Gypsy House Cafe

by Dennis H.

That is one yummy breakfast burrito.  The egg potato burrito is smothered in vegetarian green chili and chese.  It's delicious.  Really hit the spot in the morning.The coffee is okay.  The mocha I got was nothing special, but it wasn't horrible, either.The service is fair.  They aren't too engaged with the customers, but I didn't see the standoffish behavior some reviewers had mentioned.The internet is decent speed.  Again, nothing to write home about.

by fiona b.

so i always walked past this place on my way out to streets or gabors, and there were always people outside smoking hookahs or just hanging out, whatever. so part of me always felt like it was trying to be some capitol-hill-paris-on-the-platte... and i think i'm right. i went in the other day to get a cup of coffee and a bagel. it worked out fine, i guess, but it was like pulling teeth to get a decent amount of soy milk for my coffee (they don't let you pour it yourself), and it was jsut kind of salty service. the bagel was really good, though...

In reponse to "schizophrenic service" by Jay by Nikki

To the reviewer "Jay".

Really Jay? Comparing an Axis I psychotic disorder to the service at the Gypsy cafe just because the woman who took your Starbucks order wasn't familiar with it? Not only does that make your comparison sad, but pathetic because it shows what kind of corporate loving little lap dog you are. Why did you even try to get your drink at the Gypsy Cafe? Because your Prius broke down and there wasn't another generic coffee drive-through in your neighborhood? So please don't try to reference clinical disorders that you clearly have no idea about until your Prius gets fixed and you can head to the Highlands to be hip and get maybe some chilled Merlot or tapas from countries that you cannot pronounce the names of.

by Scott W.

Okay, this place is just great - very chill, the gals behind the counter are hip and helpful, and all kinds of great people meet here, from my tarot group (http://tarot.meetup.co...) to drummers, they are just awesome, and have sandwiches and drinks. Very comfy laid back lounge area, and a fun dark-Moroccan style basement. The whole place is eclectic and fun.  Definitely check it out on your wanderings downtown.By the way, please disregard Jay H's commentary on this place.  He is a coffee snob who is impossible to please, and further he has really screwed over a lot of people in the community by scheduling meetups he "organizes" where he then doesn't attend and leaves them confused and holding the bag, and inconveniencing venue owners, so don't believe anything he says.

by Carrie S.

I went here because it is close to my apartment and they are listed on a wifi website as having free wifi.  I really can't afford internet at home so I go to businesses that have free wifi when I can't access from work.  I set up my computer and was greeted by a person who appeared to be another customer (sitting on a couch with a laptop open) with "You know you have to be a customer to use the wifi right?"  I responded with "I guess I do now."I grabbed a can of diet coke and approached the counter.  "There's also a $5 minimum."  Since I had $3 in my pocket and was irritated by the far less than welcoming service I replied, "wow, that sucks" and left the place.  Now, I'm  not always this poor and can often buy a little something in exchange for the use of internet.  Businesses do well by treating me with respect whether I am poor that week or not because if I am treated well I will come back with money and often other friends with money.  I understand that by offering "free" wifi businesses are trying to bring in customers and I'm perfectly willing to carry my end of the bargain.  But a $5 minimum for "free" wireless?  I'd rather frequent a chain that has no such minimum purchase requirement and where the folks are friendly than get greeted by a "gypsy" in such an off-putting way.

by Tim B.Carly B.leah o.Dave C.Alden C.

I'm going to go ahead and say that I never frequented the Gypsy House alone. That's not a knock against it; it isn't really a place that I would patronize alone. Weird. There are board games there, though, which are fun, and the WIFI is nice provided (as many have mentioned) you buy some stuff. The owner-lady-whatever is a sourpuss, as far as I'm concerned, and can sometimes be a bear. What I like about Gypsy House is that it's a very "real" cafe. It's a swell place to go and hang with peeps. Tea, gelato, hookah, board games, wifi, belly-dancing, etc., combined with the sometimes-creepy owner-lady, makes it that way. Tough to describe. It gets four stars because I swear every time they see me coming down the street they crank up reggae music, which I despise, simply to spite me. Honest, the last five times I've been there it's been reggae nonstop.Living super close to the Gypsy House, I wish they would have better coffee.  It would make my life so much easier.  Unfortunately they don't.  The espresso itself is pretty weak and dirty tasting and they only have one size for iced drinks and it's super-watered down.Also, the incensey/hookahey smell is intense and the few times I've gotten coffee there, I can smell it on my cup.  Kind of off-putting on a normal day and really off-putting when you're hungover (which is the only reason I'd go there now...needing coffee ASAP and not wanting to venture far).Gypsy House: please make better coffee and store your cups in some sort of container that keeps things from being stinky and I'll come in more often.FAST, RELIABLE WIRELESS INTERNET.The owner WILL call you out if you haven't ordered something and are trying to use the internet- but whatever, it's the only coffeehouse in Denver that has its s*** together consistently on the internet front. Besides Panera Bread. Do you want to hang out at Panera Bread? No, I didn't think so.The major downside is that it smells like STIFF incense, which becomes a headache problem after a few hours. The matte lattes are also much cheaper here than elsewhere, even with soy. Hooray!Plus one star for a delicious and refreshing iced coffee!  Plus one star for music with a work-friendly groove!Plus one star for pretty-good-speed WiFi!Plus one star for comfy couches, lots of space, and good decor!Plus one star for things I'm excited to come back and try: breakfast burritos, hookah, gelato!Minus one star for slightly rude service.  The lady behind the counter was talking on the phone while taking my order and the four people after me.  I don't have a problem with this, as long as there's at least a brief pause to acknowledge the physical presence of a real life person.  But she didn't even so much as pause her conversation, make eye contact, say hello, or thank anyone for their purchase.  I'll definitely be coming back here, and I'm not advocating the fake-smiley-corporate-mandated-cheeryness of other chains.  But a little friendliness definitely goes a long way and can absolutely make the difference between four and five stars.The atmosphere is great! They got some hookah pipes there too if you want to smoke them. Food is great! Nice, fun place to go to for coffee that is usually more laid back and not as crazy as a lot of other coffee shops.

by Carly B.

Living super close to the Gypsy House, I wish they would have better coffee.  It would make my life so much easier.  Unfortunately they don't.  The espresso itself is pretty weak and dirty tasting and they only have one size for iced drinks and it's super-watered down.Also, the incensey/hookahey smell is intense and the few times I've gotten coffee there, I can smell it on my cup.  Kind of off-putting on a normal day and really off-putting when you're hungover (which is the only reason I'd go there now...needing coffee ASAP and not wanting to venture far).Gypsy House: please make better coffee and store your cups in some sort of container that keeps things from being stinky and I'll come in more often.

by Dave C.

Plus one star for a delicious and refreshing iced coffee!  Plus one star for music with a work-friendly groove!Plus one star for pretty-good-speed WiFi!Plus one star for comfy couches, lots of space, and good decor!Plus one star for things I'm excited to come back and try: breakfast burritos, hookah, gelato!Minus one star for slightly rude service.  The lady behind the counter was talking on the phone while taking my order and the four people after me.  I don't have a problem with this, as long as there's at least a brief pause to acknowledge the physical presence of a real life person.  But she didn't even so much as pause her conversation, make eye contact, say hello, or thank anyone for their purchase.  I'll definitely be coming back here, and I'm not advocating the fake-smiley-corporate-mandated-cheeryness of other chains.  But a little friendliness definitely goes a long way and can absolutely make the difference between four and five stars.

by Maha K.

A cozy place in Capitol Hill that has:HookahTurkish coffeeAstrology and insanely wonderful lounge//world musicFor a brown kid like me, that's five stars, baby. Support local businesses and buy more than $5 if you're going to be camping out all day surfing free Wi-fi. Oh yes, and the twins are mad cute. Their mom is adorable. What more can you want?

by Jay H.

Schizophrenic service.I came here two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I was helped by a knowledgeable young woman barista.I'm here right now. I had trouble placing an order with the older woman behind the counter. (Perhaps the subject of so many of these comments) "A double Macchiato," I ordered. Eh? Large or Medium? "Just the two shots with the foam." Eh? Large or medium? "A macchiato is just espresso with a small spoonful of foam on it." Eh? Do you want whipped cream?At this point, I feared she didn't understand what a macchiato was. If I may take a moment - Damn you, Starbucks! Ok, whew. Then I reexplained that a macchiato is just espresso with a little foam. At the risk of sounding like Jack Nicholson ordering a chicken salad sandwich, I left it to her.She brought me some sort of dessert cappuccino with caramel drizzled on top of it. Ok, I made the effort and tried to explain to her a few times, so I'm not going to accept this. I said, "I'm sorry, I ordered a macchiato. This isn't a macchiato." Yes, this is their macchiato. Ok, but it's not *a* macchiato. I understand if English isn't your first language, but we have to agree on mutual definitions for words to have meaning. You can't neutralize a centuries-old drink because Starbucks bastardized it and added 100 grams of sugar.I reexplained what a macchiato is, still trying to be patient and polite as the southerner I am. She gave me a dim nod of understanding. Then she went in the back and made me a new drink. This was basically a half cup of drip coffee (or the worst espresso I've ever had) and a half cup of warm milk. It was closer to a cafe au lait.Here I am, allegedly doing some work. I thought about sending it back again, but I'm skeptical she would ever be able to make it. What I can do is pass along a warning.If you're expecting to drink what you order, this is not the place for you. On the plus side, they have whipped cream!UPDATE (I'm adding this to my previous review rather than updating it with a new review in order to avoid giving this place another rating when I haven't been back.):  I stand by my original, unedited review.  (This was such a bad experience it was my first Yelp!)  I just got a PM from a friend of the owners who called me, in an unending, four message screed that covered several pages, a "nazi snob fetishist corporatist priss who hates independent business and wants this place to fail to make room for Wal-Mart and Starbucks."  I'm condensing, but it's in there.  All for wanting a simple espresso drink (take espresso, add a little foam) at a coffee shop -- not an unreasonable demand.  Bear in mind, I support independent, locally-owned businesses -- just not unconditionally.I heard from another Yelp user (whom I believe) that co-owner Dena was not behind these temper tantrums and doesn't endorse the idea of anyone bashing folks on their behalf because of a bad review.  Well, good on them for that.The Yelper in question hosts tarot readings at Gypsy House twice a month.  I think he was attacking me because he wanted to defend his meetup by not allowing any bad reviews of Gypsy House on Yelp.  It will be up to the Gypsy House ownership to see if they want to continue to let him run his meetups in their conference room after throwing hissy fits in order to stifle any poor reviews on their behalf.  I'll update further when I find out whether the ownership backs up its position not to endorse abuse of people who give an honest, bad review of an honestly bad experience by ditching him as a partner for his tarot readings.