Huffkins Kingston (Huffkins at John Lewis & Partners)

UPDATED REVIEW:
I spoke to Huffkins about my original bad experience (see below) and they were really apologetic. The issues were I think partly due to Kingston Carnival meaning the cafe was heaving, and partly due to a manager on his final shift. They kindly invited my friend and me to come again, and the service and tea were absolutely fabulous! The afternoon tea for two was amazing and so yummy! And the staff were really attentive and helpful and polite. It more than made up for our terrible first experience so I wanted to update my review :-)

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I made a reservation online for afternoon tea for midday today, and when I arrived I found that none of the staff knew anything about reservations (despite reminder emails I’d received) and there were no available tables. This cafe is massively understaffed! It was mayhem! Eventually we got a table, only to find that the menu available on the website to order didn’t include afternoon tea! The whole reason we had booked and come. The poor staff were all clueless and SO busy! Eventually we gave up and left. Very disappointed and frustrated.

Nice place to sit for gossip & catch up. Staff wasn't very nice at all. Girl who brought the coffee and left it on dirty table. We request to wipe the table. She took a awful long breath. Then she did. Left napkins on the wet place.
We looked at her. Other staff was nice as well.
Mix feelings. Definitely go there again. However wasn't impress staff's attitude.

We visited Huffkins in Kingston on Saturday afternoon for a cream tea. Huffkins was not very busy but there were plenty of staff at least four or five behind the counter.
Our coffee arrived after 17 minutes and 12 minutes later our scones arrived. When the waitress approached with our scones she firstly placed them on the table next to us in front of other customers.
After some confusion she picked them up and brought them and put them in front of us.
I tried to speak to the waitress to explain that a cream tea consists of the coffee or tea and the scone at the same time !
To bring the coffee 12 minutes before the scone obviously we have now drunk the coffee and what is left is cold. After putting the scones down the waitress explained that the drinks are organised by different people and therefore don’t come out at the same time as the food! She did not seem very bothered and did not offer any apology. After she had left our table the customers on the tables both sides of us then complained that they had had their drinks quite some time and food had not arrived.
Obviously a 29 minute wait for a cream tea in a café that is not very busy but has an abundance of staff is not acceptable.
Hopefully the management at Huffkins will read these reviews and organise the staff in a better way.
An explanation that the drinks are served and made by different staff does not solve the problem.

Terrible experience. Will not be returning. Waited over an hour for cold drinks and sandwiches but the worst part was the rudeness of the two ladies preparing the orders. One to me when I politely asked how much longer we were going to have to wait, 45 minutes after we made our order. Her reply was an aggressive “we are very busy and are doing the best we can”. No sorry or apology whatsoever. The other lady brought food to the table next to us to two elderly polite gentlemen. When they asked how much longer they would have to wait, the response left my friend and I with our mouths wide open speechless in horror, I could not repeat what she said. Her attitude was absolutely appalling. When our order eventually arrived it was very mediocre. There were obviously not enough staff as they were very busy but the rudeness was totally inexcusable.

Seems like the team were a little under staffed on the morning. IT issues at the counter with a previous customer but it was really easy to order at the table. Tea and brownie was excellent.

Waited to place my order for 8 mins whilst the server made coffees. She never acknowledged me once, even to say sorry I’ll be with you in a minute. Finally after a waitress fetched a coffee back because she put cold milk instead of hot milk in the jug. Her answer to the waitress was well it will be hot once it’s in the cup.
I left without placing my order and won’t be back again.
I’ve only given 1 star because I couldn’t place a review with NO stars

Went for a coffee with my partner and two young children. I ordered at the counter, when there were no prices on the cake labels I should have been aware, 2 x latte, 3 x Éclairs, a baby chino and a children's hot chocolate was over £27. When he said the price I thought "oh its Christmas" and went for it.

The éclairs were absolutely delicious but took around 30 minutes to reach our table a whole 20 minutes after the hot drinks. I didn't have time to explain my experience to the staff as we had a meeting with Santa. There were only 3 or 4 tables sat and 5 staff on.

The waiting staff were friendly and helpful. Over all impressions:
- delicious cakes
- good coffee
- very slow service
- expensive

Delicious food and coffee served in 3 minutes despite the large number of customers. I recommend :)