Candy Cloud - Willoughby — Restaurant in Willoughby

I really wanted to like this place more than I did. As someone who hates coffee and doesn't drink alcohol, I appreciate the many drink options on the menu. I also really appreciated the lovely young woman who helped me order my beverage. But...I shouldn't have needed help ordering. The business prefers you order using the touch screen up front, so be warned if that's not something you're comfortable doing. There was also no pricing on the menu; I'm currently unemployed and trying to watch my spending. While a VERY occasional splurge is fine, paying over $6 for a drink that was mostly ice was not and had I known before paying that was going to be the price, I wouldn't have ordered anything. Also, my peach ring reviver, while pretty tasty, managed to be simultaneously a bit too sweet AND a bit too sour, and you can't take the top off the "cup", so I had to use a skewer to fish out the gummi peach ring at the bottom. squeezing it through a tiny opening. Finally, the interior isn't particularly welcoming. If you're looking for a place to take a selfie, it's terrific--there's even a sort of selfie wall that I'm sure looks amazing on TikTok. But if you're looking for a warm, cozy, welcoming spot to spend an hour or two slowly sipping your drink, this dark, almost moody space isn't it. I'm guessing this place will appeal more to a young crowd, looking for somewhere buzzy to take pics for...

Walking in, the first impression is apocalyptic dumpster trash. No music, just silence against trendy neon on already scuffed black walls that look like they’re begging for a fresh coat of paint or a deep cleaning.

The space itself felt grimy — trash on the floor, dirty tables, and overall neglect. Ordering happens through two giant screens, while in the back, two employees stood around. They looked polished and camera-ready, maybe influencer types, but when it came to real customer service? Zero ability to engage. The only way to speak to them was by ringing a literal doorbell.

I asked about water — it wasn’t free. The employee couldn’t even locate it in the system to charge me. No solution offered, just a blank, glazed stare.

Tables are plastered with QR codes for rewards, but every attempt gave me an ERROR message. I pointed it out and, again, got nothing but the same absent look.

The whole experience felt awkward, disconnected, and straight out of a Gen-Z experiment in how little effort you can put into hospitality. If this is your scene, have at it — but I’ll take a place built on the actual American dream, where people still value critical thinking, customer care, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Drinks were decent — but let’s just say I wouldn’t bet on their prep station or blender being cleaned any better than the rest of the place. My stomach reminded me...

Truthfully I drink a lot of boba, And I can understand why this place exists and is so expansive on its various options because Asian culture and boba especially is becoming extremely popular in American culture now, but there are a few things I can’t get past. The environment is not really comforting. It is weird and gives dystopian feels but in a this is your old grandmas house and you’re not allowed to breath too loud. The ordering process was very simple but also impersonal. I think it’s weird that there is no cashier and no one greets you when you come in. Lastly the drink i got (Carmel crunch frappe ) is a dupe of the Starbucks Carmel ribbon crunch Frappuccino and it isn’t even half as good. The boba in this drink had a weird texture and seemed overcooked, it basically crumbled in my mouth. The drink flavor was full of creamer and didn’t have a single lick of flavor aside from the crunch from the excessive toffee and syrup added. It overpowered the taste entirely, and it made it unpleasant. I regret coming here and I’m sorry but I was already having a tough day and this place made it worse. I’ll try it again in a month and maybe the result...