The Papeneiland — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Went here on a first date, it's was her favourite cafe. It was full inside, but it was also raining outside. But not that bad, so we decided to just hang out outside with our umbrella. Went in to order, but couldn't, had to go and wait to be serve. Everything was fine, order 2 bier and the must try apple pie. After some time holding the umbrella it was tiring, then we saw the table next to us had a parasol out. And there was a parasol right next to us. So thinking it's there to use isn't it. But yes, I did thought maybe we should ask first. But then again, they were pack, so they're busy, we are all adults here, it's not like we are not careful with other people stuff. Anyway, the waiter/ owner I don't know, but he was mad. If you break it, I have to pay for it, ect ect. My date don't speak Dutch and not that well English. We said our sorry and okay, she end with bye bye. I try to say she didn't mean anything with it and definitely not trying to be rude. He he keep repeating be polite, like 4 time before he went in side. It became quite awkward after. I was there thinking, background I'm a hostess /waitress for 20+ year. There were so many different way to handle and maybe different way to speak to your guest/customers. And repeating the be polite to your costumers while you yourself as a host is not. It's really piss me off. It's that it my date favourite cafe, that I kept my mouth shut. I didn't fel welcome, so I won't be going back or recommend it to anyone. Other then that the pie, ones again I'm in the restaurant industry, a hair or 2 in the food. It won't kill me. I'll just eat without complain. But it's just 1 slice, and we shared, yet I meself come across 4 pieces, out of 6 bites maybe. At some point, I felt like I'm eating more hair then apple. I kept quiet about it first but finally told her about finding hair, and she was like oh me too. Thats not a hair or 2 mistake. But hey its just my experience. But I won't be going back, don't know...

The place is not tourist friendly, which is quite counter-productive when I’m sure that a lot of their income comes from tourist traffic.

Asking to clarify a few things about the menu will earn a roll of eyes. But the most important detail is that they will obviously prioritise their Dutch customers over tourists: we sat at a big table whilst waiting for food, and were soon joined by a handful of locals who obviously ordered way after us (friendly people! Can’t say the same about the staff, however), and they also happened to order the same thing as us after joining that corner. But we were not the ones who received their orders first, with the waiters pretending they don’t even remember what we ordered until we inquired about the food.

I completely understand the need to make your regulars feel special; but it shouldn’t come at the expense of snubbing other people. You also shouldn’t make people feel bad about asking questions about the menu - when asked about milk options, just say you do not have any to offer rather than give a patronising tone with ‘we are an ‘old-fashioned’ cafe’.

Overall, we were made to feel unwelcome, which did ruin our early brunch. I can’t make bad comments about the food as it was average, but the atmosphere itself was tense and not at all a good look for the Amsterdam experience. I know that hospitality can be stressful, but it should not be an excuse to make people feel guilty for stepping foot into your establishment.

Will...

One of the staff members was xenophobic and rude. Please, avoid this place if possible.

Reading the comments, it seems that this is a common pattern from this particular staff member (short bald male). Several people reported the same xenophobic and rude behaviour.

MY STORY When I entered the place, I tried to order from the bar to help the waiter. When I did so, the waiter told me very rudely that I need to take a table and he will come. When he showed up, my wife was standing up and he screamed at me telling "I told you to sit down; why didnt you tell her". He then kept screaming telling me that in Amsterdam everyone ordered at the table, and as a tourist I should learn. When I told him that I had lived here for 1.5 years and I never noticed this in other cafes, he told me that my behaviour was even worse for not noticing local customs. Then he told me that since I was here for a long time, I should order in Dutch. I told him I didn't feel comfortable ordering in Dutch, and he told me that he would only take my order in Dutch. I told him again (kindly) that I was not feeling comfortable. At that moment, he started screaming and told me (literally) "Get the f** out" and forced us to leave the place.

I was with my family who was visiting me, and I left right away because I felt unsafe. This behaviour was...