"I came here at ~7pm to get coffee one day and it was alright. I wanted to get a pumpkin spice latte but the barista told me they don't have that. So, I asked for a vanilla latte instead and he told me that he could give me the coffee and I could pour the vanilla syrup at the self-serve station myself. It was a bit of an odd interaction and I asked for a couple other options, to all of which he said they don't do. He didn't bother to give any alternatives or recommendations. So, I ended up just getting a black coffee."

"This review is about sustainability only! 🙂 I so appreciate that you do indeed offer real, ceramic and glass cups for people to enjoy when they have their beverages in house at variety. But it seems that the majority of your customers who are working from or meeting friends here either don’t know about the reusable and sustainable option, or are choosing not to go with it. It is a true shame to see so much single-use plastic waste created in mere hours every single day by folks who could otherwise enjoy their coffees without making needless trash. Perhaps you could encourage your baristas to ask very clarifying questions when people are placing their order, like if they will be enjoying their drink for here. Perhaps you could also put a sign up at the bar, letting people know that the option for a real mug is available. Perhaps you could incentivize that customers bring their own mugs for a small discount, or a feature on your social media. All would be excellent alternatives to the giant mass of plastic trash that comes out of this café each day. As hopefully most of us know by now, the ocean will be filled with more plastic than fish by 2050. 95% of the plastics that we produce and use are not recycled, but rather head to the landfill, off to our oceans, or get burned in an incinerator. We consume these plastics—which are made from fossil fuels—as micro plastics that are brimming with chemicals and toxins. It is up to both the purveyor and the customer to do good by our planet, and my hope is that you can better serve our beautiful waterfront neighborhood and city by helping us to create less plastic waste. Thank you for considering these suggestions! Love your coffee, love your ambiance, but think with some clear communication about sustainable options, you could really knock it out of the park."

"One of the best places I’ve ever worked from — and take it from someone who’s worked online across 4 continents! 🌍💻 Variety Coffee nails it with its cozy yet vibrant atmosphere, comfy seating, and chill vibes — perfect for getting things done. ☕️✨ The coffee? Top-tier. Smooth, rich, and brewed with care. And please do yourself a favor and try the banana bread — seriously one of the best I’ve ever had. 🍌🍞 Huge shoutout to the staff — super friendly, welcoming, and just plain cool. 🙌 Whether you’re in grind mode or just want to relax, this spot hits the mark. Highly recommend!"

"The ambiance is warm and welcoming, but the staff was rude, unprofessional, and disrespectful. After I ordered 2 drinks, I noticed the cups were piling on the top of the espresso machine while the barista was showing her photos from maybe Halloween to customers and chatting about whatever party she has gone to, how her make up looked, etc. Ultimately she started working again, and got me 1 of the order. Then she started talking to the cashier for a prolonged period time, and I had to call out on them that I needed to go. Then the barista gave me a nasty look, which made me feel uncomfortable. Then she said in a rude manner - if I were to describe this in writing, it would be in all caps - that "IT'S COMING." It took me about 15-20 minutes to get my order, and this is not Starbucks in FiDi at 8:30 am with endless customers. I was unhappy. I see other reviews that the staff was friendly. Sure, chatting with staff can be very fun. But not when there is a line of customers piling up to get what they paid for on the go."

"Consistent friendly local semi chain coffee shop with tasty pastries, great chilled staff and excellent coffee whether drip or espresso based. And they open early which is an added bonus at 7am. Most places in the hood open at 8. Love this place and I visit frequently when In town!"