A wonderful place to come and chill out. I’ve been here for great music events sitting both downstairs and upstairs. During the day I love coming to play their fun selection of board games (I’ve played chess, carcassone, splendor and Azul). Topped off with great coffee and cake!
This is a great friendly cafe, event venue and lovely space. I have visited many times and love it. Ignore the bad reviews, it’s comfy and great fun. The gig venue is a bit cramped (I don’t care) so not for everyone!
I returned to Temperance as I came a couple of weeks ago and was charmed by the atmosphere and transition to live music in the evenings! Ordered a slice of cake to share with my friend, as I did the time before, and we caught up whilst studying. A blond waitstaff walked past and remarked in quite an unfriendly tone that we should not consume food bought from outside the premises inside the cafe - my friend had eaten a snack which she had found in her bag. She said no worries, and we resumed working. The gentleman returned and insisted that she leave as she had not bought anything. I pointed out that we had shared the cake, to which he remarked that he would prefer if we bought one item each as they pay for and provide free WiFi. He went on to describe how our actions would cause the café to incur a loss and started to explain how cafés work "in case this is our first time". He also signposted us to a library across the street. My friend explained she was going to get a drink, to which the man responded he did not know that and eventually acknowledged that he had assumed the worst. I spent six years as a student studying in and supporting independent cafés and continue to do so - but never in my life have I felt policed in a café for when and how much I order, or had overheads lorded over me. I won't take the time to explain how poor customer service and a lack of basic manners can also contribute to cafés incurring a loss. I also advise turning on the heating next time you want to use overheads as a bargaining chip.
Me and my friend had driven down from Birmingham to leamington spa to enjoy the quaint vibe of this town, and had popped into temperance and ordered a fairly big slice of chocolate cake to share. I had a couple bites of the cake but didn’t like it much and later found a small choc bar in my bag which I ate. We were sat there enjoying each others company when the blonde wait staff with the glasses walks by and rudely says that no external food is allowed, to which I am apologetic and say no problem. He walks away wordlessly and then comes back 5 mins later and asks us to leave the cafe because he would prefer people order something each and not to share one item. He says that it’s bad for business and damages their profits, and takes up space for other customers (bear in mind there were many free spaces and no queue). He even insinuated that we were exploiting their facilities by saying that they provide free wifi (I was not even connected to their WiFi). Prior to this, I was about to pop down to the till to buy a drink - I tell him this and he says he didn’t know that. His customer service was appalling - instead of him coming by kindly asking if we had wanted to buy anything else, he asks us to leave immediately. I felt quite hurt and felt singled out from everyone else in the cafe, to which he replied ‘we’re both hurt’ ??? I asked him what he’s hurt about and didn’t really receive a clear response. He then tries to explain how a cafe works and says “maybe this is your first time in a cafe” - we found the whole attitude very patronising and rude quite frankly. He then tries to backtrack and say you can stay but then at that point we no longer feel welcome here and decide that we are leaving. He says ‘I’m not a diplomat, I’m just a coffee shop guy’ which further confuses me because at this point it’s just basic manners? I felt quite shaken by the whole thing and will not be coming back here. This is not the leamington spa experience I wanted but such is life…
It looks like a nice place, just very slow service. We wanted to have a quick coffee and go. It took at least 20 minutes to receive our simple orders.
Blown away by The Temperance. It looks quite unassuming outside,but inside there is a lot of space, with an upstairs and two floors downstairs, with a room for art performances. Interesting local art seems to adorn the walls, with the opportunity to buy. Good selection of coffees with dairy and non dairy milks, a large selection of teas and strong assortment of cakes and treats. A coffee and cake was £6. Really friendly staff, who clearly have a knowledge of their regulars. Would gladly go again if I was in the area.
Eclectic local restaurant with cosy, welcoming interior. The staff and owner are welcoming and engaging. I only had a flat white coffee which was perfect. Definitely worth a visit.
Cute place! Lovely vegan cakes and teas. We got the pecan pie, vegan chocolate espresso tart, vegan pear and walnut pie, lager, dragonfruit tea, and mocha caramel infusion. All of which were absolutely lovely!
Vegan eclecticism The smooth sweep of the Temperance exterior is much like Cafephilia. It’s eccentricity inside is much the same too. It is so much airier, feeling more like a lounge. It only has vegan food options... Food for all!
Lots of options for GF vegans and the cake was amazing. Stupendous selection to teas are on offer as well as every coffee option you could ask for. Alas I was hoping for lunch but the chef was I’ll today but the options are good on their menu so I will be back for food, tea and cake-would be rude not to.
Temperance is located at 33 Bath St, Royal Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa CV31 3AF, UK
You can contact Temperance at +44 1926 730102
You can find directions to Temperance by following this map link