What ? Cafe

Decent coffee and teas - weird vibes.

I have visited this place numerous times, and wanted to really wait and get a feel for it before writing a review. They have improved on some of my biggest complaints over time, but I still vacillated on whether or not to hit this place with two stars. It was close.

It's easy to miss the What? Cafe, a locally owned coffee shop tucked away in an old shopping center between some government offices and a 24 hour gym.

As other Yelpers have mentioned, the place is often unsettling in how quiet it is. I have sometimes heard music playing, but only occasionally. They also have a stage for live musical acts (the stage was recently remodeled and doesn't feel as in the way as it did) but I have never been to the coffee shop at night when they have these acts.

There's really not much ambiance, just some ratty old couches and mismatched tables & chairs, a piano, and the counter where you order. There is some amateurish / local art on display which I believe can be purchased. Bathrooms are clean, at least.

The biggest complaint I ever had about the What? Cafe was the lack of prices of their printer-paper menu board. And worse, when I dared to ask for the price of a couple of beverages when trying to budget responsibly (after getting sticker shock during my first visit) the cashier become rather supercilious, as though I was being *SO* bourgeoisie. This, I am happy to report, has been corrected, and the new menu board does actually have prices, which is such a no-brainer I can't believe they went so long without it being that way.

On to the drinks themselves, the coffee is good, made with beans provided by a small vendor, Emerald City Roasters. I've had a decent Americano there, as well as a decent latte. Honestly, it's nothing special, and I prefer Cafe Molido for pure coffee enjoyment.

What? offers some bottled beers and food items, though I've never sampled either. There are other places I'd rather go for beer and food than a coffee shop, generally speaking.

One item that is a bit of a rarity in the area, which What? Cafe does offer is Boba Milk Tea. This Asian creation is definitely different, and even now I'm not quite sure what it was I was drinking when I ordered the "Original" Boba Milk Tea but...I kind of liked it. It wasn't very sweet, almost tasted like a watered down iced-coffee from some wasteland like Dunkin' Donuts, but it actually worked, and the "pearls" or little blueberry like balls were also good. If you haven't had Boba Tea, I suggest you at least try it so you can say you did.

The final line on this place is that it just isn't very impressive. Outside of the milk tea, there really isn't anything special about What? Cafe. Honestly, the place makes me a bit uneasy, so quiet, the clientele so borderline hipster-yet-probably-student. Given the profusion of coffee shops in Tallahassee (All Saints = hipster / bohemian, Cafe Molido = great coffee and empanadas, there is even a local coffee shop run by a church) the only things that keep What? Cafe from being knocked down to two stars is the milk tea and the fact that they provide a coffee shop option near the relatively coffee-free Northwest Tallahassee Tharpe-Capital Circle-Monroe sphere.

Oh, and as a final aside, I know it's becoming quite common and saves small businesses money, but I really don't care for the iPad register set-up. I like to get a receipt, not have to type in an email to be SENT a receipt. It won't keep me from going to a restaurant or coffee shop, but even as a tech-friendly person it just weirds me out. But if mom and pop can avoid paying as much in merchant services fees then I suppose I can handle it.

I will cut them some slack, because they are in a strange location. Old shopping complex? Anyway, walked in today to a strange (dark) atmosphere with no music playing. It was awkward. The menu is paper stapled to a board and the furniture is mismatched in a bad way.  

Pros: Wifi was great and they give you a big mug of whatever beverage your getting.  

I would come back to this place for sure though. Just nothing to go out of the way for.

First visit....decent coffee.  Very cool and helpful young barista and the atmosphere is pretty cool as well.  Needs better music...it seems like it belongs in a hookah lounge.  Would like a better selection of food, but I look forward to trying the different drinks.  I also like that they have shows, knitting circle, etc...can we get a game night?  I will definitely come back!  Would give it 5 stars if it had better music :)