Nice Neighbour Cafe — Restaurant in George

Not such a Nice Neighbour after all!!

I am a solo traveller and after checking out of my accommodation, was taken to this spot to hang out, work and get some food and drinks, while i waited for my bus to PE.

After ordering my coffee, the waitress asked me if they could bring my bill and if I could leave (???) so they could seat other people - I said no because I was still planning to order food and was going to be there for a while.

After a little while, I got up and asked the lady who seemed like the manager, if she could help me move/lookout for a table which was closer to a plug point so I could continue working. To which she replied with an attitude that they were prioritising other people, and specifically groups of more than 1 person. So I looked at her quizzically and asked her if she was basically saying I was not welcome as a solo person in her cafe? To which she replied 'Not if you are only ordering a cappuccino'. After a moment of disbelief, I said to her I was actually planning to order food, but that I was pacing myself as I had some time. She still refused to help me and I sat down, unsure what to do.

She walked away and then walked back to me and said 'By the way I am the owner so..' And I was like 'So what?! - that makes no difference to me, only for her to continued to argue that it did.

If circumstances were different, I would have marched out of there immediately but given the variables at play (with this spot being close to my pick up point) I had to sit put. I ended up ordering the soup (which was highly average) so that I didn't waste too much of my money at this place and was only too glad to have left when the time arrived.

The situation felt racially tainted How can the owner of an establishment treat any of their customers this badly, and have absolutely no shame about it? Everyone should be prioritised and spoken to nicely - most people are willing to flex and make a plan to help out, but when you approach someone with a superior tone of voice and attitude it won't work out this way. Please let the service and management of your place be congruent to the name of it! There are more and more solo travellers around, so best you find a way to accommodate us - you never know who we are and how we could taint your name on social media and in...

We have often driven passed but decided to try the Nice Neighbour Cafe at the old Nick Village. We had sandwiches for lunch (haloumi and pesto on sourdough, the cuban and a bacon and egg sandwich). Everything was good but not 5s. the cuban was a bit overwhelmed by the mustard (presumably English) and as result the pork should and gypsy ham slices disappeared a bit. The haloumi and pesto sandwiches were good. A bit more of the artichoke, aubergine and courgette would have been nice. The artichoke completely disappeared and I had to check on the menu to confirm the ingredients. All round not bad at all. We are a bit more budget conscious and felt that we had some other options in town where prices are slightly lower and/or portions slightly larger. Not a major issue and most people with more disposable income would probably enjoy exploring the variety of more exotic options on the menu. We shared some desserts: the carrot cake was good and airy/light (I prefer mine slightly more dense). The pecan nut cheesecake was good. The winner was the gluten free brownie with white chocolate, which was awesome with a strong cacao flavour rather than just plain sweet (which is my preference). The flat white was one of the nicest ones in town so far, so may be lure back for dessert and coffee or to explore the more exotic options on the menu for a slightly more pricey meal. Overall the venue is nice with a large, well situated slow combustion stove, which was very welcome but not overwhelming on...

I have stopped at Nice Neighbour a few times for their delicious croissants and have always been met with a rather cold cool sort of service rather than warm and welcoming.

Today 10 January 2024 I stopped again to buy 2 croissants with butter that was marked R30 on their respective trays behind the counter. Once in the bag the lady which I believed was called Sibu tried to charge me R90 for the 2 croissants with out making eye contact. When I said are you sure she said yes without looking up still deeply engaged with whatever going in the black screen in front of her. When I pointed to the price tags she briefly looked at it and ripped of the tag which showed that it was R30. Then another server entered the scene, didn't acknowledge me and confirmed that it was R45. I said then you really need to adjust your display prices. A 3rd server came on the scene and then pointed to the 2 rude servers that it was actually R30 a piece. None of them apologised and when I insisted on an apology I got a very cold half hearted I am sorry" from one of them.

Being a local and driving past there once a week I will not stop there again as the rude, obnoxious service I received today far outweighs the delicious croissants they make thus won't be supporting them anymore. Perhaps they should consider changing the name to Not so Nice Neighbour or...owner should look at staff they employ as this is not...