No-contact delivery
Yes
Public Espresso Coffee in Buffalo
Categories
Location on the map
Buffalo, Erie County, New York, US
Service options
Delivery
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Great coffee
Yes
Great dessert
Yes
Great tea selection
Yes
Popular for
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Good for working on laptop
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Offerings
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Prepared foods
Yes
Quick bite
Yes
Vegetarian options
Yes
Dining options
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Seating
Yes
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Yes
Good for kids
Yes
High chairs
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Historic
Yes
Crowd
Family friendly
Yes
Groups
Yes
LGBTQ+ friendly
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Transgender safe space
Yes
University students
Yes
Payments
Debit cards
Yes
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Credit cards
Yes
Phone: +1 716-367-9971
Site: http://www.publicespresso.com/
Site: http://www.publicespresso.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:8AM–6PM
- Wednesday:8AM–6PM
- Thursday:8AM–6PM
- Friday:8AM–6PM
- Saturday:8AM–2PM
- Sunday:8AM–2PM
Comments (199)
The staff here are friendly. I enjoyed the aesthetic and overall feel. The sandwich is yummy and the building Public is located is beautiful-must be explored while you wait for your drink!
This is definitely my new favorite coffee spot in Buffalo! Always a long line,beware-BUT that speaks volumes. Not only is the coffee amazing, their baked goods are delish!, especially the coffee cake muffins and the chocolate drizzled croissants-tres magnificent! I definitely recommend both the Nola, an iced coffee blended with chocolate milk, or the Honey iced coffee, no description necessary, honey.
Food is tasty but the prices are not inline with what you get. I was charged $1.50 for extra cream cheese which was less than a tea spoon worth.Edit Note: Due to the owners accountability, and hopefully further training of staff to address potential shortcomings, I changed the rating from 2 stars to 4 stars
Great cold brew and the food is tasty! Lots of options. The vibe inside is great, but there aren’t many outlets - so make sure your devices are charged up!
I have been going here since 2018, as well as consistently buying beans from them.BEANSThey are on par with the very best NYC roasteries and their bean prices are very competitive given this. Highly recommended El Salvador beans in particular for those who prefer light roasts, complex with floral and nutty notes with intense flavor but minimal chocolate. Excellent pour overs and espresso.COFFEEConsistent high quality coffee from the shop, whether pour over, espresso, latte, etc. Good flavor options as wellPASTRIESExcellent, exactly what you need. Best in city for scones. Wide variety of donuts.FOODBetter bagels than NYC. Really. Especially Rosemary Sea Salt and Garlic Tuscan. Delicious sandwiches and great plates at reasonable prices. Expect to pay $10 for a meal.ATMOSPHEREClear, clean, crisp. Lively but not crowded. Big open space that is bright with plenty natural light. Plenty of seats available with WiFi and plugs galore. *Now open until 8pm!!! This is so exciting!!*
Just spoke to the owner (Steve Jobs look-a-like) to say how good the breakfast was. Coffee pour-over decaf was fantastic, Americano was great and the breakfast plate and hash bowls were really good. Very nice find. The owner was really attentive and has an eye for customer service. What more could you ask for as a visitor or regular.
Publics is still a very nice place to go to if you want a great cup of coffee or tea. You can not come here and not grab a desert. Today I had the coffee cake muffin and it was very good. Its not surprising since everything they had behind the case looked tempting. I ordered the Vlads classic breakfast sandwich with bacon. I loved the construction of the sandwich, salty thick bacon, with an over easy egg in between a nice thick English muffin. My wife ordered the bacon and egg corn muffin. Also a good choice for a breakfast selection. A nice hearty tasting muffin, but I would have like more bacon within the corn muffin. For drinks, I had the chai tea latte and my wife had the coffee pour over. We were both very pleased with our drinks.
Great service and great coffee! I look forward to coming here many more times! Food, doughnuts, coffee, everything there is out of this world!
Cute and spacious downtown Cafe with industrial feel. Substantial breakfast menu from avo toast to huevos rancheros. Artsy coffee choices like their Nola cold brew (chocolate & chicory) to cortados and ample tea selection. Self seating with table service. Total gem.
Friendly staff, plenty of natural light, yummy donuts and delicious sweet potato (or rosemary potatoes w/chorizo) hash bowl. Can get full around lunchtime but lots of space to sit with a friend or your laptop. LGBTQ+ friendly
Nice open space with a great menu! The homemade bake good rocked my socks off. Yum!!!! Looks at those beautiful doughnuts. Loved the vlad breakfast sandwich and my London fog!
Best coffee/food of any cafe in Buffalo, especially my fav the Vlad breakfast sammy. I love both of the locations and the staff is always sincere.
Wow, such good food and a delicious eggnog latte. The chorizo hash bowl was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Sad I don’t live in Buffalo right now.
Wonderful atmosphere for Sunday morning espresso and breakfast...wonderful staff as well! Definitely will be back!
Exceptional, though I wish it was open longer. Not sure what to try? The macchiato & biscotti are a good place to start. In addition to this gem, enjoy the visual beauty of the Lafayette Hotel. Enter coffee shop from Washington Street, but free parking after 5 and on weekends from Ellicott Street side.
I ordered ahead for some of their donuts. They are delicious!! Fresh and really tasty. Very cool location.
This place is perfection in my book! First off I loved thobopen and clean feel of the shop. Public hold the same coffee values that I believe in, craft beverages, but keeping things simple and classic. The cortado I got was very well roinded in flavors of acidity, sweetness, and savory notes. Another amazing thing I loved was so simple but made my heart skip a beat was that my opur over coffee came in the decanter the coffee was made in. If I could give the a 10 out of 5 I would.
Nice location and environment. Diverse menu. I love that they had a cold brew and lemonade option. I enjoyed my drink although I do wish that it was a little sweeter. I would recommend this place to others and would also go back.PS. they do offer lids, I just didnt grab one.
Best damn coffeehouse in all the corners of the country. Great coffee, great seating area, great atmosphere, and the breakfast burrito gets me out of bed some days. Pastries could be better.
Clean, spacious, free Wi-Fi, excellent pour over coffee, plenty of seats, and free boardgames. Hard to find parking since it is in downtown afterall, but you else can you ask for 🤷
I love the atmosphere of this place; nice for meetings or reading. The Public convinced me that I didnt dislike COFFEE...I just dislike mediocre coffee! Their stuff is great. Today I got a delicious (tho quite salty) rosemary bagel & autumn leaf tea from Public.
Fantastic service, cold brew is top tier, donuts are amazing, and theyre very progressive with recent events. Will be giving them more business.
Great spot!! Awesome coffee. Great staff. Banana bread is amazing.
Great food.and ambience. The location is also perfect. Its little pricey though. A humus plate costed me $10.they have very limited options on the menu.
High quality cafe goods and coffee.A modern and comfortable atmosphere, full of light on the corner, or cozy in the hotel lobby next to the fire.Great staff and overall customer-focus.
Just perfect. They make their own english muffins for their breakfast sandwiches, and they use milk from A2 cows, which is easier to digest. I got a cruller and it was maybe the best pastry Ive ever had. Cinnamon buns are also delicious. Cold brew options are amazing and seem to be year-round, which is nice if you digest cold brew more easily. The cappuccino I tried was perfect. Everyone is really nice and the space is just beautiful. Orders come out quickly. I really dont know what more one could hope for from a cafe.
A bit on the pricey side, but a unique space in the Historic Lafayette Hotel in Central Downtown Buffalo.Stick to or share one latte/mocha and ask for water to sip in between. The drinks and exciting to watch the barista make yet I’ve not had the chance to try any.
Their pour overs are good and the place is a great for meetings. Quiet buzz of pre-work conversations with a well designed asthetic for just the right ambiance. The avocado toast is the best in Buffalo—I would not say Buffalo is the best place for avocado toast but its good enough. I typically get mine with tomato and sometimes an egg. I like this spot because I can take the train from my hotel near the HarborCenter.
Best coffee I’ve ever had! I chose to stop into public espresso and grabbed a mocha and The Vlad. Cofee was delicious, great body and flavor. The sandwich also amazing! Very fluffy English muffin with fresh eggs, bacon, and cheese. Couldn’t have been more satisfied with my breakfast choice, definitely recommend!
A bit overpriced, but definitely my favorite breakfast place in Buffalo so far. Great options for food and drink. I’ve stayed at the Lafayette a few time- The feel of the hotel (dark tones, luxurious) is juxtaposed with this more modern cafe vibe with lighter colors etc.
Been here twice waiting for a connecting bus, I was very very impressed. Try the cortado and the tofu sandwich, you will not be disappointed!
Attended a baby shower in the crystal room.
Absolutely loved and recommended to friends. Get the bowls...So healthy and yummy {(rare combination)
Ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch along with a gingerbread latte, it was very delish and it even came with chips. There is water at the table and beautiful gorgeous setting
Great place for a cup of coffee, a quick snack or a business meeting. Cozy atmosphere, great staff, amazing coffee.
Coffee was very good. Food was delicious. Only three stars because service was so slow. Waited 20 minutes to get a bagel and some toast.
Amazing how you order the breakfast plate with avocado WITHOUT BREAD (people with partial villous atrophy stan) and get a quarter of an avocado and two scrambled eggs for $10! Salad apparently left the chat.
Good tasty of coffee and snacks.interior was awesome!!
45 minutes to make 2 breakfast burritos and a latte. Also ordered two donuts that were sold out apparently and replaced with other pastries. The replacement donut was 98% air and flavorless. The breakfast burritos just tasted like burnt beef and nothing else. I could throw a rock downtown and hit a place with better food.
Good coffee. Expect a bit of a line when major events are in town. Hot food looked phenomenal.... I got a cinnamon bun and it was great. When downtown, find this local gem.
Great prices, great service and even better coffee. Picked up some additional local treats as well.
We were preparing for a 2 hour drive and I needed something to ensure I didn’t fall asleep behind the wheel. Found this nice coffee shop on the corner and gave it a try. Don’t recall what exactly I had but some unique type of pie/cake/pastry. It was palatable and went well with the coffee. Kind of a hipster feel to it but the coffee and desert was worthwhile. Two pieces of pie and two coffees came to $16. Yikes! But as they say “you get what you pay for”! 👌
Delicious pour over coffee, sweet potato hash bowl breakfast was delicious, service was great. Atmosphere is an open format community space. Its just great. Support this growing local business.
Superior quality and a great selection of beverages and small eats in a historic setting. A bit more expensive compared to the competition, and the wait is much longer than expected (our beverages were cold/finished by the time our sandwiches arrived). Everything tasted delicious - even though my chai latte was more sweet than spicy (I would have preferred it to be less sweet). The in-house baked goods looked delicious even though I didnt try them. But Id come back just for a pastry! Cant give full stars because of the long wait, but otherwise great experience.
This place is amazing. Staff are very nice and the baked goods are to die for. Their food menu is also fantastic. The hash bowl is a must.
Cute and cozy atmosphere and always great food. The service both dining in and for takeout always meet if not exceed my expectations; Like how their head baker allowed my wife and I to pick out custom choices of cruellers (passionfruit & maple 🥓) to be made for our wedding, which were a huge hit.
A very comfortable coffee house to enjoy your breakfast coffee or anything else.
The coffee here is amazing and I love that they encourage local businesses. I am a big fan of Butter Block and they once had this apple cardamom donut which was absolutely gorgeous. Love that its in the lobby of a historic hotel in Buffalo! Check them out!
Awesome place, one of the first premium coffee roasters in the area. Located in a historic building. Coffee can be inconsistent at times. They also had a great BBQ Pulled Pork they discontinued from the menu, they should bring back. Not enough good lunch options anymore.
Have gone here a few times for coffee with no issues, but today is the first time I actually had their food. It was pretty good, but I did not expect to wait 35 minutes for my breakfast and was nearly late for work. Staff members are kind and polite but zero sense of urgency. So stop by if you have the time, but not if you need to be somewhere. Unfortunately after his experience and $14 later for breakfast and a bottle of soda, I probably won’t be by for food again.
Best coffee in the city, hands down. Run by awesome people and they really know what they’re doing. If you’re visiting or from buffalo, Public is a staple and I would highly recommend it. They’ve got a few different ways to drink their cold brew but my boyfriends favourite is their cold brew and lemonade but I love their cold brew and chocolate milk. Food is incredible and good portions. Baked goods are to die for.
The donuts are SO good with yummy seasonal flavors. The chai latte is a solid choice, but definitely try the red chili one or a vanilla lavender latte! They have a bright open space with different types of seating for whatever you are there for. Ive become a regular for good reason.
My favorite coffee place in Buffalo, NY. Good breakfast, wonderful coffee. Try the Chorizo Hash Bowl.
My husband and I love this place! We buy bags of Revolution beans from them to make our own brew at home and we go there often to grab a cup too! There hasnt been anything I dont like! Even my daughter raves about their hot chocolate and shes only 2.5! And they make it a perfect temp for her to drink right away. The sweets they offer from the local bakeries is a nice addon too!
Cozy, modern space right in the Hotel Lafayette! The avocado toast is deliciously seasoned and the portion is generous! The iced Americano is my favorite drink in their menu. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Im looking forward to trying their second location at Sheas in Seneca Street!
This is quite a beautiful space. High ceilings with simple and elegant furniture spaced nicely around the room. This is a great place for meetings and gatherings. Every time I come here there seems to be groups of business professionals sitting and talking. Personally, I find that the conversation is too loud, and echoes around the room. There is also a wide variety of pastries and a delicious breakfast menu to choose from.
Staff is great and friendly, coffee is amazing and food is bomb. Plus the grubhub deal is a nice perk. Love it here. Came from SF and felt right at home with my fair trade millenial coffee house standards :)
In the Lafayette Hotel on Washington, very modern and eclectic. My Sausage Breakfast Sandwich (sausage and egg) on an English muffin was very tasty. My friend enjoyed her Solo Grilled Cheese. We both had teas so we can’t vouch for their coffee. The Jade Oolong was very fragrant. Our brunch cost $20 incl. taxes but before gratuity. Very warm and tranquil experience.
I really like the taste of their coffee. Its freshly roasted in Buffalo New York. The shop has a very modern feel. The pastries look so good I would dare you to resist getting one. I often do and regret it. ☺. Definitely worth going there!
Public came up in my Google suggestions, so I gave them a shot.Located in the historic Hotel Lafayette on the street level, youve got some pretty awesome immediate views of downtown Buffalo.They roast their own beans, which ensures the impeccable freshness of your cup of coffee. I had the Revolution blend, which has notes of chocolate, brown sugar, and dark berry. I also indulged in one of their lemon blueberry scones. Both of which, were quite tasty!
I placed an order online for a pound of coffee. This order was placed on 12/26/2019 and I was charged right away. As of today I still have not received this order, despite several emails and a couple phone calls. When someone did finally answer my email, they apologized and said they were sending me the coffee and some extra coffee for my troubles. Two weeks have gone by since then and I never received anything or got a refund. I hate to leave a bad review but at this point I dont know what else I can do. I always enjoyed the coffee here and love the space at the Lafayette but charging my account before even sending the product and then failing to respond is just not cool.
One of the all around best cafes I’ve honestly ever been to! Food was absolutely delicious, the sour cream coffee cake was to die for, and topped it off with yummy tea. Awesome vibe and super friendly staff! 10/10 recommend
Dont love their coffee. Pastries were excellent. Service friendly. Location has a great vibe
I was a little skeptical of the glowing reviews, but now Ill add mine. This is not a cookie-cutter diner with the usual menu. There are lots of unique (or at least unusual) options. On my 2nd visit I had a delightful bowl of sweets potatoes and avocado topped with a fried egg. Healthy, delicious, and unusual enough to be memorable.
Surprised...to get this kind of quality espresso drinks. Went in early on a frigid Sat am. Espresso pulled was light roasted, nutty carmel shot. Milk silky (could have been hotter). Had a really really good late. In house baked goods are great.Environment: the revival of the period hotel fabulous, gorgeous high ceilings. Easy to stay here a while.
Great hipster vibe here (including avocado toast and sweet potato hash dishes). Ive had breakfast here a few times and love the breakfast sandwiches and the loose leaf tea. Pastries and muffins look amazing (although Ive not indulged...yet). Decor is fun and eclectic although chairs arent super-comfy.
Exceptionally brewed coffee in a minimalist, high-fashion environment. Down to earth staff are kind and provide great customer service. Breakfast sandwiches are A++. A great spot for people watching, sipping your latte, and getting a bit of telecommuting done.
Best lattes in the city. Definitely try their Crullers. If you dont like their coffee theres something wrong with you.
I went here for the first time last week with the intention of saving myself with a coffee mid-way through the workday. I got a Caramel Macchiato and is was pretty good. I really liked the atmosphere inside and although it was the middle of the day (around 2) there were a decent amount of people inside (although no wait to order). The only thing that was unfortunate was that I was able to connect to WiFi with my laptop, but it said there was no internet connection (the little yellow exclamation over the WiFi symbol on the laptop). Im not sure if they dont need better internet because people dont o work there frequently, but I wasnt able to stay as long as I had planned because I couldnt work remotely from their cafe.
Stylish, modern, delicious.Local craft coffee inside of one of the citys most historic buildings, The Lafayette, they have some of the best local product the city has to offer. They put passion and soul into their product and it shows every single time.If youre a coffee lover, stop by and support one of Buffalos best.
I really like the place, I do. The food was great and coffee was nice. But what bothered me was the rude customer service the cashier lady gave Sunday morning. I believe you have a few second window to make a good first impression ,and with that impression sets the mood for the entire facility. The unpleasant tone in her voice made me feel unwelcomed, slamming the plastic order number felt disingenuous. Yeah it sucks to work Sunday morning, maybe I was the wrong customer at the wrong time? lol. But you only have less than a two minute interaction with a customer, if you cant even fake a decent persona then why bother serving customers at all?
Attentive, friendly staff. Good food with nice presentation. Hipster vibe but clean comfortable environment anyone can enjoy.
So much fun to go to. They have an amazing food selection and great coffee. I just recently started working at the Buffalo library which is conveniently accross the street. Their jam and butter muffin is amazing.
The bagel for the ham and egg sandwich was extremely hard and dry. The sweet potato hash was served cold, not even room temperature. And the granola bar, while good, was a size and cut that made it almost impossible to eat without a fork and knife. The coffee was good but expensive and definitely not worth a return trip.
Seriously great espresso and pastries. Delicious (savory) scones and almond croissants. Friendly staff. Some of the best espresso Ive had anywhere.Its refreshing to visit places like Public Espresso where people are really serious about their coffee! If I were a local, Id essentially live here.
Love it. Worth the drive from Toronto. Great coffee. Delicious pastries. The Chelsea buns.....amazing....cinnamon buns......excellent. Great space. Staff and service are great. Always a must for us when coming to Buffalo.
Seriously great espresso and pastries. Delicious (savoy) scones and almond croissants. Friendly staff. Some of the best espresso Ive had anywhere.Its refreshing to visit places like Public Espresso where people are really serious about their coffee! If I were a local, Id essentially live here.
As a dad of two kids my view is mixed on this one. I loved it, but while the staff is friendly and the space is open for kids, the menu is hit or miss for their pallets. My daughter settled on a pork belly lettuce and tomato sandwich which she liked, but it did take a little convincing.
By far my favorite coffee shop in Buffalo. They really know how to roast and brew great coffee. The staff is always friendly and I love the atmosphere in the coffee shop as well.
The flavors were balanced (savory yet sweet), except for the overwhelming amount of oil that coated the entire dish. Im not sure whether it was a result of cooking the vegetables or part of the vinaigrette, but every bite I took felt soaked in oil, which detracted from the otherwise healthy lunch I was hoping to enjoy.
Definitely the best part of Buffalo! The food was not only delicious but also very reasonably priced. The rice krispy bar is probably the best thing Ive ever eaten. I would go back to Buffalo again just to eat here!
Stopped in quickly when I arrived in Buffalo on a daytrip with a friend. Id planned on taking it to go, but ended up ordering to stay there because the ambiance was so nice. I love the hotel building and décor.I ordered an americano and shared a pain au chocolat with my friend. The coffee was wonderful and I enjoyed the pain au chocolat quite a bit too--I always consider ordering a croissant or pain au chocolat in a café somewhat of a risk, because they sometimes disappoint. Not the case here fortunately! The staff were also very friendly and warm though they were very busy when I arrived.
Just hidden in the lobby of the historical Hotel at the LaFayette, you can find some very good coffee and several great little baked bites from Butter Block. Our slight detour from the I90, we were minute to getting some much needed caffeine kick.If it wasnt for the small sidewalk signage, we may not realize public was found inside the lobby ... theres nothing on the actual hotel building that lets you know they are there. The small but open coffee place has lots of seating as it shares the space with the hotel lobby. You first walk in and you notice how nice the historical brass details have been restored to their shining original state and how theres enough muted metallic gleam to just update the space as well. I love the long glass enclosed space showing all the great baked items from Butter Block.One thing that is quite amazing here in addition to their own signature coffee is that they offer hazelnut milk! Never had it before and after trying it here, I found the richer and thicker texture far better than the soy or almond milk alternative Ive been drinking.Baristas here are pleasant and helpful enough to offer you advice on best choices here. They still have that chill demeanour that reminds you of all the 3rd wave coffee is still the only choice to go for getting caffeinated.Lavender latte with hazelnut - rich, smooth, and creamy. Oh this was nice as the espresso pull was bold and assertive without being overpowering on the lavender syrup or too acidic. Great balance with the creamier hazelnut milk ... now where the heck do I find this?? The lavender was incredibly mild .. only offering a subtle sweetness. Truth by told, I didnt smell or taste any Lavender floral note but still a great espresso drink nevertheless. It is pricey though 4/5Iced Chai latte - a lightly sweet and spiced chai. This one seemed to be a nice refreshing drink but nothing of the chai stood out as a wow as it tasted like a subtle tea mix with very muted spices. The hazelnut milk made it richer than an almond milk one and that was nicer 3.5/5Butter Block Almond Croissant - oh... Ive got to hunt this down to the source. I was offered a snip of an end but if anyone left any crumbs or turned their head, my paws would be on this. Buttery, crispy flakey layers with a rich fragrant and creamy frangipani delivering sweet almonds bursts in every bite. Yeah its very good but it feels a bit hours old (aka not as flakey as it could be) as its brought in. The ends were starting to dry out while the inner layers were just starting to wilt a bit. Still an impressive croissant and worthy to buy and hunt down 4.5/5Great spot but two little items that I raise my brows on ... parking is not easy. No fault of the place but be aware theres limited paid street parking. The other item is the price ... for 3 items it came close to US$20 with tip. Definitely on the steeper end comparing pure numbers (no conversion) to the 3rd wave good coffee in Toronto. Yes its good but its a definite splurge.
Theres a lot to like about this place. Great coffee, fantastic baristas, and the space is beautiful. It can get a little noisy but not enough to steer you away from great coffee.
The food isnt exeptional and the coffee is not bad but the service is awful. No one smiles and theres always a kind of attitude when you order. Also, I recently had a wedding at hotel Lafayette and the owner was incredibly awful to my soon to be wife. When she was in her dress about to walk out the door he made her feel terrible. It was all unnesecary and I wish we had told our guests from day one not to spend all the money they did in that establishment. Everything was handled badly, James (owner)- and not worth the money for that type of headache. Overpriced for the level of customer service. Please go back to customer service industry training 101.
A few months back, I finally stopped at the Hotel @ Lafayette location. I had wanted to try it for a while, but even though I work a few blocks away, my procrastination gene seemed to always be kicking in. Ive been grinding beans from Starbucks, Wegmans or Premier at home for well over a year now, and noticed the difference in quality compared to the ground coffee. Ive never had coffee like publics though, it was a game changer. A few more times later, I decided to buy a share, because its that good. Not to mention, the money stays in the community. Its well worth the price for the quality and opportunity to support a growing local business.
I was a part of the wedding party stated in the review next to this.. there was absolutely no photoshoot being held in or near your coffee shop. We 1,000 percent walked through the shop for about 30 seconds to get outside. Your customers complimented our dresses and smiled in awe of the beautiful situation. To Accost the bride in any manner was unacceptable. What is even more unacceptable is to lie on google reviews as the co owner to cover your own tail. So sad
One word: sophisticated. The atmosphere is very modern and crisp, and the menu matches the surrounding. My only issue I had was the limited gluten free options, but what they do have to offer tastes delicious. I definitely recommend coming here.
The term customer service was clearly not taught to the manager of this coffee shop. We were customers on Fri and Saturday. The service was poor both times. Then to watch his behavior to an innocent and beautiful bride who was simply trying to exit through the shop to meet the groom outside for a first look picture was appauling to say the least. He literally blocked her at the door from exiting. Shame on this manager, shame on this establishment for allowing management to behave so rudely. Customers that were seated were shocked and saddened to see the brides face transform from smiles to almost tears. I have never seen such unnecessary confrontational behavior in a business that is suppose to put the customer first. There are better coffee shops around the corner, do not support this terrible place.
I had high expectations my first time there, but the barista (to whom I explained it was my first time) was not very helpful. I walked away with black coffee and wandered around the joint looking for cream & sugar, only to discover that its not self-serve. I came back up to the counter and she was gone; another person finally helped me. I dont know why the barista didnt ask me if I wanted cream & sugar, but it annoyed me. Ill give it another whirl, so I hope the service is better next time.
French visiting Buffalo for 1 day. What a great breakfast shared at Public Espresso ! Incredible Granola and egg sandwich ! Definitively one of my favorite breakfast in Usa. Thank you guys !
Great place with delicious coffee but they do tend to sell out of their pastries pretty early in the day.
Above board and beyond expectationsThe coffee here is roasted and ground on site, amazing flavour, and so smooth. They have donuts and other stuff, but wow, that coffee rocks!
When they open at 8 that does not mean they are ready to make food. I have to wait until 8:35 for a breakfast sandwich on an 8am ticket. Also it cost $10.This was my second chance visit, as the first was also underwhelming. I will not be going out of my way for a third visit. Id skip this over priced lazy hipster shop. Its not the picture their IG paints.
Some of the best coffee in town, and great pastries from Butter Block. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Atmosphere is a lot more cool than youd expect in a hotel lobby!
Cute place. Very friendly staff.
If you are in downtown Buffalo and want coffee, Public Espresso is the place to go. Locally owned, great staff, delicious coffee, locally roasted. The owners are great people. Could not recommend Public Espresso more!
Coffee was cold and the baristas were more interested in talking to each other than preparing orders in a timely fashion. I also much preferred the old space in the Hotel Lobby than this new expanded space, it has a very barren and much less charming feel.
Excellent breakfast burritos. Tasty espresso. Fast service. Would recommend.
A great coffee place! The service was very friendly and efficient. I had a breakfast sandwich that tasted fantastic! Ill definitely be going back!
If you want real coffee go to Public Espresso. If you want real pastries go to Public Espresso (theyre made by local bakery Butterblock Bakery, Public is one of the only locations as far as I know that sells their baked goods). The employees here know their stuff and theyre proud of the products they sell. Everything is made with love.My only suggestion is making a better seal on their pastry case. I always see a few flies or fruit flies in the case, which isnt appealing. Maybe replace the case or put a better seal on it to prevent flies from getting in.
Delicious. Latte on point, breakfast sandwich delicious especially the bagel. Cant go wrong.
Such a shame. Coffee was ok but experience from start to finish was abismal. Waited 20 minutes for one latte. We played a game to pass the time of trying to spot one member of staff actually flash a smile. Literally nobody smiled throughout our visit. Some serious streamlining is required if this place is going to succeed, four members of staff serving a full room of customers at a glacial rate. Like I said, a real shame. Really wanted to enjoy this place but left us in a real grump 👹
Great pour over, espresso & brew. atmosphere great (a little cold inside when someone opens outer door). Food options available and very nice selection of in house made sweets.
Wonderful breakfast and a really nice staff. The lox were delicious! Had to go downtown. Cant wait until they come to South Buffalo.
Good vibes but get there before large crowds show up. It gets busy! Its location is superb in the beautiful and historic hotel Lafayette. It has quite a lot on the menu.
Latte was great. But one bacon egg and cheese (vlads classic) took just under a half hour to make. Horrible service. The employees were rude. Employees had no sense of customer service.
A great coffee place! The service was very friendly and efficient. I had a breakfast sandwich that tasted fantastic! Ill definitely be going back!
Wonderful breakfast and a really nice staff. The lox were delicious! Had to go downtown. Cant wait until they come to South Buffalo.
Yay! finding this place for breakfast eased the pain of having my early morning Greyhound connection postponed by 3 hours. Loved the sweet potato avocado hash and their sustainable practices - no single use plastic in sight..
This is a downtown gem! The atmosphere is both relaxed and sophisticated, the person working the bar its always attentive. Their nitro cold brew it a must try!Good luck finding parking downtown though.
I frequent this place very often and each time the customer service is lackluster. I will say there are two or three staff members that handle the register and are friendly, but there a few members who are completely rude with their approach and tone of voice. I understand you deal with customers all day but the least you could do is treat people with decency.
Love their coffee, especially the Colombian variety. Service is slowww though, even when not busy, which is why I only visit when time isn’t an issue. Good atmosphere.
Absolutely appauled by the manager (Not sure if it was the owner or manager or staff member but he was a taller, balding man working on 7/7/18). My friend was getting married and walked through the coffee shop to meet her soon to be husband outside for their “first look.” The staff member stopped her half way through, started telling she couldn’t exit the door and made a huge scene. Apparently the coffee shop is not associated with the hotel which we did not know and it is understandable that he would be frustrated with someone walking through his store however the way in which it was handled was absolutely appalling. My friend had over 100 out of town guests in that weekend who all spent money at this shop. The bride herself was a paying customer Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the wedding. Other customers were also disgusted at his actions and started apologizing to the bride. He 100% ruined what could have been a magical, once in a life time event. Maybe think about putting up a sign or something so this doesn’t happen again to an innocent person. Truly a shame.
Unique selection of delicious pastries and excellent coffee, espresso, and teas. Nice atmosphere, too
This is what happens when people care and have passion....I had to edit this because I noticed a comment about the CS. I know exactly which woman Mr Sanchez is talking about. I oreders about 9 different items and she seemed mad, my gf also asked me before I mentioned anything to her, was there a woman who seemed mad that you were there? She just ordered my hash bowl 7/13 and said the woman was not at the counter but in the back and the girl at the register was nice. I dont want anyone to loose their job but hopefully someone can tell her how she is coming across. Anyway , I cannot recommend this place enough and will continue to be a regular customer
Small whole milk latte was good but significantly overpriced! There are no prices listed on their website so no way to confirm before driving to the hotel. I probably would have gone elsewhere had I known the prices they are charging they should update there website so people know what to expect.
Great place to meet up with friends, collab with others, and get work done while enjoying great coffee. I recommend the Costa Rican drip coffee and a cruller.
The hot chocolate was amazing (not very hot though). The pastries were excellent as well! Havent tried the coffee yet, will next time. :-)
Staff is friendly and patient. We got the Lox Bagel with the rosemary bagel... this was by far the best Lox bagel we have had. Coffee is very smooth.
Breakfast sandwich was decent but expensive. Coffee was cold and weak. $30 for two people to have cold coffee and a sandwich is over priced and unsatisfying. At least I know where not to go for coffee in Buffalo next time.
Very good unique breakfast food. Nice staff. Great spot to bring an out of town friend for a coffee and treat.
Public Espresso I get that youre not Starbucks but dont insult my intelligence by telling me tEChniCaLlY a mAcChiAto... You know what the fuq I want. An iced macchiato is a thing. Get over yourself. . Its just poor customer service. This is not your place to give the ignorant coffee drinkers of the world a lesson. Just accommodate your customer.
Excellent as always, visit every time I come to Buffalo.
Ok so the espresso is 5 stars for sure, that being said they need to hire some woman, theres an energy lacking in the staff., all men..the times Ive been in there not getting the whole customer service experience, not real warm, in fact guy taking our order never cracked a smile and hardly looked up from POS while taking order...and then screwed up order in the end...so one of us ate separately from the other 3..underwhelming customer service experience took a bit away from the great espresso..
Great place for a fast and easy breakfast. Good selection of drinks, donuts and cookies. Very open and welcoming restaurant.
Coffee done well and the pastry choices are welcome. Lunchtime salad choices are sparse and my blood orange ice tea wasnt very good.
The revolution blend pour over is the best coffee Ive ever had. If you are a milk and cream coffee person go somewhere else. Youre meant to drink this coffee black.
Amazing coffee and tea selection prepared correctly and always to order! Some of the best baked goods from around Buffalo.
Closest you’ll get to Intelligentsia Coffee in Buffalo. Good brew! Great staff! Quick service l!
Best place for coffee in Buffalo! (They have other great beverages and fantastic food options that look great on Instagram and taste even better in person.)
One of the best cafes around.
A bit expensive as you would expect given the location and the atmosphere. But when you compare it to say Perks on Elmwood or Caffeology on Allen, its a very comparable product at a higher cost
This has the best coffee in town. The quality of the food matches the coffees quality. As a bonus, you cant beat the atmosphere.
Love the coffee! Cant leave without a cherry/walnut baguette.
Closest you’ll get to Intelligentsia Coffee in Buffalo. Good brew! Great staff! Quick service l!
New favorite downtown meeting spot. Everything Ive had so far has been unbelievable. Really enjoy the avocado toast!
Lovely personal, delicious meals, great coffee!
Molotov Matcha. If you like matcha do not miss this drink! Coffee cake is good. Morning Glory bread is thick and filling
This honestly the nicest cafe. It’s very chic and minimalist. Great space, beverages taste excellent and the employees are very kind.
Great ambiance and selection of food. You will regret walking out of there without having one of their freshly baked pastries.
Felt historic sitting in their lounge area in Lafayette hotel which was a nice area to enjoy your coffee and I had the chicory + chocolate which was really good.
Very good coffee and a solid vibe for downtown Buffalo. Food was quite good too.
Seriously delicious oat milk London fog. But woooof, $7 for a tea latte in Buffalo, NY is a seriously large pill to swallow (and that’s before tip).
Always a good experience with delicious food and really great coffee. Lots of space to sip coffee.
Their earl grey iced tea is phenomenal! The owner and all of the baristas are amazingly nice and cater to your requests!
Chem Ex coffee was a great experience 👌
Best coffee in Buffalo and it isn’t close.Just please bring back Nitro Cold Brew as a permanent menu item!
Overpriced and not terribly friendly service. Took about 15 minutes to make avacado toast and a bagel. Great location and atmosphere.
These folks have raised the game in Buffalo. Great espresso and fantastic food. Nice folks behind the counter as well. Thanks a bunch.
Love the architecture and the bagal was great. The roast is a bit dark, but still tasty!
Coffee cake was very good. Good music, comfortable space. Latte and capuccino both did the trick.
Good coffee ☕ and good baked goods. Staff was nice and recommended me what to decide.
Great service. Steven was a great help and told me some cool places to check out in Buffalo whilst I was there for the day. Coffee is great too!
Nice modern place. Unfortunately, barista needs to learn how to brew coffee. I was unable to drink my cup.
Nice coffee and breakfast. Friendly service. Needs more sofas and relaxed seating to make the most of the space
This place has a 5 star latte - and my scale ranges from kcups/Starbucks at a 1 to perfectly roasted and brewed artisanal coffee at a 5
Great coffee and service...just a little confusing if youre just getting a coffee to go....wasnt really sure what to do after my order was placed.
Amazing Coffee shop in a Historic Building. Spectacular coffee and amazing food
Very hip coffee place. Coffee is a little expensive but the staff seem attentive. Coffee was good.
Special handcrafted brews and treats. Definitely worth a visit; great place to have a meet up.
Very nice atmosphere and the employees are very nice. The coffee was good but the breakfast sandwich was awesome
Awesome coffee, nice staff, really good gourmet breakfast, comfy couches, games - recommended.
Great food selections along with hot drinks. Only problem is the cold air when the door is open during the winter season.
Great staff .let me charge phone when our streets power was out the coffee is fresh. Roasted grinded before you
Love the coffee tea and atmosphere and they have the best baked goods!
Nice place for coffee, tea or a health minded lunch. Lots of light, spacious, and pleasantly decorated.
I go to public at every opportunity! Why? The chicory coffee, the New Orleans chicory and chocolate, the whole bean coffee for home... The best in Buffalo!
Great coffee bar in the Hotel Lafayette. Had coffee and chicory cold brew (New Orleans style).
Simply the best cup of coffee in Buffalo.
Amazing coffee! Plan on getting a dessert, they are so inventive and delicious!
Good coffee, good pastry options, location in hotel lobby is pretty handy for locals. Some inconsistency between barristas.
Excellent staff, location and dont even get me started about this coffee! It is my daily pleasure
Delicious food and they had dairy free/vegan options for donuts...yum!
Great atmosphere, decent coffee. Wish Id tried the rainbow banana cake.
Great options for drinks and food. Hip cafe. Loved it. Only issue is parking can be very difficult.
Atmosphere and staff. We talked about the Netherlands 🇳🇱and gouda cheese 🧀
Enjoying every sip. These guys really know how to make great espresso drinks. And the logo is a bomb!
Great place for a quick, delicious breakfast or lunch. Coffee and tea is excellent too!
Yum. Great latte too.
This coffee shop has fantastic donuts! And great pour over coffee!
Loved the vibe here. Great coffee, nice open space and fast wifi
The coffee is amazing, just amazing! Great baked goods too.
Avocado toast and black coffee
Try the cappuccinos with homemade flavor syrups. The lunches are delicious as well!
Pleasant staff / good coffee in a lobby setting / possibly worse value than sbux /only whole milk available because...?
As a new downtown resident, I’m glad this is here...and good at the same time😋
Pretty decent cold brew coffee. Fresh healthy breakfast sandwich options
Positively positronic!!
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Public Espresso Coffee 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-14Fantastic little coffee house and cafe! The cruellers were perfectly airy and light, nice flavor and a vast selection of flavors to pick from.I ordered the bagel and lox breakfast sandwich and enjoyed every bit of it, the cilantro was a wonderful touch! Came with chips, which felt odd for breakfast, but I never say no to chips, so really it just opened my eyes to the concept of chips in the morning (thank you!)The hubs ordered the breakfast sandwich, which he enjoyed as well.Coffee was great, not acidic at all!Next time were in buffalo, wed go back!
Review №2
2022-05-10Loved the way the cafe is designed, it’s aesthetic, minimal and has a lot of natural light. The staff is super friendly and always has a smile on their face. I ordered a lemon ice tea which wasn’t that great, I should’ve probably ordered some coffee as that’s what they are known for. Overall, I enjoyed the vibe but was disappointed with my drink.
Review №3
2022-01-22Nice and cozy cafe. Friendly and patient staff. Ordered some pastries, a latte, The Vlad sandwich and breakfast burrito as take outs. Everything we ordered were super delicious. Definitely will visit again!
Review №4
2022-01-10Super tasty coffee and awesome breakfast options. The sweet potato hash with breadhive sourdough was spectacular. Very busy place, so get there early to snatch a spot! Breakfast with coffee with run you about $15.
Review №5
2021-09-05Great service although busy. We ordered the avocado toast, chai latte, cappuccino, and caramel macchiato (not shown). The toast was delicious and tasted fresh.
Review №6
2021-05-30This location is known for great coffee and gourmet baked goods. The service is different as it is a walk up cafeteria style restaurant with 1st come 1st serve seating. You will compete with hotel guests who may take 3 tables without ordering anything as 20 people wait in line for their food. The chorizo hash was very tasty but spicy both in the sausage and the rosemary and thyme added to the bowl. The cinnamon roll is very good but at $4.50 a roll, they would be better warm. I assume coming on the Sunday of a holiday weekend it would be busy but it can be loud and a bit uncomfortable for some diners. I suggest a take out option or if you are staying at the hotel bring it up to your room if you are looking for more of a relaxing dining experience. Food is great.
Review №7
2021-07-24I like the space a lot. I got a cup of pour over and it was above the average. The pastries also surprised me! Cruller was delicious but personally highly recommend the croissant 🥐!
Review №8
2022-07-10Fantastic Coffee and baked goods here! Love the quality and care by the staff in what they create. The donuts are light and airy and have an amazing texture and the cortados and cold brew are delicious. We visit everytime we come to Buffalo From Canada.
Review №9
2021-02-07Always great coffee. a nice, spacious, fun spot to sit and enjoy! The cruellers are insanely good. Probably my favorite thing here. The bagel sandwiches are also awesome-bagel jar bagels are on point!
Review №10
2021-10-29Super nice place to grab a quick bite or do work in. Lots of choices to choose from on the menu, my personal favorite has got to be the avocado toast and the matcha latte