Review: Waterbean Coffee

Note: this is part of my Charlotte coffee shop series. Click here to see the list of all coffee shops and their ratings, sorted alphabetically.

• Specialty latte: $6.10 for a 12oz strawberry mocha – 5/10

• Black coffee: $3.30 for a 12oz drip coffee – 4/10

• Vibe: 6/10

• Overall: 5/10

For the specialty latte, I ordered the “chocolate covered strawberry” (with almond milk) made with strawberry and mocha syrup. It was okay – it was nice and hot and had a good amount of foam, but it was super sweet and a little too artificial tasting. The drip coffee was a bit too bitter for my liking. I’ll have to try something different on my next visit.

I don’t know if it’s just because of its proximity to my favorite place (Trader Joe’s), but I like the vibe here. It’s bathed in natural light with high ceilings and accented with natural wood. It’s not cozy per se, but it does feel inviting. 

At this spot, you can get breakfast and lunch classics like sandwiches and loaded bagels. They also have pastries and macarons for everyone’s sweet tooth.

Parking isn’t too bad here. There’s several spots right in front of the building if you’re planning on staying for less than 20 minutes, and a large garage that, although often chaotic, usually has plenty of spots.

Waterbean’s Midtown location is fairly small, but it wouldn’t be a horrible place to get some work done. While I was there, I noticed two meetings going on, so it’s at least a solid place to conduct business.

Overall, I love the location of the Midtown Waterbean, and it seems like a great spot to meet up with friends or colleagues. I didn’t love – but also didn’t hate – the beverages, but I’m sure when I try it again I’ll find something I like.