We came in for JUST iced coffees, having driven by several times before without stopping, despite…read moreseeing the inviting exterior. The on-street parking situation is tough, but luckily after one unsuccessful pass we spotted the parking lot across the street for the vacant Walgreens so we were set. The interior is reminiscent of cafes we visited in Italy: clean lines, good lighting, elegant tile and wood accents. It's a stylish place, with comfortable seating indoors and around both sides of the exterior. Service was very friendly and responsive. I did try to order a country biscuit (since there was one displayed in the pastry case), but was told they did t make them. The barista told our counter worker that there were some in the fridge/freezer but that didn't find one for us - disappointing, but I didn't really need it anyway, and did just plan on getting a coffee, but still... You can tell a lot about the quality of a coffee shop from a basic drink of either hot or iced coffee. The iced did not disappoint! It's robust without a hint of over-roasting; strong but not bitter. The large is a generous size, and the cup was coffee with a bit of cream (and not the reverse as happens in a few places). So, no star deducted for my missing biscuit. I'm looking to coming back to try that biscuit AND a breakfast sandwich - they looked amazing when I saw them being served up at the counter!

I've been to strive a handful of times now and each experience has been wonderful. I like their…read moredrinks a lot, and their breakfast sandwiches are next level good. The one with the burrata on it is amazing! The space is chic, clean and inviting all in one. I really think it's exceptional. The staff is also amazing. Each time i have been impressed by whomever helps me. This most recent experience was with Lizzy and Kelly and they were so amazing! I couldn't have had a better experience. You can tell they both really care about customer interactions, creating quality beverages and making each visit special for customers. What a great coffee shop! I can't wait to see what their next specialty menu will include!

*GLUTEN-FREE ALERT*…read more I'm just now learning what a Guatemalan quesadilla is & I want one every day for the rest of my life. Thankfully, we have Cafe Ava for that. A Guatemalan quesadilla is sorta like a cornbread or a pound cake or a piece of actual heaven. It's got a thick but soft texture, it's a little bit sweet & a little bit savory, & it's topped with sesame seeds. My mouth is watering just writing about it. Cafe Ava makes their Guatemalan quesadillas with rice flour, so they are gluten-free. GLUTEN FREE PERFECT LITTLE PIECES OF HEAVEN. Anyways, I know where I'm going tomorrow for breakfast.

Sooo good .... It's just the hype it's really good....... Tres leche cupcake ......ice banana nut…read morelatte .....dark roast coffee beans and ceramic cup made in Guatemala

This was my second visit to Drip Coffee House during RI Food Fights' Best Iced Coffee competition,…read moreand I enjoyed this year's experience much more than last year's. I stopped in later in the day, so it was nice and quiet. The barista was friendly, helpful and worked seamlessly with a coworker while answering my questions. I went with the banana hazelnut iced coffee with milk, which was good and easy to drink. While it wasn't my favorite coffee on the trail, I'd happily order it again. As someone who eats gluten free, I appreciated that they had a few prepackaged donut options available. They weren't homemade, but it's always nice to have something to pair with my coffee. The café itself is spacious with plenty of seating and ample parking, making it a great place to meet up with friends or get some work done. I also know someone who hosts a monthly coffee klatch here, so it's clearly a popular gathering spot. One of these days I'll have to come back and check out the bar, too!

Came in for RI Food fights best iced coffee. Admittedly the only times I ever come here are for…read morethis once a year since I don't live in the area. Every year I think "I really need to come back for cocktails!" It's super cute and clean inside. The food is reasonably priced. I ordered protein balls and a banana hazelnut iced coffee with almond milk. The young woman working was so kind and friendly too.

I'm really torn about this place. The coffee and food was good!! The staff were all super nice and…read morewelcoming. But what truly bothers me is their pricing. It baffles me that you have to pay more money for it to be able to go order or to put cheese on a sandwich that is marketed as an egg and cheese sandwich. At first, I thought I was doing it incorrectly online so I went to the shop and placed my order but no, that's how it works. It's not extremely pricey, but it feels Odd to me to pay an extra .20 cents for a normal plastic cup, .+75 centra for non whole milk, or .75 cents my sandwich to be made as marketed. Again not a huge deal because it's each less than a dollar but just seems extreme.

Finally stopped by after countless times saying I was going to try. Got a cappuccino and regular…read moreice coffee with oat milk. The cappuccino was good but the ice coffee my favorite guess simple is always the way to go. The service was great very friendly. The place has great vibe little mermaid on the big tv. Will be back to try the food and more of the beverage selections.

I love coming here. It has the best vibes and delicious coffee. I could spend hours here reading,…read moredrawing, working -- just to spend some time in their comfy chairs! I typically will get an oat milk cortado but this time I changed it up and got a caramel latte (and it was SO good). My partner got a Vanilla Chai and really enjoyed it but still thinks he prefers the Spiced version better. I will definitely be back!

Really great coffee and bakery items, not the usual catering company blueberry scones and coffee…read morecake. Spacious and comfortable. Really thoughtful touches everywhere (like easy to find napkins). Everyone was so nice and professional. What a relief these days to find a place that just gets how to do all of these things well! Thank you!

This family-owned and operated café specializes in sustainably sourced coffee, importing green…read morecoffee beans from growers throughout Central and Latin America before roasting them to perfection. I ordered their cold brew with house-made brown sugar rosemary syrup, and it was so good! The rosemary adds a subtle herbal note that makes it stand out from your typical flavored coffee. It was one of the more unique coffee combinations I've tried, and the friendly barista made the visit even better. If you're looking to try something beyond the usual vanilla or caramel latte, this is definitely a spot worth checking out.

I came with a group of classmates for caffeine and left obsessed with the chicken chipotle…read morequesadilla! There were plenty of seats for parties of all sizes but this weekend was definitely packed. Regardless, we loved the chill barista and our orders came out pretty quick. The overall vibes were nice, bustling, modern yet cozy. This definitely feels like the spot to study, catch up with friends and spend a lot of time in. Though I came in with the intent to order coffee, the Coco Ube Matcha on their spring menu caught my eye. Light with the right amount of sweetness, I really enjoyed this matcha. The chicken quesadilla itself had all the right things going, cheesy, gooey, savory, meaty and flavor packed. Paired with a side of sour cream, this piece of heaven is easily one of my favorite handhelds I've had in a while. If it's your first time visiting or meeting up with someone, do make note of them having two locations!

This place is so close to my house and I've never been until today. The coffee was sooo good!…read morePeanut butter banana was DELICIOUS. The Cajun bacon sandwich was out of this world good!!! Will most certainly be back!

I came here on a gloomy Sunday afternoon. They have a very spacious parking lot, which they share…read morewith the other businesses in the small plaza. Two things initially caught my attention. First, I like the big tall windows and the patio area outside which I assume is very popular during warmer months. Second, I was captivated by the different cold brew drip towers they have going. They have a lot of unique drink flavors to choose from, of which I picked the honey lavender latte. At first I thought it was a little too sweet, but it grew on me by the second sip. I could actually taste both the lavender and the honey. The size was just right and the prices are also average. I stayed a little reading a book and found that is it a peaceful environment even though some people were studying and others were playing board games. I would come back to try other items. The staff was very friendly.

This is my go-to work spot when I'm visiting family in Bristol and need sneak off for a a few hours…read moreto work. Fabulous house roasted coffee. Warm, inviting space with friendly staff. I haven't tried the baked goods, but they look delicious. Their fig and nut bar is excellent.

Borealis has been a regular stop for me for years now, and I'm overdue writing a review. The…read moreBristol location is the newest and is tucked into a converted mill building on Wood Street. Tt has everything you'd want from a great coffee shop: comfortable seating, plenty of room to spread out and work, a rentable conference room, and something you would not expect from a coffee shop, the Aurora Bar, stocked with a nice selection of local spirits and other favorites. My partner and I stopped in for a quick nibble for lunch on Sunday and this was perfect. My partner went with the Caprese sandwich, which is served on a pressed ciabatta with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, spinach, pesto mayo, and balsamic. It was simple and tasty, and I was lucky enough to get a couple bites! I went with the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap, which was also simple, but packed with flavor. It had all the obvious ingredients with the addition of pickles, which added such a nice briny little punch and really hit the spot. Something worth noting: both of our items were ordered from the laminated menu at the register, not in the beautiful leather-bound Aurora Bar menu, which appears to be an evening menu with cocktails and other tasty food items. For drinks, I went with an espresso tonic; the slight bitterness of the quinine plays really nicely against the bold espresso, and it's one of those combinations that's refreshing in a way that's hard to explain until you try it. One small note for the team: the Riverside location has always had a real warmth and cohesion to the staff that I haven't quite felt at Bristol. It's not a dealbreaker by any stretch, but a little more energy behind the counter would go a long way. Still a five-star spot, as the coffee and the space more than make up for it.