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    Cala Coffee Downtown

    4.5 (41 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Cala Coffee Downtown Photos

    CALA COFFEE DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cala Coffee Downtown

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    Camille F.

    I came here to catch up with a great friend from high school! The space is the old Revelator Coffee shop (RIP, what happened to them?) but certainly lives up to their predecessor! The vibe here is different from the one out in Cahaba Heights, much more industrial chic. I'm on a quest to try every single local coffee shop in Birmingham, and I am never disappointed. I ordered from their special winter menu the iced minty matcha, which was fantastic. The mint was not too overpowering, super tasty. This is such a great spot! Definitely a more social coffee shop, from what I gathered on this Saturday morning. I always dread parking down here and then never have trouble. It's right across from the Alabama Theatre, so if there's nothing going on there, street parking is a breeze.

    Renee H.

    My son recommended this spot to meet. There is sufficient parking on both sides of the street, in addition to the parking lot right beside the coffee shop. However, please note that this parking lot is a PAID parking lot 24/7. There are signs saying as much, but wanted to reiterate it as it could be an expensive lesson to learn. I arrived at the coffee shop about 9am when there was only one other customer there. As the morning progressed, it became quite busy, with most of the seating taken. I typically get the dark roast drip but they only had light or medium today. Their medium roast was still delicious. Lots of students and folks with their dogs stopping in. The vibe here is great. Perfect place to catch up with a friend or get some work done.

    Strawberry matcha
    Lauryl B.

    Very cute place! I tried the strawberry horchata matcha, the basil lavender latte, and the blueberry lemon tonic espresso. I thought the matcha and basil lavender were both good, but nothing spectacular. The blueberry lemon tonic espresso curdled because of the lemon cold foam. It also tasted similar to medicine and was very acidic. I usually love a tonic espresso, but this one was not very good. Service quick and friendly.

    jeanette j.

    I loved the atmosphere and the service!! It was such a cute spot! They serve the delicious Ladybird breakfast tacos which in my opinion makes it even better!! The coffee had a great texture and was really enjoyable. Definitely a nice place to hang out with friends and spend some time relaxing

    Kenzi F.

    You can tell this is a popular spot! First off the location was so cute with a public parking lot right next to it. Super easy and convenient! I ordered off the summer menu and got the coconut latte which was so perfect for our drive to the beach! They were super quick even with a long line. Yummy if in the area !!

    Matcha late
    Westyn R.

    Always love going to Cala. There's more than enough seating. I especially love the bar seating. The natural sunlight and funky lighting is perfect for a chill afternoon drink. I usually go for coffee but I got a matcha this time and it was great. The staff is superb and always amazing at this location. Downtown also has more coffee options plus wine if you're into that!

    Captain's Cold Foam Latte and Matcha
    Tara R.

    First time coming to this location and love what they have done with the space. The natural light from the large windows mixed with the stylish decor make it a perfect place for grabbing a coffee with friends or getting some work done. I was greeted by the friendly staff upon walking in and given suggestions on what to order. I went with one of their summer specials, the captain's cold foam latte, and my husband got a matcha latte. We both agreed they weren't our favorite drinks from Cala but we just wanted to try something new. You can tell Cala tells about the quality of their coffee. They also have a good selection of pastries, the one I got was really good!

    Found it!!
    John D.

    Had great experiences every time. The cold brew is fantastic, it's very hard to find a good roaster, and sometimes even more difficult to find a good roaster that makes a good cold brew. These guys have it covered. Plus , one afternoon I ran a little short on time for my walk over from the hotel arriving about 3 minutes after closing time. Hesitantly, I tapped on the glass (I really needed a coffee). The barista came over and let me in for a cold brew! Made my day.

    Pastries
    Britt J.

    Super friendly, great coffee & great pastries. Would I be back? Heck yeah! I set here for 5 hours working and the time flew by. They remained busy and steady throughout the day. I can't wait to try another pastry.

    Scott M.

    New coffee spot occupying the space formerly held by Revelator. Happy to report that they are maintaining the vibe and the quality of the previous tenant, (which I loved). Come here for top notch caffienated beverages, delightful baked goods, and an easygoing, calm vibe that's perfect for those just waking up as well as for those who are wide awake and looking to get some work done.

    Honey cinnamon latte + almond croissant
    Amy S.

    Beautiful coffee location in downtown Birmingham! Friendly barista, and our coffees were perfectly balanced. We enjoyed the last almond croissant while enjoying the art deco building through the window. They were pretty busy inside with people working on laptops and meetings.

    Katrina G.

    Located downtown with street parking. My family and I decided to go here for chocolate chai tea lattes, iced of course lol. Staff was friendly, not too busy on a Saturday morning I believe they had just opened. Inside was decorated nicely and very clean. We decided to take our drinks to go but I would definitely visit this location again.

    Russell G.

    This appears new. Nice environment. They have pastries. We went to try the chai tee and we tried the chocolate chai latte tea and it was great. the waitresses there greet you coming in and tell you they appreciated your visit on the way out. I recommend this business. Drop by and make a purchase.

    Strawberry latte with a almond croissant

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    4 days ago

    Great place to get coffee! The atmosphere and vibes are very unique! I would try the Maple and Sea Salt "iced".

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

    I love this location and how easy it is to drop in and out. The coffee is always amazing and the staff are so friendly.

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Josh C.

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    2 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thank you for the kind words and support!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thanks, Scott!

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    10/10 coffee shop with the nicest employees. Coffee is great all the lattes and stuff also great snack collection and tacos

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    Josh C.

    Thank you for the kind words and support!

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thanks for coming!

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    2 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thank you!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thank you!!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Josh C.

    Thank you!!

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Josh C.

    Thanks, Ben!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Nice, clean establishment...servers are friendly and the latte was perfect but while the taco was tasty it is way undersized for the price.

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    2 years ago

    Cala offers a really great coffee collection and ambiance. Whenever I'm in Birmingham, I always drop by.

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    2 years ago

    What an amazing coffee place right downtown! Love their freshly roasted coffee and the baristas were great, too! :)

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    Josh C.

    Thanks, Mike!

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    1 year ago

    Coffee is mediocre and if u walk in anywhere close to closing they act like they can't make your coffee. I'll stick to santos and Saturn.

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    Josh C.

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    2 years ago

    Cute coffee shop with tables for studying. Coffee is great, staff is nice! They host cool events too like improve nights and serve alcohol.

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    2 years ago

    Such a great vibe. Service was very friendly. Would recommend sitting at the bar. Lots of people studying or meeting up.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Cala Coffee Downtown

    Review Highlights - Cala Coffee Downtown

    We went on a cloudy day, and the soft, dim light made the entire cafe feel nice and cozy.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Wow this place was phenomenal - we were so happy we stopped here on our road trip for a quick…read morepick-me-up. If you are picky about coffee, this place is for you ! Genuinely had a top 5 cortado here, the flavors are super unique - there seems to be some Asian influence to their flavors? Love that they use minor figures as well. The guy taking my order was so kind and friendly, inside was clean and inviting and the bathroom smelled incredible lolllll. Check this place out!

    Came here after reading reviews…read more I'll start by saying the staff were decent enough. Not super friendly but not rude. Just there. I ordered an iced americano given it was a hot day around noon. I got my drink and went to add creamer and sweetener like I always do. And bam that's when I noticed this place was one of those we are going to force you to have what we believe is healthier for you. What do I mean. No Splenda no equal just that nasty truvia. I'm diabetic so I don't use sugar and truvia is just nasty. It tastes horrible and makes your drink taste horrible. Now mind you they will use all kinds of syrups with dyes and additives and sugars but nope not Splenda. That's bad for you. The 50 grams of sugar in a single vanilla latte is totally fine. We're ok with that even though that alone is over the recommended amount. But Splenda no we can't allow that. Will never be back.

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    Butterscotch Fall seasonal drink
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    Daily Buzz Coffee

    Daily Buzz Coffee

    4.9
    (13 reviews)
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    The flavor and texture of the coffee were immaculate! The cold foam was especially rich and tasty…read more I'll definitely be coming back for a morning coffee after a long hike. :)

    I stopped by Daily Buzz Coffee before church, and it turned out to be a convenient way to start my…read moremorning. The shop may be small, but it has a cozy, welcoming feel that makes it a comfortable place to enjoy a cup of coffee. Even though it's located in the lobby of a building, the décor gives it plenty of character and makes the space feel warm rather than temporary. I could easily see myself coming here to get some work done or simply relax for a while. I decided to try one of their seasonal drinks, the Berry & Bee Latte. While it wasn't quite my favorite flavor combination, the espresso itself was well made, and I wouldn't hesitate to come back and try another drink from the menu. Sometimes a seasonal special just comes down to personal preference, and this one wasn't quite for me. The standout of my visit was the chorizo, egg, and cheese empanada. It was absolutely delicious and easily the highlight of my order. There's a short wait for the empanadas, but that's because they're warmed fresh after you order, and it's well worth it. I'd gladly wait a few extra minutes for something served hot and fresh. The only area where I think the experience could be improved is staffing. During my visit, the barista had to step away from the counter several times, which left me waiting a few minutes before I could order. Having a second employee available during busier times would likely make the flow much smoother and improve the overall customer experience. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would definitely stop by again. The comfortable atmosphere, quality coffee, and outstanding empanada make Daily Buzz Coffee worth a return trip, and I'm looking forward to trying a different latte on my next visit.

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    Grounds

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    4.7
    (18 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I like the feel of this coffee shop, the menu was not very big but I think that is a positive I did…read morean iced latte with Sugar free vanilla and lavendar, with macadamia milk. (They only offer milk based milk options) The coffee itself had a good taste I do think I would have preferred just a regular iced coffee with the flavor but I know that for next time. I did enjoy being able to look at the offerings of the connected store (Basic.) they had many unique things for sell including clothing, shoes and various books. Tyler was great with helping make my selection of drink and I loved how patient he was with assisting on the order. The feel of the space was very comfortable and welcoming to creatives. I love the location and how it is in walking distance to so many things. Thankfully I was able to find a parking spot across the street and didn't have to pay to park. Basic. is the store sharing the space and it is nice to be able to browse their inventory while waiting for your drinks. They have some things that I have not seen anywhere else if I had to compare it to another store I would compare it to Earth Bound. Everything seemed to be environmentally conscious which is always nice to see.

    Every time I go to a new coffee shop in Birmingham I think: "wow! This is my favorite coffee shop…read moreyet!" Grounds did NOT disappoint and I have no idea why it took me so long to come here. It's located right along 2nd Ave amongst all of the restaurant hubbub. Street parking, but if you're willing to take a stroll for a couple blocks, it's easy. This is one of the busier coffee shops in town, I would advise against seeking silence here. It's a shared space with "basic," a vintage clothing and art retailer which has awesome things made by local people. The people that worked there were so friendly. I came because I had to get that crème brûlée latte. It did not disappoint. One of the most delicious coffee drinks I've had in a long time. It tasted like a hug, perfectly caramel sweet, and fun to drink. It's not often that coffee gets turned into an interactive experience. The pastries looks great. The couch in the front window looked like an awesome spot to post up with some buddies. There were plenty of tables and chairs to work at. I will most certainly be back.

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    Grounds
    Grounds
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    The Red Cat

    The Red Cat

    4.3
    (236 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    I really appreciated my first time at the Red Cat. All three employees that I interacted with were…read morekind and helpful. I accidentally spilled my drink upon picking it up and the employee was kind to make me a new one right away. Another employee offered shelter from the heavy rain multiple times. Importantly, the coffee itself actually exceeded expectations and was perfectly balanced. I am more of a snob about my coffee and I really enjoyed it. I didn't spend much time inside the store, but both the indoor and outdoor seating appeared to be a nice, comfortable environment. I would highly recommend this coffee shop :)

    I was looking for a quick brunch spot and found that The RedCat in Pepper Place was conveniently…read morelocated near me, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered the avocado toast, and I'm so happy I did! The toast itself was great, and the tomatoes and pickled red onions paired together so well. For my drink, I tried the Strawberry Matcha Lemonade from the summer menu, and it was good as well. I was happy that the matcha wasn't overpowering, and the strawberry flavor wasn't heavy either. Honestly, I didn't notice the strawberry flavor very much, but the drink was still refreshing. I decided to sit outside, and the weather was so nice. The staff was great and willing to answer any questions I had about the menu. The location was convenient and had decent parking around noon on a Friday--it wasn't overly crowded. There was a little bit of a wait, but it wasn't too long, and my drink came out before my food. Overall, I had a pleasant brunch experience and would definitely come back to try something else!

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    Pastries
    Pastries
    Breakfast bowl
    Breakfast bowl
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    07/09/25

    Cala Coffee Downtown - coffee - Updated August 2026

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