That food looks deeeeeelicious! And the coffee. Exactly. Perfect! It was interesting (and amusing) reading your post because, in my much younger days I worked the very early breakfast shift at an upmarket Cafe (and Patissiere). We hadt had many, many businessmen and women spending hours there, working. They said the same that you do. Of course I had my regulars - or perhaps I was their regular waitress. But I knew what they wanted, when they wanted and other than that they were left alone to work. I liked the interaction far more than walk in strangers. I hope that you find that perfect coffee, even if it isn't in the environment where you felt safe and appreciated.
It's cool that you say you loved that interaction with your regulars because as a regular I love it return. It's that by-play that makes the experience better, the feeling of being welcomed as part of the family. Sure, coffee and food is important, but equally so it that relationship.
☺️