Comet Coffee

Category:	Coffee Shop
Address:	16 Nickels Arcade, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Phone:	+1 734-222-0579
Site:	mkt.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	Closed 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 7AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8:30AM–8PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Ryan Babcock

I rated this place five stars awhile back, but, being Comet, I really felt it deserves its own review. Put simply, Comet sets the bar to which I will compare every other coffee experience I have. Its just that good. Theyve usually got three or four different single origin coffees available to choose from plus an espresso. Every time I come here to try coffee, its been so good-tasting and memorable that I would have bought the bag of beans right then and there if I thought I had the right equipment or skills to make it at home. (Please, teach me your ways!) I tried once, coming in because I remembered one of the best coffees Id had (I think it was the Aramo, from Ritual?) and the barista working managed to find a bag of it in the back for me when I asked about it, but unfortunately, I couldnt recreate the Comet magic at home. Aside from their fantastic pour overs, I had the single greatest espresso Ive ever had here as well. I dont remember where it was from, but this had to be the most flavorful, least bitter or sour, most amazingly delicious little cup of coffee Ive had, and trust me, Ive had a lot. Not to mention the delicious pastries and really interesting teas they also carry, if thats your thing. The design of the space is really clean and cool, and theyve got some really interesting custom-made furniture in there. Nickels Arcade is just such a great location for this type of shop. Do yourself a favor, and dont get your coffee to go-- just let it cool down a little, sip slowly, and enjoy the atmosphere ---but that might be hard-- its a small space, and its popular for a reason. Ive never had to wait an unreasonable amount of time here, though. Theyve got wi-fi, but no outlets if your battery is running low, and I dont blame them. This isnt really a place to plunk down and study for a few hours, due to its sheer tininess, and I think they have a few laptop-free tables to discourage specifically this. Besides, how could you even focus with coffee this good?

Evan Byrne

Good coffee is very easy to come by these days. There are at least three nearby coffee shops with similarly good brew quality. Thats a simple reality. The nice thing about this spot is the outdoor seating... Or so I thought. The indoor seating is cramped and furnished with plywood chairs. So no reason to sit around indoors here. Unfortunately, two of the three outdoor tables are marked "no laptops allowed". I went to this coffee shop every weekend this summer up until now, just so I could sit outside. Two tables were taken, so I sit down with my laptop at the third. It has the sticker, but nobody else was using laptops so it shouldnt matter right? Wrong. Was told I had to leave the outdoor seating. So if you have to use a laptop, you have almost no chance of being able to sit outside. Inflexible and illogical nit picky stuff like this means I wont be going back.

A Private User

Being an avid coffee drinker and barista, i like to frequent other local and locally owned coffee shops. After hearing several people rave about how excellent Comet Coffee is i decided to swing in for an espresso over ice, side note: YES i am aware it shocks the espresso, After ordering my drink of choice the barista on staff said "no we cant make that" ...excuse me? She goes on to explain that it shocks the espresso and once again tells me she can not make the drink. I proceed to tell her i know this and that is INFACT the way i like to drink my espresso. She tells me no once more and promised me there would only be a small amount of water and assured me i would enjoy it, well if she suggested, a "skilled" barista working at such a legit coffee shop, how could i ague?! The service and espresso left quite a SOUR taste in my mouth. 2 thumbs DOWN

Eric Copenhaver

I was not at all a fan of this place. Id categorize myself as a coffee snob, but these guys are the worst kind of snobs: theyre elitists who think your opinion is wrong. I went in there and, unable to select a roast, offered that I tend to like darker roasts with bolder flavors. The barista told me that people usually like dark roasts because the beans are bad and darker roasts disguise the low quality of the beans. I went with it and tried one of their light roasts. And I hated it. Dear barista, it turns out that some people do just like more bitter flavors.

A Private User

Comet coffee serves some of the best espresso Ive ever had, anywhere. The staff are total coffee *nuts* who love their job and are adventurous, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Mostly they serve 49th parallel stuff -- eg, Epic. But for fun they also convert to various single-origin beans when available. In addition to espresso, they do "pour overs" and other interesting versions of single-serve low pressure drinks. I cant say enough good about Comet Coffee. If youre in AA, and you dont go here, youve really missed something special.

A Private User

I absolutely love Comet Coffee. Their coffee is strong and tastes very good. Their hot chocolate is okay, but nothing can compare to Caribou or the Chocolate House of Ann Arbor hot chocolates. They get their pastries from Pastry Peddler and these are hands-down the best pastries in Ann Arbor (and Im a pastry snob because I grew up in France). They run out of pastries by the afternoon (because they are so good) so go there in the morning if you want some pastries! I love the atmosphere; its exactly what a coffee shop should be like.

nathan didlake

De. Lic. Ious. Amazing coffee. Probably the best cup Ive experienced since Intelligentsia. If you are a drinker of delicious, boutique coffee, preferring the tender loving care that comes from a pour over or dialed-in espresso drinks, this is your spot. They also feature a wide variety of boutique "coffees made from our friends" section and brewing equipment for sale. Ann Arbor is fortunate to have them.

Guillaume Girard

I can go quite far out of my way for a nice espresso. By far the most terrible espresso experience of my whole life. This thing tasted like if it was made of raw coffee beans, or pure acid, either way... I just could not drink it at all. Awful. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Also, the place has no restrooms. I guess thats one more incentive for the customer to not stay and never ever come again.

Isabella DeShantz-Cook

Probably the best coffee in Ann Arbor (which is really saying something because there are so many coffee shops in this city). Only complaint is that sometimes the atmosphere seems a bit pretentious. I guess its justified because the coffee is really awesome. Definitely the place to go if you are picky about the quality of your coffee, you will not be disappointed.

Larissa Woryk

Probably my favorite coffee in town. Ive been coming here probably more often than I should the last 2-3 years and have never been disappointed. Espresso and espresso drinks are delicious, pour over coffee is wonderful, and take-home bean selection has a relatively wide and quickly rotating variety. Pastries and tea selection are also pretty swell.

Audrey Rose Young

Its the best espresso in Ann Arbor, and while the ambiance is a bit cramped and angular, the staff is kind to me on a regular basis, making it feel cozy and welcoming. If you are in the mood for simple, flavorful, and great quality coffee/cappuccinos/lattes, Comet is the place to go. Their brief tea selection is also awesome.