Ottoman Coffeehouse Glasgow's Berkeley Street apologises to regulars

Ottoman Coffeehouse on Berkeley Street has been flooded with visitors after being named one of the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops earlier this month.

The global recognition has brought a wave of new customers through the doors, and while the family-run café says it is thrilled by the attention, it is concerned that loyal regulars have been left queuing for a table.

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In a message posted on Instagram and directed to their long-time supporters, staff said: "Please know, once the rush settles, we’re still here.

"You’re the reason we’ve come this far, and seeing you waiting outside isn’t a nice sight.

"Unless we build an extension, we can’t fit everyone in at once, but we haven’t forgotten you.

"Not for a second.

"We love welcoming new customers and hope they become regulars too.

"We’re doing our best to juggle it all, and we just ask you to bear with us while we navigate this wild moment."

The family also shared that the timing has been especially challenging, as many of them are currently fasting.

They said: "Since finding out that we’re on the top 100 World’s best coffeeshop list, life here has become something else.

"We were already so grateful to be busy, but to have been one of two UK spots named on a global list of 44 UK nominees, we’re absolutely over the moon.

"The timing couldn’t be more intense though, me, my brother, and our sons are all fasting at the moment, and we are completely slammed.

"Weekdays feel like weekends, and weekends feel like a full-on workout.

"We’re giving it everything we’ve got."

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The café opens its doors at 10am, and last Sunday, staff said they were nearly at full capacity by 10.45am.

Visitors are asked to wait to be seated, a measure intended to maintain order amid the crowds.

Ottoman Coffeehouse said: "That sign isn’t there for the sake of it, it’s genuinely to stop a stampede through the door.

"We’re doing our best to seat people calmly and give everyone a warm, relaxed welcome.

"We’re turning tables as quickly as we can, but we also never want anyone to feel rushed."

Despite the excitement of welcoming new faces, the team emphasised that their regulars remain at the heart of the business.

They said: "With all the recent news and reviews, we’ve got queues forming at the door, and while we’re so grateful for the buzz and the new faces, it’s our regulars, the absolute backbone of this place, who are sometimes left waiting outside.

"That doesn’t sit right with us.

"This message is really for you."

Ottoman Coffeehouse was one of just two UK cafés listed in the global ranking, a point of pride for the Glasgow coffee scene.

Customers were quick to fill the comments, praising the company for the thoughtful message. 

One person wrote: "This is such a thoughtful, meaningful and well-written message.

"You clearly are more than an award-winning cafe. I am looking forward to paying you a visit, but I will get a takeaway cappuccino, if possible.

"Ramadan Mubarak to you all."

A second Instagram user wrote: “Well deserved. Ramadan Mubarak.”

Another commented: “That is such a lovely message and will only make more people want to visit you and your amazing place!”

A third added: “Love to see you guys doing so well – we’ll still be here when the madness dies down!”