The Souk — Restaurant in Whitby

First off I want to start by saying I love supporting small businesses & have a passion for coffee culture +quality. However my first experience at this cafe was far from great.

I arrived 15 minutes before closing. I explained to the young lady at the register that it was my first visit & I usually go for a simple iced latte. She was very pleasant and sweet, she recommended the Viennese vanilla latte. To which I asked if the espresso was Viennese explaining the name? She replied yes but didn’t seem confident. I went ahead & ordered the latte. I asked the young lady if the latte was made with whole milk? Where she turned around and asked the barista in the back, a young lady with orange hair. The barista seemed annoyed and her energy overall was not warm. She replied “we don’t have whole milk, we only use 2%”.That interaction alone made me uncomfortable. Anyway, The total came up to $8.58. Which I find to be Outrageous. Not even my favourite patisserie in Yorkville charges that amount for a latte. I requested my receipt to which I noticed I was charged $7.50 plus tax. However the menu says “$5.50 reg, $6.50 lrg”

At this point I was speaking with the lady with orange hair. I asked her to explain the charge in which she couldn’t explain. Other than saying “oh, I guess I’ll have to tell my manager to fix the menu” she didn’t apologize or try to rectify the situation, also showed zero empathy for the mistake.

At that point I was over it. My latte was not filled nor was it delicious. The espresso was subpar at best and paired with 2% milk is not the way to go. My latte also had a subtle perfume taste to it. I’m sure the specialty coffees taste delicious but the basic espresso based drink lack quality and depth. I heard & saw so many amazing reviews! I was really hoping for better. Anyway, i won’t be back. Almost $10 for an iced latte of this quality is insane. Please small business owners, be sure about the people you have representing your business in your absence. Do better, we’re...

Was kind of disappointed with my visit. Came here with my best friend and our little cousins, one of which is autistic and has trouble choosing off the menu and has sensory issues. Between all of us we ordered 5 drinks and 6 pastries/food. Everyone loved their order except my little cousin, the one with sensory issues, she didn’t like how thick it was. I immediately offered her my drink and she loved it. I took her drink and did not like the taste of it at all so I went up to the front and explained the situation to the front, leaving out the autism part, asked if I could get a different drink made and was told I would have to purchase another drink. I was honestly shocked at the response, I completely understand not wanting to make another drink free of charge if we were all adults, but I feel like the response should have been different with a 7 year old kid involved and also given that we bought so much food and drinks from them in the first place. The other drinks and food were honestly really good but unfortunately won’t be coming back because this left a sour taste in our mouths, which sucks because we really wanted to continue to support this local business, and the people at the front were overall nice to be fair.

Update: Added another star because I really appreciate the owner’s response...

Absolutely thrilled with my experience at the new coffee shop in downtown Whitby! The ambiance is warm and inviting, exuding a cozy homely vibe that instantly makes you feel at ease. The service is top-notch, with staff members who go above and beyond to ensure your visit is nothing short of exceptional.

Their snack and drink selection is fantastic, offering a delightful array of treats to indulge in. I highly recommend trying their signature pink drink – it's a must-try! The pistachio Turkish coffee is also a personal favorite, bursting with flavor and richness.

What sets this place apart is not just their amazing offerings, but also their commitment to the community. They regularly host events for newcomers and elderly women, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity that is truly commendable.

Overall, this coffee shop is a gem in Whitby, blending culture, ethics, and exquisite taste seamlessly. I can't wait to...