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AIBU?

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Original poster

Gail’s Bakery - is it really all that?

370 replies

BarrellChested · 18/05/2026 23:24

When a Gail’s Bakery opened within walking distance of the office where I worked, people could barely contain their excitement. It felt like something magical had been bestowed on us, and I maybe got caught up in the hype.

I was aware of Gail’s before, of course, but had never been to one.

The great day arrived - a few of us went over and it was…… fine. Nice coffee and a decent enough pastry. But nothing beyond what I’ve had at the myriad of other coffee shops in the area.

Yet still my colleagues talk about it in reverential tones. So maybe it’s just me that doesn’t get it.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Another2Cats · 19/05/2026 06:52

A Youtuber that I follow, Hannah Ricketts, went to one of their branches and tried the food about eight months ago. She was very disappointed indeed.

This is her review of the Gails in Paddington Basin, London:

GingerBeverage · 19/05/2026 06:51

OP, Mumsnet hates Gails, surprised you haven’t read the threads about it before. It’s a very pure form of hatred.

But if everyone recommending their superior independent shops would actually post the links/names, it might be useful!

HelenHan67 · 19/05/2026 06:51

It's very expensive. I think there's nicer local options which aren't chains so I prefer to go to them.

Bubblebathbefore8 · 19/05/2026 06:50

The cinnamon buns are tasty but huge and hard to eat. I don’t use our local one, many better options

InMySpareTime · 19/05/2026 06:49

@Sartre there’s one on King Street, and four more in Greater Manchester (Sale, Altrincham, Didsbury and Prestwich).

Londonrach1 · 19/05/2026 06:47

Yanbu. Not for me. Can't eat sourdough and don't think hot drinks and their cold drinks are run of the mill. Don't get the hype as the food is limited and similar. I been in and left to go to a better independent that makes proper cakes.

WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 19/05/2026 06:46

The cinnamon buns 😋😋😋

Sartre · 19/05/2026 06:45

VioletandMauve · 19/05/2026 06:32

No, Manchester.

Show quote history

Theres one in Manchester?! I work here and had no idea! Thought Oxford was the closest…

Hiddeninthetrees · 19/05/2026 06:42

I've never heard of it, perhaps our nearest town isn't posh enough.

InMySpareTime · 19/05/2026 06:40

@VioletandMauveSale? The one there is teeny tiny and has a lot of local competition.
DH took DS in there after it opened and was not impressed. Brought me back a dry, stale brownie that did not incline me to go there.
Not sure what it says about Sale’s “gentrified” status, but we have an eat-in Greggs and a Gail’s (plus about ten independent cafes/bakeries).
IMO Blanchflower fills the “posh bakery” niche better than Gail’s.

VioletandMauve · 19/05/2026 06:32

SpanThatWorld · 19/05/2026 06:08

Tooting?

Easily the worst branch ever.

Show quote history

No, Manchester.

MintSnail · 19/05/2026 06:28

It's Vantablacks Vs Greggs., the coffee mugs are lovely.

Oriunda · 19/05/2026 06:16

I live in France, but still visit my old home town occasionally. First thing I do is get the breakfast from our local Gail’s, where I tut at the exorbitant price of the croissants, but get one of their amazing cinnamon rolls. Oh, and their hot cross buns when it’s the season.

It’s expensive, but some of the items are lovely.

SpanThatWorld · 19/05/2026 06:08

VioletandMauve · 19/05/2026 05:19

The one near me which opened up about a year ago is awful. Rude staff, dirty crockery and cutlery left on tables for ages and the place looks like a canteen. Dreadful place.

Tooting?

Easily the worst branch ever.

FiddlefigOnTheRoof · 19/05/2026 06:06

I don’t understand the hype or pile-on. It’s like any food retailer - good for some things/occasions, not for others.

Pros - nicer vibe than any of our local spots, and more seats, so I can meet up with larger groups and guarantee a table. Food is fresh and their fridge section (salads etc) is innovative and good, especially if you are avoiding carbs. Big selection of pastries and superior cakes. Loyalty app.

Cons - bread is so hard it rips your mouth out, much prefer our local French bakery. Expensive.

EnglishBreakfastTea1 · 19/05/2026 06:01

Overrated and over-priced.

Laiste · 19/05/2026 05:59

I won't pay those prices for a quick coffee and a snack.

Rather have a sweaty greggs sausage roll in a bag any day 😃

Conkersinautumn · 19/05/2026 05:59

My daughter mentioned this chain recently, I've not encountered one (in person). Looks wise they seem to be channelling the sort of place you find in a nicer touristy spot. Is that the appeal?, a bit of a indulge yourself, break from your day to day. I just thought Id google them They are definitely a chain, so I imagine they become (as any) a death to variety and independents. Very vague about their products and seeming to present baking as a calling rather than an exercise in selling food. I ll wait to gauge a place in person. Ultimately it looks like a less take away version of pret so far but then I'm probably not the target audience.

Nsky62 · 19/05/2026 05:55

ThriveAT · 19/05/2026 05:29

I have made a point to never buy Gail's again. Their portion sizes have become tiny, while their prices have risen. It is not worth it to me anymore.

More importantly, many are boycotting Gail's for political reasons. Their parent company, Bain Capital, is said to be investing in Israeli tech and cybersecurity companies. People of good conscience do not want their money to go to a company that is thought to be complicit in supporting a genocidal, apartheid state.

Edited

Wise, and not treating the employees well is bad news, been one unimpressed

TheyGrewUp · 19/05/2026 05:51

We have one in our local village. I bought a wholemeal loaf once - it was a fiver and a bit like concrete!. Closer to home, we have a genuine artisan bakery which is cheaper and better quality

FiveMoreMinutesPlease · 19/05/2026 05:49

Horribly uncomfortable wooden chairs. Not for me.

JulietteHasAGun · 19/05/2026 05:49

I’m in the north and we do have a couple of Gail’s close by. Had some breakfast/overnight oats the other week and they were delicious. Expensive but tasty.

AmIReallyTheGrownup · 19/05/2026 05:47

It’s inoffensive and reliable. Coffee is fine. Bread is nice. I like their blueberry muffins. I’d choose it over Costa, Pret & Nero but not an independent.

Our local one is absolutely heaving with revising teenagers at the moment, so no chance of a table.

DontShoutInMyEarholeTracey · 19/05/2026 05:46

The novelty of Gail’s wore off for me after repeatedly being sold luke warm coffee. It’s a lot of money to pay for a coffee that feels and tastes as though it needs a minute in the microwave. I don’t like having to say to staff it’s not hot enough and I don’t appreciate the look they give you or the no comment and the huffiness when they have to make another one. If they don’t like it being brought to their attention then they should make it properly in the first place.

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