Unfortunately, my experience at Sweet Harbor Coffee was pretty disappointing, especially considering how expensive everything is. The shop is definitely overpriced for what you're getting, and when you're paying higher prices, you expect the service and overall experience to match.
The ordering experience was extremely frustrating. The employee helping me barely seemed to understand English, which made it very difficult and time-consuming to place a simple order. I had to repeat myself multiple times, and it took forever just to get through the ordering process. I completely understand that language barriers can happen, but there should be a better system in place to make sure customers can communicate their orders without such a difficult experience.
What made it even more frustrating was that I was told they didn't have iced coffee. I was then offered an Americano instead. I was confused because iced coffee is such a basic and common coffee order, but I figured maybe they were out for the day. However, another the other barista kindly later told me that they actually DID have iced coffee. So I'm not sure if the first employee simply didn't know what was available or if there was a communication issue, but either way, it was frustrating to be given incorrect information and then find out from another employee that the item was available.
I also frequently see a bald barista working here, and unfortunately, he consistently comes across as very unfriendly and stoic. There's very little warmth or customer service whenever I've encountered him. I understand that everyone has bad days, but when you're working in a customer-facing position, being approachable and making customers feel welcome should be part of the job. The overall attitude just makes the experience feel uncomfortable and unwelcoming.
I really wanted to like this place, but between the high prices, the confusing communication, inconsistent information from employees, and lack of customer service, I don't feel like the experience is worth what they charge. For the prices they're asking, I expect better service, better communication, and a much more pleasant experience. There are plenty of other coffee shops where I can get a good drink without paying a premium and dealing with these kinds of issues. read more