Stopped for lunch on a Friday. Long line, but plenty of seating available. Group of 5 $140. I ordered one of the specials - blackened tuna salad and it was beautifully plated and full of flavor (pictured). read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Blackened Tuna Salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

The food is always excellent at Commonwealth. Ricotta & blueberry toast - WOW!!! Thick toasted sourdough bread with ricotta topped with a blueberry compote, lemon cream cheese & pistachios. Sweet & salty balanced with ricotta. Common scramble - scrambled eggs with ricotta, grana padano & prosciutto. Tasty combination of eggs, cheese & salty meat. Served with toasted sourdough. Scrumptious!!! There are 2 lines - 1 for dine in, 1 for take out. 15% gratuity applied to all orders. If you have never been, you're in for a treat! read more

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This is my boyfriends favorite restaurant ever. He goes daily and orders the same thing. I go with him several times a week. The food is very good and consistent. This is one of the reasons that he comes in daily. I usually order a salad or the chia seed pudding. In the past I always ordered the mediterranean salad or quinoa breakfast bowl. Recently they started serving a Michigan salad and I've been getting that. I love the candied pecans and the vinaigrette. I'm not a huge fan of the quinoa bowl because it needs more flavor, maybe a vinaigrette or something. However, all of the salads are great. If I don't get a salad, because I'm not very hungry, I'll order the chia seed pudding. The pudding is so yummy and the perfect amount of sweetness. It's served with fresh fruit on top (and yes it actually is fresh). Their sweets are great and I think most or all are vegan. They offer vegan ice cream that's really good too. The consistency is different from regular ice cream because it's not very creamy, but the taste is to die for. If you like tea, try a peach blossom iced tea. It's soo good! The menu is large, there's something for everyone. The staff are all very friendly. read more

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This was such a disappointment. I've been here before for the coffee, and that was to go, and it was fine. Decided to come for brunch on a Sunday, and 4 things that are on the menu were already gone. That's fine if it's crazy busy, but it really wasn't that bad. Then the cashier tells me this commonly happens, so I just don't get it. Why not order more of your popular dish ingredients if you're consistently running out. The coffee cake was more a pound cake. The avocado toast was meh. The French toast was def the winner, but came without syrup. The drinks weren't bad. If I come here in the future, which with Birmingham's boom right now seems unlikely, would really only stick to their drinks now. read more

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Commonwealth Cafe popped up on my radar a while ago and I picked it for our monthly friends luncheon. For a group of 6-10 this one has some challenges such as street parking in Birmingham or a parking structure about one block away. I also learned they do not take reservations and they are cafe style where you order at the counter and then find a seat. So coordinating arrivals can be challenging. As we arrived in the area we lucked out and found an open parking spot directly across from the restaurant! When we went inside there were about 12-15 people in line ahead of us. It took 15-20 minutes for us to reach the front of the line where we could order. I explained that we had a group of eight and that the rest of the group was back in the line behind us. They did a quick check and said no tables for eight were currently available but that we could place our order and then wait off to the side while they tried to prepare one as people were leaving. The reviews for the food here are quite good, but the place was packed and timing to be seated was unknown, so we conferred with our gang and decided to go somewhere else. Now I have to say that we didn't have any food here. Also the staff we dealt with were friendly and professional. Our group likes to meet monthly and relax, order, visit, and enjoy our food. The Commonwealth Cafe environment did not lend itself to that. It is probably fine for a couple or two who arrive at the same time. We may be back sometime in the future but not with a group. And I suggest using the parking structure with the first two hours free because the parking meters need to be fed and are officially for up to an hour only. It's worth a short walk to not have deal with that. read more

Super cute cafe! Have all the fun, new foods like avocado toast, wagyu and eggs, tandoori chicken, a variety of omelets, different bowls and sandwiches. Everything I've had there is delicious. I'm not usually a fan of buying avocado toast but it's totally worth it. The coffee is also really great. There aren't a ton of extra flavors but they do have vegan options and any milk flavor you would need. They try to keep the line moving, especially in the morning or at lunch. They have a separate line for carry out vs order in which makes things move more efficiently. For dining in, they have a decent amount of seating available and you can sit wherever you find a spot. The only downs side is prices are pretty high. My favorite coffee is usually $9-$10. But it is delicious. read more

Great service with good quality food. The line is usually out door but it moves very quickly. Don't let the line intimidate you. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

Tried it once had to come back. Even though they only serve one cup of coffee was expecting another good meal. Ordered the Tinga Chichen enchiladas and was DEEPLY disappointed. There simply was no flavor to them. Tinga should be a type of stew mix of chicken, garlic, tomatoes smoky chipotle, and that never made it across the tastebuds. VERY bland. She had the Goat cheese quiche which was good, very light, and the usual heap of arugula salad on the side. Added bacon on the side order which looked burnt and my guess not made fresh just reheated. Though we got to a table quickly, if you want to go there get there earlier as the line goes out the door easily. odd this time as several tables were open but quite a line, maybe the kitchen couldn't keep up? Dumping $50 with tip that is ADDED on automatically was just not worth it. Again especially without a coffee refill. Going back?? Not soon read more

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Food is okay, wish the menu had more options & that they didn't incorporate goat cheese into so many of their dishes. This review is specific to the customer service and logistical aspects of the restaurant. I really think they need to figure out a more practical way to traffic people waiting in line, especially in the winter time. There is no space inside for people to wait and place an order, and that's their requirement to do so prior to sitting down; note they will yell at you if you do and claim that this process has been successful for years, but seriously, has it been? I feel for those who have an issue standing for long periods. Dozens of times myself or friends of mine have left out of frustration. The other day, a friend of mine who had a baby in a stroller, was criticized for blocking the "path" mind you with the stroller, for serving staff to get to the other side. There was literally no where for her to stand, other than have her baby freeze outside, I mean like WTF? If you're up for an anxiety filled experience with ill-mannered employees and a mediocre meal, this is your place. Alternatively, there are a ton of other places to try across the way, much better for all the reasons described above. read more

love the vegan sourdough pancakes! I am allergic to hazelnut and they were so kind and had great service and switched the Nutella to maple syrup for me read more

Commonwealth is my go-to spot. I get a lot of work done here. Everything on the menu is really good. The only thing I didn't like was the quiche, but I'm not a fan it in general so it's personal preference :) Coffee, atmosphere, ambience, and the food is amazing. The service is great and everyone is always friendly and upbeat. P.S I'll let you in on my special coffee :) Get an iced or hot latte and have the base as almond milk, add cinnamon & honey! Thank me later!! read more

Just the grilled cheese and tomato soup deserves 5 stars. Literally so good!! The cheese is so decadent and paired with the soup is just so comforting. Wish I could eat it all the time. The other items I've tried here were tasty They have couple items on their specials menu that change every so often. Their known for their C latte which is cozy and delicious. The ambience of Commonwealth is fresh and trendy. It's a great place for brunch or lunch. Itd also be a good place to study or get work done. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Grilled cheese and tomato soup - literally one of the best things I've ever eaten - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

The place was booming! Got there around 11:20am and snagged a table for two on a Wednesday the day before Christmas eve. Needless to say 20 minutes later there was a line out the door. Amazing selection for vegetarian and non vegetarians. Their salads I hear are very good but I had the berry french toast and it was warm and delicious. I saw a lot of people order breakfast sandwiches or the waffles/french toast. My friend snagged the shiitake mushroom omelette and it was moist and delectable. You have to order before you are seated and it's walk ins only. Pricing is reasonable, food came out super fast and it's a nice clean and upscale spot for brunch read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Berry French Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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Staff is very professional and food is always served. Aesthetically pleasing restaurant is always clean as well as the tables and floors. I can just all around fun and welcoming atmosphere. The food is always well prepared with grape flavor. read more

Compulsory 15% gratuity on to go orders. I guess $6.50 isn't enough for a maple latte.

This is one of those cute, modern, trendy cafes that has the same look as other similar types popping up all over the U.S. We've got one that looks almost like this and has a similar menu in Columbus, OH (Fox in the Snow). My sisters and I got here on a Sunday around 10 in the morning and there was already a line. Not to the door though. But as we stood in line, the line was to the door. The whole time. Even when we left! The workers are millennials. I'm guessing the dress code is to only wear neutral shirts, as they all wore white, gray, or black. The girl at the register seemed a bit burnt out. Tired out by the line, I guess. There's another line for take away, but the dine in line was ever long. She was the only one at the register and I felt kinda bad that she couldn't sit or switch with someone. There were a ton of workers there! It could've easily been done. Anyway, I loved all the plants in here! They had a tall fiddle leaf tree in one section of the space. The greenery definitely contrasted the neutral colors of the room. It was mostly families in here. I saw a few people who seemed like college kids, but food is a bit pricey here, so I can't say I'm shocked to see families (who most likely have money to spend). Theres a sign to wait to be seated after you order. They didn't seem to enforce this, so we sat ourselves, but it's nice that they try to help you out when it's so busy to even find a table. They do clean tables quickly though! I ordered the common scramble. Three eggs scrambled with buttered toast, prosciutto, and shaved Parmesan (I think it was Parmesan). It was good! Tasty and presented well on the plate. My older sis got French toast. She asked for an espresso glaze. It was good, but some portions of the toast were more bready. Don't know how long they soak it in the batter but it could've been more flavorful towards the edges of it. It came with what may have been crem fresh? I wasn't into it, but I'll give them points for the creativity. She also got the matcha green tea. Not as flavorful as she's had before but it was decent. My other sis got the common breakfast. Yup! The name sounds a heckuva lot like mine, but it was bacon, unbuttered toast, sausage, two eggs over easy, and a mixture of regular and sweet potato. Presented well! The sausage was flavorful. The potatoes were...bland. I guess they want you to add salt and pepper yourself? Not typical for those of us who see a potato mixture like that that's seasoned already by the cooks. She also got the Kenyan coffee. Must've been medium roast. Nothing special. I can't lie. This place seems overhyped. The menu was nothing special to me. I've seen all the same stuff at similar restaurants in other large cities. Glad I came though! The pastries in the window did look good. They do have some gluten free items, so they get some points for that. Food was also quick and they were very nice. Thumbs up for sure! read more

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Aesthetically pleasing place, good food, friendly crowd. When you go to commonwealth, don't be intimidated by the long line outside the door. The process: you stand in a long line, order your food at the checkout, and then get seated with your number. The food came out quickly and the line moved decently fast as well. The coffee is amazing - they do iced or hot. The food is even better. 100% recommend. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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This place is the real deal. Had the Bacon & Gruyere omelet w/ sherry vinaigrette salad. Wow! Certainly one of the best omelets I've had (and I've had a lot!). Also ordered a slice of the coffee cake bread. Have not tried it yet, but it looks delicious. Will update once I have. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Bacon & Gruyere Omelet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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The vibe of this restaurant was refreshing. We had an indoor/outdoor type of seating arrangement. The food was good, not super good, but good enough to where you can enjoy your meal without complaining. Just not good enough for me to go back. The parking was awful, I had to park blocks away from the restaurant because it's always so busy. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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For such a long line this place was ok. The Nutella pancakes were good but pretty dry. They were served with a light drizzle of dairy free "Nutella" but it was basically like eating dry pancakes. The bowl I had was okay. I like that they have vegan and dairy free options but I was underwhelmed by the food. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

Amazinggggg fooooddd!!! You need to come here! I would suggest the pancakes! I also love the coffee!

I love love love love the food but absolutely hate how high the prices are considering it's a counter ordering place. I don't go here nearly as often anymore because of the outrageous prices. You could go to a full sit down venue with just as good food in the area for much less. read more

2 scramble eggs, toast, hash browns, 1 sausage patty, 2 strips of bacon, 1 cup of coffee.... $27.00 cost. What? Food was good, but did I pay for the guy next to me as well? Plenty of good breakfasts around, without getting creamed by the bill... Seeya... read more

This is my absolute favorite coffee shop in Birmingham. Their handcrafted lattes are always on point. This morning I got an avocado toast that was out of this world. Everything is beautifully presented. The outdoor patio is spacious and comfortable. There is no better spot to grab sk.w caffeine and people watch in the morning. The staff is not only friendly but knowledgeable and with a good sense of humor. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

Not clean and our order took about 50 minutes. Unfortunately, if I hadn't said anything to a staff memeve it would have taken longer. When I did I food was warm at best. Even before I had to say something about our food the atmosphere was cold and unfriendly. I really like this place at first maybe covid is destroying it read more

This cafe is inviting and cute! Perfect place for a brunch date or even going solo and sipping on a cup of coffee while returning some emails. The staff are nice and courteous. I love sitting outside on the patio when the weather is nice! read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Raspberry Green Tea & Macarons - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

Cups smell The food is always good though, I've never had a bad experience. The fried egg sandwich is 10/10 read more

Although you've gotta park in the structure and hike, it's worth it. There's usually a line but it moves fairly quickly. The staff is friendly and helpful. I say it's worth trying. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Just waiting on my lunch - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

Excellent food and service! Commonwealth Cafe is a gem in Birmingham. From their coffee to their breakfast menu, you feel luxurious eating at this establishment. Not a detail is left out. I'd definitely return for brunch, especially post-pandemic, but even now their safety measures are excellent. I felt very safe ordering food from here. Tip: It's a walk up and order style restaurant. You take a number if you're dining in or wait for your food. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

It's been a few years since I walked into Commonwealth and left. That experience surrounded poor attitude from employees. Now several years later I am happy to say that my experience was positive. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the size of the space had doubled and is now open, airy and spacious. The order system is still a bit confusing if you've never been here before and don't already know what you want. There's two lines, one for take out and one for dining in. But dining in is not full service and you must place an order in the line. The problem is when there is a line you can't see the menu due to the direction it faces and the way the line is configured. So when we finally got to the front of the line I felt rushed to make a selection without really seeing the whole menu. I also didn't like that some of their specialty drinks don't have a description on the menu board (like the C latte). They have almond milk as a diary substitute but no coconut so if you're like me and have a dairy and nut allergy your SOL. I had the quinoa breakfast bowl and a coffee. The breakfast bowl was very good. It was quinoa missed with various roasted veggies (brussels, corn, broccoli etc) and topped with avocado and two eggs cooked how you like. This was a very healthy and tasty breakfast option and I'd definitely get it again. A young man brought us over some water and offered us a box when we were ready to leave. I enjoyed not having a server bug us every few minutes. Parking of course is either on the street (metered) or in the deck around the corner. read more

Honestly I don't get the hype. This is nothing more than an independent version of a Panera in a way and very pricey. You are paying for location. Met a friend for brunch on a Saturday. Unlike other reviews the line was reasonable. The water and cups did not smell like rotten egg as many have said. Thank go we had it though because this place is cafeteria style and once you finish the drink you have if you want another it's back to the line and order again- no matter what the beverage is. I had the BLATE and it was just ok. Only two strips of bacon and a hunk of avocado not evenly sliced on the sandwich. The salad while well dressed was nothing special and I barely ate it. I also had a cup of tomato soup and it had a hint of roasted red pepper flavor. It was ok but I don't feel the flavor had depth. It was fresh I could tell but the flavors had not fully blended yet. My friend got the bacon and Gruyère omelet and said it was kind of bland. We did share a piece of amazing cake with berries and buttercream that was moist and flavorful so that was the only thing worth the price. It was $60 for this- one cup of coffee and one lemonade. It was ok but we won't be back. If I could give a 2.5 I would but have a 3 because I think it's more than a 2 but barely.... read more

Commonwealth Cafe - BLATE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

No wonder their prices are not posted. My partner and I had a brunch and paid almost $100. The customer service sucks, majority of employees are not friendly. Cups smell like egg. I asked for an extra fork for my pancake and the fork had a dried egg yolk on it. I am not sure if they wash their dishes well. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Dirty fork - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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I still love Commonwealth but things have definitely changed since I was last in that kind of diminished my excitement. First the good--they've remodeled and it looks great. Plenty more seating and a beautiful, airy space. The coffee is still amazing. The C-latte remains their star and it's worth ordering if you haven't in the past. The pastries look incredible and there's a nice variety of more substantial breakfasty filling items like muffins and such and sweet treats like cookies and macarons. Prices also seem the same as they used to be when I used to come more regularly. The less good? The menu feels smaller somehow to me now, at least on a weekday. I recall having more options in the past. I imagine they kick it up a bit on the weekend but I'm usually here working on a weekday so I can't comment on weekend options. The dishes I did order on my most recent visit (butternut squash soup and ricotta toast with Gus and Grey jam and pistachios) were delicious, but I didn't find I had to hem and haw over the menu, trying to narrow my choices down, like I have in the past. They also close on 3pm which is kind of an awkward time. I guess if you're just focusing on coffee and breakfast/lunch that's fine, but as a coffee shop to take meetings and work in, it's kind of a bummer to have to leave so soon after eating a late lunch because they're putting the chairs up. Still a solid option and still someplace I would gladly go and take others to but I admit, for me, I'm just a little less starry-eyed than before. read more

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Trendy, tasty, comfortable, Commonwealth is the kind of spot you go back to again and again. Unless you're me and live 765 miles away in which case this was probably my first and last visit.. Staying in a nearby hotel, this was a perfect spot for lunch and a little work with my coworker. The menu is simple enough while still offering a wide variety of lunch, and breakfast options into midday. The coffee I ordered was pour-over and delicious. For breakfast/lunch I got the Caprese Omelette, a simple classic with roasted tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. It came with a small arugula side salad as well. While well made, it's worth mentioning the prices at this joint are higher than I'm used to. Coffee and the omelette set me back about $20. However, after grabbing drinks at a place across the street I think it's safe to say it fits the affluent surrounding area. I was there to work so it was a bummer that the WiFi didn't work even after mentioning it to the staff, but c'est la vie, we were able to use a phone hotspot anyhow. Thanks for the brunch Commonwealth! read more

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The BEST latte. I've been thinking of starting a "best of" list. Commonwealth wins for the best lattes. I really enjoy a non-acidic / not bitter espresso, which can be found all over the west coast and seemingly NOWHERE east of the Mississippi. I come here every time I'm in town. Thank you Commonwealth for a smooth smooth latte that never needs any sweetener. So good. So so good. read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Latte!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

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This place is pleasing to all the senses. Incredible ambience, great aesthetic, unique flavors, and lots of great options! I love that commonwealth goes above and beyond to make a healthy brunch that tastes incredible. They have Vegan and Gluten Free options on their menu that don't scare the common folk away. Every bite melts in your mouth no matter what you order. Some of my favorites are their fantastic grilled cheese, the common scramble, and the brussels omelette. Don't forget to order coffee while you are here too! While they don't have a large variety of flavor choices, they do offer many milk alternatives and have amazing signature lattes like the Maple Latte with cinnamon and their C Latte with condensed milk. I always make sure to stop here when i'm driving through Birmingham. Definitely one of the best breakfast&lunch spots in the area! read more

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I am a French toast kinda girl. I love when it's thick and not thin regular bread, so this one was amazing. The berries on top with the whip cream made it delicious. I would definitely go back and get this again. Follow me on ig: detroit_bites read more

Commonwealth Cafe - Berry French toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Birmingham, Michigan

I love love love this place It's great for a quick fresh meal or just to grab a coffee FRESH AND ORGANIC read more

The best summary is fresh and flavorful food. My favorite is the egg sandwich coupled with a C latte. The venue is cafeteria style where you wait in line to order, except a server brings the order to your table. During peek hours you will wait in line but they move fairly quick. Parking is either street (rare) or the nearby structure. The restaurant is clean and bright. Typically it's a little loud but not so loud you can't have a conversation with your guests. I definitely recommend Commonwealth! read more

Looking for an upscale, tony breakfast or lunch spot? One where you can see and be seen? Look no further than Commonwealth. Beyond the ambiance, Commonwealth does offer a wide and tasty variety of offerings, with decent coffee. Service is generally smooth and efficient. Prices - about what you'd expect - on the high side. It is, after all, Birmingham. But this does not deter the (mostly younger) set from filling up the place. In warm weather, the outdoor seating is a nice option. All in all, a nice place for a slightly luxurious breakfast or lunch. read more