The Temple Café - Southend-on-Sea

I absolutely adore this place. I have visited multiple times and the cakes are fantastic. The milkshakes and coffees are also delicious. My favorite item on the menu is the vegan cheese pesto and tomato panini. Their homemade coleslaw is delightful as well. The outdoor seating area at the back is lovely.

The experience was terrible as indicated by the title. The staff didn't show much remorse and I don't plan on returning. If you do decide to go, make sure to double check everything.

My friend and I decided to have lunch at this cafe based on the positive reviews. I want to emphasize that this review is based on our experience on this particular day. When we entered, we were informed that it is table service. We waited for the menus and it took some time for us to receive them. Meanwhile, another couple arrived and were served tea promptly. After my friend had to ask for a menu, we finally placed our order for drinks and falafel wraps. The other couple received their afternoon tea before we got our wraps, which took 40 minutes after we sat down. The food was okay, but I found it strange that crisps were served with many dishes. The wraps came with a salad garnish and a small portion of vegan coleslaw. The prices were a bit high for the location, but not outrageous. I was initially going to give this place a three-star rating, but a small mistake by the staff made me settle on two stars. The other couple was asked if everything was okay during their meal, but we were not, which we took as a slight. I probably won't return, as there are better options elsewhere. However, I recommend giving it a try since it has good reviews and offers clearly marked vegan options. It's possible that my experience was just an off day.

Nice food with varied options. Staff seem knowledgeable about vegan food

Decent coffee and quick breakfast. Most vegan choices seemed to just substitute avocado for something else. Vegetarians fairly well catered for. It’s a nice space but was empty when I went on a Saturday morning.