December 2023 by AkinAli88
Lovely spot for coffee - this is a fantastic location in the centre of Cambridge. Definitely worth a visit.
December 2023 by Sara B
I visited this café twice while I was in Cambridge, so I certainly recommend it. I enjoyed the ambiance a lot. It felt cozy and comfortable. Coffee, croissant, and cream tea were all delightful.
December 2023 by TeslinC
My friend and I hadn't visited for a year. Since the change of management during Covid, I hadn't been overly impressed; although the atmosphere/setting was still good, the coffee was nowhere near as good as the previous 'Illey' on offer and the food far more expensive. However, I was actually pleasantly surprised today. The 'Flat white' has definitely improved since this time last year - now being at proper strength as opposed to the large, milky offering of before. I thought all the staff seemed fairly friendly, although the service was very slow and I agree with a previous reviewer, having the card machine in the middle of the counter, rather than the end, seems really odd. I also had a concern that other people in the queue can now easily see details of the card of the payee. You definitely need to change that and move the payment section back to the end of the queue. We didn't try the food, but it looked appetising and I thought maybe the prices had been reduced a bit, but that might have been wishful thinking. However, it is a shame that the menu could not have continued as it was pre Covid time; i.e. with a wide variety of nutritious, interesting salads, quiches and soup and cheese scones (the latter used to be really reasonably priced) along with a small selection of good quality cakes and cookies. Lastly, I did think it was a little on the cool side, but none the less, it is still a very pleasant, relaxing environment to meet up with friends or just for a solo break from shopping!
November 2023 by GerbilQueen
So sad the cafe has reduced its menu and changed its service. There is very little hot food now and no chips! which were always so good. The only food was ciabattas and both offerings had pork in, New York pastrami baguettes or spinach and mushroom sausage type rolls. The cake selection was also very limited. We used to really enjoy coming here for the freshly cooked and locally sourced food, but I don't think the coffee alone is enough of a pull for us now and sadly we will have to find another lunch venue on our visits to Cambridge. Being a gluten intolerant vegetarian there is nothing for me to eat here anymore. I am very sorry to give such a poor review of somewhere I have really enjoyed over the past fews years and sincerely hope that they change tack again and again offer real wholesome home cooked food in a lovely environment.
November 2023 by nomiseoc
Go to this cafe a lot for a drink and a snack. The last few weeks it really has lost the plot. Service slow and staff very indifferent compared to what it was. The till has moved to the wrong end of the counter?why? You now order then have to go back through the queue to pay. A simple thing but it doesn?t work.
November 2023 by Joan J
Sadly very poor rating of what was a great place for coffee and for lunch. No hot food, used to have great casseroles etc had a cold quiche and my friend asked for her pastry roll to be heated and was told, "We don't do that'. Not enough staff,so long waits. Bring back our lovely cafe.
November 2023 by Dawn M
Met up with a group of friends for lunch mid week- a group that meets very regularly at this cafe. We were all so disappointed. There was no hot food and no explanation why, the staff were rude, the place was cold and the food that was available was overpriced- all in the setting of a church!! We will be going elsewhere from now on, which is a great shame as it used to be so good!
October 2023 by jamescotton1975
Nipped in for a jacket potato with chilli and cheese. Plate arrived and I was surprised to get a burned potato that was very difficult to cut into with about a table spoon of chilli. The side salad garnish was nice though. I hate complaining but decided to mention to a server that there was barely any chilli. The server apologised and said she would bring some more chilli. I waited 10 minutes and by this time the food had got cold. I asked again and another staff member (red headed - didn?t get her name) came over and said that the chill portion was the standard size and they wouldn?t be bringing more. I said I had waited 10 minutes and now my food was cold. I was told that there was nothing they could so begrudgingly I ate my cold burnt potato with its dribble of cold chilli. Just as I finished my food the same lady walked up to my table and slammed down a bowl of chilli and said without any niceties that the ticket had already gone to the chef so we could have it. Usually this is a nice place to get a quick lunch but the service by the supervisor was appalling. Shame.
September 2023 by Getaway26290922253
First of all, we did not go there for food, so can?t comment on that. This post is more about the staff attitude. It was Sunday 4:15pm. My friend and I were walking around in Cambridge city centre and she needed to use a washroom as she got her hands dirty. The door was open and we did not realised the time as they closed at 4pm, so this is our fault to start with. My friend went into the cafe, hoping to borrow the facilities, but the male staff just told her to get out. My friend then leave the cafe promptly but the staff proceeded to come out to the area outside and told her off again, with other tourists / locals around. We have explained that we did not realise that they were closed and said that there is no need to be rude, he then proceeded to mock us by repeating what we said in silly girly voices and dance. We then leave the area completely to avoid further interaction with him. There is no need for any of that, just a simple ?I am sorry, we are closed. Please leave? would be sufficient. Coming out to the street and the mocking at the end is totally unnecessary and certainly very rude. I cannot believe that a hospitality business is behaving like this. I do wonder if we were male customers or were there with our male partners, would he still behave like that. We weren?t there for food and certainly would not go near that place ever again.
August 2023 by Gill Lewis
love the quality of their garments
August 2023 by r383ccaCgb
Ive always wanted to come into this cafe to try it. Set in such a glorious setting, the cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and has plenty to offer on the menu. It felt very nostalgic. I will come back with family next time
August 2023 by Zainab F
I opened a TripAdvisor account purely to praise this wonderful cafe. It's just perfection - delicious food and excellent service in a perfect setting! High ceilings and august surroundings coupled with lovely food and excellent service. Don't miss it!
August 2023 by Cambridgelocaleater
Terrible. Cold, congealed food and staff response was the worst I have ever seen. They took away a half eaten plate of food (breakfast ciabatta) because it was missing most of the breakfast! When I took it back, I have to wait ten minutes while they argue about whether they got it wrong (finally admitting that they did). They take the cooling food, add the missing ingredient, and bring it back to me cold with the bite still missing. Meanwhile, of course, my coffee has gone completely cold. They offer a refund but only refund part of the meal (not the coffee). When I explain them what they did wrong (without being abusive, please note, just about handing back a half eaten plate of cold food), the till server ignores me and turns away to another customer without even saying sorry. In general, this is one of the slowest places for service in all of Cambridge and the food has got steadily worse since they changed owners a couple of years ago. I won't be going back again. I suggest others also choose a different place to eat.
July 2023 by Simon F
Beautiful setting in an old church, I have visited several times. This time I sat outside as the weather was warm and muggy. The service is great and friendly, the choice of food and drink is great and prices very reasonable. (They do not take cash). Wonderful place to visit and enjoy a quiet haven!
July 2023 by IBMN
So I waited in a queue for about 7 minutes and was told I was 6 minutes too early for the Lunch menu and they can?t take my order in advance. I was told I could sit and wait and (then rejoin the queue), which clearly I am not going to do, our party went elsewhere. The chef apparently can?t take orders in advance. Well done!!