Psst...here's a secret: if the two Starbucks on Notting Hill Gate are busy, come here, the line usually isn't as long.
I usually stop here once a day to pick up a tall coffee on the way to work, or on the way out. The staff is pretty friendly, but they sometimes get confused by my simple request for tall black coffee, so sometimes I end up with an Americano instead (maybe it's my accent? American = Americano?). I won't complain, though, because both are good and cost the same.
My only gripe is that the take away cups are absolute crap, but I think that's a general Starbucks UK problem. One day I didn't realize the cup was leaking until I saw a little coffee puddle on the ground and some coffee down the front of my jacket (at least it was a waterproof jacket!). So if you get an especially liquidy beverage like a black coffee or black Americano, grab some napkins to wrap around your cup and catch the spilling coffee. read more