What’s your favourite chain coffee shop?

[Newnamenewname109870]

Yes I know independents are much better (and I do support mine!) but when there’s no other option or the independents are shut, where do you go? Or maybe you have a favourite drink from one?

I actually quite like Nero and their Italian treats but there isn’t one near me. So I’m probably a costa girl. I like their Mac n cheese and their coffees are standard and good. Starbucks is always so busy, I don’t like giving my name and their coffees are small and weak. Saying that, I do love a caramel macchiato every now and then.

I see Pret as a busy lunch place and don’t feel I can sit in there very long so don’t tend to go there.

I knew you'd still get all the 'I would never dream of anything but an independent' people despite you heading them off in the first line, OP!

National Trust cafes do amazing coffee if that counts? We found one on holiday recently and ended up in there most days as I was missing my coffee machine from home - it's coming with us next time.

Anything but Costa. Coffee is bitter there. Boston Tea Party are ok but they're not everywhere so Nero's, Starbucks in that order.

Costa coffee is disgusting, way too much milk even in a flat white and it always feels really heavy. Nero is OK but not many near us.

Starbucks coffees are nice but with oat milk only. Pret is best for the food but there's no sit down ones near me. The coffee isn't bad.

Pret is by far the best for food and coffee. And they have the friendliest employees too.

I used to prefer Costa but after Starbucks made plant based milk free (I'm lactose intolerant) I decided to give it a go and I'm a convert! The cakes aren't as good as Costa but it at least stops me buying them...

Gail's - by a country mile!

Also whenever I have ended up having a Costa since my conversion to Starbucks I've really disliked it and surprised I ever liked it in the first place!

Nero
Their coffee has more depth than Costa Starbucks tastes like dishwater to me

Nero or Starbucks - always reliably good. Costa is truly vile. Greggs and McDonald's - only ever tried once and vowed never again.

Nero, if I can find a time when it isn’t overrun by uncontrolled yappy dogs whose owners seem to think everyone else should worship.

(Actually no issue with dogs in general, just the “fur baby” variety of owner)

Don’t drink coffee and the tea in all those places is revolting but Caffè Nero does the best hot chocolate imho.

Starbucks. I drink filter, so the bottomless cup suits me. The way Cafe Nero manage the queue does my nut in.

Greggs coffee is lovely, and much cheaper than the big chain coffee shops.

Nero. I won't even go inside Starfucks. American coffee No thanks!!!

I don't know if this would count but I love McDonald's coffee!

Gosh you're so clever and countercultural 🙄

Costa. It's better than our independent coffee shop which is absolutely undrinkable. I've never had a Starbucks.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do love Cafe Nero for a mean hot chocolate in the Winter. I don't rate Costa at all. Starbucks for their frapps are killer too when I'm feeling a bit naughty.

They all seem to be filled with people on laptops working or interviewing people in loud voices taking up most available tables.

Starbucks coffee is undrinkable - tastes of nothing. Nero if that's an option, then Costa for me but I don't go to any of them very often.

Coffee #1 as it often has an independent feel despite being a chain. Nicer food too!

I would pick Starbucks then Nero over costa, but they do a nice orange hot choc at Christmas.

Pret - good coffee and good sandwiches/croissants. Expensive now though. Really quick service.

Costa - grubby and terrible coffee

Starbucks - really expensive and meh coffee

Nero- quite nice but queue always takes ages. Not enough sandwich options.

Greggs- great value for a takeaway coffee and sausage roll

Overall Pret still wins for me.

Love a Costa cappuccino, apparently they have more caffeine than Starbucks?
Starbucks have better hot chocolate.
Not a coffee chain but the M&S cafe Colombian americano is nice.

Leon coffee is pretty much the best of the chains. Coco di Mama is fab too although there aren't many of them outside London.

I used to like Pret but their coffee has gone quite plasticky tasting of late. Starbucks is basic jump-leads-in-a-cup but generally OK. Nero coffee is quite nice but the way they manage queues is weird and stressful.