Starbucks

With Starbucks generally what you see is what you get. Its not my favorite 'big brand' coffee (I much prefer Pret!) but it's ok. The City Road establishment is smaller than others I've been to and thus I think it feels busier. This is not generally a bad thing since the queue is never too long and you arnt left waiting around forever as you are in some Starbucks. However, I do feel that this particular branch is just a bit unclean. It always feels like they have just had a rush of people and no one has had a chance to clean up! There is usually coffee spillage on the floor and litter all over the tables.

Apart from that and if you get take away (especially breakfast the fruit toast is YUMMY!) then you cant really go wrong with Starbucks!

P.S The new frappa flavour lemon vanilla is to die for. Seriously. If anything I would go to Starbucks just for the frappas!

In light of the truism that nothing ever disappears from the Internet it's perhaps not wise to admit online to patronising Starbucks. Oh to hell with it, I love Frappucinos. My name is Arabella and I am a Frappucino obsessive. At least during the UK's scant summer spells which, lets face it, fall into blink and you'll miss it territory.

Controversy aside, at least with Starbucks what you see is what you get. Or, more properly, what you get in one Starbucks you get in all Starbucks: coffee for people who don't particularly dig coffee in an atmosphere replete with soundtrack written by the latest enfant terrible turned coffee chain crooner.

This outpost of the Starbucks megabrand is ok. Orders get confused, whipped cream sprayed where it shouldn't and seating is short on the ground. That aside, the quality of Frappucinos - my speciality! - is notable and the location perfect for a takeaway cup on the stretch between Old Street and Islington on a rare summery day.

My flatmate and I use to come in here just about EVERY DAY on our walk to work. That is until he started taking forever and a day and going to work LATE everyday. hahaha.

So everyday, we walk in, he would let me order first, and I would order my Soya Latte and he would order his Latte. Same guy behind the counter that would say "Hi my love... Grande... SOYA LATTE?!" and look at my flatmate and say "...andddd grande latte!"

And one day I went by myself and he asked where my flatmate was... I thought that was hysterical... until the next day we came back but my flatmate went first and he got confused and had no recollection of who we were.

They're super nice here though!! Still one of my faves just because they were my local one.

Oh, and we SWORE one of the ladies making drinks once said "What you drinkin' FOO." But I think we later decided she was saying "What are you waiting for...."

Hahahahhaa, what you drinkin fooo!

It's pumpkin spice latte season people!

Ignore your better instincts and dive in to that almost-but-not-quite-cinnamon goodness. This location has a really cool interior sign with recessed lighting. Go in and see it! Then get your pumpkin on.

This Starbucks is better than average. I arrived a little after 10am on a weekday, and there was only one person ahead of me in the queue and a little under half the seating occupied. The employees were smiling and helpful--hey man, it makes a difference.

My latte was nothing to write home about, but that's my general consensus on most Starbucks stuff. I snagged a spot at the bar along the window and stayed for three hours. I think that's why I gravitate toward this chain--you never feel self-conscious or that you've outstayed your welcome. It was great zoning out with the city bustle to look at when I got tired of staring at my laptop. Wifi was decent, but never saw a power point. Maybe they're in the back.

TL;DR I'd go back. Adequate seating, nice view, good service.

Yes all the clichés stand up when mentioning the aforementioned cafe chain. The nondescript tasting coffee, mixing with a rather bland, uninspiring decor coming together like the colour beige.
Due the proximity to my home although, but more importantly for the free wifi its a handy functional pit-stop. Toilets well, lets just say the less said the better. This ubiquitous brand is staid and for the standard down trodden customer. I am being kind sadly!

Very good I Love this Starbucks also if cofee Is not really like the good italian one, Employees are very helpfull. A ggod place to start the day!

Went there to have a coffee and a snack as well as do some work on the weekend -- it was pretty packed and access to the outlets for your laptop is a little bit of a fight. However the choice of snacks is pretty good and there is nice ambiance music.