by Jamee S.

i've been here 3 times and so far, it's been an overall great experience.  it gets better and better.  the atmosphere reminds me of a coffee shop that you'd find at a college campus but with a bit of upscale-ness to it; it's inviting and cozy. the first two times i came were random and unexpected.  my first beverage was a ginger jasmine hot tea- delicious and warm and good for those days when you're feeling drab.  and now as i write this (this visit was planned), i am actually in said place and enjoying an arnold palmer (that's 50/50 lemonade and tea), perfect for those warm summer days that are just around the corner.  i just had a taste of a friend's yogurt parfait and it's delicious, not to mention healthy.  the staff is friendly, knowledgable and will help you choose a delicious beverage.  there's plenty of seating and free wi-fi to help the studious student or casual surfers.  i'll definitely be coming back again and again.  i just wish this place had longer hours, or at least till midnight.

by Marc A.

The fair trade organic coffees are excellent (except for the Galapagos).   The baristas are friendly and the place doesn't get overly crowded.

by Matthew D.

it's as good as spot as any in royal oak to come and read, study or work on a computer.  the free internet access is a plus... last time i went to caribou, it cost $4, but that was awhile ago and i don't know if it's still the same.the passion fruit iced tea is really good, and i think i had 3 or 4 of them last time i was there.  they also support the local art community and have shows, and display local artists, with the opportunity to purchase.everything is free trade, and a lot of it is organic, and they recycle.

by Heath R.

Best Mocha I've had in a long time. Free WiFi and plenty of in and out seating.

by Liz H.

This is my new office.   Yeah, sure, I started coming here because of the wi-fi, but I've found it is pretty much everything I want a coffee shop to be.   They have coffee. Good coffee. But, they also have San Pellegrino, 20 oz. Coke (even Coke Zero), Izze sodas, V8 and a lot more. Cake, yogurt parfait, scones, muffins, etc. I could go on, but basically, they have everything. You want ginger jasmine tea? They've got it. You want French soda? Italian soda? Smoothies? Chai? Martinelli's apple juice. Yup and yup.   But what makes Bean Leaf so cool is the staff. They aren't corporate robots like at Starbucks, but they aren't hippy-dippy emo kids like at some places in Ann Arbor -- you know, the people who act like they're doing you a favor to make you what you ordered?   For example, Nathan (yes, he's a friend of a friend, but he illustrates my point) takes your order with a smile and has never ever seemed like he's annoyed to be at work. And I've worked at a coffee shop -- that's hard to do.   Today, he even brought my coffee to my table (and didn't make me pay for it), just because the blend I ordered wasn't finished brewing. That seems like a no-brainer for a good business-owner, but to have your staff on the same page is just good management, plain and simple.   Plus, there's cool art on the walls (black and white photography at the moment) and cool people in the chairs. The misanthrope in me is even having trouble finding faults with the people around me. They seem like a creative, laid-back bunch. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to strike up a conversation with any of them, but, unlike at some establishments (Dunkin' Donuts, for instance, where I love the iced lattes but feel like I'm at a bus stop), the option is there.

by Parisa K.

When this place changed it's name, I wasn't too happy because I liked the name Sweetwaters more than Bean and Leaf.  For the most part, though, not much else has changed.  They still have really good drinks and some desserts.  Now I was always a HUGE fan of the apricot rugalah (sp?), which Sweetwaters regularly had but Bean and Leaf does not carry.  They do have some other good looking sweets, but I still miss my favorite.My one gripe with this place is they don't offer free refills.  Going there to study for several hours on end day after day, free refills definitely are important.  They do have free internet (that isn't annoying to deal with), so it's sort of a trade off.  But if you are just going to relax and have something to drink or two, then you'll find this place quaint and enjoyable, no gripes attached.

by Sara A.

With coffeeshops popping up like weeds, it gets difficult at times to have a discerning eye, or taste buds, but Royal Oak's Bean and Leaf offers something unique and special to locals.At first, I was a bit heartbroken when I had seen that Sweetwater Cafe was morphing into the Bean and Leaf, but after my first visit I became a fan. The Bean and Leaf Cafe prides itself in providing its customers with not only the best selection of free trade coffees, but an expansive medley of fragrant loose teas. It's funny,because as horribly addicted as I am to a cup or twelve of Joe, I always find myself coming in for a spot of tea. The Jasmine Lemon is like a citrusy sweet bouquet of flowers in your mouth, the pomegranate black tea is a hearty and clean tasting. The choices are endless and always scrumptious.The Bean and Leaf Cafe also offers goodies to nosh on while you're using their free WI-FI. The vegan chili and cookies are deceptively amazing, and the cakes and cookies always leave me smiling. As sad as I was to see Sweetwater Cafe fade away,I'm just as happy to see the Bean and Leaf blooming, especially in a garden being attack with corporate coffeehouses.

by Elizabeth C.

I spent a lot of time studying here during law school and for the bar exam.  Free wi-fi, the staff is friendly and the coffee is pretty good.  The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and most of the time the music is pretty ok (sometimes good, sometimes bad, but never as bad as starbuck's or caribou's music--this is a matter of taste of course, and probably not that helpful, but I have pretty good taste in music if I do say so myself! haha).   The baked goods rock my world, particularly the vegan chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies, as well as the vegan muffins (both from Avalon bakery).  This is my favorite coffee shop in Royal Oak.  It used to be Sweetwaters, which I also liked, but the only thing I really miss from Sweetwaters is the Ginger Lemon tea.  Oh, and the thai iced tea from Sweetwaters was better.

by dea a.

I can't help it. I like this place. Maybe because it's not granola crunchy, but more arugula crunchy. I like the vast selection of drinks they have, including their loose leaf teas. But the other stuff they sell, my god, is so expensive. They were selling a handful of MMs for $2.50! Recycling, comfortable and plenty of seating, no bums, good lighting, and free internet. What's not to like? Note: you have to ask for the router password from the barista, they change it about once a week.

by Sarah W.

When I asked around as to what was the most recommended coffee shop in Royal Oak I got the Bean and Leaf. So of course I had to check it out, recommendations aren't just for nothing!I was surprised to see it looked just like Sweetwaters inside, but not so surprised when I heard it used to be. I expected good coffee cause of that fact though. And the coffee is good, I had a soy latte. Tasty, I forgot to ask what brand of soy milk they use.Good selection of pastries and desserts like Sweetwaters. And a good place for studying, working, small talk. If you have been to Sweetwaters in Ann Arbor you know what to expect. I just expected something that I was not familiar to, hence the let down.

by MK W.

Full disclosure: I am a high table enthusiast.  Something about that kind of altitude can make even the most useless facebook session feel a little more productive.  The staff here is very friendly. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, clean without being sterile.  They have a really nice selection of teas and sell Avalon baked goods.  I always want my lattes to pack a little more punch, but I feel that way about all metro D espresso beverages.  By far my favorite place to get work done in the area.

by Jill B.

Love this place, and all that it is about.My family and I like to have coffee "dates" once a week. Our son loves Tea's- and we prefer a nice latte. They have great products. Carry Avalon bakery goods!!! Best of all, they care about the environment. They use recycled products. I wish more establishments would be this conscientious.Outdoor seating. Supports local artists. Moral of the story here; We always choose Bean and Leaf for our weekly coffee dates.

by Toni C.

I like this place. As someone else mentioned the high tables are nice. I usually sit at one when I go. With all the other chain coffee shops around it's nice there is a local option and it's better than the other places. They have the best soy latte I've ever had. It must be the soy milk they use or something, whatever it is it's good. The free Wi-Fi is nice and the passwords they come up with are cool.

by chris m.

When I'm at home, I work from this place.  Not so much so people will notice me working at a coffee shop, but because I'll watch television if I stay home.  Prices are about the same as the corporate shops, but this has a really good atmosphere and the staff are really great.  The music, free internet, and photos for sale on the wall are all a plus.  At the end of the day even if this were a starbucks-the staff make it worth coming here.It does tend to get busy in the afternoon but mornings aren't bad.

by Chris W.

This is one of my favorite places to hang out in Royal Oak!  I take many of my friends here for grab some tea (not really a coffee drinker).  The internet is FREE, which is great.  I gladly pay a bit more for something good to eat and drink for a quiet, clean, and friendly place to sit to read, work or just think about nothing.Another great thing about Bean and Leaf is the artwork on the walls!  I love it, and if I had the money I would buy numerous pieces from their walls and put them on mine.Finally the baristas actually know what they are doing, and don't mind giving you their opinion, which I enjoy.  They actually know how to use the machines in the cafe and I think they take pride in what they do, and I support that anywhere.

by Michael C.

Scooted into this place today for a chat and a cup. I wasn't disappointed.I like the fact that there are at least a few places in Royal Oak that are quiet and have free WiFi. The idea of Starbucks charging for their WiFi just disgusts me. Then again, so does Starbucks in general.The WEP password for the WiFi cracks me up. I hope they turn it into a schtick every week that they change it. Next worker to make "cheese fish" the password will certainly get a tip!I've heard that this place can get a little rowdy, but I saw no evidence of that. It's certainly quieter than Caribou. In fact, it seemed like we were the only people talking in the place. When I'm in town and need to study or want to read, this would be an awesome place for it.I actually liked their coffee. I agree, theirs is a bit more expensive than I'm used to, but we're talking pocket change. A large steamer flavored for $3.25. House coffee is what, $2? I'll pay that for peace and quiet WITHOUT coffee.There were at least 10 people on Mac laptops (not including myself), which struck me as odd. It's that sort of place.No smoking, no hookahs. Lots of Kashi. Mostly high-backed wooden chairs, and possibly one couch. Keep that in mind. My second-favorite coffee house in Royal Oak.

by janelle p.

Yelping about a coffee shop while *at* said coffee shop... I have reached a new level of snobbery.  But I swear I don't feign intelligence by conversing about Hemingway or Voltaire or the existentialists...Bean and Leaf is the typical coffee shop, with reminders to recycle and save the planet at your ten, eleven, and one o'clock.  Yet repairing the 0.4 gal/min leak in their sink faucet would do more for Mother Earth than me putting my java clutch in their recycle bin versus the trash bin.The hypocrisy of it all!My medium ginger jasmine tea had a fine flavor, though it was so sweet, like warm juice.  It almost tasted as though they had microwaved a glass of McDonald's sweet tea after dropping in a slice of raw ginger to infuse the flavor.  Captain Planet would have preferred I spend that $3.85 to instead save a square foot of the Amazon from the evil paper corporations--or to repair Bean Leaf's leaky faucet.And my tea was only warm--not scalding.  I expect tea to burn my tongue so much so that I can't taste anything for the next 18 hours.  Since I was drinking my tea in-house, I was served a big white mug.  But it came sans tray or saucer, making transportation to my table a delicate affair.  I had to gingerly carry the heavy, filled-to-the-brim mug by its handle.  Thankfully the tea wasn't scalding hot, else I'd have third-degree burns on my right hand.But a barista saw me take out my computer, and on her own convictions, came over to offer me the wifi password.  What's this?!?!  Service?!?!  Someone thinking about a human being other than themself?!?!  In Downtown Royal Oak, that merits a bonus star.

by Maxx D.

Awesome atmospher and great coffee. I haven't had the tea so I can't comment on that, but the prices are decent.

by roe l.

this place is dope:cheap coffee, fair trade, organic, open till 11pm, free wifiwhat sucks about it is:no real food, just dumb premade sandwiches.  i got a basil pesto mozarella sandwich..and it was in a fucking bagel.  for real?  enough of that "fusion food."  i don't think any italian, hacidic jews are going to be entering the doors anytime soon.  but then again, neither are rabbits and they do have a good vegan carrot muffin.no ambiance or character.  any good coffee shop has to have some music, a dark leather couch and dim lighting.  i mean, bright enough to read but not bright enough to put your crotch on display should you decide to rest your feet on a chair.  (i call mine the glorious)the artwork on the wall sucks.  nothing but a wall full of mediocre, flickr photographers.  in all honesty, i'd rather see a giant mural of a cher (i said "a cher" because it doesn't even have to be her).  and i can't stand the bitch.other than that, this place gives me a boner.  i attribute it to the (high crotch visibility)