Black Cup

This sweet café is perfect! Their coffee is amazing! And their staff are super friendly. There’s a great selection of coffee and teas to choose from as well as pastries. They also have quite a bit of sitting area available for those who want to pull out their laptop and get to work! If definitely go back again! I just wish I lived closer to Anchorage so I could grab a coffee everyday!

I experienced a pleasant recognition when I found The Black Cup. The venue used to be Café del Mundo, one of the first, if not THE first high class coffee espresso bar in Anchorage. I used to say, during early economic hardship, that if Café Del Mundo closed down you could tell that the last yuppie had taken the road out of town.
BUT: The espresso is unique, and to me, quite bitter. Part of taste is genetic, and your mileage might vary. And it ain’t cheap. The Black Cup is owned by Kaladi Bros but operated independently.
I tried straight espresso which is how I usually take it. Lattes, drip coffee are not reviewed here.
I like the people, the smells of food, the lack of overbearing music, and the pleasant hum of conversation. If you are an internet coffee hound, the broadband is medium fast and the receptacles are many.
The taste of the straight expresso is very bitter and beyond my ability to digest. That’s all. Now that I exercise my memory, I always liked Café del Mundo’s drip and didn’t think much of their espresso so maybe the tradition remains.

I like the atmosphere here.
Honestly, I could end the review with that single sentence, but let me elaborate. I am not a coffee connoisseur, so as long as the coffee doesn’t taste atrocious I am generally happy. One of the primary reasons I go to a coffee shop then is to simply enjoy the atmosphere.
There is a clam and quiet ambiance here, which is exactly what I am looking for. Additionally, when I was here the staff was helpful/​friendly

Great coffee and great atmosphere. There is a bunch of seating (more than any Starbucks in town) and there are outlets at almost every table.

What a great coffee shop. The service was excellent and they served up a phenomenal cup of artisan coffee. I’ll definitely be returning to this location for coffee when I’m in town. They have any coffee brewing techniques that are at the Forefront of Technology which makes this place really special. The inside Décor is also excellent and makes you feel welcome.

Get the steam punk coffee. Nuff said. Good atmosphere, friendly staff, good service.

I really really really enjoy the coffee at Black Cup!
They are Super Friendly & make good coffee.
Best place in the Anchorage area I found so far! :D

Great Sunday morning lazy vibe. Friendly staff helpful, answering our questions thoroughly. Tasty nonfat latte, Dino old fashioned donuts sold here… such an inviting atmosphere. Love this place!

Very friendly and nice atmosphere. Felt very welcome! I ordered a caramel cappuccino and a blueberry muffin — both were great! One of the best cappuccinos I’ve ever had!

Black Cup!
How am I just now discovering you?
The headline feature of Black Cup, for me, is that they are open till 11pm. That is *HUGE* for me. I work two jobs and one of them finds me in front of a laptop until late at night. It’s nice to have a place to work that’s free of all the distractions (I should shave! Do laundry! Alphabetize my climbing guides!) of home.
Oh, and I’m a simple drip coffee guy. And drip coffee here has INFINITE refills.
They have free Wi-​Fi but I can’t vouch for its speed. I’m so fed up with the piss-​poor Wi-​Fi in Anchorage that I don’t’ even bother anymore… I just tether to my phone and I’m done with it.
The exterior looks like every other Anchorage strip mall, the interior looks like an old warehouse that was converted into a trendy loft. It’s very PacNW, but probably more «Seattle» than «Portland».
Seating is pretty comfy too.
I got a lot of sh! t done!
I’ll be back.

I was hungry and they had a nice panino selection. I craved coffee and they had a coffee tasting that Friday afternoon. Nice atmosphere, wifi is a bonus and it is a great meeting place.

Most comfortable, pro, spacious, non-​scene café in town, with beautiful actual coffee. The baristas are actual humans and the patrons are mixed. Right near stationary, toys, and book stores. No extra charge for homemade whip, if you’re craving it.

Good coffee. Fast with options. Normal brew. Normal espresso. But there’s the pour over bar. And the steam punk vacuum press. Which are both a bit more specialized. And equate to a very good cuppa!!! Very nice addition/​find here. The décor. Is modern. And welcome.

I love the way this place looks! Super cool vibe, great coffee in the most nerdy way possible. Pour over, Steam Punk, you name it. I personally enjoy sitting down at the pour over bar and trying a couple different varieties to compare. I’ve never really been one to compare different coffees, but these guys are very knowledgeable and make the experience very fun.

My husband is freakishly high maintenance when it comes to coffee. I’m talking, he hand grinds his single origin, direct-​trade coffee before making his own pour over every friggin morning. He even worries about the temperature of the water.
While I’m tempted to roll my eyes at the amount of care he puts into every cup, I understand that it truly makes for a better coffee beverage. It’s nice to know there’s a local coffee joint that puts as much attention into their drink creations. He’s gotten several pour-​overs from Black Cup and left ecstatic. And they’ve made me the best skim mocha I’ve had since moving to Alaska. Will definitely come again! :)

Walking into Black Cup is a bit like being abducted by The Doctor and transported by TARDIS to a coffee house circa 1850. Granted, modern English language and fashion seems to be the norm but the décor and atmosphere is distinctly Victorian. If you’re a fan of Steampunk literature or culture, then you’ve probably already been here and geeked out. If you’re confused about what I’m talking about, it’s okay. All you need to know is that the coffee here is divine. They’ve redone the furnishings in shades of black and white and decorated with wildly eclectic pieces that will delight your hidden nerd. Fancy machines and intricate coffee brewing prolong the delivery of your vital cup of espresso but it’s worth the wait. You could certainly get your coffee to go but I encourage you to linger, let your imagination run wild and enjoy the newest interpretation of a coffee house in Anchorage.

A great remodeling of a previous so-​so coffee joint. This place is super bright with lights everywhere, and you need some fake sunshine in the winter!
The modern theme of black and white works even here in Alaska… with nice, expensive Made-​in-​Italy La Marzocco espresso machines. Simple chalkboard menu.
A mix of stools, chairs, kitchen tables, and lounge chairs.
Free wifi, of course, get the password from the barista.
SECRET TIP: Try the «Sludge» — it’s not on the menu

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Come enjoy a nice cup of coffee accompanied by a scratching blaring record player on the fritz and the employees friends. This place was slammed before the remodel. Now it caters to a niche market– hipsters.
Btw– The barista told me to go to Starbucks after I asked for pumpkin syrup. Poor salesmanship.

This will take some time acclimating to the new environment.
I felt sad walking into the newly renovated location. I preferred the old ambiance. While very nicely updated and chic, the modern renewal is a complete flip from the home-​y, cozy feeling I remember having with the old ambiance. No map (yet), no old burlap coffee sacks covering the counter, no more miss-​matched wooden tables…
I’m giving it 3 stars for the quality of their drinks. They still make a mean cappuccino and I’m happy to report Black Cup continues the tradition of Ibarra chocolate for their mochas and hot chocolates.

Well even though I’m giving the newly relaunched black Cup coffee shop 4 stars, I’m doing it with some reservations. Previously Café del mundo was my favorite coffee shop in Anchorage. They have a reputation for making really excellent coffee. That hasn’t changed with the new renovations. And rebranding. However what happened to changed is the vibe. Previously, was a very cozy and bohemian place to hang out, read a magazine, snuggle up in a big chair and while away the hours. Now its just so cold– clearly geared at hipsters. Frankly it’s probably a very wise move on the part of the ownership. However I’m not enticed by the uncomfortable furniture, edgy designs, and clean lines. Black Cup is just too stuffy and uncomfortable for me now. This is no longer my coffee shop. When I walked in felt like I was walking into a five star restaurant, not a neighborhood café. I guess I need to find a new place to hang out.