GAIL's Bakery Dulwich in Southwark

Visited this morning for Sunday coffee and breakfast/pastries .This branch has just been revamped and in our opinion so disappointing! Is it actually finished ? Maybe not ? The inside seating is less spacious than before and even though we were seated at Gails (inside) we were given takeaway cups and paper bags - no serviettes offered- table dirty - we actually felt as though we were in a station coffee stop !! Coffee was nice as was cinnamon bun but NO almond croissants??? We won’t be rushing back - it’s not a patch on the new Bromley Gails which is small but lovely and airy and very nicely done. Sorry but considering this is in Dulwich Village it just feels like a takeaway - we won’t be rushing back - much nicer places to sit for coffee on a Sunday morning 😢

This branch of Gails is currently under renovation so has a restricted offer. They are running the operation from the first 2 or 3 metres of the cafe with a false wall behind them! But the team behind the counter are doing a sterling job of keeping things going! (in very confined space!) Great coffee and although stock is limited the usual choices of pastries and bread available.

Popped in after an afternoon visit to Dulwich Art Gallery. Interior shabby and definitely not chic. Worn banquette seating, tired tables none to clean. Under the tables food debris on a floor that looked as if not washed or polished in a very long time. Good array of snacks and bakery items on counter under cover. We had a quiche and a smoked salmon baguet and a tea and coffee. The teapot had a chipped spout ( yuk) and tea cup was a stoneware mug with no saucer or teaspoon. Had to request a teaspoon at the counter. Quiche very tepid but tasty. A stack of folded crates by the counter and an assistant using an ancient looking grubby long handled dustpan and brush to sweep the centre of the floor. Needs to go to the tip! Are these poor standards really acceptable to people?. This is NOT a cheap caff and I expect a great deal better. Take the management and staff to Caffe Ori at John Lewis Bluewater to see how a cafe should look and be run. Won't be back.

Stopped for a double espresso when I bought a San Francisco Sourdough loaf and was pleasantly surprised that the taste had improved hugely - not burnt and bitter as previously. Success

The complimentary double espresso was bitter and left a horrible after taste of burnt coffee. Gails didn’t do itself a favour by offering this welcoming gift…

Typical Gail’s in terms of food, drink and service. Good quality and always enjoy a visit HOWEVER this time the very loud music spoilt the ambience for me. It was so loud that staff had to ask customers to repeat their orders, it was difficult to have a conversation inside. Please turn the music down or better still, turn it off altogether. Most of us pop in for a cuppa with others so that we can chat comfortably too.

Had breakfast here one morning, and it has a real buzz. By luck we managed to get a table outside. This place gets very busy and its because of the quality of the food, We had the baked eggs with bacon and the smoked salmon. The bread types and the selection is very good if not a bit expensive. The only disappointing thing was we asked for some black pepper for the smoked salmon and they said they did not have any! Later in the day the queue to by bread and get takeaways was some 20 people long! Graet spot in the center of the village

It’s astonishing to what extent Gail’s bakeries have mushroomed all over London in the last few years. They must be doing something right given the challenges to the economy in general and the catering industry in particular of late. I enjoyed a chocolate indulgence and a flat white whilst walking on the art trail as part of the Dulwich festival. I couldn’t fault the catering, presentation of the coffee or the service. A both useful and relaxing pitstop.

My friend and I, in a moment of financial folly, dared to venture into Gail's coffee shop in Dulwich. Let me cast my mind back to that fateful day... Where shall I begin? The choices are as abundant as overpriced beans in a hipster café. Our adventure started with the oh-so-cheery disposition of the cashier. Oh, did I say cheery? I must have misspoke - they were about as enthusiastic as a sloth on a slow day. And let's not forget the utterly astounding price of a mint tea, £3.90! Yes, dear reader, you've read that correctly. Presumably, the tea was brewed from angelic tears, and the mint was plucked straight from the Garden of Eden. Only such divine intervention could explain such an audacious price! But the real pièce de résistance came with the arrival of my coffee. When I, in all politeness, requested a spoon and some sugar (rather standard coffee accessories, one would think), the somewhat less than polite staff member pointed me towards a corner and suggested I serve myself. Next time, I half expect to be handed an apron and be asked to brew my own coffee! There you have it, dear reader - a tale of our ill-judged Dulwich escapade. Quite a laugh, don't you think? A comedy of errors indeed, with our wallets paying the punchline.

Gail’s is usually a must when my mum visits me and Gail’s in Dulwich did not disappoint. We shared a mushroom quiche and a chicken, chestnut and tarragon pie. Both were excellent quality and absolutely delicious, as with everything at Gail’s! The price may be a bit more than some cafes but you really are paying for the quality which is worth it. Only slight thing I think some staff could be a little more helpful - I asked if the two things could be cut in half not a huge ask for a cafe I wouldn’t think but they said they wouldn’t and I could cut it myself. My thinking was that they’d have a sharp knife but it was absolutely fine with the regular knife so not an issue. Just these more helpful touches that would bring service up to the standard of food.

Fabulous bakery with high quality produce. The great and cakes are out of this world and with every only. Great vibe inside but dies get busy.

Popped in by chance having seen the enticing display of bread in the window. We were lured into trying the raspberry iced buns, and my goodness, it’s the best iced bun I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a few…). Yes, it’s not cheap, but certainly what we had was well worth it. It was a little bite of heaven.

Fantastic coffee, the Cinnamon Buns are on a different level! In-sane! Lovely staff, very busy - very hard working and very friendly - a very well oiled machine at work here!

This is one of my locals. Really upset to hear about some negative reviews. The team here are wonderful. Super friendly and always working hard to serve a very busy trade. I come in here regularly and have never had a negative experience. Manager always super lovely with my kids!

Mocha was decent, as was food. Nothing special though. But soup wasn’t available from 11am as advertised, ham and cheese croissant wasn’t heated up and you had to ask for salt and pepper and it came in little plastic single use pouches. Doesn’t Gail’s want to reduce plastic use? Why not have a salt and pepper grinder like any other cafe?

At 4pm my favourite cafe in Dulwich had sold out of cake, so I popped across the road to Gail's. The choice of cakes and pastries was not that great, and seeing the prices I opted for a take-away to eat on a nearby bench....

Very disappointing experience at Gail’s today. Staff were unhelpful and verging on rude. I ordered a scone and a decaf latte and was presented with a scone in a paper bag - no question of whether I was eating in or out (we were sat...

We came here after the Dulwich Picture Gallery.we had coffee and cake and sat in the sun!we sent our drinks back as they were not hot enough.

We went to Gails again this weekend and unfortunately will be the last visit for us. Food once again was served with little attention to the presentation and content of the dish. Coffee lukewarm. Most of the dishes were unavailable even though it was only...

To be honest with you this is nice place with nice coffee and cakes I’ve never had a problem here and if I did trust me it would be addressed instantly I just think there are to many people that are just to picky or...

Hi. I was a visitor with friends and went to This Bakery on Wednesday 13 October. We did order eat in some coffee and Cakes but the till girl didn’t give my receipt that was ok. . When we did get our cakes but didn’t...

You would think that with a very limited menu, that food and service would be excellent. I'm sorry to say that this is not the case with Gail's. Eggs are overcooked and bacon undercooked. Service extremely poor with bacon being sent back because it didn't...

Bustling cafe with poor service - coffee spilt as it was put down, no hint of an apology or even an offer of napkins

Was displeased to have a staff member sit on the “reserved for staff breaks “ section ( why ? Is there no staff room ? ) with loud music booming out from her phone . We had to talk loudly to each other to even...

Absolutely amazing food definitely the best place to eat or to get fresh artesian beds. Been in other places in Dulwich but not up to this standard

Really patient and attentive and courteous staff, despite some really rude customers and stroppy children!

Recommend by our daughter who lives locally so after early drive in to take her home we paid a visit. Very busy but managed to sit down and ordered, found it to be expensive £8 for a toasted dish even for London. Food and drinks...

We buy our sourdough from Gail’s but rarely eat there. Yesterday we stopped for a simple lunch of Parmesan Chicken Sandwich (Free-range chicken coated in parmesan breadcrumbs with chilli aioli, iceberg lettuce, plum tomatoes and cucumber pickles) which were really nice and an extra strong...

Good that Gail's in Dulwich has reopened again post Covid 19, albeit for takeaway only. They seem to be operating in a sensible way. Good social distancing in store (maximum 4 customers at any one time), no cash, card payments only, staff wearing gloves (but...

Terrible shop. Covid 19 dispensary Not a good place to be during the virus outbreak. No gloves handling food.

The bread and breakfasts are excellent, however there can be long queues and I once got back the wrong change. Highly recommend olive bread, scones, Francisco bread and croissants.

While the bakery/cafe gets crazy busy at the weekend, and the queue can be annoying, it's a great place. Dulwich Village has few shops for food and this is a welcome addition.

Gails is a hip and happening cafe in Dulwich village, hundreds of apparently wealthy mothers and babies populate the place from dawn til dusk. The noise level is very very high, it is difficult to think let alone talk, service is patchy, and the attitude...

Ordered, waited, eventually coffee arrived and then 20 mins later we asked where the sandwich and cinnamon bun were and were told they were coming from the kitchen...finally after another 5 mins wait we got the cold sandwich and bun, NO APOLOGY. It was not...

Table dirty, service slow, food cold, poor value for money, manager indifferent to complaint. Said similar after visit a year or so again. This time won't return.

Gails coffee shop is in the centre of Blackheath village opposite the railway station. It is very large situated on 2 floors and is very clean. There is an excellent choice of coffees and teas as well as a superb selection of cakes, pastries and...

Visiting daughter in Dulwich and after a stroll through the park ended up at Gails. Absolutely heaving with customers and opted to eat outside. Fortunately weather was ok! Downside was the quality of service. Of the six people only two got to eat at the...

Fresh bakery & went for the hazelnut croissant which was fresh and tasted great. A bit on the more expensive side for bakery but was worth it!

The last time I went to this restaurant Gordon Ramsey was eating there with his wife. If it is good enough for him, it is good enough for me. Excellent fresh and tasty food. Wonderful friendly service. Nothing was roo much trouble. And prices were...

The bread and pastries are pretty good, though much of it is wildly overpriced. I’ve been coming here on and off for a few years now ( not sure why really) and EVERY time I’ve been here the staff get the order wrong, or forget...

I’m a great fan of Gail’s sourdough and savouries but we had never eaten there. Brunch on my birthday was the opportunity! Great coffee. Boring scrambled eggs. Nice eggs and bacon on brioche. Dulwich Village has a Café Rouge but it’s poor so there is...

Queue to get served outside. Expect staff to be unsmiling and disinterested. Our coffee was sour tasting. Unpleasant. Yet this franchise is always busy everywhere you see it. Trendy at its worst. And really expensive to boot.

Before heading for a sunny walk to the park, my mum fancy to have pastries and I’d love to have a cuppa. But was disappointed that the scones were served without jam and butter. I have to request for it. Staff was apologetic. We wont...

I’m a local and when my partner and I decided we needed cake and afternoon coffee Gail’s it was on this occasion. I had forgotten that I had long ago forsworn ever to go here again. Staff, fine and friendly as always, cakes fine, nothing...

Awful service, forgot about my order because the staff were too busy talking amongst themselves behind the counter. I would not recommend if you want to get served remotely quickly.

This place is part of an upmarket chain , and it`s very annoying that this one seems to operate as an alternative office/creche. Coffee is good , as are the breakfast eggs - but it is not cheap. Much better "off-peak"! Try Rocca next door...

After visiting the Dulwich Picture Gallery we came here for a coffee and a cake before the journey home. On a sunny afternoon it was nice to be able to sit outside at one of their pavement tables - there is not too much road...

I’ve been coming to this Gail’s for over three years now and slowly but surely it’s gone downhill. From the artisan bakery it was to what now feels like McDonalds. The recipe apparently changed on some pastries a while back but all I see are...

Arrived this morning for coffee. There were a number of free tables, all piled high with dirty plates and cups. In the end customers started clearing the tables themselves. Service is snappy and rude - staff are obviously overwhelmed.

Cakes good quality, but vastly overpriced. Staff surly and rude - almost as if customers are a nuisance to be endured. Hard to tell if staff are hearing impaired, dim-witted, rude, or maybe all of the above. Won't be going here again.

Popped into gail's in Dulwich as I was passing. The restaurant was busy and so were the staff. There was an older lady serving who was very keen and eager to engage however, unfortunately I wasn't served by her, but by a taller, younger lady...

I’ve been a regular for years and I feel for the first time that standards are really slipping. For a few weeks now I feel like the staff are just not listening when you order. I have to repeat myself a few times on each...

Why does this place exist? Coffee is burnt, bitter, and without any crema. I would the beans are either cheap or stale, and the machinery poorly maintained. But that's not all. The pastries today were just plain stale. I would rather eat cardboard. Never ever...

Unfortunately GAIL'S lets itself down in the smallest of places but yet in the biggest of ways. It's simple pay attention to the small things, people who pay your wages. i.e. paying customers. It's Simple. When a first time customer pays £3.20 for a flat...

I have been going here for years. The positives are that the food and coffee are good, but... Over the last 12 months the standards of staff and service has dramatically plummeted. Everytime i go in there i have to clear my own table of...

The bread smells at Gail's are absolutely splendid - if you like bread smells! But the coffee here is good, the tables rather high, or outside. All-in-all its a great atmosphere.

Sat outside as it was very busy inside. Coffee was good and my son enjoyed his croissant. Service was reasonable , price was a bit expensive. Not too much to add, other than we will be back.

I visited Gail’s after parkrun with 4 other runners, we all ordered separate however our food came very closely together. The price was fair for the portions, not too much, not too small. All the pastries and bread were laid out for everyone to see...

Cinnamon buns are unbeatable and are the only reason I will return. I travel from Kent to Dulwich judt for these. However prices are ridiculous and staff are catastrophically moody and unmotivated. Last time I went there wasn't even cinnamon buns so will not be...

The food is good but the customer service is awful. I ended up with wrong orders a few times and they wont offer a bag, when we have multiple items. I live in Dulwich and like a few items on their menu hence I put...

As with many reviews on here, I would echo that if you are looking for good service by motivated staff who care about food this is not the place for you. However I love the cinnamon buns so come a fair bit despite this -...

Very rude staff that are seriously sad all the time. I sometimes think they should put their feet up and have a self service. Wont be coming there anymore.

Good quality of food but my gawd is it expensive. £3,50 for a sausage roll come on. Staff pleasant and nice

Much has changed in the past few years but this is still a great place for coffee, cakes and bread. The hygiene over the summer was suspect (the number of flies were scary), and it is true that the staff seem to have a private...

I’ve previously criticised Gails for not getting it right but on this Monday lunchtime I’m delighted to say they seem to be back on their A-game. As always good food but now back up by lovely prompt service and a general sense of being organised....

Visited Blackheath branch. Salmon rolls exposed with flies sitting on them. Please cover your food with clear film or something. It's not good for all customers. Hygiene is key. Please think about it.

I visited Gail’s six months ago and the service was terrible. Now it’s magical. I’ve been back daily.

Seriously, coffee shops are a plenty and it's a tough business. Gails in Dulwich does ok. Saturday's are busy so an average review is fair as there simply is not that extra number of staff and addition of a quality barrista to make a real...

Popped in to grab some coffees and pastries. Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing. But the rudest person passing the coffees. Will not come again.

I went to Gails this morning with my toddler for breakfast because our kitchen at home is out of action. Before today I was a regular here for take out. I ordered a croissant for my daughter and eggs and bacon for myself without toast...

Oh dear .... Gails at Dulwich really needs to up their game as regards service and staff!!! This used to be one of our favourite places for Sunday morning coffee/breakfast or weekdays with friends. However, even though their cakes, bread and coffee are lovely I...

While the food is fantastic, the service is slow and chaotic - lots of staff milling around seemingly doing sweet FA, meanwhile one person on the till serving a queue that’s snaking around the counter, past the bread in the window to the door -...

This used to be our favourite place but now far too pretentious. We walked in and admired the food and cakes, waited in line and staff were rude so walked out. We’ll take our money elsewhere, there’s plenty of better places in this area. Doesn’t...

I defy ANYONE to walk into Gail's, have a look at the offering and not react with the alacrity of a Pavlov dog. Not only to the goodies all look delicious, but I am sure that all of them taste delicious too. Just the place...

Visited Saturday afternoon and then again Sunday for breakfast. Good selection of food. Loads of pastries and breads. Lots of seating in and out. We had fabulous service from a really amazing man who was so friendly and helpful. Not sure he was ‘front of...

When we visit Dulwich, we often walk to Gail’s, have a coffee or breakfast and walk back. This marks the halfway point and is a welcome spot for breakfast. The coffee is good for London, but the pastries, sandwiches, soups, juices, etc are very good...

Margaret and I popped into Gail’s and enjoyed great bread and cakes Garlic bread is a favorite All the cakes and breads are first rate Well worth a visit

Is what it is. Extremely expensive sandwiches coffee etc. Can't decide if i dislike the staff, the clientele or the product most. Or myself. Confused. 3 stars.

The service at Gale’s really does need to looked at! Having made what I thought was a simple order, it took an age for it to arrive and when I did arrive it was cold!! The place was not busy, so I’m not quite sure...

Ordered sausage roll, brownie and coffee to eat in today. Sat waiting 10mins for staff to put it on a plate and bring it over. Had the place been full, I would have been more patient but it wasn’t. Food on the floor and tables/seats....

I have visited this cafe several times and everytime the staff seem to have an unfortunate attitude to what service is about. Yesterday I visited with my father and whilst the food and muffins were good, the whole visit was marred by the attitude of...

The food here is ok, but I could never eat here again after watching some snotty little kid finger about 6 or 7 of the cakes on display while his oblivious mum waited in line for a coffee. Also the staff are so miserable!!! No...

Nice food, much improved seating area after revamp. Stunned today to see a member of staff half heartedly pushing a mop around whilst chatting on her mobile. Shes been on for about a quarter of an hour so far! I’m guessing the manager is out....

My preferred place to buy (Stoneground!) organic wholemeal brown loaf with oats and olive oil! :) Mmm.., yummy! Pot of raspberry and (rose!) jam and a bag of their delicious granola! :) Plus, it's a nice place to have brunch.

I love Gail’s food. It’s great. Expensive, but great. I do not love the service. At all. Good lord Gail’s please train your staff! I’ve got my lunch here for the past four years everyday and there have been about two people that can toast...

Very "yummy mummy" cafe in Dulwich Village. I half expected Catherine Tate to be there as the "Aga Saga" mum, delighted that all the ingredients were organic and that there wasn't a northern accent anywhere to be heard. There are tables both inside and on...

Visited Gail's today for lunch and it was a far from a pleasant experience. There was a 15 minute wait between the various parts of our order which is unacceptable. Bearing in mind the ridiculously high prices one would reasonably expect a much higher level...

i had heard good things about this cafe and thought i'd pop in for coffee on a Monday morning. I couldn't believe how bad the service was - arrogant, surly and offhand to the extent that I will definitely not be returning. I only had...

Popped in to buy a sandwich and was served by the surliest young woman. After she shoved my change into my hand without a “thank you” or Even looking at me, I said (trying to keep it light) “A smile wouldn’t hurt”. Well: she let...

I last came here in January on a busy Saturday and although expensive, staff seemed on it and it was clean....something seems to have gone badly wrong in the intervening months. Today I arranged to meet a friend there, the place wasn't very busy and...

I wish there were more places like this in London instead of all the crappy chains. Nice coffee and definitely one of the best pain au chocolate. Totally recommend this.

As a first timer at Gail's we went in with lot of anticipation, long queues to enter the bakery made it appear to be a hospitable place. But boy were we surprised. To be fair, the food is stupendous..but there were more than a few...

I try and go here every Sunday morning or for Sunday lunch. It's a lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and now that the pub around the corner has reopened, is less busy and I can get a seat ! Still serving one of the best coffees...

POpped in and picked up a loaf of the roasted garlic bread and some cookies after a disappointing meal at bocca restaurant up the road. We had bought bread before at the Gails bakery in Blackheath so knew what we were getting. Some people might...

I visited this bakery at lunchtime. The array of goods was fantastic and all looked inviting. I didn't like the open display table though as people could touch the food and also if someone was to cough or sneeze the food wasn't protected. Having said...

I cannot believe how this business survives with the vile attitude of the staff. It shows that people in this area have more money than sense that they are accepting of this. Never, ever again

Fairly nice food, staff serving on the counter was very helpful and friendly initially however the overall experience here was let down by a female staff member going on the phone in the only toilet in the place, but with the door still open so...

Coffee and pastries ok.. But bread is fairly average and overpriced. Breakfast sat down can be a bit challenging with people waiting to order stood so close.

Poor service, loads of staff standing around. Couldn't serve soup hot!, Bad seating arrangement, impossible to chat, as you are on top of the next table. Tables are wide, so you are a long way fro your partner, but on top of the guests at...

I love the food, the sausage rolls to die for, the stunning ginger cake, lovely pots of chia seed compots, slightly less in love with the take away salad, can have too many different leaves and ingredients but on the whole the food is wonderful....