Mass Street has no shortage of coffee options, ranging from small local biz to corporate Seattle, but La Prima Tazza brews up one of the *best* coffee drink menus in this town. Whether you like your coffee hot or iced, LPT has flavors and options galore and each drink is handcrafted and made to order. You can even get their housemade roasts to go with super-competitive prices. I love their house espresso roast and at $13.50/lb., that's a fabulous value. Their baristas are friendly and *know* coffee, and I got hooked on their signature Vienna blend after a barista recommendation. It's not as 'burnt' as many dark Vienna styles and it's still a fave for me. Parking is Mass Street, so either you pay or you find your way in. La Prima Tazza doesn't have a ton of seating due to the size of the space, but the intimacy lends to the charm of a local kaffehaus. They've been here for more than three decades and it remains one of those places that I always suggest when people ask about coffee in LFK. read more

La Prima Tazza - Outstanding artisanal coffee drinks! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Stopped by chance and was glad I did. Was in town for work and needed an early morning pick me up. I had a double espresso and it was spot on! Great flavor and perfect crema. read more

I came out of the brewery next door and smelt the coffee in the air. This man was on the bench and looked at me and read my mind. "This is a good place" is what he said, so i proceeded walked right in and got a real good cup of Joe. Maybe you're in the area or coming out of the bar like I did -- go in and grab a cup and get good vibes. read more

This coffee shop has a very cozy, yet eclectic vibe. It reminds me of a classic coffee shop, where men could once smoked cigars while drinking a good brew. All of such before the groovy crowd took over. So, yes, this place calls to mind nostalgia, but with ambiance from various past decades, yet now with a new generational pull. The barista behind the counter was attentive, and seemed to manage more than one customer that came in at a time. The spots to sit are varied from small two people tables to a nice small length table where one could sit on a bench seat for a while and work for a bit, but not for long since it's not very comfortable. I had taken an image of the area. My husband and I wanted to find a coffee shop that stays open late, such as this one does, and we wanted something like a baked item of some sort, but unfortunately this place is just coffee. My husband had the medium Hawaiian drip, and I had the Columbian light roast. We both liked our small drip in a mug coffee. read more

La Prima Tazza - Coffee spot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Really cute place, barista was super nice and made good conversation, and my hot chocolate was delicious!

I sat down to study and an employee made me buy something or get out. I was planning on getting a coffee within a few minutes of finishing a section I was on and he didn't even give me a minute. He was sarcastic and rude. Try having some patience and not forcing someone to buy something within seconds of them sitting down. read more

A "traditional neighborhood" type cafe with good drinks, music, and ambience. They continue to maintain the same menu than over 30 years.

I love that this place is open fairly late. I boldly argue that they have the best lattes in town!

I do like their coffee and omg, the plants!!! It's a small spot and I do love the decor and their signage. The staff is okay. My 3 star review is from not 1 but 3 experiences we had coming here. I do love that the staff talks to customers and engage in convos, however, keeping people waiting in line while you talk about whether you want to be vaccinated or not or complaining about certain things isn't exactly professional. If nobody is in the establishment, talk away. No problem. Once we got there, the people ahead of us were barely ordering and then, the gal behind the counter just kept talking and talking..... essentially ignoring that people just walked in. My husband looked at the time during all this and we essentially waited for 8 minutes before placing our order. When we finally walked up to the counter, the gal's demeanor changed and she was MEH. I'm convinced that the folks ahead of us were friends of hers. She didn't thank us when we left a tip in the jar or for even buying coffee; nothing... nada.. zilch. That's my only hang up with this place and it didn't just happen once, it was on 3 different occasions. A guy walked in and stood in line after us while the couple in front of us were still running their mouths. I think we may try another place. I know it's just coffee but walking in and by the time we left with our cups, 16 mins. read more

Nine years passed since I first reviewed and I have new things to say. While coffee shops in this town come and go at the pace of college students, "the first or best cup" rolls along satisfying the masses that visit. How much do I love it? I'll sum it up in two words: Sicilian Nero, one of their signature coffee roasts. So good I take it on vacation wherever I'm going. I've taken it to Paris, Amsterdam, St. Maartin, wish I'd taken it to England a couple of times, and other destinations I don't recall where I'm likely to have my morning joe at the place I'm staying. Sure, you can get great coffee in those places, but I never regret bringing it along. And when I go without it and return home, that aroma the first morning is nothing short of sublime. When someone makes a better ground roast I'll switch, but I've yet to. Coffee so it it makes me a little crazy. And yea, their espresso shot is still as good as I said in my review those many years ago. Of course only carryout since the pandemic hit, but I was never a sit and drink coffee type here but a mile from the house. The folks working here cannot be nicer and I've never had a single bad experience. No muss, no fuss, no pretense or hipster barista attitude, just solid reliable service. This is my coffee home and I'm OK with it just the way it is. I think you might agree on your visit. read more

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A charming little local coffee shop that has endured on Mass St. for several years, La Prima Tazza is a spot that everyone loves just a notch more than I do. Somehow, some way, my younger, dumber self didn't like coffee that much which is blasphemous because I look forward to going to bed so I can wake up and have coffee now. So I once tried Yerba Mate here and was looking forward to it, but the weak pouch it came in exploded in my drink and I ended up with a mush of earthy leaf fragments in every sip. I got various iced coffees here over the year, but to be honest, they didn't compare with some of the cold brews that I've had in other spots, including down the street. It's also expected with any good coffee shop, but I've waited in some lines here that would make Disneyworld operators chuckle. Sometimes, I'd settle in here, ready for an epic morning of studying but the tiny, hard chairs are the opposite of cozy. A spot I think is cool and has potential, but one that never quite registered with me. Fortunately, they have their big time fans and it gets a lot of Lawrence support, but when I'm grabbing coffee in the area I'm likely to look somewhere else. read more

Wanted to find a simple hidden gem, stumbled upon this place. Excited to tried this coffee shop. My order was a Mocha Latte with Carmel Syrup and Whipped Cream. This place is very rustic to me. A great place when you want to focus or attend meetings or just want a cool place to chill. The staff are knowledgeable and the atmosphere is chill. read more

La Prima Tazza - Front entrance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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This is a nice cozy cafe that provides a quiet atmosphere for students and people who just either want to read or have small talk. I loved the subtle sound of Frank Ocean playing in the background as I hear coffee being made by the espresso machine. I felt a neighborhood vibe to this cafe. I can definitely tell there are some regulars that come and have been coming for years. Their menu is just enough to have variety for everyone. There are their specialties too which is nice to have and try. I suggest asking your barista about the drinks and what goes in. The lady who was serving us had a lot of knowledge. She explained to me what went inside an Indonesian and what went into a Moroccan. I ended up having the Moroccan which had cinnamon syrup and cinnamon powder on top of this latte type drink. This cafe kind of reminded me of some of the cafes in Berkeley, CA. It has a hipster vibe but still has that neighborhood go-to feel. This is a must try when in Lawrence. A special thank you to my lady who had me try this place. This cafe means a lot to her and reminded her of her old hangout spot during school. I can see why anyone would come here. I felt warm and cozy all around. Thank you Mimi. read more

La Prima Tazza - Indonesian and Moroccan - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I LOVE THIS PLACE. and it's matcha lattes. it's so cute and nice inside, the size is perfect, the vibes are simply immaculate love. Perfect place for studying too or doing any kind of work. No complaints at all. read more

Solid as the day is long. No attitude, just good coffee in laidback atmosphere. Support local businesses.

This place is dangerous. It's dangerous because I would consider making this place my go-to coffee spot even though I live an hour away, I liked it that much after one visit. The food selection isn't mid-blowing, but it gets the job done. I enjoyed a delicious lemon and blueberry muffin on my visit but was torn between that and their scones, of which they sweet and savory ones. I had two drinks, an iced Black Forest Mocha which was good but even better was the Iced Cocoa Cloud--zoo-wee-mama! It was a wonderful combination of cold-press coffee, delicious and sweet chocolate, milk, creamy froth, and delicious hints of cinnamon throughout. So good. I appreciated that the barista took the time to stir together the chocolate, syrups, and milk to ensure that they were combined well. I also loved the European-feel, and at 9 in the morning they had NPR on their radio. It's like they knew I was going to be dropping by! As another reviewer lamented, I think it's tacky that they still use styrofoam cups but that's a very minor issue for me. I liked everything about La Prima Tazza--the drinks, the service, the atmosphere. Luckily, with their amazing business hours if I *just so happen* to be in Lawrence I might just swing by. Just maybe. read more

La Prima Tazza - Lemon blueberry muffin and Iced Cocoa Cloud to go - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

Hah Starbucks! You may have horned your way onto Mass, but you will never win the heart of La Prima Tazza's loyal fans. This local coffee house isn't the biggest in town, or the coolest space. But its baristas make the best coffee in the county: the Moroccan. This iced coffee has a spicy cinnamon mixture sprinkled on top of the latte, and it gives me a little mustache whenever I get one. I love that! The only bad thing about the Moroccan is that because it's cold, it just disappears that much faster. I was unaware of the movie discount deal til recently, but drinking more coffee at La Prima Tazza to get a Liberty Hall discount? Why didn't I think of that! Drink up, enjoy the show, and don't even bother with that coffee place on the west side of the street. read more

La Prima Tazza - La Prima Tazza - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

This has been my go-to coffee spot for the past four years. If you bring our own mug, you get a discount! This makes a cup of coffee with a refill less than $2. Quality is great, I splurge on the beans sold here for at home. For a college town, this shop doesn't feel overwhelmed with students. Locals love to hang here and chat, and there's a giant community style table alone with a few counters and several smaller tables. Not to mention great natural light everywhere! Even when busy, I always managed to find a seat available. They hang local art, and the baristas are super friendly. My only complaint after all this time is that there is almost always just one barista working, meaning a line of 5-7 people can take quite a while. read more

This is definitely the best coffee in town. Their coffee has a great flavor, is low in acidity, and goes down very smoothly. My favorite treat there is the almond fudge latte - it's absolutely perfect. However, the main thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is the fact that they automatically give foam cups and charge 25 cents extra for paper cups. This place is popular enough to still do great business while only using paper cups and just charging a little more for coffee. I find their current policy to be a bit environmentally irresponsible. read more

if i could i'd give it a 1/2 star lol. don't go here unless you'd like an unpleasant interaction. worker was extremely rude and snobby. you would think she'd be happy and greet her only customer on site but guess notshe then proceeded to treat me in a condescending way even though she was an idiot. anyways! good luck with ur business! read more

This is a really lovely little place. I sat here for hours and got a lot of work done -- quiet atmosphere with really tasty (and effective) espresso. The tea selection was also quite nice, although they were out of mint because of the holiday. The barista was working by herself and didn't seem stressed at all. She was really friendly! One thing I did notice was that the wifi didn't have a password. People should note that this is a lot less secure than a cafe that gives out their wifi password but still has a password protected wifi network. read more

I'm just going to throw another 5-star review on top of the pile. This cafe is excellent! I've lived in Lawrence almost two years and kept thinking I needed to stop in, but finally did yesterday. I ordered two chai lattes (one with almond milk) and two slices of pumpkin bread for hubs and I to enjoy for breakfast. The gal behind the counter happened to be the only barista working, so she was doing double-duty taking orders and making drinks. Neither the beverage quality nor her disposition suffered from being at the coffee bar solo; she was sweet and the drinks were excellent. With tip my entire purchase was $15, totally reasonable for a mom and pop kind of place where the product is handmade. Luckily I work downtown so this will become a part of my morning routine! read more

I was so excited to try a new coffee shop with some friends and how perfect for it to be on mass street. When walking in, we were greeted by no one and the employees seemed more interested in each other and their last night whereabouts, the coffee was fantastic and wonderfully made but the customer service was not there. The employee barely said anything to us and was more interested in our receipts due to no tip being added. We thanked them when walking out and still heard radio silence. Work harder to build a relationship with your customers and represent a barista community. Was shocked by the way we were treated. read more

La Prima Tazza is one of those Lawrence staples people seem to mention around the same sentences as Wheatfields and Freestate. Just a good old fashioned coffeehouse, there's normally always a few people with laptops and a few others having good conversation. Two-For-Tuesday is a personal favorite, great for a quick work break with a co-worker. I second the Iced Coco Cloud being a favorite, though their pumpkin bread from the Merc is also a treat. All of the barista's know their stuff, with one rare exception of a fellow who consistently makes the drinks completely differently than the rest of the baristas. Get to know who he/she is and avoid like the plague and you'll be totally good to go. That they've withstood the Starbucks onslaught for several years now stands as a testament to their tasty goodness and better prices. read more

I used to frequent La Prima Tazza quite often when I lived out in Lawrence, and finally found a chance to come back for a quick visit and grab a cup of joe. The place is fairly close-knit with their European-style seating. I've been blessed, however, to have always found a place to sit. For the most part, patrons grab their drink and go, come alone, or come with one other person. I think there may be an unwritten rule to not come in with a crowd greater than three persons. I personally wouldn't recommend it, since again, seating is limited. But if you are going solo, or studying with a friend, this is a great place. In my opinion, La Prima Tazza attracts more of a mature crowd. Perhaps due to the size of the coffee shop, the low-level background music, the type of patrons that come, or a combination of these, I have been able to get some good, focused time to get things done. I appreciate that everyone uses their indoor voice and is mindful of others--overall no loud, garrulous conversations or boisterous laughter, and especially, no making out (I witnessed this at a Starbucks last night). I'm all about saving money, and do enjoy the fact they help promote reuse by giving customers a 20% discount for using their own mug, cup, or tumbler. On the downside, the place does continue to also be the choice coffee shop for flies, as the shop does often keep their door open. I would recommend they invest in getting several sticky traps to get rid of those nuisances. I imagine as winter approaches, they will be more keen on shutting the door. Also, the lack of window shades may lead to uncomfortable glares if you're seated near the entrance. Lastly, the bathroom could use a bit of improvement and upkeep--it seems more of a lazily kept storage area than bathroom. Not sure if this is a plus, but the large mirror sitting on the floor helps me notice the wrinkles in my pants as opposed to the wrinkles in my face. Although, rather I prefer they just hang the dang thing. read more

What's not to like about La Prima Tazza? 1. Great coffee - usually blends and leaning towards the dark end of the spectrum...but eminently accessible by all as well as pleasurable to more discerning palates. 2. Great baristas who know their stuff, and know who you are after a few visits. 3. Creative drink menu with their own house-made spice blends and combinations. 4. A loyal crowd of Slackers that make you feel welcome any time. They range from retired engineers and firemen to hi-tech workers and college kids. ...oh and they stay open late for the Mass Street bar-hopping crowd...! My only complaint: the wi-fi service is spotty and kind of a hassle to deal with. read more

In the eight years that I lived in Lawrence, La Prima Tazza was my favorite coffee shop by far. They serve great coffee and the baristas are well-trained, friendly, and know what they're doing. If you are so inclined, they also have a nice selection of specialty iced drinks. I recommend the Grasshopper and the Indonesian. The seating area is kind of small and usually crowded, so this isn't the best Lawrence coffeshop for laptop hobos and lingerers. Tuesdays are two for one drinks, so that day tends to be uber busy. Occasionally there's a bit of a line at Tazza, but you know what they say, patience is a virtue. read more

I've been coming to La Prima Tazza, out of all the excellent coffee shops in Lawrence, since I was 12 years old. Of all the places in Lawrence, when I come back to visit, this is the first I visit, and usually the one I visit most frequently. The atmosphere is aboslutely perfect to me - big windows in the front perfect for people watching, small tables for intimate conversations, and a big table for groups. I love doing work at Tazza, and there are plentiful outlets and fast wifi. The ceiling looks like an old bank ceiling, and the floor and tables also have interesting patterns, as an extra perk. And of course, they always feature talented local artists as well. As for the coffee, perhaps because I started coming here as a kid, I tend toward their specialty drinks. I am now kind of an adult and drink black coffee, so I have tried their house coffee and am very satisfied with it. However, my two favorites will always be the Iced Morrocan and the Iced Snow Tiger.The Morrocan is the perfect combination of coffee and spice, and the snow tiger is creamy as can be. Also, I can't leave out their pumpkin bread - a staple at Tazza since I was 12, and they still sell them! It is moist and delicious and anyone in their right mind would love it. As I've moved on to new places, I still hold all my coffee shops to the La Prima Tazza standard, and I must say, none have quite met that standard as of yet. read more

La Prima Tazza has always been one of my fave coffee spots in Lawrence. Real coffeehouse feel and they make a mean mocha!

Been visiting La Prima Tazza more lately. Hard to be a regular patron if you're wanting to hang out for a couple hours and study, surf web, read newspaper, etc. Place is not sit up for that with the limited seating and the STILL growing popularity of the place (even though it's a Lawrence original coffee shop). In fact, there is a sign affixed to the cash register so much as saying be considerate of others and don't camp out there all day sucking up internet and space. No problem with this policy at all, as long as Tazzo doesn't turn into the next Java Break of Lawrence which I know they won't. Of all the coffee shops in Lawrence, I'd have to say the lines at Tazza are consistently long and you normally have one Barista (sometimes two) attempting to serve the crowds. I've noticed a slightly higher than average turnover rate amongst the Baristas here. Could speculate, but will leave it alone. Other petty complaint is their opening hours of 6:30am on weekdays. Wish it was more along the line of 5am but not a big deal. The Baristas are still a little moody on occasion, but usually pretty friendly. Yes, there tends to be an older regular crowd that frequents the place early mornings. Other than that, you will find a diverse range of people who love La Prima Tazza. I don't know what it is, but this place attracts folks who love to bring their dogs and sit them right in front of the door more times than not. Weird, but true. Quality of the coffee and espresso based drinks are still top notch. What I continue to notice is that the Baristas stack 10-15 coffee filters with the beans in them on the back counter in order to keep the coffee flowing throughout the day. Most wouldn't consider this a big deal, but ask any die hard coffee aficionado and they will tell you that air/oxygen and fresh roasted coffee beans don't mix. By sitting the beans out throughout the day, some have wondered if a small portion of the freshness is lost. Again, prolly not a huge deal but something to consider. Latte's and cappuccinos are delicious delicious delicious! Like I stated before, try to drink the espresso based drinks from the La Prima ceramic cup because it imparts such a wonderful flavor compared to the paper cups. Yea I know, another example of a coffee snob mentality (Ha). Looks like pastries are brought in from the Merc. Never a bad thing. Hoping for oatmeal one day. With limited labor on hand, it would be kinda difficult to keep adding items to the menu. Don't forget about the frequent card program either. Always a big plus with coffee shops. Still can't believe they run the Buy 1 Get 1 free Tuesday specials. Unheard of in the upper end coffee shops.Major props to Tazzo for keeping this intact. Recently, Lawrence's annual "Best of" list had La Prima Tazzo ranked #1 again for coffee shops. Hard to argue if this is based purely on the quality of the commodity at hand. Maybe it's just me, but I still think Lawrence has yet to witness a great all-around coffee shop with the right product/quality, atmosphere, ambiance, customer service, seating, music, lighting, etc. La Prima and Henry's come close. Maybe one day, me or someone on here will realize this dream and give Lawrence the coffee mecca they deserve. read more

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I love this place. It's a little gem in Lawrence. There's no shortage of quaint coffee shops in town, but this one is quickly becoming my favorite. The potted plants and calm music make for a great study environment, or just a place to catch up with a friend. The coffee is definitely above average in my opinion. My favorite drink so far is the Moroccan. This place is definitely worth your time! read more

La Prima Tazza - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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I love my Lawrence coffee shop rotation. Each has their own strengths and I adjust the rotation to suit my mood. I think what sets LPT apart are their tea selection and that they offer a mate. I'm not a regular mate guy, but A.T. is so when she's in town that's where we're often found! (a little rhyme there for ya) read more

It's ridiculous that I've lived in Lawrence for a year and a half and never tried La Prima Tazza until last week. Why I waited so long, I do not know. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm not usually downtown solo and the boyfriend is not a coffee drinker. However, I'm going to have to make it a point to stop in every once in awhile and have a cup, because my first experience was great. I stopped in to meet a friend to collect a piece of jewelry to fix for her, and I ordered a large iced cold-press cappuccino. It was frothy on the top, creamy, and ice cold--the perfect coffee-addict's drink on a hot summer day. I love that they're a locally-owned original, and the atmosphere is so relaxing. Fun (but not too loud) music and a great view of Mass St. for people-watching. I anticipate many afternoons off spent here with a mug and a good book! read more

This coffee shop reminds me of Baked & Wired in Georgetown. The coffee is truly outstanding. It was a great find on a cold Kansas afternoon. It will be two more years before I return. This place could have been in Smallville. There is nothing like a great cup of coffee! read more

La Prima Tazza - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

As a student at KU I have two requirements for my coffee: Strength and affordability. La Prima Tazza delivers on both with the added balance of superb palatability. I dropped by here first on a whim, but once I saw that they offered french press I knew I had found my niche. As for pricing, they simply cannot be beat. Whereas Java Break around the corner charges $2.20 for a cuppa, LPT only charges a dollar (with tax!) and will give you 20% off (though not off the french press) if you bring in any mug (Java Break gives 10% if you bring in their $10 mug). All things considered, LPT is nearly as good as it gets. The only thing I would quibble about are the (admittedly generous) hours: they aren't open 24/7. This forces my exodus to Java Break for the ubiquitous late night study session. If I could give them 4.5 stars I would. Also, their cold-press drinks are stellar. You can't go wrong here. read more

This review is of the barista working by herself the morning of Saturday, June 12. Not sure if they normally only have one barista or if someone didn't show up, but she was amazing! The line was to the door all morning (consistently 7-10 people) and she was pleasant, friendly, and just kept everything moving. Didn't catch her name but she deserves a raise or employee of the month at the least! read more

I always make a point to stop in here for a drink whenever I am visiting Lawrence. I have always been fond of this little mecca. I once brought my grandma here when I was a KU student and she adored it as well. While I generally struggled to maintain focus during long, grueling hours of work during my undergraduate, I did meet some interesting characters, some pretty ladies and had my fair share of captivating experiences for a coffeehouse in Lawrence. read more

The beverages were REALLY great. My lavender latte was phenomenal. I'm giving 4 stars because the barista was kind of pretentious and short with us. I told myself maybe her boyfriend broke up with her, poor girl. Anyway! The coffee drinks were so good I'd totally go back and chance a snippy barista (if I weren't from out of town which I am). Sacrifices have to be made for lavender syrup!!! read more

Upon waking up at the hotel, me need coffee. Me crave. Caffeine. Me sick of freeway Starbucks. A short walk later, I arrive at this place. It's cozy. The barista was nice. What I like is they have two menus: one for the third-wave enthusiasts and one that's on the "sweeter side." So, you can take your mom here and she won't feel out of place but your little brother with half a shaved head and a handlebar mustache will also be happy with a cortado or pour-over. Good job bridging new styles of brewing with '90s style shops. Liked it. read more

I was so young and naive when I wrote my last review! Maybe it's something in the water here, but I've now become one of those Lawrence locals that adores LPT. Their espresso admittedly isn't the most spectacular I've had, but a soy latte just hits the spot. I do stand by my previous review - simple latte/cappucino is the way to go here, rather than a sweetened mocha. They also now have almond milk - though I still recommend getting soy if you don't need gluten free, because almond milk lacks richness and just doesn't foam up quite as nice. And B1G1 Tuesdays are a ridiculous deal - I wonder sometimes how LPT manages to survive, but then I realize the effect it's had on me in the past couple years - and I can breathe easy again knowing that LPT is definitely here to stay. read more