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The Coffee House at University Circle
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for The Coffee House at University Circle
Review Highlights
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"They also have quiet study rooms upstairs." In 3 reviews -
"Good place to study outside when it's sunny." In 3 reviews -
"Free parking lot in the back." In 3 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Jim S.
Dover, PA
3/27/2012
I'm not a coffee drinker so 4 stars is based on the selection of the teas. When i placed my order for an iced jasmine tea i expected either some sort of attitude or a several minute wait while it was prepped. Imagine my surprise when they whipped out a pre-chilled container and away i went. Then it hit me...this is some sort of pre-packaged artificial garbage...but it wasn't; just pre-brewed and stored and delicious. They also have many other tea choices as well as herbals. The lunch sandwiches are good and the fruit tarts are VERY good. Overall a nice place to grab a drink and snack with prices that seemed reasonable!
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Review from Laura H.
Cleveland, OH
7/18/2011
As a CWRU student I was a frequent visitor at The Coffee House. While the food and environment are average, there are many redeeming aspects to the place, and as such I always try to stop by when I'm in the area.
I have been a frequent visitor to The Coffee House for lunch over the past couple of years, and have had both good and bad experiences with their food. The coffee is decent and I've never been served a cup that wasn't hot and fresh. The oat bars and Mediterranean pasta, and soups are also very good. The bakery items I have tried were typical coffeehouse fare, e.g. average tasting, much too greasy and even a bit stale at times. An order of Tiramisu my dad and I split for dessert one time was crusty on top and seemed like it had been sitting in the case for awhile. My advice would be to enjoy a beverage and maybe a cup of soup, but skip the other food unless you are very hungry because it is not anything special.
As other reviewers have mentioned, some aspects of The Coffee House's ambiance, such as the lack air conditioning and comfortable seating, may not be the best, but I think these negatives are balanced out by the wealth of seating available both indoors and outdoors. My favorite thing about this place is the spacious front porch/patio which allows visitors to enjoy their food and drinks outside on a nice day. Food and drinks ordered for there are served in proper glassware, which really creates an environment where patrons feel welcome to stay awhile and enjoy their food and drink.
The Coffee House is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area and are looking for a decent place to study or socialize with friends. -
Review from Joyce P.
11/30/2010
I've been coming here for a while now, and I want to like it because it reminds me of my many stomping grounds at my alma mater, the University of Michigan. (I have lots of fond memories of the Michigan League, and the Michigan Union.)
Great things: The overall feel is very collegiate - I see lots of professor types, international students (from Europe and Asia), and music students (CIM). I've had many work-related meetings here too.
They have Case wifi and free parking in the back, which is helpful at a university. They also have quiet study rooms upstairs.
They have a great selection of teas. One of my favorites is Russian Country, which my friends find obnoxious because it's so smoky.
Not-so-great things: The food selection, pastries, and service. The food is overpriced and it doesn't look generally appealing. I had a Mediterranean salad from amir- they were skimpy on handing out pita bread to accompany the hummus, lentil salad, and chickpea salad. The coffee is pretty much average. The pastries are usually old, never fresh.
As for the service, I'm usually met with a lot of snark or attitude. I'm tempted to bring them down to one star for this unless they change this soon!
Oh, and it's cash only like many places in Cleveland. -
Review from Miles R.
Cleveland, OH
11/10/2010
I've been a fan of this coffehouse for many years. It lacks some of the comfy characteristics of some coffee spots (i.e., no sofas, big chairs) but I think that's because they would rather accomodate more patrons. It can get pretty crowded and noisy at times.
What I love most is it's location. It's a great rendezvous spot after spending time at the art museum or botanical gardens. Sitting at one of the outdoor tables provides a nice relaxing and serene feel. -
Review from Joseph F.
10/7/2009
This place has a new name; it's called The Coffee House at University Circle.
However, from what I could tell, absolutely nothing has changed...which is too bad, because if this place improved just a litttttttttttttle bit, I would want to come here all the time. Why? One simple reason: FREE PARKING. (No other coffee house around here has that; the closest other one is Cedar Fairmount Starbucks.)
Despite this huge benefit, I hold my nose every time I come here and tell myself, "...maybe it'll be better next time." But, it never, ever is. I need to remember the immortal words of George W. Bush when I think about coming here again, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...and I won't get fooled again."
Even If I were being tortured, I could not think of one positive thing to say about this place other than the location. The coffee is mediocre; the stuff I make in my wife's French press tastes better. The place doesn't take credit cards. The staff always act very, very pretentious. Worst of all, the place is as uncomfortable as a mausoleum. There is not ONE upholstered chair in the place! Every chair is hard wood and they get uncomfortable mighty quick. Also, the place has the worst climate control of any business in the area. In the summer, it's boiling hot and people engage in childish passive-aggressive behavior about whether or not to open the windows because it lets in noise. In the winter, the uninsulated windows let a steady draft of cold air in.
Once Obama fixes the economy and businesses start investing and expanding again, I'd love it if someone like Starbucks or Caribou (or heck, even Phoenix) came in, took this place over, and ran it right. If this place didn't have a captive audience of students, this place would be outta business. -
Review from Chris R.
Cleveland, OH
9/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've been going to this coffee shop for years. They have a nice tea selection, and I like their Chai. The place only accepts cash.
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Review from Robert L.
Cleveland, OH
7/8/2009
My primary gripe here is with the ambiance, not with the coffee. After receiving my coffee and looking for a nice place to sit and read for a couple hours, I assumed that the austere decor was because I was in the "study section." However, after looking in the other rooms, I began to wonder if I had actually stumbled into a high school cafeteria. The seating consists of old, uncomfortable chairs and tables organized in a grid format. No comfy chairs. No couches or coffee tables. No art on the walls or anything to make it feel friendly and inviting. I opted to sit outside.
My latte was mediocre. I had initially requested a decaf mocha, but apparently they are unable to make those. My croissant tasted like a piece of bread that had been twisted to look like a croissant. -
Review from Kelly U.
Chicago, IL
7/8/2008
I've giving you two stars and not one, Arabica, because I really want to like you!
The fact that they don't take credit cards is a pain. The food is pretty good, but overpriced, I think. The coffee is good as far as coffee goes. Before the smoking ban, the upstairs smoking study room was where I lived. It's a nice place to hang out and/or study.
However, and this was years ago, one of the staff told my friend "F--- you!" when she asked if they could turn down the unnecessarily loud music. When we complained to the manager, she just stood there and smiled meekly when the staff member continued to give us attitude and generally berate us for being there. -
Review from Michael S.
Cleveland, OH
8/5/2011
Great scones! Best chocolate chip cookies in Cleveland! Fabulous outdoor patio! Unique Cleveland ambiance!
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Review from Kevin N.
1/3/2006
I'm no coffee coineseur, but I like the coffee and blueberry scones at the campus Arabica. Mostly, however, I like the old house it's in with its disparate rooms and quiet study rooms upstairs. Free Wi-fi is always a plus.
Just be careful where you sit in the winter. If you're not proximately close to a heater or you're not a polar bear, it can get cold. -
Review from Jen M.
Cleveland, OH
8/18/2010
I personally liked this place. But then again I am a sucker for independently-owned coffee shops as long as they brew a good-tasting cup o joe. The cute dude behind the counter sported a t-shirt that said, "Cleveland is my Paris." Hilarious. They have a large selection of Torani flavors which is super cool. Definitely a collegiate atmosphere--took me back to being in undergrad that's for sure. Great place to grab a cup and then head to Barking Spider for some brews. Free parking lot in the back.
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Review from Michael S.
Cleveland, OH
2/27/2009
Only 3 stars from me because they still live in the dark ages and don't take credit, and the counter is occasionally under the control of a total douche-bag.
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Review from Judith K.
New Orleans, LA
6/4/2010
Because I already had my cup of coffee in the morning, I tried their teas instead. They have some variety of different teas including some that were loose. I tried the jasmine tea and it was quite tasty. Though I agree with the other reviews about how its ambiance is wanting compared to other coffee shops, this place is perfect for people who just want a different place to study. They have lots of big tables and there aren't that many people, so it's definitely a great place for those tired of fighting for a study spot.
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Review from Cory R.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/15/2010
Arabica is a coffee house that will stay in business forever. Not because it's good, but location, location, location. Located right by all the freshman Case dorms and CIM, it is usually pretty crowded. The coffee is OK, nothing special. Their sandwiches are also overpriced, they have crappy premade sandwich wraps and charge $6 for them. The wait staff is noticeably grumpy, I never feel good when I go there. I feel like I'm bothering them. And not accepting credit is annoying too. I like to support local business, but only when they do a good job.
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Review from Justin V.
4/27/2008
Just a place to grab a coffee near case. None of the character of Algebra or the Barking Spider, but perhaps that's because they've got too much guaranteed business to waste time being awesome. Simple generic sandwiches, decent coffee, and a ridiculous cash only rule. Seriously - 21st Century folks. Take plastic. I wonder how often people get turned away.
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Review from Jason C.
Shaker Heights, OH
Updated - 12/23/2008
Downgraded to 3-stars. Location: Good. Coffee: Not so good, unless you stick to standard brewed coffee. It actually makes me a bit sad, because I love the feel of this place. It's too bad that it's run in such a mediocre fashion.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/14/2006
The coffee and espresso drinks at Arabica cafes are good, sometimes very good, but never great.… Read more »
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Review from M W.
Seattle, WA
12/8/2007
This is sorta "The place" to be if you go to Case or live near. It's cozy, sorta dim at night time, and full of empty rooms upstairs for studying. Seems is it used to be a house, and now every empty room has its own chairs and tables. Wifi from nearby Case--now if only the food selection were a little better...
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Review from Karen W.
Tempe, AZ
5/12/2007
Good place to study outside when it's sunny. There are a lot of places to study inside too. They have good iced coffee, chai tea, and yummy desserts.
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Review from Patrick B.
Hudson, OH
5/28/2007
After visiting the Cleveland Institute of Art, we stopped in here to get a quick snack. This is a great college coffee shop. There are several rooms to study in and enjoy your coffee. There is also outside seating. I had an oat bar and it was excellent. I didn't have any coffee, so I can't tell you about it. If you go to school at Case, or if you're in the neighborhood, stop in.
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Review from Daniel D.
Rocky River, OH
3/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love the location and the structure. It is an old house but it fits. The coffee is basically premade most offerings so it isn't really warm and lost that fresh brew taste. A few blends are in the maker so it is hot so ask for those. Esperro is decent too. The pastries are above average and the premade food is good for lunch.
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Review from Jen R.
Bowling Green, OH
4/9/2008 2 photos
I've been to Arabica at University Circle twice. I like the location and the atmosphere; it is situated in an old house in the middle of Case Western/University Circle. The hot chocolate was soooo good! The second time I went wasn't as pleasant. My husband and I stopped by on a Sunday morning to get coffee & pastries. The guy waiting on us was a snobbish jerk. Bring cash - they don't take debit cards, but they do have an atm. The coffee is ok but I would surely go back for the smooth hot chocolate!
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Review from Davis W.
Cleveland, OH
9/21/2009
Fantastic whole bean coffee available for purchase. Menu is slightly overpriced but we are talking about a coffee house. Nice environment.
