Not sure why but I didn't feel comfortable here. The place is very small and it was very busy when I was there so I could barely find a spot to sit and relax with my coffee. I don't think there were many food options either. It's cute but just not my vibe I suppose but that's not necessarily their fault. read more

This is our weekend mid-walk coffee stop! Delicious pastries and awesome flavored coffees (when they are fresh...) - sometimes it is a little watered down, but we still go back because it's reasonably priced and local. When people order specialty drinks service gets realllllly slow (and recently there's only been 1 person behind the bar) so if there's a line be prepared to wait. read more

Favorite things about Caffe Aroma in a nutshell: - Outdoor patio first and foremost - If you order a coffee (iced or hot) to stay in, you get one free refill - Reasonable prices - Friendly staff and patrons (and their dogs on the patio) - Free (and ample) side street parking on Bidwell but pay attention to the No Parking signs Nov. 15 - April 15 M, W, F. I've only gotten iced coffee here so can't speak to the other items, but I could easily spend hours on the outdoor patio working or conversation-ing (in fact I've done both of these here!). Hours could pass by with a blink of an eye and I leave more relaxed than I came in. Would love to come back for a glass of wine, and then I'll REALLY feel more relaxed! This is a go-to summer spot for sure. read more

We have always enjoyed the food and service at Caffe Aroma. And I can still say the food is excellent, but today's service had me questioning if I will ever go back. My husband, daughter and I ordered lunch. My husband's food came out immediately. Id ordered a salad which they forgot about and my daughter's panini came out 10 minutes later. They also forgot to give us our bottled water until we asked. Later, when I tried to get a refill for my coffee the 5 people behind the counter ignored me completely for several minutes; as there was only one customer at the counter besides myself I assume someone could have refilled my coffee or at least made eye contact to see what I wanted. It was not a busy time of day and there were 5 people working behind the counter at the time. Every time a "regular" came in everyone ran to socialize. It became clear that an "outsider" isn't getting the same service as someone they know. At least for the staff that was working that shift. read more

This place used to be a great cafe: homey, great food, friendly staff well trained. I went there for years. But even before Covid there was a managerial change, and it all went downhill. Both food hygiene and food quality have totally gone to hell. The new staff is friendly enough but so poorly trained that basic tasks are beyond them. Few of them can even pull an espresso that is not so acidic that it will burn your guts. Dishes pile up. The floor is grubby. The tables are only rarely wiped, and then it's with a rag so grimy that I wouldn't use it on a garage floor. One of the employees now also brings her dog (looks like a whippet) when she's off duty and just hanging out in the cafe. The dog is everywhere -- on the chairs, the back sofa, behind the counter in the food-prep area. Recently I saw her take the dog to an outside table just before the owner showed up, then brought the dog back inside after the owner left. Obviously they all know that it's illegal to have a pet dog inside a food establishment. But they seem not to care. The 'regulars' of yore are mostly gone. Most of the new regulars are a sorry lot -- stinky, taking up tables for hours eating the food they brought with them; last week my wife met a colleague there and feared for her safety when one guy spent an hour leaning toward her and glaring at her. So, if you want a scary environment and dog hair in your acidic espresso, this is the place for you. read more

This may be the strangest Yelp review I have ever written because I did not love this place. HOWEVER, my subjective review might be really appealing to others and I expect it will be judging from the rave reviews this place has on here. My intention was to stop by and log in a few study hours. Upon entering I instantly felt cramped. I approached the counter and immediately a woman appeared to assist me with my order. Had no idea what to get so I took a step back to scan the menu. I was checking out the teas and was stumped. Many to choose from but when I inquired with the worker about which were caffeine free, she wasn't sure. Luckily some fellow on line next to me recommended one of the green teas and mentioned it had very light caffeine. Cool. I liked that this guest knew what he was talking about because that meant he either A) Worked here B) Came so often so he knew what he was talking about or C) Was a tea connoisseur. I'm going to go with B. I had a lot of junk. Laptop, notebooks, textbooks, chargers, purse, etc. I needed to find a table with a lot of room but there weren't many options for that. The tables along the back wall were taken which left me with small ones in the center or the hightop bar near the window. I decided to head outside. Internet was touch and go once I headed out there however, people watching was lovely. This was the best part of my experience. There were about eight tables outside with an overhang that almost made it all the way over my able. Unfortunately an hour into my studying it started to rain so I headed inside. Snagged a seat at the hightop bar along the front window. The table is too high or the chairs are too short. I had to strain to reach the counter which made taking notes and typing rather difficult. The windows were completely open which might seem like a great idea except when the guests sitting at the tables outside want to have a smoke or nine. My entire day spent at Caffe Aroma was filled with cigarette fumes and it sucked. I thought this was against the law? Perhaps I imagined it. Big no no though and was a major deterrent from what could have been an enjoyable afternoon. Oh, the tea was good but the mug was really small and it needed two tea bags instead of one, definitely wasn't strong enough. Alright so here I am, sipping on tea, doing homework, soaking in cigarette fumes and in walks about twenty soccer fans. It was at that moment I realized this place served booze. Wait, this cafe attached to a bookstore serves booze? I didn't know how I felt about it at first and after the idea sunk in I decided, GENIUS. A part of me was like, seriously? I am trying to study and thought this would be a perfect environment to have some quiet with a side of light music. Then the other side of me was like, I freakin' love this place. It was like a family in there. Not sure if the people knew each other or not but they were all chatty and friendly and the camaraderie was pretty awesome. 100% distracting for a serious student, 100% awesome for people who want to watch a game, meet new people, share some good times, have some delicious drinks and hang. I didn't try any food but from what I could see the portions were small. The music was perfection for the vibe. Feel good songs, not too loud. There were pretty lights hanging from the ceiling which gave it a cozy vibe. In conclusion, I look forward to coming back without the textbooks. read more

Caffe Aroma - Buffalo storm - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This is a cute coffee shop on Bidwell and Elmwood, connected to the Talking Leaves Bookstore. Ive never been here when its been super busy, but even when not busy many table are occupied. They are so close together that if you want to have a private conversation you may not be able to, the next table will be right on top of you. The coffee is fine, if you get it in a mug you get a free refill, always nice. Street parking. read more

Dropped in here for some coffees and snacks last night. Was a perfect night out and this place has some outside seating. Right across Bidwell green area and on Elmwood so the people watching is outstanding as there are so many freaks that walk this area. Kind of a strange mix of hobos, locals, bohemians, artsy people, hipsters, young couples, and creative types. On one corner we had an aspiring rapper performing badly, across the street an older weirdo screaming at him some other song, and on another corner two guys with guitars performing for spare change. Saw many here using the free wifi. A decent selection of bottled beer here too. Staff was friendly and set up our iced coffees and snacks quickly. Plenty of spots to park in the area. Seems like an ok place for the locals in this cool part of town to kick back at. read more

Pretty good cup of coffee. My bagel breakfast sandwich and the chicken panini were just ok. A little pricy at $20 for a medium coffee, small cappuccino, chicken panini and the bagel sandwich. Too many bees outside to make that enjoyable. Next time, I'll just sit inside and try a lavender martini or take my coffee to go! read more

Caffe Aroma's not the best coffeeshop in town, but it has a few good things going for it that others don't: - It's right across from the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer's Market, making it a great place to start your Saturday in the summer. - It's also right at the beginning of the action on Elmwood, so a perfect place to meet up before a shopping session. - It's near Talking Leaves bookstore, so you can get a cup of tea before you wander through the stacks on a Sunday. - It's a rare coffeeshop that has sports on TV, so you can sit at the bar with a beer and catch the game while eavesdropping on intellectual conversation between two college professors behind you. I love this. - It has beer on tap! (And wine, too.) Thus you can't beat it for a crowdpleasing option when no one can decide what direction the night's gonna take. This may be my favorite thing about it: it's that rare business that benefits from being a jack of all trades, rather than being a master at one. It may sound like I'm damning it with faint praise, but in a town as diverse as this, it really does work. read more

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I love that this places has soccer on frequently. The last time I was in here, it was very crowded, but it was Saturday afternoon around 2pm. I was looking for a seat and they were all occupied. I ordered my drink to go as I was out and about job searching and needed an afternoon caffeine pick me up. I settled on my usual skinny Caramel Macchiato.Which was just the right temperature. I hate when it's too hot to drink. Frothy and with a little dollop of whipped cream and I was on my way. Way better thank StarBucks any day. I have gotten the Chai Tea as well before and I would say the Chai is by the best I had, even over SPoT and I'm a huge fan. read more

Caffe Aroma - Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing and pretzels - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Cafe Aroma on Elmwood is the spin off of the one on Main street. This place rocks! It is connected to Talking Leaves Bookstore so you can grab a paper and head on in for some coffee or maybe a gourmet pizza slice. I had the luxury of trying one gourmet slice with no cheese, zucchini and eggplant - YUM! Coffee is pretty damn delicious and they have a nice rule of no cell phone. Gotta love the rule. Plus, free wifi! Outdoor seating looks over Elmwood on the Talking Leaves side and Bidwell Park on the Cafe Aroma side. Staff is nice too. read more

Caffe Aroma - Pizza...Yum. - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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This is a pretty cute coffee shop. The windows were open and outdoor seating was available too. Very laid back atmosphere. The iced matcha latte and herb and cheese scone was a little of a let down. The iced matcha latte tasted more like milk than the matcha. And the scone tasted like cheez-its (it sort of lacked a fresh taste). My friend's white mocha latte was very good! It had just the right amount of sweetness. It's something I would get again. read more

Caffe Aroma - Iced Matcha Latte and Herb and Cheese Scone - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Stopped in before doing some Christmas shopping in the Village. The place was packed but the service was good and the drinks even better! I was surprised to see the selection of food, it's certainly a step up from cafes I'm used to. The hubs and I ordered lattes and they were excellent. I did a Mocha latte and was plenty pleased with how it turned out. No regrets I insisted we stop in here instead of wandering down to Starbucks a few doors down, it was worth it, I'll be back! read more

Caffe Aroma - Mocha latte to go - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

I've thought about writing this review all week long since lunch on Monday afternoon and I've changed my mind about it at least six times but I think I've finally made up my mind. I love the location they've got an awesome spot on the corner of Bidwell and Elmwood with outdoor seating and open air tables in the warmer weather by the windows. Everybody working was super friendly and enjoyable to talk to and order with. The menu looked great with lots of choices from wraps to pizza, paninis, salads, and don't forget all kinds of baked goods. However....for lunch on Monday I ordered a turkey bacon panini and a chocolate chip cookie and decided to eat in and enjoy the above mentioned scenery on a beautiful day. Everything looked great but the flavor was just not there. The side salad had a dressing but it didn't taste like anything and the sandwich looked beautiful but again it didn't taste like much of anything. This is especially surprising because I believe it was supposed to have had Chipotle mayo or something like that on it a flavor that's difficult to miss. The cookie was just okay neither good nor bad. So I want to say that I hope this was just a bad day or my taste buds were off or something in the stars was misaligned because I want to love this little café so much. I'll be back to give it another try but ultimately when you write reviews for a restaurant people want to know how the food tastes, the ambience and decorations are just a bonus. For now I stick to my three stars but I'll be back soon to see if we can change that. read more

Caffe Aroma - Turkey Panini with side salad ( I ate the first half before taking the picture you do get a full sandwich) - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Such a cute spot. A neighborhood fixture. Love it. If I had a million dollars, I'd eat here every day.

Such a cozy cute cafe. I like that they have lights strung up and you can peer out onto elmwood from the stool seating. It's a little hard to find seating on a busy night and it's kinda pricy, but still a lovely place to sit and do homework or visit with friends. They also have poetry nights every other Wednesday from 8-10 pm! read more

Very slow service. Took 20 minutes to get a breakfast sandwich when they weren't busy. Tried to ask if there was a reason for the delay and received an unclear response. Didn't get our food until we asked for a refund. We won't be returning. read more

Super disappointing. This used to be a favorite of mine, but it seems that things have changed under new management. The employees were not very friendly, the prices went up and the coffee was awful. I hate to support corporations, but Starbucks is a better bet for the $. read more

Came here on a Friday evening to have some dessert and I tried their cappuccino cheesecake. I have to say it was one of the best cheesecakes I ever had. I totally recommend it, but it was more on the sweeter side. They even top it off with some whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. On the other hand, there are plenty of seats available for dine in, in and outside of the cafe. But, the seating inside can be a bit cramped since most of the seats are very close in proximity to each other. read more

Caffe Aroma - Cappuccino cheesecake topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Wow. You would think in a location with such prime real estate at least something would go right. Husband excited to have a matcha latte on his visit to Buffalo. Upcharge of $1 for almond milk (not even in Brooklyn have I seen that), order got lost, he had to request it after other people came in and left while he was waiting. After he checked on it, barista went to the back to get a lemon for something else (?) and then once the drink was done... tasted terrible. Ratios off, grainy matcha mix, not completely hot, and amount of almond milk certainly not even at the 50c level. Excited to try other cafes in Buffalo in search of his favorite drink. (JAM cafe, which we haven't tried yet, doesn't even have one on the menu -- better not to offer than to have a terrible one.) read more

Super small and cozy cafe with artsy vibes. Grabbed an oat milk latte last weekend on a walk with a friend and was pleasantly surprised! It was my first time actually visiting Caffe Aroma, despite driving past it regularly. It was packed on a Friday evening, but service was friendly and efficient. The cafe is super cute, even for being in a small spot! My latte was tasty and fairly priced. There was a lot of beautiful art on the walls available for sale, check them out on your next visit! read more

They have the best chai latte in Buffalo, hands down. Stop in for one before you stroll down Elmwood to #shoplocal or grab one of their delightful breakfast sandwiches for a quick breakfast. read more

Caffe Aroma - Menu - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Strongly disliked the 2 hour limit on their Wi-Fi; we need a code that gives us 2 hours of access... what's up with that? Very discouraging for students. Otherwise, this cafe have gave me the typical hipster cafe vibe. It is relatively small, so it can be a bit of a challenge to find a seat, let alone one close to an outlet. They have a small patio outside which I imagine would be amazing to enjoy the beautiful weather & ambiance that is Elmwood. Still... spOt triumps! read more

Caffe Aroma is a decent coffee spot on Elmwood. It doesn't have the best environment. Very packed. But the coffee is pretty good. It isn't the best overall but it's cool if you're picking up a quick drink!! read more

Caffe Aroma - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This place is all kinds of charming -- it is attached to a super-cute bookstore. I would bet this is a rather idea place to meet a blind date (or in today's universe, an app-generated one). I don't drink coffee, but those in our party who did drink coffee thought it was terrific, and enough so that we actually went here twice in our week-long visit. The baked goods are terrific -- I had (both times), a shortbread thumbprint cookie with delicious raspberry jam. Raspberry jam can be either too sweet or too sour, but Cafe Aroma's was perfect. The shortbread was lighter than a traditional Scottish shortbread -- it was crumbly, lightly crispy and very tasty. We also sampled the homemade Oreos (my son deemed them "great"). A biscotti was also lovely. We also had an Italian pastry, which was light and nice. Items are made in-house, and the selection varies -- they had different things on the different days we went. On one visit, we had the penne pesto salad and it was very tasty -- the pasta was perfectly cooked al dente. I'd venture to say it was even better than the way many actual Italian restaurants cook penne. I would definitely recommend this cafe to locals and visitors alike. The staff is friendly, too. read more

I love this place, spent so many hours sipping coffee and writing papers in college. It is the kind of cafe that makes you feel like you found your home. read more

Not a huge fan. Coffee and food are ok but the wait is pretty long and there was a hornet flying around in the main pastry display. Tables are not kept clean as it seems they only have staff working at the main counter rather than throughout the restaurant. The connection to talking leaves is nice though. They did forget about our food and we had to remind them, I wouldn't be as frustrated if they weren't taking random customer's coffee orders at the food counter letting them bypass the main line we already waited in. read more

The atmosphere isn't as chill as other spots in town but it's clean, quick, and good. I got a honey iced espresso and it was unbelievable. I definitely wouldn't stop here on a weekend to do homework or something because it is loud and busy but if you wanted to meet up with friends or stop in for a to go, I would recommend it. read more

I have never been so unhappy. I am a vegetarian and specifically asked what was on their pizza. The person told me cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. After I had eaten 1/2 of it I realized there was meat on it. When I went back and asked the staff, they were confused. They read what was on it out loud from a paper they had behind the counter, saying prosciutto. I don't think they even realized that is meat. Please train your staff to know what ingredients are in the foods they serve. Many people have dietary restrictions or severe food allergies. Luckily I didn't die. Excuse me, I have to go throw up now. read more

Love this place. One of my friend usually hangout there and I stop by sometimes to study with her. They have beers, wine and of course coffee. The cafe looks like small cute Italian cafe. The smell of coffee and food is amazing there. Such good place for small gathering and their special is awesome. Lots of good energy :) read more

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An Elmwood Village staple. The coffee is always good. The staff is friendly. It's a small space and can get cramped, especially when the patio is closed in the winter. But otherwise, bravo. read more

Caffe Aroma - Snowy day apricot scone and cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Pretty disappointing coffee and service. I always try to buy local as opposed to the neighboring Starbucks but they really need to bring the quality back up. read more

Was here a couple weeks ago, my favorite thing about this place is the outdoor seating. This is one of the places I'd enjoy working from or simoly spending a low day with a novel and some coffee or cocktails - whatever mood kicks in! Nothing much stood out in terms of food but they do have the best desserts and my friends ended up getting a good amount of them for takeout. We went a little early in the evening when there were hardly any customers although the place starts to get crowded as the night progresses. Time well spent, overall! read more

This is such an interesting place, I would love to spend more time here but seating is very limited and it often becomes very crowded. Prices are a little high but I guess you are paying for that indie vibe. Regardless of that the workers can be a little rude. Overall I would recommend going here but just come prepared for no seats and snippy service. read more

There are 3 things I really like about Aroma 1.) Location. It's across from Bidwell, so if you are lucky enough to snag a patio spot you're in for a real treat in terms of people watching. 2.) BEER! and wine. But, mostly--BEER! You can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the atmosphere of a coffee shop while enjoying the pleasures of drinking a tasty alcoholic beverage while you do your homework. (I don't recommend the wine, I don't think very many people order it and therefore it usually isn't very good.) 3.) Talking Leaves (while may be a bit over priced) it's always a good time to peruse a nice bookstore. read more

Caffe Aroma is the first coffee shop I walked into in Buffalo. Currently, they are my last choice for a place to enjoy a cup of tea. On the positive side: their drinks are typically good and they have something for all hours. Prefer a beer or cocktail to coffee after work? No problem! Also, drinks come out quickly and without checking up with the baristas every five minutes (I'm looking at you, Sweetness 7!) On the negative side: There is NEVER a place to sit. If you arrived at the most off-coffee time you can imagine? Still no place to sit. So it is terrible for meetings or for get togethers. Also, the bakery items are extremely questionable. They don't feel fresh to me and often we are asked to use our imagination. If you squint hard, what passes for Cassata Cake may allllllmosttttt remind you of the real thing. But truly, that's the pathway toward getting a migraine. Why go there? In the end, I choose some place a bit more consistent. I'd prefer to have a drink some place I can sit down and have a decent baked good, rather than to stand in the corner with a stale brownie hoping that the couple I'm staring at gets the hint and leaves. read more

Do Buffalo a favor and get your coffee here. There are a few competitors in a close vicinity (Starbucks, Ashkers, Elmwood Market...), but Aroma is comparable to Starbucks in price and taste, buts it's locally owned. The owner for caffe aroma is also the owner of trattoria aroma (an amazing local restaurant). The caffe itself is small, but still functional. They offer coffee, tea, freshly made pastries, cakes, pies and food that changes daily. Also, the offer beer! During the warmer Buffalo months it's wonderful to sit outside and sip on a cold one. The location is also very convenient. It's located on the corner of Elmwood and Bidwell. read more

Let us be honest. Caffe Aroma is over priced. The food is not great, though it tries hard to be. The bread is obviously stale and from the day before. The muffins are bland. Why then, is this a place I love? Because of summertime. Sunday morning. Sitting outside Caffe Aroma with your dog at your feet and a fresh cup of coffee in front of you. This is when you rest and watch the action on Elmwood, knowing that, no matter what happens to this city, there is beauty in the environment and the people that make up the town. It's a coffee shop with a bookstore attached. It's a place where the hipsters sit with the old men arguing politics. It's a place where a sense of serenity takes place. Buffalo needs places like this. They have my dollar. read more

I love this place for working, coffee and CUPCAKES!! A Yelper buddy highly recommends their white lavender hot chocolate, while I'm a big fan of their cappuccino or just plain drip coffee. One highlight is that you get a free refill on regular drip coffee, which is so nice If you're planning on hanging around a couple hours. Its better than getting a larger coffee and letting it go cold as you read Derrida and Lyotard. Other highlights: Connected to Talking Leaves, so you can stretch your legs and wallet Great patio Serves alcohol, so you can come down off your caffeine high before heading home Food is so-so, but available if you get hungry read more