Lalajava LLC — Restaurant in Northborough

I came here to spend an afternoon geeking out on my computer and drinking tea while waiting for a family event later in the day. The tea selection is fantastic and I got a delicious 'black raspberry' recommended by the very nice, helpful and competent waitstaff.

I mentioned it was 'for here' but apparently they do not have any cups or plates for people drinking/eating on location. So it's paper cups, whether you are staying or going. I was shocked as their slogan is "A hot spot to chill", so I was expecting a traditional place with actual silverware and mugs and plates so there was a slight environmental benefit for staying. I don't live around here, so maybe this is standard for the area. Not a big deal, just caught me off guard.

I sat down at a nice wooden table with a shelf of teas in front of me. There was an abandoned Boston Globe beside me which proved unusually helpful as I found out when I tried to use the internet that they charge $8 per day, $5 per hour of internet use. This too caught me off guard. Every coffee shop I have been to has free internet. It had also started snowing pretty heavy so jumping to another coffee shop was not appealing.

In all honesty I appreciated being disconnected from the Internet, and set about writing. It was a nice moment being disconnected, but after a couple hours grew tiresome. I tried again and saw a 'coupon' button on the bottom left. Perhaps they had coupon numbers to give to customers?

I had finished my tea and was getting hungry. I decided to check out the sushi place a few doors down in the same strip mall, as the snow was still quite strong and it looked really slippery out. However that place had lunch specials in the $13-16 price range which was a bit much for me.. I was expecting $7-9, but again, maybe it was a high end place, or that's just this area?

I decided to venture back to LavaJava and get a bagel and perhaps ask for a free internet coupon. I got an everything bagel, toasted, with hummus. It came on a paper plate with the hummus in a small cup. The bagel and hummus was quite good! And when I asked about internet the helpful staff person gave me a coupon for a free hour.

Overall this is a great place. The people are super nice. The tea and bagels were great. The music was good. The atmosphere is great. Just ask for an internet coupon and bring...

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Lalajava with my co-workers, and as a long-time customer who adores the ambiance, I couldn't resist the urge to write this detailed review.

Lalajava's ambiance is warm and inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind and connect with colleagues over coffee. The owner's personal touch is evident in every aspect, ensuring a memorable experience.

The coffee here is excellent, with friendly baristas and staff. They also have these beans for sale but haven't explored that yet.

What sets Lalajava apart is its commitment to the local community. They support nearby farms and bakeries, promoting sustainability and fostering a sense of belonging.

The menu offers a delightful range of options, from classic espressos to their many signature drinks. I recommend trying the "Lala Latte" for a smooth and satisfying experience.

This is more than just a coffee place; it's an experience that leaves a lasting impression. If you are looking for great coffee (and more - with drinks like Ziggy Palmer!), a welcoming ambiance, and a personal touch, Lalajava is the perfect...

I wanted to love this place..

Perhaps more training - coffee menu items, at least some basic ones. How to treat customers (at least for a standard coffee shop)? How to communicate if you don't have some ingredients (at least the main one), to charge for "hot" instead of "iced" when the order is "hot" and served hot, to take care of the trash "when it's not busy"?

Updated below after the owner's response. I didn't update anything above since I am curious if anything was mean and rude. Also, 3 stars, not one.

It was meant to be a constructive feedback. I understand that customers are not always right, and so are the sellers. You can just explain if any comments were helpful and do something with them or just let it go.

Sorry to hear if you cannot take any constructive feedback. Perhaps being open minded and showing some grace with any customers who did not give you 5 stars but they have good intention? That customer may have stage 4 cancer and her parents are dying and wanted to see a better place where they visited when they saw things that can be improved because they wanted to...