Riverside Cafe Stamford Hill — Restaurant in London

I went to the café today hoping to have a pleasant time — what a disappointment! My partner and I, both regular customers, arrived to find that all the outdoor tables and chairs were taken. Upon entering the café, the first thing we saw was a pile of stacked chairs. A few weeks ago, in a similar situation, Antonia — one of the owners — had told me I could help myself and set up a table and chair wherever I liked, so I saw no issue in taking a chair.

When some customers eventually left and vacated their chairs, I took one of them and returned the extra chair I had borrowed to the stack. As I did this, I was abruptly confronted by Francisco, the other owner and Antonia’s partner. In a very rude tone, he told me I shouldn't take chairs without asking. While I was trying to process what he had just said (as I am not fluent in English), he shouted at me and came closer, saying “Hey, I’m talking to you!”

I tried to explain why I thought it was okay to take the chair, but it was useless. He was clearly agitated, and from that point on, he followed me — first to the counter, then to my table outside. At the counter, he not only shouted at me but also reprimanded his partner in front of all the customers.

When he followed me to my table — still yelling — I tried to explain the situation to my partner in my own language, as it was the best way I could express myself in that moment. This frustrated him even more: he demanded that I stop speaking my language and even mocked it.

His attitude was aggressive and intimidating, especially coming from someone in a position of power — both as the owner of the café and as a man confronting a woman with a much smaller physical presence than his. It was only when my dog barked at him that he finally stopped shouting (or barking, I should say).

I can accept that I should have asked before taking a chair — but nothing justifies the verbal aggression, the intimidation inside the café, and the public humiliation. It was completely disproportionate. His behaviour reveals a lack of judgement, self-control, and sense of hospitality. His attitude was not only authoritarian, but also intimidating and unwelcoming — raising a serious ethical question: who should be running a space that is open to the public?

It is truly sad to see how a place that could be welcoming is instead overshadowed by the attitude of someone who seems unable or unwilling to interact respectfully with others. If this business brings so little joy, perhaps it would be better to consider a different line of work — one that doesn’t involve dealing with customers or the public.

Because when someone is that hostile and incapable of treating people with basic decency, the result is not just poor hospitality — it makes other people’s lives a...

I've had lunch here several times with my family and found the food quite good (although don't bother asking for any modifications to the meals) but the attitude of the staff is unpleasant. I was recently in the area with my 3-year old son who suddenly announced he needed the toilet. As there are no public toilets in the vicinity and we are regular customers of this cafe I thought they wouldn't mind if we used their toilet. On arrival there were visible signs stating that toilets are for customers only, and a request not to "bully" the staff, whatever that means. I thought, no problem I'll buy a coffee and a cake to take away. After using the toilet (which we left as we found it, obviously) there was a long queue at the counter, and we couldn't wait as we were already late to meet a friend. Unbelievably, one of the staff pursued me out of the cafe and accosted me while I was unlocking my bike, telling me off for using the toilet. She said I should be "sympathetic to their situation" while showing zero sympathy for the situation of a small child needing the loo. As a regular customer this left a really sour taste and I won't be giving them my business again. If they are so upset by people using their facilities perhaps they should lobby the council for better public toilet provision...

My partner and I came in here for some coffee part-way through a hike. She suffers from chronic health problems and physical disability and very much needed to use the bathroom while i ordered.

When she asked where it could be found, the manager pointed, didn't look at her, and said "just for customers" before walking off, as my partner tried to explain that we were intending to spend money. As I was explaining this to the manager for a second time and asking for a menu, a member of the kitchen staff shouted at my partner that she wasn't allowed to use the bathroom unless she bought something and drove her away.

We are absolutely appalled by this treatment. We are politely aware that many venues have customer only toilets, and were fully intending to spend some time and money in the cafe, but this horrendous failure of service ensures that we will never go there again and we will ensure that it becomes known that it is not a venue that welcomes...