Ground Bakery - Penarth in The Vale of Glamorgan

Great food and always very friendly. Visit often and enjoy good coffee and fresh, tasty food prepared in front of you.

I have visited Ground Bakery in Penarth on several occasions. Sometimes to sit and eat other times for a takeaway. It isn’t cheap but I’m happy to pay as the food is delicious, however the service is appalling bordering on intimidating. This is from the same member of staff who has been working there every time I have visited.It’s as if she has a very strict set of rules she has been told to adhere to and boy does she stick to the rules. God forbid you take a look at the food in the display cabinet and ask what the fillings are. You feel as if she would be breaking one of the rules if she told you and was helpful, she quickly directs you to the menu which is on display. Her manner is unfortunate and she is so insincere while being overly friendly with obvious regulars to the point where she leaves serving you to suck up to them. Do something about her please.

The Best bacon I've ever experienced. They do something to it overnight and it just melts on your mouth. Service is good, atmosphere is lovely AND it's dog friendly Went 3 x times in one week

Have been to ground when they first opened for breakfast and it didn’t dissapoint . Full ground breakfast was very tasty . Our most recent visit for my birthday breakfast was a tad dissapointing . The food was tasty (I had the veggie breakfast bap and my partner had the Welsh rarebit.) but the wait for the food was in my opinion was very slow. It wasn’t busy ( an hr and a half after opening ) with only about 8 customers. Drinks came first then a 25 min wait for food . There didn’t seem a need to get breakfast out promptly with staff and chefs in and out of kitchen . Drinking coffee and chatting . After finishing our meal . Staff collected our plates but there was no question of did we enjoy our meal. We paid and left . As we were leaving ( was getting busier ) one of the chefs was sat on one of the sofas on his mobile and chatting to customers . It just seems a bit too relaxed there and not sure we would visit again

Was told to wait 15 minutes for a table. Waited outside went back in 13 mins and was told they’d given the table to another couple that walked in and we’d have to wait for another table to become free. Awful customer service. Will not be visiting again and will tell all my friends and family in oenarth not to bother .

I had read good things about this place and decided to treat myself. My visit started well as a member of staff was serving someone outside and held the door open for me to enter. There was a sign saying 'queue here for a table' so I waited but she waved me to one. It was a bit squashed, as I had shopping with me, but the large table was filled with Mums and pushchairs so that was fine. I ordered a coffee and looked at the menu. I requested the egg, mushrooms and 'overnight bacon' and remarked it sounded intriguing. I expected an explanation of what it was but didn't get any. My coffee arrived and was pretty near cold. I was thirsty, having walked a long way, so drank it. I asked for a glass of water. When it arrived it was warmer than the coffee, having been taken from a glass receptacle on the counter in the sun. Despite the fact that no-one else had a plate meal (just some toast or croissant) my food took a while to arrive. There was no cruet available (the yolk of poach egg needs seasoning in my book). Again, the food was also cold. A member of staff asked how everything was so I said 'cold'. She offered to tell the chef. What does that even mean? Rectify it or refund some or all of the cost. Telling the chef doesn't help me. One of the eggs was also raw. I left most of the meal and went to the counter to pay. I was asked by someone I assume was the manageress how my meal was and I repeated 'cold'. She said I should have mentioned it. I explained I had. Nothing was done so I held out a note. Then I was told it was card only. I explained I hadn't been told that at the outset and was referred to a very small sign at reception. As I was shooed to my table I didn't have chance to read that, or any other, literature on the way in. The manageress told me to 'go and get a card'. I had one but wasn't sure I could remember the PIN. I was told I could swipe but that didn't work either. Luckily I managed to recall the PIN and that was that. I strongly oppose this refusal to accept cash - it is legal tender and coin of the realm. I notice there was a tip jar on the counter - do I cut off a corner of my credit card or is cash acceptable in that instance?!! No apology was offered, or any discount, for the substandard meal. The manageress said 'when you come back bring any problems to our attention and we'll 'do something''. I mentioned that the food was cold twice - how many more times? Isn't it presumptuous to assume I'll ever darken their door again? How odd, also, to think that there will be further problems I need to report should I ever come back! All the fancy décor and high minded concepts in the world can't make up for cold food, poor organization and clueless management. Learn to cook and to deal with problems quickly and efficiently. Frankly, there are numerous places in Penarth which are better value and have truly delicious food. Try one of them instead.

Staff are prompt and polite. Toilets are clean and modern. Clean and bright within and good atmosphere. Nice coffee ☕️ and food was tasty. Ticked all the correct 📦 boxes.

Ground Bakery is simply Superb in every aspect. The staff are professional, friendly and committed to providing an efficient service. They all scream pride in their work place and offering. The coffee is easily the best in Penarth and the breakfasts are consistently of the highest quality. The kitchen and chef are visible to the customers and you will notice scrupulous hygiene and organisation. It’s not the cheapest place to have breakfast or coffee in Penarth but it’s easily the best.

It is such a shame that the service is so poor, because the warm breakfast food is very nice. The breakfast bap with overnight bacon and fried egg in a brioche bun was very tasty. However, the senior member of staff at this venue is very abrupt and frankly rude, about where you can sit and how long you can stay. I appreciate this is a busy and small venue, but it does not excuse this behaviour. As our allotted time was up, a bill was shoved onto the table, without any explanation or comment of any kind. The message was clear, you've spent £90, now go away so we can turn over the table. I have been here four times now and it's been the same treatment, whether it's busy or quiet. I have had enough and won't be back. I would strongly advise anyone who enjoys a pleasant atmosphere to avoid this venue and go to one of the other charming eateries in Penarth, where the staff are pleased to serve you.

On a positive, the food is outstanding. This was the second time we have visited the Penarth Ground, after repeatedly visiting Pontcanna. Unfortunately, the good food was overshadowed by the unaccommodating and somewhat pretentious senior staff. We enquired about a table for 4, but were met with some spiel about how they don’t like to move tables. To be honest, I zoned out a little bit due to the shock of the “like it or lump it” attitude. We eventually sat on the sofa table to then be hounded every 30 seconds asking if we were ready to order, not even giving us a chance to settle our 6month old and look at the menu. We eventually had delicious food and ordered multiple rounds of coffees, but we got the impression the staff were trying to free up the table as quick as possible; rushing us quite frequently, to the point where the senior member of staff brought us the bill without us even asking for it. We were intending to order more coffee and a cake, but decided to settle the bill and leave. This seems to echo other reviews we’ve read here and were told the same by others who have visited. My recommendation would be to avoid this Ground and visit the Pontcanna one instead.

My son and I visited Ground Penarth this morning just after 9am. We were directed towards a small table for 2 squashed between a lot of others people against the back wall when a nicer table in the window was free. I asked if we could sit here and I was told that was ok but we may have to move if a larger party came in. I don't think this is a great customer experience but I agreed as it was preferable to having other people practically sitting on our laps. We waited to be served but no one came. Whilst waiting I observed a more senior member of staff appearing to complain to the more junior member of staff about table spacing on more than one occasion whilst looking in our direction which made me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. A single gentleman on his own then came in and the senior member of staff came over to my son and I and asked us to move. I told her we didn't want to move and were in fact leaving. I see previous reviewers have had very similar experiences. On the strength of the visit I will not be returning with my family or recommending this pretentious place with rude staff and an unwelcoming atmosphere.

Wow… what a fab find.. amazingly friendly staff… very professional…. Food was super… can’t wait to visit again.. Thanks all

Called in for a takeaway coffee, lovely decaf oat latte, great service and lovely clean toilet fecilities. Will definitely revisit.

Visited this coffee shop this morning for breakfast with my husband this morning. When entering I thought it was odd that everyone appeared to be sat in a row at the tables against the wall on the right. The table in the window to the left of the doorway was empty and we approached to sit there. The person behind the counter proceeded to ask us very loudly (loudly enough that other looked over at us) ask us how many of us there were, on saying two she proceeded to tell us, again loudly that we should sit it the empty table between everyone else . I told her I am not comfortable sitting so close to other people and we were then told if we sat near the window and a larger party came in we would be expected to move. Never in my life have I visited a coffee shop that insisted I sit where I am told. And might I add these instruction made so loudly and publicly. This is terrible customer service. This is not the first time we have visited this coffee shop sometimes as a couple and other times meeting up with family , but it will certainly be the last. I must point out we have sat in the very same table several times. .There are plenty of other places to take coffee and breakfast in Penarth where you sit where you choose.

Fantastic place for brunch or a light lunch. Went on the recommendation from a friend and wasn’t disappointed with the delicious food. Husband very much enjoyed perfectly cooked poached eggs , mushrooms and overnight bacon on sourdough. I enjoyed Welsh rarebit with overnight bacon. The overnight bacon was cooked sous vide and was the outstanding feature of both dishes. Some lovely vegetarian dishes also available. The coffee was excellent. Expensive but absolutely worth it for food of this quality . The staff were welcoming and helpful. A really lovely team and a credit to this establishment. The bakery can get very busy so booking advised if you want to eat in. Lots of tempting sweet and savoury items to eat in or takeaway. A little sample tray allowed you a taste of one of the treats on offer and was a nice touch. Highly recommend a visit. You wouldn’t be disappointed.

Such a delicious brunch as always in ground Penarth. Staff are lovely and the food is always brilliant! The pastries are also incredible! Always look forward to going back!

Had a lovely brunch here this weekend. food AMAZING, the overnight bacon is a MUST! Coffee was lovely and friendly service! Even had to takeaway some of the lovely bakery items for later! Thank you for a lovely morning! Can’t wait to return!

I haven't eaten here but had many takeaway coffees. The coffee is lovely and smooth and not bitter like some coffee can be. The takeaway cups are also compostable which is important. Nice atmosphere and very friendly and welcoming staff, especially the lady I think...