Cafe Julia — Restaurant in South Haven

We were a group of 4 visiting from out of town and walked here one morning for coffee. The ambiance was lovely and the gentleman who took our order was pleasant too. Unfortunately we were all a little confused and disappointed by the quality of the coffee. Since this is a coffee house after all, and all we ordered was coffee, I have to unfortunately give them 2 stars.

First, when we got our order I said a friendly “thank you” to the barista as I took the tray of four coffees from her. No response. Then we divided up the coffees but realized the

1. americano strangely had milk froth on it and was a large size when it should’ve been small,
2. the soy milk latte was small when it should’ve been large and we were doubtful the milk was actually soy (also tasted weak)
3. my flat white had no creamy, frothy, steamed milk on it the way EVERY flat white I’ve ever ordered anywhere else in the world has,
4. and my boyfriend’s cafe au lait tasted weak and watery too.

We thought maybe the espresso machine wasn’t properly dialed in… maybe the beans used aren’t of great quality… maybe there was a mixup… so we talked to the barista. We felt bad, but none of us were enjoying our drink. I couldn’t taste any espresso flavor in my flat white! It was watered down and tasted like a shot had been brewed through an already used espresso puck. The milk wasn’t creamy and silky, it was like water (or maybe almond milk?).

When the barista just seemed a little confused and overwhelmed, I asked for another shot in my flat white to try and make it stronger. It did nothing to improve the flavor. My boyfriend traded his for regular drip coffee, and it was still weak.

It just seems like this place sadly doesn’t know how to make a good espresso drink or strong coffee. We use a breville at home and are used to great cappuccinos and travel a lot around the world and know what great coffee tastes like. Unfortunately it’s just not what we found at Julia’s… maybe an off day, but we were all scratching our heads because it’s a coffee shop after all and it should be...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Café Julia – South Haven, MI | Five‑Star Review

Nestled just steps from the center pavilion and waterfront, Café Julia is a bright and inviting gem in South Haven’s heart. It stands out with its friendly staff, cozy vibe, and exceptional offerings .

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🍽️ Ambience & Service • Cozy & picturesque – the café is beautifully laid out with indoor seating and charming upper/lower decks, plus a spacious covered patio—perfect for beachside relaxation . • Warm & efficient service – staff are upbeat, attentive, and keep the line moving even during peak times .

☕ Drinks & Treats • Outstanding coffee & lattes – consistently praised, with the chai latte (seen in the video) and seasonal pistachio latte among favorites . • Quality baked goods & desserts – offers a delicious variety, including gluten-free and vegan options, from cookies to granola treats .

🥪 Food Menu • Fresh, creative dishes – vegetarian-friendly and packed with flavor; items like the “Earth Mama” and other wraps consistently earn praise . • Good value, locally sourced – cafe commitment to top-notch ingredients makes each bite satisfying .

👍 Why It’s Five Stars • Perfect combination of laid-back beach vibes and thoughtfully crafted refreshments . • Inclusive menu caters wonderfully to vegetarians, vegans, and dietary restrictions, without skimping on flavor . • Ideal for any time – open year-round with strong Wi-Fi, it’s great for breakfast, lunch, a coffee break, or cozying up after skating in winter .

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Overall: Café Julia captures the essence of small-town hospitality—charming, friendly, and delicious. Whether you’re craving a perfect latte, a flavorful wrap, or a relaxing rest spot by the lake, this café delivers star-quality in every aspect. A true winner in...

Very expensive for what you get! We got there when it was kinda busy, so there was quite a bit of wait as well as quite a bit of "hustle", which resulted in some (unapologetic) mistakes. I overheard a customer who changed her order from a hot drink to an iced...the barista said that'll be a bit more (less than a dollar) and that she'd have to pay the difference. When it's busy like it was, that was really unnecessary; she should have simply made the iced beverage and be done. Also, I asked for whipped cream on my latte (which was an additional $0.35 charge, on top of my $0.60 upcharge for dairy alternative, which was on top of the $3.50 base charge for my [very] small latte!!) where was I, oh yeah, the whipped cream - I stood at the counter being ignored - by the two baristas and a food service person who passed by me three times - for about 3 minutes before my wife finally spoke up and said "my husband needs something, will you please wait on him!?" I explained the issue, they took my coffee, added some whip, and handed it back...no apology, no smile, no return...