Arabica

I loved this place — from my early years in Cleveland (1990 – 1997) and when I moved back in 2007. Like a good bartender, Keith, the man who worked there in the early mornings during the week, knew my drink as soon as I walked in and was always super friendly and nice. Not sure if anyone has details, but I stopped there this morning (first time in about a week or so) and the place is CLOSED! Sign on the door says Thank you for 9−½ years. I’m super sad, hoping they’ll reopen somewhere else in the ‘hood.

Iced coffee bliss in my face-​hole.
I don’t know how I forgot about Arabica, but on my journey through some local vintage shops we were finally reunited (and it felt so good!)
I literally stumbled upon this Arabica location while I was unlocking my car to leave – I stopped, relocked it and made my way inside. I’d say this is your typical, indie coffee shop. Lots of chill vibes, no frills and very local. I loved the mixture of folks there too: some old, some young, all Cleveland.
I can’t imagine this place gets too much foot traffic with it’s location and all, but it should. Their iced coffee brew is down-​right delicious. I’m notorious for taking forever and a day to drink coffee (iced or hot), but this went down so easily. Super smooth, light, refreshing with an almost caramel taste. It really needed no additives, but I put a bit of skim anyways. It left me craving more.
One thing I wish they’d pay more attention to is their usage of to-​go cups. It would be nice if they used biodegradable and/​or encouraged travel mugs. Oh, and there’s a $ 5 min on cc’s, but they were very laid back about it.
Honestly though, this place seems like to perfect, local spot to grab a good cup ‘o joe on the go or to to hang out and study. Keep on keeping on, Arabica!

The *only* good place I’ve found to study in Cleveland. Great coffee, friendly staff, and free internets! ($ 5 minimum for credit cards, but they let me start a tab since I was gonna be there for a while)

This is the cutest coffee place in town. The walls are bright and cheery. There are plants in the windows. Plants!
They sell Beachland Ballroom tickets here.

This place is good to me. Way better than Starbucks, and much friendlier and personal. A great way to start your morning off right, relax in the afternoon, or to chill in the evening before ending your night.

This place used to allow smoking and used to be quite smoky – I would have rated it 3 stars but now I can give it 4.
The atmosphere is cozy and not at all sterile. The people who work the counter are always friendly. This place is intermediate in terms of being a «happening place». In Lakewood I prefer the Phoenix, which is more active and tends to be busier (to the point of being crowded). This Arabica is a better place to go if you still want a less sterile atmosphere but want a table to yourself. It could function equally well as a place for a business meeting or a place to just hang out.
I think as a whole, Arabica stores tend to not make the best drinks, but I could get past that; drinks are only a small part of what makes a coffee shop good. The baked goods here are quite good.

this one used to be the red star café, but now arabica has taken it into their hands, and that makes me happy. with their crazy concoctions of mochas like the cinnamochanilla (mocha with cinnamon, vanilla, and, well, chocolate) or the turtle mocha. or the banana monkey mocha… you can’t go wrong.
if you like frou frou coffee drinks, that is.
it just so happens… i do.
back in the day, arabica was renowned for their mocha mix. it was a big ol’ secret. they used to make it daily. since franchising throughout the area, they’ve now bottled their chocolatey concoction to mix directly heated to your coffee cup. i can’t help but taste a bit of a difference, but regardless, it’s still damn good. when i’m not in cleveland, i miss it.
this location is the type of atmosphere i love to be in. with couches in the front, tables all along the wall, and the happennings of the 117^th area out and about… it just makes you feel like you could stay all day and hang out.
and if i could, i would.

I like Arabica a lot, I think it was the first coffee chain in Ohio. It doesn’t have that evil empire feel to it though. What I like best it that they have a good selection of tea, which is my hot drink of choice.
After your morning java, head nearby to the Spitfire for a bammer Bloody Mary.