someone please contact me regarding this before I review on social media. Ms Stephanie Clarke

Booked a "Festive snow on the lake afternoon tea experience" via wowcher. Looked lovely on photos! Very small place, hot and stuffy. No windows to open. Freezing cold when door opened. (maybe this was the snow on the lake experience!) After 15 mins of being shown to table where the bar stool type chairs looked dirty and were uncomfortable.we called the only waiter over to sort our order. We were presented with a menu and told we could choose one hot drink. We queried this as the deal says unlimited. We were told no you dont get that because you used a voucher. Was told you only get tea and sandwich. We would still be waiting if it was unlimited as service is very slow and poor. Eventually sandwiches and cakes turned up looking nothing like photos. Had to ask what was in sandwiches as no-one checked dietary needs. One had samosa in, other spicy chicken and a tangy cheese sandwich! Had to ask for plates to be dried as they were still wet. We then asked again for drinks. Eventually 45 mins we arrived one tea turned up. Had to ask for clean cup as was dirty. No sign of other 3 drinks. Cakes were ok, scone was the best bit. Had to ask for spoons for dessert. Other drinks eventually turned up after continually reminding the only waiter. Over an hours wait. Watery hot chocolate and very milky latte.(like cup of hot milk) Overall very disappointing and would not recommend to anyone. Not a good experience!

This has got to be the absolute worst afternoon tea I have ever been too…having decided to treat my aunt to an advertised “Festive Afternoon Tea” I decided to book Cocoa by Ali… the advertising & artwork for the afternoon tea was impressive but that’s where it stops so don’t be fooled, as what you are presented with is NOTHING like advertised….. the place isn’t in the impressive mailbox…but tucked away surrounded by scaffold….inside its very small, incredibly dirty and fusty… the toilets are in the kitchen… which I wish I’d never seen….. Let’s get to the afternoon tea which was served in a dirty display…..the sandwiches …. One contained a samosa between 2 slices of bread and the other two I can’t even say what that was, very very spicy….followed by a tiny cake with overly sweet cream on and a trifle with overly sweet cream yet again, hiding custard which was green….absolutely disgusting, left most of it……Festive…NO… AFTERNOON TEA….NO…what should have been a lovely afternoon was ruined, we were in & out within 20 minutes tops… I even think the waitress was embarrassed …..please DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY by going here…