PROVIDER Cafe — Restaurant in Indianapolis

Provider years 2018-2020 golden. Good coffee, good atmosphere, beautiful staff I’m talking generally lovely/friendly people. Fast forward to 2022.. imagine if you will the French serving you coffee. I’m not talking about the chic, artisan example of the French I’m talking the “how dare you insult me with your presence, while staring into your soul with the most neutral expression humanly possible” sort of attitude. In fact this is so common, that it has become my own personal game while coming here. I approach the counter, count how many employees are behind there working away (granted they are always hustling back there so I do understand the waiting) and I count in my head how long it takes one person to acknowledge me. Sometimes I have a slight irrational fear that I have become completely invisible to the human eye, so I find myself always desperately looking at the person behind me to confirm I am in-fact still solid (i am…good). One minute…nothing…. Not a smile… not a hey! Someone will be right with you…. “Should.. should I just go?” I think to myself, the anxiety is setting in…. Minute and a half ….. a girl approaches “this must be her! My goddess of brown liquid pep”, I think to myself. I open my mouth to say hi, she quickly averts her eyes away from my desperate, non caffeinated, lifeless body to have a short convo with her coworker. After what seems like an agonizing “standing in front of the classroom” moment, she looks at me and says “what can I get you”. No smile, no sense of urgency, not a care in the world..Mind you, I have worked in customer service, I understand when it’s busy and chaos is taking over your shift. However, this is not one time … this is every time. Indianapolis baristas are all starting to adopt this attitude which is fascinating (coatcheck, rabble, and ambersons not you guys, you are always freaking delightful). Long story short good coffee… meh attitudes, great little...

#4 Indianapolis Addition This the Spot!!!

You know how I feel about Coffee and we have been impressed by what Indianapolis has to offer. But, Provider Coffee hits different!

Provider Coffee is what Starbucks tried to do a few years ago. Offering breakfast, lunch, coffee, beer and wine, in an ultra laid back setting. Exposed brick interior with high top tables and awesome music is just the beginning of this gem. A self Serve pastry case with a variety of unique pastries is the first thing to great you. Massive Almond Croissants, Pumpkin, Orange, Cream Cheese Muffin(Yes, all that in 1 muffin) among others, all for the picking.

Smiling faces that not only greet, take your order and make recommendations, but th3 staff also make it a point to be engaging with each guest. It truly makes you want to linger for awhile. Then, there's the COFFEE!! Specialty coffees like Pistachio Rose Water are just the tip of the iceberg. Along with traditional coffee offerings, teas, housemade Kombucha, seasonal Lattes, and a featured Latte! There is no way you can walk out of there without something!

Too hot to handle, too cold to hold; had a Butterscotch Latte that was curated like a cocktail! Espresso, steamed whole Milk, with butter, piloncillo, and a flaming orange. WHO DOES THAT!!! It was so good. Didn't get a whole lot if Butterscotch, but MAN!!! He also had a bacon breakfast Sammy with TONS of bacon, fluffy egg, cheddar cheese, and pepper jelly, on a Multigrain GLUTEN-FREE bread!!! It was a mirage of flavors that just warmed the soul.

The decaf tenderoni had their featured Latte which was Banana Demerara. When I tell you, it literally tasted like banana bread? Packed with warm spice, actual banana flavor, and a hint raw sugar. It was the best banana Latte I have ever had!

Provider is one for the...

New Update 3/5/2019: sounds like I wasn’t the only one running into issues with parking and seating. Happy to hear that new policies have been put in place to encourage purchases, customer turnover, and a restoration of this space to an actual coffee shop instead of a co-working space. Haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but heard good things! Nice work!

Update 12/31: this is officially a co-working space with no membership fees. As such, it’s packed with people working remotely all day (and probably not buying much of anything). I have attempted to come here 4-5 times since my initial review. 3 of those times there was absolutely no parking so I left. The two times I miraculously found a parking spot in the overflow lot I went in and there was absolutely nowhere to sit. I’m no coffee shop owner, but I’m guessing having the same 30 people sit in your place of business all day long and causing paying customers like myself to turn around at the door is kinda bad for business.

Cool spot, cool employees, and great drinks, but they don’t turn over enough customers throughout the day, so it quickly ends up packed with literally no room to sit. Parking and seating are very limited and multiple times that I’ve tried to swing by there was none of either. Not a great place if you’re planning on meeting up with more than 1 person. It’s a shame they don’t have more space...