Starbucks

I am usually a big fan of Starbucks, and I hate to write negative reviews on this but my recent visit on Thursday was very disappointing. I called in for a quick coffee and to feed my baby, the table we sat at was sticky.
I then visited the baby changing facilities. Absolutely filthy! The changing board had run out of the covers, and there was mould, dust and grime in the corners of the changing board. This dirt looked like it had been growing in there for a considerable period of time.
Lucky I had my own wipes to quickly clean and my own mat I could put down but had to wash everything when we got home.
This could all be avoided if there was a proper cleaning schedule in place. It’s unfair to expect paying customers to put their babies on a filthy mat to get changed.

Great Starbucks in the heart of Belfast that has recently undergone a facelift. There’s superb seating both downstairs and upstairs. The upstairs seating has great views over corn market. There’s often long queues at this particular Starbucks but that’s mainly down to the location.
I’m usually an Anericanno man but I recently deviated to a flat white and I was left a little disappointed with the offering.
No real complaints about this Starbucks but no real highlights either. It is what it is.

Quite a good little Starbucks, located within Victoria Square. It’s the same as all others in the chain, so you know exactly what to expect.
I do like Starbucks mellow, smooth, rich coffee as it tastes naturally sweeter and less acidic and harsh on the palate than coffee served by some other cafes. Plus they always have fresh soya milk and a good range of sweet things, sandwiches and wraps.
In particular I like to sit outside (weather permitting) as it’s a great people watching spot and you can view all the antics occurring at the Kitchen Bar…

I’m not really a big Starbucks fan in general as I find there is a bit too much style over substance for me. The places are well decorated and styled and the staff are usually pretty spot on, friendly and welcoming.
The trouble is the coffee itself, for me it’s just too bland, it’s not that the coffee is bad tasting, it’s just that even with an extra shot in there, it doesn’t pack the same rich full body that I’m used to from other coffee shops. Most of the other shops from local and national chains just seem to deliver a fuller, stronger espresso based drink.
Occasionally there will be a guest coffee blend that lifts the experience, but it’s still not quite strong enough and after a week or two its gone.
The particular Starbucks is handy for me in terms of location so I still find myself popping in more than you might expect, but then the staff are nice, the wifi usually works well enough and you can always get a seat as it always seems to hover around the sweet spot between too busy and too quiet.
*Just a side note — there seems to be a little confusion as the photos attached to this profile are actually for another Starbucks in Corn Market on the other side of the Victoria Centre.*

Called in for after lunch frappuccinos with work on the basis that it was a nice day and the refreshment would go down a treat.
My colleague Niamh had mentioned that they were expensive so I was prepared for the £3.50 price tag.
When we got there, the line took quite a while to get through. Again, Niamh was pretty angry about this! I felt sorry for the staff because they were clearly trying their best and fraps do not look easy to make.
In the end we all got served, and I went for the red berry flavour which was yummy! I would def go back but maybe not with Niamh!

Really don’t understand why people knock Starbucks. I think the food is always really fresh and tasty and the range of drinks is impressive. As an avid tea drinker I think their english breakfast tea tastes quite different but in a nice way. The tea bags are large and contain actual tea leaves as apposed to granules. Very flavourful. Their hot chocolate has to be one of the best Ive had bar Costa Coffee. Yes it can be pricey but for decent friendly service and free wifi and a nice quiet atmosphere its right up there!

One like the other Starbucks attempts to pride itself on the design, warming and welcoming atmosphere and consistently high standard of its coffee… I do have a few issues with those points however.
Firstly the samey nature of every Starbucks store is depressing on an epic scale. It’s not personable, it is devoid of personality entirely. Secondly the range of coffee on offer is patronising and ridiculous.
Getting people to drink £4 coffee which has the word ‘berry’ ‘cinnamon’ ‘hazelnut’ ‘mocha’ and others in the same name is madness. It stops being coffee, it stopped be/#ing coffee an awfully long time ago. There’s nothing worse than meeting someone for a black caffeinated drink to find them ordering what is a glorified hot chocolate with a multitude of flavours and cream.
Oh, and the quality of the coffee isn’t anywhere near as good as many of the other big name stores or independents.

«The layout and atmosphere of Starbucks stores are specifically designed to be cosy and intimate, while at the same time providing people with their own personal space to use as they wish. The combination of sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and chairs, bars and stools and meeting room tables means that there is something for everyone.
«Those looking for peace and quiet away from home or the office can relax and linger in an armchair and escape into a book, whilst those looking for an intimate place to meet friends can huddle on a sofa and chat over a mug of coffee, as they would in their own home. Soft lighting and background music make the experience complete.»
As I have said before, coffee isn’t for me. I prefer a nice cuppa and this isn’t the place for me. People love Starbucks but I think its terrible. There is no ambience that isn’t painted on the walls. Always busy and not a nice place to spend any time, despite their claims to the contrary.