In 2009, thirteen-year-old Nathan Hamood washed dishes while his sister Stephanie played music nightly at their family's fledgling dessert shop in Rochester. Today, that boy's obsession with coffee has spawned a four-location empire, with the Detroit outpost occupying an Albert Kahn masterpiece in Capitol Park—limestone facade, carved stone details, and soaring arched windows that once housed Depression-era commerce now framing millennial laptop culture.
The transformation is both triumph and tragedy. Hamood's journey from a $600 converted rotisserie oven to a top-tier Probat roaster represents authentic passion scaling into legitimate craft. Their current Ethiopian Biru Bekele showcases serious sourcing chops, though the Mountain Water Process decaf comes with an unusually honest disclaimer: "we've found it can sometimes risk muting the coffee a bit due to the high input of water in the process." When a roaster admits their decaf might taste like soapy diluted Sanka, that's either refreshing transparency or a quality control red flag.
Inside Kahn's architectural bones, exposed HVAC ducts spiral overhead like industrial DNA, creating dramatic vertical lines that photographers love and acoustics engineers probably curse. The material palette reads like a Brooklyn coffee shop starter pack: raw concrete floors bearing natural patina, exposed brick painted charcoal, Edison bulb pendants creating task lighting rather than warmth. It's the "we spent money to look like we didn't spend money" aesthetic, executed with undeniable visual coherence.
But here's where form battles function. Those bar-height communal tables force performance over comfort—I witnessed one patron making wardrobe adjustments that revealed how the space demands you negotiate its aesthetic rather than welcoming you as you are. The window counter creates isolation pods perfect for laptop nomads, while the central communal table attempts community building. It succeeds brilliantly as a co-working space with historically significant backdrop, while failing as the neighborhood gathering place its Rochester sibling reportedly embodies.
The demographic tells the story: tech-savvy creatives ages 25-40 who can afford to nurse a $6 latte for three hours while coding. This isn't grab-and-go coffee culture or lingering conversation culture—it's productivity theater staged in architectural grandeur. Customers consistently praise the coffee quality ("fantastic and heavenly"), but describe the Detroit location as "cold and dark, like a converted warehouse" compared to Rochester's "warm and cozy, like a huge living room."
The Monday open mic nights hint at the musical DNA embedded in DOCR's foundation, when teenage Nathan fell in love with coffee while Stephanie's guitar filled the original space nightly. That family narrative—from rotisserie oven roasting to award-winning craft, from washing dishes to training baristas who become executives—provides authentic weight beneath the Instagram-ready industrial aesthetic.
Ultimately, Dessert Oasis succeeds by being honest about what it is rather than pretending to be something else. It's where Detroit's creative class performs productivity in an Albert Kahn building, sipping meticulously sourced coffee while negotiating metal stools and concrete acoustics. The space photographs better than it lives, but sometimes that's exactly what the laptop generation needs: a beautiful backdrop for their digital lives, served with coffee that respects the craft even when the decaf disappoints. In a city rebuilding its identity one adaptive reuse at a time, that...
Read moreStopped by this location this evening and was Horribly disappointed with the absolute most unprofessional service I encountered along with my daughter. Someone was obviously having a bad day and decided to take it out on us. My daughter went to enter after a couple as they walked in and the barista in all black with a black hat with bob length black hair, decides to start literally screaming to the top of her lungs that only 5 people were allowed at a time.
I have NO problem with any safety measures being in place. I have a PROBLEM when the rules that you’re screaming aren’t visibly posted anywhere in plain sight, then other people begin walking in as my daughter is now being waited on and out of thin air the 5 person quota Disappears.
I don’t care what was on her mind. I do care that the Whole world is experiencing the effects of COVID 19, especially customers who Choose to support businesses during this time. As a local and regular patron of Coffee houses across Metro Detroit. I must be clear when I state that Service is 💯paramount for ALL businesses to maintain. No one is exempt from their doors closing.
To further add to my disgust the display cabinets were filthy, with gnats flying all over the dessert. Which oddly enough another customer inquired about purchasing a whole cheesecake, and wasn’t accommodated properly. I’ve never heard anyone give a no, the answer should have been although we don’t sell it whole. You’re welcome to purchase what we have in the case as individually priced as is or let me check with management.
I guess my expectations are too grand being in the customer service industry for over 20 years. I’m only giving 2 Stars because I want to leave room for improvement. I won’t be returning to this location. I have NO problem taking my money where it’s wanted. If you love being treated with the respect you deserve as a customer, you may want to try one of the many other Coffee houses in town. Signed dissatisfied!
Not unlikely to be dismissed by the management of this location. It speaks volumes. To disregard patrons to this establishment. Hopefully who ever is in charge of DEI efforts if they exist at this location. Will hopefully teach staff and management how to properly reach out and respond appropriately without adding further...
Read moreDessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit is a fantastic coffee shop located in the heart of Downtown Detroit. As the name suggests, they specialize in coffee roasting and have a wide selection of delicious coffee blends that are sure to satisfy any coffee lover's palate.
The coffee at Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit is roasted in-house, using only the highest quality beans from around the world. They offer a variety of roasts, including light, medium, and dark, as well as specialty blends like their "Detroit City Blend" and "Siren Song Espresso."
One of the standout features of the coffee at Dessert Oasis is its complexity of flavors. Each roast has its own unique flavor profile, and the baristas are skilled at bringing out the best in each blend. Whether you prefer a bold and strong coffee or something more mild and smooth, there is something for everyone here.
In addition to their excellent coffee, Dessert Oasis also offers a variety of delicious baked goods, including croissants, scones, and muffins. They also have a selection of tea and specialty drinks, such as their signature "Mocha Oasis" and "Caramel Macchiato."
The atmosphere at Dessert Oasis is warm and inviting, with plenty of seating and a cozy ambiance that's perfect for a relaxing coffee break or catching up with friends. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and they're always happy to help customers choose the perfect coffee or drink to suit their tastes.
Overall, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit is a must-visit for any coffee lover in the area. The coffee is exceptional, the atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the baked goods are delicious....
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