Seven Hills - Sheffield

This is more about the frustration of seeing hygiene standards fall since relaxation of Covid rules. In some respects Covid forced many food outlets to follow standard good practice wearing masks and taking care to not touch food with unclean hands. Dispensing with masks is understandable, but dropping the need to handle food with unwashed hands is a basic failure. Covid may be less of a threat but hands carrying out mundane jobs around the bakery to handling food pass on the risks from the same old bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. The bread is on display at a height that staff an breath and cough over, their hands are not clean so comments like I 've just been handling fresh food are not good enough. It is slack and raises a question about the general hygiene standards.

I love the food and produce here. Amazing bread and cakes. I can see why it is so popular. However, what really let’s this place down is the customer service. I know how busy staff are and they obviously have a lot to juggle. However, staff, on the whole there is an Asian lady who is lovely, always busy but manages to engage in a friendly manner) are terse, unsmiling and irritable. I feel nervous and edgy when I visit and find myself apologising, being overly friendly and appeasing, for the fear that a member of staff will loose it with me or other customers. I have to brace myself before I go in. As I say, I absolutely love the produce, I just wish customer service was warmer and staff were more smiling and friendly.

The best pastries and bread In Sheffield and probably way beyond. Forge bakery is good Perfectionery not bad either but I drive past both to get to this. I have been coming here since they opened years ago; their bread has always been in tip top condition. Perhaps, those few carping below aren't really into or familiar with the texture of sourdough. Not all of their bread is trendy. Buy a pagnotta or bloomer, if you want something safer. The wholemeal is perfection. The coffee is excellent too but, as another reviewer remarks, the cafe is an add on to their core business and the service can be variable in efficiency and tone! And it's not cheap either. It has a shabby chic and there's an ethos of informal making do which is part of their schtick. It's not a huge space but often very busy. Yet still plenty of parents seem happy enough to wheel in buggies and cyclists to hang out dripping waterproofs whilst they warm up with a hot chocolate. I like that vibe but don't go if you want a more orderly experience.

Popped in hear this morning for a coffee and a cake really good coffee and a good selection COVID safe was asked 3 times if we was from the same house as if it was odd for two men to be living together witch I found strange in 2020 however all round a ok experience no photo however would recommend the cheese scone and the pumpkin spiced cake both very good

I've just returned from a terrible experience at this place. My mum has Dementia and it is VERY obvious that this is the case. I took my parents to 7 Hills for a treat and for my dad to have a break from having the full responsibilityof caring for my mum. We ordered our stuff and paid, sat down and waited. My mum wolfed her coffee down (Dementia style) and wanted more. By that time there was a long queue,so I asked at the counter if I could order another for her and was given a flat no (not white), and was told to rejoin the queue. Anyone who cares for a person with dementia would know how anxious that would make you and the person with Dementia feel. I went back to the table and gave mum my coffee. I had promised my parents that they could choose a cake to take home with them, so as we were leaving I took my mum over to choose one. After she eventually picked one out, the woman serving told me to wait and proceeded to walk about, picking up stuff, tidying, giving instructions to others and munching bits of leftover food as she went. Eventually after what seemed like an age standing with my obviously unwell mum, she served us and we left. My mum veering left in to parked pushchairs,(as she is prone to do) as we did so. I was so cross and upset with the service and lack of empathy in this place.The only reason I didn't make a big fuss at the time was because I didn't want to upset or embarrass my poor parents. Really shameful service 7 Hills! All that said, the food and drink is very good (The star is for that), though not cheap. The seating area is very tired and grubby, but hey,it will build your immune system!