caffe d'bolla

As someone in the cafe industry it was super cool and inspiring to see so much passion in the coffee! This place is pretty unique and inspiring as a hopeful future cafe owner

Amazing little spot! We tried the Cappuccino and the Macchiato, and both were absolutely excellent - smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates a thoughtfully made coffee. 😊

Is the coffee tasting worth the price of admission? I’d say for sure. Won’t find it anywhere else. Might seem exorbitant, but really a once in a lifetime sort of situation. Very informative, and of course the coffee is phenomenal. If you’re a fan of tasting coffee, then give it a try. If you enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, not the place for you.

Pricey but worth it. This is a one-man operation of incredible quality. Go in with an open mind. I asked what he would recommend and he said the espresso, so that’s what I went with. It came out to $11.91 after tax, which is confusing because other espresso-based drinks like the cortado were only $7, but I’m not complaining. It was a memorable experience. I wish I had time for a siphon but he said that requires at least an hour to do it justice.

There's not many words I can describe the coffee experience here. I thought I had good coffee before, and at least I thought it was good...until John here showed me a new experience. It was smooth, silky, it tasted like perfection. A lot of places, chains mostly don't get the ratios right, or just straight out have burnt coffee to serve. This man though, he is the craft. Watching him work his magic, what he called basic science was wonderful. I may be from out of town, but I know I'd have a great place to go to once I return to Salt Lake City.

I was in SLC about half a year back but I still remember this coffee. It is amongst the best coffee I have ever had so far. This would be the 6/5 stars place. The owner of the cafe is quite interesting to talk to. Coffee is quite pricy but don’t miss this place if you are a true coffee lover! It’s worth it.

You can get coffee but reserve the bar for 3 if you want the best. I was told there were only a handful of syphon coffee baristas in the US and this gentleman is one of them. Make sure you have more than an hour and be ready for lots of talking from the other side of the counter. Besides the long winded answers, it is a very interesting/ good experience. It is approximately $30 - $50 for the syphon coffee experience. Bar holds up to 3 people.

The ultimate coffee shop for coffee enthusiasts, they roast their own specialty coffee.. The owner, John, has been brewing for more than 20 years. So he is very familiar with the complex taste of different coffee beans, i personally have been going here since university days years ago. Amazing

WASPY keyboard vigilantes beware, avoid this place at all costs if you can't stay off your phone for an hour to enjoy some of the better coffee you'll have in your life while conversing with another real human who knows a great deal about a very niche craft. The negative reviews are mostly towards the character of the owner, which, sure, can be abrasive and direct, but if you're looking at the reviews you should know to expect an experience and not a $5 burnt starbucks cup to go. For those not looking at the reviews, I don't know what to say... try to escape from the deeply entrenched consumerism and enjoy authentic connection once in a while? I'm no coffee sommelier, but from my lay palate the coffee's great; that much goes without saying and I hope anyone reading these looks past the superficial negatives to do themself a favor and try a cup.

Best coffee and latte we have tried in our time in Salt Lake City. Worth the price and made to perfection. The beans are sourced from all over the world and are so so good. We didn't get to try the siphon on this trip but have heard that's what they are known for - just keep enough time to enjoy the siphon experience.

A nice little cafe tucked away in the WellsFargo center. I orders a cappuccino and was blown away. The server- who is also the owner, the bean roaster, the only employee- was extremely friendly and easy to talk to. He is VERY passionate about coffee and was telling us some of the flavor profiles of his current beans. I'll stop by here again during my time in town for a mid afternoon pick me up.

DON'T GO!!!! We were in a hurry after a business meeting and needed a coffee and a place to work. This happened to be the closest place we were to our hotel - Hyatt. We were excited to know that it was artisan coffee, made in siphon, because we honestly drink good coffee and we wanted to finish our visit in SLC in this place that looked amazing, as soon as we entered the gentleman that you see in all the pictures, looks us up and down, and tells us that his coffee takes 45 minutes to prepare, we did not care since we were going to work, at that moment the guy tells us- this coffee is a free laptop zone! And we were surprised, something like this had never happened to us before. We literally felt taken out of the store, because he said he had it on a "sign" which we never saw anywhere. Definitely the first time we felt we couldn't be in a place to have coffee and work... totally incomprehensible and absurd, even though the setting of this store has perfectly shaped tables to work at. We went to the cafe in front of this store- Ascoli Espresso, and the coffee was delicious! So, my best recommendation for you all will be: PLEASE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!

If you are coffee snobs like us, you'll love this hidden gem! Enjoyed a crazy delicious cortado to kick off our weekend in Utah!

Second cup of coffee for the morning! And wow! If you're someone who loves espresso based drinks (think Americano and cappuccino) GO HERE. Also, the owner is crazy knowledgeable about all things coffee and a joy to listen to.

Don't pay any mind to the negative reviews about the owner's "attitude." John is a master at his craft. Of course this comes with a certain level of disregard for the Starbucks style coffee experience. If you're looking for the best coffee you're likely to find for 1,000 miles and a man who truly knows his stuff, then this is the place to come for sure. We'll definitely be back when we are in the area again. :)

Fun place, the owner John was talking about his travels to Taiwan and Seoul. Talked his head off about boba tea and international traveling in general. The tea was delicious, I heard someone tried to order a flavored coffee and he told them he wasn't a Starbucks or Beans n Brews with a smile. Had to chuckle on that and glad my milk tea was tasty. For sure will be back.

John is simply the Quentin Tarantino of coffee full stop. One of the most educational coffee experiences you'll find in the world. You will go back.

BasicI visited a specialty coffee shop owned by an individual with autism who claimed to have the best siphon coffee in the world. The cheapest coffee was priced at $30 and went up to $50. I was instructed to take no less than an hour to drink it. Throughout that hour, the owner boasted incessantly about his skills and criticized all other coffee shops. He made me feel unwelcome and unappreciated in the coffee community. Despite his lack of social skills, his coffee was good but not worth $30. He also rejected three people from buying an iced coffee, claiming they didn't deserve his product.

If you love coffee this is a must try place. The owner is so friendly and is passionate about good coffee. You won't find your sugary flavor additives here, just incredible quality coffee that is made right when you order it with utmost care. The shop is small and simple but it is cozy.

A friend and I went in around noon. The owner warned us that this coffee experience would take an hour and that the price was expensive. I said that was fine as we had heard good things and my friend and I wanted to catch up with each other so we had all the time in the world. He proceeded to remind us that it was expensive as if insinuating we could not afford it and when I told him we will buy the coffee and put my card on the table he said reiterated it would take a long time to prepare and I repeated that I was interested in the process and and he just stood and stared at us until we felt so uncomfortable that we left without having been served. There were no other customers present in the store. I feel very bad leaving a review without having tasted the coffee but the owner made it abundantly clear we were not welcome.

My friend and I went to Caffe DBolla yesterday for the siphon coffee experience and had the most lovely time. John was welcoming, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. He really knows his stuff. The coffee was delicious and we learned a lot! Will definitely be back!

Want a true pretentious coffee experience? You oughta go check this guy out. I have worked in the specialty coffee industry for 12 years. When I asked him very specific questions that someone who knew something would know about he explained to me as if I had just been born in a haystack yesterday by interrupting me mid question and shutting it down. Here are some things I noticed, * He pre weighed his shots, didn't post weigh. Espresso gets caught up in there, and you don't have the same end weight. He also didn't purge between his "artesian roasts" so you are likely getting some of the left over coffee in your extraction. * Didn't wipe out portafilters after shots, which REALLY caught me off guard. * Had extractions that were so dang fast that you knew it was going to be the most bland shot in the world. * Didn't dial in his espresso (because he said it's too expensive per shot to waste) like come on man? If your charging $30+ dollars a shot you better be tasting that coffee and dialing it every day. * He told me he had a Ethiopia Hambela (but that it was actually a Guji) how in tarnation does that work? But also come on. An Ethiopia ain't more than $6 lb. green (and that's on the high end. Now if it was a Panama Giesha I'd have a bit more understanding. Why are you charging $30+ dollars for it. When I asked him what the score of this coffee was he couldn't recount. * There were so many more things I could go on and on about but I'll leave at this. This is a guy that wants you to worship him, and not ask questions. Siphon coffee has been around forever, it's nothing special except to look at. There are so many alternative brewing methods that have a better yield too, but again it's his preference. Now, after watching him pull shots for the guys in front of us I was not about to pay that money, ordered a cortado at $10. This was easily one of the worst tasting, over steamed milk drinks I've had. Espresso wasn't good, milk was foamy and way hotter than it ever should've been. If your going to act like the best, you had better be the best. You, John Piquet are nothing short of mediocre in my book . I hope you can refine your skills and have a more professional approach to your clients in the future without talking over them or dismissing them, and maybe dial-in your product daily if your going to rip people off for a shot. Thanks!

This place is PRETENTIOUS and the service is just bad. Walked in with my friend, there is no menu hanging up or readily available so we waited for the barista to greet us. He completely ignored us for 10 minutes while he talked to the only other two customers in the place (who already had their drinks). The customers, not the barista (who I also think was the owner) greeted us eventually and waived us over to sit in the seats next to them. They handed us their menu and the barista continued to ignore us. He didn't even acknowledge us until the other people left. Then he mocked me for wanting a cappuccino. This is a very small spot and when two other people came in to get $60 cups of coffee, he told them to sit DIRECTLY in front of us. This cafe is so small that their backs were probably a foot and a half away from us, we ended up having to move and he didn't even acknowledge it. I almost laughed at how bad his service was. I truly couldn't believe it. I also can't believe how anyone would pay $35 for an espresso shot or $60-$100 for a pour over coffee. If you have that much disposable income, I hope you are donating to charity. Giving two stars because the cortado I ended up getting was good and the owner/barista gave me a good story to tell my friends. If Hell has a coffee shop it's Cafe D'bolla.

I owe it to you (reader) to keep this succinct: the very best espresso you can get. Anywhere. Period. Also the siphon coffee is exceptional. Like, in a different league than any other coffee you might try or have tried. Also, the best Boba in the city, by far.

The best and probably only single origin espresso in Salt Lake City. You can taste the current espresso and buy the beans as well. John uses his current bean offering, not some blend. If you are making single origin espresso at home, Cafe D'bolla is a must. I make espresso at home and always try to come with a few technique questions. John has definite opinions, but is glad to share his coffee knowledge. Take a look at the menu photos. That is what they offer. No wall of flavored syrups, no whipped cream, no selection of sugars and honey. He'll usually have a single roasted bean selection for sale, perhaps a second as well. Parking lot is at the rear/north of the Stoneground restaurant building. From 400 South, turn north on Moffat Court.

No better place. I recommend the espresso, americano or cappuccino. John is the best!! Ruins you for most other places because it's proper and John cares.

The boba here is not bad! The tea itself is good, I've tried both the custard and original. The tapioca balls are better at other places. The price is a bit steep and they charge extra for less ice or no ice. The first time I came, it was probably around 30 minutes before closing. I ordered and the owner didn't look too happy. I want to give it a 3.5 but went for a 3 as I don't believe they deserve a 4.

"We don't do sweeteners" no sugar or honey just coffee. The cashier looked at me like I was a douchebag for wanting sugar in my latte... I guess they're trying to save the world from fructose one cup at a time. Or one turned away customer at a time.

Oh the love that I have for this place. This is one perfect little shop where you can get incredible espresso or delectable bubble tea. I'm a sucker for this place during the summer because nothing is more refreshing than a bubble tea! Every combination is delicious. What I love is that the menu is pretty simple. Do you want milk tea or juice tea? Small or large? Regular tapioca pearls, coconut jellies, or coffee cubes? And trust me, you can't go wrong. Some delicious drinks that I love: honeydew milk tea with coconut jelly, mango juice tea with regular pearls, or coconut milk tea with coffee cubes. But again, you can't go wrong. Then there's the espresso. I haven't had as much coffee/espresso here as I have had bubble tea. However, the lattes are incredible. John is constantly roasting and making unique espressos. As you've noticed many people refer to his passion and it's true. He loves the craft. Plus he's extremely nice and helpful. The shop is small, but has enough seating. Prices are on the high-end, but are pretty consistent with other specialty shops. It's a great place to meet up with a friend or to take a short break at. This is definitely one of my favorite drinks shops in Downtown SLC!

Let's get straight to the point....I used to like coming here. The boba milk tea here isn't that bad at all. The boba isn't your average big boba, it's those tiny ones. It is freshly made daily and very yummy and chewy. The milk tea isn't that sweet. It is machine shaken so it's not your typical hand shaken or blender stirred ones. Now here is the reason why I said I used to like coming here. Before I never had a problem with the owner here. Usually it's a come, buy and go. This recent time coming here I realize how bad of an attitude the owner, who is white male, has here. He's very rude. I simply forgot to tell him that I wan light ice in my boba and was telling him while he was putting ice in the shaker...note that he hasn't put any powder or anything in there...just ice. It isn't hard to just pour out a bit of ice from the shakers. He rudely said that he won't do it and for me to remember to tell him next time while ordering. Another thing is realize while writing this is that he didn't ask me the size of boba I want. He just assumed I wanted the large, but when my friend ordered he ask him what size he wants. It didn't really bother me much then because I like their boba milk tea here (in my case, there is no boba so I had to get lychee jelly). The milk tea isn't the best here in Salt Lake City so...I would totally reconsider coming back.

I don't hand out many 5 star reviews. The place has to be World class to get it. Caffe D'Bolla is World class. You can agree, or disagree, with any policy they have about purchasing a drink, but you can't take away their passion and skill. I spent years traveling and working in every nearly major city around the country. I make a special effort to search out great coffee. I'd always check out coffeegeek dot com and ask around. I've been to some places that do as well. I've been to some I'd rather hang out at, but I've never been to one that made better coffee drinks. That said, the best thing about Caffee D'Bolla are the beans John Roasts. I live in Orem, and have been making a biweekly trip here for many years to get my fresh beans. Previous to that I would order from Stumptown. I'd much rather support a local business. That also gives me an excuse to pick things up at Caputos and Aquarius at the same time.

Hands down one of my all time favorite coffee spots! I can't even count the number of times I have visited in a frenzy between classes - but needing my caffeine fix to churn away my research papers. I've gotta say - the Americano here, is the best in town. The coffee roasts are rotated to a different one every week or so, chances are if you only visit occasionally you'll never have the same cup of coffee twice. Which makes me me appreciate every sip even more. I've also had the boba here, and the custard boba cold is amaaazing ! The classical music that John plays provides the perfect ambiance for my study sessions.

This is a great spot. The owner really knows his stuff and I loved the iced latte I got. On a cooler day I would come back and get a cortado. I sat down and hung out and worked there for an hour, very nice environment to get some work done.

I'm at a real disadvantage here, not being a coffee guy and reviewing a place most known for its devotion to the bean. So take my comments for what they're worth. Even without a the love of the latte in me, I can still appreciate Caffe D'bolla. It's most definitely not a bustling coffee joint. The seats are mildly uncomfortable and it's a little too quiet to be totally comfortable, at least for me. But I can't help but give it up for a guy who's a coffee purist. There are contraptions, words, and drinks at work here that I haven't seen anywhere else. There's a love between a man and his cup of joe that I won't pretend to understand but I can at least respect. I had a chocolate chip cookie (meh) and a cup of hot choco, so there are other options here, including a decent selection of teas. This is where you come to sip, not to slurp. To experience the coffee, and not just add coffee to your experience. I probably won't add it to my list of regular coffee house haunts, but I can appreciate the passion going on at Caffe D'Bolla.

DBolla is a tiny little cafe across from the library on 4th. The prices are a little expensive ($6.50 for small latte). They have a patio out front that they share with a neighboring business that is nicely shaded and surrounded by little plants terraced into the patio wall. The wifi is good and reaches the patio too. When I went the other day, the guy said they weren't doing the DBolla pancakes anymore, not sure if it was just for that day or permanently :/

This place is locally run by a guy who knows more about coffee than anyone you'll ever meet. He's been in this location for over 15 years and I'm here to tell you this place has the best Americano in the city. Seriously. This is a must visit for coffee and espresso. They have other options aside from coffee. I haven't been able to try them because I know the Espresso is so good I can't bring myself to try other things. They also have some sweet treats. One cool offering is a bubble waffle. Very unique and delicious. Try this place but be prepared for it to be your new favorite coffee spot.

If you want an exceptional coffee, this is the place. The barrista/owner may appear quirky, but he is a great guy obsessed with all things coffee. I like that. His passion is not to everyone's liking, but then most people aren't out for good coffee either. Full marks from me for having one of the best, if not the best coffee in SLC.

Best Coffee (Cappuccino) I have EVER had. Exceptional is theflavor - from sip to swallow. Smooth arrival, sweet on the pallet and lasting, non-acidic, non-bitter, chocolaty finish. Very friendly owner that will discuss the "brewing" processes.

Simply kickass coffee. John takes coffee to a level of science and art that no other coffee shop can. His espresso, syphon coffees, and cortado(good golly molly these are insane) simply blow every other shop out of the water.

Rude, condescending owner that doesn't trump the quality coffee that comes from a siphon brew process. Too bad seeing that the coffee itself is delicious. Goes to show that the way you treat people has as much, if not more, bearing on whether or not that same person will be back when compared to the finished product. I will not be back.

Most amazing espresso I've had in several years. They have a roast just for espresso, and their barristas seem to be trained well and are knowledgeable about their products. While $2.75 for an espresso might be a little high, it is a double pull and it is some of the richest and creamiest espresso around. No harsh flavors. Just right. I had to have two. The coffee or tea in the bulbs might seem gimmicky but it yields a good cup. Again, prices are an issue for some - $5.50 for that coffee. However, the atmosphere is great, it isn't crowded in here during the day with annoying students texting on their phones, and they're really about the coffee/tea here. No bull. I love it.

Sat in the building for ten minutes, and was only acknowledged once. I listened to a phone conversation from who I suspect as the owner. Completely overrated

I'll admit that I was skeptical about finding good coffee in SLC. How wrong I was. I wish I could find a cappuccino as good as this in Vancouver! And best of all, no talk of sizes, and no bucket-o-cappuccino. This was the perfect little cup with silky foam. These guys obviously love their coffee and it shows. Next time I'm in SLC, I'll be back!

Excellent espresso! Excellent beans roasted on site. I always make sure to stop by when I am in Salt Lake. Yes it can be a little intimidating but the goal of the owners to educate is refreshing! I do wish they provided different styles of brewing but nothing beats syphon. I highly recommend this shop for either an espresso or an excellent cup of syphon brew, along with that is a little knowledge for those that want it.

Caffe D'Bolla was recently remodeled, and although the look of the shop has changed to a more professional and upscale style, the coffee has remained the same-excellent. Even the simple Americano is heavenly, the owners grind their own coffee and every day I go they are featuring a new blend. The bubble tea is delicious and a real treat if you've never had it before. The atmosphere is friendly and quiet, the close proximity to the city library has at times brought in a few unusual characters, but that never detracts from the superior quality and service provided by John and Yiching Piquet.

Has to be experienced to be experienced. In their hands, coffee turns into fine wine, so to speak. What I mean is, it becomes a whole new beverage. Your hosts (husband and wife) share an encyclopedic knowledge of coffee, and know how to create a relaxing but stimulating atmosphere. If you come here, you will not want to leave.

While on the pricier side of coffee, I feel it's well worth it considering the atmosphere and the stunning espresso shot. John is extremely welcoming, and I look forward to coming back here again. If you're sick of the same old same old when it comes to coffee shops, Cafe DBolla is a refreshing change!

I walked in here the Saturday morning before Valentine's Day to surprise my partner with some almond boba tea because I've heard good things about it at this shop. As I walked in, I was extremely surprised to see that the barista was not wearing a mask while making an espresso drink. Given our current climate with the PANORAMIC, I was quite alarmed and immediately walked out. Surprised to see this in SLC...the other reviews are pretty positive so I don't know if I came on the wrong morning or what I also noticed as I got there they do not accept cash and that was all I had on me at the time.

I've been to Caffe D'Bolla a few times, and I keep going back because they have some of the best, and most unique, drinks in town. Not only do they make great espresso, they also have bubble tea, gelato, and more. They do their own roasting on site too, with some super high quality coffee beans! One of my new favorite treats here is what the barista call's siphon coffee. He claims (and I'm inclined to believe him) that his shop is the only one in town to use this brewing method. If you are a coffee fanatic, this is a must try! The coffee from the siphon brew is nice and light bodied, but full of AMAZING flavor. It is earthy, flavorful, and, thankfully, not overbearing or oily. By the way, speaking of the barista/owner, he is VERY into his coffee, and he loves what he does. He will tell you everything and more you wanted to know about coffee, and more. He runs a business, but you can tell he's really and artist. He is honestly the best Barista in town. Finally, there are a couple of nice final touches about this place. First, it's locally owned and operated. Second, if you order a latte, you're going to get a tasty AND beautiful drink with one of those trendy and awesome drawings on top!

Oh man... We really dig the smaller boba pearls they put on their drinks. The flavors were good. It was heading towards a 4 to 5 star rating... until I ate a piece of plastic in my drink. It was from the lid (seal) that accidentally went in. Ahhh so frustrating! I couldn't even enjoy the rest of my drink anymore. To make things even worse, my daughter also got it in her drink. What the heck? We wanted to come back and tell them but we were already on the road heading home. Such a bummer. I really wish they would be more careful making their boba tea. I just can't see myself coming back.

I love his siphon coffee and his bobas! The siphon coffee takes some time but is very worth the wait. Get there at least an hour before he closes in order to try the siphon coffee. He handmakes the boba tapioca balls everyday and you can definitely tell the difference. Everything that we have tried there has been great quality and delicious!

They're trying hard to be a Seattle or Portland cafe, and doing a mediocre job at it. They didn't know what 'dry' meant when I ordered my drink. Coffee was 'eh', the service was over-peppy, and the attitude inside was smug. The Mocha I bought was also extraordinarily expensive.

This place really deserves another star but.. Your choices are limited here. This place really is more for coffee than boba. Boba places usually have a long list of flavors to choose from where as here you only have a few options. They also do not make slush drinks- only milk tea. There is nothing wrong with milk tea but they do fill a quarter of the cup with ice which leaves you with less to drink. If you want less ice in your cup they charge you extra? I don't get it. I paid for the drink and if if I don't want ice then should I really be paying to NOT have ice in it? I don't agree with that concept. The owner is nice and he informed me that his wife is Taiwanese so this is the style in which they make their drinks and that's fine but I wish I had more options. Would I come here again? Sure if I was desperate for a boba fix downtown but the ones in the valley have so much more variety and you can choose the preparation of which you like. Needless to say, the owner is nice and the baked goods look and smell divine. I'll be back but not for a while.

For the longest time since I heard it set up shop super close to where I live I wanted to try out a new place for bubble tea. I've tried it and prob wouldn't go back for it. I went on a Saturday afternoon and chances are it is prob popping more on a weekday. Came in and placed an order for a medium sized original bubble tea. I appreciated the fact that I could adjust the sugar level in it. That part was great, it wasn't overwhelmingly sweet. However there was a slight lack of tea flavor. I wished that the tea shined a little more since I had the original flavor. The bubbles were also a hit or miss. Some of the tapioca was super hard and I would have to spit them out periodically where as some were perfectly soaked and sweetened. I liked the size of boba they use it wasn't huge and super hard to eat. I just wished everything was a tad elevated- tea flavor and boba quality. Maybe their other beverage options are better but for now I'm okay going to other places.

The worst costumer experience. The person who was serving is rude and sarcastic. Not helpful at all. He was talk to other customer for over 20 min. He didn't realize that people was waiting for him. I don't recommend this coffee shop.

Awesome espresso. You can tell the owner puts a lot of thought into it. I got a cortado and a triple iced latte. The cortado was spectacular, one of the best I've had. The latte was great too, but of course, showcased the espresso less. Very expensive, but I am already excited to get another cortado as a treat.

Hands down, best Okinawa milk tea I've ever had. I've literally tried it at every other boba (or rather "bubble tea") place in multiple states, including the plethora here in California and have been disappointed at each one of those places after tasting DBolla's Okinawa milk tea. Also the owner is very nice to talk to and you should ask him about his travels as I've concluded that is how he has obtained his enlightenment in Okinawa-milk-tea-making. Disclaimer: I have not been to Okinawa Japan before so I cannot speak to its likeliness or relative flavor to milk tea there. But the flavor here is still amazing nonetheless.