Costa Coffee Ilford 1 in Redbridge

I'm writing this review because I sat in costas after buying a coffee and a mouse ran past me on the shop floor and hid under the sofa opposite me the storage room where they prepare food drinks was open and it seemed as if it came out from there I'm traumatised and won't be here again.

Very welcoming and warm, fast service

It would be nice when a paying customer requests a glass for their latte instead of the staff being unwilling to do so because they don’t want to have to run it through a dish washer. To me it just comes across as lazy and ruins the customer experience.

Ideal for some rest and free internet👍

The best coffe in the town with beautiful people 🥰

I ordered a medium caramel latte, extra hot with an extra shot. I was served by Nicoletta and I must say she was very cheerful and friendly. More importantly though was how perfect she made my coffee, it was exactly how I like it.

Came at 15:40, ordered coffee and told them I wanted to eat in. The cashier then proceeded to ask the barista to make sure that I got a paper cup without asking me. I then made it clear that I wanted the coffee in a cup to which she replied that it was closing soon. I then asked what time it was closing which then she said at 5pm. What utter rude customer service. Nobody deserves such service when they are are paying over £4 for a coffee.

Fantastic service, by Zainab, Gabrielle and Rabia. Really kind and helpful

Spacious and very friendly Costa where you always get your food served with care and as it should be. Zainab was very helpful and friendly, so that is reason enough to visit.

I was at coffee shop today and zaynab she’s good service and I was really happy with service top service

I want to document an counter I had today. I purchased a takeaway of a hot Mac&Cheese from this ‘franchise’ Costa. After I paid and my meal was put in a bag, I asked the server for a fork- to which they responded they can only give a metal fork- which requires me to eat in. She said words to the effect of “we don’t do plastic cutlery anymore, this is law”. She repeated this statement multiple times- as though I am not aware of the law. I responded, I understand this- but as a Restaurant who serves takeaway hot food- you have responsibility to source disposable cardboard/wooden cutlery. She continued with the same statements of “this is the law” multiple times. I explained to her that I understand what the law is, but “how will those who purchase hot food eat outside?”. I reluctantly accepted the metal fork which required me to eat in, whilst giving it she said “so you should’ve said you wanted a metal fork in the first place”- attitude in effort to look cool in front of the other customers. As I gave her the fork back, I asked for her name as I wanted to provide feedback for her service to the management. She offered her name and I walked away. She yelled asking me to come back and said words to the effect of “I want to take your name also, because I don’t feel comfortable with the way you made me feel and even the other customer mentioned if I was okay after you spoke to me. I already told you why we don’t give plastic forks out, we have a rule that can ban customers from coming here”. I said “why do you want to take my name? I spoke rationally and did not once say anything verbally abusive”- this would be unacceptable. I asked her again why can’t a restaurant offer alternatives like cardboard/wooden forks- which I obtained from a different costa recently. She finally said “because we are a franchise, you can complain to the management if you want that to change”. She did not offer an adequate and rational explanation as to why paying customers can’t eat with cutlery outside. I as a paying customer just want to know why can’t I have cardboard/wooden cutlery- I don’t know why the server just couldn’t be candid with me. I wouldn’t have purchased the meal had I known I couldn’t eat it outdoors in the first place. Also, the mention that I can be blacklisted from this restaurant for making her feel uncomfortable for asking a genuine question- this I consider a threat, and I will be escalating my complaint to head office. I have been supposedly blacklisted from a costa for asking for disposable cutlery. Even questioning is an offence to some.

Coffee good, sometimes too hot for me. Location challenging — seats often taken by shoppers, not Costa clients.

WAY TOO LONG AND MESSED UP ORDER 2 times, Ridiculous price for a medium which is much smaller compared to other barista shops.

Ada, made the coffee drinks really well, tasted like proper coffee 👍🏻❤️☕️. Everytime i come to the ilford exchange Costa on the ground floor and see Ada, he always has a welcoming smile and always makes great tasting coffee, Thank you very much i'm giving you 5 stars🌟. A very friendly guy with excellent customer service skills.

They desperately need more staff to serve the customer's. This is my second visit, and like last time, there were only 1/2 staff members who were working. They would take order and then go away to make the coffee whilst the other customer waiting & queue is building up all the time. The seating area was not clean, and lots of tables still have cups and trays awaiting pick up/cleaning. Took me nearly half an hour to get a cappuccino. Can't blame the staff who were trying their best to serve everyone.

I went in with a friend we wanted cappuccino. I saw on the website closing time was 5.30pm on a Sunday . However we went at 4.45pm and the lady told us we are closing so hurry up if you want to order. I said I thought you close at 5.30pm, she said no at 5pm. She was very rude and made the drinks in a rush, she could have been more polite. I don't think I will come here again.

I went to Ilford excahange costa branch, the girls served me well. There was a barista named Zainab she was very friendly and had a very good customer service.

Zainab served me today - super friendly and put effort into making drink how I wanted and offered me napkins too. Very attentive and bubbly!

I was served by a lovely young server called Zainab - She was friendly, accomadating first thing on a Monday morning! :) Really appreciated that and the fact when I asked for specific requirement to my drink she just knew what to do. 10/10 to her service!

Nice place for drink a good coffee. Gabriela is really faster I like her customer service

This is the best Costa I’ve used. Zainab and Gabby always greet you with a smile and a wonderful cup of coffee.

Staff so friendly and helpful, help choosing and making a drink to meet tastes. Highly recommend

Great place - Been going here for years and never disappointed

It is what it is. Nothing special. A bit low key.

Good service The staff are good

Very nice coffee and friendly staff, I'm a regular customer and I recommend this costa coffee.

Great service from Zainab who advised me I had a free coffee via my points card and upgraded me to a large without any prompting. Friendly service thoughout, the only problem being when I started my drink 5 minutes later it was stone cold and I had to microwave it!

Zainab served me at the costa in Ilford this morning. She is so friendly and kind. Made my coffee super quick and had a great chat with me to start my day on a high xx

Gabriela O. is an amazing girl always offering me the best experience as customer in Costa, with a smile on her face. She is also very nice to her colleagues while she is helping them to serve customers. Thank you for being such a kind person.

Sumaya is one of the best coffe maker who always make the hot and nice coffee for me,,she is very shay girl to talk but when she talk you,,,you will see her lovely smile with come nice talking with a beautiful face but most important is her hot beautiful coffee,,I LOVE IT,,Thank you my beautiful 🌹🙏🌹🙏🌹🙏🌹🙏

Very friendly staff, and nice coffee.

The staff are always, Professional/ friendly and ready to assist. They are a real credit .

Zainab delivers great costumer service, always polite and friendly. Every morning I have my coffee made from her, delicious.

Nihmath and Morgan were very kind and made my day. Great coffee and very good service. Will be coming back here again very soon :)

Single worker so long queue. Out of cups so couldn’t have what we wanted. Food is so so.

I like this place, very nice coffee,nice area,and very helpful and friendly staff. Gabriella it’s making a very good coffee. I will definitely come again

Very nice coffe, and friendly staff, thanks to gabriella

Very nice coffee, was a busy morning but Gabriela managed everything perfect,she was friendly. Thanks I will definitely come again.

Great service by Gabriella on the coffee area

Excellent and prompt service by Afaq, Ziya and Gaby!

I am very impressed by a staff member Rakshan, I visited after few months but he exactly knows how I need my macchiato. Sign of good customer care well done

Best coffee and amazing staff!🤗🔥🔥

Great service and well treated, happy to come here everytime like the atmosphere and serving. Hello to Gabriela !