KarakChai Cafe — Restaurant in Middleburg Heights

I hate to do this, but I had an unfriendly experience with the employee/ not sure if owner who was working today. Lovely environment/ chill vibe. With my job, I am on the go, so i brought my work things, 1/4 cup left of Starbucks ( from 0830am) and was dying to use the restroom. About 20 mins in, the employee asked me to throw my cup away because it had the Starbucks logo. Which rightfully so, I get it, they have their own coffee. Except it was the way it was said, not kind, but rude. She did allow me to finish it really quick though and I did tell her I will eventually buy something. After working on my things for a little while, I still had not bought anything yet, because I was busy. I had another encounter. The employee then asked me If I was going to buy anything. I said I will. She then proceeded to tell me I have been there for over an hour and there is a sign on the front door ( which I did not see) that says pretty much, must buy something in order to use restroom or have a seat at a table. I proceeded to say, oh really, I did not see that. The employee said back, yeah, you are using our WiFi and electricity. Again, in not a nice/ friendly tone. I did say back, I am not using the WiFi and I will buy something. Since, I did not buy right away or see the sign immediately walking in ( might need to find a new area for this ) I felt like is was very disrespectful and a poor business tactic to rudely tell a customer that you have not bought anything in over and hour and that I was using WiFi ( which i was not) and electricity. This is super unfortunate, because I am on the go and I finally found a small business to do my work at. * love supporting small businesses Which this area needs more small business coffee shops for students, employeed people, or whoever has to do their work or just buy a coffee. I am not sure if the employee was having a bad day, but I did end up buying something and leaving. She was nice to me during this. But, man, that is not a way to talk to customers, or they will lose...

I would never have known Karak Chai Cafe was tucked back where it is if it weren’t for Google Maps. I had been searching for this type of cafe, and thankfully it popped up. Without that search, I probably would have driven past without ever realizing what was inside. The exterior of the building, along with the surrounding businesses and parking lot, leaves a lot to be desired. It looks plain and unremarkable from the outside, and it doesn’t exactly invite you in.

But once you step through the doors, the story completely changes. Inside, they’ve done an excellent job transforming the space into something warm, modern, and welcoming. It feels like a place designed to linger, enjoy conversation, and relax with something special to drink. The atmosphere is thoughtfully put together, and it’s easy to forget where you actually are once you settle in.

The menu is small but well chosen, with chai, specialty drinks, and desserts that are clearly made with care. Everything feels intentional rather than overwhelming. We tried a few desserts, and they were delicious balanced, flavorful, and presented with pride.

We’re definitely coming back to try more. This place is a hidden gem worth...

Revive Cafe is hands down one of the best hidden gems in the Cleveland area. The moment you walk in, the cozy and vibrant atmosphere welcomes you with warmth. It is the perfect place to relax, hang out with friends, or even get some work done while enjoying a cup of authentic Karak Chai.

The chai here is next level. Rich, smooth, and full of flavor with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. You can tell it is made with care and high quality ingredients. I also tried the paratha wrap and it was packed with flavor and served fresh. The menu has a great variety of snacks and light meals that pair perfectly with their specialty drinks.

What really stands out is the hospitality. The staff are friendly, professional, and genuinely care about making sure you have a great experience. They are happy to answer questions, explain the menu, and recommend options if it is your first time.

The vibe of the cafe is modern yet comfortable with beautiful decor and a clean setup. It is a great spot for late night chai runs or casual meetups. I highly recommend Revive Cafe to anyone looking for a unique and flavorful experience. I will definitely be...