Domali Cafe

i went to domali yesterday for breakfast with my partner which i was looking forward to. i went to sit down at a table and before i could sit was approached by a female staff member and told 'we are not accepting any more customers for a while'.

i was baffled and asked why, to which i was told 'we dont have many staff and we have been so busy all morning so we cannot accept any more customers'. there was literally only about 7 tables with customers and the rest empty, most of the people were still finishing their food.

my partner walked in and asked what was going on and i told him she would not allow us to eat there and we left. i have never experienced such appalling customer service in my life. she was so rude and i was actually quite shocked by the abruptness and complete rudness of this waitress.

i will never return to domali, which is a shame as it was to be my first time there, i've just moved into the area and was looking for a regular breakfast spot.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, June 09, 2008

We visit Domali regularly for breakfast, it's definitely one of the best restaurants in the area and is fantastically vegetarian friendly with vegan options. They could probably do with an overhaul of the breakfast menu but you can usually make up a mix and match from the extras.

Their smoothies and fresh fruit joices are wonderful. Just make sure you get there early on the weekend, they fill up fast.
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Sandra
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 02, 2008

As a long-standing local, I really want Domali to be as good as it 'could' be...but sadly it just doesn't live up to its promise. The menu has barely changed in all the years I've been going - heavily reliant on huge doorstep slabs of toast as the basis for most of the staple offerings. They don't seem to have caught on to the fact that many of its potential clientele are likely to avoid bread/gluten-rich foods, so choose to have Brunch somewhere else. Unfortunately, there aren't many alternatives in the area, so people come back through the door again, somewhat begrudging the price of the (two) salads or paltry two-tablespoon serving of muesli/fruit (which you can have for a mere £5). In its favour, Domali does a delicious cappuccino three out of four times you ask for one. I'm one of the ones that keeps returning, but surely those running it must realise that it is not good enough to rely on the lack of credible alternatives in the area to guarantee business. Believe me, I really do want a 'brilliant little veggie-friendly place with a great atmosphere' just around the corner, somewhere cool that I can proudly take visiting friends. Come on Domali - pull your socks up! The menu needs an overhaul!
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Jen
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, December 31, 2007

I totally agree with everything Laura has to say - Domaili is a little gem of a cafe!!

Testament to this fact is that it is always packed morning, noon and night with people enjoying a laid back atmosphere, interesting, wholesome, reasonably priced food, very attentive service staff and a varied yet simple menu served to high standard.

The reviews on here seem to be from people that are expecting service levels like that of La Gavroche, decor of The Ritz and prices from a greasy spoon!!

Also people making comments like, "i had a quick look at their website and was shocked to discover they serve fish! listing should change to "veggie friendly", really do need to get out more. Reviewing an eaterie from a website brings the words "don't judge a book by its cover" to mind!!

Thank goodness the people of Crystal Palace have broader minds and also know a good things when they see it.

Oooh, i could murder a portion of their Welsh Rarebit right now!
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Max - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, November 26, 2007

I have got to say I am very surprised by the negative reviews on this site about Domali's. I was introduced to this gorgeous little cafe by my boyfriend last year and am now addicted! It still takes me ages to decide what to order as the menu is filled with so many delicious combinations!

I have never experienced a bad meal here, whether it be an early breakfast, lazy brunch or evening meal... we have never been disappointed!

The staff have always been incredibly efficient and friendly in my experience and seem to thrive on the fact that Domalis is a family friendly place.

I would recommend everyone try it at least once and don’t be put off by these reviews, or that it has a vegetarian/vegan label, it offers such a wide variety that there is something for everyone.
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Laura
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 26, 2007

Have been eating here for eight years and the place used to be brilliant, especially as it was the first place in SE19 to take a chance and do something different – and way before cafe nero and the like moved into the area.

However having just dinned there we were thrown out by a rude and agressive manager for our 2 year old son being too noisy. I accept fully that this is not a pleasant experience for other diners but there are ways of doing things and this was certainly done with zero manners or understanding.

After eight years of eating there we will certainly not return and I would advise anyone else with kids to give it a wide birth.
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Marc in SE19
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Saturday, September 15, 2007

I used to live in Crystal Palace and go to Domali a lot. I really liked it, so I was surprised to read a couple of negative reviews.

I've been back a couple of times in May 2007 and all I can say is, maybe they've been reading the reviews! They're never going to be corporate and slick - that's part of the charm - but they've really got their act together when it comes to presentation and service. Let's hope they keep it up, as it's a great place when they get it right.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

had a quick look at their website and was shocked to discover they serve fish!

listing should change to "veggie friendly".

Won't be going there anytime soon.
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Elizabeth
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 30, 2006

Maybe this place has had a change of management in the past few months, but my last few visits have been disappointing. The menu doesn't seem to have changed since I discovered the cafe a couple of years ago. But more importantly, the care that once went into preparing food is now lacking. On my last visit, I was served two overcooked fillets of trout that had been squeezed onto a plate that was already heavy with mashed potato. The whole meal was floating on what was supposed to be a sauce but was more a broth.

Menu tip: avoid anything that comes served with bread. The chef tries to disguise paltry portions by serving them on huge platforms of bread that just get in the way of the rest of the dish.

As for the staff, Domali has always had a high turnover of waiters, it seems to struggle to get staff of a high quality, and its customer service is pitiful. Far too interested in socialising amongst themselves, and far too cool to care what customers think, waiters congregate at the end of the room as if the cafe were empty. It took us ten minutes to get a waiter's attention to ask for the bill, and then another 20 minutes to get somebody to take our money.

Domali could do with a strong bit of competitionin the area. It is one of a kind in this area, and this has encouraged it to take a lazy attitude towards its menu and customers.
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Dean MH
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, December 09, 2006

Great cafe, relaxed atsmophere in comfortable surroundings with friendly staff and good choice of vegetarian options and fish special. Coffees and smoothies excellent.
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Kate
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, October 05, 2006