Tamp Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Burlington

This is the second time that my fiancé and I have been to this location. We might give it one more shot - third times a charm? The coffee is great. Food selection is a little small (got there around 2 on a Sunday and there were maybe 3 options left?) but good. There’s just something about the staff that doesn’t feel warm or inviting. My fiancé had sat down at the bar to wait for our drinks while the owner was making them and a new girl was on cash. The new girl was great. I got my drink and just waited for my fiancé’s. The new girl called out the drink and kind of looked at us like “did you guys order this Americano” which we had so we took it. After my fiancé had put milk and sugar in it they realized the customer who had ordered before us also had got the same drink. Since no one had claimed it right away we assumed it was ours. However, the owner made my fiancé feel embarrassed and told us that it was for someone else. We didn’t know. Instead of saying something along the lines of “oh no worries, I have to make another one anyways it’s all good!” She said to him, “you took a drink that was for someone else. Did you even order an Americano?” Which he said yes to. She said, “okay I’m gonna make another one, so don’t take it.” I don’t know if she knew how it came across but it felt snarky and a little rude - especially coming from the owner. I worked as a barista myself for 8 years so I know mistakes happen and customers take wrong drinks all the time. One thing that can be done to improve this is to get the customers name when they order so mistakes like this don’t happen again. I understand you strive for quality drinks but customer service could really...

Getting coffee from Tamp was a really unpleasant experience and I did not feel safe being there. As far as I know, “the City of Burlington has enacted By-Law 62-2020 requiring the use of face masks or face coverings, with some exceptions, in all indoor public spaces”. Of the 13 people in this tiny coffee shop today, I only saw 3 wearing masks- and my husband and I were two of them. Wearing masks was not being enforced, social distancing wasn’t being followed (or enforced), the milk and lids are on the counter for anyone to grab, and there is apparently no limit to how many people can be in Tamp at one time. My husband went in without me at first, and when I kept seeing people going in without masks, I went in to tell him we should just leave. Unfortunately, he ordered before he realized what was happening around him and he had to wait 10 minutes in there for our order. We finally left with our drinks and wrapped snacks, but neither of us could drink them. Wasted $25.

It was really confusing and nerve racking because we live in Hamilton and all of our local indie coffee shops have provided the safest, loveliest experiences. Durand, Synonym, Cafe Baffico, Dundurn Market, Salty, Relay, etc.- all have strict limits for the # of customers allowed in at a time, they do milk/cream/whatever for you so customers aren’t grabbing all of the lids and containers, and masks are strictly enforced.

Say what you want about a lower risk now, but masks are supposed to be worn. I’ll never go Tamp again. (I’m sure they don’t care.) Though, maybe this is a Burlington thing in general? What’s the harm in being careful and following...

I've travelled throughout the world and have experienced cafes and coffee-joints at numerous locations...always searching for that very special flavour and particular bite to an espresso based coffee that makes you want another...very difficult to find in North America.

Tamp baristas are well trained and have that touch...the coffee they create leaves you wanting another...hard to do over and over again which is why I frequent the establishment when I'm in Burlington. Creating a coffee by hand is very different than by machine and requires skill and knowledge to pull it off just right...and yummy too...and I find that to be the main reason I enjoy my coffee at Tamp.

I too have experienced a hint of indifference in the service from certain staff...but I have also experienced the complete opposite on many other occasions. Not sure what to say about how I am treated when I want a coffee...I want a coffee because of the flavour...I ask them to make it ...and they make it amazingly!!

I highly recommend Tamp to anyone looking for that perfect espresso...