Bella Vera / Eiscafe - Bar — Restaurant in Oberstdorf

Disappointed by the Gap Between Signage and Service

I really wanted to love Bella Icecream – the concept is cute, the signs are everywhere encouraging kindness, cleanliness, and great customer experience. But unfortunately, not a single one of those values was reflected in the actual service.

The store is filled with rules and reminders telling customers how to behave, but none of that courtesy seemed to apply to the staff. I had to ask for little spoons and even a basic napkin – which should be offered without question at an ice cream shop. It felt like I was inconveniencing them for expecting the bare minimum.

What’s most frustrating is the disconnect between what they preach and what they practice. If you’re going to put so much effort into telling your customers how to act, you should lead by example. Service is part of the experience and sadly, it just wasn’t there.

To make things more frustrating, they only accept cash – in 2025 – and when I asked for help finding a nearby cash machine, the support was minimal, almost indifferent. I was left to wander around on my own just to figure out how to pay.

And after all that? The ice cream was… mediocre at best. Nothing memorable, especially after the hassle it took to get it.

Bella, your space is full of signs telling customers how to behave. It’s time the service lived up to the same standards. Friendly, proactive service and a touch of hospitality would go a long way in making your values feel authentic, not...

The take-away ice cream is tasty. However, after getting a take-away, we decided to sit at one of the outside tables for a coffee. The server (possibly the owner) saw us after a minute, and immediately came at us in German with something that must have been something like "You got a take-away icecream so you can't sit here!", visibly frustrated and angry. Perplexed and caught off guard we responded with "but we'd like a coffee please". She then took a deep sigh and rushed our order like she was angry at us for wanting a coffee. Very strange and one of the rudest experiences we've ever had at a restaurant or café. When she came to serve the coffees she could've apologised, possibly explaining that people come sit there all the time or that she maybe had a bad day, but she didn't take that opportunity which caused me to leave this review, my first negative review ever.

Update: Owner apparently thinks it's okay to be rude to customers because they are annoyed because it happens more often with other customers and there's some strange tax reason that was not communicated at all at any point. Either way, definitely not focused on...

We've been visiting Oberstdorf for years, and for a long time, Bella Vera has been our long-time favourite Eiscafe.

However, it's like this place is under new management. Yes, the ice cream remains stunningly delicious, and I just can't get enough of it! However, the service has gone terribly down hill. At the takeaway counter, the old chap is miserable as sin. I don't think he knows how to smile, and he is silent and non-engaging.

Inside isn't a lot better, either, with staff who appear miserable, also incredibly unengaging, and service without a smile.

Such a shame. The ice cream is great, but do not go along to this place and expect a warm welcome. You won't get it.

Oh, and cash only - take away or eat in. This place really needs to do better, otherwise its reputation will not allow them to succeed with so many other friendly and welcoming Eiscafes in Oberstdorf.

Overall, highly disappointing, despite...