I was SO excited to visit Gaia Cafe and Botanical! As much as I'd love to give a better rating, not…read moreevery coffee shop can be a favorite, and unfortunately, this visit left me wanting more.
From the moment I walked in, there were around eight customers waiting for their drinks. I drove quite a distance to check this spot out as part of my Coffee Passport journey, so I was committed to giving it a try. I waited about 20 minutes just to place my order, and even then, there were still around five people ahead of me waiting for their drinks. It appeared there was only one employee working, and while she was doing her best and apologizing for the wait, the service experience was difficult. In total, I spent almost an hour there, making it the longest I've ever been at a coffee shop for just "stopping in."
I'd seen great reviews of the Cookie Butter Latte online, so I had high hopes! My first few sips were promising, but after giving it a good mix, the flavor became a bit too much for me. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Empanada was good, but it left me wanting a little more too.
Another disappointment was the Coffee Passport experience itself. Since it's a stamp-based passport, I was surprised they didn't have a stamp available. Instead, I received a coffee sticker rather than even a shop-specific sticker. With so many other participating coffee shops offering their own stamps, I expected a similar experience here.
The space itself was cool, but when you hear "cafe and botanical," you picture a lush, plant-filled atmosphere. I wasn't expecting artificial plants, which took away a little from that vision.
Overall, I was genuinely bummed because I had been looking forward to this visit! Between the long wait, the drinks and food not quite meeting my expectations, and the Coffee Passport experience, I can't say I'd make the trip back anytime soon. If it were closer to home, I might consider giving it another chance, but for now, this one just wasn't a favorite!