Why do most coffee shops in Alabama have to face a parking lot? Why the heck is everything another…read moreugly strip mall? What makes it even sadder in the case of Santos, is they tried to make the exterior a little more enjoyable by putting some nice tables and even a swing outside. Sadly, without any plants separating the area from the parking lot, the entire vibe of this coffee shop, both looking out from inside and sitting outside is not that great. But, vibe aside, let's talk about how it got here. Santos is a family owned small chain. The main owner, Wendy Madden, opened the first coffee shop in 1993 in Tuscaloosa and since expanded into Santos Coffee we know today. The establishment pays homage to Guatemalan saints and ancestral lands where coffee is sourced from, from family's original plantations. The beans are roasted in Birmingham after being imported from Guatemala. The coffee is absolutely excellent here. Seriously, a very tasty latte. Oddly, they do not have an option to get it in a mug, so there is no way to avoid the plastic coating and the flimsy paper cups. Also there wasn't even a design on top of the latte...but ok, maybe that's slightly picky to highlight. Thus, Santos as a whole is a good coffee shop for to go orders. With excellent coffee quality, this is where they really shine. With that said, the vibe and serving methods need work.

Super clean and the aesthetic I could spend hours here and work…read more The staff were really nice. They had good options for food and for drinks outside of coffee! Free water, which I love because it's self serve. Only thing I would change is the energy shot. It would amazing if they served an energy shot actually. I was expecting like a mini juice shot packed with vitamins and suppl

Finally made it to Baba Java Coffee, and I wish I hadn't waited so long! I had the cappuccino and…read moremy friend got the latte, both delicious. The cappuccino was stronger than what I usually go for, but smooth, not bitter at all. The ambiance is really nice, mostly tables and chairs with one cozy area that has softer seating. A few people were working on laptops, so it seems like a good spot to post up for a bit. Parking was easy too. Will definitely be back!

Having opened in 2019, Baba Java entered the area's coffee shop scene at a time when coffee for…read moremost local residents was still associated with one single chain. This was the first location of Baba Java and has since expanded through the city. Ran my Omani entrepreneurs, this little coffee shop became quite popular over the years. The staff working here are mostly teenagers or college students, who are very attentive and professional despite their young age. The owner clearly picked out incredible folks to be here who make Baba Java feel both welcoming and well kept. The interior of the space is fairly basic coffee shop design, but admittedly, a little bit dated in 2026 and lacks the unique vibe of some other independent coffee shops. Window views facing the strip mall parking lot don't create much of an ambiance either. With that said, design is not the main thing to come here for. The coffee is excellent and priced very reasonably, offering a great value for an establishment of this sort. There is easy to access WiFi and an overall feeling of being welcomed. A solid little coffee shop that allows customers to support some local business owners instead of a big chain.

Very kind staff and great service! Usually high school kids there who really care and want to make…read moreyour drink the right way. Always delicious

Was my first time going and it was fantastic. Not only was the staff was super kind, but they…read moreexplained everything about the drink I was wanting and were patient with me. 10/10 service and I will definitely be coming back again for my next mid lunch drink order.

A great place to work, study or simply enjoy a coffee, latte or frozen creation. Their Honey…read moreCinnamon Latte was yummy, lightly sweet and hit the spot. Service was quick and efficient. The Cinnamon Scone was tender, moist and full of cinnamon flavor, but I wish I'd had her warm it a bit - as she offered. It was cool from being in a refrigerated case. The atmosphere here is high ceiling industrial, but exposed brick and a lovely walnut paneled wall give it a warmth and a stately library touch. I'll return.

Conveniently located in Trace crossings. My lemonade was very tasty. They have tons of items on…read moretheir summer menu. Can't wait to try more. This place has plenty of patio seating tons of pastry, sandwich, and coffee options. Tons of restaurants and cool retail shops all in walking distance. Service was great.

I always like to try new coffee places and since I've never been to a Dutch Bros, I had been…read moreanxiously awaiting their opening. But here lately it's been so busy they have police directing traffic so I decided to wait a few weeks before I tried it. I went on a Tuesday morning and I ended up ordering the golden Eagle hot. I could tell there was a new person taking my order, but he did very well. It did not take me long to get my drink but the way the drive-through is that you have to wait behind people so it's not a two lane drive-through like some other coffee places. You can download the app and then get some freebies after a while. I will definitely be back.

Our area's first Dutch Bros recently opened. I avoided it for a bit, but I found it not as busy…read moreone afternoon. Walk-up and online ordering isn't turned up yet, so drive-thru it was. Not going to lie, I felt silly asking for the Tiger's Blood Zero Sugar Rebel. I was also glad I had downloaded the app so I knew what I wanted so I wasn't gawking at the menu trying to decide. It was fantastic! I had just gotten through at the gym, and it was so refreshing. It made me happy enough I decided to pull over a half-mile down the road to take my Yelp photos. It comes with Sugar-free Coconut and Sugar-free Strawberry, but I'm not sure I would have been able to tell you those were the flavors if I hadn't read it on the menu. The medium has 85 mg of caffeine, so slightly less than a cup of coffee. Glad to have Dutch Bros nearby, and I look forward to trying some more flavors, no matter how awkward ordering it makes me feel.

This place is truly like no other in the area -- a true hidden gem among the shops of Alabaster…read more Out of the 10+ times I have gone since the store has opened, I have had beyond a pleasant experience each time. The staff are relatable and friendly and always greet you with a genuine smile. Iris, especially, has been particularly warm and hospitable. It's been a joy getting to talk to them each time I visit. The menu has a massive selection of drinks (and you can even customize your own!) and a respectable amount of pastries, each of which has been well worth my money. In the odd case that you don't like your first drink, you are sure to find one you love among the rest of the menu. My favorite fruit tea/lemonade so far is the Rainbow Road, while my favorite milk tea is hands-down the cotton candy. Whatever you like - sweet, bitter, spicy - they have it or are willing to adjust drinks to meet your desired sweetness, bitterness, etc. If you are in the area, you absolutely MUST visit this establishment. You won't regret it.

The drinks weren't awesome. Our cake slice had mold on it... just a "trendy" place in my opinion…read more.. teenagers seem to love it.... It was packed with them.

You all know I adore Near Me Smoothies and Ice Cream. It has been months since I've seen my little…read moresister which means we were overdue for a sister date. We met here yesterday to catch up, use my $5 off bday reward, enjoy the weather that was nice enough to take advantage of the outside seating area. They've added a couple items to the menu and have added a refrigerator/freezer area that is filled with several viral snacks to come and purchase to try out. I'm sure this is a hit with the kids in the area who know TikTok trends like the back of their hands. The two individuals working were sweet and even suggested a different milk option to my sister for her smoothie selection unless she desired the more "sour" outcome her original choice would have made when blended with the ingredients. She chose to take their recommendation and loved her smoothie.

Walked into a very colorful and vibrant atmosphere. The decor definitely catches your attention and…read moregives off a fun, modern vibe. Customer service was very friendly and accommodating throughout the visit. I ordered the Oat Adventure because I am a fan of Do-si-dos. They were out of apples, so I substituted cheesecake bites and went with the vanilla base. I also added peanut butter sauce and caramel. My wife ordered a chocolate base with mango, bananas, cheesecake bites, Biscoff cookies, and caramel. Presentation looked good and everything was visually appealing. The ingredient selection process is different from traditional ice cream spots because this is New Zealand-style ice cream where the ingredients are blended directly into the base. For us personally, the vanilla base was not sweet enough. My wife felt the same about the chocolate base. The flavor profile came across lighter and less dessert-like than we expected. This may simply come down to preference. We realized during this visit that New Zealand-style ice cream may not be our thing. Personally, I prefer places where the ice cream stays intact and mix-ins are folded or added in, similar to Yogurt Mountain or traditional ice cream shops. My wife also raised a good observation for customers with allergies. It did not appear that every mix-in had its own separate scooper, which could potentially create cross-contamination concerns for people with nut allergies or other food sensitivities. Price also factors into the experience. For what we received, we were right at about $20. The quantity-to-value ratio felt questionable considering the portion sizes. If the flavor had been a bigger hit for us, the cost might have landed differently. The concept is unique, and I can see some people really enjoying the fresh fruit approach. It just did not quite have that "it factor" for us. For our personal rankings, we would probably still lean toward spots like Big Spoon, Cold Stone, Dream Flavors, Edgewood Creamery, Marble Slab, Mountain Brook Creamery, and Unbothered Scoops. Not a bad experience at all, just not a repeat visit for us.

I truly can't say enough about this local donut shop in Pelham…read more Not only does this place become a constant daily temptation as I drive to and from work, but it serves the community in more ways than one. Whenever any donut shops pop up nearby I always say they have nothing on Donut Joe's. The donuts always taste amazing and the staff are always super kind. They wake up super early in the morning to prep the donuts and brew some coffee fof the daily commutes and people nearby. I especially love to pick up donuts for my coworkers when I head to work as well. In the four years that I have lived down here in town, I can say without a doubt it is one of the best donut shops I have ever had and I hope to continue to come here for years. The location is perfect, plenty of space to park and plenty of ambiance nearby.

I really appreciate it when owners care about their customers, maintaining freshness and the…read moreoriginal recipe over the years. Hush! Hush! On Saturdays, early in the morning, I jump out of bed and head to Donut Joe's for their delicious coffee and blueberry donut.