Tonka Tearoom — Restaurant in Bruges

Looking for hospitality? AVOID!

After going to a few places which were packed with people, we came into Tonka om a freezing Saturday morning with a small group of 10 people (local tour guides and tour guides to be). There was a big table of 6 and at least 5 tables of 2 empty (in a row) free. That means more than half the tables were empty and then we started to understand why...

Instead of welcoming us we were told that there was no room for a group and that we should've reserved by a very unfriendly owner/waiter.

I'm not a Karen, having worked in hospitality myself, I completely understand that rearranging tables in the middle of a service is a nightmare, but that was clearly not the case.

Luckily there are a lot of places in Bruges where the workers are much more accomodating than here. So avoid this place and find a place where they do care about...

I’ve traveled to numerous European cities/ towns and have never experienced ruder service. The waiter brought out a different dish than what I ordered. I politely said, “Oh I believe I ordered X.” The waiter said, “if you ordered X I would have said no because we don’t serve that until 1200.” I did not press the issue being a foreigner (despite the fact that I was allergic to what they brought and the menu says they serve the dish I ordered at 1130). My partner indicated to the waiter that I was allergic to the dish they brought. The waiter responded by asking if the two of us just could switch plates. We did, paid and left quickly. I’ve experienced rude service before which is to be slightly expected as a foreigner, but nothing as bad and unprofessional as this. Go to Carpe Diem Tea room instead. Better price and...

After walking around, we fancied a sit down and a coffee. However, when we looked at the menu and saw we could have a hot chocolate with Bailey's, we were hooked. We also ordered a croissant, only to find out there would be a 15 min wait for some to be reheated. We didn't mind waiting, we'd be walking for quite a time. When our Bailey's hot chocolate arrived, it was presented beautifully. We had a small whisk to mix the chocolate pieces into the waiting hot milk and Bailey's. There was also a small pannacotta and cookie. The entire presentation was lovely and also tasted fantastic. When we go back to visit Brugge, we'll be visiting Tonka...