Orchard Coffee — Restaurant in Waynesville

I've been visiting Orchard since 2021, always looking forward to supporting a local coffee shop with such a beautiful and aesthetic space when I'm in town. Unfortunately, after my latest visit, I won’t be returning. While I’ve always understood that not every visit is perfect, this time I was left truly disappointed.

The staff, while never overly friendly in my previous visits, were downright rude and dismissive this time. I asked for a latte with gingerbread syrup, only to be curtly told, “We don’t have gingerbread.” It would have been helpful if the syrup had been removed from the menu board once it was no longer available.

When I placed my order, the man who took it (a man with a black mustache, glasses, and a ballcap) walked away mid-order, only to return without acknowledging me or the pause in our exchange when beginning to order. We asked if the coffee could be served in mugs, and he looked at us as though we’d said something absurd. Despite asking for mugs, the drinks arrived in cups. Maybe I should’ve been more specific about it, but that’s something I wouldn’t have expected to be an issue at a coffee shop like this.

When I paid with cash, he handed me my change without saying a word, and the whole interaction felt awkward and very impersonal. It was clear from observing his interactions with other customers that his attitude was equally cold and disengaged.

I know the service industry can be stressful, and I’m not one to complain lightly. Having worked in the food service industry for 7 years, I understand that it’s not always easy to stay positive, even when you're over it. But I also know that a friendly, welcoming attitude makes all the difference, and that’s something that was sorely lacking here.

As for the coffee, the prices are fairly typical for a coffee shop, but the quality isn’t as high as it could be. It’s decent, but it’s not the kind of coffee that justifies returning when there are other options nearby—Starbucks, for example, will give you a latte with a better flavor and a much friendlier attitude.

I’ve always gone back to Orchard because I want to support local businesses, even though the coffee was never “amazing.” The atmosphere is beautiful, but that alone doesn’t justify returning when service is lacking.

I’m sharing this feedback not to bash anyone, but with the hope that the owners might consider providing staff training to improve both customer service and the quality of their lattes. I hope this review is taken to heart, and that Orchard can continue to grow and improve. Best of luck and...

I called to order an egg sandwich for the road. It went smooth and when I got there my sandwich was ready and coffee was quick. I was about to leave and ocured me to ask if the egg was fried or scramble (since I was going to eat it in the car). The barista I asked was like “I don't know, depending on how you ordered it” I said I didn't give instructions yet I needed to know so I should prepare for a fried running egg or just be cool with a scramble. He just looked at me and said “I don't know” He looked like I was bothering him. He walks away towards the kitchen, comes back with no answer. He mumbled “ I would ask the kitchen but…wa wa wa (not audible) So he couldn't take a min to ask the kitchen a simple question. I would have understand if he was busy but he was not (everyone was sitting with a coffee already in their hand) and there was another person in the counter. It is petty but small lack of service like that will get you bad reviews. Coffee houses thrive with hospitality. About the food and coffee: average. The only sugar free...

First off the food rating is based on appearance. I did not get any food with my order so it will not be reviewed though it looked good. The atmosphere and cute layout is the only thing this place has going for it. The young lady who took my order was friendly and very professional! I wish the rest of my experience had gone well but it did not. I waited over 25 minutes for an iced vanilla latte because there were two green tea lattes and a hot chocolate ahead of me... now I have worked in small, local coffee shops, and even an international chain of coffee shops and it has never taken this long to make 3 drinks before. The real disappointment though came when I took that first sip after my 25 minutes of waiting, the drink tasted awful, it was the most disgusting coffee I have ever had the displeasure of tasting. I took three sips and headed home to make my own coffee. This was my second time here and definitely the last. Stay home and use your keruig, the coffee will taste better and cost...