Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea

The quality of the coffee has improved in recent times. They must have improved their roasting techniques. Having become a bit of a coffee snob from the superiority of Peet’s Coffee in the West Coast, I have much disdain for the popularity of Starbucks, which over-​roasts everything. Mill Mountain does not stand up to the quality of Peet’s, but Mill Mountain easily surpasses Starbucks (easily). I don’t know how Starbucks could even open in this valley, to be honest. The daily offerings at Mill Mountain are more diverse (usually 5 or 6 different brews to choose from). It’s even a decent lunch spot for downtown Salem. Great location for a coffee shop, which is a short stroll from Roanoke College. The food is quite good. The ambiance is also pleasant, often featuring local art. I am glad to see that it seems from the times I’ve visited since I’ve moved away that people are still frequenting MMC, so it seems the business is quite healthy.
Also, thank you for keeping decent hours. Too many coffee shops in other parts of the country close at 8 p.m., as though people don’t go on dates and need a café to prolong the conversation of the evening.
I find the Unilocal reviews of this place rather baffling, although the critique of Wi-​Fi service is quite accurate and this service ought to be improved. That said, I have been coming here since I was a kid and have never had bad service. Like any place, over the years they have made a few questionable employment decisions, but I have always had a good experience. Barristers are barristers; anywhere you go they can come off as edgy, but get to know them and they are alright. All the ones I’ve encountered lately are helpful and kind. My main critique is that I find the music to be a bit much, not suited to this type of environment. There seems to be a tendency towards 60s and 70s rock music. «I Will Survive,» «Ain’t No Mountain,» «I Want You Back” – great songs, but they don’t really fit the setting (usually people meeting for business or coming in to read the newspaper or do schoolwork). Trendy teen pop doesn’t really work either. I don’t know if this is always the case. Give classical a try, especially during Roanoke College exam weeks. Though your barristers may not like it, your patrons would love it. Classical really works for coffeehouse ambiance, as demonstrated by Peet’s on the West Coast.
One other suggestion would be to offer a «pour-​over» coffee option and charge $ 2.25 or $ 2.50 a cup, which would let customers sample any of the beans you have on sale. I think it’s a small investment that could really boost whole bean sales. Just a thought for the suggestion box.
Well, Salemites, spend your dollars well, that is, if you value local businesses at all. Support this local business. Don’t be lazy and head for the Starbucks drive thru. Get out the door 5 minutes sooner so you can make a daily stop into this excellent café.

Salem store.
Boo … They need people here who act like the customer counts. Or maybe have 2 people working the counter. Or maybe hire people that get things done quickly. Murphy.

I suppose when you hire a bunch of ill-​mannered college kids, the product you receive as a consumer is the lowest grade. Their iced coffee is made from burnt beans and they always add WAY too much sweetener, enough to make me pucker with disgust. The last and final time I was there, we were served by the rudest person of all time. If you don’t like your job, then quit. Do not make your customers feel bad for asking you to do what you are being paid for. The sad part is, they’re around my age. Will never come here again.

I must say… very disappointed when I entered the coffee shop. Went there for lunch — chef salad and tea very good. The interior — very disappointing. The floors were filthy, food and dirt under carts. The restrooms — very heavy in smoke, the floors had not been cleaned in months, the stall door was leaning against the wall… So bad, turned around and walked out. Tables to eat on were even dirty. I always like to give the benefit of the doubt. I went to tell the waiter — to hopefully get a «I’ll get on it:» The response, lots have complained and we tell managment… but they do not ever do anything about it. Won’t be going back there and I am a long time resident of Salem. Seems they just dont care…

I have to say that I didn’t know what to expect from this local coffee shop. All I was hoping for was a competent cup of coffee, but what I found was a good cup and a great atmopshere.
It was clearly very popular and my coffe was very tasty. I seriously considered buying some beans to take home as a present for my girlfriend, but I didn’t want to carry them through the next 4 days of my business trip. Plus they were a little expensive. On the whole though I found their prices reasonable.
I will probably go out of my way to stop here on a future trip up or down I-​81.

Stopped and got a quick cofffee this morning before going to the Salem Farmer’s Market and forgot how good this place is.
Used to be a frequent customer in the mid-​late nineties. Not much has changed. Great coffee with all options. Baked goods and laid back atmosphere. Prices are reasonable as well.

I don’t quite get the hype over Mill Mountain’s coffee. For a local coffee shop, I expect much better.
Pros: they roast their own beans, numerous coffee and tea blends, tons of drink options, plenty of seating, good food with a full lunch menu, friendly baristas, nice location with parking available, reliable wi-​fi
Cons: expensive for a local place, weak espresso, baristas should be able to make better basic drinks like cappuccinos, lattes and mochas
Having been to a lot of great local coffee places, Mill Mountain definitely has room for improvement in the quality of their coffee drinks. Regardless, I’d take their offering over a chain like Starbucks any day.

Seems like a nice and busy local coffee shop. Interior is a bit odd, but atmosphere and vibe is pleasant. The guy making my iced latte told me it was the first one he ever made and if I didn’t like it that someone else would remake it, but I have to say it was very good. Had a distinct but rich and delicious taste. Would be a regular if I lived in Salem and a much better alternative to Starbucks or other coffee chains.

on a recent trip back home i happened upon this place.
they offer a wonderful array of coffees, every possible concoction one would want for that cup of brew, edible homemade delights that would please even my grandmother, an inviting setting and more attitude then you can shake a stick at.
for a small-​town coffee shop mill mountain coffee rocks. good job guys.

I prefer this Mill Mountain location simply because it’s out of the way and quiet, with big couches and fewer crowds. Like with all MM locations, there are daily specials, food, classic coffee and tea beverages, and grab n’ go snacks, but this place seems to move at a slower pace, like the rest of downtown Salem, compared with the busier Roanoke and more suburban Daleville locations.

Great local coffee shop with fresh coffee and tasty baked goods. I have never had a meal from here but I’m sure its great. Quck service. Parking is parrell on the street and behind the building. Near the Farmers Market so be sure the check that out.
Not a lot of seating so if its crowded take your coffee and walk a few blocks to the campus Roanoke College. Beautiful landscaping and lots of benches to relax.

This Mill Mountain Coffee location is right in the heart of Main St in Salem. It’s frequented by the Roanoke College students since the campus is a block or so away. It’s a little small, but they utilize the space to its maximum potential. There is also creative artwork on display, that is usually up for sale. The coffee and espresso drinks are OUTSTANDING. They have Starbucks and Coffee Bean beat by a landslide. It’s not even comparable. Mill Mountain is one of the small businesses that I miss most from Roanoke.
They even fresh squeeze their lemonade when the customer orders it! The coffee is roasted on site, ground fresh and brewed all throughout the day. Seriously, can you get any fresher than that??? Their baked goods (except the cakes) are all hand made and baked on site as well.
They have italian ices (every flavor imaginable), flavored coffee brewed, fresh ice tea brewed all day, and the espresso beans are ground EVERY time the baristas are making the espresso mixed drinks.
Whole milk, 2% milk, and soy milk are all available for the customer to choose from to make the drinks with. I know all of this… because I used to work at the Starkey Road location before I moved to Los Angeles!
Ask for a (vanilla) Breve! They are sooooo good how they’re made at Mill Mountain! My favorite drink that I live on every time I go back east!