Dobbies Altrincham in Trafford

Called in for a snack just after 3pm on a Sunday for a light snack, told quite abruptly the kitchen closes at 3pm despite advertising soup and sandwiches. So had a cake and hot drink each. There was no cutlery left so got childrens plastic cutlery. The teacup was heavily stained, when enquired about this, told this was the best they had. The scone was hard and dry and ended up leaving it. Almost every table had dirty trays on, found a table and the seats were extremely dirty. Really disappointed in the whole store and the cafe in particular, definitely won’t be going back here.

We did have a drink and cake at Dobbies,silly idea not having trays to put cake on and all queuing at end for drinks,but while on way out we saw the perfect furniture,we asked to speak to manager,we were told we would have to wait 20mins, 40mins later we were still waiting. I went to look for him and he walked away saying he was to busy,with no apology. After another 15mins the embarrassed lad on till came over to say he couldn't see us that day.Shame Dobbies in this day and age can afford to throw away a £500 sale and manager definitely needs to go on a course for customer service.So rude.

Had lovely lunch with friend. ALAS!!’ I was confused to see a member of the restaurant staff had exceptionally long frizzy hair Shouldn’t this be covered around food? It was very noticeable and unprofessional. I must say I e been in many Dobbies garden centres over the year and was quite disappointed

The service at the cafe has been consistsly awful each time gone. The staff generally come across as rude and standoffish. Given it a chance a few times as all in all it is a nice centre and the cafe used to be lovely. The current crop of workers need a lesson in customer service. Getting your order wrong should be something they apologies for not pull a face at having to correct it. Recently, they have begun refusing to swap out breakfast items, clearly just another way to be awkward as they don't even take the time to see it it had been an allergy requirement. All in all the cafe need completely restaffing

We like visiting garden centres and especially ones we've not been to before. Dobbies have a few around and we've been to at least 3 other branches which we will return to. This one on the other hand did not meet the usual Dobbies standards. It looked a bit of a dump from outside and didn't improve inside. The roof had several leaks. The gift area was very limited. Their only saving feature was their selection of colourful plants. I suppose if we'd been going expecting a nursery it would have been OK but this was supposed to be a Dobbies. In particular we usually enjoy a Cappuccino. Unfortunately they don't have a clue about coffee. Mine had the thinnest possible layer of foamed milk on top but tasted quite nice. My wife ended up leaving her white coffee. It was supposed to be a cappuccino too but where was the foamed milk? She asked me to taste it. No wonder she left it. It tasted like it had seen some coffee but just a fleeting glance. Very disappointing. If this had been our first visit to a Dobbies we would be avoiding all other Dobbies. Now we know why our sat nav didn't list it.

Decided to leave the car at home and walk with 2 children under 3 because it was sunny and we were heading out for lunch. Arrived at the cafe, waited for service because the lady on the till was making coffees. The manager then abruptly told me it was cash only. I asked if my 3 year old could play on the ball pool for 30 mins as it’s only a couple of pounds and we’d walked all that way. She rudely said no. No compassion. No apology for the inconvenience. The tills were working in the garden centre so not sure what was going on. But that is the last time we come here. We have had so many occasions of poor service, rude staff, under/overcooked food and incorrect orders in the past but it’s clear they don’t like customers, so we’ll do them a favour and not come back.

We went to dobbies yesterday and order sausage and mash to say the sausage was well cooked is an understatement I couldn't even get through it, I think they put so much gravy on to hide what the sausages looked like. Will not be eating there again.

I go here regularly for the last year now with my friend and our 4 children because of the softplay area, however this is the only reason we go now. Since I started coming here I always thought the staff were unbelievably slow, there is always a crowd of people at the end of the counter just waiting for coffees. They have 2 tills but I have never seen them both open at once, ever, instead there is always a very long and very slow moving queue all the way along the counter and its so off-putting that I've often not bothered queing for this reason. I've often ordered food and had the food arrive before the coffees are ready, and having toddlers with us means standing at the end of the counter waiting ages for the coffee is not an option and so we often go back to our table and return to the counter 5 mins later in the hope the coffee is waiting for me. Today however when I approached to get the coffee, the woman behind the counter said please can you come straight back for it because I've shouted table 35, twice now. I said sorry it's difficult with the toddlers, and didn't get a response. I didn't understand the problem, just leave the coffees to be collected by the customer? There's plenty of room so why the need to keep shouting until they've been collected? And also there's no point in shouting since our table was way at the back behind the softplay, hence us not hearing. And if it didn't normally take 5 years for a coffee to be made I would always hang around and wait, but due to their snail pace they have created a culture of not waiting there for it to be made. Although the staff are painfully slow, they're often very friendly, but this lady in particular wasn't friendly today and wasn't sympathetic to the difficulties of collecting coffees and having toddlers, which was a shame (especially since this place has a toddler softplay and therefore a massive portion of customers are mums/families with toddlers). I've had many other issues too, for example I love the Croque monsieur there but they only sell it from 11.30am (it says this on the menu) and when ive ordered it at this time, I've been told at the till that they're not doing that until midday. I've then had to point out what is stated on the menu, the lady then went back the kitchen and came back out still saying that unfortunately they can't until midday. She literally said that he time is printed wrong on the menu?! They've stopped selling the Croque monsieur now anyway. The same thing has happened when I've ordered a kids meal, they've said not until 12 and I've had to point the menu time out again and then they've apologised and agreed to make the kids meal. I've joined the back of the queue at 11.15am before knowing that by the time I get to the front it will be 11.30 and I can order from the 11.30 menu (and then on 2 occasions told I couldn't actually and the menu is wrong?!) I've been saying for a while I need to review this place because every single time I come here there is some kind of issue, literally every.single.time and its now at the point where I genuinly don't want to go anymore and I'm researching alternatives. I think they need either more staff so both tills can be open and theres not a massive queue, or/and offer drink table service if they're going to continue with their slow pace. Something needs to change because the service is getting worse and worse as times goes on and it's such a shame because if they had more/faster staff and a better ordering system it would brilliant.

It’s filthy, the chairs are heavily stained, there’s dog hairs on seats and the floor isn’t swept. I have written to complain but they don’t care.

We love coming to Dobbies Atrincham our children go in the play area and have a lovely time And we order a big breakfast and the staff that work here are lovely and friendly and are always smiling and there always offering a helping hand thank you

Yesterday we visited the Garden Centre for fertilizer etc and on the spur of the moment decided to stay for lunch. The food was excellent, especially the quiche, and promptly served. The staff were so obliging and friendly. We shall certainly visit again.

What a shambles. Ordered two coffees. Told to wait at the end near the till, one other person waiting for their coffees. The lady doing the coffee was too busy chatting and not concentrating on her job. After waiting nearly 15 minutes I eventually got my coffees after she changed the saucers 3 times because she kept spilling coffee everywhere. The coffee cups were full on spills down the side of the cups. We left most of the coffees as it tasted revolting.

The service and food were excellent for our Mothers Day afternoon tea. I’ve never had afternoon tea before and not eaten it all. I have a healthy appetite but the portion of delicious quiche was large, delicious finger sandwiches, a sausage roll , 2 large scones each with the works, as well as lovely cakes and macarons . It was far superior to posh Gotham’s. We had a little bottle of Prosecco each, unlimited tea and coffees. I loved how all the waitresses checked in on us regularly and volunteered straightaway to take photos if required. Part way through I was presented with a gift bag containing a lovely miniature white rose plant in a gift bag. I was so surprised and delighted! My daughter did good as did Dobbie’s. I would definitely recommend. Was the perfect treat!!

Went in here for a quick drink, daughter wanted to go into the soft play. Very rude staff saying you’re not allowed in. They close at 4:30 started packing up at 3:45

Went with a friend for lunch and had a really enjoyable time here. I can't understand the negative comments about the staff, everyone was friendly and helpful, and service was efficient and speedy even though the restaurant /cafe was very busy. The food was excellent, freshly prepared and tasty. We only had a jacket potato and a Croque Monsieur, but given the quality for these, we'll be giving a main meal a try on our next visit. The coffee was flavourful and hit as well.

The cafe at Dobbies is very well-run and made better by pleasant staff. I just wanted to leave a review to thank the lovely lady that served us in the cafe today at Dobbies, she was so lovely generally and very efficient as are all the staff at Dobbies but this lady was especially lovely and kind to my young Daughter, she told her that she had a wonderful smile! What a lovely thing to say to somebody and it made my girl's day, as it would anybody's. I then felt very sad when I walked back over to get some serviettes, to see the same lady who served us being verbally abused by a customer, gosh, it was horrible to witness as this person was being absolutely vile to her but I noticed that the lady behind the till remained calm and did her best not to react to such vitriol. I hope she was okay after such disgusting treatment by a customer and I would like to thank her for making our day.

Excellent Christmas lunch today, great helpings, lots of gravy, well cooked food and the best Christmas pudding and brandy sauce! All accompanied by very efficient and pleasant service.

The rudest staff I have ever met. Beyond anything I have ever experienced. Its become a running joke between friends how bad it can get. Well our last experience topped it all - so bad we had to make a head office complaint. If it wasn't convenient and the children enjoy the soft play we wouldn't go. I promised my little girl a pizza and play one Sunday. This is a treat abd she was so excited. Children's pizzas are able to be ordered from 11.30 am (as per the menu as I have done previously). When asking to order one at 11.30am (one child on my hip another at the table) the staff member, Rachel, refused to put it through the system. No you can't order it until 12. Despite it clearly stating you can at 11.30 on the menu (and head office confirming you can). So I've promised my child this pizza who has waited patiently until 11 30 to order it. Ok - so can I order the childrens breakfast since you wont let me order the lunch. No (smirk on face) it's now 11.33 and breakfast is finished. I'm left in awe - so you are refusing to let me order my child's lunch and now saying its too late for breakfast because its 3 minutes past the breakfast orders. Yes. So I have to then go explain to a 3 year old I'm sorry mummy promised you a pizza but the lady won't let mummy order it. And no darling she won't let me order you sausages either. Just beyond anything you could expect from what I'd supposed to be a family friendly place. I then have two crying children to deal with. You couldn't make it up how badly the staff don't care about your experience. I'm not one to write reviews but this last time at Dobbies has warranted nothing less. I hope the complaints made will change the customer experience for others in the future.

The counter seemed to be in chaos, several people given the wrong order and some confusion over special deals. I placed an order for 2 lattes, and told they would arrive at the end of the counter. There were 2 customers in front of me waiting for order several trays arrived. The staff member on the coffee machine was fairly rude to one customer about special over 60s deal. Still waiting for coffee.........the same member of staff kept shouting coffee for table 18, couldn't be mine as I wasn't sat at table 18. Next tray arrived to be told 2 flat white - the customers behind me. She then turned to me and said I think they're your drinks, which had now been there for over 10 mins. We were made 2 more lattes, only to be told in a very rude manner "we would not normally make another if you were not there " at this point we left, what a complete shambles of a system.

Dogs allowed anywhere in cafe is not appropriate at all & totally off putting. Especially to see the owner wipe the dogs ar** on cafe napkins - and leave it on the table next to us to look at!! Utterly disgusting. What ever happened to hygiene in food outlets? The waiting staff will pick that up & not know what it is … I still feel sick at the thought.

Intended to order a cooked breakfast (which we have had before and found very enjoyable), but got delayed and didn’t arrive until 11.40 by which time breakfast service had finished. (Strangely there is no “all day breakfast” option on the menu). Ordered a fish finger sandwich with a side order of chips which took some time to arrive. When the food eventually came, the fish finger sandwich consisted of 2 greasy grey fish fingers absolutely smoothed in tartar sauce, some green salad (which was relatively fresh) and a coleslaw swimming in mayonnaise. It was almost inedible. My son, who has worked in catering, commented that if he had served that to a customer he would have been ashamed. A pity because I had heard that the cafe had improved recently, and the hot drinks were fine. I think we will just stick to the drinks next time, and visit either Booths or M&S for a decent fish finger sandwich served with pride.

Went for lunch again. Food is lovely and fresh. The tables and chairs could do with a good scrub, very stained. One of the waitresses is very abrupt (bit scarey).

Fabulous breakfast with the Easter bunny! The children had a brilliant time and the staff were so lovely with them - the food was great too!

I always enjoy a trip to Dobbies. Yes the Cafe staff are at times very busy and we the customers have to allow for this. On every occasion I’ve found the staff to be pleasant and courteous. I think people need to remember making coffee with the machine they use takes time

This place seems to be getting worse (if thats possible). Service is SO slow, if you want to go for lunch arrive an hour early as it takes that long to get a meal. How can it take 40 minutes to get a tea and a coffee?? I wish they would put a decent Manager in and sort the place out...it could be a goldmine. The staff are so rude its unbelievable, but they are probably sick of the working conditions and its always short staffed and all the customers moan at them all the time. I also wish they would close it for a day and give it a deep clean...its filthy.

We have had breakfast on a number of occasions and they have always been good, but on this occasion both our breakfasts were cold and the sausages looked definitely undercooked, as if they had just been warmed straight from the packet. I can understand that frying food is not good but these were definitely anaemic looking. We’re afraid we won’t be having breakfast again until this improves.

Great morning having breakfast with Santa. 4 very happy children and a great time had by everyone. Would recommend and will be back next year. Thank you

This was the first time we had been for breakfast here and for the Santa visit. It was exceptional, great service, Santa, gift and such a lovely festive spirit from all the staff. Great value and quality and we will book for next yr 🥰

We were led to a reserved table with a Santa tablecloth by some lovely members of staff. All my dietary requirements had been remembered and catered for. The sandwiches were lovely and fresh and there was a great selection of cakes. I thought that it was great value £20 for 2 afternoon tea. Our drinks order was briefly forgotten but to be fair, the café was extremely busy. The only criticism is that the Children's festive afternoon tea was not very inspiring and didn't entice my fussy toddler. I would have liked to have seen a bit more chocolaty, or things with more seasonal characters on. Still, I though again it was worth the money. All in all, I'm not convinced the café warrants the harsh reviews on here. I was a bit worried when I read them after booking but I'm glad I went. Compared with some of the other festive afternoon teas currently available for around £30 per person, I though Dobbie's one definitely measured up.

We ordered fish finger sandwiches and chips. After a few moments we were told that the fryer was broken and did we want to wait 25 mins for oven chips. We declined. The fish fingers were disgusting - grey slimy fish. The salad on the side was tired and limp. Not helped by staff roaming about shouting 'did anyone order a latte?'.

Good service - the servers are always lovely, but the food was horrible. We ordered 2 x ham and chips which was supposed to come with two eggs. The ham tasted like it had come out of a packet, the chips had a nasty after taste and we only got one egg. When I complained about this I was told it was the fault of the agency chef … obviously briefing agency chefs about the menu is not the norm. This was honestly so bad we will not be going back!

Went here with partner after looking at menu online and seeing they do a Vegi full breakfast (I'm Vegi my partner isn't) We found a lovely table in the pretty conservatory area and my partner went and ordered the breakfasts. A few minutes later a member of staff came to the table and said she was very sorry but they had no Vegi sausages as they hadn't arrived in the last supplies order. Then she said that they hadn't had Vegi sausages in for quite a while. I mean how hard would it be to go and buy Vegi sausages in?! They're everywhere these days. It's not like Vegetarians are a rare thing. To me this shows that they don't care about people who are vegetarian, that it's not important to provide vegetarian ingredients and that vegetarians are not valid customers. If she told the meat eaters there was no sausages or bacon there would be a riot! So I was forced to choose something else or have a breakfast minus sausages. I chose something called a mushroom stack, which was supposed to be 2 hash browns topped with 2 large flat mushrooms and roast tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic sauce. What got were 2 cheap small hash browns, 1 flat mushroom cut in half and microwaved tomatoes! My partner said his breakfast ok apart from overcooked hard fried egg. Really disappointing and very poor. Such a shame a nice venue.

Ate here because was hungry. Bought a chicken and bacon sandwich. Chicken was cubes of don’t know what that tasted of nothing. The bacon consisted of a miniature particle only. It was all covered in white slop. I don’t know what the slop was. I...

Went for lunch today. No scampi available. Ordered fish and chips for 2. Got fish that wasn't fresh. Chips ok. Mushy peas only on one had to complain. Eventually came. Added bread and butter for one for supposedly £1 per menu. Cashier charged £1.95. Had...

I don't really know where to start...the place is filthy, the floor is always covered in food and crumbs all round the outside edges. Tables sit with dirty plates, cups and half eaten food. Why does it take over 20 minutes to get a drink??...

Ridiculous. I counted two high chairs in the cafe today. They have a soft play area for high chair aged children and never have a high chair available. There may be more than two but that's all I could see. We've been twice with our...

We arrived to be told to find a table then order, there weren't any signs to tell you this, we did order at the counter, Tea, coffee and one cake, paid and then waited about 20mins. One girl was doing the teas, and she kept...

We met up for lunch at Dobbies & sat in the conservatory area . It was pleasant . The server was attentive & obliging . My gammon was accompanied by over cooked fried eggs but was tasty . Chips were swapped for salad . The...

We arrived to see that instead of ordering at the till they have changed to table service. So we sat down and waited for a team member to take our order. One walked past and ignored us, another was busy chatting to friends at another...

Visited Dobbies cafe Timperley last week and although the staff were attentive and friendly I'm afraid to say it was visibly dirty. The highchair, floors and menus all looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in a while. It's a shame because the staff were...

I am surprised by the negative reviews here, particularly about the staff. My wife and I have visited many times and have always enjoyed our visit. The staff have always been cheerful and helpful, even when under pressure due to being busy or, mote recently,...

Always enjoy coming though doesn't seem to be enough staff as so busy. Food is always very nice and on our trip yesterday 3/Dec/2921 Simone was very nice and helpful lovely girl. There is also a little blonde lady whose name sadly evades me she...

Popped into Cafe with our grandson. Soft play was rammed full with little or no staff supervision. High chairs are obviously at a premium. All used by the soft play parents with none for other restaurant users. Table service only that morning. We’re still waiting....

Visited on a Saturday morning with my two grandsons at about 10 o'clock. The restaurant floor was filthy tables dirty chairs dirty. Staff as miserable as sin. Toilets a disgrace . Toilet paper on the floor, some toilets had no paper. Wet floor. Just dirty.

Lunch at Altrincham was cheese@pickle on brown bread and chips. Chios were cold. Bread was stale. No cutlery was brought. I did complain but alas it fell on deaf ears. This is the second time the food has been awful. Won’t be going again.

Was very disappointed to see that the regatta shop and weird fish had gone one, seems a shame to lose them , one oF the reasons I went Very poor service in café had to wait 25 mins for a coffee, I asked twice and...

Arrived 1.30pm. Very poor choices on menu. Only hot food offered soup & jacket potatoes. No jackets. Ordered soup which arrived cold. Egg Mayo sandwich on brown ordered but it arrived on white. Filling that wet had to be eaten with knife and fork. Bread...

Visited here on the August bank holiday weekend ( Sunday ) only staff on duty were between 15 - 18 years old. They couldn't cope with just a few tables, but it looked like they had been left to it by other staff not turning...

Very bad experience 😕 It shouldn't be operating It's a con Waited 50 min For 4 burden mushrooms Never going there again That's for sure It's a shame , because the costumers are nice and polite And location It's nice looking at the gardens

After queuing to be seated for a short while we were shown to a table with soft seating which was dirty and had a lot of long grey hairs over both seats. After brushing off the food from the chairs we sat down and waited...

We knew it would be too soon after lockdown. The food was good, when we managed to get it. Staff were polite and apologetic and offering free drinks and scones etc. whilst we were waiting. Apparently their manager had not turned up! The same story...

Visited with my mum for lunch. Had sandwiches which we had on previous visit. Love the brown bread 🍞coronation chicken sandwiches. Both had drinks and enjoyed 50% government eat out deal 👍

Dobbies has taken over this garden centre. At first it was a catastrophe and to be honest a lot of people stopped going. It's got its act together and its amazing. The choice of products in the centre is superb from gifts to clothes. It...