This is a review of the new location in stonefield. Had the americano as i do every morning. Tasted like water. The cubano the day before was spot on. Appreciate that they have agave as a sweetener choice. Nice little shop but somewhat cold and "hard" inside. Hope they will train their staff to pull a proper shot. Still, i would recommend. read more

Today was my first time trying Grit coffee, which was pretty good. I always get an iced coffee wherever I go so I can compare between cafes and I'd say it was just your typical well roasted coffee, just nothing that really sets it apart. Baristas were very nice and it was a homey and quaint place to study in the afternoon. It's not the biggest cafe but they do also have seating upstairs. Their prices are average for a coffee shop in Charlottesville, but they do have coupons on the Hooked app that make it more affordable! They also have the fun cards that let you get your 11th drink or 11th sandwich for free read more

So I promise I'm not some old cranky tourist. I'm a late-twenty something that appreciates supporting local businesses. During a business trip, figured I'd take a rainy stroll from my hotel to find some coffee. The website noted Grit opened at 7 which was perfect. Get my coffee, get back, and start the day. Well, I showed up and the sign was flipped to Closed, but the door was open. So...I walked in. Sparing you the long story in between, I sat in silence for about 20 minutes because it felt painfully awkward to walk out while the barista set up. Once she finished, she grabbed her phone from her purse and I had to ask if she would be done soon. It was only then that she asked what I wanted. I'm taking the time to write this as I think local businesses should place importance on the experience they're creating for their customer. This is why I chose to come here over my hotel Starbucks. The latte foam was burnt and tasted a bit like a campfire. Maybe it was an off day - we all have them; but I think the owner has a right to know that employees could be turning away customers for a good half-hour due to their own maladjusted morning priorities. read more

I go back because I can't believe a place be be so consistently bad. I have stopped into Para once every few months since they opened years ago. I'm always struck by the same thing: rude/disinterested staff who act like they are doing you a favor and a cramped, narrow space that feels dirty. I can't wait to get out of and then I swear it off for another few months. I think by writing this, I'm done going back. The espresso is fine, but not so good that I can overlook the lack of service and make this place a regular stop. The food in their bakery case rarely looks appealing. The last time I was there, I did purchase a croissant and it seemed a bit stale. read more

This is college student study space shabbiness brought to near-perfection. Before going any further, we must first make it clear that this place is wonderful but not actually nice. If its main patrons were anyone but college students with no aesthetic or sanitary standards, it would immediately collapse. In fact, it often feels like it will literally collapse when you're going up the rickety flight of stairs to the slanted second floor with its wobbly, worn out, second-hand furniture. If you seek the sleek, clean, chic coffee shop experience with the usual stainless steel and oiled wood and artful lighting and overpriced avocado toast, Grit has two (soon three!) other locations in the area that cater to these preferences. The one on the Corner is for the university, and must be appreciated for what it is, which is a two-story dump with a heater, wifi, plugs, and some comfortable seats. And an actually very good selection of coffee and espresso drinks (and pastries!) at average prices. They also serve Brazo's tacos, but usually run out by lunch. If I were still a student, I'd pretty much live here. But since I'm not one any longer, I limit myself. Though I can always count on overhearing students griping about my colleagues' classes when I do come. read more

I love the iced mochas here but it's rather pricey. The last time I came was over a year ago and I'm pretty sure the mocha is more expensive than it used to be (around $4.25 for a small size now). The baristas are always friendly, and it's a good place to chill if you can snag a seat. read more

This is my new Sunday spot for the 3 months I'm in Charlottesville. They have pretty good iced coffee. It's cold brewed for (I'm pretty sure) 18 hours. That usually makes for a decent cold brew. The first time I came in, I asked for an "American style" Macchiato. The girl working said she wouldn't make that. They only do macchiatos the "Traditional Style". Coming from California, we usually don't get the traditional style and I'm not a fan of the foam. I prefer the steamed milk. Anyways, that dropped them down a star. The only other good coffee shop in Charlottesville makes the American style macchiatos, they just call it a Cortada or something similar. I'm pretty picky with coffee as I own a 3rd wave coffee shop in Northern California. Usually, when someone wants a drink that we have the ingredients for, we usually make it to satisfy the customers. Other than that, the atmosphere is decent. Wifi is a semi-fast. Iced coffee is great. I'll try the pour over next time I'm here and write about it later. Parking is awful around here, but it's definitely not Para's fault. This location was planned before cars existed, so I can't fault them for that. This is definitely the 2nd best coffee shop in Charlottesville, and the only other place I'll get coffee from other than the 1st best. I am not promoting the other shop, so I won't mention their name. Lastly, service is average to slightly above average. Not great, but not bad at all. Keep up the good cold brew, Para! read more

Cute - typical coffee shop. I was underwhelmed, I wanted something that felt more homey. They lack a great selection of tea, but it's a coffee shop so that makes sense. I probably wouldn't go back in favor for something that had more comfortable chairs and better tea. The space is also awkwardly shaped so it makes it hard to put in tables there comfortably. read more

Wish I could have come here more often- was lucky to check it out with a friend when we went in the morning for drinks and a neat study space. Love the laidback, cool-hipster cafe atmosphere and the table/seats near the barista and upstairs as well with wall plugs for laptops and such! A slightly hidden coffee store, down the street but worth the walk! [Reliving my semester abroad at the University of Virginia] read more

There's a new coffee place in town and it's awesome! This is one of the best coffee places in Charlottesville and definitely the best coffee spot on the Corner. Their unique selection of tea is good too, beats the tea bazaar hands down. All their drinks come in a variety of cute mugs too =P. The place itself is very nice. There's free wifi and very comfortable couches everywhere. I recommend their cappuccino =]. read more

I've always liked Para for their incredible service, spacious shop and delicious coffee, or what actually matters when you're looking for a good cup of coffee. The shop is bright, open with a large space upstairs that was really made for studying, a downstairs with ample seating itself and an outdoor patio that's open when it's nice outside. The shop and clientele have a personality of their own which I think fits right in with the character of Charlottesville. The staff at Para is great. There is almost always something going on (or coming soon on their list of events) that they're more than willing to chat your ear off about and the quality of the coffee and espresso drinks is consistently good. They have a nifty iPad that you can pay by credit or debt on. It never fails to distract me from the fact I'm paying more than usual for an espresso drink. Para is pricey, but worth it for the quality. My concerns are much more location-based, or that pesky little "traffic and parking" issue in Charlottesville. Para isn't exactly a good "destination" spot. If you're close to UVA's main grounds or the corner then it's just a short walk, but if you're coming from elsewhere you have to fight corner traffic and hunt for (free) parking. I wouldn't go to Para for a super-fast cup either, since it can get pretty busy and the baristas are prone to chatting with customers over making drinks assembly line style. The slower pace makes for a great local atmosphere where the customer matters, but it's good to "know-before-you-go" if you're in a hurry. read more

I've been to Para a few times because it is very close to UVA. I have never been impressed, especially given their high prices. I am a coffee drinker and my go-to drink is a cappuccino. After I was disappointed with that, I tried a straight shot of espresso. It tasted burnt. I will be finding a new coffee shop to study at this fall. read more

Their cold brew is the BEST! Kayla, one of the Baristas is a ROCKSTAR. Such a sweet and simple coffee shop with a great working vibe and family friendly vibes. read more

Fantastic coffee!. What sets them apart is their customer service. The people who work here are really nice and know their coffee! There are a number of coffee shops in Charlottesville, but this is certainly my go to. Note: they have changed their name to Grit Coffee. read more

Delicious coffee and nice atmosphere. I love their iced coffees and they're one of the few places that makes an excellent cortado. Quick, great service for grab n go. It's quite busy during the daytime when school is in session but cool to sit outside on a nice day. read more

I came here with my brother this past weekend because I didn't get to try it while I was still a student. I wasn't very impressed with the decor. It was a typical coffee shop with tables on the sides and couches in the corner. There was also an upstairs area but I didn't check it out.. I was more concerned about getting my coffee and going outside into the sun. My brother said the smoothies weren't very good here and he doesn't drink coffee, so he opted out of getting anything. I ordered a small iced mocha and carried it out to one of the tables outside. I tried a sip and wow!! It was one of the better mochas I've had.. great chocolatey flavor but not overwhelmingly sweet. I would get this over a Starbucks mocha. It was perfect for a nice day and good conversation. Definitely will be back the next time I'm in Charlottesville. read more

I discovered Para Coffee on yelp and from the great reviews, I decided to try Para coffee out today. The ambiance of the place is very nice and cozy. However, the place was packed and b/c it was super small, I felt claustraphobic. Not only that, it was VERY hot inside. It felt like they didn't turn on the AC or there was just too much body heat inside :( Nevertheless, I ordered my medium-sized iced Vanilla Latte ( for a total of 4.09). Pricey but around the same price that you would pay for a cup of Latte at Starbucks. My expectation of Para Coffee and their drinks wasn't not very high to begin with b/c i've had my share of bad epxeriences in trying new coffeeshops and each time, i've gone back to Starbucks. After about a 5 minute wait (there was quite a few people a head of me in line), I received my drink and I was pleasantly surprised! :) It was one of the best vanilla lattes I've had, maybe even better than the ones I've had at Starbucks (Starbucks tend to be inconsistent at times). From my experience today, Para Coffee is definitely worth a try. Though I've only tried one drink, I would go back for more. Hopefully, they are all as delicious :) read more

Nestled in an alley in Charlottesville, VA, you will find a cozy coffee house equipped with plush chairs, lots of outlets, free wifi and tasty coffee. Most of the patrons are students, so there's a nice academic ambiance in the air. On occasion, the building will rumble lightly as the trains whir by, reminding you that you are actually living in reality, not a coffee house dream world. I wish I wasn't 3000 miles away from this spot. It's precisely the type of coffee house I want to call my second home. read more

I love their beans! Cute little coffee shop with ample space and cute decor. It's a little homey but I don't really mind it. I got an iced americano and the giant chocolate chip cookie. The americano was a little watered down (which is what I prefer LOL) and the beans tasted like they were perfectly roasted. The cookie was soft but brittle? Weird combo- I know, but the flavor was good so it covered up the texture of the cookie. Did I mention that it was gargantuan? read more

Lovely little coffee shop location in the Charlottesville area. Highly recommend if you're looking for nice coffee, friendly staff and a relaxed, hipster atmosphere. read more

Ah, where do the hipsters in UVA flock? I must admit, they were hard to find at first, but down a back alley at Para Coffee, wild hair, books, and american spirit cigarettes dominate the block. The coffee was fresh, and the best part was the outdoor seating with a beautiful view. I'd come again anytime. read more

I'll be moving to Charlottesville next year, and I'm glad to have found my coffee shop. The atmosphere seems to be what sets Para apart. It's small, it's intimate. It's set back on a small street, close to but far from the bussle of University Avenue. There's a lovely selection of classic rock playing in the background. It's terribly soothing. The drinks are pretty good, too. (Indeed, the only reason why I didn't give Para five stars is that the drink menu is a bit spartan. The drinks themselves, though, are lovely.) read more

Great, friendly local coffee place. Stopped in with family and enjoyed a relax cup of coffee and snacks. read more

Grit Coffee - UVA Corner - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I called ahead of time to check the pricing of a box of coffee. Over the phone I was told it was just shy of $15. Unfortunately when I got there there the 64oz of coffee plus my $3 food item cost me $24. When asking about pricing difference I was informed there is an up-charge for cups, sugar and cream plus the staff informed me they told me the wrong amount over the phone. Good customer service practice would have at minimum offered an apology and likely a free cup of coffee or $ back for the difference. At minimum they should have informed me of the $5 up charge. $21 for 64oz of coffee (8 small cups of coffee) is clearly not worth the trip. Very disappointed. read more

It was a nice little place and the service there was great. I did have a small problem with the coffee I got, but it was quickly fixed and tasted perfect! read more

Grit Coffee - UVA Corner - The normal way they make their Mochas. I didn't really like it that much and they were so cool about making me another one. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Good coffee, fantastic Dirty Chai. No indoor seating during COVID but they have a good number of outdoor options (though they were basically all full when I was there). read more

Two words: hipsters' paradise. In more words: It's exactly as you would expect it: beautifully-curated selection of coffee blends, excellent equipment (they use Simonelli, a brand that sponsors the World Barista Championships for all you discerning drinkers/snobs), and knowledgeable and friendly baristas. Yes, the prices are expensive, especially for the large student population in Cville, but I'd like to think that reflects the quality of the product. Don't expect a Starbuck's selection of teas, blended drinks, mini desserts, pastries, etc. etc, and don't complain that they don't have a variety. That is not their main mission. It's akin to going to an ice cream store and complaining they don't offer good smoothies. In terms of ambience, it's a two-storied shop with an open patio with a comfortable noise level on weekends for studying (free wifi) but suited better for meeting up with friends (if you're serious about intense studying you should really go seek out a library cubbyhole somewhere, anyways). The great thing about Para is they open early on the weekends, so you can get your legal stimulant here to jumpstart that study session. There's a big parking lot adjacent to the shop. Only (minor) complaint: more bathrooms, please! Caffeine is a pretty potent diuretic. read more

Went on a Sunday morning right when it opened. Only 1 barista working. Ordered a pour over coffee - took close to 10 min to get it - luke warm. If I let it sit for 5min it would have been ice cold. Coffee itself wasn't bad, but the service, the fact it was understaffed and the coffee temperature will keep me from coming back read more

Bring back para. I get that the guys who own this wanted a coffee empire but they turned into some of the most acidic coffee I've ever drank, I think you could curdle the milk. and they have food but they don't have the nut milks they used to. read more

I still love this place, but almost two years later they still do not offer parking validation like their neighbors across the street at Take It Away. They actually seemed baffled when I asked. read more

Offbeat, casual, great place! I like how bright the place is, especially up stairs. Most coffee shops feels too stuffy and dark to me... this one is a nice change. I don't drink enough coffee to be a good reviewer of how good the coffee here is, but I am a fun of the setting! read more

I went here alot first year to study, and it's a really chill, nice, place to hang out and drink coffee! Their iced mochas are delicious. I also really like their cafe-au-lait, and I like that they offer fresh-made almond milk :) Kind of pricey, but the coffee is definitely worth it! read more

Not much besides the menu has changed from Para but oh my gosh the breakfast tacos. Although a little small and a bit pricy (3.25 for one taco with tax) They are filled with egg, potato, cheese and choice of bean, bacon, or chorizo. I found them to be quite delicious! read more

Pretty good coffee but the main reason I keep coming back is because the atmosphere upstairs is usually perfect to do some studying. They always have good music on and usually is pretty quiet and there's plenty of outlets and seats. It just feels very warm and welcoming. read more

This is a college coffee shop with a cozy vibe for studying, not a connoisseur-level roastery. The people were really nice and the outdoor space is great, but it's hard to get around the fact of my coffee's subtle burntness. I'd even go back, but only if I'm having a relaxing stroll near campus, not for a fancy cup o Joe. read more

I've been to Para twice while visiting friends at UVA. The first time I got what, if I remember correctly, was called the Honey Bear, but I'm not sure. The drink was absolutely phenomenal, and one of the best coffee concoctions that I've ever had. I also had a danish of some sort with it, which was also tasty. However, the second time I went, I ordered the Pumpkin Head Latte. It was still pretty good, but it tasted more like banana than pumpkin, which was frustrating, to say the least. Still, a fairly good drink. I look forward to trying again, as I assume the latter was a fluke, rather than a rule. read more

Great spot just off the beaten path. Pumpkin Pie latte is excellent and not too sweet.

Great coffee, wide selection of alternative milk options (almond, pecan, and walnut) and an eclectic hipster ambiance. The 4/5 stars is because this place is a bit pricey. read more

Closes early during the summer on the weekends! Didn't get to try any lattes cause it was closed. But the iced coffee was blah. I had the homemade walnut milk added and it wasn't very flavorful. And it cost 1.50 extra! Maybe it was because I caught them at a bad time. read more

What a beautiful and quiet space to grab a cup of coffee! I would definitely be here everyday if I lived in this area.