Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

A coffee shop is more than a cup of warm beverage. It is a vibe. You can go to Starbucks and get a decent cup of Joe from the drive through using the app, but the days of hanging out with friends over coffee and relaxing with good conversation at Starbys has ended. They mass produce coffee. Lantern is a refreshing break. You can still sit down with a ceramic mug with your cream making the pretty pattern. The coffee is good but not life-changing. The Chai, if you are a fan, is excellent! Pay attention to the special menu options next to the register, the Trifecta is worth a look. The place is decorated to make you immediately feel the inclusivity, so you know it's a safe space the moment you enter. If you are looking for a place to work alone on your laptop, the repurposed secretary desks with their own lights is wonderful. The idea of the relaxation space being a few steps down from the main counter area is put genius. It has a rathskeller feel and allows the outside noise and even the counter area to be muted when you sit. Somebody imagined what a coffee shop should be, and built this to those specifications. 10/10 - highly recommend.

As a new resident to the Grand Rapids I have slowly been working through suggested coffee shops and this one did not disappoint. Upon entry, the initial space is cute and cozy with a fun electric sign. The staff greeted me right away and were ready to take my order. Very friendly and professional! I ordered an iced brown sugar cinnamon cold foam, which I learned the cold foam changes day to day. The coffee was tasty and the drink was made quickly. I also ordered a plain bagel with cream cheese that is outsourced from Terra Bagel. They had their own toasting station which I appreciated! They have additional seating on a lower level that offered a variety of options with ample plugs for electronics. As a first time guest I enjoyed my time here and will be returning!

One of the chilliest spots to sit and read in the city. The vibes are super cozy and I always feel right at home. It helps that the coffee and service are excellent too! Looking forward to my next visit already!

I ordered a café miel and my friend ordered a latte. Both were very good and the service was fast! The seating is good. Only tough part was finding parking. We found a spot by Artrats Gallery just a block down the road so we didn't have to walk too far in the cold!

Coffee was absolutely wonderful! Homemade syrups and homemade alternative milks! I was only in town a few days and visited this coffee shop everyday. Baristas and owner had wonderful customer service and insight for local attractions.

Amazing people and awesome coffee. The downstairs seating area is super cozy and cool. All of their coffee is great- even the batch brew. You can tell they put a lot of thought and care into their menu; as well as their coffee which they source themselves! Not to mention they make their own oat milk and recently perfected it. Their old stuff was good, but the new recipe is amazing!!

I just stopped in for coffee while I passed through the area. Got the candied pecan latte and it was pretty good! This is a real “hipster” coffee shop, not a mom and pop coffee shop, if that’s your thing. Girls at the counter were polite, and service was fast!

stopped in for a carrot cake latte and some fun views of the city while working. Great staff at the front who were very attentive and helpful. Fairly priced drinks as well. Parking isn’t too bad if you don’t mind parking on the street.

Best coffee in Grand Rapids in my opinion! Staff is always super welcoming and friendly. Tons of room downstairs to hangout/work/study. 11/10

Hi, Usually I do not rate coffee shops - but I had to let you know that today I ordered and paid for a latte with almond milk and it was made with regular milk. The latte was very sweet and covered the flavor, but I feel if maybe a little more attention to the order would have prevented how sick I feel. Normally, I would be able to verify this but this was my first experience at Lantern and I work down the street - so I felt some level of trust. Just an fyi to any who have lactose intolerance and get pretty sick - does not hurt to double check!

Just a cool little independent coffee shop with a great vibe and truly excellent coffee I came here twice. I had a pour over the first time and a "batch" the second time. Both were infinitely superior to any "chain" coffee around. Staff is very friendly and the seating below has a nice intimate vibe. Definitely a place to return to.

Good coffee. Good service. Good ambiance. I have nothing but good things to say about Lantern coffee! Not only is it the coziest place to get coffee in the fall/winter, it has some of the tastiest lattes! Baristas are knowledgeable and friendly too!

Place has an interesting vibe. Not a lot of room up front so the area for picking up the drinks gets crowded quickly, especially if there's a guy talking incessantly for 15 minutes about nothing to one of the baristas. The dirty chai came up quickly and was tasty, though not as spicy as the best chai tea lattes I've had. When you walk downstairs, which is more like a half a level, there's a cool set up with different types of chairs, tables, etc. for people to sit down and have a more intimate experience. This is for sure a 4.5 star but yelp doesn't offer this.

Made very precisely. Has homemade almond milk and sugar free vanilla syrup! The owner/barista is extremely nice and has a great background in coffee. They have a super cute seating area for studying or just to sit and chat. He was very efficient and the coffee was delicious.

I have walked by Lantern many times but never really had a reason to stop by until recently. I'm not the biggest coffee drinker but had some time to kill between getting downtown and my dinner reservation, so decided to pop into Lantern for a nice hot chai tea latte and warm up a bit! Walking in, I knew I'd like it - the vibe is very comfortable, spacious and not overly quiet or too loud. I think it is the perfect spot to just read a book or even have a first date. It's a bit unassuming from the outside because you don't realize they have an entire "basement" area for more seating (comfy and tables) than just the few window seats and chairs in the main ordering area. My boyfriend and I both ordered a chai latte with oat milk and of course, that it was an upcharge. While the chai latte was good (and how cute are the cups and saucers? Unique shape that fit perfectly for the vibe of the coffee shop), I was a little disappointed that it wasn't super super hot. It was warm and the perfect initial temperature to drink without burning your tongue, but it lost its warmth pretty quickly. For a $6 latte, I'd just hope that it would hold its heat a bit longer. Maybe it was a barista's choice for temperature but I definitely wanted something a bit warmer on such a chilly winter day! Overall, it doesn't totally deter me from coming back and enjoying another beverage a different day.

I hadn't been to Lantern since I needed a good place to study in undergrad (we won't talk about how long ago that was ). It's been a bit, but their great coffee hasn't changed! I ordered a mocha, and my fiancé got a vanilla latte. We chose to sit in the lower seating area, which is my favorite, because it's so cozy, and as my fiancé said, "I feel like I'm in a basement bar in the prohibition era". It's a great place to work, study, or relax! If you go to Lantern, make sure to check out their merch! They have such cute mugs

What a delightful morning we had at Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge! From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by the warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented perfectly by the friendly baristas who made us feel right at home. As we settled in by the window, the serene ambiance enveloped us, setting the stage for a perfect start to our Saturday. Tyler's choice of the Chia Latte was spot-on, and my Mocha was as delicious as always. The spacious seating area on the lower level provided ample room for us to relax and enjoy our drinks without feeling cramped. Every sip was accompanied by smiles and good conversation, making us wish we could linger there all day. If you're looking for a coffee shop that combines top-notch brews with a welcoming vibe and fantastic service, look no further than Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge.

We came in Sunday morning at 10:45 in the morning and were served right away. We couldn't resist the look of their Lavender latte. Whatever the lavender they use in the latte was well balanced with the coffee. This was the right way to start a lazy Sunday!

Vibes: great Coffee: .........not great Spicy Ginger Lemonade: criminally bad *not a local, came on a whim while we were downtown

Stopped by for a cappuccino. Cute and cozy ambiance, alternative milk options, and very tasty coffee. Seems like a great study spot.

Really cool ambiance. Okay coffee. The staff was very friendly and the place was packed.

LGBTQ friendly local favorites coffee shop. Advertising other local businesses and a perfect place to get some work done. I would recommend a hot large chai.

The service, ambiance and prices are great. That said the vanilla oat latte did not taste good - perhaps they did not add the syrup/something was off. The seating arrangement downstairs is great to work/study/lounge. I should have gotten the cardamom latte - but I'm down to go back and try/give this place another chance.

I got an iced oat latte, nothing extraordinary. Service was fast and friendly. Loved the simple decor, there is space at the lower level for sitting and working. If you're driving, you'll have to find street parking, pay for a ramp parking

If you're looking for coffee shop that takes themselves very seriously, you've found your place. The coffee is good, not over roasted, they've got a decent selection of flavors and milk options. Their iced tea selection is good too - they have a few with a honey base that a really nice. The draw for me is the downstairs work space. There are lots of individual seats to work at and the wifi is strong. I've spent many afternoons here waiting for friends to be done with work. The staff are kind but not overly friendly - just the way I like my pretentious baristas. If you're looking for a place with better coffee than Starbucks but with the same reliable wifi you're in good hands here.

I've been coming to Lantern for quiet some time. I like the small opening in the corner of the streets. I think the interior structure also gives a good contrast from what you'd expect from the outside. They have a great selection on coffee, but not so much decaf options. I usually order a latte or a non-caffeinated beverage, but never disappoints! Street parking, but there are lots of homeless people in the street above, so I'd recommend parking perhaps a few streets below, if you can during nighttime.

Delicious Maple Miel. Nice quiet space. My daughter loved the music (Taylor Swift ).

The staff here is very friendly and I enjoy their beverages but the only thing was that the bakery sweets were very bland and unedible :(

Really cute small coffee shop. The coffee was really good. I ordered my usual favorite which is a simple vanilla latte and it was good. It was nice to sit and chill in there. We will be back.

Really cool vibe. Kind of a beatnik feel. Cool stuff. Coffee is good, staff is really friendly. A destination if in Grand Rapids!!

lantern coffee review Our experience at the Lantern Coffee Bar was delightful. We ordered a pour over coffee & a café miel. The pour over was listed along with its tasting notes, country of origin, and the source roaster. It held a steady taste with rich cherry notes and the typical pour over coffee oil reduction making for a pleasant cup of afternoon coffee. Their other brewing methods available included Chemex and batch coffee. The café miel was well balanced with a welcoming blend of spices and flavor. It's velvety but not too thick and it will appease cinnamon lovers. As for the Lantern Bar itself, we found seating right away and later moved to a more comfortable table when it opened up. As of the posting of this review, they still require masks indoors. Our ratings are listed below. We enjoyed our time here and will very likely return soon! Appearance: 4.5/5 Staff: 4.0/5 Accessibility: 2.9/5 Atmosphere: 4.0/5 Lighting: 4.5/5 Seating: 3.8/5 Wait Time: 4.0/5 Price: 4.0/5 Coffee Diversity: 4.7/5.0 Espresso Quality: 4.2/5.0 Coffee Quality: 4.5/5.0 Music Choices: 4.1/5.0

h/t to Katy C for the recommendation - she knows what I like, and had the perfect place for a wintry coffee excursion! Thank you! THIS place is so cool!! Here's what I love: * friendly barista, with excellent suggestions. * fun, relaxed atmosphere. * DELICIOUS coffee drinks (I had the smore' tado! omg! SO MUCH FUN!!). * tables with chairs, AND comfy chairs! * even though the place was full, it wasn't too loud. * super cute wifi password (I love clever people). * open later than most coffee shops. Things I didn't love: * the majority of the seating is down a half set of stairs to a lower level. If you are unable to do stairs, and the small amount of seating on the main level is full, you're out of luck (also, there is one step to get inside. A portable ramp would be amazing. See the downtown businesses in Stratford, Ontario, for a guide on how to make old buildings accessible). * parking in Grand Rapids (NOT the fault of Lantern!!). There is metered street parking all around, but it was full and we circled for about 10 minutes. I did not see any handicap parking available within the 2-3 block area of Lantern. Grand Rapids has a lot of coffee shop options. THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!! (Thanks again, Katy!!)

I stop in here whenever I am in the area. I love their coffee and the house made black sesame syrup- they don't always have it but it's so delicious! I find the service is always fast and friendly and they sometimes have good pastries, also.

Love their cappuccinos. Jon (mgr.) is very knowledgeable and friendly. Coffee roasted in Michigan up north in Bay City by (ethically sourced) Populace #supportlocal I actually love that they source many of their products locally including spices from Spices of India at the nearby downtown mkt for their Chai and Field and Fire bakery goods (yum!) Street parking and paid lots nearby FYI

Such a cozy place to hole up and get some work done. Friendly service and ample room to find a place to sit. I thought the menu was a little small, but I'm guessing they are emphasizing quality over quantity. Same with the food items-I ordered a ham & cheese croissant and they weren't able to warm it up due to their food license but they also had pretty limited food options. I would have kept ordering and stayed longer if they had expanded offerings. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would return next time I'm in the area.

Stopped by at night and ordered a whole milk latte and some kind of black tea. The latte didn't wow me. I don't order teas too often, but it tasted smooth. They heated the tea cup - that was much appreciated! The lighting was a bit too dim for me to study in, however it makes for an awesome reading atmosphere!

I was driving through the city and decided to stop by. Great place. Great vide and very good coffee.

During my recent visit to a coffee place, I encountered some challenges with the staff who were rather rude in their interactions. Although the coffee was satisfactory, I believe there is room for improvement in terms of customer service. However, I would highly recommend checking out GR Madcap as an alternative option. From my personal experience, GR Madcap not only offers great coffee but also provides a more pleasant atmosphere with friendly staff. If you're looking for an excellent coffee experience coupled with top-notch service, I suggest giving GR Madcap a try.

The coffee is brewed to perfection, the seasonal drinks are lovely, and the service was excellent!

Met a friend here for the first time late New Years Day morning. By noon the place was starting to get some more action. Baristas were very friendly and service was quick (because of how empty the place was?) My latte was yummy and the croissant was pretty good. I wish having it warmed had been an option (would've been perfect). The place has two levels, but main seating area was downstairs. Lighting was dark, but in a cozy way. There were so many study cubbies, lamps, and outlets that I could see this being a nice place to get studying or writing/reading done. Definitely check it out!

Nice little place! Barista was on-point making my drink. He was knowledgeable and made a great macchiato. Enjoyed sitting outside of the beautiful autumn weather watching the people go by. Good value, authentic craft coffee, good environment. I'll be back.

I'm always on the search for the perfect Honey Lavender Latte. Unfortunately, this was not it. I couldn't taste the lavender and it wasn't very sweet...but the latte art was great! I also got a sugar and spice cookie - it was pretty good, but nothing super special. I did really like the space, though. There were tables and chairs, comfy chairs, and bar style seating upstairs. Warning: I thought the seats at the bar would be soft and plush, but when I sat down, I sunk down into the chair and hit the bottom of it (ow). Don't make the same mistake! Downstairs had tables and chairs and desk style seating - perfect for studying! The outlets upstairs were a bit hard to find, but the overall feel of the place is homey and quaint. Prices were pretty standard with typical coffee shops. I'd come back to study and have maybe just a normal latte next time.

Lantern is probably the most cozy coffee shop in GR. You can stay upstairs if you like windows and natural light, or head downstairs for all the warm and relaxing vibes. ⁣ Lantern is a true coffee lounge. It's quiet and has the perfect studying atmosphere for students. For us, it's the perfect "tackle that list of stuff you've been meaning to get to" spot. ⁣

This is our favorite coffeehouse anywhere. Creamy, perfect foam, complex espresso that lacks any hint of burnt and is full bodied, medium. This is the best cortado I've ever had...after years of searching You must go here....

This was an ok coffee shop. Very nice service. Coffee just wasn't my jam, I guess. We got two of the three flavors of drip coffee available. They were served in beautiful mugs with a great presentation, but tasted the same and neither was especially delicious. We got a little jar with a refill for one of us? Not sure which of us won the extra, or didn't deserve it ha. We got a ham & cheese croissant which could not be warmed. It was decent but didn't blow us away. Our 6 year old liked her oatmeal cookie but the toddler threw her half on the ground. I'll blame that on her being a toddler rather than the shop. The music here was loud and weird. We were the only people there. There's a lot of seating downstairs with a stage. So maybe they do events sometimes? Not sure. They're in a pretty walkable area, so after paying for parking we walked around a bit, which we enjoyed. This place definitely isn't bad, but nothing is calling me to come back either. So I think it's a solid 3 star place for me.

My boyfriend and I got an almond milk latte and an almond milk matcha. I didn't know something so simple could taste so bad. I think there almond milk may have been homemade and that's where the awful taste was coming from but either way we won't be coming back.

Great local coffee shop, sitting area is "down stairs" giving him more cozy underground vibe. Seasonal menu. Love a good iced dirty chai here

Used the Yelp app to guide me to the Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge on the way back to my hotel. Parked on the curb just around the corner. Not a lot of parking options were immediately evident to me. Ordered their darkest roast coffee - with room for cream. It had a different flavor, very strong and aromatic - but good. The area where you add cream and such to your beverage is this cool counter mounted atop a bicycle! Love the coolness and creativity! I checked out the downstairs lounge area. Lots of seating and lots of folks hanging out working! #LanternCoffeeBarandLounge

I ordered a cappuccino, and I loved it! Customs service was nice, and so was the ambiance. I would definitely visit this place again when I'm in town.

Fantastic coffee that gets you through the day, and the workers try hardest to recognize familiar faces. Very friendly and caring workers who deliver great service and great coffee

Quality of drink: 10/10. Haven't had a better mocha in a long time! I didn't try anything else but their pastries looked great. One downside to this place is parking-- it's right in downtown GR and is difficult to find a spot due to the location. However, if parking isn't an issue, great atmosphere and fantastic mocha lattes.

I love this place. The coffee is great. Rich but smooth. Their milk and half-and-half get shipped to them in glass bottles. The upstairs is nice and bright with good views of the area. A nice place to people watch. Downstairs is cozy. With wall sconce lights, and lamps on the tables. Comfy chairs and a couple sofas. (And I cool chandelier) It's the kind of place I'd like to own if I owned a coffee shop. I do wish they had some food that was lower carb.

Stopped by here for a couple lattes. I came in and was greeted with pride flags, which is always great to see! The barista welcomed me and explained the menu to me. I asked him for a recommendation and he was very prepared. He recommended the iced vanilla latte because it's one of their most popular items. He mentioned that they use both a vanilla paste and an extract for its flavor, which is quite unique. He also recommended the iced dulce de leche latte, so I ordered both. He shook the lattes in a shaker (similar to Madcap) and I really find that it disperses the flavor well. The drinks were decently priced, about $4.50 for a 12oz, and were made quickly. I was in and out of the cafe within 5 minutes. I loved the iced vanilla latte. It was the perfect amount of sweet and strong. It may be my favorite iced vanilla latte! The dulce de leche was also good, not very sweet but had a strong flavor of cinnamon. Great place!

This is the coffee place that I wish I lived closer to. They have a few snacks and non-dairy options. Plenty of room to hunker down and get some work done. Upstairs is different than downstairs so it really does cater to more than just one crowd/situation.

WOW. This place is amazing, definitely something different with an awesome vibe. The flavor of the drinks is like none other and I would say this is the best cafe in Grand Rapids. I have not had any food from here yet but I will definitely be back to try some and keep the good vibes rolling you guys. This place is rockin'.

Not the best Cafe I visited. The lounge is a little congested with too many chairs in a small space. That may be because it's in downtown. I liked the coffee but it was served in a paper cup than in actual cups. There weren't any food to eat as well. I am not sure if I want to visit again

Service and quality of coffee has always been beyond expectations, setting an amazing standard of quality. I wish more coffee shops offered a similar experience.