Budgens just reopened and I'm glad for it as it's a nice alternative to the crappy Tesco express closest to my flat. It's not huge but has a decent selection of products and there are certain things I like more than other supermarkets in the area. First, there is a huge cheese selection - much bigger than even the large grocers in the area. They also have quite a bit of high-end smoked meats. They have very nice looking prepared food, much better than your average Sainsbury's meal deal (although more expensive). Their pastries look beautiful but again are very expensive. They have small sections to cater to dietary restrictions like vegan and gluten free. The store feels very nice and upscale and clean overall. While not as cheap as the other local options and without the variety of the larger stores, it's a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. read more

I just need postage to send my taxes to the states...oh look, this place has a post office in store and it's right next to where I'm doing my work training. sweet! Thank you nice postal service worker that was quick. What's this?... there's something wrong with my feet! they're going in the direction of the chilled produce rather than the front door... Luckily I didn't have any cash on me otherwise it would have been all gone for sure. It's like a posh neighborhood health food store (Americans, think Adronico's and kind of whole foods but with a little bit of Safeway select discount items thrown on some center isle displays. There's lots of yummy looking premade foods and a nice looking seafood section and some olives in pots thrown in there for good measure. They definitely seem to cater to the lunch crowd in here. Or at least to the poor susceptible fools who shop on an empty stomach. You have to wind through a maze of prepackaged yummy treats before you get to the registers. Naughty Budgens! Evil Budgens. That's the only part I don't like. read more

Budgens - They have an American section haha - Grocery Near Me - London, XGL

Every Budgens I have ever been in up until now has been a typical low quality chain convenience store. After wandering through the posher part of my neighbourhood my lady and I stumbled across an independent Budgens in Belsize Park. It was fantastic. Imagine a health food, multi ethnic and ASDA superstore wrapped up into a supermarket three times the size of a Sainsbury's local with prices almost as good as the pre mentioned ASDA. The selection of foods is fantastic especially the options on fresh breads and cheese. There were specialised foods on offer you just wouldn't expect to find. Even the cashier was willing to talk to us about the history of the store. I was very impressed with Budgens. Their target audience is 25-35yr old professionals who tend to be a food savvy and experimental. As a member of this demographic, I am very happy with coming across this awesome store. read more

Budgens - Grocery Near Me - London, XGL

It's been my local shop for more than a decade, I was always aware that it was overpriced for no real improvement in quality but I made do for the convenience.... it's the customer service that really lets it down though. Most recently, I was told by the head of staff that, even though I had a reciept and cctv footage to show that I'd payed for an item but not taken it, less than 24 hours earlier as well. (For the first time ever, I'd forgotton my tobacco in that awkward separate place they make you collect it from). They said this was because anyone could have taken it, that honestly baffled me as that's saying that literally anyone could walk in and steal something from behind the registers and they can't do anything about it or be held responsible. I am blown away and astonished that they're happy to sell a long time loyal customer down the river for something so bewildering, there have been plenty other bad experiences but this was the final straw and has completely soured me on the brand. Like others say, they're as expensive as the highest end supermarkets you can find but with quality only marginally better than a corner-shop. Some staff are helpful and friendly but most are completely cold and uncaring. As a bonus, during covid they restricted the shop to make sure too many people weren't allowed in which sounds great.... Until you realise that's only in the afternoon - in the mornings, the shop is packed, no social distancing and the staff will BLOCK the one way system whilst restocking and force customers to endanger others. It goes without saying that such measures are utterly pointless unless you're CONSISTENT with them. Otherwise you're simply inconveniencing customers with long queues just to pretend that you're following the guidelines when you're not. If you're a budding shoplifter on the other hand, then apparently Budgens is the place to be so knock yourselves out!! read more

Surprisingly well-stocked for a simple neighborhood market. Not only is there a respectable selection of meats, but there you'll also find a full service seafood counter and a cheese and deli section. It looks so unassuming from the outside. I commend this Budgens for being able to scale up manpower during peak hours, opening up to eight cashiers to accommodate the deluge of shoppers on weekday evenings. This branch is just within a minute's walk from my flat; it's been in my life since I touched down in London on day one. read more

Pretentious supermarket with up-market prices and dreadful service. I pop in from time to time because it's convenient for me but after the latest in a string of unpleasant experiences I have vowed (and not for the first time) 'never again' (unless I need to use the Post Office, that is*). There are a few gems among the staff but as a whole the customer service is terrible and has gone downhill since the self service check-outs have been installed. If you are unlucky enough to have problems with your scanning expect the bare minimum of discourteous assistance if you get any assistance at all. Prices are astronomical yet the quality isn't always great. I have bought off-watermelon and off-fish here. I can honestly say that I have a more enjoyable shopping experience in LIdls, for a fraction of the price. (*I've had no problems with the Post Office). read more

Outrageous prices (£8 for a small chocolate bar?) and yet the quality isn't up to scratch. I happen to shop here from time to time as, being minutes away from where I live, it's rather convenient; but I tend to shop elsewhere if I can. They have an interesting section of imported food from around the world, as well as a good deli counter, and a Post Office inside which comes in very handy since local branch closed down. However, its consistent emphasis on being "local" just tips on the side of being pretentious. Nice for getting random and interesting items, but not ideal for the every day shop. If you come here to get shopping essentials such as milk and cut bread you'll likely leave clutching a small carrier bag, with tears in your eyes, staring in wonder at your receipt read more

Nice renovations on your place ... good job. Lots more modern looking and a better layout. read more

I love Asda (I hope that helps you put the following review into perspective.) I begrudge paying through the nose for local produce, I think making cheese is not rocket science and therefore should not leave me penniless, and I think that if British beef is so good then it wouldn't be tough and require a slow cooker. Rant over. The good news is that Budgens is now in my life. I thoroughly scoured the shelves thinking that it was too good to be true, how could a pricey area house a discount supermarket. The selection is fabulous for the central location, organic products grace the shelves and to my surprise, their staff is lovely. The deli counter, bakery and aisle especially for ethnic food, were the elements that won me over. We, of course, didn't need to do any grocery shopping but who can leave empty handed. Budgens, I thank you for my expanded thighs, the oversized bag of licorice and smartie cookies were great...I promise to come back soon. read more

The Maido sushi counter in Budgen's is delicious. I could have that for lunch and dinner everyday! Looking forward to my sushi later today!

I often finding myself wishing this Budgens was a Waitrose...it pretends to be of Waitrose quality but is really not on par. It pretends to be premium but doesn't accept Amex...It also pretends to be good value, but doesn't compare. The staff are rarely friendly and the fruit and veg is bettered by Tesco or other high street stalls. The one upside is that it doubles as a post-office...Sadly it's location means I visit it often. read more

Thornton's Budgens of Belsize Park is not as big as most supermarkets (but it's bigger than most convenience stores), however, they manage to pack a lot in to their shop. They have all the usual groceries, off licence, tobacco, lottery plus many locally sourced products. They offer free home delivery when you spend £25 (you do your shopping in store and then they will deliver it for you). The great thing about Thornton's Budgens is the fact that Belsize Park Post Office (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/2037998-Belsize-Park-Post-Office-London) is located within it and is open the same hours as the main store, which means you can use the Post Office from 7am-11pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-6pm Sunday. I find it extremely convenient that I can go to the Post Office late at night/early in the morning or on a Sunday or Saturday afternoon. They are now a Main Post Office which means they offer more services like tax disc for cars. I don't think there are any other Post Office branches in London that have such long opening times. Unlike a lot of Post Offices, there is never a long queue at this branch (which wasn't the case with the old Belsize Park Post Office). read more

This store has some of the most MISERABLE employees I have ever come across! Whether you're in store or calling to ask a question, they are rude, dismissive and don't seem to care at all about good customer service. I have had my groceries just about thrown into the bag by the checkout person. I have had an employee wave in the general direction of where a product was located rather than actually showing me where it was. I have had someone on the phone take a rude and aggressive tone just because I was trying to confirm that she understood my question and that the answer was correct (because I have been given incorrect information by them before!). I have said "have a good day" to a checkout girl only to get a blank, disinterested stare in return... what is their problem??? Is there zero training when they hire someone? (Not that anyone should need training to be a decent human being!). I rarely go there even though it is by far the closest grocery store to my home... I just hate going there so much that I actively avoid it! Train your staff to be nicer, Budgens! read more

Budgens is actually a kool supermarket i dont mind shopping there but it seeems they are a bit behind what is going on! no loyalty cards? it seems to not exists in Budgens i think that is a real shame Budgens should introduce this in order to retain and gain customers who feel appreciated! with their loyalty cards!! like meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee read more

I don't know how Budgens can justify their high prices when the quality of food is so bad. The fruit and vegetables are always mouldy. Would be more worthwhile getting a small Waitrose or Marks and Spencer. At least the quality would be amazing with the same prices. I wish I didn't work so close by as it could be really convenient. read more

This is my favorite branch of Budgens. They seem to have a better selection and more items in stock. This Budgens offer several types of pork pies, though they seem to run out of the pork pie with pickles (my favorite). Good value on smoked salmon. read more

Of course it doesn't have everything a full-size Waitrose would have, but this Budgens is a big step up from the Tesco Expresses and such that are the main options in this area. The store combines a good general selection with pleasing little surprise bargains. The only drawback is the crowding of the aisles--a necessary consequence of packing so much into this space--but they have a good setup for getting everyone checked out quickly at the end. read more

A couple weeks ago, my wife and our son were shopping at Budgens. My wife proceeded to pay with her credit card, which required a signature on the receipt. Despite her signature on the receipt being identical to her signature on her card, the clerk (who, as we later learned, is the manager) kept refusing it, insisting that it was not the same signature. My wife offered multiple IDs, but the clerk brushed them off and insisted they could not accept credit cards that may have been stolen. Our son (3 yrs) got impatient and my wife took this as an opportunity to offer to the clerk that she would go to the ATM down the street (in the pouring rain) and get cash out in order to pay. Instead of thanking my wife or offering an apology for her inconvenience, the clerk raised her voice considerably and repeated very audibly to other customers "We cannot accept cards that may have been stolen". My wife, who is rather shy and a peace-loving individual, was absolutely mortified. She asked yet again, in a low voice, if she may go and withdraw cash from the ATM and if the clerk may hold her groceries for her at the back of the till. The clerk refused to listen to anything my wife was saying, became hostile and got very close into my wife's space. Instead of constructively tackling the issue, she kept repeating the same old spiel: "Madam, we cannot accept cards that may have been stolen. We have to ask you to leave the store if you are unhappy with our rules". My wife, who had offered multiple times to withdraw cash, quietly left - both humiliated and utterly confused - without groceries. I have the card and the receipt currently in front me: The signatures are identical. I went to the store later that evening to inquire about the seemingly pointless humiliation of my wife, but the clerk, who turned out to be the manager refused to talk to me and suggested I should raise a written complaint with her superior "if you have a problem with our rules". I tried to inquire what rule my wife had broken, presenting her credit card and the receipt with the identical signatures - futile. The manager responded by turning her back and walking away. We did enjoy shopping at Budgens for many years, but I have doubts that my wife will ever set foot in here again after being effectively accused of fraud in front of other customers. At this point we can only assume that the manager had a bad day and decided to randomly take it out on my wife. We do feel sorry for the manager and for whatever has caused her such anger, but venting her spleen by harassing an innocent bystander is not acceptable. read more

absolutely rude staff, no 'hello' or 'thank you'. No reply to complaint letter sent by customer. no customer service. no price tag on certain item. Awful! Never shop here again. read more