To hate Costa? | Mumsnet

StrawberryMumWave · 2025-12-31T16:30:25+00:00

DH loves Costa but I can’t stand it. It’s grubby, the cakes are always stale, it’s overpriced, the drinks are never really that good and it’s just not very good all round really. AIBU?

omggggggg · 01/01/2026 19:58

JacknDiane · 01/01/2026 17:10

I was in one today, it was good of them to open Jan 1st

The one by me was open Christmas Day. We popped in for a bit as it was too cold to go to park. I know that the 2 ladies working that day don’t celebrate Christmas before everyone shouts CRUELTY. It was fairly busy with a nice atmosphere.

louderthan · 01/01/2026 17:33

The coffee is terrible. Manages to be weak and bitter at the same time. The same goes for Starbucks and Cafe Nero.

Witcherwitcher · 01/01/2026 17:19

I agree. Can’t stand any of the chain coffee shops. Awful. Just awful.

bombastix · 01/01/2026 17:17

Agree. The coffee tastes like swill to me and the decor feels like it never left the 1990s. Given it wasn’t around in the 1990s this is impressive.

Also concur they never seem very clean.

JacknDiane · 01/01/2026 17:11

I love their pork sausage baps

JacknDiane · 01/01/2026 17:10

I was in one today, it was good of them to open Jan 1st

FunnyOrca · 01/01/2026 17:08

The caramel nutcracker lattes this Christmas were lovely! Though I agree they are over priced for what they are. I only go if I have a voucher or discount. Nearby independents are cheaper and better.

IreneFromSkibbereen · 01/01/2026 17:05

In a minority but I like it. For one thing it’s one of the few coffee places that still use a dark roast. A lot of the independent places have gone for very light, acidic tasting beans, and however well made the coffee is, I find light-roast coffee undrinkable. Also I like their hot paninis.

Cafe Nero is probably better, but Costa is reassuringly reliable.

Blueskiesnotgrey · 01/01/2026 13:27

I really like Costa, mainly as I like their hot chocolate better than any other coffee chains. The older ones are grubby and due a refit but some are very pleasant to sit in. My local one is quite nice. My only complaint is it has a lovely upstairs but the manager (franchise owner?) hardly ever opens it as claims he doesn't have enough staff.

HelmholtzWatson · 01/01/2026 06:38

YABU as you're describing 90% of coffee houses here, so it's unfair to single out Costa.

Missstified · 01/01/2026 05:42

I find it's usually run by kids who don't know the first thing about customer service, and who don't seem to know how to make a decent cappuccino that isn't half a cup of foam. Where is the rest of my coffee?

CaptainSevenofNine · 01/01/2026 02:44

Huge fan of their hot chocolate. The best IMO.

PinkCherryPie · 31/12/2025 21:26

My DH absolutely hates Costa. I also dislike it, but perhaps not as extreme as him.
Last time I got a coffee there, it was undrinkable and went in the bin.
The only thing I like, is the mango and passion fruit iced drink. I lived on that in early pregnancy, was the only thing I could stomach for a while.

2026NewTricks · 31/12/2025 21:21

It has the strongest coffee.

adenoEndo · 31/12/2025 21:19

Hankunamatata · 31/12/2025 16:40

Pref their coffee to Starbucks but have noticed most them have had significant drop in cleanliness levels. The odd one is nice and clean.

I noticed this once they all went dog friendly. Massive drop in cleanliness they all seem run down now

Alconleigh · 31/12/2025 21:17

Somersetbaker · 31/12/2025 16:51

Costa and Starbucks = coffee for people who don't like coffee.

💯

MikeRafone · 31/12/2025 21:12

Snowdropsaremyfavourite · 31/12/2025 20:51

For me, Costa has lost its popularity because I can't always afford it. It's always in the back of my mind that I can buy a full-size carrot cake from Asda for what I pay for a slice at Costa. I can go home with that, switch the kettle on and sit in the comfort of my own home for tea and cake rather than waiting for a table at Costa.

The carrot cake from Asda is going to be fresher & tastier than a chain coffee shop

Snowdropsaremyfavourite · 31/12/2025 20:51

For me, Costa has lost its popularity because I can't always afford it. It's always in the back of my mind that I can buy a full-size carrot cake from Asda for what I pay for a slice at Costa. I can go home with that, switch the kettle on and sit in the comfort of my own home for tea and cake rather than waiting for a table at Costa.

Anotherdayattheforum · 31/12/2025 20:49

Our local Costa is fab (not). People just turn up with food and drink they’ve purchased elsewhere and consume without challenge. Those of us (twits) just sit there and carry on drinking and eating overpriced Costa products (not for much longer. Can’t beat ‘em, join’em) 😉

Magsbd · 31/12/2025 20:34

I always take wet wipes with me when I go there.

FunMustard · 31/12/2025 20:25

Ok? You're entitled to your opinion, as is everyone

MoominMai · 31/12/2025 19:58

Somersetbaker · 31/12/2025 16:51

Costa and Starbucks = coffee for people who don't like coffee.

Lol, except even the likes of us are moaning about it now also 😅

MikeRafone · 31/12/2025 19:44

PaisleyPrit · 31/12/2025 17:34

People say Costa coffee is bad, but you get the exact same answers if you ask about Nero, Starbucks, McDonald’s, small coffee shops.

There’s never any consensus and most people say it’s crap. So where is anyone supposed to find ‘good’ coffee?

We have a local roasting company who supply many local independent coffee shops, so I tend to know who stock and uses this coffee and return to those particular coffee shops

otherwise I look for Illy coffee as I enjoy the taste

Coffeeishot · 31/12/2025 19:08

Mayflower282 · 31/12/2025 19:07

I find all coffee shops a bit grubby these days, - sticky floor, dirty tables, scum on the walls, and don’t get me started on the toilets 🤢

I agree ,sticky dirty tables give me the heave

Enigma54 · 31/12/2025 19:07

We have a new costa, so at the moment it’s fairly clean and bright. I only ever buy a cappuccino, but DD likes a few of their drinks. We have been to
some disgustingly filthy Costa branches, with toilets to match!