Overall (4.5 stars composite score): Rock star products with a vibe that takes you back to the classic coffee house. Service that makes you happy that you came. Although expensive, they work hard to give you value. Drinks/Food (90% of 1.5 star total): Very much enjoyed my Iced Americano. Smooth and stimulating. Just what I needed to jump start my day. Chicken salad sandwich was stacked with many layers of flavor and texture. Easily the best I've ever had. Service (100% of 1 star total): Big Shout out to my coffee consigliere Chris H. He was super nice over the phone and even nicer in person. He offered directions to find the parking lot and guided me to a great coffee choice that made my visit memorable. Value (30% of 1/2 star total): Prices here are definitely a wallet smasher. $3.50 for an Americano is easily 50% higher than most places in the area. My Chicken salad sandwich was awesome, but at $9, it's definitely pricey. They do back up the price with a great product, but the value seeker in me winced at the cost. WiFi/Power (100% of 1/2 star total): 24 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up for your surfing pleasure. Generous number of outlets/power strips along the far wall. Laptop-istani members, this is a good work place. Seating (100% of 1/2 star total): Very ample seating choices. One 6 seat communal table and many small square 4 seaters. There is also a church pew bench against the wall for some variety, which is very imaginative and cool. Atmosphere (100% of 1 star total): Very artsy and warm. Everything a coffee house should be, but we don't see much of anymore. There is live music here every evening and events throughout the month. Note: Parking is free across the street in the brick lot. It's supposed to be a 2 hours max, but I'm told that they do not enforce it. read more

Opening Bell Coffee - 1/2 of a chicken salad sandwich. Great texture and very filling. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Dallas, Texas

What a great small cafe. My date is strict gluten free like will send him to the hospital. The chef took the time to prepare his food totally separate from everything else. Who does that? Wow. Stellar customer service! read more

My sister and I were looking for a good coffee place around town, and this came up on my phone. There were plenty of street parking on the one-way street, but finding this place was a little hard as you can totally miss it off of the main road. My sister had the house blend and I had the Caramel Macchiato. There seems to be only one size (think of Venti from Starbucks), and there were plenty of tables to sit around to chit chat or do some work. The interior was kind of artsy with random stickers up on one wall and some random knick knacks from the locals for sale.One of the employees were walking around with samples of their 'Valentine's Day' cake, which I thought was freaking AMAZING!!! It was like a mix between the best baked cake with luscious cheesecake, all in one - literally, one of the best desserts I've ever tasted! I think I'll order it through them one day, because that was incredible, and I still dream about it to this day! I think the only thing was that we didn't get much of a signal with our phones, but that allows you to focus on your beverages and relax. The bathroom is located in another part of the building (as it appears it's an apartment complex as well). A great solid place to get your caffeine fix. +'Valentine's Day' cake read more

I recently moved back to Dallas from Austin. Believe me, no one, could be more relieved by my ejection from the city of segregation known as Austin. I've been coming to Opening Bell since I was 18 years old. Which means, I've been coming here almost as long as it's been open. And it is still, my hands down, favorite spot in Dallas. Not favorite coffee shop---favorite all around, spot. I can't ask for much more than a basement coffee shop in the historic Sears Building conversion. It's by the neighborhoods that I cherish the most. And most importantly, I get to see a cross section of the community flow through here. You can catch various local artists on any given evening strum through here. It's dark but cozily lit, plenty of seating but alas, places to plug your devices in are quite limited. Fantastic, ever evolving menus and always....ALWAYS, a solid cup of joe. For any mood I'm in --- and there are many of them (one of the reasons I choose my singleness ;))...Opening Bell suits it. If I want to sit and write, sit and work, sit and read, sit and listen to local flavor, go on a cute date, go on a sexy date, have a business meeting....this place meets the need. I always forget to say I'm I the rewards program (and every now and again a barista will ask and I'll remember that I'm in it.) so I'm proud to say that after 15 years of my coming and going...I got my free cup of joe. Haha... This is a cherished place for me, and it's kind of neat to sit on the couch, which has had many manifestations over the years, and think of all the different evolutions of myself that have passed through these doors. Basically, if this place ever thought of closing, I'd chain myself to it in protest. read more

Every time I'm in town, I find myself obsessing over an iced caramel soy latte, with 1 shot of espresso, at 2 shots (what it would otherwise come with), will have me talking a little too quickly at too high of an octave too early in the morning. Of course when I try to get Starbucks to mimic this order, it comes out nasty and I get sad, no tears, but definitely pouty face. The coffee shop is in the basement of the building across from the Nylo hotel. The decor can only be described as "chill", seriously, no one cares what you are wearing, saying, or even pondering. The food is also delicious but takes some time to make so be patient. I tried the avocado egg toast and it was perfect, wouldn't change a thing. read more

super cute study place, very cozy and love the vibe. quiet and friendly environment to get work do. Please update your hours I went in at 4:30 and got enough coffee for a few hours of studying and was told after I began working that you were closing at 5 on Wednesday but your hours still say 10. still love your shop just please update hours :) read more

As I'm sitting here Saturday morning waiting for OBC to open.. it occurred to me that I've never written a review for this place. I don't have any grand revelations or anything - I'll just say very simply that this place is basically a how-to guide for coffee houses and local business. You take a simple concept: a coffee house. You get that exactly right, excellent coffee: yup. Staff who knows what they're doing and is apparently having as much fun as you can reasonably expect from someone at work: yup. Now you tack on GREAT food and food partnerships, a curated group of products from local businesses (chocolates, socks, cards, etc), and live music at night.. it's just an excellent place. PS - all you people who think the breakfast tacos are better than those homemade sausage / cheese / jalapenos kolaches are out of your damn minds. PSS - Don't eat all my kolaches read more

For food/drink wise, it only deserve a 3 but the ambiance and environment of this coffee shop really won me over so it got bumped to a 4! The drinks here are okay but it's a bit pricier than other coffee shop (built in cover charge I supposed and I'm A-Okay with that!) The little charm is tucked away in the area of Southside Dallas (2nd time visiting this area. I didn't even know this area exist within Dallas!! Very rustic and vintage.) The building is an old apartment complex that was broken down and replaced with shops, markets, and stores. There are still some apartment rooms left within the building for the tenants to live (kinna creepy). They have Open Mic Tuesday for all the brave souls who dare to come up and sing. This coffee shop is really different from all the ones that I've been to before around DFW area. Can't wait to come back to listen to more local singers. Note: Parking is a b**** here!! Be prepare to hustle for a parking spot! read more

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Great music, cozy atmosphere, awesome art, tasty coffee, wine, beer and food. Check it out! read more

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This shop feels like a well-kept secret- since it's hidden in the basement but the ambiance is amazing. Definitely better suited for people who like the hipster vibe, they have cool lights, knick-knacks, and art, and the open mic nights range from average to great. Every time I visit, I have a blast taking in the atmosphere and listening to stand up or music. Parking is free and the coffee is averagely priced for the area. If you like checking out new places and taking a chance on entertainment, then this place is definitely worth the try! read more

Got a latte here and really enjoyed it. The atmosphere of this place is really nice plus it's basically located underground. I think they play live music here every night! Definitely a good place to study or hangout. read more

Opening Bell Coffee - Nice atmosphere - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Cool vibe and great coffee and food. The baristas were very nice and quick to deliver my order to my table.

My first visit and I fell in love. The food, ambiance and decor is beautiful. The owner is so nice and she told me about the history of Opening Bell. If your looking for good coffee or pastries or food this is the place! I can't wait to go back. read more

Great vibe. A perfect spot to chill with light food and/or multiple choices for beverage. Nice wine choices. Curious to check out the entertainment. read more

This is not a high volume, fast food, move-em-through coffee joint. You will need to be patient if you order anything other than drip coffee. It's worth it though. I stopped in for breakfast. They have a small menu of food with good variety. I enjoyed the quiche. As far as coffee, I love it. I had a great cortado two days in a row. They rotate beans from local roasters. I really like the atmosphere in here too. It makes me want to sit and hang a while. read more

Opening Bell Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This is a cozy little coffee place that is great for that morning pick-me-up when you're staying at the hotel across the street. The staff is helpful and courteous and the drinks are great. read more

Great people. Super friendly and helpful and patient. Coffee is good. The my also have pasteurized and breakfast tacos. read more

Opening Bell Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Dallas, Texas

I feel like I should be on the set of 'My So Called Life' when I walk into the Opening Bell Coffee. Everything is so irreverently 'thrown' together perfectly. The schmorges board of movie, band and music festival posters adorn the walls while there is plenty of table and couch seating. Being underground is also a great aspect of making feel as if you are really in an unknown, secret gem only accessible to those who are worthy of knowing it exists. The coffee is really good. I ordered the Hazelnut brew, which was a delightful twist to the ordinary brew. The baristo was very helpful, friendly and your typical dude that works at a coffee joint. Would you want it any other way? I will say that my afternoon spent there was intermittently disturbed by patrons using the shop more as a social gathering destination rather than a quiet place of solace. That is nobody's fault, but it did make it hard for people studying or working to focus. It also has a great stage for live music! Based on the flyers posted everywhere the coffee shop has consistent gigs throughout the week. Maybe I will see some of you there at the next 'show'! read more

New policy: Opening Bell Coffee discriminates against Blacks and Hispanics. My friend is a a high school teacher and I tagged along with her for a meeting with her NHS (National Honor Society) group to discuss events for the upcoming school year. One of the students arrived significantly earlier than the rest of the group. Rather than ordering, he waited on the rest of us to arrive. Roughly 5 minutes after everyone arrived, an employee came to the table and said, "Are you going to order something. This is a business, you know." There are several ways this issue could have been handled. The employee could have asked the early student if he wanted to order anything, to which the student would have informed the employee that he was waiting on this rest of his party. The employee could have also asked the group if we had any questions, or the employee could have made recommendations. Instead, the employee insulted the group. My friend chose the coffee shop for a reason: it gave the group a relatively quiet space to meet, and have coffee and/or lunch. I will not return to this location, and I have alerted my friends to the discrimination we faced so that they can make an informed decision as well. read more

Went there to listen to Anna Christine Proctor (she was great) and was very pleasantly surprised! It's amazing the drop in douchery you experiences sometimes, when you venture out of uptown. The ambiance was right - on, the people seemed cool, but the coffee wasn't all *that*. I tried the espresso and a latte -- both were a little on the bitter side. They're connected to the other south-side establishments via basement tunnels which I think is very cool -- made it very easy to bop over for my first visit to Absinthe Lounge! read more

Sausage and Jalapeno Kolache and Pour-over were great! Wife had a bagel and Caramel Latte, no complaints at all! read more

A cute little cafe in the basement of an apartment looking building. The place has a laid back, chill hipster vibe. Granted it is expensive but it's in the city and I usually expect to pay a little more. Most drinks are not under $4 and a latte was around $5. Their strawberry cake was amazing ($7). Coffee was not memorable but most coffee places I've come across in Dallas don't have memorable coffee (coffee snob from NYC). I give it 5 for the ambience, vibes and yummy treats. Just expect to pay a lot, take in the scenery and come back to enjoy it again! read more

Ok, I'll admit it. I kinda always wanted to live on the set of Friends. I mean, to live in an awesome city with a cosy coffee bar full of comfy couches in your basement. How cool is that? So now that I live in South Side on Lamar, I guess my college daydream has (kinda) become a reality. I LOVE having this coffee shop so close. It's a relaxed place with super nice employees. They have live music some evenings. It's really everything a coffee shop should be. I mean...they even serve beer. My boyfriend still prefers Starbucks, because his insane-pure-caffeine-heart-attack-in-a-glass drink is significantly cheaper at Starbucks than when he has Opening Bell make it. However, for normal human drinks, I think it's fairly comparable. I don't drink coffee (ok, yes, I know...ironic), but I very much enjoy my standard Chai latte - and here I get 3 options (if memory serves - vanilla, green and spiced - I always go for the spiced). Of course what this place has Starbucks on...hands down...is the atmosphere and entertainment. So go to Opening Bell Coffee and feel like you're on the set of Friends...just without having to deal with Joey as a neighbor. read more

Very cool place with great service. They sell beer and wine and have live music on the weekends. Looks like a great place to relax and soak in a little music. Prices are pretty reasonable for a small coffee shop. read more

Ding, ding, f@#$ing ding. I have found my favorite coffee shop OF ALL TIME...until I find the next onTheir espresso is of great flavor. Nutty, woody without being overwhelming, just the way pornstars like it. Now let's get to why I am in love now. THE DECOR. HOLY SMACK. This place is worth fracking your parent's land in West Texas to hang out in. The place exudes character, confidence, and coffee with a smile. And they play live music??? I haven't been, but the way the front woman was speaking of it, I got to check it out one of these nights. I'll even snap after the performance. I don't know what snapping has to do with anything. You could probably stop reading now as I'm going to drone on. The music, mellow, soul searching, chillout, sip your coffee and vibe type stuff. I hadn't heard any of it and loved it all. I put my ear buds in, then thought "What the F are you doing idiot, their music is great." So I coyly slipped them out while I coughed. You know...so the employees wouldn't know. If anyone ever wants to have a cup and coffee and chill at this place, let me know. I am down like Charlie Brown while Lucy...ahem. Anyways...check this place out. read more

I love stopping in the shop in the morning for a cup of coffee, I also have meetings there often, and really love having a glass of wine at night discovering new local artists. The atmosphere never disappoints. Love the staff too! They are always helpful and can make me the perfect drink for whatever mood I'm in. Perfect little spot in Dallas that I hope stays around forever! read more

In this stressful world, there are places that I'm always looking for where I can escape and relax. A place where I can unwind and let my mind escape for a while. Opening Bell is a place where I can do just this. You can feel the laid back vibe the second you walk in. People reading, working, studying, and relaxing. There is plenty of room where you can grab a seat. One of the highlights that I enjoyed was the supply of books that you can grab and read or even color! I always judge a coffee shop by drinking an Americano. You can taste the flavor of the espresso, while still having a large beverage to enjoy. It was on point! The flavor was there and very bold and fresh. Great stuff! You can always keep your eyes and mind busy by looking around at the walls. There's plenty of eye candy in the form of pics, objects, and signs all around the place. I can't really comment on the food, because I haven't had any, but they do offer a lot....a lot more than other shops that I've given higher ratings to. A few more times to Opening Bell, I know that my rating will go up another star. I will definitely have to make it back when there's live music (there's a small stage area in the corner for this specifically!). This probably will become my new coffee go-to spot. read more

Mmm... coffee. Of course I'm not an everyday coffee drinker. I don't have a coffee maker, and I'm not going to drink that motor oil they brew in the office coffepot. So I'm going to get bored with the carbon-copy Starbucks model. I had heard this was a good coffee place, so while I was downtown I made a special trip to the South Side on Lamar building. Opening Bell is in a basement area, along with a number of other businesses, in the South Side on Lamar building. As soon as I went down the stairs I felt it. This place had an atmosphere just dripping with personality. This is what a coffee shop, or any general public hangout, should be like. This isn't a place where you just pick-up your mochafrappelattechio and run out the door. This place is very warm and welcoming, and you feel like you could just hang out here for hours soaking in the vibes. The coffee wench that served me was nice, and delivered a tasty iced coffee beverage to me with a smile. They have more than just coffee to drink. There are smoothies, tea, and alcoholic beverages. This is good, because you can have your uppers and your downers in the same place, however the Absinthe Lounge is next door if you need something extra. I found the trip to the restroom rather interesting, as the restroom is in the hallway behind the shops. It requires you to navigate the maze-like corridors to find it. I had to ask a nice photographer in the middle of a photo shoot where the restrooms were. I didn't venture too far into the labyrinth, as I wasn't feeling up to running into the minotaur. Sure he may be a cute minotaur, but I was looking a little disheveled at the time. The interior of the building looks like they didn't do much in interior design. Bare brick walls, with exposed ductwork and wires snaking along the edges. I love it! Don't change a thing. Please check-out this place. It's an excellent place to begin or end a nice date, or even a place to have the date itself... unless you're an arrogant Starbucks baby, who wouldn't be satisfied with an original coffeehouse. read more

This Cafe isn't in a prime spot, so suffers heavily. But what it lacks in location it makes up in awesomeness. Its got cool couch and plenty of tables, and there is live music playing here often during the weekend. Their food was also pretty good! Definitely had a home-baked feel to it. The Opening Bell doesn't feel like it belongs in Dallas, but more of in a more metropolitan city where you'd expect to find university students frantically cramming taking advantage of the free wifi. Well worth the visit! read more

Some reviewers called it the best coffee shop in Dallas and so this place had a lot to live up to. It's in a really cool old building in an up-and-coming area. It's a little bit hard to find, and when you do approach it, the inside is not very visible because it's a little below the street. But keep going. The vibe here is definitely not a typical Dallas coffee shop. It's got some East or West coast urban funkiness about it that'll make you want to hang out (unless you are a corporate logo type). There's a small stage set up with a mic and quite a few cozy places to hang out and work, read (yes, it's bright enough) or people watch. I had a mellow cup of java (black) in the morning before my meeting and then returned with teammates for lunch. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Mine was a spinach quiche, which was very good but could have probably been warmed a little longer. That's minor and shouldn't stop you at all! read more

Opening Bell Coffee - OBC: Fresh & Local - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Very chic place to hang out. What caught my eye is that they have a massive book where people scribe random thoughts and scribbles - if you find it, take the time to read through it - its always interesting to read through a stranger's stream of consciousness. Highly recommend the chai tea here. read more

Great cozy shop with coffee, light menu and live music. Eclectic artwork dons the walls. Multiple seating options give your party a place to eat and visit. Wide selection of coffees, teas, sandwiches and desserts read more

our new favorite coffee shop! good coffee, great service, fair prices, easy parking. The Iced Peach Tea is very good. I wish for food they had some additional items like fresh fruit, though. I've only been during the day. They play music, some of which is good, some of which is not my cup of tea, but I appreciate the variety. A customer commented they were glad the wifi was working again. It was working fast and fine during the day I was there. read more

In my experience, there are two types of coffee shops: Those you got to for the ambiance, and those you go to for the quality of the coffee. Upon entering this place, I immediately suspected this joint would be in the former group over the latter. A place with a location this cool and an ambiance this swanky can't have great coffee, right? Right. My suspicions began to be confirmed when the barista informed me she didn't personally drink coffee, but would recommend the french roast. She then crinkled her nose when I ordered an espresso and said "too strong for me." The coffee fare of the shop is pretty run of the mill - mostly all roasted too dark to get any of the beans natural flavor. They don't brew coffee fresh when you order it (as do many of the shops I love), but serve it from pre-brewed large press-handle thermoses. Still, it certainly isn't the worst I've ever tasted, and probably beats out Starbucks on any given day. And yet, as I sit here drinking my thoroughly ho-hum cup of espresso (I asked what beans they were pulling, response - I don't know, something Italian), I find myself giving this place 4 stars, here's why: The location of the place is great, if not convenient to access for all. Located in a sweet basement, its got plenty of tables, couches and church pews to accomodate plenty of dwellers for an afternoon of studying, or catching up. They serve beer, wine and a variety of other smoothies and assorted coffee and tea beverages, so you can find plenty to drink here. The service, if not to my desired level of coffee-nerdiness, was warm, friendly and plenty efficient (although it was a slow afternoon). The art and decor are quite pleasant and the music isn't too loud during the day, allowing me to spend a nice afternoon getting some work done here. Free wifi is always nice. The stage in the corner and the live music posters suggest to me this would be a great place to hang out on the weekends and catch some live music. In short, I will definitely be back, but it will be my search for the right mellow atmosphere, not my coffee-taste buds, that lead me back. read more

Great location in the underground part of the Southside Lofts on Lamar. Easy parking in the free lot across the street. The atmosphere is so relaxed, very Deep Ellum feeling - music posters, local art work and a nice eclectic choice of music playing. The food choices are mostly all-natural too which is nice, they sell a whole food type oatmeal and the coffee cake is all natural ingredients. I came mid-afternoon on a Saturday and it was nice and quiet. The guy that took my order was so over the top nice! A perfect place to chill for sure. Great coffee, atmosphere, free wi-fi and a nice little stage for a small band or open mic night. I will be back! read more

Opening Bell has a great concept- from the theme to the usage of space. If I lived closer I would be in here all the time. The place is a versatile hang out spot- you can come meet friends and sit around a table, or you can come alone and curl up on one of the sofas with a book, or you can come watch a movie they play on weekend afternoons, or stop by at night for some live entertainment. They serve coffee, food, and yes...alcohol. I love coffeeshops/bars! read more

Discovered this while staying at the Canvas next door. We've stayed there several times but never noticed OBC til this visit. What a great find! We love everything about this place. Coffee is amazing, comfy chairs and perfect ambiance and decor. Will be back next time we're in town! read more

Laid-back and tremendous atmosphere. What I liked: - Chicken salad sandwich on a croissant. YUM. - Caramel Latte - Fast and free wi-fi - Live, free music every night (though you really should make a donation to the musicians) - Open late read more

This is a great place to grab a beer with friends, chill and play some games, or just grab a cup of coffee to go. The Hazlenut coffee is very tasty, and the chicken salad sandwich is great... and home-made. :) If you're into the Dallas music scene, this is definitely a place to check out. There are several bands playing on any given night, and can be a great way to learn about the vibe of music talent in the area. Definitely worth a stop! read more

After spending an hour and half at the Dallas Etsy fair in the Southside of Lamar lofts, the BF and I were sweating out of our pits and dog gone thirsty so we made our way to Opening Bell Coffee shop next door. I knew I was going to love this place after first walking in. The place was oh so cool, quaint and comfy with dark wood walls decorated with random signs, ads and fliers. I didn't want to get coffee or anything sweet so I opted for their wild berry TEA smoothie ($4) and rearranged magnets against a wall while waiting for my drink. Speaking of drinks, Opening Bell got +1 star for serving beer as well, what a fabo idea! My drink was AH-MAZE-ING! It has the consistency of a smoothie but more icy with a punch of freshness and fruit from the various wild berries. The only thing that stopped be from gulping down that sucker in one sitting was my brain freeze. I'm definitely counting down the days until class is over with so I can hitch it to Opening Bell on a Tuesday night for their stand up! read more