Cafe Curva - Plymouth

Been here maybe a dozen times since the shopping precinct first opened. Usually to kill time with a coffee and bun, waiting to meet friend or family taking ages shopping below. It’s always been a bit bigger than was ever necessary and had a Spartan downbeat almost 1950’s or 60’s feel, almost institutional feeling but partly compensated by the big windows with the view across the dual carriageway to the art college and cop shop. Our last visit was a few weeks ago. Just cups of tea. Humdrum, unmemorable but it’s still sad to see steady utilitarian places shut even if they were so rarely used.

I recently visited Plymouth City centre and stopped at this venue for lunch. The staff appeared to be working hard. However the general feel of the cafe was dirty. The floor had obviously not been cleaned for a long time. All the tables were dirty. Some of the trays were dirty. The food was ok but this is not a place to feel Covid secure in. I won’t be going back.

I came here today with my two young boys and I have to say, the woman behind the counter (who I believe was management) was an absolutely disgusting human being and in a foul mood. She had brunette hair, glasses and her attitude made me want to walk away. The only single most important reason I didn’t, is because my eldest son is autistic and it would have completely thrown him off balance as he was looking forward to dining here for a week. There was lady and her daughter in front of us in the queue and we were waiting for the bar to switch from breakfast to lunch. The food bar then opened up and the lady asked for a panini for her daughter. The woman behind the counter snapped at her that there wasn’t any and that the signs shouldn’t be out. The customer was still very polite and asked for something else. The worker/manager then snapped even more aggressively that there’s none left and that she hasn’t had time to change the signs around and it’s not her fault. The worker then proceeded to reel off a massive list of what they do have available and was really sarcastic to the customer. The customer was nothing but polite and submissive to this woman, I felt really bad for her and was about to say something and then the worker started arguing with a male worker, grey hair, glasses behind the counter and being verbally abusive to him. It was disgusting and I don’t think she should be the first person you see when you visit this Café, her attitude was honestly one of the worst I’ve witnessed. In complete contrast to this, there was a waitress, middle aged with dark hair and glasses seating people and cleaning tables. She grabbed a high chair for one of my boys and she carried my tray of food and drinks to the table as she could see I had my hands full pushing a pram and with my other boy. I see this lady every time I’ve been here for food and she’s absolutely lovely, nothing is too much trouble and her customer service is second to none. She’s the type of lady you want working in this establishment. I won’t be returning here sadly. I’ve never had an issue before and the food has always been nice, but that worker really made me angry.

Visited today for the first time in 2 years and were greeted by the most unfriendly member of staff. We arrived 10 minutes before breakfast was due to finish like quite a few others and I have to say listening to how this staff spoke with others and us was awful, it was a like it or lump it attitude, white or brown bread? We only have brown ! Ok that's fair enough, fried eggs wanted well you would have though we had all asked for the impossible we all got our breakfasts then went to pay for drinks same not bothered attitude From that staff. Its just not on, I work with customers face to face daily and would be sacked for such unfriendly rudeness, get a grip you have jobs. We ate our food and left. Will never return and would definitely not recommend. Life has and remains tough for us all but when working with the general public you should leave all that at home.

This café is quite roomy and offers a wide selection of dishes to choose from. The menu mainly consists of classic items like panini, lasagna, soup, burgers, and chips - nothing too extravagant. It's a perfect spot to recharge after a tiring shopping trip. The sausage, egg, and chips for a late breakfast were decent. The vegetable soup, on the other hand, was thick and heavy. Despite this, the café was bustling with customers and the staff were welcoming, so they must be doing something right. Keep up the good work!