Hideout Dee Why Cafe — Restaurant in Sydney

Good coffee. But some advice: don't accidentally leave your newspaper open to a controversial political advert.

I would state the lockdown did not bring the best out of people. But I believe in local business, so I've changed my review - however I do believe it is worth noting the owner's response to my previous review (I live overseas - therefore I can't "muster up enough courage to have a conversation face to face").

Hello Mr Elliot Thanks for you feedback, my normal response would be to apologise for your experience and to make changes to the way we do things to improve our overall service. As I read through what you describe as "shocking customer service" I am baffled at your perceived grievances.

Firstly your comments on our alleged "segregation and demonisation" towards our customers are just plain ignorant of our current laws. As a small business that has just come through 3 months of lock down, the last thing we want to do is turn away customers. However, if you do not have proof of vaccination, the law says you cannot dine in, regardless of your or my opinion....that is the law.

It seems you have misinterpreted my comments on the photo in the newspaper you were reading, while I was (clearly behaving snobbishly) clearing your table. My comments were based on what I perceived as an intimidating photo, nothing more. My commentary was meant to be more about the poor choice of photo used in an advertisement aimed at gaining people's trust, hence my comment "wow, would you vote for this guy". The fact you have made a number of assumptions about me personally and then my political biases based the first 7 words I spoke to you is disappointing. What happened to, in your words, "tolerance and loving neighbor".

Finally, as a part of my role and to engage with my customers, I chat to as many people as I can. It has helped me grow my business and build a number of friendships along the way. I obviously misinterpreted your willingness to engage in conversation. You seemed interested in out political discussion and continued to ask questions. If you wished to be left alone a simple request to be would have been more effective.

Since you are sharing the thing your are sick of, I will share mine... People who can't muster up enough courage to have a conversation face to face, about something that is bothering them. Instead they hide behind a screen and tap away at a keyboard.

Feel free to come and have a chat...

Have been going here for 4 years and even though I’ve now moved further away to Manly it’s still my favourite coffee place on the northern beaches so I drive that little bit further even though I have 5 coffee shops within 50-200m from my home. Delicious coffee, indulgent Belgian chocolate for mochas, great variety of delicious sandwiches (my fave is the roast vegetable) and sweet treats and best of all exceptional and friendly service.

I have no idea why the previous reviewer would have posted such a negative review I have never seen the staff particularly the owner treat anyone with anything but complete friendliness, professionalism and respect. I go there sometimes with people from yoga and they all love it too. Even the people delivering and there multiple policemen (station nearby) are cheerful in their interactions. I watch the staff interact with customers and it’s nothing but smiles and laughs with everyone. Perhaps this customer was having a bad day and was being reactive and trying to pass his badly do to someone else else. Such a shame cause the owner and staff are just the loveliest people and I know people I used to run the complaints department for a major telco and now teach personal development and counselling. I can’t stand when people just react and complain without thinking about the impact on a persons business.

Anyway, I have a very particular coffee order and they memorised it very early on and seem to be very good at memorising regulars names and orders in general. James, Sam and the crew are all such lovely people and consistent with their barista skills. Thanks guys. Highly recommend this...

Our entire office has been enjoying the food and beverages from this Cafe for over a year, everyday sometimes twice a day! The thing I love most (aside from their Barista Ninja Sam's coffee) is their outstanding customer service, warm, welcoming approach, exceptional service, EVERY DAY! It's like an episode of Cheers (showing my age here) but they know every customers name and if you're a newbie they take the time to get to know you even when they're busy and have little time to devote to such pleasantries. I was prompted by writing a review because I was checking out their trading hours to see if I had time for another sneaky coffee :) and I saw a really negative review which they're not deserving of. In a hope to counteract that negativity I thought it would be a good opportunity to leave my own more authentic one. The energy, vibrancy of the two owners is outstanding, I would recommend them to anyone if you're after a quick takeaway, or its your lunch break or if you're simply looking to "Hideout" for a while please visit them because they won't...