Caffe Nero - Barnet

Enjoyed a coffee sitting outside in the sunshine which made a change in Barnet. Good cold coffee options... the list is endless!

I find it unacceptable that this restaurant allows a homeless person to sit on the chairs outside. It is off-putting to see someone who is extremely unkempt and smelly with their belongings scattered around. While I have sympathy for those who are homeless, there are public toilets and washrooms available in Barnet. It is not pleasant to sit next to this person after paying for coffee.

The coffee and cakes are always good quality at this chain but unfortunately this place is no longer family friendly. I don't know why they removed all the toys and books in the back corner that used to be there and the floor is not very clean. This used to be a place I and many other mums could take refuge and drink a coffee in peace with our young children but I don't come in anymore for these reasons.

When I occasionally stop by to grab a drink to-go, I often encounter a long line. With only two staff members handling orders, preparing food and drinks, and processing payments, the waiting time can be excessively long. I have left after waiting for 5-9 minutes on multiple occasions, which can be frustrating. Considering the abundance of coffee shops in Barnet, Nero's should consider hiring more staff to keep up with the competition. Additionally, the tables are not cleaned frequently enough for customers who choose to dine in. Despite this, I appreciate the variety of seating options, although some may find the decor a bit too loud.

We've been told that this place is a bit too family friendly on school days with lots of kids playing in a designated area, and that it tends to be way too loud and messy, but it was just perfect place for a Sunday coffee after lunch. Much larger than usual Nero coffee shops, it is spacious and airy, quiet and sheltered from the high-street noise. Our coffees were made to perfection and, chocolate cake was very fresh and delicious, and Belgian chocolate brownie was nothing short of perfection. We did not expect this good experience.