Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate Costa?

135 replies

StrawberryMumWave · 31/12/2025 16:30

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?

OP posts:
idontcareabouttennis · 31/12/2025 17:13

I think the food is great. It’s a bit carb heavy but the sandwiches are decent and the cakes are lovely - the carrot cake is great. I also don’t mind their coffee.

Craftysue · 31/12/2025 17:12

I just don't like the coffee. If I have to use a chain I prefer Nero but we've got some lovely independent coffee shops so I try to use them

EveryKneeShallBow · 31/12/2025 17:11

Our local one hosts a brilliant “pub quiz” which is very well attended and great fun and raises lots of money for the costa foundation. The staff all seem really happy and it’s definitely clean.

Goditsmemargaret · 31/12/2025 17:09

Costa is outrageously crap.

Matronic6 · 31/12/2025 17:03

I agree, I think it's terrible coffee and the food is awful

youalright · 31/12/2025 17:00

I don't hate it i prefer it to starbucks but id rather meet a friend in a pub instead of costa

Crunchymum · 31/12/2025 16:58

Our nearest Costa closed down in the summer (it wasn't massive either)

DC2 asked for a Starbucks hot chocolate after sitting an exam recently so we went to Starbucks. I couldn't wait to leave - and we were only ordering a take away! It was so dark and dingy and oppressive. Made me feel claustrophobic!

I go to a little indy place once a week for a coffee (after an appointment with DC3) and its the highlight of my week. I don't actually drink coffee otherwise. Unless I'm in Italy!!

phoenixrosehere · 31/12/2025 16:57

Chiseltip · 31/12/2025 16:44

It's awful. Almost £4 for a latte. McDonald's costs £2 and their coffee is way better.

Show quote history

The McDonald’s near me was atrocious for a latte when I had it weeks ago.

Your area may have a better one.

It definitely dependant on who manages which places imo, chain or not.

phoenixrosehere · 31/12/2025 16:52

I use them only on my birthday for the free tree or out of proximity so about twice a year.

The ones in town I avoid because of the smokers right outside the entrance. Other reason is because they charge for oat milk when I can go to Starbucks (the one near me is lovely) who don’t charge me 40 pence for oat milk! The few local coffee shops are only open til 5:30 so closed by time I’m free and the rest are chains that I haven’t been particularly impressed by.

Fingalscave · 31/12/2025 16:51

The coffee is nice but they don't clean the tables properly so I use the drive through.

Somersetbaker · 31/12/2025 16:51

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

MrsTulip · 31/12/2025 16:50

It's how loud they are that I don't like. The staff (who are lovely) in our local one always seem to be banging the coffee machines.
I met someone for a meeting, at their suggestion, in our local one just before Christmas and I couldn't hear half of what they were saying to me it was that loud.
I have taken a liking to the black forest hot chocolate at the moment.

PaisleyPrit · 31/12/2025 16:50

•My dog needs a bath after lying on the floor at Costa.

• I like the hot chocolates but I hate that some branches use that disgusting shaving foam vegan cream. If I ordered a dairy drink, why would I want fake cream on top? nasty!

•Good for remote working

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 31/12/2025 16:49

It is the only station kiosk where I could get a drink and something to eat yesterday (changed trains). Most of the independents that were there closed down - Clapham Junction.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 31/12/2025 16:47

I don’t mind them. I think their loyalty programme is good as I get a coffee with a meal deal at Tesco and get a free one regularly. At my local the cakes are open at the back and I’ve spotted flies crawling over them which has put me off.

Isabella40 · 31/12/2025 16:46

Coffee one serves lovely coffee plus our local Independent coffee shop. Also Greggs coffees are nice and reasonably priced.

FoxFeatures · 31/12/2025 16:44

I won’t go to Costa or any other chain coffee shop. They are soulless and the coffee is dire.
I only drink black coffee and have a few lovely independents that I go to that are local to me.

Chiseltip · 31/12/2025 16:44

StrawberryMumWave · 31/12/2025 16:30

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?

It's awful. Almost £4 for a latte. McDonald's costs £2 and their coffee is way better.

Justlostmybagel · 31/12/2025 16:44

I was annoyed the one in terminal 2 at Manchester is gone >:(

Myfridgeiscool · 31/12/2025 16:43

The coffee is a bit too wishywashy for my liking. I like the spoon to stand up in my coffee.

IPM · 31/12/2025 16:42

I don't mind the drinks but I've no idea why anyone would buy their teeny cakes for those stupid prices.

Sharpzebra · 31/12/2025 16:42

I dislike Costa and Starbucks overpriced and can't really taste the coffee itself in it

Hankunamatata · 31/12/2025 16:42

Starbucks have gotten really bad since they painted them all really dark colours and they look like grubby holes. Or one they made in retail park which loos like a school cafeteria

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.

Worralorra · 31/12/2025 16:40

Our local one is lovely - much less grubby than the independent coffee shop nearby with it’s one-star hygiene rating!