Dobbies Garden Centres Reviews 32,071

TrustScore 3 out of 5

3.2

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 442 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers found the staff to be friendly, helpful, and professional, often going above and beyond to assist. People frequently praised the quality of certain products, such as plants and afternoon tea, and appreciated the good value for money in some offerings. However, some people were dissatisfied with the service, citing long queues, slow food delivery, and a lack of staff. There were also concerns about the quality of some products, particularly food items, and the cleanliness of the cafe area. Additionally, some customers felt that prices were too high for certain items, especially when compared to competitors.

What people talk about most

Staff

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with staff. While many reviewers praise individual staff... See more

Product

Clients share ambiguous opinions on product. Many reviewers express dissatisfaction with food items, citing... See more

Service

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of service, consistently reporting slow service and long queues. Many... See more

Quality

Consumers consistently express disappointment with the quality of various aspects. Many reviewers report... See more

Price

Users describe negative interactions with price, frequently citing that items are overpriced and not worth... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

The cafe is very popular and there was a queue when I arrived. I want to praise the bearded assistant who despite being understaffed with a new recruit on the till was very hard working, professional... See more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I re-registered for a Dobbies card during a visit, which became live at the end of April. Shenstone has been a really nice destination in the past for myself and my family, particularly the restaurant... See more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

We popped into dobbies Beaconsfield today because we were in the area, it was freezing not just outside but inside, we looked around very quickly and picked up a few items, when we went to pay the s... See more

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Went with my daughter and grandchildren to see Santa. Was difficult to see where the grotto was in the garden but found it eventually. We were a touch early but they said the children could go in. It... See more


Company details

  1. Garden Center

Written by the company

Dobbies has been the home of gardening for over 150 years. You can trust us to provide quality products, expert advice and inspirational ideas for you outdoor space, whatever size it may be. But it's not all about the greenery. At your local Dobbies, you'll find all you need for your home and garden, plus delicious food and drinks in our restaurant. Visit www.dobbies.com to find out more.


Contact info


3.2

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

32K reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I find Dobbies very expensive

I find Dobbies very expensive
However I did have a coffee in their restaurant, The price was responsible for a coffee the same price as any other garden centre or restaurant. The clothes are very expensive, their food is very expensive. I used the toilet it seemed clean, but someone left 2 taps on running with water. So I turned them off. What is the point in doing that.. !! 🤦‍♀️ if they put their prices down I would come to Dobbies more often. Dogs by tables going towards toilets are a pain due to owners letting them wonder and have them on long leads. Not good when you are disabled !! Leave your dogs at home i bet they don't like shopping. ! However the staff at the restaurant were friendly..

March 11, 2026
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The restaurant is awful

The restaurant is awful, slow service and absolutely no communication with staff, they didn't give us the food we ordered, I sent it back and refused to pay, they tried to tell us, we don't do that but it was on the menu in black & white, the staff literally had no idea what they were doing, YES I know it was a new menu as I was told many times, but surely some training should have been put into place, clearly it wasn't do should not of been open. Also prices were extortionate, I work in the food industry and this was totally unacceptable, I would never step a foot back in the place and as for recommending I don't think so, children could have done better!!
A hen party was actually going on in this place, I couldn't think of anything worse, I'd rather spend mine in a skip!!!!

March 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

So poor on many levels

Shocking place - dirty, carpets held together with tape, rubbish on the floor, gents totally unacceptable, yet they want people to spend money. Not going to happen as we won't be back.

Seems like the store is in its final weeks/months. Not a credit to the Dobbies name.

March 10, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dobbies Galton - Challenging

Dobbies Galton - I like Dobbies, but this Sunday (8th March) you completely damaged the perception and image and experience. Full English Breakfast and you are told when ordering, there is no bacon and no mushrooms! Yet, you still charged full price for fewer items. No notice telling people you were out of these. Yet knowing how important your breakfasts, where did the stock check go wrong? Why did no one pop out to get some? Then, to add insult, we had to wait 35 minutes for breakfast to arrive and no apologised for the delay. Other people were also experiencing issues around us with their orders. No one seemed to have a grip on the situation and customer service is always a challenge when we visit. Not enough staff. This has really impacted my perception. This is how to go about losing customers and then you wonder why.

March 8, 2026
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely shocking experience

Absolutely shocking experience at Dobbies Cafe. The place felt completely unstaffed, with dirty floors and lifting tiles, and tables that clearly hadn’t been cleaned. The cutlery was filthy, and some of the milk pots still had old custard or cream in them—disgusting. The food was cold, stale, and ridiculously overpriced. When we raised concerns, the staff were rude and dismissive. Honestly, I’ve never seen a cafe in such a state. Avoid at all costs.

March 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Free Cake Offer for over 60's withdrawn.

Have been coming here to Dobbies (Speke, Liverpool) for a few years now and have always enjoyed the free cakes for over 60's (Mon to Friday) but found out today the free cake offer has been withdrawn. Our Bill has now gone up by over £9.00. We also used to buy little items from the shop floor when passing through but afraid have today decided not to come here anymore.
A pity, but our Bill was just under £40.00 here and we can get a mains, cake and drink on our local Pub/Restaurants on their Set Menu's for less than £29.00.
Bye, bye Dobbies.

March 9, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent value for money

Today I visited Dobbies in Ashford for an afternoon tea with my soon to be daughter in law, Tristan was so lovely very attentive, kind and very helpful. Working extremely hard in alot of areas. He made our experience complete. The afternoon tea was amazing, beautiful presented and very tasty. Excellent value for money.

March 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgraceful and absolute rip off

After waiting 15min to be served then another 20min for food this dreadful ploughman's came out wow ,at £8.10 has to be the most expensive cheese and tomatoes baguette because the pickle was non existent, I asked the counter staff for some more pickle and they gave me a teaspoon of pickle in a pot and a sorry thats all im allowed to give.
The cheese was tasteless as its pre sliced cheap stuff and no dressing on the salad.

I hope that the company/owner responds because what a disgrace to locals.

March 8, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The system of only having one cafe till…

The system of only having one cafe till and that operator taking your order and payment, serving cakes and then answering queries and going to get cutlery etc means it is slow, inefficient and poor customer service. I write this whilst queuing to be served. It can't be a Dobbies policy as Shrewsbury operates a totally different system that works. Could not fault the staff member on the till though. Then a lengthy wait for the coffee and cake eaten before it arrived. Surely can't be the only one thinking this.

March 8, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Rude and obnoxious restaurant lady

The garden centre itself is very good plenty of stock etc
The restaurant area was not a pleasant experience !!! the lady serving the hot food was rude and clearly in a bad mood she was particularly rude to a lady who had a disabled person with her tbh it made asking for food and unpleasant experience
The queues for each food counter were absolutely shocking

March 5, 2026
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Dobbies Lisburn

Dobbies Lisburn: Hot food was readily available, and a personal touch from Rhys who explained the Over 60s Lunch deal, helped bring meals to our table. Tables were cleaned quickly, and in a quiet moment, a girl went round under tables with a quiet vacuum so it looked nice and clean. We were able to go back to the counter for a choice of desserts included in the deal. Overall a pleasant experience and I would say Rhys is a great asset to the team.

February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow! Dobbies Gillingham

Wow! Took my 90 year old mum to Dobbies Gillingham today. We are regular customers as mum likes to look around and have something to eat and drink after a busy shopping spree.
The restaurant is always very busy and the small amount of staff are usually run off their feet trying to serve everyone, you can always expect a fair wait to be served and food to arrive!
NOT TODAY….. the restaurant was packed but the service was SUPER quick, it was LOVELY to see more serving staff present to cope with the amount of people sitting waiting for food.
Just one request…. Please could you make the service quicker at the crowded coffee Shop too, there is always a massive queue there.
Well done Dobbies please keep it up.

March 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Accused of theft when trying to repair an item

Bought a growhouse from them just before christmas. Moved it outside in February and the first minor storm snapped the plastic that holds it together. Took it back and was refused a repair or replacement and told that without the original receipt i might have stolen it. Disgraceful customer service.

March 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Visited Dobbies in Birtley, wouldn’t normally have made the trek but had been given gift voucher. I also squandered £15 to join Dobbies club to maximise the voucher. Reasonable selection of plants and gardening equipment although some of the plants looked a bit ratty. Oddly they had a selection of Klass women’s clothing … like I’d drop in for bulbs and suddenly need an evening dress. The allotment isn’t that formal. The reason I’ve. Taken to Truspilot was the state of the lavatories. Disgusting. Dirty toilets, used lavatory paper on the floor, overflowing sanitary bins, toilets that didn’t flush properly and the whole area looked desperate for refurbishment. We were going to make a day of it and visit the cafe but after that, I was very reluctant to eat there. It’s a shame. The staff were helpful and cheerful. Spent the voucher and will chalk the £15 membership to experience! .

February 28, 2026
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time

Been so many times and been told they arent doing hot food for various reasons. Been Wednesday this week...waited in the queue only to be told the chef was off. Tried again today...2 days later. Ordered a brie and cranberry pannini...no brie. I give up! Waste of mine and my husbands time. Not worth going.

February 27, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

My visit to the restaurant…

My visit to the restaurant unfortunately left a very bad impression. The tables were dirty, which immediately affected the comfort of the meal. The customer service was below expectations – there was a clear lack of interest in the guests. The prices turned out to be definitely inadequate compared to the quality of the food served. Additionally, the plate on which the dish was served had a very unpleasant fishy smell (I did not order fish), which is absolutely unacceptable. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this place.

February 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Overpriced for poor experience

My wife and I popped into the cafe today for coffee and cake. They ask £4.50 for a slice of cake yet half of the tables were dirty and hadn't been cleared (even though it wasn't busy), the carpet /laminate flooring is gaffer taped down so you don't fall over it! How about you invest some of the huge profits into the cafe environment?! Not good at all.

February 26, 2026
Unprompted review

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