Brasserie de La Madeleine — Restaurant in Brussels

Very mixed service depending on who is on duty. Can sometimes be rude... and that again depends who's on duty. Coming outside for a cigarette, sitting at a table and relaxing for 5 minutes while ignoring customers is not great service. As this is a regular occurrence, a couple of stars are knocked off this review.

... Just read more reviews below. I'm not the only one who sees poor staff at this cafe.

I didn't spend anything. After waiting 5-6 minutes I wasn't prepared to spend another 5 while she finished her cigarette

Update .... Today I waited 8 minutes on the terrace. Nobody came so I left. Another lost star. I don't know the what the word for "efficiency" is in French but I'm thinking maybe it doesn't exist 🤪. Or at least the word does, but the actual concept may be alien...

It is such a mess. If you prefer a high quality service and nothing except it, it will not be your place. But if the warm balagan atmosphere, strange jokes and anecdotes is something for you, you will probably like it here. At first, I was frustrated, when we were waiting for 20 min just to make our order, while the waiter (the only waiter for a quite big caffee) was taking pictures of someone and then had a nice talk about the weather with another customer. After, it went a bit faster. I had received my Hoegaarden and relaxed. But please, take care with Hoegaarden. In the menu 0.25 l of it cost 2,90 euro and 0,33 l 5,80 euro. It is, a trap I suppose, it is doubble price for far not...

The epitome of rude. I began to ask, in my halting French, when they open, because I was thinking about returning there the next day. The "waitress" interrupted me as she raised her hands, repeating "No" 4 or 5 times and walked away. She probably didn't realize that potential customers have recourse.

PS Because of the nice reply from the owner, I just called the establishment to speak to him or her. My plan was to take down the post once I had an assurance that the rude waitress would be spoken to. I'm not in this to hurt any proprietors.

I asked "English?" and the person on the phone hurriedly spoke in French and hung up...