This supermarket cafe is absolutely smashing it out of the park recently
I love a good cafe. The atmosphere, the sound of happy chatter, the smell of coffee, and just sitting, watching the world go by.
But, if there is something I love more than a cafe, it’s a bargain!
Don’t get me wrong, I love an independent cafe. But, there is one very unlikely eatery that is absolutely smashing it out of the park recently… Tesco!
Now, most supermarket cafes just don’t cut it for me. Quite often the food tastes like a cheap ready meal, the coffee isn’t great, and they just don’t have that friendly, cosy atmosphere. But Tesco is really bucking the trend. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
The supermarket has rolled out a stylish new look for a lot its cafes
Last year, the supermarket chain rolled out a new look for a lot its cafes. It spent millions on the refurb, and it shows.
Gone are the dodgy, plastic chairs, prison-style tables and harsh lighting. Tesco’s new look cafes have comfy leather arm chairs, plants, cosy lighting and stylish furnishings. It feels more like you are in a nice coffee shop than a supermarket.
Having recently had a baby, I’ve spent a lot of time in cafes over the past year or so. Mostly, because being a new mum can be lonely. So, sitting in a nice busy cafe and having friendly conversations with strangers has brought me some comfort. But also because it’s a cheap and bearable way to entertain the little one that doesn’t involve sitting in a ball pit!
But, being on maternity leave also means I’ve been skint. So, I’d say I’ve become a bit of a pro at bargain hunting. And let me tell you – there are some proper bargains to be had in the Tesco cafe.
On a recent trip to our local store in west Wales, me, my partner and our one-year-old daughter sat down for a bit of breakfast.
For the little one, there was plenty of choice – pancakes, yogurt, fruit and toast. We went for the full kids brecky, which cost just £3.50. That’s less than a packet of nappies!
There’s plenty of choice – including a few new ‘posh’ brecky options
There were also plenty of lunch options, and if it was later in the day she could have had pasta, fish fingers and pizza with two sides and a drink for just four quid!
At certain times of the year, the kids’ food will also cost you absolutely nothing with the ‘Kids Eat Free’ offer (which is valid when you buy an adult meal).
Then it was my turn. There were the usual choices – a full breakfast for £6.25, eggs on toast for £3.95 and a sausage bap for the same price.
But Tesco has also upped its breakfast game. It now offers (what I would call) ‘posh brecky options’. You can get Turkish-style eggs, bacon and chilli brioche, granola bowls and toasted banana bread.
I went for the sourdough toast with avocado, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, eggs, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar
I went for the sourdough toast with avocado, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, eggs, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar – washed down with a regular cappuccino.
My partner opted for the Turkish Eggs, which comes with lemon yogurt, fried eggs, spices, crispy onions and toasted sourdough.
In total, our entire breakfast – for three people, with two coffees and two bottles of water – came to just over £25.
Tesco’s Turkish Eggs – a rather unusual choice
Admittedly, it did take a little while for our food to arrive, but we just enjoyed spending that time out together as a family. I’m also a self-confessed ‘people-watcher’ and love nothing more than sitting and watching the world go by – and Tesco is a ‘people watchers’ paradise!
There aren’t many cafes with a view like the one at my local store. Right in front of the arm chairs there is a big long, glass balustrade looking down over the entire store. You can literally sit in a comfy chair with a coffee and just watch the world buzz by beneath you… Maybe the long wait for food isn’t such a bad thing afterall.
There’s plenty to keep the eyes occupied
When it arrived, the food was great. I wouldn’t go as far as saying ‘amazing’ but it was good. Realistically, you can’t expect Michelin Star food for that price… But, as supermarket food goes, it was really good.
The poached eggs were runny, the avocado tasted fresh and the balsamic vinegar added a nice twist. My daughter’s breakfast was also a decent size for just over £3 – and she wolfed it down.
The Turkish Eggs were rather unusual. Whoever thought of putting eggs with yogurt!? But it strangely worked.
The coffee was tasty and strong, but more importantly it was hot! It was served in a nice, blue ceramic mug. I don’t know why, but coffee always tastes nicer in a decent mug, rather than a white, bog-standard cup with brown stains on the rim.
The coffee was tasty and strong!
We finished up our food and rounded off our visit with a little wander around the sales aisle to see what other bargains we could find.
All in all, it was a lovely way to while away a few hours – and (not) spend too much money!
