Bell & Whistle Coffee House — Restaurant in Oregon

The Bell & Whistle Coffee House is a very visually appealing, near beach located cafe. Both drinks I've had here are good enough for the price and view of the harbor. Unfortunately, their customer service is sub par.

I visited this location two or three years ago while on vacation and brought my backpack in which I carry my laptop. When exiting and reentering the cafe I noticed they had a sign saying backpacks weren't allowed which seemed strange. However, to be submissive, I asked if it was okay to have my backpack in the cafe, and the lady behind the counter almost accused me of being some kind of street urchin. Not a pleasant experience.

During my next experience, I bought a $4 mocha and started getting set up to do some work when I realized I was hungry. Not wanting to pay high prices for their food, which is quite a small selection, I went next door and got a Cup O Ramen. I returned and asked for a cup of hot water which they gladly handed over, however the irritation is the lady who served me leaked through in her tone of voice when I asked if they had a fork. Great, I thought, this place hasn't changed.

I settled into my seat and while watching a YouTube video with my headphones in and my Ramen and $4 mocha, the same irritable lady interrupted me and told me no outside food or drinks were allowed, twice in front of everyone. I considered pointing out that I had already spent money, but decided against a scene and after a few moments took my Ramen outside to finish eating. However, I felt quite embarrassed and considered asking for a refund because my experience, again, was extremely unpleasant.

If you minimize your interaction with the customer service at this cafe, you may have a good experience. But after twice feeling humiliated and embarrassed by the abrasive and authoritarian method of their customer service, I personally will think twice before subjecting myself to this cafe, which in contrast to the many other cafes I've visited around the world, from China, to Korea, or even Saudi Arabia that are very accommodating and kind, The Bell & Whistle Coffee House treats people like it's a privilege to be in their coffee shop. Technically, it is. But...

The Bell and Whistle Coffee House is a cute little coffee shop right off the boardwalk in Brookings, Oregon. The place has great atmosphere, and a really decent fresh made breakfast menu. We had the jalapeño, cheddar, and bacon egg bites, made with farm fresh eggs, a chocolate chip cookie (very chocolate and brown sugar forward, especially to my liking), and an onion and cheddar scone along with our espressos. We would definitely stop here again.

They sell organic coffee scrub, handcrafted, custom coffee mugs, along with some beautifully embossed, leather bound, Bibles…? There are scriptural references posted along the ceiling, and they are listening to gentle gospel music over the sound system. Very Christian, for those that would notice. I didn't see any rainbow flags, if you know what I mean, and with the fairly bold Bible verses on display I don't know how welcoming this place would feel for our LGBTQIA+ friends.

For us the vibe felt really welcoming. And the young staff seemed very polite, friendly, and professional.

There is a public restroom nearby (yay!), indoor and outdoor seating, beautiful views of the harbor (very misty today), and it provides a unique alternative to a standard chain coffee...

Bell & Whistle Coffee is hands down one of the best spots in Brookings. The drinks are consistently excellent, the food is fresh and flavorful, and the atmosphere is welcoming and laid-back—something that’s hard to find in this area, where other establishments often miss the mark on quality and taste. The owners are kind, hardworking, and clearly care about creating a great experience for their customers.

Now, in response to Ash Mitchell’s review claiming this place isn’t LGBTQ+ friendly—I want to speak from personal experience. I am LGBTQ, I’m an advocate, and I’m proudly a part of this community. I’ve been to Bell & Whistle many times and have never once felt disrespected, judged, or unwelcome. Not even close.

Let’s be real: not every business that doesn’t cater to your personal vibe is discriminatory. If you feel some conviction walking into a place, that’s not the same as being marginalized. There’s a huge difference between not being a fit and falsely calling out discrimination.

Facts matter. And Bell & Whistle deserves to be recognized for what it is—a high-quality, inclusive small business doing...