Café Bartine — Restaurant in The Hague

I recommend this place but I think that there are a few things that they could do better.

The food is really good but I would have liked it if our teas came with a saucer so we would have a spoon to stir and maybe some honey, sugar or other sweetness. Also the absence of a saucer made it so the cups left wet marks on the table.

3 stars for service because payment can only be done with a card, no cash, but we missed that information on the door (though that could have been on us). Staff is generally quick and friendly and food didn't take long to arrive either. When I requested some honey at the register they offered me a squeeze bottle so I could use that. This was fine, but I would have really liked it to be included from the start, or maybe asked by the staff if I would have liked some (or sugar or other sweetener), this is why I chose to remove another star.

The place has a nice atmosphere but it is a bit cramped, especially when it's packed like when...

I’ve been to this café three times now, but unfortunately, this last visit will definitely be my last. While the pastries and brunch food are good – and honestly, that’s the only reason I kept coming back – the service leaves a lot to be desired.

The staff seems overly eager to clear the table, to the point where it’s disruptive. While chatting, we were interrupted multiple times as they cleaned the table or took our cups the moment we finished. Even with the tap water, as soon as we drank it, they removed the glass without asking if we’d like a refill. It felt rushed and almost as though they wanted us to leave quickly, which made the whole experience uncomfortable.

While the food is good, it’s nothing unique – you can find similar quality elsewhere, and I’m sure other places will offer a more pleasant and considerate dining experience. Disappointing service like this is enough to make me choose another...

Ok, so I have to ponder between two completely different experiences. The first time I went to this place was to accompany some friends who were looking for brunch on a Sunday. We arrived around 1.30pm and it took a loooong time for our order to be taken. Everything was going well, the drinks arrived and after about ten minutes the waiter appears and tells us that they no longer had food, so my friends ran out of food after a long wait and we were forced to drink and pay for drinks that, had we known about this situation, we would not have ordered (because let's say it, coffee cannot be considered their strong point, maybe orange juice is). The second time I went, four months later, the service was somewhat faster and this time I was able to order (and receive) food and I must say that it was very good, although in my opinion it was a bit high in price (but ok, it is Den Haag, so its not...