Espresso Royale

Small compared to other Espresso Royale locations, with décor definitely suited to its strip mall setting. But the coffee and service are good. Pastries are hit or miss. Generally a nice quiet spot to work, and they have increased the number of wall outlets recently. I don’t go there as often as I used to, but appreciated on my last visit that it was more laid back, less crowded than some nearby coffeeshops. I wasn’t sure if this place would hang on when the competition increased, but I’m glad it has.

You wanna love the place – it was a local yokel café before there was such a thing. It’s not pretentious. It’s close to campus. But can’t they have all that and also make a decent coffee? So I just came from ordering an espresso, and she hands me a paper cup – it’s happened to me before that they ask me «for here or to go» (to go? an espresso??), but not that they automatically RUIN a perfectly good (ok maybe it wasn’t going to be perfectly good, but acceptable) espresso, which now tastes exactly like wax paper. I say «oh no, please not in a paper cup,» and she (I swear to God) pours it from the paper cup into a ceramic cup. I left it right in front of her and walked over to Comet.
Are you allowed to be called Espresso Royale and not train your barista to… make an espresso?

Above average review due to service and welcoming staff. Each time I’ve been here, the barista of the day has been so friendly that I can’t help but take a moment out of my anxiety-​driven, stressful day to acknowledge that life isn’t so bad. To be served immediately with that level of enthusiasm is a rare find. As far as beverages — I can’t comment on coffee, but tea and hot chocolate have been good enough to return, although nothing to write home about. I do appreciate that their small size is actually small.

Nothing here is really special… They don’t pay particular attention to foaming the milk correctly when making lattes. Their selection of baked goods is uninspiring. The coffee tastes watered down. I will say that the guy who works in the morning is incredibly friendly and great with customer service however! I would rank this place a little above gas station coffee, probably on par with Starbucks, but definitely below A truly great coffee shop.

Unfortunately, this location can’t seem to get their hot water very hot. Great espresso, Luke warm americanos.:(

Coffee was decent but server over charged us and we had to argue with her twice before she charged us for what we ordered. Even though it wasn’t busy at the time… I’ll end there.

Staff is very friendly, service is excellent. I go mainly for the coffee which is very good; refills are only $ 1.25, so bring your own mug for the cheapest good coffee in the area. I’ve enjoyed most of their coffee drinks (mocha, latte, iced cappuccino, espresso) and haven’t been let down. Food is limited but good (paninis, soup, muffins, croissants, cookies). There are about 15 tables with chairs, 2 loungers. They use the Flock card reward card (buy 10, get one free).

I love this Espresso Royale location because service has been so friendly. It’s spacious as well (not quite as large as the State Street location) and a nice place for quiet study. I think Espresso Royale prices are cheaper than most coffee chains in the area (but it’s still not cheaper than going to the Kroger that’s steps away and buying your own coffee and brewing at home!).
I’ve tried coffees and hot chocolate at some of the other locations but at this location I’ve only tried the teas and iced teas. They are pretty good and if you need a change from coffee I’d recommend them. My favorite is the spearmint herbal tea and I also like the raspberry iced tea. I also liked the mint hot chocolate that I’ve had at another location and that I would guess is the same here. If you do want coffee, the namesake Espresso at Espresso Royale does seem to do the trick as does a nice iced coffee (those are my favorites and again I haven’t had either at this location but have at the State St location).
This is a great location for an Espresso Royale and I look forward to my next visit.

Average drinks at average prices in a busy location. Decently large inside, but not particularly inviting. Stiff wooden chairs and small tables. Nothing to write home about, but the best option for coffee in this particular spot.

Very nice customer service. I desperately needed caffeine. But the iced coffee I ordered to go was I so flavorless, watered down, and gross that I made a cringing face on each sip. Décor is fine, but about 1998 era or so. Glad I gave them a chance. Perhaps I’ll try their next time, but I’ll be getting a cup of Joe that is strongly brewed and flavorful elsewhere.

I really hate this location of ERC. The décor is out of date, and the espresso machine is LOUD. I don’t know if it is just really old or if the acoustics in this location are bad, but I could use some ear-​plugs on multiple occasions. If it gets busy, don’t plan on having a conversation with anyone, let alone hearing your own self think.

A surprisingly large space, which you’d never realize from the outside, if a wee bit stark and dark. But the coffee is very good and the freshly-​squeezed orange juice is excellent. Had I not felt chilly inside, I’d easily have given it five stars. (Perhaps that’s a little unfair, because it was a bitterly cold day.) Nonetheless, this is certainly an indie shop worth a visit, proven by the fact that I had a couple of rounds of juice and coffee and parked my butt there for a good two hours. The service is also great.

I love this branch of ER, great service, great people. They put love in your drink.
I have met a few fun people since my first time here.
Definitely recommend.

A nice, local alternative to Starbucks or Sweetwater. Pretty easy to get a table. It’s quiet and pleasant — a good place to enjoy a lunchtime coffee or read a book.
They have good espresso (I like their cappucinos). They have a great selection of Tea drinks. Try their Ginger Dragon tea! I like anby place that gives you a real mug when you dine-​in. Though I also love that their to-​go cups are eco-​friendly.
The lunch, however, leaves something to be desired. The «veggie» pesto wrap was a soggy wrap with an inch of lettuce, a single tomato, and a quarter-​sized dollup of pesto. That’s a crappy salad in a tortilla, not a veggie wrap. Stick with liquids here.

Definitely love the place!!! Grab a coffee and stay the whole afternoon there on my laptop!!! Great deal!

I got a blueberry muffin and mug of hot soy milk, and my mom got a bagel with cream cheese, which she toasted and shmeared herself at the counter with all the utensils, etc. Espresso Royale is a very casual café where you should not really expect to be waited on, but ample seating, snacks, and free wi-​fi does the job.

Prices are decent, the food is excellent. I also really like their coffee and tea. I definitely recommend this place!

Passable espresso, nice atmosphere, great people!

I used to work across the street from here and one year about five years back I got a gift card from Espresso Royale which I never got to use because soon after I started working in Detroit instead, nowhere nearby.
I found the card in the back of a drawer when I was having my big clean up/​reorganization deal for the holidays. I shrugged it off because it has been five years now but my husband said check it online. Lo and behold I still had my 6.15 left on it. Whoa.
Earlier today after a spin at the docs I went into Espresso Royale for my fave from there, giant sized Ginger Dragon tea. I also got a couple of tasty brownies to take home with. Mmmmmm. I already ate half of one as breakfast, evil.
It was much as I remembered, a comfortable place to be with good selection of loose leaf as well as coffees, nice baked goods and super friendly staff.
I am glad I found that ancient gift card and gladder I found my way back here. I will stop in again.

I’m really saddened by the experience that Carl had with ERC. This location is closest to where I grew up, so where I went the most.
ERC is a wonderful Ann Arbor place. Although there now a few throughout the state (I believe there are some outside of Ann Arbor), it is locally owned. Not only is it NOT Starbucks, but it was around BEFORE Starbucks.
The chairs are super comfy and there is an array of different seating options (tables and chairs, big chairs, bar stools, etc). This location, as mention by Francis, is in the middle of a strip mall, but you would have no clue when you walk in.
Not only do they have a number of different coffees and coffee drinks, they also have a huge variety of looseleaf teas. If you stay, your beverage is served to you in a real mug, not a cardboard cup. Although it should be noted that all ERC cups are environmentally friendly and made out of recycled material.
Cups of coffee are self-​serve, and there is a microwave near the utensils and coffee, so if your beverage gets cold or you want to heat up your muffin, etc, you can do so easily.
This is a great place to catch up with friends or do some work. Will be reviewing other locations as well.