A VIP client (a CELEBRITY) chose this restaurant for a business meeting yesterday, so I arrived expecting a professional and welcoming environment. When I walked in, the place was packed—which I initially took as a good sign. Busy usually means good food and good service.
I was seated at a small two-top in the back blocking the counter seating, which was already tight for a meeting with paperwork. As the lunch crowd began to clear out, the table next to me opened up. I started to move my materials to give us a bit more space for the meeting.
At that point, a waitress approached me in a very abrupt and unpleasant tone and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” I explained that the table had just become available and that I needed the space for a business meeting. She immediately shut me down, saying, “No, you’re not. That’s a four-person table and you’re only two.”
It was around 2:00 p.m., the restaurant was already emptying out, and they close at 3:00 p.m., so the response felt unnecessary and frankly rude. I told her she didn’t need to be so nasty—I had no idea there were strict rules about not moving to an empty table in a nearly empty restaurant.
I stayed where I was because the only other available tables were even more cramped for 2 people, and at least I had space to set my pocketbook and paperwork on a stool next to me instead of the floor.
Unfortunately, the experience got worse. When my client arrived, 215pm, we were largely ignored for service even though the restaurant was nearly empty at that point. Food was basic.
My takeaway: unless you enjoy being packed into tight seating, dealing with extremely unprofessional and unfriendly staff, struggling to get service, I would not recommend this place.
Hospitality and courtesy go a long way, and sadly both were missing here.
And one final thought: in the service industry, you never know who your customers are or what opportunities kindness might bring. Do better! 65+ MILLION FOLLOWERS on the internet!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Laura Ramirez
I’ve visited Lakeside Diner several times and overall it’s a lovely spot. The view is very pleasant, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable for the quality and location. It’s a place we truly enjoy coming back to.
However, the service can be very inconsistent. Most of the time we are helped by a waitress who is friendly and attentive, which makes the experience great. Unfortunately, when another server attends us, the experience is the complete opposite. During our last visit, the service felt rushed and unfriendly — plates were placed on the table abruptly, the check was dropped off without any interaction, and we were never asked if we wanted refills or needed anything else.
We left feeling disappointed, which is unfortunate because we genuinely like this diner. I hope management can address this inconsistency, as the food and atmosphere deserve service that matches their quality.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
jordan
Love this diner!! Great food and great prices, last time I went the lakeside special (breakfast platter) was $10 flat. The staff are very nice and of course the view is awesome. Can’t really ask for much more, this place is the go to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexis B.
Their homemade donuts are next levellll and the staff are super nice 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rodrigo Deambrosio
Excelet food,views and service.
Billy T
Right on our way from Boston to NYC, hit all the diner buttons. Home fries, perfect. Cole slaw, perfect. Good coffee. Donuts made with love. Not enough room for the Benedict this trip, we'll have to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yolonda Washington
My boyfriend and I ate here this afternoon and I should have turned around because I felt something was off.
1. The service was very rude and dismissive. 2. The waitress slightly slammed our plates on the table with our food. That part almost made me say something to her. 3. They need to make a sign clear as day stating they take cash only. Who in their right mind is going to look at the floor for a cash only sign!?Make it clear on the door for the customers to see before they walk into the establishment.
Overall, we are not going back there again. The food was ok but the customer service needed a major adjustment immediately.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Justin Wade Sr
Ate here and it sucked. Service with attitude, over priced decent food (it wasn't amazing at all!!!), and Cash Only. BUT, there was only a small sign on the floor outside of the door that was easy to miss when you walk inside. I had to go to an ATM to pay for the food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Kory Wollins
Jane is the best!!! Great cup of coffee and ridiculously good pancakes.
James Jordan
Perfect authentic diner. Cozy seating with excellent breakfast at a reasonable price.
Super cute, good coffee and expansive menu with great prices. Service is very friendly but a bit slow. Cash only. Worth a stop for lunch off of 15!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Loreen Kennedy
Great fast service. Perfect breakfast. Would visit again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gianella Brautigam
favorite diner in Stamford! Staff is super friendly and are so sweet to our baby.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ali Spiesman
MUCHAS GRACIAS to Claribel and Laura. They provided tremendous service during our breakfast, and a professional and personable experience. They deserve to be recognized.
A VIP client (a CELEBRITY) chose this restaurant for a business meeting yesterday, so I arrived expecting a professional and welcoming environment. When I walked in, the place was packed—which I initially took as a good sign. Busy usually means good food and good service.
I was seated at a small two-top in the back blocking the counter seating, which was already tight for a meeting with paperwork. As the lunch crowd began to clear out, the table next to me opened up. I started to move my materials to give us a bit more space for the meeting.
At that point, a waitress approached me in a very abrupt and unpleasant tone and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” I explained that the table had just become available and that I needed the space for a business meeting. She immediately shut me down, saying, “No, you’re not. That’s a four-person table and you’re only two.”
It was around 2:00 p.m., the restaurant was already emptying out, and they close at 3:00 p.m., so the response felt unnecessary and frankly rude. I told her she didn’t need to be so nasty—I had no idea there were strict rules about not moving to an empty table in a nearly empty restaurant.
I stayed where I was because the only other available tables were even more cramped for 2 people, and at least I had space to set my pocketbook and paperwork on a stool next to me instead of the floor.
Unfortunately, the experience got worse. When my client arrived, 215pm, we were largely ignored for service even though the restaurant was nearly empty at that point. Food was basic.
My takeaway: unless you enjoy being packed into tight seating, dealing with extremely unprofessional and unfriendly staff, struggling to get service, I would not recommend this place.
Hospitality and courtesy go a long way, and sadly both were missing here.
And one final thought: in the service industry, you never know who your customers are or what opportunities kindness might bring.
Do better!
65+ MILLION FOLLOWERS on the internet!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
I’ve visited Lakeside Diner several times and overall it’s a lovely spot. The view is very pleasant, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable for the quality and location. It’s a place we truly enjoy coming back to.
However, the service can be very inconsistent. Most of the time we are helped by a waitress who is friendly and attentive, which makes the experience great. Unfortunately, when another server attends us, the experience is the complete opposite. During our last visit, the service felt rushed and unfriendly — plates were placed on the table abruptly, the check was dropped off without any interaction, and we were never asked if we wanted refills or needed anything else.
We left feeling disappointed, which is unfortunate because we genuinely like this diner. I hope management can address this inconsistency, as the food and atmosphere deserve service that matches their quality.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Love this diner!! Great food and great prices, last time I went the lakeside special (breakfast platter) was $10 flat. The staff are very nice and of course the view is awesome. Can’t really ask for much more, this place is the go to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their homemade donuts are next levellll and the staff are super nice 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excelet food,views and service.
Right on our way from Boston to NYC, hit all the diner buttons. Home fries, perfect.
Cole slaw, perfect. Good coffee. Donuts made with love. Not enough room for the Benedict this trip, we'll have to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My boyfriend and I ate here this afternoon and I should have turned around because I felt something was off.
1. The service was very rude and dismissive.
2. The waitress slightly slammed our plates on the table with our food. That part almost made me say something to her.
3. They need to make a sign clear as day stating they take cash only. Who in their right mind is going to look at the floor for a cash only sign!?Make it clear on the door for the customers to see before they walk into the establishment.
Overall, we are not going back there again. The food was ok but the customer service needed a major adjustment immediately.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Ate here and it sucked. Service with attitude, over priced decent food (it wasn't amazing at all!!!), and Cash Only. BUT, there was only a small sign on the floor outside of the door that was easy to miss when you walk inside. I had to go to an ATM to pay for the food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jane is the best!!! Great cup of coffee and ridiculously good pancakes.
Perfect authentic diner. Cozy seating with excellent breakfast at a reasonable price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Cash only. A bit expensive.
Food: 5
Super cute, good coffee and expansive menu with great prices. Service is very friendly but a bit slow. Cash only. Worth a stop for lunch off of 15!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Great fast service. Perfect breakfast. Would visit again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
favorite diner in Stamford! Staff is super friendly and are so sweet to our baby.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MUCHAS GRACIAS to Claribel and Laura. They provided tremendous service during our breakfast, and a professional and personable experience. They deserve to be recognized.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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