Dolce Pensiero — Restaurant in Vienna

As their long time customer, today I was so disapointed to see what has happened to my favorite coffee place in Vienna. I was going to Dolce Pensiero since it opened a few years ago. Back then I was working as a Hotel Manager in the same street and was sending all our hotel guests to their place. I was recommending Dolce non stop to everyone I knew as a unique place in Vienna, and even posted many great reviews on our hotel Instagram recomending this place with all my heart. Today I was there with a friend and my child, ordered a few things and as I was ordering, a friend of mine sat down with my kid at one of the tables for 2 (because there are only tables for 2), and took a chair for me to sit. One of the workers approched them and told them to move to another table. Didn’t even ask if they wanted to move. They moved until I was discusing with another employee where would it be convinient that I put our stroler. I asked her about the best position and said that it is even not a problem if i left them at the garden in front of the place, but any place I suggested she was unwilingly approving. I said any place is fine for me and if it bothers her or anyone else i can move them anytime. We sat down and had to bring our own drinks and food to our table. First of all, with such prices of 2 coffees and juice being aprox 15€, pizza and pastry another 7€. So easily we come to almost 25€, customers have to serve themselves, makes me wonder what happened to italian service. My 2.5 year old was next to me when I ordered a juice for her, they gave it to me and I paid. Once I took the juice in my hand I realized that it was freezing cold. I asked them for a non cold one, but they said they cannot exchange it because they have already opened it. They then offered to heat it up with some hot water. You shouldn’t serve freezing cold juices to small children, that should be self explanatory. This would be such a minor thing if overall experiance would be good, but it unfortunately wasn’t. Once it opened it had fewer tables where one could sit, talk and enjoy what this place offers. Great service, great coffee and food, lovely welcoming staff that wholeheartedly welcomed every guest that showed up. I clearly remember how they were kind, and how people that are used go Austrian “hospitality” that is not the best, loved this place because of its unique vibe and hospitality. As someone that worked more than 8 years as a hotel manager I know that employees are everytning! Regardless of prices, appearance, etc. if staff is not nice, expirience will be bad. This is unfortunately what Dolce became, a place with more tables as it should have. Guests sitting so close to each other that it is impossible to have a conversation without another guests basically “sit in your lap”. Place which became so expensive where you have to serve yourself. I’ve been to Italy many times, I am working now in international company with italians, I adore Italy as a country, their food and culture and more than anything I loved this place until this day. It was a real piece of Italy in Vienna. Something special! Now it jusy became a place “buy stuff, take it and please go out”. Such a shame… Dear Dolce Pensiero Manager and employees, if you ever read this, please make Dolce a warm place like it was before. A smile is not expensive....

This cake/cafe shop used to be my go-to place for delightful cakes, but my recent visits have left me feeling disappointed. It seems that their focus has shifted solely towards maximizing profit, which has negatively impacted the overall experience.

During my last visit with a friend, we sat down at a table only to be asked to move to another one shortly after. This sudden request to change tables was inconvenient and disrupted our initial seating arrangement.

The chocolate cake is indeed delicious, but I regret to say that I was highly disappointed with their strawberry cake during my last visit. It was an unfortunate experience as the cake was excessively sweet and completely missed the mark in terms of taste. It fell far below the standard I have come to expect from this cake/cafe shop. In fact, I couldn't even bring myself to finish the cake, something that has never happened to me before. I must honestly state that it was a complete waste of money and a major letdown.

Furthermore, the overcrowded seating arrangement inside the shop is a major drawback. The tables are placed so closely together that it becomes uncomfortable, as you practically find yourself sitting on top of your neighbor. The cramped atmosphere detracts from the overall dining experience, which is a shame.

Another aspect that struck me as odd was the self-service policy for drinks. It reminded me of fast-food chains like McDonald's, and it felt impersonal. Bringing your own drinks to the table, both inside and on the terrace, takes away from the unique ambiance that I used to enjoy in this cafe.

I sincerely hope that the management takes these concerns into consideration and makes the necessary improvements to restore the quality and charm that initially made this place my favorite. As a loyal customer, I believe it's crucial to provide honest feedback in the hopes of fostering...

Leider muss ich sagen: Der Service im Dolce Pensiero ist – gelinde gesagt – inakzeptabel. Bereits vor einigen Wochen wurde mir 15 Minuten vor Ladenschluss ein Kaffee verweigert, mit der schnippischen Begründung, es sei bereits „alles weggeräumt“. Kein höflicher Hinweis, keine Spur von Gastfreundschaft – nur Desinteresse und Ablehnung.

Heute der nächste Vorfall: Wir betreten das Lokal um 18:30 Uhr, offenbar nach offizieller Schließzeit – was wir schlicht übersehen hatten. Statt eines freundlichen Hinweises wurden wir von der blonden Kellnerin mit einem barschen „Wir haben geschlossen!“ regelrecht angeblafft. Kein Gruß, kein Erklärungsversuch – nur brüske Ablehnung in einem Tonfall, der in einem serviceorientierten Betrieb deplatziert ist.

Ich habe die Dame darauf hingewiesen, dass man so etwas auch respektvoll formulieren kann – was allerdings offenbar auf taube Ohren stieß. Wir sind daraufhin sofort gegangen – und ehrlich gesagt: Ein drittes Mal wird es nicht geben.

Das Verhalten des Personals lässt auf ein demotiviertes, möglicherweise dysfunktionales Betriebsklima schließen. Freundlichkeit ist kein fakultatives Extra, sondern Grundvoraussetzung in der Gastronomie. Und genau daran mangelt es hier eklatant.

Schade, denn nach dem ersten Vorfall hatte ich eine höfliche Antwort per Mail erhalten – inklusive Einladung auf einen Kaffee, die ich dankend abgelehnt habe, da es mir lediglich um Feedback ging. Doch das heutige Erlebnis toppt alles – negativ.

Für mich ist klar: Dolce Pensiero – nein, danke!!!

Unfortunately, I must say: the service at Dolce Pensiero is – to put it mildly – unacceptable. A few weeks ago, I was denied a coffee 15 minutes before closing time with the curt explanation that “everything had already been cleared away.” No polite notice, no trace of hospitality – just disinterest and dismissal.

Today brought the next incident: we entered the café at 6:30 PM, apparently after official closing time – something we had simply overlooked. Instead of a courteous remark, we were barked at by the blonde waitress with a sharp “We’re closed!” No greeting, no attempt to explain – just blunt rejection in a tone utterly out of place in any service-oriented establishment.

I pointed out to the lady that there are more respectful ways to communicate such things – but that clearly fell on deaf ears. We left immediately – and to be honest: there won’t be a third time.

The staff’s behaviour suggests a demotivated, perhaps dysfunctional work environment. Friendliness is not an optional bonus – it is a fundamental requirement in hospitality. And that is precisely what is glaringly lacking here.

It’s a shame – especially since, after the first incident, I had actually received a polite email response, including an invitation for a coffee, which I kindly declined, as my intent was merely to provide feedback. But today’s experience surpasses everything – in the worst possible way.

For me, it’s clear: Dolce Pensiero – no,...