To Black/African nationals BEWARE of the race discrimination by the Head Waitress…read more
I am of African-American descent.
On August 11, 2024, on my last day touring Stockholm, I approached the restaurant at 6:50 pm after a brief rain shower. The weather was hot prior to the rain shower. After the rain shower, the temperature became slightly chilly. I chose to eat inside. Upon arrival, a young, (20ish) Turkish/Muslim, waiter greeted me. He offered me a table outside. I declined for a table inside. I was instructed to see the Head Waitress "Oosa" [pronunciation] of her first name-spelling unclear]. "Oosa," late 40's, early 50 ish, appeared to be of Muslim descent, approached me.
"Oosa" said she was too busy to serve me despite seeing several, single, tables available and open. "Oosa" turned me away. The restaurant inside was busy with open single table.
I went across the street to the park. I watched white and Asian patrons approach and enter the restaurant after me. At approx. 7:05pm, I decided to book a table on the restaurant's website. My table was booked at 7:15pm on the same day. The restaurant's online booking had many open slots that day.
I reapproached the male waiter. "Oosa" came outside to serve a group of white diners. I then approached "Oosa" showing her my online confirmed reservation. At this point, "Oosa" conceded to let me into the restaurant without incident. I was professionally served by a white, male, waiter who was working inside the restaurant. "Oosa" had 2 white, male, waiters working inside the restaurant. She wasn't over burdened as she tried to proclaim.
The Swedish cuisine was excellent. The treatment I received from both male waiters was professional and non-discriminatory.
Fast forward: September 14, 2024
I contacted the restaurant. I spoke to "Oosa." She explained she was born in Turkey. She would never discriminate against black people. "Oosa" then said I was turned away because they had too many online reservations. The restaurant was fully booked. I told "Oosa" this is NOT true. I told her I booked an open, online, reservation in order to enter the restaurant shortly after she decline me entry. She could not explain why she admitted white and Asian diners after me with many single tables open and available during the entire 90 minutes I dined in the restaurant.
I have formally filed a Race Discrimination complaint against this restaurant and "Oosa" to the Equality Ombudsman (DO) of Sweden who investigate complaints of discrimination.
BEWARE
Black and African descent people (ethnic people of color) BEWARE of the Head Waitress ("Oosa's") reverse-racist, discriminatory practices. If you are turned away, do an ONLINE booking. She can not turn you away. If she does, refer to https://www.do.se/choose-language/english or call the local police for assistance. Put "Oosa" on public display in front of diners demanding the exercise of your civil rights.