Café Nero (London) > Reviews > Caffe Nero-My number one coffee house in the UK

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Standard of Menu
Atmosphere
Standard of Service

Advantages:	Friendly staff, fast, efficient, nice decor, dont rush you out the door
Disadvantages:	a little pricey for some food

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

My first trip to a Caffe Nero was a few years ago in London. I popped in quickly and grabbed a capuccino with my mum. It was a cold winters morning, very early and we were on our way for a spot of shopping in Covent Garden. The coffee was just what we needed to wake up. Since that day I have become a regular visiter to caffe Nero's in London, and to several branches in Surrey where I live.

The company was founded in 1997 and so is relatively new. I had only ever seen them in London until the past year and a half when they suddenly began to pop up in all the towns I frequently find myself in. Caffe Nero now claim to have 205 stores nationwide.

After the first trip to cafe Nero, one of the things that brought me back was the fact that I could smoke inside whilst enjoying my coffee. This is no longer an issue as I no longer smoke, but still visit frequently. Having smokers in a coffee shop may put some people off, but ex-smokers are said to notice the smell of smoke more than people who have never smoked and I still visit without being bothered by the smoke as each of the branches I have visited have been well air conditioned. Even sitting in the smoking section it does not bother me, as it never gets too smokey.

Caffe Nero serves a wide range of drinks. On their menu is a wide variety of hot drinks, (Espresso Ristretto,Espresso Macchiato, Cappucino, Latte, Americano, hot chocolate, Earl Grey tea, English breakfast Tea, a variety of fruit teas), as well as their cold coffee specialities- the Ice Mocha and the Ice Latte.
These are both perfect on a hot summers day when the last thing you want is a hot coffee, but you really need that caffeine boost. As well as these, they also sell coca cola, milk, smoothies, orangina and fresh fruit juice. Tap water comes for free and there is no need to ask. There is always a jug sitting right by the sugar and spoons.
The hot drinks come in three different sizes and the price of a small hot drink ranges from about £1.35-£2.50. You must remember to pick up a blue wallet sized Nero loyalty card if you buy a hot drink. Show it to a cashier and they will stamp it for you with one stamp/hot drink you purchase. Once you have collected nine stamps you can get your 5th coffee for free.

When you visit caffe Nero you also may choose to grab a light bite to eat or perhaps lunch. They are a variety of muffins, chocolate bars, cakes, biscuits and pastrys (both sweet and savoury)for when your a little peckish, and when you are feeling slightly hungrier you have the option of buying sandwiches, wraps or pasta, all of which the staff are willing to heat. Food starts from about £1 for the small cakes, and stretches up to about £3.50 for some of the more expensive pasta dishes and wraps.

Whilst enjoying your food and drink you may choose to eat in (saving of approximatly 5p/drink if you eat out). All cafe Nero's have similar decor- blue walls with black board menus, with wooden tables and chairs and the odd comfy brown leather chair or sofa to lounge about on. They are also hooked up with wireless internet so if your lucky enough to own a modern laptop then you can surf the internet whilst enjoying a coffee.

One of the things that makes me keep coming back to Nero is the staff they employ. I have never met a rude member of staff there. They are all always friendly, helpful and keep the place looking nice and tidy. You can quite happily purchase one coffee at Nero and sit there for two or three hours. The staff will not get angry and are more than happy for you to do.

Since going to Caffe Nero for the first time, I have not been able to stop going back. I usually visit it once a week either withmy mother on a shopping trip, my boyfriend for lunch, with friends to cath up or on my own to do some quiet work. Cafe Nero never gets to noisy and with the tidy surroundings, complemented by the relaxing Jazz music i makes it the perfect place to catch up on some reading for University.

Cafe Nero is defiently the best you will get from a chain coffee shop in the UK. With its continental coffee house atmosphere (and often Italian and Spanish staff), you feel as though you could be sitting in the heart of Italy, not south east England!