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Uncommon Grounds
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Uncommon Grounds
13 reviews in English
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Review from Todd B.
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I visited here on a dreary afternoon. The shop is kind of down stairs from street level so is we kind of dark and cool but somehow inviting. There was ample chairs but they were all full. I got their Fog burner and a Nanaimo bar. The Fog Burner was very good as was the bar.
I was a little disappointed there was no place to sit, a victim of their own success and there was no wi-fi.
The coffee and food were great and in the end that is why we go, isn't it -
Review from Philip H.
Halifax, NS
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Comfortable, friendly staff, free wi-fi, freshly locally roasted coffee, in-house baked goods, this gets 4 stars in my books.
The 5th star comes from the fact that they are the pioneers (or their parent company Uncommon Group) of the I Love Hfx Local group and the "local" movement in general.
Rant starts here: for the negative reviews from the people who prefer Charbucks... you just don't get it. If you'd rather pay more for a franchise, artificially flavoured, American owned, anti-service, snobby, pretentious, beverage... go there, but don't bash the local little guy who's trying to make a living competing against the "green giant". End Rant.
Keep it up Uncommon Grounds, you are rightly named and anything but common. -
Review from Miranda J.
Dartmouth, NS
2/22/2012 13 Check-ins Here
Uncommon Grounds, you are dangerously close to my university. What with your London Fog lattes and delicious brownies.
They are definitely a great place to sit and do work or meet up with friends. The atmosphere of the place is great but the only complaint I have is that it tends to be a bit chilly.
Service is consistently decent and they have awesome, affordable prices. -
Review from Asheley R.
Halifax, NS
11/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have huge mad juicy love for this place. I've been to both the barrington and the south park locations. I've got mad-er love for the south park location. It's rich in urban and eclectic surroundings. The south park location has the perfect mix of brick and leather couches to ease your school work needs. Not in school? That's cool. I often find myself cuddled up on the couch blogging away.
They have a great selection of caffeine products that are freshly roasted from Nova Coffee. They ensure that every drop in your cup is rich and fresh in flavor. My personal favorite are the nice and big mugs that your drink comes in. I've had the cafe mocha, green tea, and latte here and interchange them rather frequently. Moving on to their baked goods and lunch items? Helllllllllo goodness. The cookies? Bomb. The oatcakes? Even bomb-er. Everything is baked fresh daily to please your tummy even further. They aren't the most gourmet snacks you'll ever see, but they fit the bill.
They have a good selection of seating and I find the atmosphere sort of soothes you. Very versatile too! I've had an interview here and I've sat alone for the afternoon to get work done. Got kids? Bring them with, there is a little toy section at the back that can keep little Johnny entertained for hours.
They have a great gift selection to boot!Listed in: Your Arteries Will Thank You
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Review from Ben B.
7/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This Uncommon Grounds location is an old favourite! I love that it's just a block or two off the beaten path and the basement location makes me feel like I'm part of a secret society once I start taking the few steps down into this cave of coffee.
Well, cave is actually the wrong word because despite being partially subterranean, they keep a bright and vibrant atmosphere complemented by bold colours and modern interior design. Plus the fact that - at least back in the day - it was usually packed with attractive, bookish university students never hurt.
Service is consistently friendly thanks to the cool staffers, drinks arrive quickly and nicely made, and there's a variety of baked goods and sandwiches for snack cravings although they can be a little dry sometimes.
This is a super spot to curl up in big comfy chairs with hot drinks and good friends for a casual weekend catch-up! -
Review from Erin P.
11/30/2011
I visited Uncommon Grounds for the first time ever today.
I dig the location: easily accessible but not right smack in the middle of the insanity that is otherwise known as down town. I like that its in the basement, I feel like I should know a secret knock code to be able to get in. Its laid out well, well spaced furniture, and the furniture fits the space. And its comfy. I can see how people could curl up in one of the big chairs with a book and just hangout for an afternoon.
My chai latte was good. Not spicy enough for my taste, but it was good. I had wanted to grab a sandwich while I was there as I had an appointment to get to right after leaving and didn't want to starve all afternoon. I have to say, $6+ for a sandwich is a bit steep for my blood. I had a hard enough time paying $4 for my drink that wasn't a Starbucks drink (another SB fan here!). I like that the coffee is roasted locally and that the baked goods are made inhouse.
I also didn't find the service to be all that spectacular. There was one chick who looked like she hated life. And the other two were just sort of meh.
Personally I find there are better coffee houses around. Not that UG is awful, but for me there are other places that have a better vibe, and more personable service. -
Review from Anthony C.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'm going to admit something that may make some of you reading this turn your nose up at me but:
I love Starbucks.
There. I said it. It's not that there's anything Starbucks does better than Uncommon Grounds but I can only chalk it up to brand loyalty and yuppy training. I suppose you could also factor in that I've just started to accept hot beverages into my life. At 25 years old, I've finally started ordering coffee instead of hot chocolate.
So what does Uncommon Grounds provide? Well a much more urban decor and hipster cache for one. I really love the cafe on South Park street because it has all the features my dream apartment would have:
exposed concrete and airducts, frosted glass, wooden benches, leather furniture, Bon Iver on a loop and a slew of attractive men reading books or typing on their Macs.
Although the best part about Uncommon Grounds is the baked goods. While Starbucks knows how to make a delicious treat, I have a feeling Uncommon Grounds' muffins are not freezer packed and shipped to the cafe in weekly intervals. My roommate is in the throes of studying at the moment and has been basically eating all of her meals at Uncommon Grounds because their soup and paninis are out of control delicious. Being a fraction of the cost doesn't hurt either.
UG, you'll get my business for three reasons:
I live across the street from you.
You consistently have hot, bookish men on your couches.
You're much less expensive than Sbux. -
Review from Jill M.
1/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Let's be honest - location has a hell of a lot to do with where you buy your coffee. And yeah, I like Uncommon Grounds because it's a 30 second walk from my house. But there's so much more to it.
I've never encountered better or more friendly staff at a coffee establishment before. They make great drinks (I get a large caramel latte with skim milk, but only on weekends, in case anyone was wondering...which I know you weren't) but also sell delicious soups, sandwiches, baked goods and chocolate bars. An orange and pineapple muffin to go with my coffee this morning? Yes please! It's basically like living around the corner from heaven.
It's also a great place to get work done. With free wi-fi and the choice to sit in a comfy chair or at a table, it's where I camped out starting at 9am every day when I was job hunting.
So yeah, you buy your coffee near your home, office, etc. But if you're in the 'hood, check this place out.Listed in: South End Favorites, Keen on Caffeine
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Review from Kris O.
Halifax, NS
Alright, there's a lot places to get a cup of coffee around town. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is the best one. At least in my experience.
At first when you walk in it doesn't seem like anything special, until you notice the finer details of the establishment. Original local art is displayed on the wall, copious amounts of seating, free reading material, and a corner full of gift ideas for that special someone.
Then there's the service, which is second to none. I decided to live on the edge a little bit and order a hot chocolate on my last visit. "Would you like whip cream on that?" the waitress asks. "You bet!" I was then offered the option of my drink being delivered to my table once it was ready. Whip cream with powdered chocolate and table service, take that Tim Horton's!
If you're hungry or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, they've got that covered too. Freshly baked treats,soups and freshly made sandwiches are all on the menu.
I really don't have anything bad to say about this place. If you're on South Park St. and hankering for a cup of Joe, then you've go to check this spot out. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/26/2009
This is the third Uncommon Grounds I have gone to in Halifax. If I were to compare it to the other three, I would say this is the second best one. It would almost be the best one due to the fact that its just bigger than my favorite and it has a kids area which is great! But the customer service just doesn't make me want to add another star. Are they friendly at this Uncommon Grounds? Yes. Do they smile? Not so much. And its so easy to bring those facial muscles pointing upwards I don't know why they don't do it.
So that is the reason for one less star but I will reiterate that the staff are good. Just not the best I have seen. Onto the good however. They have the best chairs out of all the Uncommon Grounds and some of the best in the city. One area has comfy lounge chairs while another one has the hard wood ones meant for students and people who need to write reviews about their shop while he drinks his coffee.
So the layout is great and the kids area is such a great idea. I am a proud uncle of a beautiful Niece who is smarter and better than anyone else's kids (don't try to debate this with me.lol). So its great to find a coffee shop that can help a parent or proud Uncle rest for a bit and regain some strength while the child can be distracted.
One downside is that this store is sort of below ground-level in a way. So there isn't as much sunshine that comes in as I would like and the light in general is quite low. I find it puts me to sleep but others haven't minded it at least on a conscious level.
So at the end of the day I would say this Uncommon Grounds is a safe bet. But if you have a chance to go to the one on Argyle Street, I'd head there. There is the chance it could be too busy but its worth the risk. However, if you are keen on staying in the area this particular Uncommon Grounds sits on, you are in safe hands and I have no doubt you'll enjoy your Java drinking experience. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
4/10/2010
I have a girlfriend who lives near the Uncommon Grounds location on South Park Street, and because she isn't a coffee lover this is where we often find ourselves, looking for fresh treats. (If the decision were based on coffee alone this wouldn't be my preference).
They have a wide selection of Nova Scotian roasted coffee beans, and a signature coffee "Fog Burner" which has more kick to it than I was expecting. The price for coffee is on par with other speciality coffee places, or about a buck more than a franchise.
While this isn't the best coffee place in town, it certainly isn't the worst. Pluses for Uncommon Grounds include complementary WiFi connection for patrons, freshly baked treats and pastries, and a cool interior design that doesn't feel like a baseball dugout (like the entrance way does).
Hot Hint: If you can't make it to South Park Street then check out the other Uncommon Grounds location on Argyle or Hollis.Listed in: Classy Caffeination
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Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2009
I like the funky red sofas and chairs, and the overall industrial feel of this shop - but sometimes. It can be a bit cold and drafty, and all that concrete can be a bit offputting if you're really looking for a cosy spot to relax with a warm coffee. Good place for a photo shoot or a video interview, if you want a hip-looking backdrop, though.
I find the coffee here quite bitter in general, and their cappuccinos are not good at all. Counter staff are quite consistently unconcerned or uninterested in me or my order.
Feels a bit like a club for the cool kids which I have clearly not been invited to join. -
Review from Lacey H.
5/5/2010
A pinch of nostalgia crept in when I walked down the stairs and into this subterranean cafe yesterday. I worked at this java joint a couple of years ago, and remember the perpetually busy atmosphere and the early mornings with fondness.
The place was quiet yesterday around 1pm, so I was able to step right up the register and place my order. The young man at the counter handed off my request to the girl working the espresso machine, and rang up my small iced soy latte promptly. He wasn't overly friendly or chatty, but did his job in a timely manner which is always appreciated.
My java took no time at all, being handed over the counter to me from the smiling espresso young woman almost simultaneously to my actually ordering it. Props for quick service!
I don't know what brand of soy is used, but it was creamy and not too "beany," which is often my complaint with some labels. I guess what am I to expect when the darn stuff's made of soy beans, it's probably going to taste like them ... I digress.
So, the beverage was creamy with a nice java punch, and I left, coffee in hand and headed to Point Pleasant Park. My visit yesterday was quick, easy and tasty - a perfect way to get my weary engine revving with a yummy cuppa joe.
