Muffin Break in Sunderland

Excellent coffee stop in the centre of Washington Galleries shopping centre. Freshly made muffins, pastries and myriad sandwiches.

Had 2 coffee's and 1 cheese toastie well what can I say £5 for cheese toastie absolutely disgraceful cheapest bread no taste what so ever as thin as my little finger. £7-20 for 2 americanos never again.

Great area. Busy and great staff. Toasted cheese sandwich was disgraceful for value. A smattering of cheese, which I could barely taste. Basically £5 for two slices of bread and and some red onions! Shocking

Staff are great, food is beautiful prices very good too. Well worth a visit

Lovely Coffee, 10/10 for vanilla latte’s!! But the food is not great! Toasties too greasy! Sandwiches dry, ham and cheese Croissant was good! But it’s called muffin break… and the muffins are bland!! The only tasty sweet thing is the frosting on top. Dense and tasteless muffins! Muffins should be cake like and sweet and flavourful… not tasteless and stodgy!

Pleasant enough place, management incompetent. Tables left for ages needing clearing, overy confusing systems for ordering with tokens and slips of paper and lord knows what else behind scenes. Queues were busy, tables need clearing, manager (it was emblazoned across their work shirt) was out back ostensibly making sandwiches, inbetween each was stuffing cheese slices in their mouth. Paper cups for tea/coffee when sitting in are also not acceptable. Prices for food or vastly over inflated. Avoid, far better experiences elsewhere, and for a more reasonable price.

Odd members of staff could do with staff training on customers service. If you order black coffee you get that and wait ages while they serve the 3 people in front of you. Bad really bad . The price as gone up 10 pence per cup .😥

My wife and I were having a drink, sitting in front of us was the area manager and the manager, I asked the manager politely if she would stop Vaping as I have lung cancer and that Vapes affect my breathing, she point blank denied that she was Vaping, I said that's not true as we both were watching you Vape, she denied it again, this time with attitude, I told her that she was lying, and a bare faced liar at that. The next thing was the area manager standing in front of us and said, right that's it, you are now barred from this establishment. We have been coming here one to three times a week from the day it opened, spending over £1000 a year, our friends who we meet up nearly every week say they will never come back. To get barred at the age of 75 for complaining about staff Vaping in the cafe, unbelievable, disgraceful, she was definitely out of order. But, there loss, Costa's gain,

Nice coffee and good food with very polite helpful staff. The area is roomy with a nice atmosphere and quite relaxing. It was very busy so quite popular

Went for tea and cake, server was unfriendly and unhelpful, couldn't remember order and plonked everything haphazard on the tray. Cups were filthy so politely asked for replacements but endured an unnecessary argument from same server to get fresh cups, insisting that I must have tea cups (I couldn't possibly have one of the bigger, cleaner cups exclusively reserved for coffee) yet also insisting said tea cups only "looked" dirty but were actually permanently stained with coffee. After pointing out the black flakes in addition to the coffee rings she flounced off and hand washed the cups, giving them back clean(ish) (so much for them being permanently stained!) but with the dirty brown dishwater dregs in! After all that the cake was rubbish - dry and tasted herby so must have been cooked or stored with the cheese scones! Won't be returning!

Very expensive!! Staff seem to look stressed and miserable! Orders seem to take forever! Seating is a bit tight and cramped in certain spots. Overall could be a much better experience.

Stopped off for a coffee whilst my Brother, Boyfriend and I waited for our bus and tbh I wish I hadn't a cold, drafty and damp bus station would in hindsight been a better option. I ordered two cappuccinos a black coffee carrot cake and two chocolate muffins. Apparently this was completely confusing and I had to order drinks and food separately. I repeated my coffee order (twice) was asked twice if I wanted chocolate on then the assistant apparently got confused at the token system. I then again repeated my coffee order. Then the ordeal of ordering cakes. Which I in the end had to go and actually point them out. Then I had to point out not everything would fit on one tray. Then the assistant appeared to struggle with the till . Was stressed out as the queue was building. Coffee had an odd dry taste and the muffins were undercooked. I would not recommend.

Stopped off for coffee and muffin whilst my Brother, Boyfriend and I waited for our bus and tbh I wish we hadn't. Having to repeat my coffee order several times. The staff seem ditzy and clueless. Had to order coffee and food separately as the assistant was confused (apparently two cappuccinos and a black coffee is extremely puzzling) then asked for two chocolate muffins and a piece of carrot cake was equally confusing and had to actually point them out to her. Then also had to point out it wouldn't all fit on one tray. An anxiety induced ordeal. Quite expensive for low quality. Coffee had a strange dry taste and cakes were undercooked. Waste of time and money.

Set in the middle of the Galleries with plenty of seating. Cheese, ham and chive scone was fab and sausage roll good. Lovely coffee served by pleasant staff. Looked longingly at the muffins but was good🤨

Staff are always so friendly, and you feel welcome. They have a great range of food items and drinks and the place is always busy so it shows its very popular. Always clean and tidy and that's down to the great staff.

Best cakes ever it's a must visit 😋

Awesome coffee and staff would highly recommend anyone stop by for a bite to eat and a drink of barista coffee made the right way ☕

Serious health hazard. Yesterday I was served dirty cup and saucer, a tea pot which had never been cleaned. Countertops front and back of house filthy as are the floors and coffee machine. The staff aprons look like they have never seen the inside of a washing machine. Avoid at all costs.

Lovely coffee and tea. Great service. However, it is looking a little grubby now, and no covers over the food display on the servers' side, do glues had access to the food.

Great service, lovely coffee, tea and hot chocolate however, cleanliness standards have dropped. Grubby today and flies all over the cake and scones! Hence we only had drinks, no food!

The staff are always gossiping and rude often at the expense of other staff, the place is messy and the prices over expensive for what the products are , and if coming later in the day , the apparently fresh muffins are mostly stale.

First time here. The girl who served me was pleasant. The scones was nice. I've given a three star rating because I was going to get a cappuccino but the barista didn't want the jug out and there was milk all over the outside of the jug. She just kept filling up the jug containing the last heated milk with fresh new milk. There was only strawberry jam and no cream to go with the scones.

Great service. Extremely polite and friendly staff. Excellent coffee.

I used to frequent here alot but this was my first visit in a good while and it will be my last. It was filthy! Seats were stained, tables hadnt been cleaned, there were swarms of flies around the tables and behind the food counter. I carried the tray to the table and my hand was covered in someone else's chocolate muffin. I wiped the table with my own antibac wipes and the wipe was grey with dirt. I don't know how this place hasn't been shut down.

Just popped in for a quick coffee and ended up sitting in to enjoy it. Caramel latte and the biscoff milkshake went down well with me and my partner, she also had a raspberry and chocolate chip muffin which was gluten free and vegan and she said it’s one of the best muffins she’s had from a coffee shop. Staff super friendly and they have great alternatives for vegan, gluten free.

Recent visit.... Went to call in here for a quick coffee and muffin. Upon standing in the que and looking in the muffin cabinet noticed multiple flies around the food with the door left wide open for the cabinet. Muffins weren't in cases and just left in baking trays with excess mix burnt around the top. Dirty. Will not be visiting here again

Surprised to find that they have had a makeover and now have new tables and jazzy chairs. The tables are a better height but the chairs are not as comfortable. Perhaps people were sitting in the old chairs for too long. The old layout was more homely but the new design is brighter. We had premium milkshakes, chocolate and peanut butter flavour; as it was a warm, humid day and the glass roof makes it feel like a greenhouse. The milkshakes were topped with whipped cream and tasted delicious, when they eventually arrived. They still do the best, savory sausage rolls.

Good coffee. Staff pleasant and helpful

I’ve been a loyal customer for years. I’ve spent so much time and money in here it was like a safe space for me. Today after I’d enjoyed my coffee with my family and our babies, we where asked to leave. The lady told us “You cannot just sit around here and linger” as if I hadn’t bought a coffee and a muffin already. Two women who where there long before us has finished their coffees too and they weren’t asked to leave. I won’t be coming again, the staff are always miserable- I did some work experience there one time and even then the management where gossiping about other team members. I quit because of the awfulness.

Lovely little coffee stop and both loved our cakes xx

Good coffee and a good selection of food.

Nice place for a cuppa . Good service 👍👍👍

Average cappuccino and extremely dry banana cake that tasted nothing like banana It was like a brick, no exaggeration. . Won't be returning.

Great coffee.excellent service and food choices recommend it to everyone

Seats tatty and torn. Décor old. Service slow. Staff friendly. Zero COVID-19 compliance and Muffin Break wont give their staff new aprons and the existing ones are ratty tatty, dirty and torn.

The place is full of flies. Land on cups ,tables chairs. The tables aren't cleared. Tables not wiped down .l got anti back wipes to do it myself. Ate covid problems you think hygiene would be a top priority.

One of the best lates coffees that I have ever tasted

Lovely staff and lovely coffee. Alas, the high price of the food does not necessarily mean you get quality or freshness.

Go there 3 times a week great coffee ☕ and friendly staff and safe

Wow. Good espresso. In the UK. I am impressed. And very happy

Absolutely love this place. Meet me mam for coffee every Friday after work and even after we do some shopping we have another cup before going home. All the staff are friendly and very helpful also

First visit since reopened, had received a number of emails enticing me to visit, but was very disappointed. Waited quite a while in a not so long queue, when I got to the front of the queue the 3 young girls serving seemed more interested in the conversation they were having rather than the customers. After I had paid, the girl just walked away, knowing how the system works, i moved round to the coffee machine, during all this time, the girls carried on with their conversation, my coffees were put onto the tray and the girl turned her back to carry on her conversation. As there had been no indication that my tray was ready for me to take away I waited, a few minutes later she was prompted by one of her friends that I was still there, she asked me what I was waiting for and I stated she hadn't told me she was finished, let alone saying my sandwiches will be brought to the table.Not once did they say please or thank you to any of the customers, i think they would benefit from customer service training. Before lockdown i visited quite often and the staff were always very friendly and helpful, but, although the sandwiches and coffee were very nice I won't be back in a hurry.

I have to praise the Staff at Muffin Break in the Galleries shopping centre, Washington. I have a coffee there, 2 or 3 times a week and the staff are wonderful during these Covid times. They are do effective at cleaning the tables, and finding seats for people in the queue. (Some people are so rude taking seats before they are served-but the staff explain an already obvious situation.) And the coffee, sandwiches and cakes are delicious! Thankyou all the staff.

Was here yesterday with daughter for a coffee and a chocolate muffin service was lovely very helpful and friendly the muffin was delicious and so was the latte I washed it down with

Friendly staff making life a little more normal. All safety social distancing adhered to.

Just nice and friendly, service very good well organised during this Corvide time, highly recommended you try it if you visit the Galleries Washington

Went in today with my disabled baughter who's in a wheelchair they wouldn't let me have table let me have a table till I'd been served how u carry a tay with hot drinks and manage wheelchair at the same time your treatment was disgusting

People watching goes to the next level

Been here today whilst shopping with daughter in law we had fruit toast which was delicious and I had skinny latte which was a bit small daughter-in-law had strawberry smoothie which she said was delicious too staff lovely will be back

We love it here.The staff are so friendly especially the man and the young girl with glasses and ponytail.So chatty and pleasant.The hot chocolate with mallows and cream is simply delicious as is the coffee.Costa adjoining here needs to get some tips from your staff.The older guy in Costa I find extremely unpleasant.Sent my watery coffee back once and he practically slammed the new one down!Rude!!Muffin Break is a million times better!!Drinks are far nicer as is the service

It's baked goods are amazing, as well as its savoury food and drinks. Has not let me down yet.

Great as usual fantastic staff,your manager should be very happy with such thoughtful girls nothing too much trouble also Ralph too.

Great coffee shop with muffins to die for.

WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO MUFFIN BREAK AS the only staff member known as lindsay who went out of her way to take an interest in each customer and was always smiling and happy is no longer working there

Decent service, fair prices, wouldn't like to sit in or stay long however very cramped space

Not good. Ordered a Bacon Roll it came after 10 minutes overcooked with the roll hard, the waitress apologised and offered a second bacon roll which I accepted, 15 minutes later it had still not arrived so I went to see where it was it was still in the grill having finished cooking they had forgotten about it and it was cold. Offered a third bacon roll which I declined and had my money back.

Good no muffin ready today 8.30am

Staff are really helpful and friendly

We always eat in these places at Washington.

Since one of their best employees defected to their next door competitors, the standard of service has declined. Consequently, we don't go there as often as we used to, which is a shame as it is a nice, comfortable place to sit, enjoy a refreshment and watch the world go by for a while. When we three went today, we took our seats but the tables were covered with used trays and pots etc. I tidied everything up and put the full tray on top of three empty trays. There was a member of staff talking at length to family or friends, seated on a nearby table. After a while, she looked at the pile of stuff on our table and then walked back behind the counter, ignoring the tray full of pots. She then proceeded to talk some more, with another member of staff. It took ages to get served and we had to wait a good while for our food to arrive. There is time to talk when the work is done. When it affects the work being done and the speed of service, it is time to stop, as it gives a bad impression.

Lovely cup of coffee and cheese toater

Delicious coffee and seasonal, trendy food like apple cinnamon muffins. However, it is bang in the middle of a busy place and therefore very loud and noisy.

We have been to this coffee shop on numerous occasions and found that the hygiene standards have deteriorated in the past 12 months with tables not been cleared,food and crumbs on the floor ,and under the tables also down the crevices of the seats the place needs a thorough cleaning from top to bottom , to top all this off in the past few weeks there are flies crawling all over the tables and seats and we are constantly having to swat them away whilst having a coffee this is probably due to all the remanence of food and drink lying around , we have started taking our custom elsewhere where we can have a coffee and cake in comfort and cleanliness

Staff very friendly and helpful i always have a coffee here when at the Galleries shopping ideal for a break or lunch

I have been to this store quite a few times over the past few months, prominently I go to drink the coffee which I thoroughly enjoy. The blend they use here is smooth and mellow without the bitter harshness I have experienced from other coffee chains. The drinks menu is excellent, offering a wide variety of speciality drinks at very reasonable prices. They have a wide selection of savoury food items. Raging from wraps. Flatbread and pastries. The items that I have tried have been very tasty. The indgrients used are fresh and the flavour combinations marry well together. They often change menu items from time to time which in my opinion is great offering a varied choice instead of the same flavours that you see in other places that can become somewhat boring. I have also tasted version of ther sweet muffins. My favourite being the cadbury Duffin which was for a limited time due to a promotion in store. I would love to see that item become part of the regular menu, There is a wide range of flavours to choose from. Also with gluten free and vegan options available too The only draw back that I have found, is on a couple of occasions I have found the muffins to be dry, a little dense and lacking of baked in ingredients I.e choc chips. The atmosphere is a lively and sometimes busy. There is plenty of seating to dine in if you choose The staff I have encounted are all friendly, chatty and do well at what they do. Demonstrating good customers service with a smile. Sometimes there is a queue. But they do so well to serve with great efficiency and you never wait to long. Definitely recommend this place to the fellow coffee lovers

First rate for coffee and chat.Staff gr8

This is the Best tasting decaffeinated coffee around and my hubby and friends also enjoy the full caffeine coffee served, the staff are first class, so polite and helpfull and always happy, the food is Always fresh and tasty and the Mars bar cookies are fabulous, i always meet my friends for coffee at Muffin break at the Galleries and wouldn't go anywhere else for coffee in the Galleries

Good coffee and different glavour very fresh muffins.

Good variety of food and good value for money

Beautiful fresh muffins and coffee. A free muffin for my birthday!

Good staff excellent coffee and good food

Friendly staff and good service. Large choice of muffins and cakes. Wraps are particularly tasty. Good coffee.

Just as the name says ...a break with a lovely muffin...

Very expensive and coffee doesnt taste nice

Love the coffee and scones, great friendly service

Excellent service...tasty prducts

Called here today while shopping had a skinny latte and daughter had ordinary latte lovely and frothy the staff are very friendly and we found a seat easily even tho it was very busy will definitely be back

Always lush coffee and served with a smile

Lovely cappuccinos made with coconut milk and a generous regular size! Indulged in a gingerbread muffin with the most delicious buttercream swirl I’ve ever tasted. Friendly staff, good seating area, wide choice of savoury and sweet eats.

Nice place but very over priced for the food.

Went there yesterday for some lunch. I needed to give my grandson his lunch and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. They enabled me to warm his baby food and were really cheerful about it. (I had been to Sainsbury’s who weren’t any help at all) I have been to Muffin Break before and always found the staff efficient, quick and helpful. Thank you.

Gorgeous coffee and the cheese scones are really tasty

Always I there best coffee in the galleries staff all friendly

Not an inexpensive place but plenty of seating available good coffee and tea and a selection is snacks to accompany drinks.

2 coffees and 2 muffins for 11 pounds. I wouldn't mind if they were nice. Pity there's no real competition to this place in the Galleries. I won't go back.

Great meeting place for coffee and chat.

We ordered from here food and drink for 2 of us the child we had with us was eating a Mcd's, they made her crying as she wasnt allowed to eat it with us, but few tables away man ate Greg's food and nothing said.

The food as always is very good. As is the lovely staff. This I do find it a very strong coffe.

Nice Coffee, one of only a few places I can purchase coffee made with Almond milk. Staff are very very pleasant. Only problem it's sometimes difficult to find seating, which goes to show how popular it is.

A great meeting place for a good cuppa and a chat, the place is clean and well worth a visit if you’re in the galleries

Great place and good coffee and muffins.

Lovely coffee and cake, just a bit busy.

Great coffee and become a member and get every 6th coffee free

Lovely coffee and staff anly downside with it being in the middle of the gallries it's noisy

Ok . staff nice but needs a refurbishment.

One of the nicest coffee shops iv ever been to, some very nice staff as soon as i went today i was greeted by a young lad called Colin what a cheerful guy he is place was packed and he was still smiling and being happy, told me about the loyalty card, free muffin on my birthday.... yes please haha, theirs very few places that give birthday gifts, food looked amazing the muffins looked unreal, i ordered 2 medium lattes.I didn't order any food or muffins even tho i wanted too. Coffee is too die for usually you go too a coffee shop and the coffee is either too strong or bitter but this coffee tasted smooth and milky like a latte should be. ill defiantly be visiting again and ill defiantly be recommending to some friends and family. Thanks Muffin Break

2 muffins really dry. coffees were fine

Always find the staff to be very cheerful and chatty , great service .

We usually pop in here at least once per week. They have a good range of drinks and snacks in comfortable surroundings, considering it is in the middle of a shopping centre and the staff are very friendly. We usually have iced coffees. They have a good selection of cakes, pastries and sandwiches, both hot and cold. There is also a loyalty scheme for coffee. They seem to have a good regular clientele, as we often see familiar faces. It is the ideal place to take the weight off your feet and refresh yourself.

Good for a coffee tea soft drinks something to eat