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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:
Fingalscave · 31/12/2025 16:51

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

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.

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.

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!!

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

Matronic6 · 31/12/2025 17:03

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

Goditsmemargaret · 31/12/2025 17:09

Costa is outrageously crap.

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.

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

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.

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 31/12/2025 17:14

The coffee is atrocious. But I had a sandwich at one recently and it was okay.

Mushroo · 31/12/2025 17:16

It’s the Wetherspoons of coffee chains. I don’t like the cups they use, the size of the coffees is ridiculous (no one needs basically the litre of milk that is a ‘large’) and the food is awful.

All overly processed, not fresh and sugar laden.

I hate it so much - they’re never clean either.

I only go when there is no other option and always regret it.

moggerhanger · 31/12/2025 17:16

I agree that they're grubby, with dirty and scuffed floors and walls, tables not cleared (and when they are they're left sticky). I prefer Nero.

BarbaraKirksKaftan · 31/12/2025 17:18

I used to love Costa 25 years ago but I haven’t been in years after a couple of disappointing visits. I have been enjoying Cafe Nero recently.
I am also not a fan of Black Sheep.

TamarindCottage · 31/12/2025 17:19

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’d rather go to Greggs

Notmymarmosets · 31/12/2025 17:21

Mushroo · 31/12/2025 17:16

It’s the Wetherspoons of coffee chains. I don’t like the cups they use, the size of the coffees is ridiculous (no one needs basically the litre of milk that is a ‘large’) and the food is awful.

All overly processed, not fresh and sugar laden.

I hate it so much - they’re never clean either.

I only go when there is no other option and always regret it.

I actually prefer wetherspoons for coffee! And our wetherspoons, mcds and even Greggs are much much cleaner.

MikeRafone · 31/12/2025 17:21

I went to a costa in the summer with dd and when I asked for a decafe coffee they explained they couldn't do that particular coffee decafe as it was instant coffee and they didn't have any decafe costa instant - I had hot choc

but why would I want instant coffee and pay £4 for it

other told me on here that it wasn't decafe, but that was what the serving woman told me and showed me the tub of instant coffee

UniquePinkSwan · 31/12/2025 17:21

Much prefer it to stuck up Independent coffee shops. Charging a fortune for coffee that’s no better than what you get elsewhere

Maddy70 · 31/12/2025 17:21

It's dirty and overpriced

Disturbia81 · 31/12/2025 17:22

Yes it’s always dirty and cheap furniture. Much prefer caffe nero

cheeseomelette · 31/12/2025 17:22

Everything is so sickly sweet and expensive in there and it usually smells of burnt cheese toastie

i remember getting an Americano for under £2 and that mulled apple they used to do. I don’t need an 800 calorie coffee

Sutant0 · 31/12/2025 17:24

The coffee is vile, with an over sweet artificial tang and every type of coffee tasting the same. Stale artificial cakes, dirty tables. The single piece of sliced mushroom and teaspoon of artificial egg I had in an egg and mushroom breakfast bap sums up the food.

I really hope they start closing outlets so we can have access to better choice- preferably independent.

muddyford · 31/12/2025 17:24

The two Costas I use are clean, friendly, and the cakes are fresh. I usually have cold milk and sometimes I am not charged for it.

Hockorydickerydock · 31/12/2025 17:25

So much prefer star bucks and yes I know they don’t pay tax and I hate that as well!

berlinbaby2025 · 31/12/2025 17:26

They've been struggling for a while and no wonder when you consider their over expansion of branches and crazy prices. Caffè Nero is the better chain.