ÖSSkaffe Recoleta — Restaurant in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

The Oss concept is great. While not everyone’s taste I love the unexpectedness of the place, the books and the quirky furniture designed by the owner. I also find it a nice pitstop to sit with a friend or alone and get some work done….Air con in summer would help….

It’s unfortunate then that service here swings from super friendly to downright rude. This is only my second-ever negative Google review — I usually prefer to keep frustrations to myself.

The other day, a young male server brought me a lukewarm cortado. When I asked if he could heat it, he told me the coffee was fine and that I just had to get used to it (!). He eventually reheated it, then laughed about it with another customer. He also shouted “cortado!” repeatedly from behind the window for me to fetch it — even though I was seated closer to him than the window itself. The coffee came back like a curdled lágrima, too hot to hold. I commented they used to always bring the coffee to the table, he said they never did. I am the customer and have no reason to make up a story about better service…. (Note: I originally posted this in the wrong location — this review was meant for the Recoleta café, and I’m reposting after another disappointing visit.)

I keep returning because it’s convenient, and the pão de queijo used to be excellent. Now they’re smaller, less tasty and currently unavailable due to a change in provider ….so last week I tried a pastry instead. Asking how it tasted, the kind server said it was delicious; the rude one interrupted, insisting they heat another piece. It arrived buried in powdered sugar [those on display had none] and overly crisp, not fresh. I suggested to the rude server they serve the food as displayed or ask if one would like a dose of sugar before choosing to add it…..

That same day, I spotted the owner outside on his phone. Not wanting to interrupt I wrote a heartfelt note — complimenting the café & even drawing my favourite - Cortado and Pan de Queso. I mentioned I had concerns, inviting him to reach out. No response.

I’ve had many good moments here — working, meeting friends, even recommending the place in a guide I wrote. However, the rudeness is not isolated and friends have also experienced it.

Sharing a photo: a lovely memory from last year, and the rather sad cortado from the other day.A picture paints a...

An affogato to die for and wonderful desserts. There is actually a tiny hidden indoor seating area that is really special, don’t miss it. The collection of older books to browse is surprisingly sophisticated—you can page through Don Quixote or books on “the battle of the intellectuals.” Staff were friendly and tolerated my somewhat...

Hermosa nueva apertura en el barrio, faltaba un lugar así íntimo y tranquilo. El foco del lugar es 100% el café, como advertencia a los que no consumen café o buscan más opciones. Hay acompañamientos muy ricos pero se especializan en cafe.

Por dentro confunde parece que es más grande pero es un pequeño espacio con dos o tres mesitas, eso no quita igual lo bien decorado que está.

La atención es re calida, pedimos un cafe, un tostado de lomito, jugo de naranja y un budín. Todo espectacular, el tostado tenía una crocancia que nunca había visto, lleno de queso y lomito, buena cantidad. El jugo riquisimo y exprimido en el momento! El budín muy rico también. Tienen opciones diferentes a otras cafeterías, había mucha variedad y el que probamos de vainilla estaba muy rico, es un poco más elevado que el promedio igualmente el valor del cafe.

Muy linda e íntima...