M&S Cafe in Bracknell Forest

Visit on 22nd September awful. Greatly reduced menu. Wait for food annoying as I had to put in 2 orders because the machine would not let me add a tea. Tea was delivered but I had to chase up the initial order. Disappointed as service is usually so good here.

I don't even know where to start. Well, let's start with, you can't order at a till with a person and pay cash. So , when the WiFi doesn't work and the systems go down like it did when I visited, nobody could order anything. Absolute shambles. Just have an option to pay cash with a non robot please.

Saturday afternoon peak period. Burger came within 10 minutes. Waited 45 more minutes for 2 soft drinks and overnight oats (pre-prepared) ... complained once from table, went to desk to complain further two occasions, had to go up to the desk final time and demanded refund. order on the electronic staff board showing timer. apologised but wasted an hour.

The only thing colder than the food was the service.

My first visit and my last! Had it not been for my daughter who ordered on the automatic screen I would have walked out. All empty tables were cluttered with the remains of previous customers food and drink. One young girl with a trolley crept around at snails pace clearing tables. By the time we left there was not one free table in our area.

We are happy with all the food and drinks we ordered. They are nicely served with fair prices. Seated comfortably.

The new layout is brilliant. Service was quick staff very friendly. Tables were cleared quickly. Nice atmosphere with the dark wood area dividers.

Very nice and modest M&S cafe with lots of order machines. Nice place to take a break.

The modernised cafe is a pleasant environment but the food has deteriorated. The chips are dry and the tuna melt sandwich was bland. There doesn't seem to be the same range of food

There are no tills now, it is all self order by computer screens. Some elderly might find this a struggle to cope with.

My last two visits have been pretty disappointing and I probably won't visit again now. The ordering is quite streamlined with their new McDonald's style ordering screens. But the wait is still long especially if you just want a drink to take away. I ordered a latte and clicked on the "extra hot" button as I know coffees tend to be on the like warm side. While I was waiting I overheard a customer complain that her coffee was half foam and cold... I finally get mine and what do you know- it's still lukewarm (not hot) and has loads of foam (which shouldn't be the case for a latte) and although I had ordered a large I finished the half cup of coffee in a few sips. Extremely disappointed. Standards have been dropping for some time now as my previous visit was also disappointing. Shrinkflation has struck M&S cafe.

It's a decent store cafe, self ordering on a big screen, take a disc and wait for your food to arrive at your table. Very quick service. Clean and well operated.

Wasnt keen on having to order food from a comphter screen, no personal service and difficult to navigate for the elderly

Shambles from the start went today for lunch never have I seen such a disorganised cafe in my life waited for my food order for breakfast arrived cold went to complain and wasn’t even offered an apology hang your head in shame will never visit again

Always so busy and slow. And the last time we had food there mine was cold by the time it arrived. Whilst I give the store a 4* the cafe doesn't quite meet the same level of satisfaction.

A pleasant nook with easy-order screens so you can browse the menu and checkout quickly. I just needed a place to sit down and have snack and this cafe did the trick. I enjoyed a tasty egg sandwich and a chai latte while doing some people watching.

An absolute shambles. Waited over 25 mins for the coffee! Ended up going to collect it myself. It had been sitting there, so wasn’t hot. After 30 mins went to find out where the sandwich and egg roll was only to be told they had sold out of the roll and did I want something else! Got a refund and left. Appalling system, they really can’t cope. There were many other people in the same position as me, who had either waited over half an hour or were told the food they’d ordered wasn’t available.

Very disappointed to fund m&s have become a McDonald's style cafe. Order ftom a touch screen. Substantially reduced menu. Can only order as seen. Won't be going again

I didn’t even get to try 😃I was blocked by the new world order no cash. How much profit does your store make a day ??? How much would it cost the store to take cash at the cafe till ? How many people will you annoy ? You do the math.

Nice furnishings as part of the recent refurb, super fast service that beats any restaurant I've been to and the food is up to the usual high M&S standards. I am completely baffled as to how the Google rating is so low!

Best cafe around! I come there on top of random shopping I love this place! M&S should use this branch as the Genesis to copy everywhere I wish it was closer to home

Upgraded space but food has decreased quality. We paid £8 for a dish with 2 chicken goujons in a small bun and a bunch of potato chuncks poorly fried. Very dark inside the cafe, too crowdy and tables too close. The cafe was quite especial before with a unique layout were the clients could choose some of their food and drinks. We tried this new space but we don´t feel like going back. And that is sad. Hopefully things will improve with other people feedbacks. Thanks

I am not against progress. The recent refurbishment and the new way one serves oneself via a touch screen simply is not fit for purpose. The queues that form are intolerable. What frustrates me most is not being able to take advantage of the drinks vouchers I earn through membership of the credit card scheme.

Staff unable to cope with drinks. Had to wait 30 mins for coffee.

Very good atmosphere to sit and chill after shopping around meadows. Very good location and free parking . Food was amazing and service was good . Tanuja was very helpful and friendly during our stay there.

New style ordering uses self service ordering stations. No menus listed anywhere except on the stations, so it takes so much longer to browse the menu and make your selection. Very long queues of customers waiting to place their orders. Not designed by someone who uses the cafe!!

Dirty table had to clear ourselves and given dirt cutlery not so nice since the upgrade

Won’t be coming back anytime soon.

First visit to the newly refurbished cafe but sadly it has not improved. Some baked potatoes sold out by 12.30 and the same cheap and nasty cutlery which digs into your hand, especially when trying to cut through the overdone, dry chicken. Very much underwhelmed and will not visit again in a hurry !

Oh dear what have they done? Used to love popping in for lunch or a coffee and cake, but never again. Whoever came up with the automated system should be looking for another job, preferably not in a service industry For myself and my partner our visit today was a nightmare. Because of our difficulties we could not manage to order from the machines. We asked for help. We waited 15 minutes, asked again and the lady on duty apologised because she’d forgotten she’d said she would help us. We didn’t think we were ordering anything special, a baked potato with cheese and beans, with a pat of butter. But no, this was too difficult for the system, we could have baked potato with beans or baked potato with cheese, but not both, and there was no way of requesting butter! While waiting for our meal we noticed a major flaw in the location of the machines. Not one was at a lower height making it possible for a wheelchair user or a shorter person to order easily, so if you are in a wheelchair and want afternoon tea, forget it, it’s on the top row, so even if you could read it, you couldn’t have it, cos you wouldn’t be able to reach! And what about the visually impaired, those with sensory processing difficulties or autism, or people that don’t have the ability to pay by card? Clearly M&S do not want any clientele that have a disability. Shame on you M&S!

Not a nice place to sit down tables crammed together you have to order from machine points we always used to enjoy having a coffee and a bite to eat chat about things we had just bought we shop at the West end Southampton store every week hope there cafe doesn't get the same treatment but the staff were helpful and the food was as good as always just couldn't sit and relax Moore like mc Donald's than Ms

I was very disappointed with the new M&S cafe. The new electronic ordering board was difficult to navigate and did not allow me to place any requests. It was not possible to request a well done toasted teacake. Nor was it possible to order a pot of hot water. When paying I was not able to use a gift card. I spoke with the manager about these issues. He explained there were some "teething issues". Hot food and drinks come from different places. As a result of the drinks area having to cope with a backlog or order, my teacake arrived 15 minutes ahead of my coffee. I am unlikely to visit the new cafe again any time soon. A very disappointed customer.

The cafe is great, especially the setup, flooring, walls and overall work done in the store is amazing

Love the new re vamped cafe. Wasn't too sure about using the new ordering system but it worked very well. Food good as always.

SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT. What have they done to the Coffee shop. Greeted by self service screens. Card only. No longer able to choose from the sandwich cabinet or Cake table....and the queue is even longer. Bit like an airport . Won't go back.

The cafe has just had a make over. What a difference. Trendy decor and atmosphere. The self ordering screens are great

Liked the new cafe helpful staff, and it was one of the self-service that was clear and easy to operate Food hall was brilliant

If you’re a fan of no contact with staff, this is the place for you. After clothes shopping and using self checkout, then household food shopping using self checkout, you can order cafe food with no staff interaction, using big touch screens with food choices (reminds me of McDonalds !). This is new since the cafe was refurbished and opened again Thursday 9 November 2023. I preferred the older style cafe where I could order food by talking to a person. I previously rated this cafe highly, but now, not so much.

I gave this a low score because who ever thought ordering your own food off a screen is the way to go is absolutely ludicrous, absolutely ridiculous, would of gone to McDonald's if I wanted that system, and we don't

Cafe was shambolic and service slow. There should not be a long cue for drinks at 10:00 - the system could not cope and the staff were unable to deliver a satisfactory service. The deputy manager appeared uninterested. The new system is ill thought out and has not been introduced with any consideration for the customer.

Had the full breakfast which was really good. There is no choice of eggs, only poached, but they were well cooked with, as per my preference, just the right amount of runnyness! Only downside was the air conditioning- make sure you have a jumper or fleece as it is like a fridge in the cafe and you have to eat quickly or your food will be cold!

Love this M&S but disappointed that they now shut restaurant earlier. A great place to shop.

It's very nice, but not as lovely as it could be. I always feel that the food selection is very limited although the cakes are pretty good

Met an old friend for a tea and a chat. M&S was a very convenient place to meet.

No help at all for disabled shopper looking for a suitable table for wheelchair - First food selection not available , second choice took 40mins to arrive (only sausage in a bun) smallest Flat White Coffee for over £3 , so not good value for money - Very loud - Definitely one to miss

Visited the M&S cafe with my wife, mum and one year old daughter before starting a shop for clothes. We were disappointed to find a complete lack of gluten free options on the menu for food. The one option (soup with a gluten free roll) was not an option as they had no gluten free rolls. In my opinion, if I were working in the kitchen there, I would have gone to the food hall to buy a pack of gluten free rolls. Simple solution really. In the end we bought a gluten free wrap from the food hall. The non-gluten free options were fine for the other two of us, although still limited in choice. We chose a cheese and ham toastie and a jacket potato with cheese & beans. Both of these were fine. The staff were generally helpful and polite, so no complaints there.

Good place for a snack or light meal while shopping at The Meadows.

Love it.everything but the kitchen sink.

Meet regularly with friends but you always run out of avacodo . Asked just for the poached eggs that comes with it . Was told no not great customer service .

Quick and easy brekkie... always a treat

Great service in the cafe from Annie & MJ

Service is terrible and food is hitvand miss

Nice coffee ☕️, but certain members of staff need training at a less-busy time ( (NOT Saturday mornings)

It's time after time... ohh we sold out on this and that

Lovely cafe with lots of choice. It was very busy when we left so people were queueing to get in. Staff are very friendly & helpful.

Great customer service great food

Relatively expensive, but nice dishes Great staff

Where to start… Very busy tills/queues that don’t seem to move. Today (but not limited to) no plates, no cutlery, no water, no (plastic) cups for water. We had two coffee’s, one GF chocolate square and a piece of cake for just shy of £13.00. Dirty floors, tables and chairs and lots of tables with empty cups, plates and trays. Staff are friendly enough but things have certainly slipped. I’ve noticed the same thing over my past few visits and always come away disappointed. Shame but it seems to have a captive audience.

I visited recently and staff and service had improved a great deal

Always busy but generally a very prompt service and still affordable! Plenty of seating. One of my regular places because its easy!

Great coffee and cakes. Gets busy at lunchtime. Though waiting was kept to a minimum.

A declining place to eat/drink with increasing prices.

Reliable, with really nice people working there

Took my elderly mum in to the cafe for a much needed break after visiting the store. Luckily found a table for her whilst my partner stood in the queue with about 6 people in front, half an hour later he was served. The lady serving was very nice but OMG the service was appalling and that because they have no help. She was taking the money and completing the order etc. It was the same in all queues. 😡 Don’t bother

Very poor menu . Over priced for what you get .

I have a clotting disorder meaning I suffer with heavy nosebleeds. I got a nosebleed while I was in the main shop yesterday and went to the cafe to get some tissues. The staff in there were lovely and helped me out. They gave me tissues, got the first aider, who called the paramedics at my request due to the amount of blood I lost and she stayed with me until they arrived. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the wonderful staff here. Thank you to the staff that helped me! EDIT: this was a little while ago now, but I forgot to add that the staff member that stayed with me even called me the next day to check how I was doing. Thank you again!

Very very busy in cafe. Lady was monitoring the queue, and we didn't wait more than 5 minutes. Always a smile from staff. Ordered, paid, relaxed and enjoyed. Thank you M and S

Reading really depends on when you visit. Never enough staff on when actually needed. Only ever 1 person doing both till AND making drinks when I've been lately which makes it so slow. Should be one doing each. Even at lunch time they've run out of must hot food so somebody is not managing stock levels properly.

Good food and coffee. Clean. Good service but always busy

Good food. Always a busy place, but great cafe to go to.

It's a very busy M&S Cafe. But you get the same good service as any other.

Really strong coffee. Rude young man served us and huffed when we asked for hot milk for our coffee. Tables left in a mess. Not a good experience...

Been in there twice this week and by 2pm they have run out of Christmas toasties. Abit disappointed. (The Meadows cafe)

Clean and tidy cafe .lots to choose from .

Great food and service, can sometimes get a little crowded for my tastes at peak times but otherwise great.

Love this cafe the staff are amazing

The food is excellent but the queues recently have been ridiculous, having to wait so long to be served. I think it may be a shortage of staff but is not good. Although having said that we still go as enjoy the food and meet family there.

Friendly staff good food and tasty drinks.

Nice cafe in the store. Staff are always helpful and polite. Good range of hot food, cakes and sandwiches available. Easy access to allergen guide. Can be a bit loud at times.

Big store and plenty of choice.

Don't have any food in cafe. Can't even go to the shop and get avocado. Completely and utterly disgusting.

Food okay, service was terrible. Cues too long and only 2 tills open. What's the point in having 4 tills. Felt sorry for the OAPs all waiting!!

Very busy this morning. Anita was on her own taking the orders and making the coffee. I was very impressed as she was calm and kind and professional. Well done Anita. Jo as usual was her cheerful self helping an elderly couple find a seat. The staff in the cafe are great.

Good food ,clean & tidy, quite busy

I had a nice latte and a cookie. Enjoyed them.

Nice Cafe, but very slow service hence a long queue! Need to review your operating model M&S to make service slicker and increase turnover. I witnessed many people turning away because of the queue or slow service!

Lovely breakfast here. Mashed advocado on toast with poached eggs and bacon.

The cafe manager Jo was very helpful. We had ordered afternoon tea and there was no clotted cream left. She personally went to the food hall to get us some. Terrific customer service and a positive example to everyone.

Had to ask for a table to be cleared before we could sit down. Basic sandwiches overpriced, cold, wet and soggy. More bread than filling.

Great cafe, staff is hit and miss....not much selection for dairy intolerance sufferers

Spacious, bright and very helpful staff. Nice range of food too@

I read a few bad reviews but gave the cafe a chance. I was glad I did. Staff were so friendly, welcoming and helpful and the food was lovely. Cafe was well set our with plenty of room for disabled customers.

Excellent cafe serving quality food & cakes you would expect to find at M&S. The cafe is large with plenty of available seating, tables are clean & cleared quickly and everywhere spotlessly clean when we visited, with also little time spent queuing. Staff were helpful & friendly and would certainly recommend.

Excellent, the place was spotless and service was speedy.

A good choice of food and drink but can get busy .

Coffee & toasted tea cake very nice.

Organised like a military operation! Cued, filed in, sat down, then hustled off out. Don't go during lunch time is my word of advice unless you are happy to wait. If you are then just be aware that the floor manager runs a tight ship with the staff and is always in control.

Sorry to say coffee like dish water today. Lunch choice abysmal. Why cant you do poached eggs on toast with bacon after 11.30 not everyone likes smashed avocado.did finally get her on till to understand put avocado on side or leave off

Good service and range of tempting cakes.

Great restaurant highly recommended good choice of hot and cold food