Rising Star makes a great flat white. They have yummy looking pastries, but I've always eaten by the time I get around to getting coffee. Someday! The staff is friendly and speedy. I've always found a close parking spot on Taylor. Oh, I also bought their bean so that I could make my own flat white at home. The bean is really good, I don't have a commercial machine, I only have a consumer version, but it's still really, really delicious. I forget which bean they use, but if you ask the person at the counter, they will tell you because that is how I found out. I highly recommend Rising Star. I've been to two locations and they are both stellar. (oops did I really just say star and stellar? That was an accident, but I'm not changing it.) read more

You guys know me, I am rarely a Grumpy Gus in my reviews. I give more stars than I probably should. But I can only give the Cleveland Heights location of Rising Star Roasters 3 stars because I have more negatives than positives from my August 2026 visit on a busy Sunday morning. I will not give it less than 3 stars because the interior decor is lovely, there's ample space to sit inside, and the baristas were efficient. There are also a lot of local small businesses selling their wares in here as well like Jeff's Candy, Cleveland Vegan, Stem Soap Co, etc. So, I love coffee and I am also not picky. I even like gas station coffee more than I should! But the prices here are too high and the beans weren't good enough to justify the cost. I got a cold brew ($5.75). Normally, I add almond milk and sugar free syrup to my cold brews. But I balked at the $1.00 almond milk cost and there are absolutely NO sugar free syrups of any kind offered here! None! So I added a packet of splenda and some of the free oat milk to make it tolerable. Not bad after that but not great. My boyfriend had better luck with his iced Chai ($5.25). He did pay to add almond milk and the spice in the drink was nice and strong. But the most egregious error here was the awful blueberry vegan scone we bought ($4). It was a hockey puck of weirdness. The berries in the scone were the best part of the scone. Too bad there were only like 5 berries total. The batter just wasn't good and it was bright yellow from the Earth Balance butter. It was crazy busy when we visited so obviously, this is the preferred coffee shop for many of the locals here. But I think this won't end up on my list of coffee shops to come back to. Life is too short to drink mediocre coffee! read more

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I love Rising Star. Between this location and the Lakewood location, I'm a daily customer. I usually get a handcrafted matcha which is so delicious; there are a few different syrups and milk options to choose from. They get bagels in from CLE Bagel that are also tasty, there are a variety of bagels and schmears to choose from. They also have pastries available and I usually grab some of those too; today I got peanut butter cookies which were fantastic! The vibe is cozy and welcoming. Lots of seating options, and the space is kept clean. The staff are all very friendly. My fav CLE cafe for sure. read more

First timer! I wanted some fancy tea and this place is on my way to church so I decided to stop. The location is bright and welcoming. There were only two people working so I expected a wait. I quickly chose to try the Lake Erie featured drink. The staff was so nice and apologetic about the wait. The lady explained there is usually three people on staff. We noticed the nice selection they have and the calm environment. I will definitely return. read more

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The lavender latte was smooth and lightly aromatic, with the floral notes present but not overpowering. The lavender does soften the espresso, so this is better suited for those who prefer a more dessert leaning latte. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Lavender Latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

This has been my favorite coffee place since moving to Cleveland a year ago. Something is off now. My past 2 visits (mind you, I only visit the Cleveland heights location) have been subpar. My standard orders are not made well and the staff seem least bothered. The most recent visit totally has put me off. I got the seasonal cherry coffee concoction iced and what I received was a to go cup not even properly filled--with ice! I mean come on. I really disappointed to say the least. Currently lookin for decent coffee joints in the heights, send help. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - This is what a full iced coffee looks like to the staff at rising star Cleveland heights, smh - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Rising Star is my go to for high quality, ethically sourced, and delicious coffee. Rising Star has an incredible local roasting facility and several local cafes. I always prefer their black coffees/pour over (sourced from all over the world) or their ever changing seasonal menu. They also collab with local businesses and sell skincare (in collaboration with STEM Skincare) and small bites (in collaboration with Spice Kitchen). During my latest visit, I had tasted Evergreen latte (perfect balance of milk and mint), Sunbutter Energy Balls (very sunflower forward and taste so delicious), and chocolate cherry bark (do decadent)! Parking for this location is available to the side of the restaurant (just a few spots) and ample street parking. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Spice mini bites - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Rising Star is one of my favorite local coffee roasters and cafes. I love the new location on Taylor Rd. Spacious, airy, huge windows, lots of seating and outlets. So much room in fact that I recently stopped by on Thanksgiving eve with my mother, cookbooks in tow, and finalized our menu while enjoying lattes, a pastry, and new salad offerings. On their opening day at the new location, I brought my laptop and was able to find a table and outlet to park at and work while enjoying my iced matcha. When dining in, my go to is the vanilla latte. I love that their lattes come with sparkling water on the side. Makes enjoying your coffee feel like an intentional practice and reminds you to slow down and enjoy. This is my go-to spot to purchase beans for our espresso maker. My current favorite is Koke which has a touch of lavender and is on the sweeter side. The only drawback of the new location is limited parking in the dedicated lot, but there is ton of street parking! read more

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I have been a long time Rising Star customer since their early days in Little Italy and have enjoyed watching them expand across the greater Cleveland area! While I was sad to see them move out of their diner location, I was delighted by their new location! It is has a light and airy vibe while also being cozy. It's great for coming to work or sit down with family/friends for a delicious drink. As usual the employees were friendly and kind! Overall, a lovely spot for their new location that I'm excited to come back to! read more

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Great specials. Great service. Awesome music. Expect to pay $6 for a latte. It's normal now. And tip your barista for a job well done. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Stopped into abundance for a few buns and found Rising Star. Solid coffee and good service. I've officially added it my weekend errand run coffee shop list. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Rising Star rises again - when this local favorite closed their Cleveland Heights location next to the CWRU campus, I know more than a handful of people who were devastated to have their study spot taken away. Fortunately, the relocation to Lee Rd is every bit as quirky and charming as you'd expect a Rising Star to be. Did Lee Rd need another cafe? Is there even such a thing as too many cafes? Judging by the steady stream of people in and out, certainly not. Housed in a retro-themed diner which is once-again open for dine-in (or study-in), this cafe is polished, clean, and friendly. The barista bar is right in front when you enter, with restrooms to the right and the seating area to the left. Because of the oblong shape of the diner trailer, seating seems a little diminished but the dining tables make for ample surface to chat and work from, and the long dining counter has additional bar stools to park your butt at. The most unique seat is a dining table in an alcove jutting out from the side of the main dining room, with a bookshelf of free books to peruse. You'll find plenty of students studying here so you know the Wi-Fi is reliable. There are limited charging outlets due to the design of the trailer though - plan accordingly. With any Rising Star, you'll get quality coffee, beans, merch, and baked goodies for sale. Most of their pastries are sourced from Blackbird Baking Co in Lakewood (a tried and true favorite) with plenty of gluten-free options, bagels from The Cleveland Bagel Co, and Rising Stars have all stopped charging extra for dairy alternatives (THANK YOU). The bathrooms are subtly designated male and female with posters on the doors and kept in good condition. There's no paper towels, forcing you to go green with the excellent Dyson Airblade hand dryer. read more

The coffee here is smooth and soul warming. If I'm looking for a treat I'll get the Promise Land latte. However, beware on cold days even though their drinks are warm and fuzzy the diner car lacks insulation, sometimes I'm cold even wearing multiple layers! bundle up if you're planning a longer visit! read more

Rising Star has been my families go to coffee shop for the past five years. They offer solid coffee choices and the quality of their coffee beans has improved throughout the years. Although the new location is more "airy", trendy looking and not as cramped as the previous one... I still miss/prefer the "old" location at the diner. It had more available parking spaces, more walkable and felt more distinctive (not your stereotypical trendy designs). Plus, seating spaces in the new location are about the same as the previous location. One could make the argument that the previous location had more spots when it was warm out due to the outside patio. read more

I love their new location on Taylor. The space is bright, clean, and has a nice loft-like vibe. The espresso drinks are well made and they are served on a wood tray with a side of seltzer. The coffee itself is very good, but probably only 4 1/2 stars. It's getting harder to find really excellent beans at a good price and the ones that we do have these days are harder to roast and extract well. But the results here are still better than most of the competition. As a bonus, they have delicious pastries. read more

Perfect place for some good drinks and get some work done. Seems to be a renovated diner with plenty of seating at the counter as well as tables throughout the restaurant. I never have trouble finding a place to sit, although it can get quite full on the weekends. I mostly go for the tea or matcha latte, but they have many pastries that I have yet to try. There is even a pizza restaurant that utilizes their kitchen in the back. The smell of pizza is amazing, so I am definitely going to try some eventually. I mostly go here to study. They always play chill lo-fi music which is perfect. Sometimes it's silent, sometimes there's lots of conversation depending on the vibes that day. My only complaint is the charger situation. If you are at the counter, there's plenty of plugs, but if you sit at a table only a couple tables have a plug within reach. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Cute diner - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Rising Star is consistently the best coffee in Cleveland, hands down. This is legitimately excellent coffee that I'd put against any other roaster from anywhere else in the country. My only complaint is with the to-go cups. They consistently leak all over my car and sometimes on my clothes. I understand and appreciate wanting environmentally friendly cups, but there has to be a better option. Other than that, this place is the best. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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I love rising star! My go to coffee shop in Cleveland heights - delicious specialty lattes, and scrumptious pastries (i believe they are mostly from blackbird bakery in tremont, another strong recommendation). I love the converted diner vibe, and I believe they even serve scorpacciata pasta/pizza during certain hours! This is one of my favorite nearby spots to get some work done or treat myself during morning errands. The staff is also always friendly! While this is my most frequented location, I'm a big fan of all the rising star locations, and I usually buy my coffee beans from them. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Orange spice latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Rising Star is a staple for Cleveland coffee lovers! Their menu offers non-dairy milk alternatives and plenty of vegan treats from local establishments. Their seasonal specials are always unique. Highly recommended their ginger mint latte right now! read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Winter specials - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

What a lovely little coffee shop - this is a great place to come study and change it up from your typical coffee shop vibe. This rising star is in a renovated diner space, so it feels like your in one of those classic old-timey 24 hour diners nursing your coffee and looking out the window. When I went it was basically all people studying or reading the newspapers and a few pairs meeting up to chat about this and that. There was plenty of seating, and I loved the layout with the countertop stools or diner tables and the little nook in front. There's plenty of parking as well, which is great in this neighborhood. I ordered a loose leaf tea, which you can get in a tea container or loose from a pot - I kind of expected them to give me the pot for refills when I ordered it loose leaf, but they just pour it for me, so I would recommend that you get the tea container if you want to go back for more hot water! I also got a croissant which was pretty good - they have a moderate selection of sweet baked goods. I'll definitely be back again! read more

Yummy coffee, lots of space, potted plants, and ample parking. What else could you want from a coffee shop? This location is the perfect place for an afternoon of work or study. The reclaimed diner space really gives a fun vibe to studying. It's also very effective for giving people space to work. Their coffee is great, i'm always sure to take a bag of koke washing station home with me. Wifi can be spotty at times, but generally it's great. I plan to continue coming to this location! I was sad when the little italy spot closed, but this is a great alternative. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - latte + retro diner vibe - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

The lattes here are the best, both the Promised Land Latte and Cardamom Bomb. The flavors are very balanced between the taste and aroma of the espresso and the spices. They produce high quality drinks. The location is also very good as there is plenty of space to park and plenty of seating. There is some soft music playing in the background which makes for a good ambience. Great for doing some work or hanging out. The baristas are very friendly and this is a great coffee shop. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Regular latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

The diner turned coffee shop atmosphere is a great environment for studying/working or just to meet a friend. There are large tables, outlets, and a plenty of seating. I got a macchiato, which was smooth and not too bitter. I've also gotten their turmeric ginger tea, which was soothing and perfect for a snowy afternoon. The drinks are a bit pricy but high quality. They have different coffee beans in rotation and the staff is very knowledgable and will help you make the right choice! read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Rising star is a solid, dependable, Cleveland Heights, coffee shop staple. You'll probably always find a student or two there studying, as their hours run a little bit longer than other coffee shops in the area. Their drinks are very delicious and reasonably priced, and I find myself always gravitating towards the jasmine latte and other floral inspired lattes. They also have a small selection of pastries, which are quite good. While they themselves don't have savory food for meals, the occasionally will have special pop-ups from local stores. They previously had a pizza place that would serve lunch, and currently have abundance, a Chinese inspired spot, with limited hours for meal times. read more

Lots of teas to choose from and several baked goods always as well. Lots of seating in an old diner attached to the coffee shop. I ordered my drink tonight at 633pm after a long rough day, sat down at 636pm, then they immediately came and told me I had to leave because they decided to close at 630 that day. Why serve me at all if you were closed and I couldn't even eat and drink my purchases there? read more

If you are looking for a super calm and relaxed feeling coffee shop, don't pass this one up. Rising Star is a staple in the Cleveland coffee community and this location is going to be very influential to continuing their success. This is a diner car! Super cool feel. You order your drink or snack in a small attached area beside it, and then take your accoutrements into the diner car to work, sip or chill. It's designed in the Scandinavian or Dutch sense with calming lights, limited decor and lots of plants. The coffee drinks here are strong and lovely. Featuring flavorful options or the tradition drip, if you are a coffee drinker, you don't want to miss this. Thanks Rising Star for creating a kick butt location, we're glad you're here! read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

This place is amazing! And one of the only coffee shops that doesn't up charge for alternative milks! They are doing it right! Thank you! read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Menu - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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I've lived very close to Rising Star, basically within walking distance for 5 years so this coffee shop was always a prime choice for chatting with friends, studying (or not), and catching up. However, I realize that I mainly came here out of convenience. I do like the people working here, however. They are always very friendly and willing to chat with me when the place is not super busy. In terms of quality of coffee, the iced coffee is extremely strong for me and will leave me feeling jittery for the rest of the day. I do like their lattes but it is pricey. The one thing I consistently get especially during the summer is the Star Tea which is very light, refreshing, and slightly sweet. This tea is one of my favorite iced teas in the whole world. Unfortunately, I have been really turned off by the baked goods that they have in the front. I used to get a brownie or treat with my coffee, but I've seen flies and bugs in the display case in the past. I saw that they recently accommodated more people there with extra chairs and tables which was really nice because it used to be hard to find seats in the past. However, there are still not many outlets and often the spots with outlets near them have already been taken. As I usually come here to study or do work, Rising Star has been difficult to find a spot with a readily accessible outlet. In the past, the wifi has also been going in and out although it does seem like it has improved recently. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Lattes - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

I have been coming to this coffee shop for four years now, and have to say that it has and remains my favorite coffee shop in the greater Cleveland area. Specifically at this location, the workers are always extremely friendly, and always go the extra mile to make sure you're satisfied. Every now and then I'll get offered a free cup of coffee when I'm getting multiple things, or a free upgrade to an espresso or pour-over when I purchase beans from here. Aside from the fantastic service, I personally think that rising star serves the best coffee in the area, and has coffee that competes with almost any roaster in Seattle, nyc etc. If you have an idea of what you want, the staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help you pick out the right beans for your brew method. Really can't go wrong with this place. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

One of many locations of a Cleveland coffee shop chain. Lots of unique drinks. I got the Promised Land Latte and it was totally amazing. I only took a few sips though because it has a double shot of espresso. Can make any of their drinks iced. As far as food goes, they only had one scone available (which I got). It was fine, but definitely nothing special Have outdoor seating. 7.5/10 read more

My go-to get shit done workplace. Love the people here and while I can't say much about their coffee anymore (stopped drinking coffee earlier this year) I will say that their chai lattes and matcha lattes are the best in town, according to both myself and many friends. Best part about their lattes is that they use real matcha powder and whisk it together, which allows you to control many more aspects of your drink than Starbucks does with their mostly-sugar matcha powder. They also occasionally offer special drinks, such as a pear Italian soda and black walnut latte in the fall, and the vanilla bean latte (made with real vanilla beans people!) in the winter. read more

It was a pleasant surprise to see the new location in Cleveland Heights. It's a renovated diner, so that adds a level of visual interest whether this is a setting to meet friends, work, chill, or study. I will say it is expensive, but QUALITY. There are a variety of beans to choose from that rotate day to day. I loved that my americano, which tasted amazing, actually came with sparkling water (as it should IMO). Already looking forward to coming back!!! Also not sure if this is too nit picky.....but it was basically blowing cold air in the middle of winter and the baristas weren't able to change that so many of us were studying with parkas on. Bundle up just in case. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - new location -- old diner - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Rising Star is a nice place to meet for coffee with a friend or to do some work. They have numerous tables and a square bar that surrounds the espresso machines/coffee makers, all of which offer some nice and highly varied places to sit. Rising Star also has a nice selection of high quality coffees and teas. I recently tried their Chai tea latte and was pleasantly surprised by the depth of flavor in the drink. Their prices are steep, but in general I would say they're worth the price. My only small gripe is just the vibe in this place- I feel like I'm not "cool" enough to be here. It's just a bit off-putting. Baristas never smiled and I felt like a bit of an inconvenience while placing my order. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Chai tea latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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If there is a fine line between Hipster edgy and excess, this place surely strays into the latter. The barista radiates a true believer coffee zealousness that oozes disdain into every cup. The place is that rusty, hermit-crab deconstructionist vibe from the hodgepodge floors to the beat up walls to the never cleaned front windows and legit grungy walls. It's about the COFFEE, man. Three or four food items. It's about the COFFEE, man. Music so eclectic that it was so yesterday before it was hip that it has returned to hipness. It's about the COFFEE, man. You get the inclination that someone walking in with a Dunkin' cap might be tried for being a status quo commercialist heretic. It's about the COFFEE, man. I listened to the barista rattle on for about an hour over the superiority of this or that technique to the poor guy who just started working there and didn't realize coffee is a religion. For all of that, my pour over coffee, that I picked off of the tiny exceedingly biodegradable bleached paper card listing its ingredients tacked to a reclaimed wood block kind of, well, sucked. Fair trade coffee from exotic wherever with a suggestion of oak, ground copies of "On Walden Pond" and notes of road tar was nothing to write home about. Ok, so it's a whole lot of words to say "meh" not magic. Bring your typewriter and your phonograph. read more

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I've been in Cleveland for less than 3 months and according to Yelp have checked in here 9 times haha. I think it's about time a review is due :) My go-to drinks here are the matcha latte and the promised land latte - both of which I like to get iced. I have also tried their affogato and caramel date sticky cake, both of which are a bit more of indulgences but super yummy nonetheless. The employees here I've encountered have also been accommodating. At my last visit, I ordered a promised land latte but realized as I was sitting down with my stuff that I forgot to ask for it iced. I rushed over to the counter to ask if it was still possible to get the drink iced and even though the barista had just steamed the milk for the hot latte, he kindly made the drink iced for me. Overall, Rising Star is a nice study spot that is both close to campus and close to where I live. I imagine I will be here many more times in the future just because of how convenient of a place it is haha. My friend also told me the cardamom bomb drink here is really good, but I have yet to try that (I've been waiting for the weather to cool down for a bit since I usually like cold drinks). I definitely recommend Rising Star for their coffee, great customer service, and nice environment! read more

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Rising Star on Murray Hill has plenty of room to sit and work on school, work, or to meet up with friends. They're known for their quality coffee and this location is no different. The most difficult part is the parking. It's all street parking and it's usually limited to an hour. The vibe is a little bit more quiet than the other locations that I've been to, but I didn't feel like I was being annoying when meeting up with a friend. I treated myself to the Promised Land latte which was absolutely delicious. Especially now that other coffee places have raised their prices to provide higher quality coffee, the prices aren't as startling as they used to be. If Presti's on Mayfield or the Coffee House on Juniper doesn't have parking available or is not what you're feeling, Rising Star is a great option. read more

One of my favs!! No longer go to the chain a few blocks down. They offer unique and healthy options.

Rising Star is the perfect place to get some work done if you are near CWRU. The coffee is great and the music playing is always wonderful! Usually, I will just get espresso if I am going to be working for a while but I recently tried the promise land latte and loved it! It is a latte with cinnamon and honey, I highly recommend trying it! The pastries and cookies are also nice snacks to have along with your drink! read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Promise Land Latte! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

I don't go to this place enough. I love both the cardamom bomb and the promised land latte, such uniquely delicious drinks everyone should try. When looking around the place, it seems like a lot of people go there to work as opposed to just sit around and talk. However, when I do go there I tend to think it's a bit too loud to work in due to both the loud coffee machines and blasting music. I do still enjoy getting coffee here because I like their patio area. This is an area in the back which is a bit more secluded so less noisy and not exposed to the noise of the inside. read more

Rising Star Coffee Roasters - Cardamom bomb - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Had a quick latte here on my work to a workshop, the milk use was fresh and good local coffee used. Latte had a higher milk to coffee ratio than I expected and the flavour syrup didn't standout Would definitely recommend for espresso drinks and trying flat white or cappuccino. Latte is all milk with no coffee flavour read more