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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:
BlackRowan · 19/05/2026 02:36

Their coffee is consistent quality (good flat white) and I like their mini brioches with smoked salmon and guacamole or with radishes or with salami and pickies

BigYellowBus · 19/05/2026 02:17

They do excellent value Too Good to Go bags (which almost always include one of their excellent scones)

JemimaTab · 19/05/2026 01:07

patooties · 18/05/2026 23:48

Well the blueberry custard brioche thing is a work of genius.

i hate that they won’t warm up croissant or savoury / quiche.

the GF sourdough bread is good.

dont believe the hype. I heard that the Liberal Democrat’s have drawn up a hit list of constituencies to target - those with a Gail’s make the cut!

I have to agree with you on the blueberry brioche. It’s amazing.
I do like their croissants (although they are HUGE), and love their olive baguettes. The prepared salads in pots are also really nice.

JKFan · 19/05/2026 01:03

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?

I agree. I had never heard of them until last year when a local business decided to change its focus and the owner said they would be more like Gail’s. I was in London a few weeks later and needed a light lunch, saw a Gail’s and decided to pop in to try it. I was left wondering what was so special that it would be used as a point of reference. What I had was pleasant enough, but nothing special. It seemed expensive, but that was difficult to judge given I knew I was paying London prices.

FloofyKat · 19/05/2026 00:44

Never heard of it. Maybe I need to get out more!

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 19/05/2026 00:09

Zonder · 18/05/2026 23:44

Nah, not for me.
BBC News - Posh sandwich has more salt than nearly five cheeseburgers, campaigners say - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g4l54g2ppo?app-referrer=deep-link

I was going to post that too.
The thought of unwittingly eating all that salt in one go honestly makes me feel unwell.

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 18/05/2026 23:55

I’ve never had anything from there that hasn’t been dry and overcooked.

Genuinely prefer Greggs.

Cornflowers35 · 18/05/2026 23:53

ThreeStripeQueen · 18/05/2026 23:35

I haven’t quite got over the one near me telling me they were out of toast despite there being shelves of bread and people clearly making sandwiches with more bread.

Out of toast 😱

That being said I do like their mushroom and caramelised onion quiche. But it's not cheap, so only on the very odd occasion will I get one.

InterestedDad37 · 18/05/2026 23:51

Zonder · 18/05/2026 23:44

Nah, not for me.
BBC News - Posh sandwich has more salt than nearly five cheeseburgers, campaigners say - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g4l54g2ppo?app-referrer=deep-link

Yes, I saw that too. Obviously a successful business, but that salt content is a shocker!
Maccy D for the win! 😉 🍔✅ 🥪❌

patooties · 18/05/2026 23:48

Well the blueberry custard brioche thing is a work of genius.

i hate that they won’t warm up croissant or savoury / quiche.

the GF sourdough bread is good.

dont believe the hype. I heard that the Liberal Democrat’s have drawn up a hit list of constituencies to target - those with a Gail’s make the cut!

Zonder · 18/05/2026 23:44

Nah, not for me.
BBC News - Posh sandwich has more salt than nearly five cheeseburgers, campaigners say - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g4l54g2ppo?app-referrer=deep-link

ACynicalDad · 18/05/2026 23:40

Better than starbucks

Original poster
BarrellChested · 18/05/2026 23:40

Some good tips here, I’ll maybe give it a few more visits before I form a firm opinion.

OP posts:
ThreeStripeQueen · 18/05/2026 23:35

I haven’t quite got over the one near me telling me they were out of toast despite there being shelves of bread and people clearly making sandwiches with more bread.

Defiantly41 · 18/05/2026 23:34

Best scones ever. Flourless chocolate cake also great if, like me, you don’t like most of the super sweet junk that passes for cake these days. Sandwiches look good (not tried) but are £££. And the no pastry quiche/frittata things are good if you’ve had enough stodge

MyDuvetDay · 18/05/2026 23:30

It’s not exceptional. But it’s a signifier of a gentrified middle class high street so people get excited about that I suppose

Mayflower282 · 18/05/2026 23:29

Yeah I don’t get the hype either. Overpriced if you ask me.

Lemonfrost · 18/05/2026 23:26

The cinnamon buns and the San Francisco sour dough are out of this world! They are pretty expensive, but absolutely delicious 🙂

LadyCustardCreme · 18/05/2026 23:25

I went in. And I went out again.