Marks & Spencer's Cafe in Middlesbrough

Very nice staff but service too slow. My daughter had to go back to work before she got her food, the staff were very nice and put it in a box for her, but the point was she wanted to eat with us.

Unbelievably slow! I understand that lunchtimes will be busy, but half an hour to order in a queue of around 6 then another half hour to be served, only to be served half of our order because it had been missed off! Probably because the two girls behind the counter were too busy complaining to each other about their Christmas hours!

Stopped going to this M&S about 3-months ago because they never had any food in, they would run out of bacon rolls at 11am, no soup, pizza etc. Gave it a break to see if the management could sort themselves out and actually run a food outlet correctly, but sadly there has been no progress. On my last visit there were no rolls of any kind because they ran out of buns before the midday rush! On this occasion the restaurant was a mess, lack of staff causing the problem as the ones working never stopped. We started going to COSTA over the road, or Starbucks near by who always had food. There is no point returning to this M&S cafe unless you happen to be in the store and are prepared to make do with just a coffee :(

A short stop just after 0900 before catching a bus. I was surprised at the number of places in the hill Street Centre that work is still not open. However, M &S was. So for 15 minutes with a friendly member of staff, decent coffee and a bacon roll ----all was well. Slight note of criticism the roll was quite small but tempered by note of praisein tghat it but had plenty of bacon in it!

We ended up here because Middlesbrough town centre is looking decidedly run down and most places are now closed so there is very little choice for a sandwich and a coffee unless you want a trek down Linthorpe Road. I’m not sure if this was the reason for the long queue but it took about 20 minutes with the staff seemingly having only one speed and constant chatting with each other and aimless wandering around. There were dirty, uncleared tables everywhere and clearly not enough staff to cope with demand. The cutlery was disgustingly dirty. A knife still had old food attached and the teaspoons were brown. Most off putting. Our table had sticky rings and crumbs and I used my own antibacterial wipes before eating. There was food on the floor. We ordered the tomato soup which, when it arrived was hot and tasty but don’t think we’ll be going back in a hurry. The atmosphere in the whole store is one of neglect and feels like it will be closing down shortly. Hardly any stock and what there is, is poor with huge areas closed off. Not the shopping experience it used to be sadly.

Called here today with the wife and had sausage and bacon ciabattas and drinks ,both were lovely and hot and very good quality,still a different menu but better all round service and young man who brought food to table offers sauces good idea and was pleasant ,more seating available and was clean and plenty of staff available,it was about mid morning and just started to get busier,the prices are maybe bit more expensive than others nearby but quality good.still miss the full english breakfast but hey ho more important things in life at moment.we will be back some time.

Had drinks and snacks here and all lovely and delicious,prices ok but limited menu why no full english breakfast any more? .no details or price on the cookies and a bit slack at serving desk as no butter with scones ,seating reduced and not enough tables for 4 or more.served a purpose so fine by us but could improve

Arrived at 12.00 with 3 in front . No greeter but checked into the Track and Trace. Funny QR code system but as my wife had met this system before at another branch where the greeter showed us what to do, she was OK with this. Some 15 minutes later there were only 2 in front but some 15 behind all getting very frustrated. There seemed plenty of staff but the girl on the till was also acting as barista and also checking we had been on the track and trace. She was pleasant and doing her best whilst others seemed underemployed and the queue was getting more and more frustrated. Food is of high quality. Prices on the high side but the experience was an utter shambles. Get you act together. I note the previous reviewer from 22 August had a very similar misadventure.

Not sure what the problem is here, and I don't blame the staff themselves, but with one person serving and 10 people waiting, it took nearly 15 minutes to get two drinks. With more staff serving I'm sure there'd be no problems

used as a respit area whilst wife shopped. Good flat white and excellent pastries. stzff helpful and efficient. Cafe only reason for visiting M & S now, service in rest of store terrible.

Had latte and a very reasonable panini ham mozzarella cheese with green pesto. Delicious but very expensive experience. I nearly died when I was told the price!

We looked in the menu expecting something hot the only thing was scrambled egg on toast so when my husband asked for it he was told they only do scrambled egg up to 11:00 a m. So he just ordered two toasted teacakes. We waited ages fir them and when they arrived mine was burnt I had to scrape the burnt off it also my husband was told they can’t make a large gingerbread latte only a medium but can do a large ordinary latte. You can get a large gingerbread latte anywhere don’t understand why you can’t at M&S its only a measure of syrup added lol. really disappointed too if my list of places to avoid sadly.

Visited the cafe today, it was not busy however there was no engagement at all from the staff, who carried on their conversations while serving me. I asked if I could have a biscuit with my coffee to be told “ we haven’t got any “ no apology! When I was given my drink I received a very half hearted thank you. Later in the day I went to BB’s in Dalton Park what a difference the staff were so pleasant and helpful.

My Mum is in a wheelchair and the staff here are always very helpful and willing to go the extra step for her, which is very much appreciated especially as she sometimes comes in alone. There is sufficient space for her to manoever in the main areas, and always plenty of seating. Cafe is always clean when we visit. We sometimes pop in for an afternoon coffee and scone/cake. Whilst the prices are certainly not cheap, they are comparable to most other coffee shops. It is frustrating however that you can't buy food in the food court to then eat in the cafe - as the range of light salads etc offered by the cafe is very limited. There is one disabled toilet which is usually pretty clean and there are 2 spacious lifts, so very wheelchair accessible.

Popped in yesterday with family for a cuppa, coffee was lovely, well made, staff were pleasant, but rushed off their feet. The only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is my poor mam had to clear the table before we could sit down and I noticed other people having to do the same. Management need to seriously think about more staff before loyal customers decide to go elsewhere. The food hall and clothing sections are always immaculately clean, why should the café be any different?

Waited 20mins in the queue. Not because it was so busy, because the efficiency of the staff is appalling. Ordered a toastie and portion of chips, then waited HALF AND HOUR for this to arrive. When you’re paying these prices for a sandwich you really expect a lot more.Sort it out.

Called in for lunch and was very disappointing. Our jacket potatoes were stone cold!!!Told we should have let them know, but when time is an issue and your pot of tea is getting cold and the parking ticket is costing more, not really a good reply.Sorry won't be going again

The food is average at best, the drinks are astronomical they sell diet coke by the bottle, those classic bottles that they think they can charge a kings ransom for, staff look fed up and are slow, the food is average at best

Often visit to meet up with friends. There is always a queue and service is slow but I understand that lunchtime is busy. Today however there were no trays and several of us requested a tray. When it came to my turn there were at least 10 of us without a tray. I asked again for a tray and was rudely told to wait as the member of staff was serving. A lady behind me then asked for a tray and the same member of staff told her that she knew this and had requested more trays. I pointed out that there was no need for rudeness. The response was a very curt ‘well I’ve been asked 5 times’. I and another customer pointed out that it wasn’t our fault but we did have several plates and hot drinks to carry. I didn’t mind the wait but the rudeness and snappy response was totally uncalled for.

Cost us nearly 20 nicker for tea that was too weak to crawl out of the pot, a tear of milk in a jug and the breakfast????.

I visited here with my mum last weekend for a bite to eat while out shopping. We should have turned around when we saw the queue but I had been quite taken by their soup menu and once committed and tempted it was difficult to retreat!! We stood in a long and painful queue for about 20 minutes- this was OK - if its busy its busy - I get that. But as we got further into the queue it became apparent that this was not about the volume of customers- but more about the inefficiency of their systems. They don't need any more staff- there was enough staff floating around to successfully coordinate a lunar landing- it was more about their inability to manage the taking and delivery of a very simple and tempting menu!!

Visited on a Friday and order for soup, teacake and coffee was timed at 11.41. By the time the teacake and soup arrived just after midday the coffee had cooled down. The 2 staff serving appeared to be working hard but did not have time to clean the tables. The food is always good however.

Having now got used to queuing to get food, a drink and then waiting to pay; I have to applaud M&S; for producing a great Bacon Butty. Please bite the bullet and egnore the que and try the Butty with a Cup of Tea, a good portion of quality bacon, a soft bun which is lightly toasted and a sauce. I was pleasantly surprised even with the speed of getting served.

Queued for 20 mins to order my food then waited another 20 mins to receive it . I had a toasty which I was unable to eat the crusts they were so hard and my Mum has a bacon bap which had been over done as the roll was hard round the edges and the bacon was dry. The staff at the till were miserable no interaction. I certainly will not be visiting this cafe again

Visited this with my mum on Sunday but I do wish that they would put more staff in here to help make the big queue that you see on Saturday which it is really busy. The service in this Marks and Spencer's Cafe was alright but also it was average and the staff were friendly. During the visit I was one group of customers having to wait for they old drink orders so they had to wait about 10 - 15 minutes the staff who brought they drinks order should of said sorry for the wait Also the staff made sure that cafe was kept clean. They should of been more staff behind the counter.

This place is getting worse with every visit. The queue was a mile long, despite half of the tables being empty (and unclean btw!). The ladies behind the till were working at a snail’s pace. We waited about 20 mins to order our drinks and food, only to find most of the food on the menu “out of stock” - this was at 1:30pm. I asked why they weren’t serving jacket potatoes despite several clearly displayed in the oven and was greeted with a rather rude reply “they’re rock hard, but you’re welcome to try them”... The cutlery was shockingly dirty and the food we did end up with was of poor standard and clearly rushed out of the “kitchen”.

This place is really good really quick and friendly staff such as:Ellen over all i was really happy☺

Massive queue waited 15 mins to be served then waited another 15 mins for hot food Went to sit down and there wasn’t a single empty table without a tray in!

We dropped in here for a quick cup of tea before shopping around Middlesbrough. Service was efficient and tea was good as expected. There is ample seating in this cafe so no issues with table blocking which can be an issue for some places.

Having just got back home from having eaten in this M&S; I thought I had to put my views down regarding this establishment. Where to start.

As an antidote to the post Christmas sales and all of the stress that they bring, we dropped in here for a quick bite to eat. Service is as always good and lots of tables so now worries there. Both of us had the sausage bun which was pretty good. The Earl Grey tea is still not as good as other places and M&S; need to sort this out - my wife accidentally started to drink it and after saying here tea was weak (no surprises there) said it tasted like normal weak tea.....

Dropped in for a coffee and a tea after a bit of shopping. Service was decent and the sausage buns were good. The Earl Grey tea was poor - not enough flavour but my wife latte was good.

Went here first time today with family whilst having a break trying to get some bargains.i must say its slightly better than the other m & s cafe at Cleveland retail park.menu fine and bit overpriced but decent.in all m&s; cafes if its busy theres...

They have a real problem here at this M&S; cafe. every other one is great and ten times faster than this one. I dont know why it is so slow, maybe its the lay out maybe its the staff who are like a lot of...

Metimos en un snack a media mañana. Comida realmente agradable a precios razonables, ya que la mayoría de M&S; cafeterías pero mis comentarios principales son cómo agradable conversador y el personal era amable.

Estado aquí unas cuantas veces y no ha cambiado. El menú necesita un refresh completo para que pueda competir con Costa/Cafetería Nero etc. M&S; despertarse y oler el café!

Bocado y una taza de té. Sandwich bien. Bueno para parada rápida. No me gusta cuando chica vinieron 'pan' para caridad manipulación

One of the slowest service cafes in Middlesbrough/ All M&S Cafessuffer from the same problem. We visit M&S Cafes in various towns - they have bad organisation.

As noted previously, the service is good, the food is decent value but the menu needs to change a little more often if they are to compete with the likes of Costa who are changing their menu.

M&S always produce good and consistent food but the choice needs more variation and that is not happening. Prices are okay but Costa is a little cheaper and there is more variety. Sometime chaos occurs when they do not control the queue and people sit down before they have their food.

Great coffee, toasted tea cake and hot cross bun. Very clean a little wait but enjoyable experience.

The cafe is often really busy especially between 10 - 2. It's an older crowd usually which makes them easy to chat with! The toasties are my favourite I love the cheese on the outside of the bread!

It feels like the staff are all here to have a social time together, the pace is so slow slow slow, and nobody seems to care, to get some organisation and flow going to get through the queue, the thing is there's not many places to go in Middlesbrough so I suppose they have the monopoly. Just one question if there's no one at the coffee counter why can't you get your coffee if that's all you want without waiting in a big queue, approx 20 minutes I waited, please please improve the system.

After a few hours of xmas shopping we needed a break. Dropped into M&S for a cuppa and a bite to eat. Both had a sausage bun - better than the sausage toastie but M&S need to update the menu more frequently to match Costa et al! Costa is offering better value than M&S.

realy good coffee and and good staff as well AS WELL AS COFFEE there is tea sandwhiches cakes scones.

One of the better M&S cafes but I always find the staff work at snails pace here compared to others. Love M&S Victoria Sponge and they make quite good coffee.

Oh dear the queues are terrible, the serving system is all wrong, twenty minutes to get served, I was losing the will to live

I'm a big fan of M&S but this cafe is a little disappointing. Located on the first floor near homewares, it's always busy, but I think this is due to a lack of decent competition in the immediate vicinity rather than what this cafe has to offer.The queues for hot drinks can be particularly lengthy and whilst the coffees are fine, they're nothing special in my opinion. The cafe also offers the usual M&S range of cakes, sandwiches and toasties etc. which are all acceptable.

There's always a good range and high quality of food. However it can take quite a long time to get served at busy times which can be quite frustrating

Love going in here as staff are really helpful, food is yummy especially as they do gluten free food

Too crowded, difficult to navigate, things are not made clear as to where they are at the checkout. Food is nice but the environment is lacking. Not as nice as the M&S cafe at Teesside Park

Yet another great lunch from marks and spencer, lovely toasted christmas turkey sandwiches, chicken and leek pie with mash and gravy that was so good we bought some pies from the food hall to take home, finished off with cake and tea, will be back on my next visit :)

Have visited on a few occasions......friendly staff.....food is lovely....only point I would make would be there wasn't enough staff on to clean the tables ...looked quite messy

Mmmm delicious hot chocolate and amazing home made cakes toasties too are gorgeous its a must if shopping in town x

I regularly go to the M&S cafe in Middlesbrough usually on a morning when it's not so busy. Lunchtimes are a nightmare. Long queues not helped by the very slow service at the till. This is compounded by the staff making drinks sometimes causing congestion at the till as well. The staff certainly don't hurry! Having said that the food is good with a reasonable choice and service when you have ordered something that needs to be heated is quick although the staff do tend to spend a lot of time wandering around looking for the correct table to serve. The layout of the cafe is such that it is not easy to see the numbered stands that identify who the food is for.The manageress can be a bit of a rotweiler with the staff. I have seen her shout at some of the other staff causing some embarresment to them and the customers. I have made a decision that should I witness this again I will contact the store manager.Nice cafe to visit but avoid lunchtimes (between 11.45 and 1.30).