Seven Sundays Coffee — Restaurant in Royal Oak

I first saw this place a couple of weeks or so ago and intended to stop in but circumstances at the time didn't permit me to do so. Well, recently I had another opportunity to stop in while I was taking a walk in the area and I'm certainly glad I did.

The highlights of this place for me are the people who work here and the cinnamon roll, but I'll hit on some other notes first.

The cafe' is a bit pricey for my taste, but plenty of cafes these days tend to be, and it is downtown Royal Oak so that is to be expected as well. (Although the cinnamon roll was definitely worth it!)

The atmosphere is pretty nice and there's a pretty nice outdoor seating area too (which is where I sat as I drank my coffee and ate my food.) Having a clean place to sit and eat outside in downtown Royal Oak was very pleasant and relaxing. Much of the credit for the pleasant atmosphere also goes to the patrons. There were all kinds of people spending time and enjoying themselves, all of which lends itself to the overall atmosphere of this place. Even if you aren't able to converse with your fellow patrons or the people walking by, this cafe' gives you a place where you can still feel like a part of the city.

As regards the coffee and food itself, I ordered a cappuccino and a cinnamon roll. The cappuccino was good, but a bit on the small side. (And I do feel it was a bit expensive, but I already hit on that point earlier.) The coffee was still satisfying though; I stopped in around 11:00 am and hadn't had any coffee yet, but I didn't feel that I particularly needed any after I was finished with this cappuccino. So -although it was smaller than I would've liked for the price- it still hit the spot.

But the cinnamon roll...... oh..... my........... gooodnessssss...................

Cinnamon rolls are probably my favorite pastry and I've eaten plenty of them in my time, but after the very first bite of this one, I was absolutely convinced that this is the best cinnamon roll I've ever had in my entire life. One bite in, and I closed my eyes and tilted my head back just so as I experienced a nirvana nothing short of transcendence.

Surpassing even the cinnamon roll however, are the people who work here. The staff were so very welcoming and friendly and inviting that interacting with them was even more enjoyable than that heavenly roll of cinnamuphoria that they serve here. Unfortunately, I didn't think to get the name of the lady who took my order behind the counter, so I sadly can't name-drop her here, but she was the one who recommended the roll (well I asked about it, but she said she loved them so I decided to try it). It was so good that I had to go back in and tell her about it. (As a side note, she informed me that they get their rolls baked fresh from a bakery in Ann Arbor every day.) But really, she and her fellow staff members are the entire reason I'm even leaving this review (this is the first time I've ever reviewed anything on Google before, which she was also kind enough to tell me how to do if I wanted to. But she made sure to let me know that I don't have to if I don't want to). I've been bragging about the cinnamon roll to anyone who will listen, but I decided to write a Google review because of the warmth and friendliness of that nice lady and her staff.

Overall, I feel that the cappuccino was a bit small and overpriced, but it wasn't exorbitant or unreasonable, and it was still satisfying. The atmosphere -both inside and out- is clean, enjoyable, and relaxing, which is due both to the cafe' and the patrons. The cinnamon roll is absolutely outstanding and the welcoming and inviting staff are even more so. I will definitely be back again in the future. With family and friends too...

Review 3 (May 2025): We are regular customers and truly enjoy frequenting your coffee shop with my friends and family. Your coffee is consistently amazing, and your baristas are always friendly and welcoming.. it’s one of the many reasons I keep coming back.

However, I wanted to share a few concerns that have affected my experience recently:

Inconsistent Pricing: I’ve noticed that I’m sometimes charged different amounts for the same coffee order. I understand that customizations may impact price, but it would be helpful if there were consistency and clarity in how these are applied. Perhaps a quick refresher for the team on pricing policies might help?

Indoor Temperature: The shop is extremely cold in the summer months. It’s often so chilly that many customers, myself included, bring sweaters or jackets just to stay comfortable indoors. It would make a big difference if the air conditioning could be adjusted to a more moderate level.

Bathroom Access: One of the bathrooms always seems to be closed, and with the shop being consistently busy -and coffee being what it is - having both restrooms available would really help ease the demand and improve the overall experience.

White Chairs: Lastly, the white chairs are quite uncomfortable and not ergonomically friendly. They’re hard and not ideal for sitting, especially for extended periods. Replacing them with more comfortable seating would go a long way in making the space more welcoming.

Thank you so much for considering this feedback. We genuinely appreciate all that you and your team do. These suggestions are only meant to help make a great place even better. Response to the owner (May 2024): Hello! Thank you for your response. I appreciate your willingness to address my concerns. I’ll be sure to mention if the coffee isn’t up to par next time. The name of the problematic barista should be pretty evident from reviews from other customers. It’s great to see the outdoor seating! I love it. I understand the city law about the bathrooms, and I appreciate your clarification. I’ll use whichever one is available in the future. Regarding the queue posts, I understand they help manage the flow of customers. Perhaps using smaller, more aesthetically pleasing stanchions or floor markings could make them less obtrusive. Thanks again for taking the time to respond and for working on these improvements. Looking forward to continuing to enjoy coffee at the cafe!

Review 2 (May 2024): I've been coming here for a while now. While I generally enjoy the coffee, its quality is inconsistent - sometimes it’s so bad I have to throw it out. The baristas are a mixed bag; some are very friendly, but others have a negative attitude that puts me in a bad mood. The white chairs and central couch-like seating are extremely uncomfortable, and I hope they replace them soon. It would also be nice to see some outdoor seating and flowers in the summer. Additionally, making both restrooms unisex would be helpful since it’s frustrating when one is occupied for a long time and the other is off-limits due to gender designation. The queue posts with retractable belts are also an eyesore and a hassle. Overall, it's a good place, but the owner needs to address these issues, especially improving the seating and firing the bad attitude baristas. Review 1 (Feb 2024): Cute, adorable, lovely place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the heart of downtown Royal Oak! I ordered Cortado coffee, and it was delicious! It can get crowded in the afternoon and evening. I wish they had a lot more...

I’ll admit, I’m nervous to post this review because I’ve noticed the owners’ responses to other negative reviews can come across as pretty rude. That said, I think it’s important to share my experience.

My partner and I came in and asked for drip coffee. They were out (understandable given that it was mid-afternoon) and offered pour-over instead. I asked how much more that would cost, and was told “about 80 cents more,” which sounded fine. My partner chose a light roast from the options given but no prices were listed anywhere, and the cashier didn’t mention the cost. We were really caught off guard when our total came to nearly $14, meaning his pour-over was about $9. By the time we realized, our card had already been processed. I fully recognize it was on us to ask for clarity, and I understand that the board lists pour-over as “market price.” Still, I think it would make a big difference if there were a printed list of blends and their current prices available, so customers know what they’re paying before ordering.

Unfortunately, the execution didn’t justify the price. We watched the coffees being made on their automated pour-over machine. Mine came out fine, but my partner’s cup was only half full. The baristas (within earshot) discussed that the wrong setting had been used. Instead of starting over, one of them filled a water pitcher from the hot water spigot (incorrect temperature for pour-over), eyeballed it into the grounds (with no scale), and handed it over half-full. To her coworkers, she joked, “It’s gonna be a little janky but it’s fine,” assuming we couldn’t hear. For $9, that felt careless and unprofessional.

We went back to ask for a refund, and at first they tried to explain it away (“the machine outputs less coffee,” “pour-overs taste watery”), but when I said I overheard and saw what actually happened, the barista admitted they’d used the wrong setting and processed a refund. I appreciated their honesty in the end, but the entire process felt unprofessional and disappointing.

I’d recommend the shop post clear pour-over prices so customers aren’t surprised at checkout, and that staff remake drinks when mistakes happen rather than serving something knowingly “janky.” The willingness to refund was a positive, but overall the experience left me feeling uneasy...