Ok you win on the "I'm serious about my coffee" prize. You are not Madcap Coffee because you don't have to be. I enjoy your sitting space and I like that you serve your coffee in a leather cuff in a beaker-like carafe.... Like damn we want you to drink this but care about whether you could burn yourself or not. I like your cappuccinos because that's what I drink cappuccinos... You don't have many desserts. I wish you had more but that's ok because I know you are all about your coffee. Thanks for standing tall in this desperate world of caffeine addicts. read more

Great minimalist style coffee house. The decor was cool with a wood plank bar, classic tables and benches, and a small bar in the front window overlooking the city sidewalk. The pour over coffee was excellent. It was presented well and tasted delicious. Latte's were all served with a cool Milk/creamy design in every cup. It inspired my wife to take many photos. There is seating for about 30 and every seat was filled at 11am on a Saturday morning. Great vibe. I will be back. read more

Rowster Coffee - Latte and a Brazilian Pour Over - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I always get to looking for a nice local coffee shop that is not a part of a huge chain... especially on the hunt for a nice cappucino, latte that isn't pumped full of syrups to cover the overly burnt coffee they use. I was very impressed with Rowster Coffee when I was visiting Grand Rapids for a tradeshow downtown. I had an Air BnB down the road and I would stop here on my way to the show every morning, probably 3 times that week at least! Each experience was great and I will be back if I am ever in Grand Rapids! read more

Very nice staff. Minimalistic style coffee shop in my opinion. They serve great coffee and do not Starbucks you with a bunch of fake flavored drinks. The nitro cold brew latte goes down smooth and is too easy to drink. I like it without ice which is the way it was designed I think but you can also get ice in it if you want it slightly diluted and colder. Superb coffee beans. Picked up a bag of fresh roasted beans and brewed them using pour over method. Yum! read more

Great strong coffee staff not to warm or willing to give much info. Menu basic not like Starbucks great quality roaster with a passion to make a good quality product. Clean and modern look def for the modern person read more

Delicious coffee, and a lot of things are made in-house! I really loved the iced mocha I had ordered. It was one of the best cups of coffee I've had. The atmosphere is really relaxing, and the decor makes it feel really cool. Our barista was extremely helpful in having us pick a drink (although I felt like a dork having no idea how to order!) There is also a full espresso bar, which is really impressive in Grand Rapids. My only negative is that if you're not familiar with coffee this place can be confusing. There is no menu, so you have to be very good with communicating exactly what you want with your barista. (Also, don't expect to get a blended drink.) Your barista will definitely tell you all your options for whatever it is you may want- so that makes up for it! read more

Rowster Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Overview: A MUST TRY! I would go here everyday if I could! My review style is to give a star for each of these categories and add it up to give the total rating for the business. Service - excellent service! Food/ Coffee - didn't order any food but coffee was FANTASTIC! See pictures Drink selection - real artisan coffee shops have small menus and that is actually a good thing! I didn't even see a menu per say, just options of which coffee is offered for espresso drinks and pour over drinks. Less is more! Ambiance/Cleanliness - very chic. It has good amount of seating without people being in your business. Bar seating area is the best. Parking - they have their own parking lot! YES!!! Finally a coffee shop in GR that would invest in parking! Thank you!!!! read more

Rowster Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Rowsters is a cool, hip coffee shop in the East Town area. Their coffee competes for the best in Grand Rapids. What makes them more unique is that they roast their own coffee. What I love though is that their coffee is always freshly roasted. Like that day or that week!! They have a bunch of different varieties and I've not had anything that I haven't liked. The coffee has a very fresh taste to it. It tastes different than like a Starbucks because it just tastes clean and fresh. Probably because it was freshly roasted! I usually go in just to pick up a bag of coffee beans to take home with me. If you don't have a coffee grinder they will grind them for you. I love the way the coffee smells even in the bag!! So good!! If you go there to meet up with someone or to have a cup just know that seating is limited and it can get busy. But you won't be disappointed with your drink!! Another cool point is that Rowsters partners with a lot of the local restaurants to supply their coffee. So keep an eye out when you're eating somewhere else. You just might be able to grab a cup there too! read more

Rowster Coffee - It's labeled with the roasted on date so you know it's fresh!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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First off, I just had the best cup of Ethiopian that I've ever had. It was prepped in a pour-over cone and it was simply wonderful. The space itself is fantastic. It's chock full of re-purposed "industrial" bits along with some beautiful walnut slabs for shelves. It is a supercomfortable mix of rough and refined - industrial and welcoming. There are 1 or 2 padded chairs along with a mixed bunch of shop stools. Plenty of seating at the front window rails. It's the kind of place that when you walk in you immediately feel at ease -- like you walked into your friend's house. It's open and light and you can see EVERYTHING that is going on - roasting, brewing, dishes, whatever. Nothing to hide here. Just straight up coffee. The service is outstanding. I love having a little sparkling water before an espresso. We talked a lot about coffee and sampled a number of expertly made drinks. Although Rowster is clearly about coffee, they have a minimal number of pastries which are being baked for them _specifically_ to compliment coffee. Owner, Kurt, said he chose pastries that are not heavy or that would overpower the coffee. I had a "twink" that was an artisan crafted, cardamom flavored, cream filled wonder. A perfect foil for coffee. I went back a second day in a row to bring some of the pastry back for a baker friend. Rowster rocks on all fronts. read more

Literally the friendly coffee shop in West Michigan, I've be going here for the past month and a half, always greeted with a smile. The workers are funny. It's always clean. But most importantly whenever I visit I never see them keeping people waiting. read more

Rowsters is one of my favorite coffee shops in West Michigan. The baristas are so skilled- especially at the Wealthy st. location. I am always greeted with a smile and feel very welcomed. I would recommend the Miel latte hot or iced. Honestly this place is so awesome. read more

The hardest reviews to write at the places your frequent the most! I love this place so much that I am a mug club member! They do coffee right! They roast their own beans on site. They brew each cup on its own, no huge batches of coffee made or sitting out for hours. You won't have creamer, or syrups or sugar or chemical sugar laying around to mask its taste. It is just pure great tasting coffee. It gives me a good buzz, which I don't get from all coffee, but its purity is loved by your body! The atmosphere is nice and chill. I personally like working on my laptop in the window. That way I can people watch and stare outside while processing thoughts through my head. Sometimes the music can be a little bass heavy, but I will take that over to cheesy music played at national chain coffee shops that remain nameless. The baristas as super friends, and remember almost everyone that walks in. They are chatty and happy to share their knowledge about their coffee with you. Feel free to ask them about the different types brewing as to which one would suit you best. If you ever go to Anna's house as well, their specialty drinks are made from the one and only Rowsters :-) read more

Row-ster ("roaster"), now I get it! Anyway... delicious, smooth, balanced and pretty latte. The prices are reasonable (four bucks). Very welcoming and UNPRETENTIOUS service. They can't help it their customers are hipsters. We middle-aged, frumpish ones were greeted kindly and our business was appreciated. read more

Rowster Coffee - Small latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I'm from Austin, which pretty much a growing mecca for local coffee brewership. Not just your standard espresso machine brewers but the ones where they manually drip your coffee or whatever type of way you want your coffee to be pressed, they'll do it. It's a unique experience as like a trend of a bar, there's no menu upfront so you feel like you need to know what you're ordering unless I just missed the menu somewhere. But that just means you need to talk to them and ask them what they have or what you want. My only hangup is that it's a little expensive. I paid 4 bucks for an Americano but that was for a 12 oz. cup. They set up is very cool though and they bag their own roast. It's a cool little spot for what looks like a trendy area and down the road from the new Downtown Market. As for my Americano, it was good but not as smooth as I was anticipating but it didn't stop me from guzzling my caffeine down. Don't be intimidated to ask questions or what to order. It's definitely a slow paced kinda neighborhood vibe and that's a good thing. So make it your local shop if you're nearby. read more

I love this hipster-y place. They have recently started to hang art on the walls which helps the ambiance. I drink my coffee black. Best coffee around GR area. The seats could use some cushion though. read more

I have to say that I loved the environment. Everyone was on a mac but it was fine. I went with a good friend and was able to have a good conversation in a chill atmosphere. The playlist they had going was nice and it was just right for the place. The coffee I had was phenomenal. I usually like to try different flavors and boy was the coffee they had different. I absolutely loved the choice I made. I told them it was my first time at Rowster and they were very welcoming. They helped me with my choice based on a few questions and it was perfect. They nailed it and I have to say that I will be back. read more

Rowster Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

The coffee was good but expensive. We paid $17 dollars for two lattes and one croissant. Like I said, the coffee is good and doesn't seem expensive, however the pastries must be considering the bill. So come for the coffee and you won't be disappointed. The coffee and service is easily 4 stars. And the design is pretty cool also. read more

Rowster Coffee - Vanilla Lattes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Beautiful espresso. The small latte is my favorite. The cortado is a bit too strong. The large latte isn't strong enough. The small latte is just right. Don't even bother adding syrup to it. It's perfect. The space is beautiful with a large store front window that lends to good lighting. The baristas are really friendly. It tends to be on the quiet side so you can get your work done peacefully. Definitely my favorite coffee place in GR. read more

So, the coffee is just as good as ever, but potentially more consistent with their new equipment, which is great. Their previous equipment required a bit of skill to make a consistent product, granted I loved that aspect, but if you had a new barista that hadn't really got the hang of it, then things weren't so great, so overall I welcome the equipment upgrade. Now, onto the renovation/rebranding. Over the years we had watched Rowster's evolve into an amazing place with tons of character. Unfortunately, the new decor essentially removed everything that made us come in as a group and order drink after drink. Gone is everything that had made the place special, unique, comfortable, and like a second home. All of the cool repurposed items like the bowling lane countertops, the tables made of massive pieces of wood, and the old stools that used to fill the place and make it the cool place to be are gone. Same with the big comfy chairs that you could lose yourself in while enjoying your drink(s). All of this has been replaced with trendy reclaimed lumber pieces. Custom made for the space in a minimalist design, with no character or comfort to be found. The look, overall would be great for a waiting area in an office building, but it's not really the place to be for an afternoon of coffee filled bliss. In the end, I'll still buy my beans from them, and stop in while I'm in the neighborhood, but there's no longer a reason for us to make a special trip downtown to go to Rowster's like we had from the time they opened until now. read more

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If you're looking for a venti-half-caf-white-chocolate-hazelnut-macchiato, you should start looking elsewhere. But if you like your coffee pure, black, and flavorful, you've come to the right place. Rowster has no traditional menu--just three squares of modern art under the tell-tale label: "POUR OVER". Today's squares happened to represent Nicaragua, Kenya, and Ethiopia. All were light (or medium) roast. I opted for the Ethiopia. My 12oz coffee was served in an insulated beaker alongside a small cup and saucer. It tasted light (but not watery), fruity (with blueberry notes), and decidedly tea-like (a unique experience!). There was no trace of sour or bitter flavors that accompany a poorly-roasted coffee. Rowster knows what they're doing! The atmosphere was clean and modern with plenty of seating (including window and outdoor seats). Nothing cushy, but it fits the vibe they're going for. I know they have limited espresso options, but I didn't explore them. I also can't comment on their food/pastry options. My one misgiving with Rowster is the price; $4 for a cup of black coffee is a bit steep, even compared to similarly-pretentious coffee bars. It's not outrageous, but it's enough to make me think twice about going back (since I can roast an entire pound for the same price at home). In summary, Rowster knows roasting. If you're willing to spend $4 on a coffee, you won't find a better cup this side of the Cascade Mountains. read more

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We got here early by 930 on a Saturday so parking was easy. They have some seating outdoors on the sidewalk. Inside, there is a long bar for their espresso machine as well as seating against it. They have a decent selection of pastries and their coffee beans underneath it. There is a wall with some of their paraphernalia and coffee brewing equipment. We tried their nitro coffee which used Ethiopia origin coffee to produce a mild taste. I had a cortado which was expertly crafted. We decided to pass on their beans as the newest ones were over 2 weeks old while their Burundi was nearly a month old. We went to a store nearby and found the same single origin that had been roasted less than a week ago, so it was disappointing to find it elsewhere. We would definitely return to try other coffee and espresso beverages from their friendly staff. read more

Rowster Coffee - Cortado, not too milky. Perfect! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Top notch coffee served with a warm smile in the heart of Heritage Hill. The pour over and espresso selections at Rowster are bar none some of the best I've had. You can tell they carefully prepare their beans and know how to create coffee with flavor absent of charred bitterness you may get elsewhere. They do several off menu items so don't be afraid to have a conversation about they type of coffee you're in the mood for. Almond milk is made on site and DELICIOUS. Small pastry's and cookies for sale, all delicious. This is the type of place you can spend an afternoon working and hopping up on Coffee. I speak from personal experience! read more

Limited milk options, bothersome service and not able to offer all the things that are on the menu. Skip this place if you have kids, skip this place if you like attentive service and quick help. I have been here before and it was a delight. Two years later they got their laurels and feel comfortable resting on them. read more

I adore going out with my lover for an esteemed coffee break after a workday, but, we are coffee aficionados as we self-proclaim and I must add, this place is not like the others --- the drinks are very well crafted and tasteful, while the minimalist ambiance reflects the likes of east GR. I love, on sunny days, how the sunlight beams through the large business windows and gleams along the coffee bar, atop my favorite cappuccino. The espresso is bittersweet and palatable, a bright and vivid flavor! The milk is foamed expertly (as the baristas are passionate), and crafted lovingly into the coffee drink to melt my heart with an image that reflects my own feelings! They even offer cold drinks on occasion, like house-made Kombucha, which is delightfully effervescent and refreshing! I love coming here and I always look forward to returning. read more

Rowster Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

As an introduction to Grand Rapids, my friend brought me to Rowster's to get a local coffee fix. The baristas were knowledgable and answered my questions (as a rookie coffee enthusiast) with detailed descriptions of their menu. Their menu was not a menu in the traditional sense, more like wall decorations. This confused me at first but gave me the chance to explore my options through the recommendations and guidance of the baristas. The setup was ideal for watching a appreciating the coffee roasting process, with seating at the counter and tables to the side for laptops and people who want to get some work done. The coffee was a bit pricey ($16 Honduras) but I'm all for locally roasted coffee and was willing to pay a little extra to take a bag home with me. After my visit, I am definitely a fan of Rowster's and Grand Rapids in general. Local businesses, like Rowster's, seem to be what make GR the great place that it is! read more

Rowster Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

This place has a very good cortado. The woman at the counter was nice and the price was reasonable. The long bench style seating is ok if they are not busy but it is uncomfortable if anyone is next to you so I wouldn't hang out if they are busy. read more

Oh Rowster, how I love your attractive walls and coffee smell wafting through the air. Pour overs are done right here. Period. An almond croissant and a pour over. Your morning is complete. read more

Rowster Coffee - Lattes are on point - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I love their roast I buy my beans here in bulk! Cool edgy place to chill and have great espresso :) yum! read more

Rowster Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

This neighborhood coffee shop is conveniently located in an old style commercial corner strip with a wood/black/white interior that preserves the sense of age of the building while simultaneously feeling warm and modern. The focus here is on coffee and tea for adults, with only a small selection of cookies/donuts for those seeking something to dips, and nothing resembling Frankensteinian milkshakes you might get at some of the chain joints. The warm, comfortable feel is matched by the quality of the coffee, which includes fresh pour over options, which is usually what it takes to garner 5 stars in my book. Well worth a stop for a jolt of your favorite joe. read more

Really, this is a 3.5 star review. The pour over I ordered was from Rwanda. They used a clever type brewing method which tasted great actually! I am not a fan of plastic based brewing methods, but I cant argue with the results. The cappuccino was also pretty nice. The milk was perfect, and the espresso was OK. It was a little more harsh that I would expect, but I was still getting some nice chocolate flavors. The cafe itself is a little... annoying. non of the seats are that comfortable, and the barista's skipped the songs playing at least a half dozen times during the half hour I was there... it wasn't very relaxing. Read the rest of the review here: https://www.grcoffeereviews.com/rowster-wealthy read more

I love the atmosphere here. Not too busy. Came in on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't super packed. Enjoyed a nice sweetened latte with a pumpkin scone. Will come back in the future. read more

Rowster Coffee - Sweetened latte and pumpkin scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Our visit to Rowster was amazing. For our first round, my wife ordered a cappuccino and I got a shot of their Ethiopian espresso. The cappuccino was great - creamy and foamy. The Ethiopia was extracted just right and tasted of fresh citrus. We couldn't help but order a second round. My wife got an iced Brazil and I tried the ginger berry spritzer. The Brazil was nutty, as it should be, and both drinks were completely refreshing. The outdoor seating was comfortable. The two dudes who were working the bar that day were friendly and knowledgeable, and they provided superior service. If we are ever in the area, we would not hesitate to go to Rowster. read more

Great local hang out. Nice people. Ordered a cappuccino. It was a super dark roast, which ruins the flavor of the coffee IMO. But that's my personal taste. read more

My family loves Rowster. When we lived in the neighborhood we visited weekly for their extra smooth and delicious coffee. Now that we live in Ada we order beans for delivery. It's hands down our favorite coffee. Even decaf has delighted visitors at our house. Keep up the great work. Every time we see your product in a local restaurant we celebrate. read more

Yikes, terrible experience with their subscription coffee business. If you are looking for a monthly coffee bean delivery service, look elsewhere. They charged me without delivering coffee, didn't respond to attempts to reach out, and didn't follow through on their promises. Super disappointing after being a longtime loyal customer. Good thing there are lots of other great coffee subscription options out there that I will try out instead! read more

I tried this coffee shop last summer, and am so glad that I stumbled upon the place! The workers are super friendly and goofy! They never fail to make me crack a smile, always making my day! The artwork inside is nice as well, I always love when coffee shops support local artists! I definitely recommend! :') read more

I was looking for a cafe to get some good solid coffee on Wealthy St and ended up going to Rowster on a sunny Saturday morning. From the outside, Rowster looked very charming. There were people sitting outside on the sidewalk with their dogs enjoying their tasty warm beverages and pastries. Inside, the cafe felt dark and a little too stuffy. There were coffee gadgets being sold to the left of the barista counter and bags of coffee on the front shelf. The bags of coffee smelled great and very fresh. Things kind of took a downward turn when I walked up to the barista to place my order. The handwritten menu on the blackboard was very confusing. Firstly, it didn't list everything that they sold. Secondly, and this is one of my pet peeves, they did not have any sort of pricing information next to the menu items. When a business does not share their prices, it tells me that either what the're selling is over-priced or that they think that they're too fancy to share prices upfront. It felt weird asking what each thing costed but I'm glad I did as their prices were well above normal cafe prices. I cringed when I was told that a glass of coffee soda was $5 and a cup of Americano was $4. These prices were at least $1 more than comparable coffee shops like Madcap.The coffee that I got was pretty good but not good enough to warrant higher markups. I would recommend Rowster to put prices next to their menu items. The price of a cappuccino or a latte does not change daily so their really is no excuse to not just put this out upfront. read more

The best nitro cold brew in GR. So smooth and delicious...it doesn't even need sweetener or cream. *thumbs up* Be sure to take a jug home with you...refills are only $9.00! read more

Rowster Coffee - Best nitro cold brew in GR! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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I've been in and out of Rowster's since it opened when I was in high school. The atmosphere of the place has always been really hip and the location is perfect. I love this sit in the front window and do some reading. Very sunny, charming, and clean - not to mention high tech. Also, the swag is on point. Maybe I've been spoiled by Madcap or other cafes/roasters recently, but I think quality of coffee served here is just OK. The coffee beans themselves are decently priced. However, the pour overs I have experienced here are a bit watery and bland...and given the menu prices, it's a little disappointing. They use an automated pour over system to make their drinks (or at least, at the time I visited they did) and this may contribute to a lower pour over quality. If you are looking for a place to do homework that is in a convenient spot, this place is probably for you. It's quiet and bright, and if you order a cortado you will be decently happy with your choice. If you are looking to experience some awesome pour overs, I recommend visiting Madcap instead. read more

Minimalist coffee shop that pours their attention on what their name says: coffee. No syrups. No gimmicks. No half pound of whipped cream on everything. Just good, clean, solid coffee. They roast the beans on site and are experts in crafting a drink. Not to mention the baristas are friendly, talkative, and expertly skilled at their craft. On my most recent stop in, I asked for my favorite, the Milky Way coffee. With sadness, I learned they currently aren't brewing it ( but don't fret- they still sell in the bag to take home). The barista recommended several other coffees that I may like that were slightly similar. I appreciated the recommendation but I took the opportunity to try something totally out of the box.. er..out of the cup.. and went with an Expresso. It was rich and robust, served with soda water. The concentrated flavors tasted a bit overbearing at first, but by the end of my tiny cup, I was hooked. read more