Elmira Tea & Coffee House — Restaurant in City of Elmira

I have come here a few times, as I work twice a week in Elmira. The first 2 times, were good, as they use Gimme coffee for their espresso, and I like Gimme Coffee (since I live in Ithaca). The barista was friendly and made me good drinks.

The last three times I've been there it's been a cluster**. There is a new (could not be new and I never ran into her) barista, who does not make for someone I would want working my coffee shop. The last three times I've been there, I've walked into an unmanned counter, and have had to stand waiting for 10 minutes because of whatever reason (bathroom, doing the closing procedures for the day early, etc). A cafe should never be unmanned. Not only is it a security/loss/liability issue, it's unprofessional to have a customer waiting 10+ minutes to even place their order.

One time when she finally strolled in she exclaimed in a frustrated/angsty manner "Oh Gaawwwdd" when she came in with three people now waiting to order.

Now lets get into the coffee. After such a long wait, it would have been forgivable if the drink was great, but it wasnt. This one particular occasion, this person made my cold brew frappe that I ordered with caramel, without any caramel. And my wife ordered an oatmilk mocha, and she got her drink with the cup only 3/4 full, and the milk although hot had zero texture. There was also no chocolate in it . My wife isn't a "Karen" but she does know coffee having been a general manager for a big local coffee shop for almost a decade.

The "new" barista seems to put more effort into her rainbow eyebrows than she does into her customer service and her coffee beverages.

So although I liked this shop before, these last 3-4 times have killed it for me and I won't be coming here anymore, due to the lack of anyone behind the counter for 10+ minutes, the general attitude, and the bad (lately) drinks.

Gave 2 stars, because it is a nice, clean and calming space. Very well designed and put together....but the atmosphere is only part of a good coffee shop. Customer Service and the actual drinks you're making and serving trump the vibe of your place, and thats...

I contacted this tea and coffee place ahead of time to bring my granddaughters out for a tea luncheon on FB. I got a message that confirmed they have several sandwiches they offer besides sweet desserts. When the day came I took my granddaughters as they were excited to be having a tea luncheon. The girl at the counter said they have no sandwiches. I told her I received a FB message that you do serve them. She said no, we don't today and suggested that we go to the Turtle leaf cafe instead. I felt like she didn't want to bother cooking or making any type of luncheon food as it was a Saturday and they had an hour and 1/2 until closing, which was enough time to put sandwiches together. I had planned on going here to give the mom and pop food places my business plus I was told they had several types of sandwiches. I feel this girl didn't want to be bothered to brush us off so quickly. So, Turtle leaf cafe where we did go had a great lunch menu. Unless they go out of their way in the future, I don't see how they will make it otherwise by sending us to another place where I spent $70, which could have been their money for...

Its 7:30AM on a Sunday morning. I went to get my home-made cold brew to find out that we forgot to make it last night. I frantically looked online for a non-chain coffee house. Every other one that i have heard of was closed until 9AM. This was the only one open.

When i got there there were more syrup types than expected i had to call my wife to get what one she actually wanted. She tried the new blueberry one and loved it. I always get straight black...and i loved the taste. I was only 1/8 into a 16oz cup before i could feel the effects.

They do not dilute the coffee with putting a ton of ice in it. It is the proper amount of ice to make the drink cold, not skimp on putting less coffee than ice in it like..... ahem....Dunkin Donuts. It has a very strong flavor.

The atmosphere is homey. A couch to one side and tables to the river side.

We have been looking for a decent coffee house near us and finally i...