I had been wanting to check out the locally owned and operated Harlem Java House since it opened, but my daily life rarely takes me over that way so I hadn't gotten around to it until recently. I severely regret taking so long but I've been making up for it with numerous visits since! This small town jewel is located in the charming historic downtown area of Harlem. With streetside parking available directly in front of the shop, a patron can pull right up to the outside seating area, which boasts a few metal tables and chairs and a red umbrella for shade. Entering Harlem Java House, I immediately felt at ease in the calm atmosphere. The ambiance is cozy and casual; the natural light coming from the street facing windows highlights the open ceilings and exposed brick accents along with the eclectic decor. The seating is varied; there are wooden tables of different sizes (including a long communal style one) with metal stools, a bench seat, or chairs as seating options. My personal favorite spot is the area with a plush couch and armchairs, they help create the vibe that you're just relaxing and hanging out at a friend's house. Combined with their free wifi, I could sit here and relax for hours. The baristas were friendly and welcoming and were happy to suggest some blends and ways to customize my order. The items I ordered came out quickly and were made to perfection. *insert chef's kiss here* (The first time I visited I finished my drink before I even arrived home and seriously thought about going back and ordering another! I solved that problem going forward by ordering 2 each visit! ) The menu was filled with options from coffee to teas to Italian sodas and smoothies (they even have protein coffee), each with multiple flavors or specialties to choose from. It was hot out so I opted for one of my usual go-to drinks, an iced chai, and after the first sip I knew I'd be coming back for more. I haven't had an iced chai that good in YEARS! The menu includes an array of snacks such as pastries (I highly recommend the snickerdoodle muffin), sandwiches and quiche. Harlem Java House also offers seasonal "croffles." What are croffles? (I didn't know either!) A quick google search told me that: popularized in South Korea, croffles are a blend of croissant & waffle. One look at the photos on HJH's instagram will have you ordering at least two! HJH was the first to bring "croffels" to the CSRA, (the next closest one to us is 2.5 hrs away on the outskirts of Atlanta.) Another fun thing they offer is coffee "flights". If you're like me and you're picky or can't choose what new thing to try, flights give you the perfect opportunity to sample a range of flavors at once. The prices are reasonable for a coffee house, obviously not as cheap as making your own at home, but comparable to most coffee shops. They offer a loyalty perks card that you can have stamped with each cup you buy, making every 10th cup free of charge! Overall, I was highly impressed with Harlem Java House with their only downside being that it's a 30 minute drive from my house in a direction I don't usually go. I now find myself making reasons to drive out their way just to have an excuse to stop by! read more