The Mallard Coffee Company — Restaurant in Decatur

I've had my eye on this new little coffeeshop in Decatur after following their creation story on Instagram. I come to Decatur for work often during the colder months and have been looking forward to the season starting so I could try them out.

The shop is on Lee Street, very close to what I consider to be the center of downtown Decatur. Street parking is available but I found a little iffy on a Monday afternoon. At time of writing, there's a lot of unrelated construction going on, which made finding a spot a little harder. I eventually parked up the street a bit and took a few minute walk over.

First things first: the vibe is perfect. Truly NO NOTES other than I wish this place was in Huntsville because it'd make a perfect third space for me. The outside is crisp modern and the inside has these beautiful foresty greens and muted browns and oranges (very autumnal forest). Plants and art everywhere, and enough cute and thoughtful duck pieces (statues, a mural, etc) to keep the concept relevant without feeling hokey. The music choice was soft folk rock, a la Jack Johnson, and it was played at a pleasant volume while I hung out killing time before I had to drive back to Huntsville for an appointment. I could EASILY sit here and read or write for hours.

The barista was pleasant when we talked, though I would've been more at ease if she'd asked if I'd had any questions or wanted any recommendations. I stood there awkwardly looking at the menu for a bit lol.

I'm a suuuuuucker for a seasonal special, so I wound up getting an iced "Cozy Flame," which is a mocha with graham cracker cereal milk and a toasted marshmallow on top. I didn't get a toasted marshmallow I'm guessing because I ordered it iced, which was fine, lol. I was also really hungry so I got a "Nutty Professor," which is fancy toast with nut butter, banana, cinnamon, and honey drizzle.

My drink came out quickly; toast was a little bit slower but given the gorgeous presentation I can't blame them. The toast was very yummy -- I actually could taste the cinnamon, which was super nice -- and surprisingly filling for the size of the serving.

I will say it's kinda pricy. My drink + snack before tax and tip was $14 (and approaching $18 by the time the rest was covered) which is still a good bit for a fancy coffee and a fancy piece of toast.

That said...the quality is absolutely there.

Which brings me to the coffee!

The Mallard uses June coffee for its beverages. I am, regrettably, someone who prefers a little coffee in their sugar, which is to say: I like my drinks veryyy sweet and not very coffee forward. The Cozy Flame was not that; I got hints of mocha but it was still very strongly coffee forward.

THAT SAID. I've had enough coffee that I feel like I can discern good coffee from bad coffee (even if I prefer all coffee blanketed in a robe of sugar), and if you're gonna drink coffee for coffee's sake, then this is GOOD coffee. I say this because I still drank most of and enjoyed my beverage despite it not being my ideal fit. That's big! The coffee was smooth and rich and not terribly bitter. I'd order my drink again even if it never got any sweeter.

When I return (and I will), I may see about adding some extra syrup to my next drink. I'd also like to try some of their tea and spritz drinks.

I wish them the best and I'm so glad that they're around! Looking forward to stopping in several times...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED The Mallard is a whole vibe. The coffee is great (cold brew with cardamom cold foam=chef's kiss), but the atmosphere created by the space and the staff is, to me, what makes about 60% of a great coffee shop. The interior is a kind of boho-natural, warm wood-chill vibe. If you wander around a bit in the small, cozy space, you'll find little delights like birds chirping in the bathroom (!!), a wonderful antique armchair tucked away in a corner, and beside it, a rack of vintage clothing for purchase. Numerous plants dot the shelves that are also available to buy. The outdoor space is like a private courtyard, making for a quiet, contemplative experience. The baristas are warm & welcoming & happy to answer any questions or entertain a drink idea. I travel often through Decatur on my way to Nashville and always try to make time to stop in. It is...

We stopped in Decatur on our drive from Illinois to Florida simply because it was convenient. We went to The Mallard on our way out of town and had an amazing cup of coffee. The quality of the coffee is all that I actually care about at a coffee shop, but I have to say their entire brand is so well-crafted. The swag is high quality and well-designed. The staff are kind and efficient. There's a little thrift clothing rack in the back of the store. And the bathroom is designed like a bird sanctuary (bird calls included). It's a vibe for sure - makes you smile.

We decided to stop there a second time on our drive home and found out they sell June coffee which is a roaster out of Birmingham. When we got home we ordered a bag of beans off The Mallard website and I added pics of how cute the packaging was! We drink a loottttt of coffee and this place is...