Cafe Tesfa

I wanted to like this place so much but their selection of pastries are average. I had a drip coffee and it too was okay. The mission of this café is why I choose to support this establishment. It’s a quiet place to get work done and the employees are friendly. Good customer service.

sadly this café is closed for good as of 9÷12÷15.

Really amazing coffee options served here. Not only espressos and lattes but incredible hand-​pours and nitro cold brews (the only ones in the city). Really well done craft coffees in the middle of Ridgelys Delight near Camden Yards. It’s like a class in high-​end coffee brewing every time!

Very pleased. Their espresso drinks actually taste correct, no over streaming milk happening here! The WiFi could be better, so minute one star, but other than that I’ll be back again and again. Decent food menu if you’re hungry suddenly

Synopsis:
Atmosphere: ⁵⁄₅
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Taste: ⁵⁄₅
Price: ⁴⁄₅
Selection: 4.5÷5 (can use more food items)
This is easily the best place I have been to for coffee. The atmosphere is nice and welcoming, and it is pet friendly, so I can bring my dog. The staff are very friendly and they know their stuff. That goes double for the guy with the tattoos. It is slightly pricy, but easily worth it.
I haven’t had a bad cup of coffee and I come at least once a week, sometimes twice a week.
This is a café, as the title states, so don’t expect full meals, but they do have sandwiches to eat as well as ice cream, with quite interesting flavors. As for the coffee it is to die for. They have the standard drip coffee and a selection of pour over coffees as well as other coffee related beverages. I always get the pour over, but I have done others in the past.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Best coffee and tea in the area of Ridgley’s Delight — and one of my top 2 in the city! Not only do they have great quality goods, but they contribute to the community, specifically with children aging out of the foster care system. Can’t complain about the food & pastries they bring in from other local shops either!
In general, baristas are great & can make good recommendations — one of them is a bit less attentive but haven’t been there recently when that person is working

This is a small establishment just a few streets away from the stadium. Their hours are hit and miss, but when you hit it’s awesome.
Some of the best espresso I’ve had in a really long time. Got an Americans with just a bit of steamed soy milk. It was so frothy, rich and the flavors were just right.
The service was quick and very friendly.
I noticed that they sell their whole beans as well as an assortment of pastries etc…

Café Tesfa has some really good pourover coffees in an area of town otherwise devoid of decent coffee options. The café is also comfortable and the staff are friendly. I was in town for a few days and came nearly every day to do some work in the mornings — the wifi is good and the ambiance is peaceful.
My only complaint is that I wish they had more vegetarian food options other than things with cheese, but it’s a café not a restaurant so no big deal.

My first time experience at this place was great! When I came in everyone greets me nicely. i like the turkey panini sandwich. They have parking at the back but limited. great service! Nice seating area. Good coffee!

Within walking distance from UMMC, I was super excited to try the newer food offerings at this newly rebranded spot in Ridgley’s Delight. I was well satisfied by a cup of corn chowder and a toasted sandwich with thin sliced roast beef, and a horseradish mustard. This spot is a calm, quiet spot to grab some time to yourself in the afternoon. Of course, their Annapolis-​based Ceremony Coffee Roaster offerings are a treat too, take advantage of their pour over technique and stay for awhile.
Now I don’t want to go back to work…

Sidewalk Espresso Bar is a lovely and unique place in the Ridgely’s Delight neighborhood. I love their unique pour-​overs — they’re skillfully made and tasty too! Their bakery goods are pretty good as well.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they do discounts anymore for students (or at least not in the past few times I’ve been). I heard they were trying to figure out what to do about student discounts but seems like nothing came of it :(
Some of the customer service I’ve received there has been a little awkward? It’s happened more than once when I’m unsure how to order because the person behind the counter is outside having a conversation away from the register (like outside the establishment). I also feel like Sidewalk tends to be a little pricier than other places for food/​drink that is about the same. For that reason, if I can help it, I tend to go for other coffee shops in the area before I consider Sidewalk :/​
STILL it’s a good study spot and they keep great hours for students (yay for free Wi-​Fi). Definitely give it a try if you’ve never had a pour-​over!

Stopped in to use the Wifi and sip a pick-​me-​up. Wasn’t planning on ice cream, but I had to try it. A regular size ($ 3.45) let me try three flavors. I enjoyed the Apple Struedel, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cardamom flavors. I love that they source from local companies.
There was a fancy pour over coffee system, with descriptions of the beans of the moment, but I’m not much of a coffee-​affianado, so I just ordered a house drip.
While I worked, I overheard two employees discussing the espresso grinder in detail, to get the best flavor. It seemed like they really know their stuff here.
I hope they expand to sandwiches in the future! I would add this to my lunch rotation, but can’t live on ice cream (or pastries) alone!

I dropped in today for a pour over and I was not disappointed. What drew me to this location was that they have a changing list of coffee’s available. When I walked in I stood by the whole bean coffees available, and I checked the flavor profiles of the coffees offered. I was delighted to see an ethiopian roast that had rose tasting notes. I prefer to drink coffee without milk which lends itself well to lighter roasts. While I was waiting, I realized that each of the coffees available for pour over are also on the counter so you can see what the beans look like and smell them. I smelled all 3 roasts, they all smelled wonderful, but I was pleased with my selection.
There were customers at the counter when I came in, and I thought that she did an excellent job getting everything done quickly. Sometimes ordering a pour over can take a lot of time. Honestly, I’m from the south and I often feel like I have all the time in the world to stand and wait for a good cup of coffee. However, my co-​workers aren’t and it is probably best that I arrived sooner rather than later.
The cup of coffee was wonderfully executed. If I have time, I’ll be sure to pick up some beans to take home.

Apparently, I like wearing my chai tea latte more than I like drinking it! I spilled basically a full latte all down my pants… *face palm*
The latte was just an ok one but the barrista was nice enough to give me another one free of charge and I was careful not to spill it.
The muffin I ordered was pretty good and the snack pack if hummus hit the spot! I was hankering for some real lunch food and not just breakfast and snacks but that’s ok. I love the location and the free WiFi!

We went in the afternoon for a pick me up. It had great space and light for studying! UMB folks get 10% off! Coffee, ice cream and snacks are available. Also great for studying because they have Wifi! I would go back again! It’s super close to the UMB campus and it’s easy to get to!

Just wanted to add that there is a 10% student discount that they don’t always advertise so definitely show your student ID!

I think its really hard to jack up a iced Chai Tea latte but this place takes the cake. I only took two sips and left it some where. when i came in the girl who helped me was in a rush, its like she wanted me to get out of her hair as soon as possible. Maybe thats why the drink was terrible. I wont go there again.

I’ve been meaning to come here for sometime now, but have always just driven past because I can never find parking. Very frustrating. However today, there was a spot right in front of the café. Totally meant to be!
Upon walking in, I was really taken with the nice, clean appearance of the café, as well as the friendly barista behind the counter. The coffee menu isn’t huge, but it is robust enough to give you a ton of options. They also brew Ceremony Coffee which is local to Maryland (out of Annapolis) and über tasty. Being preggers, I have to watch my caffeine consumption, so I opted for a Sanpellegrino instead and a lemon poppyseed muffin and took a seat. I have to say, the muffin looked a lot better than it tasted. It was super dry on the inside and just crumbled, which was disappointing. Still, the sandwiches looked pretty daggone yummy, so maybe it’s my fault for getting the wrong thing.
Either way, I will definitely be back in to try more than just the muffins. It looks like it could be a great work spot to set up for awhile and relax. It gets warm in there, so remember to dress in layers and take of your sweater if need be. Just a tip!

Unfortunately, Ceremony Coffee has discontinued their wine-​barrel conditioned coffee series, and therefore, Sidewalk Espresso no longer carries it. Pain to my soul! My only consolation is that at least Sidewalk Espresso has started to source their coffees from more establishments, including Square One whose blends are also very flavorful.
The main reason for writing this update is to report a fantastic deal: Study Hall Espresso Happy Hour! If you find yourself craving a hand-​crafted espresso beverage after 3pm on a weekday or 2pm on a weekend, head over to Sidewalk Espresso, because all espresso-​based beverages are 25% off and brewed coffees are 50% off!
Also, students receive a 10% discount with their student ID.
Love, your friendly neighborhood deal monger

I am so excited about this place that I could not wait to share my experience.
Location is key and this place really got the best spot, located right next to all the frantic and caffeine addict professionals/​students…
I really hope the extend their hours of operations but maybe in time they will. Make sure to get the disloyalty card where you get a stamp at any of the approved coffee shops on the card. After you get a stamp at all of them you get a free beverage of your choice at your favorite place! If you love coffee and not being tied down, disloyalty card is for you!
Also as weird as the bmore mocha (coffee with old bay) sounds, it works! Try it out if you’re feeling adventurous… Another recommendation to expand the breakfast selection. Its kind of hard to compete with Peace and a cup of joe for breakfast! Definitely prefer the ambiance of this place over peace and a cup of joe. Less grimy and dirty feeling!
Oh yeah and the owner is THE SHIT!