This branch of Starbucks is one of the many locations in Birmingham city centre, inside it is…read morepretty modern and feels a lot newer than the store actually is which based on reviews even goes back to 2010. The store is pretty small inside, and the tables are also pretty small, giving barely enough room for two people to sit and drink their beverages which weren't too great. The staff seemed to also let the store down, they didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing - one member of staff who seemed to be training was constantly asking how to make a drink, and one time the other barista working didn't appear to know himself, it got to the point where the barista was even asking me if it looked like normal I quote "so I'm not to blame if it's shit" Being tired, I just decided to go to one of the small limited selection of tables and accept it, my beverage, however, was slightly too milky meaning the bottom of the drink seemed to go funny, which can happen with the Cold brew. There was a security camera in the store which very few Starbucks' locations have, it makes me think it's because this location being so close to the station in the city centre it could be a location you'd often see homeless people wandering in for change or crime, although I didn't see any on a recent visit this is one of the reasoning for having the same cameras based on experiences at Starbucks - Manchester City Tower. The store might look nice but it is let down by the staff simply lacking any training and the lack of tables, and then adding insult to injury - comfortable seating and tables of a decent size. 1* - The store just feels unwelcoming and like a franchise store (it's not - it promotes mobile order and pay too!).

Well I am normally not one for cooperate spots - but I have not really found any non-corporate…read morecoffee alternatives in Birmingham. This coffee bar in central Birmingham on the New Street pedestrian mall is always a welcome stop in the morning. The staff are great and go out of their way to make you feel appreciated as a regular customer as well as on your first trip. I order the very American "red-eye" which is a filter coffee with a shot if espresso and for the moment the staff are putting up with my "strange" drink order for the UK along with my special request for pouring cream in my coffee. Beyond that, I find in general - despite what many people in Europe say about Starbucks being a place for big sweet American style milkshake-esque lattés - that they have a consistently high quality filter coffee and espresso, which are fresh, strong, and flavorful. Until I find a locally grown spot that matches the quality here, I'll keep coming back. Plus they let you pay with your iPhone and as a geek I can't resist...

Having heard rave reviews of the Java Lounge from the Community, I knew I needed an excuse to check…read morethis place out. A breakfast meeting in Kings Heath provided the perfect opportunity to use this coffee spot as a morning office. Firstly, let's talk Moseley. It's super easy to find the venues around here as they are all on the main street or off the crossroads. I walked down from Kings Heath (only about 1.5 miles - so not massively far) and was pleased to note that this venue was smack int the middle of Moseley town centre. It's cute and vibrant signage lead the way into a relaxing environment to enjoy a coffee or a cheeky sweet treat. I grabbed a table near the door (there is a selection of tables, benches and outside seating to choose from), plugged my laptop in (there are powerpoints avaliable) and sauntered up to the counter to make my selection. There is a fair amount of choice (coffee, tea and a selection of cold drinks) available here! The two customers in front of me were discussing the merits of various blends with the waitress and after hearing about a particularly chocolately blend, I knew this had to be my choice. My single origin filter coffee was £2.75 (which is about standard for a specialist coffee shop these days). Although not advertised in the venue (well, I couldn't see it anyway) there is WiFI available and the waitress handily provided me with a little slip of paper advising the router name and the password. I am pleased to say that this was fast and reliable and allowed me to do my work without any problems! I had a very pleasant two hours working in this venue. The customers drifted in and out, but the chilled environment lent itself to homeworking and I wasn't bothered to buy another drink while I was working. I would recommend this as a place for a casual meet up with friends or somewhere to get your head down and get things done!

If you love the typical concept of a nice cafe, you will enjoy spending some time at this tiny but…read morecosy space! Located on the Alcester Road, in Moseley, Java Lounge has a very friendly staff. Once I chose my drink - that could better vary from a nice cup of latte to a nice fruit smoothie- due to the several options offered there, I have relaxed for a while. The Latin music played in the background as well as the exotic and colourful décor also help if you want to chill out after a long day. But what made me decide for reviewing the place was certainly the pastry chocolate cookie of gods that I have tried there. Best 70 pence ever spent indeed!

As an American traveling abroad it's hard to find a good coffee shop, especially in the UK where…read moretea is the speciality. This place was a nice little spot in the middle of a very busy area. The barista was so helpful. They recommended a great blend to bring home as well as a delicious pastry. I thoroughly enjoyed everything. If I'm ever in the area again I will definitely be back. And I can't wait to get home and try my 200 degrees espresso roast!

Great place to come and work for a bit or grab a coffee with a friend. With its location right in…read morethe middle of town next to the cathedral, it is really easy to find when trying to explain to others who haven't been where it is. There is so much room in here that you can have personal conversations without others sitting what feels like right on top of you listening in. There is also plenty of space if you want to park for a while and get some work done on your tablet or laptop. I'm not a coffee drinker, but they have so much more to offer that I've never had problems finding something great to drink. But those I have brought that do drink coffee have nothing but great things to say about it! Also they have some great sandwiches if you fancy something to eat or a dessert if you want to indulges your sweet tooth. I definitely come here if I need some place to hang out while in the city centre.

More internet than cafe - I'm pretty sure that they don't sell food and drink - this is more of a…read morebusiness bureau, with internet access, printing and photocopying as well as selling international phonecards. Prices are a lot cheaper than elsewhere in the city, both for internet access and for printing, and the workspaces are well equipped, if a little cramped. All stations are equipped with webcams and microphone/earphone headsets, but for the most part patrons tend to be fairly quiet and just get on with it. You don't have to book ahead and can usually get a computer immediately. The staff are friendly and helpful. The cafe is conveniently situated in the main bus station, right in the heart of the city centre

One of the larger branches in the city, this branch of Starbucks is a regular non-franchise…read morelocation in Birmingham city centre on Colmore Row, the location is pretty good for the city and is close to bus stops for various routes. I called in here to grab a coffee to try and help shun my tiredness after a dismal stay at the Hampton on Broad Street the night before where I failed to gain any sleep. The store is large in size which is why I was confused regarding the tables - there was one large communal table in the middle and then lots of small ones without really any comfortable seating which I didn't like. I ordered my usual beverage, a Venti vanilla cold brew latte - I found the drink to have a funny taste, it tasted like they'd put some sort of weird tasting dish-water in, in lieu of the vanilla - it just wasn't pleasant. The staff didn't seem too friendly either - they seemed more like "make the coffee, place it down, start again, do not acknowledge the customer" even when they weren't too busy. This store also shuts much earlier than other nearby stores. As a city, Birmingham has many franchise Starbucks locations and with underperforming, awful regular company-owned locations like this with a poor quality overall feel and then the poor quality of beverage and service, you can begin to understand why. 1*

Nice big Starbucks, toilets, wifi, late opening and plenty of sofas.read more

We stumbled across this place while escaping the rain at the Christmas market and it was such a…read moregreat find. A small flat white and small cappuccino for £6 total is a rare find these days and we both loved our drinks. So much flavour and nice, strong coffee. My only reason for giving 4 stars is that the layout was a bit cramped and it was slightly lacking in customer service. If you're just popping in for a takeaway coffee though, this is a fab spot.

I never normally do this anymore but I'm so in awe of this place that I'm writing the review before…read moreI've even finished eating/drinking. I knew I'd love this place as when I walked in, the smell of roasting coffee flew into my nostrils, Faculty literally had me at hello. So more about this love affair, the coffee is brilliant, the cakes taste fantastic and the tea is a relaxing and soothing as the cute little tea pot suggests. The staff working were friendly and happy to offer advice (to me and another customer who had 21 questions about the origin of the coffee) - credit where credits due, the young chap answering knew the answer to every question! They are also linked to next door, a sandwich shop which is perfect for lunch and you can even order from one side and go and sit in the other or vice versa. Owned by the same husband & wife partnership and matched with the same awesome decor. It's not often I'm in Birmingham but one thing for sure is this fling is sure to continue every time I venture in!

Baristas are really kind and friendly. Drinks are made to the highest of standards. Just a great…read moreplace to go and hang out while doing a bit of shopping :)

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I was walking down Colmore Row to stumble across Java…read moreLounge, especially as I thought it was only in Moseley. Curiously, I took a step in and immediately fell in love with the rustic brown and purpley interior, and the cool range of tracks playing, which made the perfect ambiance for me. Despite wanting to try one of the speciality drinks, which had been recommended by the very kind Baristas, I did need something to wake me up in the morning so went for a cappuccino. At around £2.60 , this cappuccino was definitely great for the price, especially considering it would be classed as a large in many other coffee shops! The only complaint I would have about the drink is that there was too much milk , making it more of a latte than a cappuccino, however I did enjoy it all the same. There are so many different drinks and tasty treats on offer, I'll definitely be venturing back to Java Lounge. Special mention for the exterior, it's authentic and hidden, exactly what you need for a coffee shop!

Don't let the rather unassuming (dare I say clip arty?) logo put you off, this is a lovely cafe, a…read moregreat place to nip for some lunch and relax away from the bustle of the city. It's surprisingly big inside, with soft décor and lighting as well as plenty of seating available. Lounge is an appropriate word, there is something very peaceful about it making it ideal for a leisurely lunch and chat. If you are looking for a cafe to set up and get some work done this place would be perfect, plenty of tables and loads of power sockets (replete with USB ports). The coffee here isn't particularly remarkable although it certainly isn't bad, if you move away from the basic coffee options you'll probably be pleasantly surprised, the cold drinks were a particular highlight. Food is good solid lunchtime fare, they do a selection of salads and, instead of the more usual paninis, a range of toasted wraps (they come with a decent little side salad) which makes a change and will leave you less bloated. They also have a pretty massive selection of cakes/sweet treats on offer, the ones I tried definitely were indulgent so make sure you have your sweet tooth fully in gear. Well worth dropping in to, I will almost certainly become a regular, and the prices are modest to boot.