Living in Michigan, in the dead of winter can a little… gloomy, to say the least.

A friend and I decided to go out and make the best of a cold day, so we went on a fun coffee crawl to discover the known and unknown coffee shops of Lansing together!

Here are the top 4 coffee shops we found, and the things that stood out the most in each one.

Oct-17th

Strange Matter Coffee

Coffee ; 4.5/5

Price : Low - Mid

Overall Vibe : 4.5/5

Starting off, we have Strange Matter Coffee. Strange Matter is a modern, fun, social spot with chill people and nice staff.

Atmosphere:  Every time I come here, I always end up talking to a student, a business guy, a prophesier, or even a mom going back to school and working on homework. The communal aspect of coffee shops is one of my favorite things when thinking about what creates a good atmosphere. I love getting to know new people and connecting over coffee.  The staff, much like the people that come here, are friendly and fun to talk to. They are ready to answer any questions you may have (even when it feels silly to ask what the difference is between light and dark roasts). They are friendly and knowledgeable about the simple joys in life. 

When it comes to work, I pick strange matters every time. The row of small round tables along the wall is great for settling in with a sweet treat and knocking out some good school work or blog work. Even at its fullest, there is usually always a seat to find at the window or community tables while still feeling like it could be more balanced inside. 

Money: A regular latte is usually $5-6 USD + $0.50 for milk alternatives and flavors. The roast of Espresso bean is what I would consider just right, not too acidic, more whole body blend with notes of strawberry, milk chocolate, and Brown sugar. This would be my #1 pick for buying whole beans for at-home brewing. They also offer various single-origin beans and 1-2 specialty roasts for seasonal options. 

Menu:   I always look forward to the specialty seasonal lattes and drinks! My favorite for this holiday season is the “Sweet potato and marshmallow latte.” The one this last summer that I kept coming back to was the “Hibiscus lemonade,” Though sometimes sweet, sometimes more bitter, and not having a consistency every time you order, it leaves a bit of fun not quite knowing what you will get, at least for myself. 

Overall, I give Strange Matter a 4.5/ 5 for price, quality, and atmosphere.

Foster Coffee

Foster Coffee is the place I think of when someone says minimalistic. They have a very clean, quiet energy, with a feeling of quality and community.

Atmosphere: When walking into Foster, the first thing I always take in is the loft-style high ceilings, with a fairly big seating area upstairs. With tables along the metal bar raining, it’s very easy to find yourself or the people sitting there to look over the edge and people watch anyone coming in and out. The energy here is very clean, quiet, and minimal. The baristas here are always kind and happy with great coffee knowledge! it feels like every time I come here I always run into people I know, working or on a coffee date. Striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger here though, it feels more closed off. this is where students go in groups to have a study crunch sesh for a big exam. The quietness makes it easy to focus in on your work and get some good productivity in, but it does feel, at times a little sterile. With meeting friends here to talk and hang out, it sometimes feels too quiet to talk. Which makes you end up somewhat whispering and giggling. This is a place that, though minimal, has hints of its community and character. They know who they are and know what they are looking for in the crowd they serve.

Money: The Price of a specialty latte is similar to strange matter in a lot of ways when it comes to milk’s, syrups, and sizes. The food, on the other hand, is very stand-alone. They have a full menu of cafes sandwiched and healthy breakfast bowls. I feel like I always see something new being added to the menu, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming or overly complicated. everything iv gotten here has been delicious and filling for the price. I would give it a try when it comes to the food here. The baked goods look good but have never been my go-to here. A total with food and a latte is around $12-15 USD

Menu: The espresso here is bold, has light acidity, and I would say is a good middle-of-the-road. as I said above about the food, I have never been disappointed with the food I have gotten since it coming back from a long-term stint cause of covid. The pour-overs, though, are probably my top pick on this list. For how much care and excellence go into the roast, timing, and preciseness put into their craft.

Overall, I give Foster a solid 4/5 for price, quality, and atmosphere. my #2 on the list for Coffee shops in Lansing