La Bottega Milanese — Restaurant in Leeds

I recently visited La Bottega Café for what I hoped would be a pleasant catch up with a friend. Unfortunately, the experience was overshadowed by surprisingly disrespectful interaction with the store manager, which has left me extremely disappointed.

My friend had already placed an order from La Bottega, and I joined her shortly afterward. I had purchased a coffee elsewhere just before arriving. I completely understand that some cafés preferred customers to consume only their own products on the premises. To support the business and as a courtesy, I went to the counter and ordered two cakes for myself and my friend, spending £10 which, frankly, I felt was overpriced. However, I made that purchase in good faith, believing that by doing so I was contributing as a paying customer and acting respectfully in the café space. My friend also ordered a Spanish latte from La Bottega.

Shortly after I sat down, the store manager then approached me aggressively in front of other customers, raising her voice and publicly scolding me for bringing in coffee from elsewhere saying that I was “disrespectful”. The tone and approach were completely inappropriate, humiliating and disrespectful. There was no acknowledgment whatsoever of the fact that I had just spent £10 in their establishment. Rather than politely explaining any policy, she bluntly stated that it was “disrespectful” for me to have a coffee from another place. She then asked with an unwelcome tone whether I would prefer to “take the cakes outside and eat them elsewhere”. I even changed my coffee in one of their cups when she suggested it. To her credit, the owner later acknowledged that the staff member’s behaviour and language were unacceptable. I was left having spent money for two overpriced cakes, humiliated along with my friend in front of other customers and treated like an unwelcome intruder despite being a paying customer.

The experience made it clear to me that La Bottega Leeds does not value respectful communication or creating a welcoming environment for its customers. I left the café feeling upset and deeply unwelcome, despite having spent money there.

I will not be returning to La Bottega Leeds, and I would not recommend it to others who expect to be treated with basic courtesy and respect. There are many independent cafés in Leeds with much better customer service who actually value their...

Since Leeds is known to be a student city, it’s common and expected for cafes in here to be taken as work space. The past two years I’ve been a loyal customer who gets coffee and enjoys working here due to the ambient of the cafe. However recently, I feel very uncomfortable coming here as the staffs are monitoring us. My friend ordered a coffee and dessert but the staff still told me to also order myself because that’s my friend’s order not mine and that i’ve been here since 10 am. Even though the cafe was empty during that incident. After expressing my inconvenience one of the staff was super understanding and really sweet.The day after my friend and I both ordered two coffees and two desserts, however I was still approached again by the staff stating that since we’re planning to stay for a while we need to keep ordering to maintain our table regarding the new policy! Are we supposed to order 15 cups of coffee??? Keep in mind the cafe was empty AGAIN. Please, I want to find a written policy where it says I have to order something and sit down or I have to continue ordering or I have to have my own order even though I'm meeting up with a friend. If this policy really exists, I hope it was applied to all “students with laptops”.

In response to your reply:

First of all, if “not serve as a workspace” is the concept of your cafe you should make everyone aware of it, not pick and choose specific ones only and treat them rudely asking them to purchase more items in order to maintain their table, keep in mind there were already 4 items purchased and the neighboring tables only had a coffee but they’re privileged enough to stay as long as they want? Somehow I’ve been asking around about your nonexistent policy and none of the people who choose la bottega as a workspace ever heard of this statement. Your assumption of the duration of my stay at the cafe isn’t appreciated, the incident occurred an hour and half after my visit, as your staff are assuming i’m staying longer. Secondly, I’ve already purchased from your cafe in which I didn’t enjoy because of your service and staffs attitude towards me. So I left to attend my meeting at a different cafe leaving my stuff with my friend who stayed at bottega. I went back involuntarily just to pick my stuff up and leave. How lovely of you to assume that I was gonna stay after your...

I've been a regular at this place for over five years now, and there hasn't been a single instance where their service has fallen short of exceptional. The staff members are the heart and soul of this establishment, always greeting customers with a warm welcome and a kind smile. Their friendliness and hospitality make every visit a delight.

The culinary delights on offer are nothing short of spectacular. The tiramisu and pastel de nata, in particular, are so delectable that I often find myself craving them. They have a way of hitting the sweet spot perfectly, making them a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth.

In terms of convenience, their operating hours during the summertime are incredibly accommodating. With closing times extending to 6 some days, it's easy to find a moment to drop by and indulge in their offerings.

The coffee they serve is another highlight. It's always brewed to perfection, providing a much-needed pick-me-up or a comforting warm beverage to enjoy during a leisurely visit.

The atmosphere is one of the main reasons I keep coming back. The soothing music creates a relaxing backdrop, and the space is versatile enough to accommodate both social gatherings and quiet work sessions. The recent changes they've made to the outdoor seating have only added to the appeal. The chairs are not just comfortable, but they also provide ample space, making it a great spot to unwind.

While there are days when it can get quite busy, making it a bit of a challenge to secure a seat, the wait is always worth it. The bustling energy adds to the charm and the anticipation of finally settling down with a delicious treat makes it all the more satisfying.

One aspect that particularly stands out is the cleanliness and maintenance of the place. The toilets are always spotless, reflecting their commitment to providing a comfortable and hygienic environment for their customers.

In conclusion, this place has become a cherished part of my routine. I genuinely hope they continue to operate for many years to come because it's more than just an establishment to me - it's a place that brings joy and comfort, and I can't imagine not having...