Costa Coffee

I have no real expectation from Costa however the small branch at Waterloo is efficient and staff were friendly. There is a lack of seating but as this is a station branch you can easily see why.
Currently sampling their Christmas drinks and have to say they are superior in choice and quality than Starbucks, Café Nero, Pret etc. I had the Black Forest hot chocolate which is served with cream and a drizzle of cherry syrup — very sweet but a treat to warm you up and keep you full. We also tried the caramel fudge hot chocolate which was verrrrry sweet. Wouldn’t get it again but it isn’t the worst I’ve had.

Look. I have high coffee standards and coffee for me isn’t just about what’s in the cup. I’m weary of any coffee chains and whilst I like Costa better than Starbucks I would still go anywhere else first. This is my last option if I’m really hungover and have a ten + hour working day and am strapped for time. The ‘flat white’ small (well actually regular) is three shots in a fairly oversized cup. I guess you get your money’s worth if quantity is what you’re after and there is no option for a smaller version.
There is limited seating downstairs but you can venture upstairs which kind of hides the train station panic.
You can also get sandwiches, cakes etc there but again, for me, its only an emergency option. I’d prefer to fight the crowds in M&S for a take away lunch.
If you have time, walk outside the station and find something else. Expect prams.

It is what it is, but nice friendly (efficient) service. Lack of seating but it is prominently for traveller fast fixes!
For my tastes, Costa chai lattes are far better than others from similar brands, and although a bit overpriced for what it is, the banoffee tartlet was actually gooey and delicious, packed with flavour.
Bonus: I have now built up enough loyalty points to get a free drink next time — it all adds up! :)

This Costa isn’t very exciting except for the fact that I’m pretty sure it has the only electrical outlets in all of Waterloo Station available to the public — I thoroughly searched the rest of the station before settling here to charge my dying phone. Let me know if there’s a better place to charge, because again, Costa is not super awesome. But they are adequate. I had an okay iced latte and fruit and nuts as sustenance while waiting for my train.

Not a bad coffee shop in a good central locatio unlike the Starbucks downstairs (obviously that is a destination of choice however as the Starbucks is just as busy). Seating is limited but there is an upstairs and seating on the station floor outside the shop. A good meeting place therefore.

Although the queues tend to be fairly hefty in Costa, you have to remember that you’re in a mainline London travel terminal with a throughput of 88 million people a year (apparently), most of whom want a coffee.
The staff are functional — they serve you coffee and nothing more. Very little in the way of service, character or personal interaction. But who can blame them — you’re probably the 3000^th person they’ve served today.
The coffee itself is fine — they’re a large chain and should have that sussed by now.
It’s a good place to grab a coffee, grab a seat and watch the world rush by as you wait for your train.

Blah!
What are you doing to my coffee???

Ok Costa, I know Iced lattes are exceptionally challenging.
You know, all of that milk, and coffee, and well, ice. The chemistry of the whole thing is just so complex that we’re all bound to be blinded by iced latte science and give up completely.
But not you — you were a trooper. And just because you gave my friend her iced latte in a «hot cup» filled with ice, and mine in an «iced cup» without an ice cube in sight, who can blame you?
Like I said… surely it’s a daily challenge for all of us. You win some, you lose some, huh?

Like most Costa Coffee outlets, the Waterloo station branch is always busy. That’s not necessary bad.
Speed of service: Good. Let down by poor que order (confusing)
Customise station: Poor. It’s always messy and dirty and often elements missing.
Ambiance: Dull. Not inviting… coffee on the move.
Service: Quick and not that friendly. Fast-​food style.

It’s nice to be able to sit down and watch the time tables for the trains.
I bought my cup of tea at the «to go» window and sat at one of the tables in the station and watched the world go by.
Great place to kill time.
Great place to get a cuppa.
Great place to people watch.