Love this spot!! First time dropping in and I will definitely be back. Love all of the zines and stickers they have available for purchase inside, and they had a local artist with a booth in the back as well! I ordered off the seasonal menu and got a vanilla miel latte, it was perfectly sweet for my taste. We sat outside in the back since it was warm and had such a lovely morning here! read more

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Super cute little coffee shop! Space is limited inside, and theres not a good spot to wait for your drinks, but baristas were super friendly and they were having fun making drinks which we always like to see. Lots of showcases for artists and someone even had a stand set up in the main indoor area, which is cool they support them so much. We drank our coffees outside which is filled with eclectic furniture. Could be tidied up a bit but it also fits the vibe. Drink was a bit sweet but still very nice and I finished it no prob. I'll be back for sure as the coffee was also quite reasonably priced. Worth a stop! read more

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Zines, stickers, key fobs oh my! This little coffee shop is much more than that, it's a community hub. Service is always prompt and friendly. Have regular offerings of drinks/foodstuffs and seasonal offerings. I really like their vegan cold noodles, unsweetened matcha, and iced hibiscus tea unsweet. Sunny seating area indoors for the colder months, and a quirky outdoor area with a bee garden in the summer. Little free library on site. Parking easy in their spots (ada spot available) or in the lot behind the buildings. read more

The staff was friendly, the patio was a mix of adorable and grungy (which I loved) and, most importantly, the Iced pumpkin pie chai with oat milk was delicious! Definitely a must visit for vibes and drinks! read more

Drifter Coffee - Pumpkin Pie iced Chai with Oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

A hidden gem! This is such a fantastic spot, we stopped in for coffee and ended up getting some pastries too! I got one of their February latte specials- so delicious and the prices are fantastic especially for the area. Inexpensive coffee, nothing but great vibes inside, and very friendly staff. Cannot recommend this spot enough! read more

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Inclusive environment for a great cup of coffee (or other hot beverage). More of a hot chocolate guy but the group really enjoyed their items. They have ample seating upstairs, main floor and even outside. Sounds like they have a steady stream of fun events during the week and on the weekend. read more

Drifter Coffee - Bathroom - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Stopped in for coffee on a Sunday morning for a cup of coffee. The coffee was good. I had a Blueberry Cream Cheese Croissant which was excellent. On the messy side. The shop is super cute. It has a great local, Ferndale feel. I arrived on the earlier side, but as noon approached it was busy, and the seating was getting limited. There are tables to work, and a sitting area. There is a lot of outdoor space in the front and back. It was bit cold to sit outside today read more

Drifter Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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I really appreciate that ambiance and the pro BLM/Palestine gear(although everyone forgets about #Congo). They were very friendly and the coffee is SUPERB. As a coffee snob I'm blown away. I'll definitely be back, they really know their coffee. If you're LGBTQ you'd be very comfortable here. read more

The order area is quite tiny. There's a shopping area that's bigger than order area. They have an area upstairs for sitting down. We ordered a Fraser tea bag green tea and an oatmeal latte (comes with only 2 for either a 12 ounce or 16 ounce) for $9.54. I asked for a print out as one slip of our order printed for the staff to make the order. I asked if I could get a physical copy for myself. The woman with the purple hair said no, they only provide a copy via email only. I literally saw a copy go to the staffer. I didn't believe her at all. The green tea is not special at all. The oat milk is average and not notable. The green tea isn't very good, take a pass. The staff taking the coffee orders and handing you your orders aren't warm or welcoming. The staff at the retail shop greeted us on our way out. They have a cozy and small upstairs area with bar stools, some tables and couch seating. read more

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I always get a latte and it's delicious. The people who work here make an excellent coffee drink and are always super friendly. It's a very welcoming space, I have worked from the outdoor seating area and that is very convenient. Unlike most coffee shops, they do close on Monday, so don't make the mistake I did and go to get a delicious coffee road trip treat. I was so sad. I had to drive to Cleveland without benefit of a traveler. read more

Love drifter! Gets busy but worth the wait. Super cute spot and yummy, affordable seasonal options that are always rotating!

Ham and cheese croissant was really good, the blueberry cream cheese one was a little sweet for me & could use a little more cream cheese. It's decor is shabby chic/ urban garden, very cute. A little on the pricey side but I do like their chai teas. read more

Drifter Coffee - Ham and Cheese croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

This cafe is such an amazing community spot! My partner has visited here multiple times, but today was my first visit. There is a lot of shaded outdoor space, so it's perfect for enjoying the weather. There are also two floors with ample seating. The workers were attentive and helpful. I got the iced Ugly Bastard, which is an iced mocha with some cream. It was super refreshing, creamy, and light on the chocolate. My partner got a cappuccino, and it has a great nutty flavor, something that I don't often taste in the espressos that I get from cafes. Drifter Coffee also hosts a lot of community events like outdoor yoga classes and offers to support local artists by letting them apply to have a stall at the cafe, which is really awesome. read more

Drifter Coffee - Outdoor Seating (Front) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

My seasonal latte and my croissant were absolutely delicious! They were well staffed and friendly enough, and the ambiance was lovely. read more

I drive past this place often when I'm in the area, and I've wanted to stop in for a long time. I was completely without caffeination, so I finally did. The inside is extremely well done, and much more open-feeling than expected. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and made me feel welcome immediately. And to top it off, the iced chai latte I got was absolutely perfect. I will be coming back! read more

Came here excited to try a new coffee spot and I can honestly say, I'll never go back. Ordered a toasted coconut latte and an almond croissant. The latte was much too sweet and the flavor was not great, so I asked them to exchange it for an iced coffee. I got in my car took one sip of the iced coffee and couldn't drink another, it was too bitter. Feeling defeated, I went to eat my croissant hoping to get the bitter taste out of my mouth and rather than it being flakey it was a goopy mess that I literally spat out my car window. Nothing here was drinkable or edible. Worst 15 bucks I ever spent. I won't be coming back here. read more

This is a very cute café with a safe and efficient way to order your drink during the pandemic. Just drive up to a numbered station, scan the QR code to place your order on the Drift Coffee website, and wait in your vehicle. A masked barista will come outside and put your drink on a table where you can pick it up. I ordered a 16 oz. Iced Gingerbread Latte with whipped cream. You can substitute natural milk with either Oatly Oak or Milkadamia Macadamia. My drink was really good. I like that there are specialty items offered on the menu that can't be found at other cafés. I will be back to try more of the lattes and tea. read more

Drifter Coffee - Outside drive up for contactless ordering - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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This place has gone downhill since Covid. First of all when you pull in there is a huge mess of stuff behind the building. I'm not sure how long their steamer has been broken but it wasn't working today so the hot drinks were very limited. They used to have mugs if you were dining in but they only have paper cups now, also the upstairs was my favorite part of this place and it's now closed. There were a few cuss words scattered around in decorations and drink names which I thought was distasteful. My maple cinnamon americano was ok but nothing to write home about. The only good thing I have to say is the prices were decent. read more

Drifter Coffee - Vegan cocoa - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

I'll be honest, the coffee here just tastes, bitter. The staff isn't super helpful or very friendly. The space is always cold both heat wise, but also just feels unwelcoming read more

So.......second time back to drifters.....decided to try some food with coffee's that were on the autumn specials menu. I believe there were 3 listed-you would assume they were all 3 lattes(as we found out after the fact only 2 were)....who would think one was a regular coffee that you could make at home and not cost me $4.50(16oz). We discovered that after purchase. I got the pumpkin latte which was good, But I also bought for my daughter a Fall Drift 16 oz that she discovered at first sip was Not a latte, even after being asked what milk she wanted in it(still making us think it was a latte)..She said it tasted like what comes out of her coffee pot at home. When she approached them to see if there was any way to just fix that coffee, wasn't asking for a whole new one-they said they couldn't do anything for her and offered to SELL her another one for full price. Disappointed in their customer service today because of that and I also was not told putting some tomato sauce(?) in/on my croissant was going to cost me extra 75 cents, & I didn't even taste it. On an already $5.50 ham & cheese croissant. They don't list the prices for the bakery case so had to ask for those prices individually. Not sure what would keep me going back here after todays visit especially with my bill being over $22 and no quality customer service today. read more

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I absolutely love this coffee shop. There are soo many cool things to say about Drifter! They have their own house made syrups, amazing pastries, coffee, and also use sustainable packaging. A must try! I only wish they had more locations! read more

Visited during the summer months of the pandemic, so the interior was closed off. However, the space surrounding the quaint cafe offers many seating options during the summertime. We ordered two croissants and a coffee and macha latte. The croissants were absolutely fantastic, especially the tomato feta croissant...wow! This was my first time trying a macha latte and unfortunately this is not my future drink of choice (but for someone who likes macha, this would likely be a great choice!). But the coffee was very good. If I visited again, I would definitely get a mocha or other coffee option. Definitely check out this local coffee shop with delicious seasonal breakfast options and great coffee. The staff was very friendly and great pandemic protocols were in place. Will definitely stop into this hip cafe front again if in the area! read more

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Best coffee shop in Metro Detroit! They have tons of seating, super friendly staff, and a really cozy, artsy atmosphere. It's a great place to both get work done or do fun stuff like read, knit, or chat with friends. I love that they always offer multiple seasonal drinks and vegan snacks, which are always amazing. They also do so much to give back to the community. 100% a must-try coffee shop! read more

Please bring back the potato croissant! This is the best neighborhood spot for coffee anytime of day. They do get busy, but that's because their baristas are on point. I love that they allow you to bring your own mug and that they only use compostable materials. read more

Yes. Yes Yes Yes. A thousand times YES. Drifter Coffee is my new fave! I should have known they would open an adorable and welcoming space given that their adorable and welcoming trailer has greeted me at many an event in the Detroit area, but I was beyond thrilled to see my hunch was right. Stopped in here today for a meeting and it was just such a great experience. From the bright, eclectic space to the really welcoming baristas to the delicious iced coffee (with plenty of non-dairy options for you vegans and lactose intolerant folks out there) to the inclusive, warm atmosphere. Everything here is just excellent. There's so much to enjoy here (and photograph too!) including local artwork both on display and for sale. There's plenty of seating, including an upstairs loft area which is perfect for studying or working a bit. Since we planned on chatting, we had our meeting in the sunny main floor seating area which is more geared for that. In addition to my iced coffee I also had a lemon raspberry poppy seed muffin (tasty!) and the Michigan Cherry iced tea to go (very tart but very good! I'd recommend a little sweetener if you want it a little more mellow). Drifter's a very welcome addition to the coffee shop scene in Metro-Detroit and one I can't wait to get back to soon! read more

Pretty small space but decorated well! I am glad that the baristas here wear masks because I can't say the same for most restaurants/coffee shops I've been in Michigan. The barista who took my order was very helpful when explaining the drinks and beans. The cortado I got with oat milk was not bad. It was $3.25 for a double shot espresso and $0.25 up charge for oat milk - price was reasonable. The beans they used for the espresso was a dark roast, so initial sips were pretty smokey and strong with a bit of lingering dark chocolate after tastes. The cortado was good, but nothing overly special. In general, I prefer a fruitier espresso. They also had holiday themed drinks. My mom likes mochas, so she got the "Jolly Bastard" (peppermint mocha, basically). She enjoyed it! Overall, good vibes and nice drinks. The prices are reasonable here, too! Two drinks for under $8 is pretty solid. read more

Okay drinks. Cozy quiet upstairs library-esque seating with multiple outlets good for remote work. Downstairs has a glass window room with a collection of lgbtq+/feminist/eco-friendly zines and random books/ad posters with some seating. Room can get kinda cold at times. There are limited community events such as the Death Cafe and food drives. Wish there were more events like a board game night or a local meetup sort of like how Ferndale Project does it. Service is fast, nothing to comment on. read more

A neighborhood favorite, Drifter stands out by virtue of its friendly staff, rotating variety of seasonal specials, and prompt service. There's plenty of seating inside and out, though not an enormous indoor area, and there's a really welcoming atmosphere. At weekends, Drifter regularly welcomes pop-ups (jewelry, plants, art, etc), which is fun. If I had to pick some downsides, it would be that service can be slower when Drifter is busy (e.g. weekend mornings), but ultimately it's more than worth it for the friendly and personal touch you get from the staff. read more

Drifter Coffee - Iced oat milk lavender latte, inside Drifter. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

delicious coffee and excellent pastries, calming place to hang for a bit. Highly recommended if you love really good, strong coffee.

Gave the business an average reciew because if inconvenient hours for business professionals. This team obviously listens and responds to their customers because they now have extended morning hours. Great local coffee place with really nice staff. Highly recommend! read more

Stopped in to Drifter looking to try out an iced mocha - ended up with their version: the Ugly Bastard. One of their regular customers named the drink since it was his order. I thought it was great taste wise. The store is also very cute - slightly difficult to get parking on the side of the building during peak hours. read more

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I just tried drifter coffee for the first time and I was so impressed! I had one of the best lavender lattes ever and also, hands-down, the best almond croissant of my life. Just amazing! I will be visiting this coffee shop every time I am in the area. The service was great, and I loved the cool atmosphere! read more

Best coffee in the area! Super cute ambiance, and staff is very friendly! Highly recommend. The chocolate croissant was tasty as well!

A really cute shop that offers sweet treats and delicious coffee!! Pros: fantastic coffee, really friendly employees, good covid protocols, inclusive space that is accepting of ALL people Cons: the location is a bit random but it's definitely not a deterrent for me, The shortbread cookie was good but nothing special at all (also really tiny) read more

Drifter Coffee - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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I love Drifter and make sure to stop in anytime I am near Ferndale! Everyone here is SO nice and their coffee is incredible. Also love the decor here and the seating areas upstairs and downstairs. It's everything you'd want a coffee shop to be: warm, welcoming, and wonderful! I am a big fan and will definitely be back :) read more

Drifter Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

I don't understand the hype. There is never any parking. The seating inside gets crowded fast. The people working are not very friendly. I do enjoy the coffee, but there are other places to go for a good drink. read more

This is how you do it! In 9 months of curbside, this is the first and only place that does it flawlessly. Friendly people, great service, terrific value. And did I mention it's actually curbside that works! read more

Drifter Coffee - How to curbside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Quite possibly the best coffee in metro Detroit!! I absolutely love drifter and come here every week (sometimes more lol) - it is THAT good. They have house made syrups that make their drinks so delicious & lots of pastries/treat options that are vegan :) I love that they have a seasonal drink menu as well and they support other small businesses and often have pop-up shops in and around the cafe. Highly recommend! read more

Drifter Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

This spot is so cute and I wish we could have gone inside, but their covid precautions are outstanding (shown in photos)! We got an oat latte and a whole milk latte in a bottle. I love that Drifters packaging is environmentally friendly! The cold coffees come in a 16 Oz glass container that are recyclable! The jars of coffee are around $6.50 which is on the pricier end but they're so worth it! Options available for all walks of food & drinks-- GF/V/DF. Very friendly staff! There was an ADORABLE set up for house plants in every size, color and shape container you could dream up, all for sale. If I wasn't totally awful at keeping plants alive I'd have given it a go! Additionally, there was a woman (very safely) administering B-12 shots in peoples shoulders for $15, which I didn't try but thought was cool (Advertised for-- energy, boost in red blood cells, mental clarity and best for people with limited diets (vegetarians, vegans etc.) ) I can't wait to come back to drifter, I can just tell there will be nothing but serendipitous adventures taking place there! read more

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If your hipster college roommate opened a coffee shop, it would be Drifter Coffee. Coffee is served in mismatched old coffee mugs with random business logos like you had in your first apartment. Cookies are served on old chipped plates, and soup is from a crockpot. There are random knick knacks, old couches and patio furniture, and Star Wars figurines and glow in the dark stars sticking on the ceiling of the bathroom like you used to have in your childhood bedroom. The coffee was super delicious. They have espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, matcha lattes, and iced coffee, teas, and kombucha. They have unique flavor teas like vanilla lavender, Japanese sencha, Traverse City cherry, and apple ginger. They also have some coffee concoctions on special that vary by season. I had the Fall Drift on special for Fall, which was house roast with maple cinnamon syrup, whipped cream and nutmeg. It was very tasty, warm, sweet, and spicy. They offer coffee in 16 and 20 oz. sizes but sizes aren't necessarily concrete since every mug is different. Drinks are customizable and they had oat milk and several dairy-free alternatives. They also have some food that varies by day and they don't seem to have a set food menu. It's basically whatever they feel inspired to whip up for the day. When I was there they had a curried sweet potato soup topped with chickpeas which was very tasty. They were making a pastry of some sort that the barista said they were serving for breakfast tomorrow. The best way to find out what they're serving in advance would be to follow them on Instagram. They also have a few pastries/bakery items such as pumpkin bread, espresso cake, gluten free vegan cookies, and ham and cheese croissants. They also had donuts made from a donut pan. Most bakery items were $3-$5. I had a mini sea salt chocolate chip cookie for $1. Prices seemed kind of high though because a cup of soup, latte, and $1 cookie was $13. I have no idea how much my latte or soup cost because prices weren't posted anywhere and I didn't receive a receipt. I also wished there had been more bakery items available because when I went the selection was sparse but I believe they bake everything at the beginning of the day and only have what they have on hand until they sell out. Everything I tried was tasty and homemade, made from scratch. There's seating on the first floor in a green room with patio furniture and an old vintage long dining room table. The first floor seating area was cold and drafty, dark and not well-lit though but I'm sure it's warm and brighter during the spring/summer months and mornings. There's more seating upstairs but it's a small area. There's a couch, table and some seating at a desk-like bar but the upstairs was mostly full when we were there. Wi-fi is free and they host several events like book clubs, craft nights, meditation, and game nights. All events are posted on a giant chalkboard paint calendar on the first floor. They have a retail wall that sells local artist made jewelry and other items. Drifter has a funky eclectic atmosphere with tasty coffee and treats. It's like hanging out at your college friend's funky off-campus apartment. The coffee really is the star of the show here and I'd like to try more of the lattes. read more

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