I tried this Macon coffee shop for the first time & spent less than $10. Here’s my review
“Coffee is a cup of hope in a world full of chaos and Mondays.”
This phrase, printed on a large piece of wall art, was one of the warm components that greeted me as I walked into Village Coffee in Macon.
Located at 2391 Ingleside Ave., right next to Ingleside Village Pizza, Village Coffee is the perfect little coffee house on a cold day. Or a warm one. Or honestly, any day. And I’ll tell you why.
The coffee house originally opened in September 2024, shortly after Oh, Honey Baking Company closed in the same spot. Keeping with the same premise, Village Coffee owner, Brandon Lawler, knew he wanted certain things to stay the same.
“At Village Coffee we want to build on what they started with a comfortable safe space for all to come,” Lawler said.
So, what did I think as a first-timer inside the coffee shop? Here’s my full review.
Atmosphere
Just as Lawler said, “comfortable” is what he wanted to embody and in all honestly, that was right on the nose to me.
When I walked in, I felt immediately comfortable and for a second there, I think the tension in my shoulders actually relaxed. From the lights strung up on the ceiling to the warm shades of brown, the soft greenery spread throughout and even the friendly face and encouraging “good morning” at the counter; all of these things made me feel relaxed, yet motivated to begin my day.
I felt a little smile forming on my face. And I hadn’t even had any coffee yet. Tell me what other coffee shop can do that. I’ll wait.
The overall vibe of Village Coffee felt just like a home away from home and was similar to the eclectic design of Ingleside Village Pizza.
Whether I was there to work, chat with a friend or enjoy a solo cup, the atmosphere of Village Coffee seems like a win for all. So, I give Village Coffee a 5 out of 5 for atmosphere. No question about it.
Price
Here’s where things can get dicey in coffee shops. Listen, I’m all about a good cup of coffee, especially one I didn’t have to make at home, but oftentimes, my wallet holds me back.
I mean, I’m willing to splurge every now and then, but when my cup of coffee is $8 or $10 or more, it’s hard for me to justify it when looking at my monthly budget.
However, I could get used to Village Coffee prices.
I got a small (12 ounces) latte with caramel flavor in it, which was only $4.50. A large (16 ounces) would have only been $5.50.
Additionally, drip coffees range from $3.50 to $4, cold brew from $4.50 to $5.50, espresso shots from $3 to $5 and cappuccinos for $5.50 and under. And if you’re not a coffee drinker, they offer teas, matcha and sodas ranging from $1.50 to $6.
Now, since my coffee was a great price, I decided to get a little treat with it. Who am I kidding? As soon as I saw the pastry box, I knew I had to get my hands on something in there.
Although there were brownies, cookies, scones and muffins galore, I decided on a lemon crème danish.
With that, my total came to $9.72 and I was stoked. Going to a coffee shop for less than $10 was basically unheard of to me, but I finally found one. I give it a 5 out of 5 for price.
So, was the taste of the coffee and danish worth the price? Here’s what I thought.
Taste
The caramel latte was one of the best I’ve had in a while. It was hot, sweet and strong, but not overpowering on any of the flavors.
The coffee was bold, but super smooth and enjoyable and the hint of caramel in it was just the thing to have me wanting more.
And now let’s talk about the danish: oh my gosh, the danish. It was warm, soft and melty, but still had a bready crust. The lemon crème was delicious. I’m such a fan of lemon flavor when it’s done right and definitely not a fan when it’s too artificial. This lemon was perfectly sweet, sour and scrumptious. I think I could have eaten every lemon crème danish they had in stock and not regretted any of it.
Taste at Village Coffee gets a 5 out of 5 from me.
Have you been to Village Coffee yet? Let me know what you thought in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
