Sleepyhead Coffee — Restaurant in Chattanooga

I decided I wanted to spend a little extra time in Chattanooga before I headed home after a continuing ed opportunity. I wanted a coffee and a treat to take on a walk by the river. After a little googling, I settled on Sleepyhead. It was a good choice!

This little coffeeshop is inside the James Building. Truth be told, idk what else goes on inside the James Building, but the shop itself is on the left as you enter the front entrance. It's very small and there's only a couple of stools to sit on so it's mostly a grab and go operation, but wow is it adorable inside! I loved the welcoming, dreamy, upbeat vibes, as well as all the plants and the soft neon.

One interesting thing on the menu is a couple CBD-infused drinks. Talk about sleepyhead! ;) I'd not seen that before but the concept is intriguing!

Employees were super friendly and guided me in the direction of their sweeter current specialty lattes. They said one of the fruitier ones (raspberry? Strawberry? Can't remember) was the sweetest, but I don't like fruity coffee so I chose the pistachio latte instead. They made it for me quickly. I couldn't help but grab a donut and a sticker to commemorate my visit. All their food is vegan here and some of it is gluten free. I can't remember if my donut was GF or not, but I DO remember it being delicious. The icing on top wasn't gritty at all nor was it over sweet. The cake itself was a little bit dense but it kind of worked? I much prefer a cakey donut to an airy one so this was a winner for me! I can't remember if it was chai, Apple cider, or both, but it was definitely a spice cake and super yummy with my coffee.

The coffee was tasty and VERY strongly pistachio, which I for one was all about! I love the nutty, slightly sweet, vanilla-y flavor. In a perfect world I like my drinks a little sweeter, but as I said, it's partly on me because the employees did tell me. Still, I enjoyed it very thoroughly and would definitely return.

I'll enjoy my sweet sleepyhead cat sticker and think back on this...

Bottom Line: Skip this place if you want good cuppa or a lovely snack or a nice place to relax. Read on for details... Found this place on Google, I like finding new places to try & love finding hidden gems, this place isn't even close! Location / vibe: The set up is interesting (odd), order on one side of the lobby (very small, cramped, can barely fit 3 ppl waiting in line), Sit on another side of lobby. Building is historic & cool so I can see they did the best possible with tiny space but it's very cramped. Price/Value/Quality: Our total was $13 for 2 coffees, which was high considering one was a Cappuccino. They rang it up as a Latte, by saying that was the only way they knew how (huh?). Say neither one was good, way too sweet, milk was watery, flavor was just off & no bold flavor of coffee. We both took a few sips, & said no, tossed them in trash! The Chai isn't spice aromatic, just flavored sugar. The honey lavender was bland. I ordered a Cappuccino but got a small heavy latte (like they rang up). Although the Barista said they understood I wanted a traditional Cap what I got was a heavy milky cup of mess 😭 no foam, far from a traditional Cap. Service: They tried, seemed nice & in good spirits. Decor: Pictures on Google make it look better than it is. It is run down & has many nearly dead plants. Food: A few squished looking items, not very appealing overall. If they had any GF items I couldn't tell from their one case, so possibly they are mixed with wheat items? ADA: Not very accessible due to step up into location, small doors, with no auto assist & small space not enough radius for a chair. Signs said bathrooms weren't accessible to coffee patrons & even though I did find them, due to step down into it wouldn't allow easement.

If you were nearby & desperate for wi-fi you could pop in for a bottle water & work but this isn't a place I would ever recommend for food, coffee, work, a...

A Disappointing Espresso Expedition 🫤

As an avid coffee enthusiast, I embarked on a quest for the perfect espresso, only to stumble upon a dreadful experience at Sleepyhead Coffee on Dodds Avenue. From the moment I entered, the air reeked of pretentiousness, emanating not from the aroma of freshly brewed beans, but from the demeanor of the barista behind the counter.

Upon ordering, the barista greeted me with a condescending smirk, as if my mere presence in their sanctum of caffeine was an affront to their craft. As I requested a simple espresso, I was met with a disdainful scoff, as if my preference for a straightforward shot betrayed my ignorance of the intricate subtleties of their artisanal offerings. As I awaited my drink, I couldn't help but notice the ostentatious display of brewing paraphernalia adorning the counter, each item seemingly more obscure and unnecessary than the last. It was as if the barista's ego inflated with each extravagant gadget they wielded, oblivious to the fact that true mastery lies not in the complexity of one's tools, but in the simplicity of one's execution.

Finally, my espresso arrived, accompanied by a flourish that would have been comical had it not been so aggravating. As I took my first sip, I was met with a bitter, over-extracted concoction that bore little resemblance to the smooth, nuanced flavor profile I had anticipated. It was as if the barista's hubris had tainted every aspect of the brewing process, leaving me with nothing but disappointment in my cup.

In conclusion, my experience at Sleepyhead Coffee ☕️ was a masterclass in pretension masquerading as expertise. While the barista may have fancied themselves a purveyor of fine coffee, their pretentious attitude and subpar execution left much to be desired. I shall not be returning, for there are plenty of establishments where the quality of the brew is matched only by the warmth of...