Fifi and Ally

Ordered a sandwich on white bread which arrived on brown. Drinks took almost half an hour to arrive without any apology for the delay.

Going on what I had seen on other review websites I was a bit sceptical. Went along using an itison voucher for a slice of cake and either tea it coffee for two. Supposedly full price would have been £15.
Obviously inflated prices due to surroundings. Great for a spot of people watching. Glad I went on deal but after visiting its ticked off my to-​do-​list but wouldn’t return. Just ok.

as glasgow is not my home city, i’m not always sure where to go when i need something to eat during my shopping extravaganza. however, princes square has a number of restaurants and i remembered the fifi and ally was one of them. i’d walked past the other branch a few times and had thought it would be nice to try. when we found this branch on sunday, i thought why not, now is as good a time as any.
the first thing i have to say about fifi and ally is that princes square is a rather rubbish location for this restaurant. they are squeezed into a tiny location with a small number of tables in front of the restaurant and then a small dining room inside. it’s done up fairly nicely but it felt a bit stuffy and lacking of natural light. in other words it was very obvious that we were dining in a shopping centre and not a proper restaurant.
the menu has a number of decent options and we saw a sharing board go to another table that looked fairly impressive. we ended up just ordering some sandwiches though as we had plans to go out for dinner when back in edinburgh. i had the mature cheddar and tomato chutney on brown bread. my boyfriend had the club. sandwiches took awhile to arrive so we know they were made fresh, but i wasn’t overly impressed. the tomato chutney oddly enough came on the side instead of on my sandwich, but i remedied this quickly. there was a small side salad that had a nice dressing on it as well.
over all it was enjoyable, but not so for the price. it seemed a bit expensive since we got two sandwiches and one soda, the bill came to £20! for sandwiches that had nothing but a few salad leaves on the side. so i’m glad i finally tried this place, but i don’t know if i’ll go back.

We were given an afternoon tea as a Christmas gift so felt we had left sufficient festive flab time to feel less guilty about taking it today. As it was a Monday we’ll forgive the fact that it was fairly quiet as I know it’s usually choca at the weekends. I have to say, we tend to avoid Fifi and Ally because experience has shown us that it’s overpriced. Although what we got on the afternoon tea selection was all tasty, the price was not comparable. Top tip is to ask for another tea or coffee: a friend joined us and had a cappuccino and when we went to pay for this on its own we were told that it was included in our package as we each get two drinks. How many other people do they forget to tell? Despite some previous comments about the staff our waitress was very nice and efficient, which earns it one star extra.

This was my third or fourth time going to one of the Fifi & Ally locations. It had been a while, but out of the options in Princess Square, it was the one that appealed to me the most.
We opted for the all day breakfast menu with a glass of prosecco to treat ourselves. My OH had the full Scottish Breakfast and I had the scrambled eggs with smoked whole salmon. Both dishes were delicious and the scrambled eggs were some of the best I ever had.
I didn’t expect it to be as affordable looking at the surrounding restaurants, but it turned out to be cheaper than expected — £25 for everything (including extra bread).
Our waiter was very attentive and kind and we are looking forward to going back to have the HIgh Tea for Two, as we were drooling over other peoples tables!

i was deceived by a fifi and ally cupcake… a complete parade rainer.

I always love the idea of Fifi and Ally. I go there with my ‘cupcake buddy’ and we get coffee and a cake.
Well, that’s when we can GET a coffee and a cake.
For some reason the staff are so preoccupied doing heaven-​knows-​what that they don’t have time to seat you, or take your order, or serve your food.
I always go back hoping things will be better this time, but no. I ended up getting my coffee after I’d already finished my cake.
Boo for the service, Fifi and Ally. Boo.

You will see from my profile’s stats that dishing out a one star review is not something I do lightly. A place has to be truly dreadful and even then I can sometimes give it the benefit of the doubt. I’m afraid, however, I’m not willing to do that here.
Judging from other Unilocaler’s comments something, somewhere has gone seriously wrong with Fifi and Ally in recent years.
You see, going here was something of a treat for my girlfriend and I. It looks the part, it’s relatively pricey and it’s situated in a prime location in one of Glasgow’s swankiest spots. Couple this, however, with unfriendly staff and completely uninspiring food and I’m afraid you’re always going to be on to a loser.
My experience here sounds much the same as the sort of experiences others have bemoaned. My disinterested waitress barely said two words to us, failed to apologise for a mistake in our order and looked genuinely aggrieved not to be presented with a tip. I, too, got a soup and sandwich combo which was truly appalling value for money.
Whether it’s complacency borne of the guaranteed custom a unit in Princes Square banks you, I don’t know. All I know is I will be avoiding this place like the plague unless I hear of monumental progress.

I used to adore Fifi and Ally and used to love coming here with my friends to get «High Tea for Two» which was a selection of sandwiches and homemade cakes and scones on a gorgeous cake stand. Their soup and sandwich deal was also one of my favourites. The old staff used to be really friendly and helpful but sadly this all went out the window around 2 – 3 years ago.
I’m not sure if it was taken over by new management but something has gone seriously wrong! There’s a woman who’s like the Wicked Witch of the West who constantly shouts at the staff which makes the atmosphere really uncomfortable and not a pleasant place to sit in.
In addition the this, the food isn’t good anymore and the whole place is just an absolute shambles, the staff don’t seem to have a clue what is going on and the service is hopeless.
I haven’t been back to Fifi and Ally for a couple of years now. It used to be my favourite haunts for lunch but after a few too many disappointing visits I decided there wasn’t much point in going back. After reading the other reviews I can see that nothing has improved.

Look up «style over substance» in the Collins Dictionary and you will see the face of a Fifi and Ally waitress glaring back at you. I stupidly decided to visit this café after reading a rave review in The List. I don’t know why the magazine got it so wrong this time as it is usually spot on.
My boyfriend and I visited for lunch a few days ago. Several factors regarding this restaurant resulted in it being a pretty grim experience.
On arrival, we asked the nearest waitress if a particular table was free. She responded with a nod and what can only be described as a growl (the small blonde features described by a previous reviewer matched our waitress, could be the same person).
We then ordered Gorgonzola and pear salad (for me) and a spicy tomato soup with a roast beef sandwich (for him). When I requested water, the waitress asked me to clarify if I meant still or sparkling. Despite answering still, a different male waiter brought a bottle of sparkling over. When I informed him of his mistake he said «oh» and took it away with no apology.
My salad was okay, if not overpriced. A dollop of cheese was placed alongside the salad instead of scattered in it which just seemed lazy. My boyfriend’s soup and salad however, was absolutely garbage. The portion was tiny (the soup was served in a tea cup) and the sandwich was made up of a sliver of roast beef that looked like it was bought in Tesco, bunged in two bits of tiny wholemeal bread with no relish, or salad. He was charged £7.95 for a portion similar to what you would pay £3 for in Henry Healey’s. Daylight robbery.
To illustrate how bad this place was, I should point out I have never sent a dish in a restaurant back in my life but I tried to convince my boyfriend to tell the waitress he was not paying £8 for the most bland soup and sandwich that wouldn’t fill up a mouse.
With tons of great cafes and restaurant in Glasgow, there is absolutely no reason to be ripped off by Fifi and Ally’s. Avoid at all costs.

Very much a hit and miss venue for me, Fifi and Ally is an upmarket restaurant and wine bar with a couple of locations in the city centre. It has irritatingly trendy décor and the feeling of a very «in» place to be, but to me seems to be far more style than substance.
On our first visit we went for the afternoon tea At £20 for what is effectively a tray of fancy sandwiches, and cakes with a pot of tea, you’d expect big things, and we weren’t disappointed. It was excellent, with particular hats off to the scones.
Our next visit however, was less impressive. We just went for sandwiches this time, crayfish and salmon to be exact, and while they were ok, they didn’t provide the taste sensation that they’re £6.95 price tag suggested they should. The service was also a bit dodgy on this visit and the staff didn’t even bother to clear away our plates once we’d finished, which is a pet hate of mine.
It’s usually very busy and a popular lunch spot, but after the second visit I never really felt like returning.

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I was a little disappointed when I visited this place again yesterday.
Having met up with a good friend who’d just arrived in the city, we decided to escape the rain and toast our reunion with a glass of wine. When approaching Fifi and Ally we were met by a small blonde 16-​year-​old– looking– waitress who quite rudely demanded for ID (I’m 23 and had just finished work so was wearing my office attire).
I have nothing against providing ID-I’ve worked in a bar and know it can be difficult to guess someone’s age, however her accusing, patronising tone was so unwelcoming I almost left. I was pretty relieved when a different waitress served us.
Also, at 5pm I felt this place really lacked atmosphere. Best saved for later in the evening.

Fifi and Ally is a very ‘pretty’ place.
I felt slightly out of place here amongst the hoards of older fur-​clad, pashmina donned ladies of leisure, being a 20 something year old student, wearing Primark’s finest.
The surroundings are highly classy, with a classy but simple menu to match. Everything costs that little bit more, (ok, maybe a LOT more), but some of the food is brilliant — especially the cakes, which, by the by, taste amazing!
If you’re not really ‘feeling it’, a game of ‘guess the type of dog’ on the wallpaper (it’s black velvet-​like silhouettes of dogs on a white wallpaper) won’t go a miss.

As the credit crunch hits, everyone needs a little luxury a little bit more. Even if you are only window-​shopping, this is a great place to spend not too much and still feel special. The service is not snooty, and the cupcakes are divine. You can browse for all sorts of things you do not need, and buy something simple like a tealight or a bar of chocolate. I would recommend Fifi and Ally as a place where you can still get the authentic Princes Square experience and where it will only cost you as much as you actually have to spend. A good investment!

I was very impressed with my last visit to this place. I ordered a soup and a sandwich and it was delicious, though it was quite expensive! If you fancy having a girly lunch, come to this place as you can have afternoon tea with loads of different cakes and pastries combined with a glass of bubbly for around £18 and just watching the world go by. The staff could be a bit more helpful as I did wait a while for the bill but overall, its quite a trendy place to go to for lunch. Its quite small so during busy times, you might not be able to get a table, but if you do, its worth it for the good quality of the food.

This is a very classy place! The atmospher of princes sq just adds to the experience. The food is a bit on the expensive side and a bit frilly but I would say it is worth it. I went recently with a girlfriend when we had a girly shopping trip and we felt a little decadent with Bucks Fizz and the Scrummy Celtic Platter for lunch.
On a more practical note we arrive just after 12 and were seated straight away but another half hour later and there was a bit of a que. I would image it would be very packed at the weekend which may detract from the atmospher and decadence.

Its very expensive, but somewhere nice to take your mum or a friend.

Fantastic!!! But avoid a Saturday!!! The place can be packed and a huge queue outside! Worth the wait, but it’s more relaxed during the week. Staff are friendly and food is yummy. Try an open board, I would recommend a Celtic — excellent choice of organic and local produces. It’s about time a bit of London came to Glasgow.

This place is absolutely amazing! I can’t praise it enough. I stumbled on it after having a mill around Princes Square to see what was new since my last visit and came accross this gem. I now go everytime I am in Glasgow — even if it’s just for a cuppa and cake!
The meringues are to die for! And what a selection to choose from! I’m slowly working my way through itstrawberry, rasberry, toffee, pralineThe cupcakes are little works of art. They don’t come cheap — this is the high end of the price bracket but worth every penny! They’re a real treat
I recommend the Caesar Salad with Crayfish — delicious!
You can sit inside, but I prefer the seating area outside, where you can take in the beautiful surroundings — and relative quiet of the top level of Princes Square.
The shop inside offers all sorts of unusual gift ideas, and together with the take away option for cakes etc, it is easy not to leave empty handed!
On my next visit I’m heading to the Wellington Street to try it out. Can’t wait!
Apparently they do deliveries for parties/​corporate events (for 5 guests +) — if only they would deliver to Edinburgh!

Pricey, but it is Princes Square and have you seen their cupcakes? The best cupcakes this side of NY, they’re hand decorated, with butter icing, and absolutely delicious. Fifi and Ally also have the most exciting breakfast menu I’ve seen in a long time — toasted pannetone with berries, porridge with caramelised banana, and Bloody Marys all served up from 8am. Where to start? Organic and wholegrains feature heavily on the lunch and dinner menu, the food is luxurious, delicious and fairly healthy. If you can avoid the temptation of the cupcakes that is.