Moorland Cafe - Drogheda

I stopped by the restaurant around 4:30 pm for coffee and a slice of cake. However, by 4:45 pm, the staff began clearing away any remaining dishes and items from our table. When I asked if they were closing, they said no. To my surprise, at 4:55 pm, a lady appeared with a mop and bucket, seemingly ready to start cleaning the floor near our table. It was clear that they wanted us to leave even though the restaurant's closing time was listed as 6:00 pm on their website. This rushed and unwelcoming experience was disappointing, especially since we enjoy their baked goods.

This classic bakery and coffee shop offers a variety of beautiful buns, pastries, and freshly made sandwiches. It's a refreshing change from the typical bland franchise chains.

I recently had breakfast here with a colleague and was appalled by the lack of adherence to COVID-19 safety measures by the staff. Despite a surge in daily cases exceeding 200 at the time of our visit, it is mandatory for everyone, especially staff, to wear masks when entering businesses. However, I observed that over half of the staff were not wearing gloves, masks, or face coverings, including those preparing food and working in the bakery. The other half only wore them intermittently and frequently removed them. There was a communal milk jug that multiple customers touched, tables and chairs were not being cleaned, and there was no social distancing among the staff. The spacing between tables did not allow for proper social distancing, and food was being served to tables without any protective gear. It is concerning that the business does not prioritize the health and safety of its customers, and establishments like this contribute to prolonging the pandemic. I will be reporting these violations to the Health and Safety Executive, as immediate action is needed.

I bought buns from the bakery and asked for them to sit in, the woman behind the counter explained to me that I couldn’t get them to sit in because they would be closing soon but that I could eat them outside on their table and chairs, she also told me they didn’t have any coffee except for black coffee or tea because the machine was turned off I said this was absolutely fine and I’d get a coffee from somewhere else and eat them outside in the sun. As I was finishing my bun a waitress told us we had to leave, and when I tried to tell her I was told I could sit and eat outside she rudely interrupted me 3 times saying “Well we’re closed! and “you’re drinking coffee from somewhere else” I work in hospitality and I was taken aback at how rude she was despite how polite I was trying to be. I asked her to not interrupt me and let me explain why we thought it was okay to sit outside seen as that was what I was told by the member of staff who served me I understand she’s just doing her job and I wasn’t going to argue with her but she wouldn’t even let me speak! Then another member of staff came outside and asked the girl was everything okay to which she said “yeah I’m being given out to” which was so far from the truth. I apologized that she felt like she was being given out to and told her I understood she was just doing her job and we left. If I had of known I wasn’t going to be able to eat what I purchased from the cafe I would have went somewhere else. Really shocked at the customer service from a family business that our we’ve supported for years. Will not be going back, unbelievably rude staff.

The breakfast was very greasy.Rashers covered in dirty greasy fat.There was no black pudding on my plate and when I asked for black pudding as I don't like white I was told we don't do black pudding. I have never come across this before in any Irish cafe. Won't be going back.There are too many better places to go.