Dunelm in Maidstone

This Cafe doesn't get any better. I like to visit here with my mum and have a look around. First problem was the lift was out of order. My mum has to use a walker so it was incredibly difficult for her to get upstairs to the cafe. Luckily it was working when we wanted to go down. The real problem here is the cafe. Very very slow service, bored disinterested staff and dirty tables. We were there 45 mins and several tables weren't cleared. And the guy with the long beard and greasy hair still doesn't tie his hair back or wear a beard net. Very unhygienic.

Staff completely disinterested. Asked for 2 teas & 2 toasted T cakes, was told they were not doing anymore HOT food! It was only 2.45pm! I said You've only got to put it in the toaster, the woman replied, Naaaa, they dont fit, we have to put the grill on!!! As If it was complicated! OMG please Where is the customer service? Does anyone care, look how many bad reviews you have. Shame, it could be such a nice little Cafe. Please, somebody make an effort!

I used to work in this cafe, I now know why I left, never enough staff, and some of the staff are horrible, to many chifs in that place. I just couldn't put up with bossy people who were not the my boss. Watching them all on the day I went in, my friends wanted to walk out, but we stayed, the food was OK, I had my favourite smoothy, that was lovely. My friend had a latte and didn't like it very much, he said it wasn't a proper barista coffee. Never again.

Only 1 member of staff on at 10 who couldn't make a bacon roll because she was "on her own " Customer service skills are totally lacking here -miserable staff.Not the first time I have encountered these miserable women & I probably won't bother returning which is a shame as the cafe itself is quite nice

Think I just have to go along with the other reviews. Miserable and very slow service. No friendly welcome. Not a single smile. Staff just seemed to not to be there' Looked very run down ................... 'orrible.

Waited 10 mins to be served & 15 mins for food. Strawberry Milkshake didn't taste or look like one. Toastie was ok. Staff more interested in hair, nails & phones. 1 was cleaning but 2 were just wandering around doing not a lot. 1 had long red painted nails, not ideal in a food prep/service situation

The first time we have been since re-fit, more seating, which is good but doubt they'll need it once people realise how bad the food and drink is. Our drinks weren't very hot, my husbands hot cross bun could have broken windows. The Easter chocolate doughnut was sort of wet and slimey. Probably had been frozen. Usually, I would have spoken to staff about these issues, but the two ladies serving didn't appear very friendly, and I didn't want confrontation, so we put it down to experience. Won't be getting food and drink there again.

Only called in for a coffee. This was OK but nothing special. One plus is that there is plenty of seating.

This used to be a nice cafe they’ve ruined it since it’s re fit The staff are miserable one looks like he needs to be taught personal hygiene , never got any food or staff , always signs up saying no food or closing early. Have to guess what hot food they’ve got, no cutlery or sugar , salt, napkins have to ask. Not many places in Maidstone to get a coffee in that area so it’s a shame . Needs sorting out .

Oh my god, how bad can a cafe get. We waited in a queue for 15 minutes that didn't move as the four women behind the counted chatted amongst themselves about a delivery that had arrived, in a shopping trolley!, unloading it behind the cafe counter. What's happened to customer care?. We were going to get a sausage sandwich, until my partner asked me how do they cook the sausages. I looked about for the ovens and noticed two small ovens covered in grease and grime, with two heat resistant tea towels draped over the handles, both covered in old food and grease. We run out of there as fast as we could, even though we were both starving hungry and I can normally eat anywhere. Never would I have thought in todays world that I places like this exist. Shame on you Dunelm for letting this happen!. The actual store itself has no soul, bare and uninteresting.

Selling “ gluten free soup and a roll “ is great - except the bread roll isn’t gluten free ! I asked if I got a discount for not having the roll, but answer was no. Please try to rectify not having gf bread ..

This cafe must rate as one of the worst in Maidstone. The staff attitude is absolutely appalling and certainly the person who served us should definitely not be in a customer facing role, she was surly and totally disinterested. Given similar reviews in about this cafe perhaps the manager of this department should consider there own position

Not a great experience, girl serving no welcome, just talking to her colleague, asked for a tea and tea cake , she forgot the tea cake, but said she hadn’t and no apology, needs a bit of customer service training I think!!!

It was hard to find a table on arrival because most of the free ones had dirty plates etc on them. We got served at 11:40 and ordered the brunch baps to be told we couldn’t have them as they don’t serve them after 12. Ordered 2 cheese and ham toastie and told a 20 min wait. 40 minutes we waited for a half toasted toastie. Didn’t even get an apology for the delay to then find someone who ordered after us had got a brunch bap. The lady cooking was quite rude. Eventually someone else complained about her as she was quite rude to them and a shop floor manager intervened and seemed to get it sorted working double speed that the actually cafe workers was. Overall very disappointing. Appreciate lunchtime can be busy but this was not reasonable.

The staff were more interested in cleaning the various items of equipment than in serving their customers. The person serving was too busy talking to her colleagues to provide any interest in customers: I did learn that her shift was ending soon. I asked if I could have some sugar for my tea; yes, was the reply. Once I'd paid I had to ask again as they had turned to the next customer and begun to take their order forgetting my request. We were provided with cutlery - unfortunately just knives and no forks...had to go back and ask for forks. Salad was fresh but why no dressing??? Food overall mediocre. The 'all day breakfast' toastie should be called 'left all day, breakfast'...not very nice. Disappointed.

Well the cafe is a complete and utter shambles, queues are horrendous not sure they not what thay are doing, it took 40 mins to get to the counter to be served it wasn't that busy, but staff are useless,then had another rather long wait over 30 mins,when food finally arrived it was cold toastie was only half toasted,had to be returned, give it a miss but try if you like and prove me wrong. Appalling sort the cafe out or close it

First time in newly refurbished Pausa Cafe at Maidstone Dunelm.I think they must have spent the budget on the upgrade as the service is appalling. One person serving with one making the hot drinks and several other staff doing ???. Queued for about 20 minutes, with a big queue behind, then two out of the three items we went to order were not available! Not even any indication of this before reaching the till. This was at 12pm so not the end of the day. Then had to re evaluate the menu which held the queue up even more..The lady behind said she could not be bothered to order food after that!It feels like a reorganisation of the ordering process is needed. Don't think we will be visiting again any time soon.

Maidstone Dunhelm has been done up nicely. The cafe upstairs looks especially good. Met a friend there yesterday for coffee and a chat. I was in the queue for 25 minutes waiting to order one tea and one coffee. I have high blood pressure and am certain my blood was boiling. There was one girl serving and one lady dealing with drinks etc. i certainly would have walked away and out of dunhelm but my friend was seated waiting. My coffee was fine. However my friends tea was the weakest I had ever seen.

Worst “café” experience of my life. Felt like I was being rushed constantly whilst being told they had none of the options available that we asked. Very rude staff. The middle aged/older women who claimed to be the manager was absolutely horrible- management needs to rethink their choices on the type of atmosphere they are creating. A good business would value customers, this business seems to think that customers are an annoyance. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone who wants a good experience. Overpriced for a toastie and dirty plates left on the table. Tried to complain and got shouted at by the same older woman. Embarrassing employees. Will NEVER be returning and I hope no one else does either.

Visited the cafe in Maidstone after a lengthy stroll around the store, where a sign said please wait to be seated. After waiting 10 minutes and no Employees of the cafe in sight I sat down as there was only 4 other customers there. As if from no where a very rude and abrupt cafe employee tells me I should have waited and I wasn’t allowed to sit down. After telling her i had waited 10 minutes she was having none of it. How she managed to be in a position dealing with people is beyond me. I am appalled at her behaviour. I know we are in a pandemic but mannners cost nothing. Won’t be dining there and would recommend people go elsewhere.

I took my granddaughter into the coffee shop for a little treat while her Mum looked around the main shop. I wish I hadn’t wasted my money. It was a really unpleasant experience. The older blonde lady behind the counter was incredibly rude to me because we were being a little indecisive (like most 3 year olds, my granddaughter was struggling to make up her mind). It wasn’t overly busy a this point so there was no need to be met with such a miserable face and impatience. No please. No thank you. How these people get jobs is beyond me - surely there are nicer people out there who need a job and can put a smile on their face - and mine. It’s such a shame as the prices are reasonable and there is a good selection of food. I thought maybe she was having an off day so have looked on tripadvisor for other’s opinions and it seems it’s a common theme! Won’t be visiting again.

I am very disappointed with my recent visit to Dunelm café. I was served by such a miserable and rude middle aged women. No manners at all! I also witnessed her being rude to her fellow team member. Someone like that does not deserve to be employed. Dunelm café is meant to be a nice little café for people to have a sit down while shopping and no one should have to feel humiliated during this experience. Management need to think about their customers during the employment process.

There has been a dirty lollipop stick in the women’s toilets for months and I think it’s disgusting it hasn’t been cleaned

Not a pleasant experience. Relaxing with coffee and cake to firstly hear bang and clatter as the clean crockery and cutlery is returned to the servery counter by a very unhappy staff member literally throwing it around. But the bigger issue is hearing the cackle coming from the kitchen as one staff member then shouts out ‘bollocks’ for every diner, including young children, to hear. Not good Dunelm.

Excellent products, good quality, easy store to navigate, very helpful, courteous staff, easy to park, Would definitely recommend Dunelm.

An alright pit stop to quench your thirst and grab a bite to eat nothing special just like the two women serving ! we had dripping wet trays we had to dry ourselves which the servers could blatently see were in need of drying as customers we felt anything was to much effort for them

Went for a coffee and catch up with my mum, and usually busy but clean and tidy and seating available. Today however, was manic. Any free table had dirty plates and cups from previous customers , the queue was very long and the toilets were dirty. However, staff as always lovely even under pressure. They had new staff training, and one lady who I think was the supervisor, who was well over due going home, stayed to clear and get back to normal . Great customer service.

Always go for coffee and snack when shopping. Food is good and reasonably priced. Shop has lift so you don't have to do stairs, and its not right at the back of the shop.

By no means the worst cafe we've found in a store but the choice is limited and the staff not very helpful

Dunelm coffee shop Maidstone great place to snack and relax we do very often. food selection great , only complaint condition of chairs is discusting they are covered in marks and stains,staff remark well we get lots of kids coming in, how about wipe clean seating a s a p ?????. yours regular Dunelm customers Oli & CHARLIE SAMUELL

Popped into the café for a quick bite and was pleasantly surprised. Had a toasted cheese and ham hock sandwich which was served with a salad and dressing, very tasty. Coffee was good too. Staff were friendly and helpful. The cakes looked good and were well displayed. Reasonably priced food, better value than Costas!

Nice little coffee shop good value and great tasting coffee. Nice selection of cakes , can be a bit cramped if busy and full of shopping

It's a shame about the miserable greeting at the till/hot drink counter.

We always stop in the Dunelm coffee shop when we shop here. The Lemon meringue pie is brilliant as is their chocolate fudge cake. Coffee is fair to good depending on who makes it.

Had a lovely toasted sandwich here with my husband. Well filled,and served with salad.

There doe's not seem to be enough staff in this restaurant, tables always need clearing, there were twelve tables covered in dirty dishes. Also long wait to get served.

wonderful place to visit, lots of retail therapy shopping for everything to do with the home and enjoy a toastie sandwich and latte. gorgeous cakes as well.

I don't think this shop is as good as used to be found lots thing you can't buy there anymore .. I find there are now better and cheaper shops I feel this shops cluttered and tired ...

I occasionally pop in here to have coffee and whenever I do the tables always seem dirty, even when they have just opened and we are the first customers! The toilets are revolting too, smelling strongly of urine. No the air freshener does not cover it and only makes it worse. That said, if you find a clean table and don't need the toilet it is good for tea/coffee, a slice of cake or a bacon bap. The children's lunch boxes are very reasonable

Perfect place for a quick snack, and the bonus is that they have toilets near by, no where else in the shopping complex have place for tea, snack or toilet facilities.

Mum and I love this coffee shop

Last visit not good only had one oven working and packed to the hilt as school holidays. My friend and I often pop in for a light lunch which is usually quick and easy. The last time was chaotic as school holidays so must remember not to go then!!

The coffee shop is always a lovely and relaxing place to visit (having visited here hundreds of times!). The food is lovely, however there could be more of a range and perhaps some new cakes every so often.

Found on the first floor of Dunelm Mill, this coffee house is a gem, always busy & serving great coffee/cakes/pastries & an array of lunchtime food.