GAIL's Bakery Reviews 

1,046
TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

2.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 249 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers frequently reported issues regarding unhelpful staff attitudes, long wait times, and disappointing customer service during their visits. Many people also highlighted concerns about store cleanliness, noting that food was often left uncovered and exposed. Furthermore, several visitors complained about declining food quality, burnt bread, and drinks being served cold. Some reviewers were happy with the friendly staff and delicious pastries found at certain preferred branches. Visitors frequently appreciated the wide selection of freshly baked items, excellent coffee, and warm atmosphere provided by attentive employees. These loyal customers enjoyed returning regularly for their favorite treats.

What people talk about most

Staff

People report ambiguous experiences with staff, highlighting a wide contrast in service quality across... See more

Product

Clients share ambiguous opinions on product offerings, with some praising the fresh pastries and specialty... See more

Quality

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about quality, with some customers praising the delicious pastries,... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of service, experiencing both frustration and appreciation. Many... See more

Location

Users describe ambiguous interactions with location, as opinions across various branches differ... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

While the pastries and coffee are nice at Gails Richmond, the service could be poor. I was trying to order coffee but totally ignored by 2 members of staff who elected to serve other customers and ig... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Had walked past earlier and it looked busy and popular so decided to stop for a cuppa a bit later. Wish I hadn't bothered and had walked to one down the road. Staff seem totally indifferent, table... See more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Gail’s at Liverpool Street. Flies all over the pastries which was an immediate concern. Hand hygiene is also not where it should be. Floors are dirty and tables not regularly wiped down

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

As a tourist i love this place foodwise and seatingplaces wise. There is choice in healthy food and pastries, coffee is good, personel friendly, BUT apparently cleaning does not have a priority. I hav... See more


Company details

  1. Bakery
  2. Brunch Restaurant
  3. Cafe
  4. Caterer
  5. Coffee Shop
  6. Meal Delivery

Written by the company

Dedicated to the craft of baking. Available to buy in-bakery, online at https://order.gailsbread.co.uk and on Waitrose, Ocado, Deliveroo, Gorillas and Amazon Fresh.


Contact info

2.4

Poor

TrustScore 2.5 out of 5

1K reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 31% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 24 hours

How this company uses Trustpilot

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2.4

All reviews

(1,046)

242 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gail's bakery in Victoria Street

Gail's bakery in Victoria Street,
I went today to Gail's to get a coffee and a birthday treat and I was served by two young ladies [ Rita and Joanu] they were very polite and friendly, I will definitely go back there again 😊

17 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

RIp off prices and portions.


Went to buy a Gail's sourdough loaf in Wimbledon on Saturday. Not only were the loaves all now smaller than when I last bought a loaf there a couple of months ago they are now over £5 each. So ripping us off with smaller loaves and charging us more at the same time. What a greedy petty money pinching company! I won’t be buying their bread or anything else from them again. Their sourdough bread is only average anyway.

12 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Stratford upon Avon branch… won’t be going there again

The food was bordering on ok but I won’t be going again to the branch in Stratford upon Avon. . My assistance dog was near me and had to be closer to fulfil a task for me. I dont know who it was, one can only assume it was the manager and told me to move my dog. I refused as he was helping me but the attitude was either one of utter rudeness or ignorance.

12 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

coffee in a bowl Gails café

What is it about Gails café that make you a cup of coffee in a bowl! Coffee cups with no handles. Trying to drink a hot coffee is almost impossible. The decor in the London Millennium branch looks half finished with all the pipes, vents and bare concrete on show overhead on the ceiling.
I won't be going again!

9 September 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Visited Gayles in Witney

Visited Gayles in Witney. I always think you can judge an establishment by its toilets, the toilet in Witney is a disgrace. It needs a deep clean all over, walls, door, floor toilet, everything!!! Please clean you toilet

10 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Gail’s Brentwood Essex

Gail’s Brentwood Essex
Hope head office see this - what a lazy cafe
They never bother to cook porridge and always seem low on sandwiches - I reckon they do porriage one random day out of seven. Flies over everything too. Staff are friendly though but the manager needs to ensure they offer the full Menu.

28 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best Gail's Staff is at St Albans

Jana, Ade, Hayley and the gentleman behind the counter are very lovely and friendly. Always smiling and welcoming especially when it is busy. It is nice to be able to go to the Gail's all around England, but the staff at St Albans are always the nicest by far which is why we come regularly. Thanks, guys!

25 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I expect standards

I expect standards. Greenwich Gail’s. £4:30 flat white in cup without a handle, no saucer…. Who thought of that for hot drinks? Baffling. Rip off, won’t be going there again. Tourist trap.

25 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Gail’s at Liverpool Street

Gail’s at Liverpool Street. Flies all over the pastries which was an immediate concern. Hand hygiene is also not where it should be. Floors are dirty and tables not regularly wiped down

21 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

We went to the Liverpool Street branch…

We went to the Liverpool Street branch – what I find really offputting is the flies crawling all over the food. This is the third time I’ve seen this and while waiting in the queue, there were six or seven flies on the food and just sitting there watching a blue bottle casually walking in and out of a pastrami sandwich does turn your stomach – I won’t be going there again, even though the food is lovely

9 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I have been coming to Gail’s since the…

I have been coming to Gail’s since the very start of Gail’s in London, the first and second shops and onwards.
In those days the croissant and pain au chocolate were sublime. So diffferent from what we eat today, trajically. The standard has dropped, the taste is half as good and the texture not there.
I have really noticed between the winter and summer of this year 2026 a huge fall in quality of the bakery and patisserie. If I was to buy a pain au chocolate or croissant from a supermarket theirs would be better.

I hav lived for 20 years between france, Brussels and Italy so really know my food quality.
What has happened to the utterly delicious patisserie that we are paying tbe earth for and what we receive is such a let done now. The almond croissant I discovered last early Autumne and they were crispy and sticky and chewy and everything. But now again absolutely nothing. What had happened to Gail’s? Well it had got far to big and the quality has suffered and the prices just keep on going up.
I am so saddened to write this however I just hope and pray that The real Gail’s can return to our streets again. At least eating one of those patisseries was the highlight of my day and now that has disappeared into thin air. In this grim climate in England cannot someone save our day with a delicious boost to it! I still return to Gail’s hoping things will change but I see no change in the last 4-5 months. Gail’s has changed and their recipes and quality of ingredients have changed since it thinks with its name it can keep going. But the public will all notice and another cafe will come along with much better products and Gail’s will be no more. 😢please change back before it is tooo late. I do have to say the staff are nearly always wonderful. Especially the team in Henley on Thames, Oxon. Sophie S

15 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very disappointing experience at GAIL’s…

Very disappointing experience at GAIL’s Upper Street/ islington yesterday.

I’m a regular customer and have always considered GAIL’s a family-friendly café. I came in with my four-year-old daughter while my friend and her five-year-old son were already eating. I ordered takeaway, clearly confirming this twice.

The issue was not about paying for a children’s drink. It was the attitude of Alberto, who told me he was the manager. After a five-year-old child was left waiting for around ten minutes for a small babyccino, I asked about it and was then told I would have to pay. When I asked to clarify the policy, Alberto instead repeatedly challenged me about why I had ordered takeaway while sitting inside.

I found his manner unnecessarily confrontational and embarrassing, particularly in front of the children and other customers.

Very disappointing from a branch I visit regularly. I hope GAIL’s management looks into

9 August 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I am usually a great fan of Gails and…

I am usually a great fan of Gails and have visited quite a few of their branches. on Saturday I went to the Liverpool Street branch and had my usual brioche with avocado radish and chickpea the server told me that actually the radish was just for decoration which it clearly was as it was such a tiny sliver. the avocado was brown obviously cut from a bruised avocado and then there were hard lumps. generally it was pretty disgusting. I took it back and they immediately said oh have something else I said I don't want something else I am just telling you this is horrible but they weren't interested so I just took a cake and left

25 July 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gail’s in East Sheen (a gem)

This is a review of Gail’s in East Sheen, which we love. We have been coming here since it opened. We like the size and layout (some are too cramped or a bit soulless) and the staff are always very welcoming, polite and accommodating. There are a lot of regulars (who they know by name) but everyone is treated equally well. Over the years we have seen them be especially kind to elderly regulars, helping them with the stairs and anticipating their orders so they don’t have to stand in the queue. They are never too busy to make a hot breakfast, even when lunch prep is under way, and we have never been rushed out at closing time. I don’t say this lightly because we don’t really feel the same way when we visit other branches. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone smile in Barnes and I’ve been refused cooked breakfast in Richmond during breakfast hours several times. If anyone at head office is listening, please protect East Sheen and stop pinching their people!

27 July 2026
Unprompted review

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