Republic Coffee

With the closing of my usual hangout of Highpoint Coffee, I set out in search of a new place to do work and study. I ended up at Republic Coffee, which is a hybridized coffee shop with a limited restaurant component. This was my first trip and I’m pretty impressed. I’ll definitely be back.

I’m writing this review from the restaurant, where there’s free wireless available as well as ample plugs. I’ve monopolized a table for the past 3.5 hours and haven’t been run off or given any dirty looks—though I have been periodically ordering food and not just mooching wireless and air conditioning. (Mooching really perturbs some businesses, and quite understandably so.) There’s several other people with laptops and books, so I suspect this is a popular place for college students.

Walking in the door there’s a series of bins for sorting out the trash from the recyclables, so Republic Coffee gets points for being eco-conscious. They get even more points using “slow food” member, obtaining organic and sustainable foodstuffs. And then there’s even more points on top of that for installing solar panels that take the restaurant “off the grid.” All together, I think that merits 5 stars from any hippies. :)

There’s no “regular” coffee here. It’s Americana so a bit stronger than you’d get elsewhere. Drinks run the range from smoothies to espressos (creams and truffles), americanos, cappuccinos, lattes, Mochas, frappes, Italian sodas, and teas.

Insofar as food goes, there’s a wide range of organic, slow-food options—though the specialty seems to be geared towards breakfast themed selections.

There are events on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Friday (live music) nights from 7-9pm or 7-10pm. If you’re feeling sociable that’s great, but the activities can be disruptive if you’re attempting to do work or study. The acoustics can be a bit loud at times from the general din of chatter. The patio is unfortunately fairly small and parking can be a bit tight.

Service was pretty good considering that there were about 15-30 patrons in the restaurant and only one waitress, one barrista, and one cook. Music selection was eclectic and soft, sometimes with “organic” sounding acoustic covers of recognizable popular tunes with an occasional folksy song tossed in the mix.

Price-wise, Republic Coffee is a little more expensive than I’d grown used to at High Point Coffee, but I have to admit that the quality is better and I’m eager to try new things on their drink and food menus.