Dobbies Garden World Livingston, Livingston in West Lothian

Bring Andrew back!! An ignorant staff member named “Dan” served me today. I asked for a latte and received a dire cup of coffee. There used to be a young man Andrew who would already have it made for me coming in. Brilliant coffees, however, times have changed and Dan is not the man!!

Just been to Dobbies (Sandyholm) for Afternoon tea. The staff could not have been more helpful and attentive. Selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiche, scones and desserts were delicious. Unlimited supply of tea / coffee. Service was excellent - could not fault the experience. Exceptional value for money. We’ll be back. Thanks o Geri and her team.

There was a large (still alive) snail in the side salad served up to my husband. When we pointed it out to the manager we suggested that he immediately advise the other diners and replace their food in case their salad was contaminated too but they didn’t seem to be concerned. So if you were eating in the restaurant on Saturday 31 August then I hope you enjoyed your special, snail infested salad 🤮

The actual Garden Centre is good, but they do need to review their cafe operation. The tea and coffee service seems to be the "log jam"!! Add to that, a cashier who is unhelpful, and with a bit of an attitude, and you have a recipe for disaster as far as customer service goes. Situation on our recent visit, was that the coffee queue was long and extremely slow moving. So we tried to have a cup of coffee from the machine. Initially, it did not work at all. Following it being put back in action, it was a cup of milk, with virtually zero coffee. "There is coffee in it!!" exclaimed the cashier....end of story as far as she was concerned!! It was not just what she said that was infuriating...it was how she said it!! However, thanks to Lauraine, who told my wife to sit down, and she would get a coffee....which she did!! Thanks to Lauraine for a bit of good service!! We enjoy Dobbies, but management needs to take a serious look at the cafe!!! This was NOT a one-off situation! There is a definite problem that requires some serious consideration!

Went to use my birthday voucher. Tea and cake were ok but teapot was chipped, tables were uncleared and carpets were grubby. Not enough staff. A gentleman had to ask for a table to be cleared so that he could use it.

Worst I've had for a while Toast was rock hard. Sausage was under cooked. The tomato was covered in pepper. My mocha turned out to be not chocolate and my wife's cappuccino was a normal coffee with a lot of granules left in the cup!!! Honestly don't waste your money

Dirty tables & floors. Chairs & sofas covered in stains & food on chairs , tables. We tried numerous tables but all were the same. We only wanted 4 coffees & cakes but my grandson wanted soup. An unpleasant assistant on coffee counter sai you'll have to join the queue over there. Long queue of people waiting for a table in fhe "hot food" part of restaurant. We already had a table in coffee shop but they wouldnt serve him soup there. A waiter Dvised the people queing tgat after they got a table there order wouldnt be taken for 30mins . Won't be back . Needs a good clean!

Website doesn’t mention time slots for soft play, turned up and had to wait 25 minutes until next session. Walking round with 2 toddlers waiting. Had my finger pricked by sewing needles in dog toys!!! Reported that and had them taken off shelf. Walked back to soft play at correct time. Waited in the queue to be told it was fully booked! Nothing to say that it needed to be booked or that spaces were available/ unavailable.

Visited today and was told it was cheaper to get a vegetarian breakfast instead of individual items, however at the till despite explaining this 3 times the girl insisted on charging individually, asked for a manager, who acknowledged the issue right away however not once was an apology given and even though refunded not once was this acknowledged as a mistake! Food and coffee was cold when I got to sit down

Should be ashamed Child box with only 1 slice bread ! Scone lot smaller than previous visit and at £2.90 you only get butter NO jam that's extra at £1 Not exactly value for money I guess one we won't be repeating 🤷

Was pretty poor lack of serving staff and expensive ..soggy bacon hard fried egg not impressed won’t be eating there again

A group of elderly people went to Dobbies for lunch today. The restaurant was extremely under staffed but the service was excellent. Friendly, helpful, kind people made the experience wonderful. Thank you Dobbies restaurant

fruit scones used to be great until about a year ago and then someone lost the ability to bake. if you have one do not go swimming any time soon. we now have a dog welcome corner in the resturant and although i quite like dogs i prefer to share my space with humans. the products seem to have more space to themselves now which would suggest that all is not well

We have visited several Dobbies cafes and I'm a member of their loyalty club. This cafe is large in area, but their menu selection and cream cakes are smaller than at our local store. The cake portions were a little smaller, but as part of a pensioner's meal deal it still works out as a good deal. the macaroni cheese is good. Food is prepared to order and you collect from the counter when your buzzer goes off. The shop as a whole was large. I only bought a condolence card and the selection was very good. Lots of parking

I Have been going to dobbies for many years and I also take my dog dog all the time even through lockdown then , I have purchased many things very expensive stuff as well and I do understand that you have to be and I do understand that you have to pick up your dog Business but I was shocked when my dog went toilet wee And was nearly outside she didn't quite she didn't quite make it but it was still concrete floor create floor, I'll let the navy know I let The lady know straight away and it wasn't even a lot and it wasn't even a lot.. I said that she had been to the toilet she said don't go anywhere wait I will get some blue roll and cleaner and you must clean it . So I had to get the blue roll and mop it up it was so small the toilet . I said I can't get on my hands and knees as I have arthritis . Usually they do help you do it usually they do help you do it never mind it wasn't a number 2 but there we go customer service Dog friendly don't think so was made to feel like a criminal . I have been going for many years and a regular customer but just be warned you must mop up the wee, even if they do it outside

Took two elderly ladies for a coffee and cake as a treat. Both asked for a scone with cream and jam. They had been in the chiller and both said their scones were brick hard. (to the point that my elderly companion who was in her mid 80's was struggling to actually eat it) They didn't want me to make a fuss so wouldn't let me take them back to change them for something else. When they were otherwise distracted upon leaving I ducked back and spoke to management but they seemed pretty disinterested tbh. I was very dissapointed as this was a birthday treat for a little old lady who stays in an old folks home so doesn't get out much. I keep giving Dobbies a chance but they just can't seem to get it right! I'll take her to Hopetoun next time!

Food is overpriced. Panini for £8 was no panini but a bought in French bread roll. Very little filling. Not great quality. Dog friendly was the only reason we came. Very dissatisfied.

The cafe is very disorganised and there was many tables that needed cleared, we had to clear our own table, they had run out of rolls (10.30am) the food was cold, it was very overpriced for what it was. The staff were clueless and disinterested.

I only come to Dobbies now to use my 'free' hot drinks vouchers. The variety of cakes has decreased in recent years and almost everything is closer to the £3.50-£4 mark. I think that's too pricey for mass produced and overly sweet cakes. The scones used to be reliably fresh, but they've gone downhill too. My advice: go to Williamson's coffee shop just down the road instead!

Thought we would pop in for lunch never again carrot and coriander soup too hot to eat baked potato cold and had to share my baked potato with my husband because of the soup One woman sitting with a dog on her knee that was sniffing the table Dogs should be kept on the floor, When we got to the till the girl that was on the till was giving treats to a dog and picking up other peoples purchases with dirty hands Your staff need health and hygiene training.

Used to be good but has gone completely down the pan. Lunch dishes sold out less than 20mins after opening disinterested clueless staff unclean tables and poor food. Avoid.

I used to come to dobbies at least twice a month with friends or family to the cafe. It was usually so nice and clean too. Visited 3 weeks ago with my teenage daughter ordered a chicken and bacon sandwich which was just full of...

Came here to meet friends for breakfast, the restaurant was busy, there was a great selection and service was quick, it's also dog friendly which was a bonus and we were able to sit out in the lovely sunshine, it was very relaxing and service...

Visited here on a Sunday the store was very busy as was the cafe. The cafe was not as good as other Dobbies stores I have visited and the selection was poor. The restaurant area was untidy and the floor needed a sweep as there...

Just had a very poor quality treacle scone, this restaurant always had excellent choice of home baking I don’t know what has happened to the quality in this store, the treacle scone was flat as if the oven hadn’t been set high enough during cooking,...

Dobbies used to be the go to place for coffee and scones/cake. Went today and the choice of flat uprisen scones was there but not very appetising. One of us had a fruit scone, at the check out was told thats not a scone its...

Went in for a browse, ended up with new BBQ and had great customer service from Claire, Dale in Fishkeeper outlet and Angela in food hall. Can we suggest that better training on coffee barista style coffee prep is given - at best can only...

Probably the worst breakfast I’ve ever eaten. At 10am the food is over cooked and reheated - and cold. I couldn’t even cut the sausage on my place. Black pudding was dry and obviously reheated. The toast wasn’t toasted and also cold. It also takes...

So this was an afternoon tea for a birthday, from the time we arrived at our table it took 20 minutes for a drink to arrive, then another 10mins for our afternoon tea to arrive, we didn't get any choice off fillings on sandwiches of...

Staff very unfriendly. I was meeting with some friends at 10.30 and wanted something to eat. I didn’t want any of the breakfast items but I did want a prepared baguette which was on view and didn’t need heated up it just needed eaten. Was...

Attended yesterday for lunch on our way home from holiday. My partner fancied a ham and mustard toastie, ham and mustard filling was listed for sandwiches but not listed under the toastie section - only ham n cheese. I didn’t see this as a problem...

Came here on dobbies reputation as was in area... went to toilet thought lovely sinks then looked at toilets and floors disgusting... ordered lunch couldn't find a clean table had to get a napkin with water to clean it.. under all the tables food debrisetc...

Very poor overpriced venue No soup left at 1pm on a Monday afternoon grumpy staff avoid at all costs Terrible coffee overcooked milk

Pre Pandemic, my wife and I were frequent customers for a good weekend breakfast. Decided to go back now that the restaurant was fully open. Bad move. To say Dobbies are cutting corners and trying to claw back some cash is an understatement. Previously you...

Ordered two baked potatoes one with cheese and one with beans and cheese both were cold and really not fit to eat Two pots of tea as well tea bags rubbish as it was only coloured water that came out of the pot Last time...

I visited here today with friends and was really disappointed at service I chose a cheese and ham panni and asked if I could have some red onion and i would pay the extra on this to be told no due to allergens I said...

Breakfast visit this morning - super fast, courteous service in clean, pleasant surroundings. 100% for staff - they’re superb! Breakfast (vegetarian) 3 item roll very good and reasonably priced. Well worth a visit!

Went with a friend this morning. Her cake and coffee were nice. I had a pot of tea and wanted a scone. The only ones on offer were fruit. This has got to be the worst scone I have ever had! There’s no way that...

Came here for lunch with my husband and parents as we had been given a gift card by a friend. Joined the que and first selected two cakes we fancied but at £3.75 a slice they were already cut and were very small portions. Also...

Really disappointed with the cafe at Dobbies Livingston. Food is cold by the time you get drinks and through the checkout. Choice of cakes are poor and the last twice the cakes and scones were stale. We have been to the cafe's at Dobbies in...

Food dried up they need to sort out this cafe you never no what queue to go in. By the time you get food and drinks your food is not very warm they need to rethink the cafe area as its rubbish tepid food and...

Had a very disappointing visit to restaurant this morning. 2 main issues- Customer service We arrived just as the Santa breakfast experience was finishing. This meant there was a lack of staff in restaurant (only 2 assistants at hot drinks counter, 1 on checkout and...

Enjoyed a panini which came with fries and coleslaw. Requested salad instead of fries but this was a no. Also by the time we got to a table after waiting for coffee etc, the fries were almost cold. Healthy options? - No.

Just back from what we thought would be a nice lunch but it was awful cold soup which I left It really is illegal to sell cold food do your chefs not have food probs to take the tempetures before they put food on the...

We were served Soup that went cold sitting around whilst they waited for bread to be baked. And charged £5+ for it. Staff are plentiful but appear to be clueless. Surroundings are untidy too. Dobbies has really gone downhill over the years since it left...

my husband and i were in Dobbies on tuesday 9/11 and the breakfast was a disgrace,the woman serving it was not nice atall a wee bit of training needed there soon as,the food had been lying for a wee while i asked for a buttered...

Just been to DOBBIES in Livingston for lunch and was charged £22 for 2 toasties and 2 lattes would not have minded but the food was disgusting soggy mess on a plate so could not eat it and was given a refund this place has...

Quite Expensive but the food is good!! I like their food but, it is quite expensive for its value. Just had a toastie, and the others had steak pie.

Positively it’s a clean pleasant restaurant and the coffee was good though the baristas could do with some customer service training, chatting to each other and ignoring customers! The food is very over priced and awful. I had a so called Croque Monsieur. It was...

Just popped in for coffee, with my daughter and our 6 month old puppy after a walk. Staff are always delighted to see the puppy, in fact it was his first outing when he was able to go out. Staff are just lovely and go...

Very much a tale of two halves for our afternoon tea here. I'll start with the not-so-good, and move on to the good. So, the coffee was not the greatest. Kinda meh, not very strong, and not very hot. The sandwiches were also not too...

Went to Dobbies in Livingston to renew my club card and enjoy a coffee in the restaurant. We have just got our confidence back after lockdown and the ever-changing Covid rules and are starting to visit places again, so haven’t been into the restaurant for...

Had breakfast will never be back one half of cherry tomato one mushroom sausages so hard you couldnt cut them table thick with dust and grime on stand.

At Dobbies to buy some items for the garden. While we were there we decided to take advantage of my Loyalty Card and get the free coffee it entitled us to along with something to eat. Because of COVID restrictions diners have to queue up...

went for the soup and roll option . the soup was not too our liking as very salty and came with a sliver of toasted bread . I feel a nice fresh roll would have been nicer . We paid £9.99 for this which was...

Paying 2.40 plus 65p for jam you would expect a decent sized scone.Forget it ....whatever happened to the scones previously served ? I mentioned it to the waiter and was told in no uncertain terms to post a review on trip advisor ! If I...

I was in dobbies the other day for a coffee. The service was a little bit slow but the coffee made by the barista Andrew was one of the best coffees I’ve had. Will definitely be back for more. There was a lovely little pattern...

We recently went to get some plants for our garden but didn't get any as they didn't have what we were looking for. However as I have a Dobbies Clubcard we went to get the free coffees this entitles me to, along with a scone...

Prices in Dobbies have gone up on everything dramatically..goods and in the Resturant..I meet my friend there usually every couple of weeks and there is always a price increase on something...I know it's been a hard year for us all, but come on Dobbies give...

Excellent and efficient service enjoyed today. Big thank you to Ally & Jo for warm and friendly visit. Will definitely return. Bakewell tart was yummy and flat white was made to perfection. Well done team Livingston, spotlessly clean and very well managed.

Went into Dobbies, Livingston for coffee this morning. Very busy due to end of month and people having to meet outside their homes. So you would think the practical and sensible solution would be to have more staff serving in the restaurant. Only ONE member...

Shopping for plants to btighten up garden but was struggling to find any plants alive. Most dried out, untidy, selection poor. Bought a wind pole £14.99 and later found it for £10 in klondyke. Not happy with this mark up in price. Layout of store...

Dobbies Livingston is local to us. Only five minutes up the road. As seen from recent reviews it has gone severely downhill in the last couple of years. Things that made Dobbies dining just that bit better have been withdrawn in the chasing of profit....

Not been here for ages because its been so rotten in the past. Nothing changed. Today we got three ham and cheese toasties and had three soft drinks... £32 A single can of pop is £2 now? When did that happen? The ham and cheese...

Popped in for breakfast. Gluten Free breakfast not longer has sausage included (changed supplier to Lowe quality / containing gluten). Was offered extra slice of cold hard bacon. No gluten free bread either, and no alternative choice offered to compensate. Used to be pricey but...

My husband and I came here for lunch today My husband had the Cream of Mushroom soup It certainly was not creamy It was like liquid milk, mushrooms floating on top and yellow stuff floating about as well He could not eat it so he just drank his tea and we left We wont be back and we will also cancel our Dobbies card and we will go else where

My 88 year old mother and her sister had a high tea today It was a christmas gift for my mother she eats very small portions but she said the high tea she got today would not fill a child very disapointed not worth 25 pound.Every thing was the smallest portions posible.Would not give another gift card for a high tea again.

Came here with my husband for brunch on the way to Edinburgh. Fans of cooked breakfasts we were impressed with the selection you can choose and various sized portions to choose from. The breakfast was delicious and the staff were friendly. Not the cheapest breakfast but still worth a visit. Rounded it off with a cheese scone, cream and jam!!!Also plenty of things to look at in the garden centre with much more than garden things including household items, gifts, clothes etc.

I've met with friends here on a variety of occasions for breakfast & lunch, and always leave feeling robbed and irritated. There's generally no trays, or no plates. You have to queue for food, then queue for drinks, then queue to pay. By the time you actually sit down the food is usually stone cold. And the fillings in the baguettes are mean. And wow, damn expensive unless you have one of their loyalty cards. Come on guys - get your act together!

There was a time when Dobbie’s was outstanding for food and service. This place is awful. Food was just terrible and the service was so slow. Shelves were bare. The rest of the store was a mess. Won’t be back. Ever.

Visited the Birtley, County Durham site. Large selection of all things horticultural. The restaurant is very good and full range of snacks and main meals available. Large range of Xmas decorations, pet goods and home baking.Very good membership opportunity, costs £10 annually and this allows you price discounts and 2 free hot drinks monthly and a scone on your birthday. Also afternoon tea available at reasonable cost. Regular member nights giving price discounts throughout the centre and company holds fundraising evenings for teenage charity. Well worth a visit.

Cafe was very disappointing so slow at serving you especially waiting on my coffee getting made lots of tables not cleaned .got a full breakfast but the time they made my coffee most of my breakfast was cold .not impressed.

Visited the Garden Centre on Sunday at lunchtime. Using the ladies conveniences, was an experience I never want to repeat again, in fact I did not use them, or allow my niece to use them. Two cubicles/toilets were covered in both faeces n the lid and pan. I reported this to "customer services", who didn't even bother to acknowledge the matter, responding , with just an acknowledgement. I worry about the cleanliness and standard of the kitchen, and food preparation standards when this was my experience of the "lack of standards in the toilets"

My Granddaughter celebrated her 3rd Birthday at Dobbies soft play with a party on Saturday 16th November. The staff were fantastic from start to finish, and had a great raptor with the kids. The kids meals were excellent and they loved decorating the gingerbread men. I would thoroughly recommend to anyone thinking of having a party to go ahead and book, the kids had a ball. Excellent value for money.

Love this place, plants, pet stuff, garden stuff, food, bakery, kitchen equipment, area totally dedicated to 🐠, garden rooms, Christmas decorations, gifts, cards......... love it

A lovely cafe, lovely food too - but the queuing is horrendous and, having got food, queuing for drinks and then queuing to pay? Result, boredom and cold food and drinks. For this reason, not my favorite Dobbies!

We received a friendly welcome on arrival and were advised on the various meal options. The ambiance was pleasant and relaxed and we plan to return on a future Tuesday!

Not been for a while as the breakfast experience had gone badly downhill over the years. Met friends for a meeting as it was a convenient halfway house. OK for a cake and coffee although it's a little overpriced. Had quite a nice coconut macaroon with my coffee. The foodie hall has some interesting stuff albeit mostly way overpriced. e. g. Ramsays of Carluke boiled ham small packet £3.99. It would be less than half that if you bought direct from the butchers - less the petrol to Carluke of course!... all in all just not my sort of place - can't really understand why it's so popular. Overpriced & very average imo.

We visited the restaurant on Sunday and have to say, the seating area was nothing short of disgusting!

It is so much better that you can decide what you want to make up the number of items you want to eat. This is a great change of policy - thanks Dobbies. The toast was dry and hard and had been under the heater too long. Great large free car park as will as complimentary WIFI.

Ample parking , great food and a cool place to hang out for coffee. The shop is great also and the food on sale is some of the best in Scotland

Ample parking and and interesting architecture at the entrance. This a humongous garden centre organised in the usual 'Dobbie' fashion. We were particulalry impressed by the very wide range of greenhouses, sheds and such-like as your rarely get to see them in 'the flesh' and it helps greatly. We had lunch which was good but the portions were a little lacking in generosity. Had to move inside due to the wasps - can nothing be done to reduce this menace?

I love Dobbies in Livingston especially their Christma shop. I'm often in with family for a coffee. However, the temperature in the cafe is ridiculous. When you look around people are constantly fanning themselves. I'm not only talking Summertime. Please, please get some air con.

It's good u let dogs in but can u please build a under cover area out side as I would of had food and drink out but it was raining.

Left a little disappointed after visiting Dobbies Livingston for afternoon tea yesterday. Having read the menu I had advised my niece that she would be having flower shaped sandwiches, carrot / celery sticks with dip, jelly & grapes & sweet treats, in reality she was given triangle sandwiches with crusts on, there was no carrot or celery sticks, she was given jelly but no sign of grapes!! The sweet treats were ok. She’s only 5 and was really disappointed. We were given a pot of tea on arrival but this was cold by the time our sandwiches were brought out!! No offer of a refill or reheat! I’ve had afternoon tea here before & always found it value for money & had great service, but not on this occasion. Won’t rush back.

Food good then walk around garden centre. Really enjoyed it. As a devoted dog owner got to say reviews complaining not dog friendly seem harsh. We saw lots of dogs walking happily around. Frankly issue can be unruly or bad behaved dogs and owners in eating area - owners who allow their dogs to bother other diners should not be allowed to bring their dogs in. Ours is well behaved and controlled - we dont invade others space. If people want to speak to our dog thstswrlcomed but it is on their terms not ours!

Stopped to pick up ice cream but seeing the new ‘dog friendly’ posters at the cafe entrance we decided to eat in. I asked a member of staff if we could take our puppy through the restaurant and she said she didn’t know but would check. She did approach some colleagues but instead of returning to provide an answer she went to serve at the counter. In the absence of any help from the staff we picked up our pup and walked through towards the dog friendly seating only to be reprimanded by another member of staff for doing so. Being dog friendly take more than a few posters - clear guidance and trained members of staff would be a start. When we eventually got to a seat the table and surrounding area was filthy. We are our ice cream, left and won’t be going back.

You will find many unusual gifts and finishing touches for your garden at Dobbies. For a garden centre it is really up market and you can expect to pay the price to reflect the exclusivity of their products. They sell everything from garden products to clothing. Luxury outdoor furniture, lighting, huts, gazebos, wind chimes etc.

Dobbies are consist with the quality of their barista style coffee but the scones leave a lot to be desired! Where the heck is the fruit? The standard of these have dropped remarkably in the few years that this place has been open but sadly the prices have not!

We visit regularly. Great selection of plants but a bit pricey.. but we get 10% off because we’re members of the garden club. We also get 2 free coffees each month. Well worth joining. They also have a clearance section which is great value. They also have regular days where they offer 20% off so choose your visits. Cafe is great for breakfast and a coffee, and nicer than the edinburgh one with a lovely atmosphere. Read a review from an edinburgh visitor. True about the pricey food, but all these garden centres are the same, along with most eating places. Breakfast is very good value. The rest of his review was nonsense. Go and judge for yourself. A nice way to spend an hour or two

Food was nice but overpriced. Service was ok. Restaurant itself clean, chairs rather uncomfortable.

You can choose the number of items but you can no longer, choose the make up of your items. So, if you have dietary requirements, you cannot order say 3 slices of bacon etc. I cannot eat mushrooms or beans so I used to swap them for bacon or hash browns. Very disappointed with their change decision. To note, their web site does not reflext the change in ordering policy.

Not as good as it used to be. Meet once a month with friends and today our chat was completely ruined by an employee using an electric sweeper to clean the floor. Yes the floor needs to be cleaned, but you don't have to scrape every chair noisily across the floor to do it. Spoiled our chat and we will find somewhere else in future.

This place used to be amazing for a breakfast, especially 2 4 1, but now its extremely overpriced and driving customer s away.

We stopped in to browse the garden centre and to grab a coffee. The garden centre was disappointing as many of the plants were in poor condition. The coffee was excellent but the “Toasted Teacake” was far too dry, even with lashings of butter!

We visited this place to buy some garden plants and found it to be well stocked although they did not have the particular one we wanted. I asked about it and they said it would be in in two weeks which was fine. We will be back for it.

Decided to have a Sunday breakfast here with the kids. Good choice and value - 7 items for around £6. Nice selection and food tastier very good. No complaints however the tables were still dirty and took ages to clear - perhaps this place needs more staff??

My husband and I often eat at Dobbies and have taken our dog along. We normally sit outside but to-day we decided to try the eating area inside, set aside for dogs and their owners. Sufficient space, still feels very much part of the restaurant and water bowls available for the dogs, including a larger bottle to replenish when empty. As often happens in Dobbies,had to wait some time before we were able to enjoy our snack, only one till working. Other than that, an enjoyable experience.

Visited with wife this morning for coffee/snack.

Had lunch as a family after shopping. Staff were very responsible in their approach to allergies and made us feel very comfortable and reassured . Food was excellent too! Thanks you