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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:
Boomer55 · 31/12/2025 16:32

Overpriced and naff. Much like Starbucks.

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/12/2025 16:32

I still have a grudge against them for discontinuing bonfire spice hot chocolate and mint choc chip frostinos, although maybe my waistline would thank them.

Original poster
StrawberryMumWave · 31/12/2025 16:33

Boomer55 · 31/12/2025 16:32

Overpriced and naff. Much like Starbucks.

Agreed! I hate Starbucks too, can’t stand them either.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 31/12/2025 16:33

You can hate whatever you like, it’d a bit much to hate it but it’s fine. Has someone said you are unreasonable? Not really sure what you need here

ErrolTheDragon · 31/12/2025 16:35

I’d generally prefer to use an independent cafe but IME at least the coffee does taste of something reasonably pleasant unlike Starbucks which really is dire.

Coffeeishot · 31/12/2025 16:36

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?

I also hate it i don't like most foamy coffees though, i will go with Dh though and have a tea or in the summer I like their tea coolers .

purplecorkheart · 31/12/2025 16:37

Only reason I used them was because of the location of my nearest branch. I went there one day and witnessed horrendous staff bullying by a manager to what appeared to a new member of staff. I emailed head office but heard nothing back.

I did use once otherwise recently at a service station and in contrast the staff were lovely to each other and the customers. It was super quiet and they asked me about the book I was reading and offered suggestions what to read next.

Fairyvocals · 31/12/2025 16:37

Couldn’t agree more. It’s depressing and shit.

Silvertulips · 31/12/2025 16:38

I hate the wait!!!

Froth disappeared by the time it arrives!!!

SomewhereInMyHeart · 31/12/2025 16:38

I’m not a huge fan of their coffee (too weak and milky) but I was in there buying a voucher for someone and ended up buying myself a slice of cake to take home! It was amazing. 3 layers with lots of icing and jam. Also met a friend there and had a surprisingly nice toastie although it was ready suspiciously quickly

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!

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.

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

Sharpzebra · 31/12/2025 16:42

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

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.

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.

Justlostmybagel · 31/12/2025 16:44

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Somersetbaker · 31/12/2025 16:51

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

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