Ntaba Coffee Haus on Brownsboro — Restaurant in Louisville

I have to share an absolutely bizarre experience I had here several years ago. At the time I was too young to defend myself or walk out but I think people should know (and based on my conversation with the male owner I think he knows) that at least one of the owners has very inappropriate political conversations with at least one young person. I visited the store with my friend (a white man) and I think this made him comfortable. At first, it was a friendly chit chat in the back where the non perishable goods are, he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know us. Then, the conversation got strange. He began to complain about how people felt he was racist, especially after he had served on the Kentucky African Council (or committee or similar, as a South African he is part of some non profit ). As he was recounting a story regarding black American politics at this meeting, he very roughly stuck his finger into my chest and said “and YOUR people got mad at me and said I was a racist” (your meaning two black women who were challenging him on his opinions regarding whether or not racism is a problem in the US and the history of slavery here). He then began to insist that apartheid was much worse in South Africa and that black Americans were overly political.

At this point I was so nervous and felt so unsafe I just nodded along looking for an out in the conversation. At no point did I challenge his opinions because I genuinely shaken that he had poked me so roughly in my chest, out of nowhere.

His wife didn’t speak and was floating about the store but had been around for that part of the conversation and walked away, no doubt used to her husbands long monologues. He then began to complain about a black professor (???) at either UK or U of L and at that point we saw an opportunity to escape the interaction.

Like I said, he seemed aware that others felt he was racist and was mad about it, and likely saw a young black woman as an opportunity to use me as a punching bag (almost literally). I think people should know about this interaction and I’ve kept it to myself for a long time but people...

Note my review was about a recent visit with the new owners. And it’s not good. First of all other than one very nice woman, the rest of the staff there at the time was not friendly at all. No hellos, nothing. But the nice woman did not seem to even know how to make iced tea. I ordered a glass of iced tea with light ice. She then filled the glass to the top with ice, and she sit a tea bag on top of the ice, and then pours cold water over it. I ended up having to tell her she needed to brew the tea with hot water. She then did that, then handed me a cup of hot tea with the tea bag still in it for me to deal with. And I paid her almost 5 dollars for this, and left her a tip! Next, before I left, or order something I thought was a no brainer, a decaf Americana. She asked me how hot I wanted it, I got worried. I said how as I was going to add cream. She gave me a just barely warm coffee. And that was expensive too.

I am not going back, and I was a long time customer with the old owner and manager that was very friendly and helpful. But other than the one nice woman there now, her family was not at all welcoming and at times give you almost dirty looks. I use to drive from Saint Matthews to Clifton to give that shop my business. But after the last time with the new owners, I will no longer waste my time or money and select someplace more friendly and closer to home.

I wish them well, but if this is the way it will be run, it’s not going to be open long.

And I use to eat there as well. But with only one person there who seems to even try, I would be scared to trust...

My new favorite Coffee Haus, honestly, ever. It's about five minutes to go in and out for a latte! The longest line was one person, once. Every other time they are at the service area read to take an other within 45 seconds, they are always cleaning or doing other service work when I walk in and then it's less than 45 seconds to take my order. At most 5 minutes to make latte. The espresso drip, which is the usual, is the longest part of the wait. I love the taste more than my, now second favorite, Sundergos(?) which is already will established. Which is saying a lot about the Coffee enriching taste and enjoyment. The atmosphere is still and low sound. Currently enough room but can see expansion in the future. I have driven from Old Louisville across town for their coffee. I will try...