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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:
Crikeyalmighty · 31/12/2025 17:51

I’m in Stockholm at the moment and their big chain ‘espresso house’ is so much nicer, sofas, plants , nicer coffee , better snack foods and priced same as UK . We used to use it when we lived in Copenhagen too . Then again ‘most’ people seem to clear up after themselves -

Crikeyalmighty · 31/12/2025 17:53

Aluna · 31/12/2025 17:30

Horrid, cafe Nero is better coffee and Pret is better food.

Edited

Pret is much better food- actually not exactly cheap but pretty good I think

FolioQuarto · 31/12/2025 17:53

I never go to Costa, apart from when I'm occasionally in a nearby town. Even then I don't buy a drink, just use their toilet which is cleaner than the public ones. I asked once and they are happy with that. If I have any change I drop it in a charity box on the counter.

Our town has very good indie cafes, there is no need to go to a chain.

Chefpig · 31/12/2025 17:54

There was a documentary where traces of fecal matter were found on the food if I remember correctly.

Blogswife · 31/12/2025 17:55

It’s vastly overpriced and really not very good . Not as bad as Starbucks tho

SevenYellowHammers · 31/12/2025 17:55

You’re 100% OP Costa, Greggs, Starbucks, Macbloodydonalds, they are all miserable experiences- insist on a decent independent place or don’t bother, they are always a disappointment.

hardhatson · 31/12/2025 18:00

It probably is just your local - mine is fine. The staff are friendly and happy to make custom drinks, the cafe is clean, and the food/drinks taste decent enough. I’ve never had a dud drink or stale food, it’s good for a quick work lunch.

I’d say Starbucks is much worse for being overpriced.

but overall, what are you expecting from Costa and the like? I see them as basic coffee shops, I’m not expecting a life changing or decadent experience. It’s like one tier above Greggs but lower than a restaurant.

Katemax82 · 31/12/2025 18:02

My daughter and I normally have a pleasant experience in Costa. However I took her to the one that's like an open one in the middle of a shopping centre and it was grim! Not enough glasses so I had one that was plucked from the dishwasher (not sure they even rinsed it properly) all the tables were messy so I had to ask for one to be cleaned and it was right next to the bin. I'm not going back to that one! They're opening a drive through in my town luckily as my daughter is quite partial to a frappe especially after medical appointments

Mushroo · 31/12/2025 18:03

Notmymarmosets · 31/12/2025 17:21

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

Show quote history

Same! And Greggs and Macdonalds. They all do an ok cup at a great price

ScarletWitchM · 31/12/2025 18:04

PaisleyPrit · 31/12/2025 17:34

People say Costa coffee is bad, but you get the exact same answers if you ask about Nero, Starbucks, McDonald’s, small coffee shops.

There’s never any consensus and most people say it’s crap. So where is anyone supposed to find ‘good’ coffee?

Non chain coffee places - or independent companies

Sutant0 · 31/12/2025 18:05

hardhatson · 31/12/2025 18:00

It probably is just your local - mine is fine. The staff are friendly and happy to make custom drinks, the cafe is clean, and the food/drinks taste decent enough. I’ve never had a dud drink or stale food, it’s good for a quick work lunch.

I’d say Starbucks is much worse for being overpriced.

but overall, what are you expecting from Costa and the like? I see them as basic coffee shops, I’m not expecting a life changing or decadent experience. It’s like one tier above Greggs but lower than a restaurant.

No it isn’t. I’ve tried several. They’re all consistent in their shitness.

JurgenKloppsTeeth · 31/12/2025 18:07

I do love their chocolate tiffin, but the sandwiches are expensive and uniformly beige. The veggie offering is pretty poor.

jemim · 31/12/2025 18:08

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

You are aware this is a chat forum? People actually have all sorts of things they feel like talking about. Even if they don’t actually “need” anything.

Anyway OP, you’re not wrong. And they always feel grubby and sticky with absolutely filthy toilets.

Toastythesnowman · 31/12/2025 18:10

We go to our nearest one a fair bit because all the independent coffee shops in our town are closed by 3pm.

It's fine, basic food & drink offering, plenty of seating, loos are clean, yeah I'd prefer to support an independent but they're not open when I'm taking the kids for a post school snack.

Justamum25 · 31/12/2025 18:12

have to say I really went off costa and it’s overpriced coffee after seeing this.
i had double mastectomy and it’s a pretty harsh operation.Vulnerable young people being shown that having healthy bosoms removed is normal if not trendy? To sell coffee? No thanks, horrendous.

TheDenimPoet · 31/12/2025 18:13

I think they're quite overpriced, but at the same time whenever I've been it's always been perfectly nice, so wouldn't say I hated it. I never go for coffee though, always a hot chocolate.

whiteroseredrose · 31/12/2025 18:13

Costa are OK but I prefer Cafe Nero. They let dogs in and have some vegan options.

Can't stand Starbucks. Tasteless coffee.

Miranda65 · 31/12/2025 18:14

100% agree. The coffee is slimy, and cold. I don't know how they are so successful.

Justamum25 · 31/12/2025 18:16

Sorry, forgot to add photo, but any company that thinks this is ok puts me off.

To hate Costa?
Tresd · 31/12/2025 18:18

I mean it’s not wonderful, but it does the job.

worcesterpear · 31/12/2025 18:18

I agree and hate that they are everywhere. It is so expensive too, I think part of their popularity is in the variety of drinks with special syrups etc, but I have gone off them and especially hate when they ask if you want cream, only to find out it's vegan crap. If you ask if it's proper cream, they say something like 'we can give you dairy cream if you like' in a begrudging sort of way. Surely they should tell you they are serving a substandard product beforehand.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 31/12/2025 18:19

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

Costa is one of those places MN loves to look down on because they are seen as being cheap and nasty. See also Greggs, Weatherspoons, Morrisons and so on.

Notmyreality · 31/12/2025 18:19

Chefpig · 31/12/2025 17:54

There was a documentary where traces of fecal matter were found on the food if I remember correctly.

Test any food and I guarantee there will be traces of fecal matter.

Even your food at home..

Notmyreality · 31/12/2025 18:21

These days I’ve moved away from Starbucks and Costa and much prefer a Greggs or MacDonalds caramel or toffee latte.

TomatoSandwiches · 31/12/2025 18:25

Ham cheese toastie is alright in a pinch, too noisy to sit and eat in though, far too loud.