Merlo Coffee Cafe | Paddington — Restaurant in Brisbane City

I walked in this afternoon at 2:40pm looking forward to a well brewed coffee and to pick up 500g of coffee beans. I could see 2 workers busy making coffee and when one of them saw me they immediately got the attention of the Acting Manager who looked less than enthused at the thought of serving me. I asked for 500g of Rivera to be grounded for a Stove top and a large long black. With little attention to my first order she asked if I wanted whole beans and I repeated that I would like them grounded to be suitable for a stove top. She said the price under her breath and I paid. As soon as my phone bleeped I notice that I was charged for the coffee which I have always been compensated for when buying beans, so I enquired why I was charged for the coffee. Her reply was that it didn't apply for large coffee's. I responded with something along the lines of - you could have told me a medium sized one would be though?

I felt from the first moment of our interaction they were hostile so at that point I cancelled my order and asked for a refund. As soon as I did that their mood completely changed and my refund was processed.

Overall it was just wasn't a pleasant visit.

The other 2 workers should be complemented as they seriously could not have been...

After checking the holiday opening hours online I went at 6:30am to purchase some fresh coffee beans. The store was not yet open but as the team was setting up I kindly asked if they would mind filling my tin. I didn’t need a coffee or food. The staff abruptly said “no we can’t serve you because people keep coming in”. I explained that perhaps that was because on their website/google it said they were open at this time. Frustrated I left and dined out for breakfast elsewhere. Later that day, knowing I was travelling to the other side of town, I took my tin and again checked the opening hours of Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley. Online it said both stores were open. When I got there, they were not. I’m sure there were numerous frustrated customers who wasted time trying to find an open store. Absolutely respect closing for a long weekend, but if you’ve gone to the effort of making a special banner on your website linking to opening hours, you’d want to check the details...

Came here at 3pm as other coffee shops nearby were closed. Service wasn't rude, but not friendly either. It seemed everyone was being served in takeaway containers even when eating in. They called your name when order ready, but really hard to hear. But one customer got a pot of tea brought to his table. The coffee was nice. Fruit toast had potential with good selection of fruit and nuts in it, but was overcooked - hard, dry and cold, and was served on a paper plate in paper bag, with little foil wrapped butter sachet to spread yourself. Only flimsy stirrers provided which broke when spreading the butter on the cold toast, so had to ask for a knife (plastic). The bins were overflowing with cups and...