Chapel Lane Cafe - DARWIN CITY

Thank you to the owners of this little gem of a cafe off Mitchell Street Darwin. After frequenting this cafe often, the owner meets you with a smile and knows what, I want thank you for this quality experience. I will continue to return and enjoy the atmosphere and friendly service and quality food.

So a first for me, I was refused service (a take-away pastry) at Chapel Lane Cafe for carrying a take-away coffee from another establishment whilst I ordered... I get that restaurants don't like people sitting down with F&B from other establishments BUT really, the transaction would have taken all of 1 minute...what a load of rubbish! What would you do if someone walked in with a bottle of water and wanted to order a toasted sandwich? or walked in with a take-away lunch and purchased a Coke? I was refused service (a take-away pastry) at Chapel Lane Cafe in Darwin for carrying a take-away coffee from another establishment whilst I ordered... I get that restaurants don't like people bring in F&B from other establishment BUT really? This whole transaction would have taken less than a minute and provided you with additional revenue? What if I was holding a bottle or water and ordered a toasted sandwich? Or holding a plastic takeaway container with food in it and ordered a coke? You are a café in the CBD, you cater for the people who are out to grab a quick breakfast or lunch including take-away. The attitude of the man who refused service was alarming and quite frankly disgusting. I would suggest that Management and staff of this café undertake some basic customer service training and appreciate what “service” entails. Chapel Lane you have lost a customer for life and I would suggest that you re-think your customer service policy before you go out of business.

A lovely little cafe, serving delicious coffee and made us, as tourists, very welcome. So we did return for a second and third visit.

I shall never enter this cafe again. I ordered 2 toasted sandwiches for my work colleague and myself. I sat down and waited for the order to be made. My work colleague then entered the cafe to join me and wait for the order with me. My work colleague had bought a coffee from another cafe. The owner came over to us in a very stern manner and told my work colleague you cannot come into this cafe if you have bought a coffee from somewhere else. I informed the owner that one of the toasted sandwiches was for my work colleague. This made no difference to him. He has lost a lot of customers as the word has gone around my office and others will now boycott the Chapel Lane Cafe.

Best Darwin cafe experience for me. Stumbled upon it last year whilst staying adjacent at the Hilton. Been there every time (x6) that I have been back to Darwin since, and they have not disappointed. Simple fare but always done spot on. Great coffee, great tucker. Lovely owners. Always enjoy the experience. Just goes to show, you get it right and people will come back. Gets pretty busy at peak times, you might have to wait in the morning but it is worth it.