One of my most disappointing bites…read more I went here for the Dubai croissant, the pictures were pretty and perfect, unfortunately that's where it stopped. The croissant looked crisp and airy, not over filled. But when you bit into it there was no crunch, completely lacking that delicate glass like texture that really makes a croissant. It felt days old stale and thick, no layers, just a block of filled bread. The breakfast sandwiches are premade and microwaved (at least that as the texture) to order. Underseasoned and dull. The coffee on the other hand was good. I'd go back for the coffee, definitely not the breakfast or pastries.

Had a fantastic first time visit to Little River Coffee. Lisbon is not an area my wife and I…read morefrequently visit. After visiting with some family and in search of a coffee to start the day this was on our way back home and their drink specials stood out. Firstly, they had about 10 or 12 specials for the month compared to most spots having usually 5 at most. So many of them sounded good with some highlights being Birthday Cake Latte, Blueberry Pancake Latte, Strawberry Shortcake Latte, Blueberry Chai, & Coconut Matcha. A special for everyone's taste/preference. Mentioned in their about section of the website they were looking to create not only a place to grab a coffee but a place to gather. I would say as first time visitors it appeared they accomplished that goal. They created a welcoming and overall great atmosphere that would be such a nice spot to swing in to catch up with friends or bring the family for drinks and baked goods. Which based on signage they create all the baked goods in house and looked like they had a great variety. Coffee wise they support local and use beans from a fellow Maine business, Black Ink Coffee in Bangor. My wife got the Blueberry Pancake Iced Latte and I got the Strawberry Shortcake Iced Latte. Both had tons of flavor, definitely sweet though so be mindful if that isn't your thing. Lastly, we had each got a sausage egg and cheese on an english muffin. Let me say they were some of the largest english muffins I have had. The egg was also seasoned much more than you usually get. A top-notch breakfast sandwich I would return for. Quick and friendly service with delicious food and drinks. A coffee spot I would find myself returning to!

Simple coffee shop with some great pastries. Stopped in on a Friday morning and was greeted by…read morefriendly staff. Took my order quickly and got me on my way in no time. Cold brew was good and well priced but the strawberry rhubarb turnover was absolutely excellent and the star of the show. The space has a good amount of seating but the options are pretty basic, the book selection was nice but some comforter chairs would make it a better spot to hang out in. All in all a great stop!

Visited again today for a nice treat. Love the iced matcha lattes, but one should try the seasonal…read moremenus. You can tell the owner cares about creativity! Cozy spot to read. It's always been a 5 star place as long as I've been coming and I always look forward to bringing friends here. Come try this place!

Great coffee, great croissants, and great vibe. Service was also top notch! Will definitely return.read more

I accidentally stumbled upon Ritual on my way to work the other day. I was planning to stop in to a…read moreneighboring coffee shop that I'd been to before but saw the sign for bakehouse and thought to myself that a breakfast snack would be a great idea. I was pleased to find out that I could also grab a latte, to go, from Ritual. The space is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! I was a bit skeptical of the breakfast sandwich, as it looked like it would be mostly bread (not sustenance), but I was wrong. Inside that pillowy (I assume potato-based roll) was a delicious egg, bacon and special sauce combination! I will be stopping here again, in the future!

I'm late to the Aroma Joe's experience. I say late because it was only a month ago, while driving…read morehome through Gray and jonesing for an iced coffee, I rolled through that drive-thru location and was pleased. On Wednesday afternoon, in the midst of a major home improvement project and on my way back from the local hardware store, I decided I needed an iced coffee. Since I've been rolling with a plant-based orientation of late and not wanting any dairy in my iced coffee (I used to love my IC with a moderate amount of Half & Half, or cream), I figured I'd have to go soy. I know places like Starbucks aren't averse to accommodating vegan requests, but figured the McDonald's in town would be. That's when I passed the AJ's location on Lisbon Street. I had to roll around the block and came back by. When I pulled up to the ordering window, no one was there. Since I hadn't been to this location, I figured I was missing something or I was at the wrong window. Should I have ordered at the drive-thru sign? I backed up (no one was behind me). Nothing. Back to the first window. Were they closed? Seems like everything else in my old hometown is or is in the process. At the 2nd window, an employee popped her head out and was apologetic. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I didn't see you at first." I asked about an iced coffee with soy and she answered in the affirmative. I was in luck. When she came back, she offered to comp my drink. I told her that wasn't necessary. The 30-something manager also came to the window and explained that she was going over procedures and that they didn't see me pull up. She again apologized for the "poor service," and while I appreciated her acknowledging it, I didn't expect a free drink. However, she insisted and said she wanted to be sure I came back, when I told her it was my first visit. I told her and the other employee that "I was a fan," and thanked them. It's nice in a world where perfunctory service is the norm, to go places where the bar is a bit higher than that. This location of Aroma Joe's certainly fits the bill in that regard. I will definitely be back!

We came here to get an iced coffee to help balance out the sweetness of another coffee we got…read moreelsewhere. The drive-thru was easy, ordering was easy, the staff was pleasant and friendly (even in our limited interactions, they were all smiles and double/triple checked that all we wanted was an iced coffee), but the coffee itself - while on the cheaper side - was... bad. Like, somehow, Dunkin's is better. It was sour and watery and left my mouth dry. Not for me.

Love, love, love their bagels: they are not enormous, and are chewy and delicious! We often get…read morebagels to take to family gatherings (their cream cheese offerings are good too: whipped so easy to spread, and well seasoned); yesterday my husband and I each got the Forage Breakfast Bagel (sausage for him, bacon for me) and they were spectacular! Warm, locally supportive atmosphere. LOVE this for Lewiston, and for anyone lucky enough to eat there!

Amazing vegan options!! Atmosphere is awesome…read more Wicked cool older building and people are so friendly. Wish it was closer but totally worth the drive.

Great food Great service…read moreGreat cozy cafe space I'm so glad I finally made it here with a friend for our monthly diners club meeting. I loved it so much that I came back the next day with my husband. I loved the benedict I loved the pancake I loved the scone! Best in the area! I can't wait to try the BBQ sometime soon. It's just a matter of getting there before it sells out. There's indoor and outdoor seating. There is the potential of a wait if you arrive mid morning. Just a warning. It is worth the wait!

A cool and hip little cafe in New Gloucester Maine. Farm fresh with bright colors and a clean…read moreappearance. The menu boasts a fresh health listing of farm to table options. We had the Mexican stuffed pepper with focaccia bread and the chicken bacon ranch sandwich. The Mexican Stuffed Pepper was the special of the day, and was to die for. It was a fresh and savory choice and the star of the meal was the fresh FRESH focaccia bread that was simply amazing! The chicken bacon ranch sandwich was served on an amazingly flavorful and fresh rosemary bread, and came with a small bag of kettle cooked chips and a delightful pickle slice. The drip coffee options were plentiful and flavorful. Cafe 1055 is an amazing place to stop in for breakfast or lunch! Take time to make the trip, trust me, it's Totally worth it!!!

What a cool place! Owner makes every espresso drink for every customer and quickly & genuinely…read moreconnects with every guest asking what they're up to & where they're from and shares things about himself, it's so amazing. I've never experienced anything like it. Special meat of the day and all scratch made food. My scone had chamomile and cardamom and white chocolate in it or something but it was the best scone I've ever had in my entire life. And I don't like white chocolate. The location is really cool inside as well. Go here, you will not regret it.

Dog Bar Jim had been on my list for a while, so I was excited to finally stop in for breakfast. I…read morehad heard the lines could be long, so we arrived around 9:30 a.m. expecting a wait. Luckily, there were only about five people ahead of us, and the line moved quickly. The person taking our order immediately made us feel welcome. Even with a busy morning crowd, they took their time with everyone and treated each customer like they were the only one there. That kind of genuine friendliness is something you don't forget. The atmosphere is unlike any coffee shop I've been to. Every wall has something different to look at, quirky artwork, funny signs, vintage pieces, random collectibles, a mannequin dressed in sunglasses and boots, even a life-size Tom Cruise hanging out on the patio. I found myself constantly looking around because there was something interesting in every direction. One of my favorite touches was the self-serve coffee station. You grab a mug from the wall instead of a paper cup. I picked one with a cool Abraham Lincoln wearing a backwards baseball cap while sipping coffee, which perfectly matched the café's fun personality. There were several coffee choices, and I ended up trying two. Refills are available for a small fee. For breakfast, I ordered one of their brioche breakfast sandwiches with the meat of the day, which was brisket. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the soft brioche bun. I also ordered a toasted jalapeño bagel with jalapeño shmear. It comes sprinkled with Tajín but got mine on the side. While I usually enjoy Tajín, it was just a little much for me first thing in the morning, so next time I'd ask for it without. The jalapeño shmear itself was delicious. After eating, we took our coffee outside to enjoy the patio. The colorful mural covering the building, beautiful flower pots, and relaxed seating made it a great place to sit and slow down for a while. Dog Bar Jim isn't just a place to grab breakfast, it's one of those places with real personality. Great food, excellent coffee, genuinely kind service, and an atmosphere that's fun, creative, and impossible to forget. If you're anywhere near Brunswick, it's absolutely worth the stop.

Auburn's Best Bagels - Fresh, Local, and Unbeatable!…read more We've made the decision to shop exclusively local due to the current political environment, and we couldn't be happier with the quality of goods we've found--especially at Blackie's Farm Stand. Our latest discovery? The absolutely phenomenal bagels from Sunday Morning Bakery. These bagels are everything a bagel should be--chewy on the inside, perfectly crisp on the outside, and packed with rich, fresh-baked flavor. Whether you're a purist who loves a classic plain bagel or someone who craves a hearty everything bagel, these deliver in every way. Knowing that we're supporting a local bakery, a local farm stand, and a hardworking local business owner makes every bite even better. Blackie's has consistently offered top-notch products from local producers, and these bagels are just the latest reason to keep coming back. If you haven't tried them yet, do yourself a favor and grab a dozen--you won't be disappointed! Shop local, eat well, and support your neighbors. That's how we do it in Auburn!

From the owner: We are a small microbakery based out of Auburn! All our baked goods use organic flour as we strive…read morefor healthy and delicious coffee shop style baked goods. We are open by appointment only and only bake to order. Follow our Facebook page to find us at local markets and events!

Always on the search for new to us coffee shops close and far and today's stop was at Reverie. A…read morewoman-owned coffee shop who uses local roasters for the beans. They also originally started out as a coffee trailer that's since traded hands a few times since. Once they opened this brick & mortar spot the trailer went to become Lark Coffee which can be found in Wells Maine at Scoop Deck (since changed hands again too). Back to Reverie though, they have turned this location into such a welcoming and cozy spot! From beautifully done mural/wall art of flowers and nature to the back corner being a book lovers dream! A wall utilizing books and plants to make a great art piece with some chairs to sit and read for a while. Which my wife did exactly that! They have all the typical coffee and tea drinks you would expect plus specials including a few that rotate monthly. I went with their Honeysuckle that came with honey and pistachio syrups and it tasted amazing with the honey and pistachio being a perfect pairing. My wife went with the Hannah Banana that was banana and brown sugar. That tasted phenomenal as well! The staff were so friendly and remembered quite a few names of customers which speaks to how much people return! Also during our decently long stay here the line never fully ended and the workers kept such a friendly vibe the entire time. They provide such a great cozy space with friendly staff and drinks that will make you wanting to come back! Top notch coffee shop!

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cool woman-owned coffee shop…read more I was looking for a coffee place in the area and this came up with high marks. Located on the main drag called Maine St in Brunswick, it was a cozy, welcoming space. I decided on their Earthworm latte--a delicious sweet treat featuring Oreo crumbs. I sat at the bar facing Maine st, watching the midweek traffic pass by and leisurely enjoying my coffee. It looked like a very mom- and kid-friendly space, which made sense after learning that it was a woman-owned business. A bulletin board by the front door had a bunch of flyers tacked on to it, and it seemed like a popular neighborhood hub. A cool small business worth supporting.

I've been a fan of Wicked Joe coffee for sometime now. I'm not sure if it's because I worked in…read moreBrunswick for a spell or if because growing up in Lewiston/Auburn Wicked Joe was more prevalent on our grocery shelves then any other locally made coffee was... But I've always appreciated their delicious roasts! I had the opportunity to check out their open house in December and am so glad I braved the cold and snow to do so. I'm not entirely sure if they're open to the public normally, but part of me hopes they are (or would consider it at least two or four times a year). This is a beautiful space that should be celebrated and used as frequently as possible. We got to sample many different blends and actually watch coffee roast (which I had no idea was such a quick process - from white to yellow to tan to brown). Also, wanna talk about passionate, community-oriented people? The folks behind the Wicked Joe (and Bard) brand(s) definitely are; and they're intensely knowledgeable about coffee, too. What you don't know is that the entire Bard staff is trained thoroughly at this Wicked Joe locale on a set-up identical to one at the actual coffee shop. Each barista has to make every drink on the menu perfectly before they can serve you at Bard. My respect for that coffee shop multiplied by a thousand when I found that out! Also, as a side note, the actual roast of the coffees are different for the two brands - definitely important to remember and point out!

I recently found Wicked Joe at my local grocer. It is so fresh, fragrant, and is absolutely…read moredelicious! I love to mix it up with my favorite creamer and honestly, it's better than the drive thru coffee I've been getting. Super excited for this new find!