18-EightyEight — Restaurant in Melbourne

Great place however the guy staff was a bit rude and racist. We are group of 5 Asian. When we enter the cafe and wanted to order a coffee, the guy approaches us and said we are not allowed in the premises due to we are eating ice cream from a different store which we may get food poisoning. We suggested that we are happy to sit outside at the moment and finish our ice cream. Unfortunately the guy still not happy and told us if we understand what he is trying to say that we are not allowed to order for the same reason. We just leave and go to other place to order coffee. When we get back and pass by the 1888 café there’s a lot of people outside eating ice cream and seating on the table, which to my surprise why they are allowing those people? Can anyone help me to explain why? I’ve been working in a hospitality/restaurants for 12years as a manager, I have never experienced this kind of behaviour. Yes I do understand when it comes to health and safety but why he stop us from ordering a coffee and sit outside after we finish our ice cream? More power to...

The service here is above and beyond. I've forgotten the owners name but he is always so kind & welcoming and he is that rare kind of person that prioritises values above profit. He gives big discount for using your own keep cups and the other day I bought a heap of drinks all in keep cups (some large, some Iced etc) I thought it was cheap but when I added it up properly later it was crazy cheap per drink. I actually felt bad. I don't even know how profitable that would be but they obviously care for the environment deeply & their own cups are biodegradable and they have their own system you can use to degrade them I believe. All of the drinks were amazing btw. He also puts on colouring competition for kids and Halloween decorations and things. He is always talkative and lovely and the cakes etc I've tried in the past were amazing. I wish there were a few more food options to have lunch but it is now my go to for any drinks. They are also open pretty late. Highly recommend you support this...

I’ve been here a few times and was very happy with the service. But today the staff didn’t even say hello when I came and sat down even though I was the only one in the store ? I waited for a while and then ordered a bagel at the counter. There was sauce all over the bagel and they didn’t have a sharp enough knife to cut it so basically it was impossible to eat it & I had to return it. Quite disappointed with today’s experience. They didn’t even apologies or asked if I want to order something else? I was planning to stay there for a few hours working on my laptop, I wanted to get coffee as well and maybe even dessert but the service was so miserable,...