VanillaTree Coffee & Bagels — Restaurant in England

I visited The Vanilla Tree recently and had a deeply disappointing experience. After sitting down to revise while waiting for a friend, we were approached by a staff member named Charlie who, after informing us that the kitchen was closing, made a comment along the lines of, “So you’re not buying anything, just using our Wi-Fi and drinking our water… bit weird.” He repeated “bit weird” in a way that felt mocking and targeted.

My friend, who has a medical condition involving low iron and often feels faint, had only taken a small glass of water to stay hydrated. We were polite, quiet, and not disruptive. The comment felt completely unnecessary and humiliating — especially as no one else in the café was spoken to in this way. We were also the only visibly brown people present.

My friend left the café in tears. She felt embarrassed, singled out, and disrespected.

I raised this privately with the owners, hoping for an honest apology or at least an acknowledgement of the emotional harm caused. Unfortunately, the response I received was defensive and dismissive. They insisted the staff member was polite and that the matter was now “resolved,” despite the clear distress it caused.

It’s incredibly disheartening to be treated like this, and then to have your experience invalidated when raised with maturity and respect. I won’t be returning, and I encourage others — especially those from minority backgrounds — to be mindful of how welcome they...

Vanilla Tree Coffee Shop is a true gem when it comes to the coffee and bagel scene. Nestled in Bedford town, the ambiance instantly sets the mood for a great coffee experience. The staff are warm and attentive, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk through the door.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the Reuben bagel. This is not your run-of-the-mill bagel sandwich; it's a culinary masterpiece. The tender salted beef pairs brilliantly with the tangy sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, all perfectly layered between a freshly baked bagel. The unique blend of textures and flavours is simply sublime, creating a mouthwatering experience that you'll want to relive time and again.

Their coffee menu is also top-notch, that can please any palate, from a robust Americano to a velvety latte. Pair that with the Reuben bagel, and you're set for a perfect meal that will have you coming back for more.

So if you find yourself in the neighbourhood, do yourself a favour and drop by Vanilla Tree. You won't be...

I liked the unique and pretty decor. However, I have been there 3 times and every time the customer service was JUST OK. For example: staff did not greet, welcomed or smiled when serving; last time I've been, the girl-server appeared as if she didn't want to be there, very distant and cold in manner. I asked if they do cold drinks, since there were none on their menu board and instead of her replying to me she just pointed at a shelf with drinks behind her. After ordering I wasn't even asked where abouts I was going to sit when they bring the order; hence why, you could see other servers looking around confused and bringing people's drinks in the wrong area, not being able to find them, asking multiple tables if they ordered the drinks he was carrying etc. Lastly, when our server brought the drinks she spilled some of them on her way and didn't even offer to clean up or didn't even offer a tissue for us to do it and left quickly. The customer service will need improving quite a lot for me and my friends to...