Curiouser Coffee and Conservatory — Restaurant in Apple Valley

Finally, Apple Valley has its hidden gem specialty coffee shop. Whether you prefer coffee or tea, want a quick interesting lunch, or just love plants, don't pass this amazing little nook up: with excellent, genuine, speedy, and attentive baristas, a unique and positively glowing space full of lush plants, and a fascinating menu full of fun and whimsy, I couldn't recommend Curiouser Coffee and Conservatory more.

It's a bookworm's paradise, a writer's refuge, and a great place for a coffee date, with a variety of seating, good wifi, and plenty to admire. Beautifully bound books and teacups sit with plants on floating shelves, surrounded by displays of varied flowers and ferns and vines for sale, all with their own individual wood-burned nametags. You'll feel like Alice, sipping a whimsical coffee drink with Cocoa Puffs cereal milk, or snacking on a Futterwacken panini with peanut butter, bacon, chocolate, and bananas. Maybe you'll feel like an aspiring gardener too as you amuse yourself reading every plant's name (hello, Steve Zissou the golden pothos vine, how's it going, Atticus Finch the lily?) or checking out the Alice-inspired mismatched keys on the walls, sitting in a black and gold leathery throne-chair all the while.

Some have complained about the prices of the specialty drinks. I don't find them shocking or atypical for specialty coffee. It's not Starbucks (mass-produced, stale, with scalded over-steamed milk and cheap beans, as well as highly-processed not-house-made syrups) where you come there to buy a 24oz blended drink (which still adds up often close to $10 in itself). Specialty coffee drinks involve finesse, time, and better overall quality. With higher quality comes cost, so if you're too tight on costs to get a spendier latte drink, get a drip coffee or more basic drink (also because there's unlimited free refills on drip coffee dining in)!

Either way, none of the coffee chains that have dominated Apple Valley for years can hold a candle to Curiouser Coffee and Conservatory. Fewer still can match the unique and whimsical vibe this shop pulls off with style and quality. It feels like the sort of place downtown could produce, but set in a convenient spot in the heart of Apple Valley (bonus being that it has plentiful parking). It also happens to be conveniently paired with a Pizzeria for those who want a delicious dinner after their perfectly-steamed, excellently-pulled espresso drink at Curiouser. (For coffee snobs: yes, they have a manual Marzocco espresso machine, another mark of quality.)

My only complaint of Curiouser: the hours. Opening times are typical for coffee places - just early enough, not too early - but 3pm is quite early to close. You're missing out on those who want that after-work drink, and the student crowds too. Bookworms and writers, who love places like this, want to be able to work and study and read into at least the golden hours of the afternoon, not have to leave by 3. Be open a little later, and this shop will become the perfect 10/10.

Don't waste your time or money on Starbucks, Caribou, or Dunn Brothers. Help keep Apple Valley's best new coffee shop alive and treat yourself at...

The place does not live up to the ambience and sophistication it is trying to imply. I was excited to learn of this place which seems to give off vibes of modern, and elevated coffee/cafe offerings. SE MN is in dire need of more unique and good coffee shops. The location is shared space with the pizzeria so you walk into the entryway which serves both. It appears they make their own baked goods and the oatmeal raisin cookie I had was delish. But.... We ordered 3 different coffee drinks, a baked good and two cafe hot menu items. There was something wrong with almost everything. The breakfast pizza had the toppings spread so unevenly, heaped on one side, sparse on the other. The thin crust was under baked and couldn't hold the toppings because it was so floppy. The shredded (bagged) cheese on top wasn't even completely melted. The croque monsieur sandwich was burnt deeply on the bottom side including the edges of the bread. One of our drinks we had to return to the counter because one of the ingredients wasn't included. The promised butterscotch flavors in the coffee were not apparent either. Also, despite the upscale feel and atmosphere, all of our drinks were served in to-go cups. I looked around and to-go cups were all I could see. What a pity. No one in our group said they would return. My 20 year old son, who made pizza in a restaurant, couldn't get over how they served the breakfast pizza. One of the simplest things to prepare and serve well - especially at a place that is also a pizzeria. At this point, there is no recommendation to go here. Additionally, I know we won't even try the pizzeria because they are...

We enjoyed our visit to have coffee – especially nice to sit by the fireside. I like the conservatory-like feel the interior décor provides. It’s a fitting feeling, like having coffee in the garden even when you are indoors. They were cleaning the patio so we couldn’t enjoy it just yet, but it looks inviting, and we have beautiful 80-degree weather coming. How nice that we can buy what we see and love right here!

The drinks seem very original and are Alice in Wonderland-themed. I tried the Absolutely Alice because it seems like a signature drink here. My coffee drink was tasty; the hot chocolate is really good, too. The portions could be bigger per the price. You can add items, like bacon, to the Breakfast Sausage Sandwich w sausage. The sandwich portion is generous and yummy. You can easily share one half with someone! I also, highly recommend the baristas, too.

The new owners of this space have updated the interior atmosphere quite a bit. The atmosphere here is welcoming for chatting with friends, game playing, studying, or working – if you don’t find the music too loud and distracting. I enjoy the tinier off-side room that blocks out some of the noise. With such a dark interior, this space also has more natural lighting.

The staff is helpful in selecting drink options for us newcomers. It has the potential to be a great outdoor dining/coffee spot and offers lots of free parking. The location is close to area shops but too close to County Rd 42 if you want a quiet...