Elsie May's — Restaurant in Mid Devon

Food was good, but this is not an ordinary cafe where you are welcome to charge your phone or laptop and do a bit of work even if you make multiple purchases. I was there the past couple of days as a tourist visiting Tiverton. The food was reasonably good and the staffed seemed friendly at first. The first day, I worked in the cafe for 5 hours and made around 6 purchases totalling around 20 pounds. All seemed fine. The second day, I returned because I had a positive impression. The reception was much chillier and in the middle of my brunch they put a reservation for 1PM sign on my table even though the cafe was nearly empty. I moved tables before 1PM to respect the reservations and continued to work. Around 2:20 PM they came to me and asked me to make another purchase or I would have to leave because I was using the wifi. I obliged immediately without complaint and then left at 3:45 after finishing my pot of tea and food. I made around 15 pounds of purchases over 3 orders and stayed from 9:30-3:45 this second day. The third day, I ordered a big breakfast and a pot of tea for breakfast. In the middle of my meal and when the cafe was nearly empty, a staffer came up to me and said that she was told by other staffers I had been there for the past couple of days, and that I needed to leave when it gets busy. They told me I should go to bigger cafes where turnover isn't as much of a problem.I apologized and said that I assumed it was OK to work in cafes, because that is the culture in the US (and other countries I've traveled to). They said, "Not in the UK," which is rubbish. I said I understood and that I wouldn't come back. They said I could stay a bit longer, but I already felt very humiliated. I then immediately left even though my big breakfast wasn't finished.

They should put up a sign about their expectations rather than single people out with passive aggressive actions, because I felt rather humiliated. I understand the policy as they explain it, but it was implemented in a rude and ad-hoc way that makes you feel...

Experience started nice , good outlook for people watching , near bus station . Sells snacks , coffees and Alcohol

Asked one off the two older women in charge , asked if they still had time ( 20 mins before closing ) she said no problem Asked if you had a table spot with a power point to charge my mobile , well the other old duck that appeared to be in charge got short and asked what am I going to use the power point for ?

She seemed to present herself as a cross between Coronation streets Hilda Ogden , A Gammon head Brexiteer or a person who's just plainly doesn't like people who don't have English accents.

Glad I realised before eventually ordering as I guess the coffee n cake would have been average the way she conducted herself

Many other better equivalent places in town , went to Costa where the two young Baristas made you feel welcome and a really nice coffee.

Quickly move on from these two...

I have been going into cafe's like Elsie May's on and off for 50-60 years and I am always pleasantly surprised to still find little gems like this . Family run by lovely people who put themselves out for their clientele and are always happy to chat when there is time. Good service and very good food, I can recommend the Omelettes which are cooked while you wait, which you don't get very often these days. There is parking nearby and if you have no car the café is right on the bus station. The lady with whom I share my life was also impressed and this lady does not impress easily. Go to Elsie Mays and enjoy the experience. PS nice coffee too! Loved it: worth five...