Steve's Espresso — Restaurant in Tempe

I stopped by Steve’s Espresso to get some work done since my home internet was down. This was one of the first spots I tried, unfortunately, like a few other coffee shops and even the local library, their WiFi was also down. I should have checked before purchasing, but since you have to make a purchase to sit in, I went ahead and ordered a plain cold brew and settled in. The café itself is really cozy and has a welcoming, laid-back vibe. It’s a smaller space but surprisingly has a lot of seating, standard café tables, comfy couches, coffee tables, and even individual seats with footrests. There are also a couple of outdoor tables. The staff was kind and accommodating, and I can definitely see this being a great place to meet up with friends or read a book. Unfortunately, the coffee didn’t match the atmosphere. I love a good cold brew and was hoping for something smooth and balanced. Instead, what I got had an off-color (suggesting it hadn’t rested long enough), and the flavor was uncomfortably tangy with a lingering bitterness. It tasted like it may have been brewed too quickly or with the wrong grind size. It could also come down to water or bean quality, but I doubt that’s the issue given how fast beans turn over in most shops and the likelihood of filtered water being used. Maybe it was a bad batch, but based on this experience, I don’t think I’d return, even if I needed an emergency workspace again. That said, if you’re looking for a cozy spot to chat, it might still be worth a visit.

I took the drink home, trashed about half of it, whipped up some caramel cold foam, and that made...

I've been going to Steve's Espresso for years. In fact they used to be my customer, when I owned a print shop. Steve's has always had great coffee; on the basic coffee they go with french press instead of drip. Drinks don't come supper fast because they are crafted. You can taste the care. Steve's also has a bakery (and they are expanding the kitchen), I posted a picture of croissants fresh out of the oven. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. This is definitely a coffee shop first, but the menu for breakfast and lunch is extensive and deserves a look. On top of excellent coffee, Steve's has a liquor license. Get a coffee and a wine, or an espresso martini (delicious), or a beer. They also serve alcohol all day, so you can get an Egg Sandwich, an Almond Milk Mocha and a Bloody Mary for breakfast. Most excellent. The reason this review is going up now, is Steve (yes the owner's name is actually Steve) just took over the suite next door, effectively doubling the space. The new layout includes two booths that could easily seat 10 people each. There are so many places to sit. Some are tailored to privacy and others encourage socialising. These changes have really increased clientele, this is going to become THE coffee house in Tempe. Check out Steve's Espresso, you will be...

I live less than a mile from Steve's Espresso but had never been in before today. A friend from out of town was coming into Tempe and I wanted to find a place we could hang out. I'd seen the sign before but had no idea what a nice little place place this was.

I got tea and my friend got coffee and we both got avocado toast. The tea was good and the food was so delicious. The presentation was lovely and the combination of sweet/fruity and sour/salty was so good.

The place is very. . . Cute isn't the right word. . . Attractive. It's colorful but not really bright- purple walls and a lot of exposed wood. Kind of lived in. Nothing was new or fancy but more comfortable. We sat on one end of a large table since all the small tables were taken. Could definitely come with a large group. Our table had maybe 8 chairs. It was a long wooden dining table with kitchen chairs.

The area near the door was noisy but we were able to chat on the other side closer to the kitchen and it wasn't too loud.

I'd definitely come again and I'd highly recommend the...