Cowes Central Cafe

To the review re the caramel slice…they are all individually wrapped. You may have been too busy reading our ‘silly signs’ to notice. The elderly couple were not asked to leave, simply leave their trolley on the outside of the wall. To enable access for all patrons. It also ensures we can all move around the small space safely. Thank you for taking the time to leave not one, but two reviews.

A response to both Aaron Woods and whetu,
First and foremost I think it's hilarious that both of you decided to leave a review, considering you were seated at the same table. I was unfortunate enough to witness the events surrounding the individuals at this table and felt it important to shed some light on the (not so unintentionally) ignored details about the encounter.
The "Silly signs" as described by whetu are relating to the request that patrons do not eat food from surrounding establishments at the tables in the cafe seating area. This request is, of course, so that the owners of the cafe can afford to keep maintaining their business. There are additional signs that instruct customers to leave trollies outside of the cafe wall, for health and safety reasons. These signs were, as far as I understand, implemented after several disabled and elderly customers were unable to enter the cafe due to trollies being left in the middle of the cafe. The elderly couple in Aaron's recount of the incident was not in fact asked to leave, only to move their trolly to an area that would not impose a risk to other customers. She did in fact move their trolly and was able to happily finish her coffee without further "bothering' from the owners.
Now for my biggest issue with the reviews posted, the use of the word "troll" when describing the owner who came over to remind the customers of the rules in place. I think that the use of harassment to make your review seem more important only achieves a poorly executed personal attack towards someone who is simply managing their business. Perhaps both Aaron and Whetu are unable to understand that one of the two mains reasons for this rule (the first as stated above) is that customers who bring in food from outside establishments tend to leave a massive mess of food that was not even purchased from the cafe (as the customers who wrote this review did), which is then left for the owners to clean up. This is unfair to the owners, who already had to clean various other messes around the cafe from customers who did follow the reasonable requests of the owners. The "troll" that walked over to you was nothing but polite, offering you solutions other than to sit there disrespectfully and raise your voice at her when she outlined the cafe's rules. The only troll I could see, having witnessed everything that took place, was the man who felt it necessary to yell across the cafe at the owner when she attempted to move away from the situation.
Although I sympathise with the fact that the customer's children would not eat anything from the cafe, I must note that this isn't even true. One of the children had a plate full of cafe food in front of them, which they were eating quite happily from the looks of it. Additionally, the adult members of the table seemed more interested in the boston bun than the children did, as they were all eating it.
I encourage everyone considering leaving a review on any business to consider if what they are saying is actually true, if it's respectful, and if it's helpful. Remember you are on private property when you enter a business, so it's basic decency/respect to consider their rules (which are clearly shown on signs) before you consider eating there. People working in hospitality are doing you a service, not a favour.

The coffee is great, and if you are super hungry, you MUST try their burgers. I ordered a gourmet beef burger, and it was the best burger I think I have ever had. It was delicious! But, make sure you are hungry as it is huge!

Such a lovely cafe. It has great quality food and it's also reasonably priced. Amazing coffee indeed (which is super important lol) and such friendly staff. I will be back for sure.

Great coffee and a nice range of fresh and tasty food. A relaxing atmosphere in pleasant surroundings complimented by super friendly and efficient staff.

I am yet to have a single bad meal from this place!! Super yummy and a menu to satisfy even the most fussiest of eaters!! Keep it up crew!

Delicious coffee. Was the perfect treat to my grocery run this morning. 10/10 recommend

Great coffee and great customer service. Will be back again:)

Good coffee and tea. Will definitely be back more regularly.

Stopped in for brunch. Sadly nothing but leftovers available. Probably should have shut up shop hours before. No offer to cook anything, would have received better food and service from 7/11. I understand this is a business and don't mean to leave a bad review but you gotta seriously weigh up what is reasonable and fair vs what is being picky and pathetic with your many rules. You should reconsider pulling some of your silly signs down. Reasonably nice set up but you hassle your customers over stupid things and it quickly turned into a hostile experience for no good reason. Unfriendly customer service and by the way you should remove the slices from the front counter, not covered and there for everyone to cough and sneeze over. Most hygiene conscious food places put up hand sanitizer and plastic screens...you guys put caramel slices there instead. I haven't even mentioned the elderly couple who struggled to make their way to sit down only to be turned away again. Stop bothering your customers with your silly rules!! Rules do not justify treating your paying customers like they're dining in at Karen's Diner. If nothing else sinks in please remove those slices from the serving counter before someone buys them.

This place sucks. Don’t bother. The sign outside said they did breakfast. We went inside and asked for a menu. They didn’t have one. We asked what they did have and were told “just what’s in the Bain Marie” - we spent $55 on 3 coffees, 3 rolls and muffin. As we sat down an elderly couple arrived, the woman sat with a trolley full of groceries while the elderly man ordered. The troll behind the counter came to the table and told the elderly woman she couldn’t have a trolley in the cafe and would need to need to leave. As we had 2 x 4 year old with us and they had no more food on offer, we purchased them some milkshakes, then bought them a Boston bun from bakers delight. Despite buying all of the food they had, we were told by the troll that the kids couldn’t eat bakers delight at their table. There wasn’t any other food option provided, just not allowed to eat the bakers delight bun. Coffee is awful, owner is a bitter troll and the selection of food is woeful. Don’t bother.

We were going to order a coffee until we seen the male and female staff member after having a smoke didn't wash their hands, they went back into the Cafe and started preparing food ,It takes more than hand sanitiser to clean your hands after smoking, And judging by the reply they give to feedback , sound like very nasty people. Absolutely disgusting

Was waiting in line one day and watched the young lady cleaning the coffee machine and it was disgusting! Black crusty looked like mold in the drip tray under the grate, I walked off straight away.