M&S Cafe in Carlisle

Went for lunch on a day out with a friend. All along the very long and slow moving queue, I sa signs advising to let staff know of any food allergies. I am severely allergic to gluten and dairy. No gluten/ dairy free sandwiches or options were displayed so I mentioned my allergies when I got to the pay desk. I was advised that they did have gluten free rolls, but could not make up a fresh sandwich. I was given the option of soup which I took as I was aware of a long queue behind me and I was beginning to feel stressed. A very poor experience and most definitely not allergy friendly.

Popped in here while on a day trip thinking we can't go wrong with m&s .didn't think it was very organised getting served from different staff I only wanted 2 coffees a sandwich and I served myself with cake .to top it off went to the toilets on the way out to find a huge queue because 3 out of 7 toilets were out of action. First time iv been in a M&S store and been disappointed.

I came here for lunch. There was a decent amount of choice on the menu and the food prices were reasonable. The soft drinks prices were a bit expensive I thought. You have to order and pay at the counter but the food is brought to you. I ordered the eggs benedict which was brought out really quick. It was really nice but I was confused by the boiled egg shaped poached eggs. No idea how they got them to stay in that shape! Maybe they were just soft boiled and not poached? My friend ordered her food just after me and hers took absolutely ages to arrive, I was almost finished.

Soooooo slow. Waited 20 minutes, in a very slow moving queue, to be served. Normally 2 persons making coffee but today only one. Timed them and they took 7 minutes to serve 2 customers (3 drinks between them) and unfortunately the slow speed is not unusual

This place works at two speeds: stop and rigorous mortis. Our last visit was at least 3 years ago and the service was so slow we vowed never to go back until today 'cos we couldn't find anywhere else. Guess what? It hasn't changed a bit as the service was pathetic and totally disorganised. It needs at least 5 additional/new staff who can get a move on with and do more serving and less chatting. Well done to the girl who served the food as she deserves a medal. The choice of chilled food was limited and overpriced. The coffee was good but we will never go back unless we are desperate.

Regularly go to Marks and Spencer’s cafe more in hope than expectation but sadly always seem to be let down.Am old enough to remember when this was the premier store in town and all service was first class.Regrettably went there today for breakfast , cold poached eggs ,fatty bacon and some beans . My wife had two slices of toast ,jam and a bottle of orange with a biscuit , and I also had a coffee.Only £ 18.95.Have to say that the lady who served us was very pleasant , but please M&S up your game and we may return.

Pretty poor service, long queues and the food not up m and s standard. Although it was very clean and tables were cleared very quickly, just poor overall.

Coffee was bitter as were staff. I wish I’d checked the reviews before visiting this place but I thought M&S were the gold standard. Sadly lacking on this occasion and we won’t be back.

Two ladies behind the till were so rude to my mum. I know that there’s a pandemic going on but there’s no need to be rude. 1st woman cut my mum off and turned her head to the side to day she couldn’t hear her then pushed her aside Cos she was standing in the wrong place. Second woman at the till couldn’t even mutter a please or thank you and rolled her eyes when my mum asked if she could pay cash or if she preferred card. Gave us a number and was told to sit down to wait on our food and when turned to walk away snapped at her saying she had to wait on the hot drinks. Absolutely horrific service from these people. I won’t be back and will definitely not recommend to anyone. If it wasn’t for the fact my mum had already paid I would have told them to stick it and left. Something clearly needs done about the staff here. Shocking.

Love the M&S cafes a cross the UK and vist them regularly. We have family in Carlisle and popped up to see them and decided to do Abit of shopping. Went for a quick pint stop coffee and the service was horrible. We were searved by this lady who simply didn't want us to be there and her attitude was horrible I think her name began with an S. She was rude arrogant and she must of been the manage as she was shouting at her staff, and by the looks of it was because she was in an awful mood, not for anything they were doing bless them. Now this really ruined the normally peaceful environment of the cafe and I will now not return.

Ive just joined M&S Premium Club & on receiving my coffee vouchers we decided to have our very first cup of coffee in the M&S Cafe in Carlisle but can categorically guarantee that this will be the last!! Apart from the lengthy queue - 10 people in front of me resulting in a 15 minute wait & only coffees appearing to being served - no meals going out - I asked for 2 regular cappuccino coffees - one “skinny” please. I also asked if my Sparks card was needed & was told “if you want to - it only records what your buying - doesn’t serve any purpose other than that”. On getting back to our table it was my husband who said it was the 15 minutes wait! On stirring my coffee I was aghast to find my cup only half full of lukewarm coffee topped up with half a cup of froth while my husband’s cup was brimming to the top! I definitely was not going back in the queue to complain but my husband did tell a member of staff clearing tables who said “she would tell the girls and that being a Premium Club member that shouldn’t have happened”. Whether or not you are Premium Club member shouldn’t affect the quality of the coffee or service - goods are still being paid for by the customer whether it’s voucher or monetary! The only good thing I can say about the cafe was the food in the display cabinets was plentiful and looked appealing but as stated before I didn’t see any meals being served. First and definitely last visit!

My wife and I decided to forgo our usual coffee shops and decided to try M&S. Big mistake. The main part of the café was quite full, so we had to sit in a part which had been extended into the women’s lingerie department. Fortunately, when seated, there was a partition about 5 feet high shielding the merchandise from view. The tables and chairs were very utility, spartan even. I had to move a child’s high seat, under which was a lot of discarded food. As though that was not bad enough, my black Americano and my wife’s skinny latte were only warm, not hot, and were insipid and tasteless. My wife wanted to return them for fresh ones but I didn’t see the point as fresh ones would probably be the same. However, our cheese scones were very good. Lesson learned; we will not be returning.

A run of the mill store cafe; very crowded half-term and weekends. Service pleasant (choose and pay at the counter) and helpful. Large sized cups of tea or coffee; traditional cakes and sandwiches and toasties and a small menu of hot lunch dishes.