The Little Teapot - Highland

It’s such a shame as when I visit family in Inverness, I always pop in to the Victorian market, so the cafe is in a fantastic spot. It’s an interesting wee place inside and all the signs are welcoming ....... except for the surly staff member or maybe it’s the owner? I didn’t get a welcome smile or acknowledgement. I wasn’t sure whether to order at the table and was just told in a matter of fact way that you order at the desk. There is an upstairs but this was blocked off for some reason. My snack was ok took the edge off before my tea, I have given this place the benefit of the doubt before, but the service hasn’t improved. I went to the desk to pay and was asked what would I like to order!! I said I’ve eaten and I’m just wanting to pay. She just wasn’t interested. There’s plenty of other places in Inverness to spend your hard earned money. That’s the last time I spend mine in there I’m afraid.

The waitress did tell us there would be a delay due to her being on her own, which was ok. When the food did arrive it was our 3rd option as what we would have preferred was finished, this was at lunch time. Coffee was fine but the scone had been microwaved and was steaming, stodgy and basically inedible. Why would you do this without asking the customer first? Maybe we just arrived on an off day. Not cheap, disappointing and not for us.

Had 2 bacon rolls and 2 black coffees. Ordered at counter and paid, waited a bit , not sure why we bacon was microwaved, coffee was quite weak, bacon was really hard and barely warm, paid £10.70, as we were leaving noticed sign saying hot drink and bacon roll £4, that means £2.70 overcharged for mediocre food and sullen service. Won't be back, place was empty at lunchtime, makes you wonder why

The staff were friendly and helpful. As it was busy, they warned about a wait but really the food and coffee arrived fairly fast. The coffee was good and the panini was nice too. The atmosphere is very cosy, the seating was comfortable and the decorations were nice.

I’m a great believer in supporting local businesses. But never again! Loose leaf tea came, no strainer. Scone came freshly heated from microwave, disgusting, asked for an unheated one, it was stale! Couldn’t sit in the tea shop because of the reek of stale frying oil and smoke! £6.50 for two small cups of tea and a small stale scone we couldn’t eat. Starbucks for us!