Isla Coffee — Restaurant in Tel-Aviv

I just had a terribly negative experience here. I live next-door to this cafe, work from here weekly and I am appalled by the situation I just encountered with the ‘manager’ Adi.

I asked simply asked for a glass of hot water and was denied because she cannot charge me for water and explained that I cannot sit there without ordering something. I told her that I was going to order a coffee afterwards but that did not matter. She refused to serve me and told me I would be taking up a table. To make matters worse, her colleague intervened, and they both spoke so rudely to me, lecturing me on “how this is a place of business” and that “just because I come here and order something regularly doesn’t mean that I can sit here one day with just hot water.” Adi proceeded to ask me where I was from, and then responded, “in Canada you can sit somewhere with just water.” Really rude, sarcastic and inappropriate behaviour.

I was really upset and asked for the name of the manager. They both refused to give me this information.

I have my own company and I work from cafés all around the city daily, weekly. I’ve NEVER encountered an experience like this! To my fellow digital nomads, a highly courage you to give your business to other wonderful, and kind cafes in neighbourhood.

If you’re looking for a good café, some of my favourite ones in the area to work from (with great coffee) are: • Monti • Tamuz • Nabi Yuna • Allenby 75 • Café 51 • Café...

Unfortunately, it transformed from a chic cafe with friendly service to a chic cafe with an impersonal “buy and go” approach.

Last time I sat there, the manager schooled me publicly about how I need to order upon entering the place (it took me a while to order bc the barista was busy when I entered). The public schooling was not just unpleasant but also indicated she does not appreciate her longstanding customers’ patronage.

The place is still very chic so if you need a cup to go I’d buy there - but only if you intend to go right after you’ve finished...

ISLA coffee house is a great place. I sit there regularly. Service is great. You can sit there and work for hours without any pressure to order more than one item. The service it great. I sometimes take my time before I order a coffee as soon as I enter, or anything else, and I do not feel any pressure to do it promptly. I highly recommend the place. It has a tranquil atmosphere and music is in the right volume. Very pleasant and not loud. It feels that this place respects its customers and invites them to revisit, and...