Caffe Aroma — Restaurant in Buffalo

My fiancé and I live across the street and come here almost every day. We enjoy the atmosphere in the nice weather and especially the fact that it claims to be dog friendly and there are other dogs there for our pup to interact with. Today we had one of the worst customer service experiences of our lives here. Our puppy was barking due to another dog being hostile towards it and what appeared to be the woman in charge of the shift came out and condescendingly asked if our pup was friendly and if she could pet him. After that she very quickly said his barking was ear piercing and suggested we took him for “a lap or something.” We were on the end of the walk. Perhaps she could’ve brought out a bowl of water for the dog or a pup cup which ownership usually does for us when we come here. She made us feel so uncomfortable being there that we decided to leave and no longer feel welcome coming to a spot we frequent with our dog. Shameful

SECOND REVIEW: Now, full transparency: this isn’t my first Google review of Café Aroma. My last one wasn’t exactly glowing—but something about this place keeps drawing us back. The charming atmosphere, the cozy patio, the promise of a laid-back evening with good drinks and our dog. Sadly, tonight was anything but that.

My husband and I stopped by to enjoy the beautiful weather with our pup and some cocktails. I ordered an espresso martini, and as I struggled to carry it outside, a man—apparently a “regular”—offered to help. I was initially taken aback by the kindness… until he delivered the drink and said, “Just give me a kiss and put that tongue in my mouth.” Yes, seriously.

When my husband firmly told him to back off, the man threatened to pull a gun. He then tried to smooth things over by bragging about purposely getting kicked out of the Marines, pulling out a half-ounce of weed, and offering my husband both that and a shot of bourbon. (Both refused, obviously.) He kept hovering, returning to our table, making the whole thing deeply uncomfortable.

Then, just when we thought it couldn’t get worse, another older gentleman quietly approached and informed us that this man is known to have bed bugs and that there was one visibly crawling on his back. He advised us to change clothes immediately upon returning home. Again, I wish I was making this up—but I’m not.

To make matters worse, a sweet young couple on a first date sat next to us and had to witness all of this chaos. Multiple other patrons came up to apologize for his behavior, confirming this man is a long-time problem.

As someone who has my own struggles with mental health, I truly feel for him. But there is a line between empathy and enabling—and allowing someone who repeatedly harasses customers, threatens violence, and poses a genuine public health risk to continue hanging around unchecked is beyond unacceptable.

Café Aroma: we love your space and your energy, but something has to be done. No business should allow their charm to be tarnished by one dangerous, disruptive person. You’re...

Honestly, not great. And I really wanted it to be! Maybe I caught it on a bad day, but coming here was a disappointment. I came in around early evening, 4-5:00 give or take.

My visit may not represent the cafe properly but in summary: stale muffins, easily crowded but good location, drinks weren’t good, and the service wasn’t either. Prices are alright, but you might be better off saving your money.

1. The food I got was…gross. I ordered a muffin and it was stale, with a strange, fridge/supermarket-like aftertaste that was also somehow the main flavor. I have pretty low standards for food and still had to force myself to finish it, but at least I did.

My drink, a hot chocolate, was okay and well-presented. I went with another person who ordered something different and they mentioned theirs was super watery. We tried them pretty much from the counter and dined in.

2. Sadly, the person who took my order was cold and unfriendly. I also work in customer service, so I understand having off days and other general circumstances, but I was told they didn’t act like that with other customers.

I can’t confirm this, but independent from that fact, it didn’t feel the best and I’d imagine others might feel similarly if they come in with the same experience.

I’m sure every employee is lovely, including the person who took my order, but the way things aligned today just made for a crummy experience. And whew, that...

When I first visited the establishment, the baristas were so warm and welcoming. They were everything I’d imagine the perfect barista to be. Each one I have met has this particular confidence and hospitality about them. Even though we’ve exchanged little words, their staff has always been kind and patient, and not just to me. To everyone. And I love seeing that. The atmosphere is just like one of those jazzy YouTube music videos of coffee shops that you put on as background noise in your living room while you’re reading a book. It’s a vibe. Straight vibe. In person. I can’t get enough of it.

Studying at Cafe Aroma was the absolute bee’s knees. They don’t close until midnight!I’ve also gone there at 6 in the morning, and they were great. Solid business. All of their staff that I’ve met are incredible. Morning and night.

I noticed so many regulars after a while. It feels like a community within a community. Elmwood in general has a solid community of people. It just feels like some of the best gather in Cafe Aroma.

I wish I could bring this beautiful coffee shop everywhere I go. Everyone deserves to experience that classic coffee shop feeling— that relaxing, jazzy morning sipping espresso while looking at local artwork. Cafe Aroma gives you that and more.

I will be back, you’d...