Cafe Ambrosia

I like this place because it’s not too crazy. It doesn’t seem to be a hot spot on campus so I really enjoy coming here to study once in a while. The hot chocolate here is out of this world, I recommend everyone I know come here and have it at least once.
The barista is very rarely behind the counter, so you’ll have to wait a bit before being served or you’ll have to look around for her. It gets kind of noisy when the regulars come because they all start talking to each other, sometimes obnoxiously loud. But it’s a coffeeshop and not a library so I can’t complain.
It’s open til midnight so if you’re looking for a new place to study you should try this place out. The music is either really loud or it’s not playing, the latter is my favorite part of the night.

Not my favorite coffee place in all of Ann Arbor, but it does do some things right. I like the music playing in the background– a lot of alternative and 90’s indie– and they have a cute little basement «cave» area, where performances are sometimes held, some better than others. It has kind of a slight NYC vibe to it.
However, I don’t find the staff particularly friendly and unlike other cafes in the area, I’ve had to request that they remake my order. Usually it’s pretty clean and it’s a cute little café, but I’ve seen it in disarray more often than I would like to say. I don’t care to feel like I need to pick up the dishes off of other people’s tables after they’ve left because the café staff can’t be bothered, but I have to say that’s happened more than once.
Prices are competitive for the Ann Arbor and they offer free Wi-​Fi, but then again, what café in Ann Arbor doesn’t have free Wi-​Fi? Nonetheless, it’s a pleasant little café, a little off the beaten track near the parking ramp and in close proximity to Wazoo’s, so that’s a plus.

Nice people work here. Been going for about two years. Lobster love is good coffee. Never a line.

I have lived away from Ann Arbor for 3 years now, but when visiting for a conference I couldn’t resist going back to Ambrosia. It was my favorite café to hang out in while a UM PhD student for 5 years.
They play NPR and have newspapers. It’s a wonderful space to hang out in, with good light coming in the front windows and outdoor seating in the summer. It’s very bright and welcoming — not to mention with really welcoming and friendly staff.
I wouldn’t say the coffee is the best I’ve ever had (I give that honor in Michigan to places in Ypsilanti, and in the world, to Ultimo in Philadelphia), but it’s decent and cheap. A large, good coffee for $ 2.50, pretty fair. And at that price, I’m happy to also have free wi-​fi. (Although that feels standard with cafes now, it’s still nice.)
I wish I had Ambrosia in my current city (Philly). It’s just such a great place to be in. I miss it!

Fantastic coffee, comfortable couches, and just about the best music you’ll find in a coffee shop (The Smiths, The Cure, New Order, The verve, etc). This from a spoilt NYC coffee snob.

It’s called Elixir now btw.

Here’s the thing: I try not to get too caught up in what Ann Arbor should be, and try to love it for what it is. But I for sure miss the Ann Arbor in which this kind of establishment was the norm – intimate, comfy, serving coffee with a nearly hippie flair (read: not slick, only slightly shabby, and atmospherically warm).
This place is the best of the best. Is Comet’s coffee technically better? Yeah. Is Starbucks bigger? Is the Lab prettier? Etc. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But those places are slower or more expensive or less consistent. The pastry case and the coffee selection offer some of the best local choices. (I really love the date nut cookies – It’s a little like a fig newton, but less fig and BETTER.) The staff know customers by name, the selection of milk alternatives includes almond milk as well as soy, and the location at the end of Nickels Arcade, across from the old Borders and the ant alley could not be more Ann Arbor. Every time I walk through the Arcade and cross the street, I get a little happy sigh of nostalgia. The prices are absolutely unbeatable, the ambiance is homey, and the coffee is always just right.

I don’t really understand why people love it here so much… the atmosphere is really drab and depressing and I’ve never gotten more than sub-​par drinks, food and customer service. Its right by where I live so if its freezing and I want a drink without walking too far, I’ll stop in but I don’t go out of my way to go here ever

Lobster Butter anyone???
This place is the bomb-​diggety. They’ve got the best barista’s in town pullin’ rockstar shots of muy delicioso espresso to your liking. Want a breve, short-​shot, dry, almond cappuccino (duh) — these guys will make it and make it well.
They also got grips of tasty treats for every palate including some amazing vegan options.
It’s a very comfortable setting where you feel welcome and free to just chill. A great place to meet friends.
THE PRICES CANNOT BE BEAT. Free flavor shots for pete’s sake!
Did I mention Lobster Butter — Lobster Butter for sure.

(I originally wrote this review for the other Elixir Vitae location, which I have yet to visit.)
I finally walked into Elixir Vitae today, after seeing the «$ 2.75 Any Size Latte Today» sign, which is an amazing deal.
I ordered a soy latte. Even though I’m 90% sure I’m drinking an almond milk latte, it still tastes great. Here, getting soy or almond milk is only $ 0.25 extra, as it should be, unlike other local places that charge $ 0.80. Flavor shots are free here, so that’s something I’ll have to take advantage of the next time I come back.
The barista was super nice. The atmosphere is quiet. They have wifi and outlets along the walls, so this is probably a good study space!

Name has changed to Elixir Vitae — Check out basement cave for quiet study space.

Best latte in town. Good baked stuff, too. My friends love the vegan cookies.

This is my regular place, and definitely one of my favorite spots in Ann Arbor to hide out, get some coffee, and do whatever I need. The coffee is good, and you can’t beat the prices. Their tea selection is very good as well. The baristas are nice, but not overly so. The morning and evening vibes are pretty different, and I love them both. There’s a big basement that’s really quiet where you can have meetings, or where you can chill out by yourself. Also, the vegan chocolate chip cookies are the best thing ever.
The only thing that isn’t perfect is that the internet is a little slow. Also, I’m giving it four stars only because, while everything is very very very good, it isn’t the «best» in town. I go here though because it’s a great space, with a great atmosphere, and really cool people. I’ve had a lot of great conversations, and made a lot of friends in Ambrosia.

When I first came to Ann Arbor I spent a few days a week for a few months here just because I couldn’t find anywhere else. Now I’ve found my home-​away-​from-​home café elsewhere.
That said, pretty decent chai and an alright selection of teas. Their espresso ain’t bad either. Their food selection is lackluster but it’s there.
Outdoor seating in the summer but you’re right on the street in a not-​so-​lovely concrete environment. Extra seating in the basement. And you have to turn the bathroom knob hard — it often feels locked but isn’t. There are also frequent-​drinker cards — 10^th cup (I think) is free. $ 5 minimum on credit cards.
But the service and ambiance… oh no.
The baristas are removed and dead-​panned even if you’re a regular. There is plenty of seating here but unfortunately the feel of the place is a mixture between dorm room furniture, dry wall, and vinyl tiling.
I’m confused by the comments of this place being ‘hipster’ — I think people have different definitions of this but I see Ambrosia as a hang out more for awkward right out of high school teenage misfits, instead of cultured, albeit sartorially cloned, artsy 20-​somethings. The music should be an indication that there is nothing cutting edge about the place.
Probably a good place to stop in and grab a beverage if you can brave the aloof (without being sassy or clever) attitudes of the clientele and barristas. Staying inside is not for me.

Good coffee. Excellent Baristas. A great place to spend a ridiculous amount of time reading/​studying/​chatting, and super cozy in the winter. Also a wonderful place to hold meetings of any sort (the basement is quiet and big).
check it out and don’t forget to tip because the staff deserves it.

Ambrosia is my go-​to place for getting work done in Ann Arbor.
Sure, it’s full of «hipsters» (I think I’m one, myself?), the internet is always slow & the bathroom is half-​lit — but it’s comfortable, there’s usually good music & the basement is a great hideaway. Also, the tables in the front window are good for people watching & getting a bit of sunshine.
While no coffeeshop can compete with Comet as far as quality, I’d pick Ambrosia over Espresso Royale or Starbucks any day.

The hipster capital of Ann Arbor. You’ll never walk past this place without at least one 20-​something smoking a cigarette, or listening to the latest Swedish disco electro clash. Unreleased, of course.
Seriously though, I love the vibe in this place. Especially the basement… in good company. I find myself going here in stressed out — doing late-​night homework binges or stopping in for a quick cup between work and class. But when I do get the chance to lounge in here, it’s really a great place to chill and have good conversations. I work right around the corner, which is also nice, providing me location utility and – of course – peace of mind, knowing that I’m supporting local business :) :)

I almost forgot how screwed we were getting for parking in the garage all day.
Delicious coffee– check.
Reasonable prices– check.
Friendly barista– check.
Whoa, vegan sandwiches and cookies? Love.

The reviews are full of fanboys… looks like I’m gonna buck the trend. This place reminds me of the cafes I went to when I was 16 and that’s really not a good thing. It’s dingy and dirty and smells funky and the bathroom is gross and the basement is really gross and depressing. It’s dim and boring with white walls and uninspiring décor. What can I say? I’m a sucker for ambiance and I lost my taste for hip psuedo-​intellectuals while I was getting my bachelor’s in philosophy. Oh yeah, and the wireless sucks.
Coffee’s good though. I gave them two stars based on their coffee, which is actually pretty decent and is one of the only two places in town that makes a latte I enjoy and think is delicious (the other being Primo).

I liked my double espresso and the friendly servers, but not so much of the over all space. It may be a comfortable spot for many patrons (mainly students), but definitely not the cleanest. For instance, they could use a new trash can.
I also agree with Katy W’s comment on the baked goods. The selection is quite limited. They don’t make or carry fresh deli, but have some wrapped up sandwiches and pastries that have been sitting there for… who knows how long.