The Pavilion Cafe in Aberdeen City

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a Scottish breakfast at the Pavilion Cafe in Aberdeen, located right on the Esplanade. I have to say, it was superb! Everything from the bacon and sausage to the black pudding was delicious. But the food was only part of the excellent experience. The service was incredibly fast, and the staff were all so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere of the cafe was also lovely - it was bright, airy, and had a really nice buzz about it. Overall, I would highly recommend the Pavilion Cafe to anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying breakfast in Aberdeen. The combination of fantastic food, quick service, friendly staff, and a pleasant atmosphere makes it a real winner.

After supporting this business for years despite the prices getting ridiculously high….after todays horrible experience we will no longer be supporting them. We usually have a breakfast inside but decided to get some chips to go. £6 for one tray of chips and we got two juices which amounted to almost £12 altogether. Shocking prices but we accepted, though we took our chips to the condiment station outside where all the sauces were. A spray bottle was mixed in with the condiments so I assumed it was vinegar (like you get at chip shops, in a spray bottle). Label facing away from me, I sprayed it on our chips, only to turn it around and it said it was cleaning spray…….so an easy mistake. Since the spray shouldn’t be with the sauces. So we popped back inside and the staff were understanding and started making us some fresh chips, even though we didn’t ask specifically for them to do this but they had good customer service skills….. The owner however, stormed over saying no! That it was our fault and that he has a business to run. That the tables need cleaned, hence why the spray was there (here’s an idea : keep your cleaning supplies separate from the food/condiments then?). Despite the chips having a high profit margin (£6! For one tray of basic chips!?). Even after making a second tray, he’d still have profit! We told him we’d been regulars for years but won’t be going back. You can tell it’s losing its regulars, with its high prices and bad treatment of customers by some. It was not as busy as the other businesses at the beach. You can see why.

£6.50 for a whippy ice cream cone is a bit much...

I had a very unpleasant experience at this cafe today. It was a busy Sunday lunch time and no waiters would want to get our order. After waiting about 15 mins I finally asked one of them then she said somebody would come (as if she doesn't work here). Still no one, so I asked another waiter who was putting chairs at a neighbour table but what her reaction was unbelievably ridiculous. At the next table she shouted at me with a very frowning face saying "What??!!". She literally shouted at me as if she was dealing with someone who was not supposed to dine in. I really wanted to speak to the manager and my daughter intended, but we just left. The staff was a young lady whose hairstyle was with a small bun on each side. I hope the owner or manager read this and train her before lose more customers. What a horrible experience and I wouldn’t return there any more. Just one worker would do this! 😡

Good food, excellent service. I'm not sure about the new ice-cream area at the front where there used to be tables at the window, feels a bit claustrophobic now!

Great food, friendly young team.

Very astonishing place, with delicious hot food and Ice cream. I bought Nutella ice cream, it a must try one!

Horrible cafe, please avoid. The manager/owner with the dodgy hair is an absoloute scum bag. Swearing and shouting at my wife and our children, all because she asked for the leftovers to be put in a box so she could take it home. He seems to enjoy exhibiting this type of behavour towards women and children. From what other reviews would suggest anyway. Sort out your attitude, and your hair you moron.

Great place for a stop with friends or family, friendly and polite staff

Way overpriced, £16.50 for 2 cones with 1 scoop a flake each and a slush puppy. The ice cream was delicious, but didn't warrant the price.

£4.20 for a small latte! Outrageous.

Wow, superb food served indoors and outdoor, amazing view of esplanade I had fish and chips. Fish cooked perfectly and chips were very tasty My husband had mince and potatoes served with skirlie and it also tasted amazing If you haven't been here before, I highly recommend it

Homemade ice cream, new flavors every day. Delicious!!!!😍

Great.enjoyed my coffee and bacon roll with a friend.

Good food and service but didn't like the floor being swept while we aware eating. Chairs need rubber tips as very noisy when being moved across floor.

Soup n toasted sandwich, nice bowl of soup, warm you up on a cold day, service was quick and friendly, busy place even on a Monday but walked in and got a cleaned table straight away.

Food was great, huge portions and good price! Staff were lovely and attentive ☺️ Thank you also for the scoop of ice cream for my little boy it was such a lovely gesture and the ice cream was delicious!🥰

Terrible food and very rude staff! Do not come here.

Terrible soggy chips. Very rude staff. Also very overpriced for the quality of the food.

Very rude staff. Never been made to feel guilty for wanting a glass of water before today. Food was also disappointing.

We have to wait like 50 minutes for our food, and I see that the workers are UNHAPPY and unfriendly. One waiter wasn't kind and the atmosphere isn't the same as before (2023).

Refused to serve my 9 year son a glass of tap water, even though we'd both bought meals.

I'm just giving this place a 0/1 because they charge for water and won't provide tap. That's a NO.

Never in my life have I been refused tap water. I was genuinely shocked and might as well fill my glass with tap water in the bathroom. Disgusting and never coming back. The tables were all a mess when staff just stood doing nothing. You charged us 2.50 for a bottle of water. I understand a business needs to make money but not that way. Customers should always be entitled to tap water and not be ripped off. It's ok as I filled my glass in the girls bathroom.

Best coffee and roll n sausage about...give it a try..

Nice soup but will not be going back as they are not allowed to serve tap water!!!

The food and drinks are nice but so over priced!!. Hot chocolate alone cost £4!!!. Its cheaper at Starbucks. I know everything's gone up but seriously. For the prices alone I won't be back.

Lovely wee cafe on the esplanade. Great views out to the North Sea and Queens Links retail park is right behind this. So very handy. Easily reached on foot from Aberdeen station too. Prices and portion sizes were great.

Very good meals at a reasonable cost, and very good friendly service

Situated on Aberdeen’s beachfront, the pavilion cafe is a dining hotspot for beach visitors. The staff are incredibly attentive and friendly. I was attended to and immediately seated upon entry. The owner is often about with hands on deck, serving customers and getting stuck in. This is quite inspiring. He's a nice, accommodating fellow too. The food was enjoyable and didn't take too long to arrive. The ice cream and dessert selection is also great. All in all, a good experience and would recommend.

After having to repeat my order multiple times (more than 3 times) I was charged £28 for 2 rolls, 1 latte and 3 scoops of Ice cream. Absolutely ludicrous prices... unless of course I was grossly over charged for barely average quality food..... management can feel free to contact me over the interaction I had with the staff in the premises. There are better places with a better atmosphere with better prices in the immediate vicinity.

Amazing burger and chips, good service as well

I had a really enjoyable breakfast at The Pavilion Cafe. Friendly, prompt service, a great meal and an amazing cappuccino. One of the better places at Aberdeen beach.

Cracking breakfast, cup of tea and a juice , friendly staff and quick service

Good tasty food but spoiled by staff attitude. Where else won’t supply a glass of tap water? “We only sell bottled water!” We won’t be back….

So over priced bought 2 hot drinks and 2 plains croissants with butter and jam £18!! Day light robery!! £5.99 a croissant, will not be back very disappointed!

It used to be good a few years ago, way too overpriced now for subpar food. Gadz

If I could give zero starts I would! Went inside to order coffee and ice-cream and was told you have to go outside to order ice-cream and inside to order coffee. When we got outside we went to order ice-cream and was met by the most disrespectful and rude person we have ever met. My daughter wanted 2 scoops 1 chocolate and 1 vanilla in a rainbow wafer cone, the guy snapped that we are only aloud 1 scoop with that cone(no idea what difference it makes). We choose a different cone and my 4 year old daughter asked if she could have the chocolate scoop first and then the vanilly scoop on top because she wanted to eat the vanilla first, when I then asked the guy this he shouted "it makes no bloody difference and she will get it how I make it". I asked him what the issue was and why he was swearing and shouting about a 4 year old girls perfectly reasonable request. He interrupted me and said "you want anything else". When asked again, this time by my wife why he was being so rude he replied in a very condescending and childish manner that he makes the ice-cream and he decides what order he puts the scoops on the Cones, he again swore at my wife and then walked away. After speaking to another member of staff we were disgusted to learn that he is not only the manager but the owner too! The member off staff told us that he is like this all the time and people always complain about his attitude. We then witnessed him treating the two women behind us the same way, he seems to get a kick out of belittling women and children. Please DO NOT go anywhere near this place and this man's extremely aggressive and disgusting attitude. He also needs looked into about his creepy behaviour towards young children and that's all I'm saying on the matter. AVOID!

Very expensive and charged £2.50 for bottle of water for a two year old as they don’t serve tap water ! Won’t be back

Owner’s attitude is a complete joke, avoid at all cost. Extremely rude and disrespectful to women and babies that just wanted to sit down and enjoy their ice cream. As soon as the owner handed ice cream to our two toddlers he told us to leave in a very rude way even though we bought ice cream inside the cafe and proceeded to the table. We were simply kicked out with ice cream melting all over our young children covering all of their and ours clothes. We would have not bought ice cream if there was no tables, but apparently ice cream is take away only. No one told us this and there was no sign anywhere and we were only told this after children had ice cream in their hands. We tried to return ice cream as children are too young to eat it on the go but we’re told to pay and go away. We were so disappointed we just had to bin it and leave as we were pointed at the door multiple times and screamed at for trying to sit down or use bathroom to clean kids from their ice cream. Place is dirty and stinks, so maybe it’s for the best we had to leave. I’d not trust them with anything with an attitude like that. Avoid if you can. We can now see there are lots of other reviews of the same experience. wish we checked reviews before going.

This place is well worth a visit. Soups are outstanding; perfectly seasoned and presented. Pizzas are amazing: a real treat, light, tangy and tasty! The veggie breakfast roll is also delicious; crispy and satisfying. The cafe tables are spotless and the staff are attentive, hard-working and lovely to chat to. Give it a go! 🤌🤤💯

Only had pot tea would not go back

Really good breakfast. Good portion. Nice team.

Asked for a white coffee, a cappuccino (from a machine and UHT milk) arrived. A shame as the service is really good. £6.50 for a coffee and a bottled water (they don't offer tap).

Absolute stitch up! Prices on the board outside are different to what you get charged if you choose to eat outside! £4.99 for a bacon roll and £2.50 for a can of coke, yet cheaper if you eat inside! Extortionate prices!!! Staff were extremely nice, friendly and helpful though! Prices are crazy unfortunately!

Ultimate Stacked Double Burgers are awesome.

This cafe is excellent! Good, tasty, home cooked style food. Big portions and really good value. We eat here regularly and have never had a complaint. The staff are friendly and service is always prompt. Highly recommend this place.

Asked for a gluten free Toastie as I am celiac , and was given a normal one , realised the bread tasted too good to be gf after the first bite , was given another one , then when I got the bill I was charged an open food charge , even tho they had already glutened me at this point! 😔

Staff advised they would not provide me with a basic need of tap water after ordering 2 meals & 2 hot drinks. I asked someone to explain to me why they would not provide me with a glass of tap water and the member of staff said the owner was an extremely stubborn man who would not allow his staff to provide tap water. Absolute greed and lack of care from the owner of this establishment, expecting someone to be able to pay £2.50 for a small bottle of water in this cost of living crisis, especially after buying 2 meals & 2 hot drinks. Can confirm we will not be returning due to this.

Popped in here Sunday morning before my workout. Delicious cake and latte. Excellent service. Seafront views.

£4.50 for a bottle of water and a bottle of apple juice (the cheap brand) No friendly greeting or smile.

What a disgrace this cafe was! I came with my baby and friend to this cafe, ordered food and coffee. Customer service was outrageous, forgot to bring us cutlery and the waitresses was arguing with me how she is not in any way obliged to give me tap water (claiming they didn't have any), they also gave us the wrong coffee arguing they don't have the coffee we ordered. Please, do not come here. There are so many other much nicer cafes at the beach.

Good food, okay service. But don’t serve tap water ? Strange.

Me and my friend was here to get something to eat for our 17 month old toddlers for lunch and we got ourselves soft drinks we will never go back here the girl at till when we came in was really rude asked to put our buggys down in a cheeky way which we didn't mind doing then when she went to toilet she gave us the evil stares she should really get training on customer service and looked like she didn't want to be there

Bought a Ferrero Rocher gelato and seen they had Oreo wafer cone which I usually love. This one had a white chocolate coating at the top. Paid £3.70 . It was absolutely disgusting, tasted of school crayons the chocolate was so waxy. The Oreo part was greasy tasting too. Shame that it wasted good gelato because that was lovely. Recommend a tub.

I think I have just experienced the worst battered fish EVER !! The battery on the fish was thick chewy and not fit human consumption. The worst thing was as soon as I opened the box it was obvious that it was not good. Therefore they also must have know what they were serving and at 10 quid it was down right disgusting. Not recommended

Me and hubby come here every Saturday morning for breakfast, the food is lovely and the staff are all very friendly and helpful.

Great little cafe on Aberdeen beach front. Food always freshly prepared and nicely presented. Maybe a little on the expensive side but that’s relative to the quality of the food (and the area). We are regular customers here and always visit when we are in Aberdeen. I highly recommend this cafe whether you’re looking for a meal, a snack, a even just a coffee. They also have a large selection of ice cream and do take away as well.

Always enjoy coming here for breakfast, service is quick and a nice atmosphere to accompany it. Don't worry about my breakfast meal missing a few things. I requested them missing and they were happy to oblige:)

No bloody water in this day and age!! emm get a grip fs

Reasonable menu and decent service. The outdoor chairs were greasy and I was affronted to be refused tap water to drink. A cheap strategy to sell more bottled drinks.

Very nice food indeed the staff are friendly and knowledgeable of the food they serve and polite. It's well worth a visit

Fantastic food only problem no free water for the kids had to buy them for price soft drinks.

Refused to fill a glass of tap water for a small child after us buying ice cream and coffee. Poor service

Bought 2 breakfasts and a tea - requested two tap waters for the table and were told they wouldn’t give us two water and if we wanted water we would have to buy it. Had to buy two bottled waters which is ridiculous when we were already paying for food over £20. It is also a legal requirement to have a tap fit for drinking in Scotland. Just after more money it’s seems wont be returning.

Fast service, good menu, good coffee, hygenic

Great food at a good price. My favourite seaside cafe at Aberdeen.

Super quick service, great quality breakfast

My favourite place for a Sunday dinner 😋good coffee delicious cakes and fabulous ice-cream

Great food. Comfortable, not overly hot inside. Clean and pleasant surroundings.

Lovely food. Found some prices were dear, bacon roll £4 , coffee £3

Disappointing breakfast via Deliveroo. Cheap sausages, cold eggs and rubbery toast. Poor.

Absolutely great. Food was delicious, ambience wonderful. Staff 1st class. We were 3 adults and 3 children and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch.

Very disappointing, got food to take away £19.50 for mac n cheese with dry stodgy chips and my partner didnt even eat any of her food as when opened a small red spider was running over the bun with her chicken burger in it, the salad was old discoloured and drying up

Excelente servicio.Comida estupenda!😍

They don't offer tap water...?! It's free out a tap. Poached eggs on eggs benedict were very over cooked. We ordered breakfast & coffees, overpriced for what was served.

We went for breakfast today, food was ok,coffee was nice, but as we finished our breakfast and wish to order another coffee waiting staff refused to serve only coffee, they excuse was -" we do serve breakfast no only coffee, we need table back " . So I don't think we will be back there after service like that

Went there after a craving for cullen skink. Soup and bread roll selection is good and food taste was amazing. Sitting arrangement near a glass wall facing the sea with a fantastic view. Friendly staff and easy street parking except for extremely busy weekends. Recommended. Good selection of ice cream as well to finish off a nice light meal.

This place was clean and the food was ok, expensive for what it was. We were a large group 4 adults and 3 children, we all had full meals and drinks but we are refused drinking water. We will not return .

Love this place. Staff are so friendly and the food is fantastic. There Cullen skink soup is the best I've tasted in a very long time.

Excellent service Cullen skink delicious. Definitely recommend.

Was very friendly prompt service . Be back.

Always like this cafe. The new ice cream they make themselves on the premises is absolutely yummy. Wonderful addition to the menu 🙂

Was there for coffee & cake on Fri with friend looked over to chef from the hatch & seen him put his finger to his nose & he snorted some where in the kitchen don't no where it went totally disgusted & he didn't even bother when I seen him DEFINITELY WONT BE BACK🤢

Ordered food on deliveroo. Eggs Benedict was divine, and the milkshakes are a lovely way to cool off in the summer heat.

Entered around 5pm just to be asked to leave immediately. We've been told by the owner himself that they're closing in half an hour and we have to leave. Surely, this should be plenty of time to order and finish a small cup of coffee or even possibly a small meal. We could see that there were still people sitting inside having their meals. I believe the owner should first learn some good manners and perhaps how to run business! We obviously went to another place and when we left, the Pavilion Cafe was the only one place that has already been closed. All other places were still serving food and drinks.

Lovely handmade ice cream. Quality and super tasty. Was perfect on a summer day. The staff were nice and the place was clean. No complaints 👌

Had full breakfast which was excellent also the service was excellent very friendly fully recommend this cafe has a pleasant atmosphere

Peacfull Friendly staff. Bonnie views

Pleasant staff. Nice atmosphere lovely coffee

Good food and great service under all the relevant covid guidelines

Chip's and chicken bites tasteless and over cooked, mega breakfast eatable

Careful social distancing with perspex screens between table. Good food.

Best fish and chips I've had all year. Food was super fresh, piping hot and the place was spotless. Why have I not been here before. Looking for a great lunch that's not that expensive you have to try here.

Very overpriced!! They don't even serve tap water! Would not recommend. Avoid.

Very friendly service , lovely food..

1st time ive been here in ages food was great and plenty space

Not bad , go there often for a light bite to eat . Just came out after having 2 soups a sandwich and a bowl chips and 2 drinks cost was £19:34 so doesn't break the bank . Food was nice and the staff were lovely, update on review been back during covid 19 and standards have dropped and a bowl of chips priced £5 is ludicrous don't know if feeling the pinch due to lockdown and trying to make up shortfalls

Good coffee. Food is tasty. Friendly and efficient staff.

Friendly, helpful, lots of variety on menu, clean, worth the visit.