Birch & Banyan Coffee — Restaurant in Hartland

How was I supposed to know that a bout of wanderlust and a desire to step outside the norm one morning would lead to a re-ignition of my love for quality coffee?

Fatigued by the blandness of gas station fare, I set out that morning to discover an amazing cup of coffee. That's exactly what I found at Birch and Banyan. Now several months later, there's only been a few mornings where I haven't stopped in to grab what I consider the best cup of coffee in Lake Country. Brewed from Anodyne coffee beans (a local legend in the coffee world), the flavor is extracted by the talented crew here with care and precision. Each sip of your coffee lends a delightful "made just for you" flavor and feel. Regular coffee not your thing? Let the amazing baristas craft an espresso-based beverage for you with impeccable skill and quality machines. Get the latte or macchiato that you normally get somewhere else, and witness Birch and Banyan breathe new life into it. Explore new dimensions and layers of flavor with each sip as you bask in the ambiance of the tastefully rustic cafe space. Perfect for business meetings, catching up with friends, or enjoying the experience solo, the space exudes comfort and warmth. Select from an array of delicious foods and baked goods provided by local businesses to satisfy your appetite. If it's in season, I recommend the chocolate banana bread. It is simply DIVINE.

I once joked with Jessie and Claire that Birch and Banyan wins as my preferred coffee place by default due to its proximity to where I live.

Truth be told, they'd still get my business even if it added 20 minutes to my morning commute. It'd be worth it every....

I went there to study after school and one of the workers approached me and told me, she was very rude about it, that I was not allowed to be there if I was not a customer. She also added that I was "taking up their space", which I would totally understand if it was busy, but it was not. I simply left because I did not want to argue, but I was not being disruptive whatsoever and there were only two others there, meaning there were more than 10 open tables still. Very terrible service if I do say so. Very unhappy considering Starbucks and many other coffee shops allow you to simply study in their space. Would...

The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and very well trained. They quickly deliver a delicious and well prepared cup of coffee, espresso drink, or tea every single time. They carefully monitor temperatures and grind consistency. They weigh the espresso in their portafilter and are even mindful of tamping pressure. They weigh and bag their loose leaf tea (Rishi, the best). They rotate brewed coffee and don't let it sit too long. They calibrate their top of the line espresso machine. The beans are locally roasted and always fresh. Never a burnt, overly bright, or overly bitter taste. Just smooth and...