Ice Cafe Venezia — Restaurant in Melbourne

EDIT: Thank you for your response and clarification. This is more of a conversation I have had than I did that evening. I wish this were the case that evening as it would have helped resolve any issues before they arose.

My dogs were on lead, under control, well behaved. Please note I was not given the opportunity to show the assistance dog license to the man speaking to me. In fact, I was not really given the opportunity to speak.

The white older man did not introduce himself so I simply have no other way of describing him. I remain unsure as to why you have stated that he is of a minority as that has nothing to do with the one sided communication I had with him.

Good communication is key! I wish I had been given the opportunity to say my piece that evening, as a simple conversation would have gone a long way.

Thank you, and look after yourself. Have a good weekend ahead.

Walked in with my two assistance dogs only to be asked to leave by an older white man (I still don’t know his role as he never introduced himself, I assume the owner) with the view to “show the customers some respect” followed by the only two customers sitting together (who seemingly knew the apparent older white male owner) to state that she was allergic, only when (i asked one of them) her if we were bothering her. To which she stated she was allergic, in quite an aggressive manner.

She then left soon after with a wry smile. I hadn’t even had the time to order. I was by myself (as usual), and simply wished to order what I wanted and then acquire it outside and leave, but were never given the opportunity to explain myself, and was simply asked to leave and guided outside.

The increasingly more aggressive older male ‘told’ me to leave, backed by the woman who stated she was allergic to dogs (tbh I’m not entirely sure she was indeed allergic, based on how she handled the conversation). Given she smiled all the while after the quasi-conversation we had seemed to suggest she liked the power trip rather than the truth of the fact that most allergic people would speak up for themselves (while she didn’t).

I’m sure it’s not exactly lost business for them to lose one local customer, and they probably don’t care, but I sure as hell will not be going to people who don’t accept assistance dogs into their venues. Or so much as have a conversation about it before escorting you out, supported by a friend and customer (potentially) feigning allergies.

The food is not worth supporting a local business that doesn’t understand that it’s in a locale with the highest number of dogs per capita, and is surrounded by highest number of single women (such as myself) who own dogs; in addition to the fact that a lot of us have assistance dogs for generalised anxiety exacerbated by situations like this.

Assistance and therapy dogs are allowed anywhere people are as per Australian government standards because they fall under Disability Discrimination Act.

I have an anxiety disorder and these kinds of situations do not help. I was also wearing my leg brace for knee support which nobody gave me the opportunity to explain.

Seen as nobody (the female customer or the older white man who asked me leave) gave me enough time to explain what was going on, I have no choice but to not give them my...

I’ve brought my family to this establishment on previous occasions and I recall it being a pleasant experience. This time not so much… upon receiving my ice cream sundae I noticed a big brown hair sticking out of it! when I made a complaint to the young women working at the time she began to become offended and refused to believe it was from any of the staff or herself.

I felt quite belittled as I had my young child with me at the time. After this experience I don’t believe I willing be returning especially after the way that particular staff member chose to behave, unfortunate as I have always had great things to say about this establishment.

Maybe they should consider hiring friendlier staff because on this particular occasion as a eager customer I was turned away by her attitude and apparent lack of empathy unsure of it was personal or she might’ve just been having a tough day. Either way I don’t believe this type of treatment is...

UPDATE: Response to the owner:

I can assure you that my review is genuine. I visited your café on Monday, 10.03.2025, and my experience was exactly as I described. To further confirm this, I also have my bank receipt from the visit. Instead of addressing the feedback and considering improvements, dismissing my review and labeling me as dishonest is unprofessional. Feedback, whether positive or negative, is an opportunity for growth. I hope you take this into consideration.

Unfortunately, our recent visit was a letdown. We ordered an almond latte and a skinny latte, both were far from satisfactory. The smell and taste were terrible!!! I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a decent cup of coffee.

Skinny Latte...