The Proving Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream — Restaurant in Milford Charter Township

This is my go-to coffee store in the area. Yea, there are starbucks and the like in the area. Want to help out a local small business while getting a better product? Shop at The Proving Grounds.

The atmosphere is subtle and relaxing, featuring natural woods, eclectic but low-key furniture, and unassuming music. One of my favorite places in Milford to relax for an hour or so and crack a book.

As far as product, I've always greatly enjoyed their coffee, and their Ice cream (I forget where they get it from, I believe it's local) is divine. They also have the ability to press some hot sandwiches; nothing too especial, but great if you're there to hang out and get peckish.

Staff has always been cheerful and professional every time I've been, and seem to have fun.

My one complaint, and it's hardly that, is that there are occasionally an issue with seating, especially during a rush. I feel like this is just the nature of an older, slimmer, downtown building, however there is a decent section of floor room dedicated to a children's play-area which I feel may add to this problem. It's completely understandable why it's there; Milford is a very family-friendly town, and often I see families bringing their children to play while they relax and sip coffee. It's just hard to see when there are no children in the store and seating is tight; it feels like it compounds the smaller, skinny building situation.

That all said, I don't expect, or really want, it to be changed in the future. The kids really seem to get a kick out of it, and I have a sneaking suspicion there might be a collective hoopla from the regulars were it ever to be removed.

All and all, a fantastic local business and product. Great place to meet up in Milford, whatever the reason. Looking forward to visiting in the future, when it is (Covid-wise)...

Update: I decided to give this place another try as I was downtown with my family we were looking for some coffee. Again, the place is beautiful. Even after suffering a fire recently they have managed to stay open. However the coffee, it's just not good. It's not awful but very weak and the drinks are just blah. This time however I have to add the staff was very unfriendly. The whole time there from start to finish we felt like we were a burden. Like we were bothering them by being in their establishment and ordering drinks. There was a man there don't know if he was an owner or what but he looked very agitated, didnt speak or greet anyone ( not only us) who walked in. He was storming about and eventually got his things and left. The girls at the counter were just going through the motions. No conversation, no personality just like they were being forced to serve you. We quickly drank our things and left. If I am going to pay for coffee out I don't want to be made to feel like I am bothering them by simply ordering. I really really wanted to like this place. Beautiful location, local business, wonderful concept. But man, it's just a no for me.

I also want to say. We never complained about our drinks. We ordered directly off the menu no difficult orders or add ons so no being super obnoxious customers. *

Only been there once. Very friendly staff and beautiful inside. But the coffee wasnt anything to write home about. I mean it was good.. but So is my starbucks who knows me and makes my drink exact. I was hoping for a pow! I would go there again...

We were so excited to make our first stop into Proving Grounds. We've lived in Milford for many years and were excited to have a new coffee shop. Taste wise the coffee was awesome. I had an almond milk latte with almond flavor and my husband had an iced Vietnamese. My latte came out fairly quickly. The iced Vietnamese took about 20 minutes. We came in at the beginning of a slight rush so I assume they got busy and forgot. After about 12 minutes I went to the counter to ask if they had called the Vietnamese and I'd missed it. I got a somewhat brusque, "we're making it now". At least 10 drinks had come out since we'd ordered. So we continued to wait. They put a hot Vietnamese on the counter about 7 minutes later. We waited and no one went for it so we asked if it was for us. They said yes. So we reminded them he'd ordered it iced. They said, "I guess we'll just remake it." She turned around and dumped the hot drink over ice and gave it back to us. The ice melted almost immediately and so the drink was lukewarm. The taste was great though. I debated between 2 and 3 stars because I was so disappointed in the service, but again the coffee was delicious. I had such high hopes for a fun new hang out spot in downtown. I hope that once the new employees settle in and get comfortable with the menu they'll be more personable. I'd also like to add that the girl doing the pour over was very sweet to us and was explaining the process...