the mill — Restaurant in Lisbon

As a Portuguese and Lisbon local, I think it is very positive the growth of tourism for the city. However, its massification is causing an increasing number of situations such as the one that happened today.

I come in The Mill and tell them if they had space to seat. It was half empty. When I start heading towards a table, they say it is only possible to seat there if we are two or more people. We actually were, so all good. ( first sign of what was about to come)

I was going to have a coffee, 20 minutes, prep a meeting and bounce off. Well, the moment I turn on my laptop, a waiter comes to me and says: "Sir, it is forbidden to use laptops here".

I could not believe what I was witnessing. I told them point blank: "Look, I have a meeting. I need to prep for 20-minutes, have a coffe and leave. Can I use my laptop until then?". Reply: "No, sir these are orders from our boss".

I think it is absolutely disappointing these type of situations and do not show the great hospitality and people Lisbon has. I understand that for profit/business reasons you do this, but this has a very adverse effect on your business instead.

Your coffee/restaurant is your home(at least all people I know that own successful restaurants say this). I think that you do not want to welcome and treat people like this in your home, right?

What is the difference of me using a laptop or someone who is using their phone? What about someone that comes in to read a book, will you also let them know that they cannot enjoy your establishment to read a book just because you want to get more revenue?

I was really sad to see the type of culture that has been developing in the area. I left and went to another coffee that told me exactly the same thing, so they are not they are not the only ones.

Suggestions(because I am trying hard to understand your point, although I think it is not sustainable in the long run): Why not be honest and tell people in advance that if they want to work, they can but should compromise to a minimum spending?

Long story short, I left and will never come back.

To all tourists and foreigners that visit Lisbon and see this post, please be aware that this is a typical nice place from the outside, but by any means is a reflection of the portuguese culture and what we have to offer.

To the staff of the Mill and especially its owner(s), I highly recommend you to think about your policies because in the long run this will only hurt your business and the extra revenue you will get today, will not be worth the damage that you are causing to your reputation.

Here to help you if you...

Amazing breakfast, amazing staff, amazing atmosphere.

We got here at prime breakfast time, mainly due to us waking up late and deciding that we wanted to go out for breakfast instead of staying in the hotel. After a quick google search, this was one of the first cafes to pop up. It was a bit far from our hotel but after searching around, this seemed to be the only place that fit the varying tastes of my family. So we took a hike to the restaurant and saw a small line forming outside. We thought we were unlucky and would now have to look around for a new place however we went inside and was happily greeted by a waitress (I wish I knew her name, she was bald, very unique looking) who said that we had a 30 minute wait for a table of four. She gave us a menu to look at and offered to get us drinks while we waited outside. My dad had the coffee (black with sugar) which he enjoyed, my brother the fresh squeezed OJ which he got several glasses of eventually, and my mom and I simple glasses of coke. Not a long while after we were seated and quickly served a delicious breakfast.

This place is definitely a hidden gem but would definitely recommended for breakfast in Lisbon. You also are close to Tram 28 which you can watch pass by in the cozy...

Very good coffee, good food, good enough service. It is priced for tourists and is still always packed, which means they have no reason to lower prices. But even I, a neighbor inhabitant, go there sometimes.

Their coffee is very adequately toasted (medium light), and it makes good drinks. You can notice the fruitiness of coffee grains.

Their food is good, but I wouldn't go there if it was just for it. I'd say it's worthy food to accompany their coffee, but that's it.

The service is variable. Sometimes very good, other times almost French, when you feel like you, the client, may have done something wrong. But it doesn't degrade the venue. Still a decent coffee place.

Price is high in my opinion. Maybe it's their real estate cost, hopefully the owner is paying employees really well. I'd go there almost every morning if their Mocha was 2.5 euros instead of 4. But again, they always have a short queue at the door, which makes its high prices decent for the tourists.

Your first time there? GO. Then you decide how often...