Strays in Harborough

Visited on a weekday at 12 noon. Two people sitting in the window. My order was taken by an unsmiling, scruffily dressed girl who didn’t greet me, smile or say Thankyou when she took my order and payment . I would have ordered some cake but what was on display looked dire and unappealing. I waited over 15 mins for a cup coffee which was slammed down on the table! The cup wasn’t full and not very nice and together with the too loud jazz music playing in the background was not an experience I will be repeating. Strays is in a prime position in the square and should be a thriving business. This place needs an overhaul, a manager, and good staff to re- invent it to its full potential.

We went on a Saturday afternoon. We had a bit of a job getting through the doors with a wheelchair, staff didn't come to help. They had a ramp up to the main part unfortunately some bright spark decided to put their outdoor signage on the ramp making it almost impossible to get the wheelchair up. We found a table. Took quite a while to bring our order of toastie and coffee, they brought my tea but forgot my cake and we had to keep asking for it. Eventually they brought it. It was a toffee and caramel loaf tin cake, I got the end piece which wouldn't have bothered me except for the fact that it was really dry and only a centimeter think, which for £3.20 is ridiculous. Staff were not very friendly or helpful. Definitely wouldn't go again. Don't waste your money here.

Me and my grandparents waited 1 hour for a bacon bap and 2 bowls of ‘loaded fries’, to which we didn’t even receive the correct toppings, but were too hungry to complain! The bap also came with no butter, so was very dry. Total came to just under £30!!! We could see about 5 members of staff milling and joking around. That’s fine, however when we have been waiting for an hour for a 5 minute meal, I would not expect this. The place was near empty as well. Absolutely horrible experience and really put a downer on our day. I suggest the manager has a rethink on how they run their business and the staff they employ.

We called into Strays with two of our grandchildren, hoping to get a meal after being out all morning. We were told as it was a Monday the kitchen was shut and only toasted sandwiches and cakes were available. We settled for toasted cheese and ham sandwiches and a couple of cakes and drinks, and although the cakes were ok, the toasted sandwiches were very average Considering that this was the week before Christmas I would have expected the place to have the advertised full lunch menu and be packed, but it was barely 1/3 full and had the feeling of a converted shop rather than as a cosy, vibrant lunch venue I was disappointed later to discover that the two hot chocolate drinks (Choc Royale) for the children (£2.70 ) had suddenly escalated to £5.95 (Monster Choc) each after the server casually asked the children if they would like some marshmallows in their chocolate This place has lots of potential once it gets its identity sorted out, particularly the seating and mish mash of tables, and softens it’s interior decor, but unfortunately there are better and more established better value venues in Market Harborough

We ordered coffees and tea cake and waited for ages. To be fair the coffee was nice and the tea cake ok but I’m just not keen on the place. The toilet seemed very neglected and unclean. Staff not terribly friendly. We waited far too long in a not very busy day. Would I return………no. We much prefer milos which is superb in every way.

I have visited here twice. Both times I had dreadful service. The first time, we ordered coffee and cake. The cake was delicious and I can’t fault it. Coffee ok, not the worst but not the best either. Very overpriced. However, they played up our cakes and left them on the counter for about 10 minutes and didn’t bring them over to us. Staff stood there chatting so weren’t run off their feet busy. Service very poor. Second time we decided to try again and give them the benefit of the doubt. We have a baby and struggled to find a table accommodating of storing the pram next to it. Staff seemed uninterested and didn’t help us when we asked for assistance, eventually found our own table as another family were leaving. Sat down and had to wait 20 minutes (even after we had ordered our drinks) for the previous families plates to be cleared away. Again, staff stood around chatting and not rushed off their feet. Very disappointed and although we try to support local independent cafes and restaurants, I would rather spend my hard earned money and quality family time at a place where we feel welcomed and not an inconvenience and coffee and cakes are not cheap when you are a family. There are plenty of other cafes in Harborough who treat you as a friend and customer.

A friend of mine worked for Strays and they are refusing to pay her and 17 other members of staff. Disgusting misuse of power from a business that clearly manipulates its staff

I run a social group for local people (around 10-14 people each week) and this cafe cater for us 100%. The atmosphere in the cafe is great, with plenty of space and the lighting perfect. We find the staff very present and cater four our needs. The tables are always clean and the staff keep the table clear, as we get through plenty of food and drink. The caramel cheesecake is out of this world.

Dire…..a cafe with no skimmed milk / no semi skimmed milk ( they are next to Tesco !!! ). Couldn’t make any of the sandwiches I asked for…. No jacket potatoes. Seems to be problem with every aspect - service through to choice. There are many better places in Harborough - I would avoid !

Been here quite a few times now with our dogs. I like it because it’s so spacious.. service is quite slow and food not always hot, but the coffee is good and the cakes delicious. Will keep going here as it suits us being so dog friendly and plenty of room

Spacious cafe with nice view of the town centre....sadly staffing issues meant a 50 minute wait for a simple sandwich..

This doesn't feel anything like the vibrant jazz cafe that Market Harborough was promised when the planning permission was sought! There may be occasional ticket-only jazz nights, but in the daytime it's a very flat and dreary-feeling place. Come on, Strays, give us some ambience! Surely a few fairy lights and some CD background music (jazz?!) isn't too much to ask to give this prime location in one of England's finest market towns a bit of sparkle in the daytime? You managers may want to review your kitchen workflows, too. The cafe really was NOT busy (nobody queuing at the counter, several empty tables) yet it took 38 mins for our cheese toasties to arrive. The food was fine when it did arrive, although it's a shame that nobody wiped our table after the pots from the previous occupants were eventually cleared (pandemic? what pandemic?). There are literally loads of lovely cafes in Harborough, so we'll stick with those until Strays starts being the cafe that was promised.

We’ve been coming here now for our regular post dog walk coffee now for a while. The service is always excellent and coffee great. Like the choice of sizes for coffee. Usually have bacon or sausage bap which are good value for money, but was disappointed at recent purchase of lunch here. Often difficult to get a seat but will be great when upstairs open apart from the steep flight of stairs to get up there - no good if you have any mobility issues.

Competitively priced, we had salads at around the £8/9 mark. Sandwiches around £7 , order at the counter table service when ready. Food good. My beef is the DOGS on the seats, I am not happy about sitting where a Dog has had its dirty bottom and muddy paws, this in my view needs to be stopped.