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Caffe Pronto
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Festival at Riva Shopping Center2329 Forest Dr, Ste G
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-5776
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 6:30 am - 8 pm
Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Caffe Pronto
Review Highlights
37 reviews in English
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Review from Jack B.
Bowie, MD
1/24/2012
Best coffee I have ever had. Friendly staff! Going here instead of starsucks, will make your life better!
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Review from Stacey N.
Annapolis, MD
10/23/2011
Hands down best Coffee around! If you haven't tried there coffee you are in for a treat.
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Review from dripolator c.
Asheville, NC
9/10/2011
pay no attention to the website, it does not do the place justice. If you are a barista, trained professional or just know the difference between good and bad, this is the spot to hit. With the 2011 brewers cup champion, trained baristas and a classy set up, I doubt there is another place near, if even in town that compares. Well done Cafe Pronto!
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Review from Dan R.
7/27/2011 8 Check-ins Here
It's by far the best coffee in the greater Annapolis area. In addition to great fresh coffee and espresso drinks, they also sell coffee accessories that you can't get at your local Walmart. Chemex anyone?
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Review from Rafael L.
Mason, OH
12/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is the second time I've been to this Caffe Pronto and I can safely say this is a great LOCAL alternative to Starbucks Aside from great coffee they have great sandwiches. The atmosphere is relaxed and kinda funky.
Is this place amazing and unique? No, but their coffee is good and their food is better than most coffee shops. Plus they are a local roaster who really cares about their product.
PS I highly recommend visiting their West St location. They actually roast their coffee there and the smell is intoxicating. -
Review from Brian A.
Sacramento, CA
8/2/2011
Went here the other day for a cup while driving to a meeting. It was 6:30am and they had no coffee brewed. WHAT???? A bit pricey for just a cup of coffee and much more expensive that Starbucks. They can only hope a Starbucks doesnt open close to this location. They will be done.
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Review from Nina U.
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pronto is in the name and not in the service? Just joking-ish. Okay there was only one barista at the time and she did a great job. She made an entire espresso shot to throw out just to clean the machine and give my coffee pure flavor. They roast their own beans and take pride in the flavor so I can appreciate that. Just make sure you aren't in a rush. The coffee was great. Wish it were a little hotter. I'll be sure to request that next time.
The seating area didn't seem to have a lot of space but it wasn't much smaller than a Starbucks. I think it's just laid out very simply so the tables are close and side by side. Doesn't leave much room for private conversations. Guess that's why everyone was super quiet. It was nice for studying but I almost felt a little guilty for chatting. Almost. -
Review from Gary H.
Well, I've got a new favorite coffee shop. I've gone here about a dozen times and I think it's FINALLY time for a review. I am impressed with this place from every angle. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and I've never had a better Frappe. The carmello is especially delicious. Turns out that they use a sugar-based emulsifier to keep the coffee and blended ice from separating. Genius! The brewed coffee is great too. They have a lot of exotic blends to choose from, none of which I haven't liked.
Also noteworthy is their "coffee cupping" which is essentially wine tasting with coffee. However, this takes place in their main store at Russel St and involves a lot of sniffing and even more slurping. I was even more impressed to find that their coffee bean roasting professional actually goes to at least some of the farms (I'm not sure if he goes to all of them) and inspects the beans in the raw before they purchase a crop. He shared some pictures of himself at a South American farm when I went cupping. That's what I call dedication!Listed in: Cream and Sugar?, Annapolis 5
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Review from Alan W.
Annapolis, MD
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ordered a double espresso, pretty simple request. I was handed a cup which contained maybe a single shot. When I questioned it the woman told me "oh, that's actually the equivalent of a triple shot worth of grounds with a single shot pressed through it, don't worry the caffeine is in there". Skip this place and go to zu.
Comment from Vincent I. of Caffe Pronto 9/9/2011
Our espressos are Ristrettos, which is a "restricted" shot.… More » -
Review from Darius M.
Frederick, MD
3/3/2011
Really good espresso drinks - some of the best. This is a solid five stars on quality and ambience; however, the staff are a solid 2. They aren't snobby, but more disaffected. Mostly the counter staff, the baristas are more approachable and interested in what they do.
They offer many single bean roasts by the cup and also stock plenty of interesting brewing devices and accessories for the home.
They get four stars because I go there for espresso macchiattoes not for social interaction, but that'll keep them out of the five star realm with the likes of Aurora in Atlanta and Peregrine in DC.
Way better than Starbucks, but sadly most Starbucks have better counter people (not baristas). I go everytime I'm in Annapolis and would recommend you do too. -
Review from Dan N.
Bowie, MD
6/12/2010
My quest for a good coffee house never ceasing, I tried Caffe Pronto today. All I wanted was a good place to sit down, write, and enjoy an iced latte and this place was great for all three. In fact, it reminds me of Pikes Perk in Colorado Springs, CO. Just a nice, simple open atmosphere and excellent coffee. This is probably the best-tasting coffee I've had since moving here.
They have some eclectic home brewing kits too (they even had Chemexes for sale), so if you're looking to buy different coffee makers outside of the standard electric pots, this is a good place to go.
In general, this is just a good place to go if you like coffee. I'll be going back here soon. -
Review from Megan H.
Reno, NV
9/1/2010
Passing through town a couple of days ago. By sheer luck (or touched by the gods, who knows) I wound up at a hotel across the street from this place.
All I can say is wow. Probably one of the best lattes I've ever had. I travel a lot through the US, Canada and Mexico, and am always looking for the good local coffee shops. Kudos to Starbucks for introducing quality coffee to the masses, but man, are they being outdone by the indie places these days.
So ... creamy, smooth, rich, delicious coffee, good service, no parking issues (it's in a strip mall), quick service, squeaky clean interior, and a fascinating array of other goodies ... chocolate covered bacon anyone?
The place had the feel of something bigger, I was kind of surprised to find out it was local-only. Way to go Annapolis! We need more places like this in the world, especially in my home town, which, sadly, is a few thousand miles away :( -
Review from Jillian T.
Washington, DC
12/9/2010
Definitely a fan of the coffee at Pronto. I've tried a number of the pour over varieties and although I've found some to be more to my liking than others, they all tend to be better than anything else in Annapolis.
And I like that they're local. -
Review from Jules J.
Kent Island, MD
11/30/2010
I am anti-chain-coffee-shop, so I am always on the lookout for cool independent places that have a good selection of drinks and offer a comfortable place to study. I am pleased to say that Caffe Pronto met and exceeded my criteria! I really enjoyed my visit here. The atmosphere was calm and quiet. Staff are friendly and knowledgable. I'm looking forward to coming back to try other drinks. The paninis on the menu also sounded tasty.
Just a warning to anyone else unfamiliar with the Annapolis area -- my GPS sent me to the wrong spot. I ended up by Shoppers. Once I realized Caffee Pronto was in the same shopping center as Michaels and Giant I was able to find my way there but it was a bit confusing. -
Review from Evan J.
Annapolis, MD
7/2/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Hands down best coffee in Annapolis. Why? The single origins, the slowcrafted drip bar, the uberknowledgeable staff, the comfy atmosphere and big windows. Anything you can say about Pronto is a good thing.
The service can be slowish if they're busy, but the whole point is great coffee, not fast coffee. And they do it like no one else in town.
Happy hour is 2 hrs before close. Get some goodness on the cheap if you've been wanting to try fancy brews but haven't had the guts. -
Review from Patrick H.
Melrose, MA
10/2/2008
mmmmmm. Coffee.
Coffee Good.
Caffe Pronto Coffee... Real Good.
Really Really Good.
This is coffee for coffee geeks. This is the kind of place that makes Starbucks seem like you've bought a can of Safeway Brand Generic Coffee and brewed it at home. This is coffee so good that they needed an extra "F" in the word "Cafe".
(You can decide what the extra "F" stands for.)
I ordered a double espresso. Chelsea, Barrista extraordinaire, was not happy with the first set, she let me examine the coffee and explained that it hadn't brewed properly so she tossed it and brewed another set. When I asked for the espresso to go she said to me, "wouldn't you rather have that in porcelain.. sit down.. enjoy it. "
Why yes, as a matter of fact.. I would, and I did.Listed in: The Most Important Meal of the…
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Review from Nick Z.
Watertown, MA
12/29/2008
After a week of the Green Devil while on vacation, it was great to find this place hidden in a sprawling shopping center in Annapolis.
The prior reviewer is correct - this is coffee to enjoy and savor - not grab and go. Our order (regular coffee, mocha, chai) was served at the perfect temperature, and they even asked if we needed room for cream in the coffee (we didn't).
The breadth of coffee for sale made me swoon - wonderful roasts from Guatemala, Panama, and Jamaica sit alongside Racer's Edge (a morning breakfast blend), and (shudder) Decaf options.
A chalkboard behind the counter announced cupping sessions on Fridays and Saturdays at 2pm. I'll bet it's worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood during that time.
The staff is very friendly and the array of coffee gear (more French presses than I could count) for sale reinforces Caffe Pronto as a haven for java addicts. -
Review from David M.
Washington, DC
3/16/2009
Cafe Pronto has the best coffee in Annapolis. I don't think anyone else really comes close. This is the only place that has baristas that actually know what they're doing and everything I've sampled here from the lattes to the drip coffee to the clover has been delicious.
Plus they're an Annapolis based company (I think), so what more can you ask for? -
Review from Kate M.
Annapolis, MD
5/24/2011
The coffee is not so great- kind of bitter, actually. And I feel like all the food is over priced too. The muffins aren't too bad, but I still think it's a rip off price wise. I would go over to Panera bread across the street and get a cup of Joe there.
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Review from Michael M.
Arlington, VA
2/22/2011
coffee beans - 4 stars (i am for the third wave coffee movement, but i think their roasts are a little too light for me. they are still top quality and the best in the area)
espresso machine skills - 4.5 stars
other drinks - 4 stars
pastries - 4 stars
customer service - 3 stars (this shop didn't seem to have the happiest baristas working the night i was in there. the other Cafe Pronto seemed to be cooler)
seating - 5 stars (very cool looking place)
internet connection - 5 stars
Pros - Great light roasts
Cons - Even though they spent a lot of money making this shop look really nice, it still felt like it was connected to a big strip mall). The baristas were not as good as the other Cafe Pronto. -
Review from Lisa G.
Annapolis, MD
6/26/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Without reservations, my favorite cafe in Annapolis.
The coffee is delicious, nothing overly sweet or burned. The pastries and sandwiches are wonderful. The caprese panini, peach raspberry muffins, and fresh fruit pastries most of all. The staff is incredibly friendly, and between that and the seating I'm always comfortable staying for hours to work.
They have free webbeams wifi, so just ask at the counter for a code when you're checking out.
My most productive days are the ones spent sitting in Caffe Pronto with a Caramela or an Oolong tea, writing on my netbook with the internet turned off. Love this place. -
Review from Sarah M.
Crofton, MD
2/24/2011
....agreed with the analogy to wine on another review ...good beans here...and though there is nothing really pronto when you compare this to assembly line quasi bistros like SB....I contentedly peruse the sights and sip free ice water knowing that the latte i have coming will be something magical...unreal actually! The smoothness is so savory and topped with a heart in my foam...its LOVE. So breath deep and be patient...its ohh sooo worth it! If you need a bite ....the croissant, brie and heirloom is simply decadent!!!! I drive from crofton whenever possible!
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Review from JR C.
Annapolis, MD
1/27/2011
yeah, best coffee in town... I am a coffee snob... I admit. If you go for the over-roasted, bitter Starbucks kinda Joe.... this ain't your place. OTOH, if you look at coffee very much like you look at good wine... stop by it's worth it!
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Review from Paul D.
Arnold, MD
6/28/2011
I like many of the small local cafe's we have in the Annapolis area, and this one is certainly worth a visit. The decor is fun and comfortable with good seating and the ubiquitous internet available. The coffee is fresh and hot, and I love the drip and press brewing they do there. If you are nearby, it's worth a visit!
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Review from Kevin W.
Annapolis, MD
1/5/2011
Great coffee. Good food. Good location.
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Review from Phil B.
10/10/2009
Best coffee in Annapolis. High quality beans - typically from Africa, and Central America. They used to have a Clover machine to make their coffee. Starbucks bought the machine so that they could make up ground against the competition. It was pretty good.
But now they use a drip method which is nearly the same - if not slightly better - than the old Clover machine. It will take about 8 minutes to get your coffee but well worth it. I recommend getting an iced coffee, black. You can really taste the differences between the difference beans. -
Review from Matt C.
12/1/2010
Knowledgeable staff and quality coffee! A win/win all around!
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Review from Joel O.
Annapolis, MD
7/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great smooth tasting lattes. Add a slice of cranberry oatmeal or walnut apple bread and you're all set!
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Review from T Y.
Annapolis, MD
12/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Great coffee and it's "local".
The location is not really a festival, but it is on really on Riva Rd. in a shopping center anchored by a Giant, TJ Maxx and a Michaels.
Did I mention the Chuck E. Cheese right around the corner?
All mitigated by the fact they serve up great coffee and it's a "local" gig. -
Review from Sara C.
Annapolis, MD
1/24/2010
My review is not about the coffee itself. I enjoy the coffee and their brie and tomato breakfast croissant is to die for! My review is of the service. I get the idea of slowing down and enjoying your coffee but there are days I need to grab and go. I would prefer to support a local business rather than hit a chain but unfortunately these guys don't always get the job done. No matter how early I arrive in the morning they always seem to take their sweet time often making me late. And for some reason it seems like they can only do one thing at a time as opposed to starting my breakfast sandwich and making my latte at the same time...no matter how many employees are there...just sitting around.
You may not be in a hurry but sometimes your customers are and they seem to be oblivious to that. -
Review from Katherine E.
Ellicott City, MD
11/20/2010
Great local alternative to chain coffee shops. Went in for turkey cranberry panini with goat cheese for lunch. YUM! The white peach iced tea was also delish. Highly recommend.
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Review from Jennifer N.
Glen Burnie, MD
9/16/2011
best chai latte ever!!!!! i'll take this place over starbucks any day!!!!!
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Review from Alan W.
Severna Park, MD
8/28/2010
The Sweet Cheeks blend is incredible and a worthy substitute for Intelligentsia's Black Cat blend. Nice job and good to be supporting a local business.
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Review from Meghan E.
Annapolis, MD
3/24/2009
I love everything about this place.
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Review from James B.
Purdys, NY
3/27/2010 1 photo
Awsome little cafe. Just had the best latte I ever had. Also try a Vosges Chocolate if you go in.
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Review from Jim C.
Plymouth, MA
12/18/2009
I was in the area on business and wanted to have a good cup of coffee and found this on yelp. I have been to the Dock coffee shop before but was staying closer to this and had meetings near BWI. I was quite surprised at the process.
After the clerk consulted with me on the types of coffee I picked one (I can't remember which one). She proceeded to weigh the beans, grind them and then put them in a wetted cone filter in a ceramic holder on the counter. She placed my cup under it and gradually poured hot water over the ground coffee to drip into the cup. I have never seen a shop do this.
The coffee was excellent and I will be back on my next trips to the area. Plus the price was the same or better than a Starbucks.
The only negatives were that it is hard to find (it is in the Giant Food shopping center) and the wait for the coffee, while worth it, could be tough if time was short. -
Review from mari d.
Annapolis, MD
3/3/2010
This is a coffee lovers spot. Amazing coffee as you never imagined it could be. I noticed another reviewer said they can be slow - and they can be- but they do a fine job....and fortunately, I'm not in too much of a hurry most of the time (peek at the WP while you wait...)
