Java Lounge Coffee House

Having enjoyed my visit to the Moseley branch, I was keen to visit Java Lounge on Colmore Row. I liked the Moseley one but it was a little tired so it was interesting to see what they would do with a new store.
It’s a lovely space with a big sky light at the back. There are different seating types including low sofas, window seats and two seater tables with power sockets on every one. They also have USB ports which is amazing.
A lovely wooden counter had a giant selection of delicious cakes. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and there were plenty available but not much savoury selection. I ended up with a mozzarella wrap which was simple and tasty. You order and pay at the counter and then they will bring it over to you.
There’s an exciting array of drinks. I don’t think I’ll be coming here for a normal coffee but I did enjoy my chai latte and my frappé coffee. There seem to be a good selection of non-​caffeine drinks and teas.
A pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.

Don’t let the rather unassuming (dare I say clip arty?) logo put you off, this is a lovely café, a great place to nip for some lunch and relax away from the bustle of the city.
It’s surprisingly big inside, with soft décor and lighting as well as plenty of seating available. Lounge is an appropriate word, there is something very peaceful about it making it ideal for a leisurely lunch and chat. If you are looking for a café to set up and get some work done this place would be perfect, plenty of tables and loads of power sockets (replete with USB ports).
The coffee here isn’t particularly remarkable although it certainly isn’t bad, if you move away from the basic coffee options you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised, the cold drinks were a particular highlight.
Food is good solid lunchtime fare, they do a selection of salads and, instead of the more usual paninis, a range of toasted wraps (they come with a decent little side salad) which makes a change and will leave you less bloated. They also have a pretty massive selection of cakes/​sweet treats on offer, the ones I tried definitely were indulgent so make sure you have your sweet tooth fully in gear.
Well worth dropping in to, I will almost certainly become a regular, and the prices are modest to boot.

I first visited in it’s opening week and was very impressed, here I am five months later and I still love the place. The menu is full of such wonderful choices that I become that person who still hasn’t decided at the till. The staff are lovely though, they suggest good choices and alternatives when something has run out. At first I had the cherry mocha (yummy), followed by an alternative suggested by the barista to a chai latte. The name escapes me but it was the same concept but with caramel instead and was really lovely. My friend from Brazil, who I was with on my visit was also very impressed.

This is a very nicely done out place sat proudly across from a tired, grubby Starbucks at the Council House end of Colmore Row. It’s a brave place to open with that kind of big brand competition, but given the footfall around the area definitely worth the punt. And once people realise it’s there then I’d expect many to prefer it to Starbucks.
Before I opened by own shop back in the day I visited the Java Lounge in Moseley for a bit of ‘inspiration’ but got nothing. It felt tired and bereft of ideas and the coffee was mediocre at best. The main thing I remember was the terrible music. It was empty when we popped in and I actually expected to hear it had closed down.
But no, it survived! With this new branch opening it has clearly become a more serious local player, filling a nice niche in a handy area of the city. They’ve leapt aboard the third wave coffee tsunami with confidence and opened up a 40 or so covers café that will compete amongst the best hang-​outs around. It’s comfy in the main, tho’ the rear bench seats are a bit narrow so not as good as they could be. Lay out is fine, lots of space but plenty of seats. There’s a nice mix of tables, mainly the very popular two seaters.
Coffee is good tho not exceptional. The taste profile is more towards my preference, but there’s a little edge of bitterness to it, possibly the water is too hot. I didn’t sample any food, but the usual coffee shop fayre is found here. Staff were very nice. Wifi is good and there are lots of electrical sockets to plug your gadgets into. Music is as bad as the Moseley place … some kind of South American compilation … maybe it’s the same throwback selection!

Good to see this old building back in use and especially an independent. Their second place after the one in Moseley and prices seem very reasonable here for city centre (just a quid for a bottle of fruit juice which is a rare thing). Chilled out feeling.