Café Belli, Coffee & Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in Hapeville

I frequent this little café a lot, but I just had the most humiliating experience at the hands of a staff member. I went in just to sit down to do a little bit of work and was greeted (very harshly) by one of the waiters. I sat for a while and didn’t order anything. The waiter in question came back to me and asked if I was ordering when (when I had already told him that I wasn’t in our initial encounter). I said no, he told me that I was not welcome, that it’s a place of business and that I needed to leave. Keep in mind that he did this in front of at least eight or nine other patrons. I was absolutely stunned and humiliated. I packed up my things and quietly exited. I’ve spent a lot of money in this cafe and it really hurt my feelings that i couldn’t just come in and work for a bit. & While I do understand that it is a business, building community is important as well. Hapeville is friendly and cozy and this vibe was NOT it! I will NOT be returning.

Update/Edit: to clarify, I didn’t ignore anybody as soon as he greeted me (rudely) I politely acknowledged him despite the way that he spoke to me.

the owners response to me as a should tell you guys everything you need to know about who he is as both a professional, and as a person. 2. I posted this to just share my experience and how my feelings were hurt by a business that I really liked. 3. His Response indicates that he couldn’t care less. There are a lot of ways that this situation could’ve been handled especially when you think about customer service and diplomacy. This is rough because I really like the café, but the unprofessionalism and unmitigated gall are dizzying … if a negative star rating were an option i would definitely select five of...

I love dat I’m 4rm New Orleans I love this place omg so gurly n cutesy there ambience jus flawless my fav barista is eurdado he my fav fav he never fails he knows wat I want wen I walk thru the door I love him 😍 he always fix my coffees perfect and I don’t like caffeine but he knows dat n still makes my morning erryday he should be a manager/ supervisor Neva get rid of him I need him he is very attentive as well thank yuh fa havin me as a customer I love it here aayyyeeeee 🤌🏾🗣️💋 but also I forget to add that Liz one of the barista here her actions when someone of color comes she become either nervous r jus don’t like my kind lol cuz yea all last month I n my boyfriend would come here in the Mawnin Dey open up at 7 am mon thru Friday so I have a habit of being there at 7 rite while Liz EVERY SINGLE TIME I CAME there and she was there at 7 yuh guys the lights would still be off n she would be peekin at I n my boyfriend he is my witness ass well yes Liz would always be peeking behind the green curtains and I would have to ask her is Dey open just so she can take my orda I mean Liz literally did dis to me Yass my color errytime I go here n she at work so my boyfriend told me only go when eurado there food fa thought I treat ERRYBODY equally no matter wat but wen I see it I call em out on it Liz Neva like taking my ordas so I Neva go wen she work n I will Neva tell my ppl to go here unless eurado at work treat ppl equally...

Impeccable service. Was greeted from the moment I walked in.

Cozy atmosphere. Love the fact that the baristas bring your order to the table after ordering. Glass/serve ware is thoughtfully chosen. The design reminds me of a coffee shop I’d frequent in Copenhagen.

Unfortunately, the quality and craft of the coffee is not what I would expect from a third-wave coffee shop. The cappuccino I had ordered was under-filled and the milk was under-aerated. Espresso was over extracted and tasted like water. Latte art was amateur at best.

I ordered a cold brew after I finished my cappuccino and I am 600% certain that it was not cold brew, but an iced americano. I have been working in specialty coffee for almost a decade and can tell the difference. I expected a smooth, decadent brew, but instead, met with the same, over-extracted espresso with water and ice.

Our (wonderful) barista/server mentioned that they plan on turning the space into an after-hours bar, but I would suggest that they invest into training their baristas in the basic fundamentals of coffee.

This place has so much potential — mind you, they have only been open for a little over five weeks. So please give this place a chance! Support small business.

Love the uniforms and five star service.

They’re headed headed in the right direction, but they need to improve on their coffee and craft. Much to be desired when it comes...