Little Black Heart Coffee — Restaurant in City of North Tonawanda

Man, I soooooo wanted to like this place. A gothic themed coffee shop? Sign me up! I finally managed to make my way over there recently, and unfortunately was disappointed. It's EXTREMELY tiny in there, and their back room with the seating looks...plain. Like the owner just found some chairs and tables out in the dumpster. No artwork in the back....looks very bland. Not a place I'd want to sit and chill. Not welcoming. It's almost like the owner doesn't care about the place. Very depressing looking. The front room is cute, but again, if there's more than two people in line, it is very crowded.

Now, for the drinks. There were no descriptions on the menu. WTH is a 'gummie bear latter'? I get you can ask the barista, but I shouldn't have to. However, I do appreciate the creativity and the variety of different lattes. Most coffee shops have the same basic stuff - at least this place had some creativity. I ordered one of their basic lattes...and it took almost 20 MINUTES to get it (no, it wasn't crowded)! That's RIDICULOUS! Instead of focusing on making the drinks, the baristas kept chit-chating with each other and standing around. Like, I'm all for workers chatting with each other and having fun, but couldn't you just focus for TWO MINUTES and make the drink????

The owner obviously doesn't care about the place. The place looked disorganized, with unopened supply boxes sitting in plain site. Oh, and there WAS A BABY ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE COUNTER, where the baristas were making the drinks! Is that a health code violation? I get that daycare is super expensive, and I'm all for women bringing their kids to work, but one day, one of the baristas is going to trip, and drop piping hot coffee all over that child. Or drop a glass on them. I don't care about baby germs getting in my coffee - but I DO CARE about child safety.

Overall, this place has potential, but obviously the owner doesn't care about the place. My latte was okay, but came out lukewarm. Not worth the $7 and 20 minute wait. Had high hopes, but missed the mark on both service and aesthetics. I'm really bummed. I was looking for a local coffee shop to host a small weekly knitting group (~5 people ordering 1-2 drinks each), or at least a place I could sit and read or do work some work in (a couple times a week, ordering probably 2-3 drinks for myself each time). But I guess I'll have to...

I just adore Little Black Heart Coffee!!! I realized after being a customer for years, It’s overdue I review this spot! (As an elder emo myself, I love the name as an ode to Ace Enders wonderful writing.)

Not only is every drink I have ordered soooooo tasty, but I regularly tell them to “surprise me” when I can’t decide. They never steer me wrong! Coffee or tea, they never disappoint.

I love the front space, as well as the chill back seating area. The option to grab & go, or to chill and work, is so nice! Their bathroom is also always super clean. Their logo and decor / wallpaper are 10/10.

LBH is a vegan cafe, stocked with yummy local vegan treats. There is also a great take-home selection of drink supplies (Hello, TeaPigs anyone?!) as well as cute gifts and greeting cards. A true one stop shop.

I am always impressed with the freshness of LBH’s goods. The owner cares so much about sourcing the best ingredients. There are always fresh things arriving - no old beans or milk alternatives here!

The other non-drink-related thing I love about LBH is that they are so family friendly. I love a neighborhood spot without the snooty safe vibe. I even got to see the owner’s cute lil Baby, who brought a smile to my face. (Why is anyone going to starb**ks when they can literally see the family and staff y’all can support by spending locally?!)

I just can’t say enough good things. It’s not even a big deal for me to drive 35 min from home to get a lil treat. Always more than worth it!

Thank you for doing what...

My wife could not BELIEVE that when I asked for what this place is known for, and the lovely burrista replied "mushroom coffee" and I said "I'll take it!" I legit can not stand mushrooms, but the lady said "it doesn't taste like mushrooms, it tastes like melted chocolate ice cream" and I was sold.

It was called a "chagaccino," and I'm telling you, we went to at least 12 coffee shops on our vacation and NOTHING came close to the taste of this thing. Not only was it tasty as heck, it was also WAY better for you, apparently.

It was THE food / drink highlight of the trip. So good!

My wife got an Iced Chai at the place as well, and she considers herself a connoisseur of Chai, and said it was "incredible."

The couple that owns the place (I'm assuming?) were two of the nicest people we met on the trip, as well! We genuinely TALKED (not like normal chit chat) for about 20 minutes before we had to hit the road.

If I could give ten stars, I would. Five stars is not enough! Go there, and get the mushroom stuff! You...