Curio Coffee — Restaurant in Cambridge

I come here often and used to love this place, and two weeks ago would've given it five stars. They had super friendly and knowledgeable baristas who knew you by name and made a great coffee. The baristas appear to have left, which was fine, people move on, it's a tough gig. But their personalities and expertise, and their craftsmanship of making the coffee, were a big part of why I even came to Curio instead of using the machine at work.

Today I come in and see the shop's replaced their La Marzocco espresso machine with a giant black "Eversys" block. A quick google and I am disappointed but not especially surprised to find out that this type of machine is the kind that Blank Street Coffee uses—read; a fully-automated, zero-touch coffeemaker. No secret that that coffee chain's big venture-capital backed "innovation" is using a fancy machine to avoid paying experienced baristas who know how to make a cappuccino. Just turn the shop into a vending machine at this point. Come on man.

Two stars because the espresso they use is still good, and the waffles still rock. But can't help but feel like this place really sold its soul.

Edit, because I can't respond to replies to my review.: I will admit overreacting with the rating so I've returned a star. I like this place and want to see it thrive. I suppose it's a philosophical difference, and it's not really about the quality of the coffee per se. The coffee is good. I haven't come to Curio or any coffee shop for the coffee alone—I can make coffee of similar quality at home or at the office for far cheaper. I can't presume to know the financial pressures of running a business like this, and I know it is cutthroat, but I do understand that what makes Blank Street such a successful business is its labor savings via its automated machines like the one recently installed at Curio. I resent the financialization of coffee shops that turns coffee from a craft, where I come for some human interaction while a barista performs a complex and beautiful task, into a commodity where they press a button and I leave as quickly as possible. I would gladly pay more upfront for retaining that aspect of the coffee experience. That may not be everyone's opinion, and to those who disagree I say Curio remains a fantastic coffee shop. I would still rather go here than any chain coffee shop, but for me it is a sad day and step one down...

It pains me to give them 5 stars but this place is exceptional. The world is better because Curio is in it. It pains me because it wasn’t what I set out for when I started my hunt for “coffee shops for studying” this morning. I wanted a place to work with chill music - I got Paramore at a critic’s listening volume. I wanted decaf - they don’t have decaf. But… super awesome service and I bumped up my tip accordingly. And the latte was great - not going to oversell it, but it was correct. And then I tasted their lemon poppyseed waffle. Heckin great! So I began falling in love a little with Curio and Paramore. Or maybe it’s because I haven’t had full-caff in months. But what pains me the most is I was cranking away on my laptop in “the zone” when a staff member informed me that LAPTOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE WEEKEND. She pointed me to a sign saying so. “Just letting you know.” And with a friendly smile. I looked around and, sure enough, no laptops and everyone was either on a cell phone or reading a book. Okay okay. I got up and left but not without resolving to come back soon for more caffeine and waffles. So here I am giving credit where it’s due and perhaps helping someone avoid the mistake I made. If I lived in the area I would be here once a week...

Great waffle but horrible experience as one employee was was polite the barista lady was in some sort of mood my brother law picked up his drinks and turned around and ask which one is which with a sarcastic attitude she said I don’t know you turned around so I would know which one it is as he explained and confirmed she continued to talk to the other guy about the issue at ear shot of other customers. As the store was closing you can tell she getting in more in her mood as I also heard her say about a situation it’s so annoying they announce that they are going to be closing in 5 min so I jumped but up to order a last coffee to go the people in front of me got to order but when i was next they said we are closing in one minute so we can’t make no more drinks as I look to the side see her annoyed face I said no problem thanks the guy was polite said we can still give you the black coffee but her attitude was so horrible that as a customer I didn’t want to pay for a horrible experience we are traveling from Orlando and up until this moment everyone in Boston has been great but as they say we will always remember the negative more. Jan 1 2023 I know I’m just one customer but I’m pretty sure others have felt this way before not sure if she...