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Uncommon Grounds
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
11 reviews for Uncommon Grounds
11 reviews in English
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Review from Jeremy M.
Halifax, NS
5/25/2012
I haven't been to an Uncommon Grounds in a long long time, but this morning I found myself in a pickle. My normal collection of parking spots have gave way to some who think they are smarter than me (but we'll see who gets the last laugh when I show up earlier!) and I was forced to find a spot on the far far end of Barrington. Knowing I'd have to come back to my car in a short while, I decided I'd check out a close by cafe or coffee shop if I could find one. I must have walked by this place a thousand times or more and just never took notice of it sitting here, but this morning my ever observant brain worked overdrive and here it was. And the experience went thusly:
Coffee: 4/5
It's coffee. To me, coffee is coffee. If it's hot, and there's a supply of milk and sugar on hand, then it's perfect. I'm not one to go looking for every different flavour/roast/etc. Those aren't things I look for, because I guess when I was growing up, they just weren't around in my home-village. But the coffee this morning wasn't a great thing because of the taste (though it was good), but because of the cup. Solid paper cup, cardboard "hot beverage" strip on outside, and the cap... can we just talk about the cap??? It had this little spout sipper at the end that was just perfect for drinking. Never seen this topper before on a coffee, but Dixie hit the gold on this one. This may seem like a small thing, but if you've ever had coffee spill out the side of an opening and all over yourself while trying to drink, you know the sipper of a cup can make or break a coffee.
Customer Service: 5/5
Can't say much here. Service was great. Super friendly, helpful, and understanding of my general lack of coffee knowledge. Wifi password was offered up roght away when she saw that I had a laptop, she engaged in conversation, the service was just perfect. That's something when other places would be content with a hello, here's your coffee, get out.
Price: 3/5
Mehhh. I've seen better prices on coffee and baked goods. They're not killer, but they're not great either. They do offer a selection of take home coffee beans/grounds, which is good, but the prices there are also mid level. If you're broke, don't come here. If you have a little money, then come on over on occasion. If you've got lots of extra money and find yourself needing coffee and a friendly atmosphere, then definitely give it a shot.
All in all, a good experience. -
Review from Ben B.
12/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
As I write this, I'm sitting in a comfortable leather couch in the corner of this clean, modern coffee shop in what I believe to be the city's hottest neighbourhood (second only to Quinpool). The café is clean, modern, urban and beautifully designed -you really feel like the space was made for Uncommon Grounds and hopefully it was!
Standard fare from the other locations made their way to this one as I can see a glass case full of particularly fresh-looking sandwiches that I'd be dying to eat if I weren't holding out for a lunch meeting in an hour. Cookies, scones and sweets are here for good measure too!
Not to rag on them, but the staff weren't all that warm and fuzzy today. I got the deer-in-headlights look when I walked up to the counter, no hello, no smile, and a rather large bit of hesitance when I was placing my order. Don't worry - no rudeness or inefficiency...it just killed the buzz on the neighbourhood café feel that I really go for.
[Edit: to be fair, I heard them go above-and-beyond for a lunch customer before leaving. Maybe they just needed time to warm up...or I look sketchy.]
Latte was tasty and served in a solid mug and wifi was peachy! -
Review from Jill M.
12/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I was a long time customer of the South Park St location, but when I moved a few blocks I started frequenting the Barrington Street Uncommon Grounds instead. And thankfully, I've had just as pleasant of an experience here as I did with my old favorite.
The staff are friendly and efficient, and I love the decor and set up inside. I'm a big fan of Uncommon beverages, and couldn't be happier to have one in my neighborhood. -
Review from John R.
I've recently returned with a friend to try their espresso and I was not overly pleased. I got a large double shot iced americano and it was not very strong. I've had stronger single shot americano's from Two If By Sea and Cafe Brea of the same size. Me and my friend weren't very comfortable either, as we either had to be slumped over to be close to each other or lean far back into the chairs and barely hear each other over the noise level.
Listed in: Quality Baked Goods around…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2012
I have yet to try their coffee yet as I was already caffeinated enough today but I absolutely love… Read more »
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Review from Emmanuel C.
Halifax, NS
Everyone needs a neighborhood go-to coffee shop! This one is very conveniently located around the corner a short walk away. Friendly staff, free wi-fi, cheap refils (thats right!!! they only charge you $1.25 for a refil if you're there long enough and want that caffeine jolt!!!), good variety of seating choices (love seats, tables and chairs, single sofas) oh and did I mention friendly staff?!? Of course a coffee shop isn't much if the coffee isn't good; in this case, locally roasted small batch coffee is always a treat!
I also love how they make you work to give them a tip :-) Huh??? Thats right!!! Although right or wrong, they'll still take your tip but rather than the boring bowl with a "tip" sign over it, these guys put some effort into finding a new multiple choice trivia question for the tip jar! Well done!
Top of the morning to ya! -
Review from Mike C.
Dartmouth, NS
12/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Awsome white hot chocolat/w whip cream & marhmellows!!!
The staff is great!!! -
Review from Leslie F.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee and to-die-for baked goods in a chic but cozy environment. An example of a typical day's baked offerings: cheddar green onion and blueberry orange scones, and cranberry banana oat and blackberry white chocolate muffins - I want ALL of those things. The only reason it doesn't get 5/5 is that (as noted by some of my co-yelpers) the service is variable. I've been met with some pretty surly service once or twice, but on my last few visits the baristas have been downright delightful.
Listed in: South End Eats
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Review from Kirk F.
6/8/2011 7 Check-ins Here
What do you want in a coffee shop?
I look for a good selection of food and drink, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.
And this places hits on all three points.
This cozy (and yes, that means relatively small) place has a rather large display case of food. Now, I've not tried all their wares but everything I have tried has been delicious! If you can get it, I heartily recommend the feta and black pepper scone.
Since I don't drink coffee, I've usually opted for an Italian Soda. And they have quite the selection! More than any other place I've seen in the city.
Staff have always been friendly, cordial and (this is important) quick to smile. Even at my bad jokes.
Their hours could stand to be improved but I trust that they are based on experience.Listed in: Coffee shops for a…
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Review from Lesley-Anne S.
Halifax, NS
3/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've only visited this particular location once, so I'm prepared to go back and give it another go. Based on this visit on a Sunday morning, the staff seemed a little less than into their jobs - I felt like I was causing them trouble because they constantly had to get up from the table they were using to go behind the counter to serve me coffee.
Also, the WiFi was not working at all. I really hate the Uncommon WiFi - at all their locations. I wish they'd use a consistent password or even make me set up an account, rather than a dish of codes that may or may not work. We never did get on the internet, even with a reset by staff, and my friends mentioned they've had this problem before. I think the codes had expired and the staff were told they weren't getting any new ones that day.
Having said all this, I like the location and the interior. I wish it had been here when I lived in this area. Their coffee is good and I love the baked goods from Uncommon Grounds (the hello dolly square, or whatever it is with graham cracker crumbs and condensed milk and chocolate, is kind of to die for). So it's not a complete loss.Listed in: Nom nom nom, Coffee Talk
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Review from Laura P.
6/9/2010 2 photos
Uncommon Grounds gladly offers itself to the South End community in its fresh, new location. Across from Henry House, and taking over the former residence of Cargo & James, this new Common Grounds appears promising.
Peering inside for a lookie, the interior is bright and appears as a nice spot to chill with a bevie and treat. This local franchise has quite a Halifax following, and its without doubt that South Enders will take advantage of this close to home haunt.
The same delicious treats (with vegan opportunity!), and the same _______ coffee and yummy tea, I will certainly stop in again the next time I'm in the area. Friendly service, and a bit of a facelift from its older venues, this UG is a win. -
Review from Lacey H.
6/5/2010 4 photos
Well looky-looky at who has a new store. The Uncommon Group opened another coffee shop located on Barrington Street right next to one of its many sister shops, Carbonstok.
The stores are connected inside so that you can do your Carbon shopping and then meander over to grab yourself some java. This Uncommon Grounds has the same design elements as its fellow shops around town, with the quintessentially UG red hues, paired with stone and cement, plus blacks and whites. This location carries all of the same goodies to snack on, plus Rum Runners treats and their pricey, albeit tasty, chocolate bars (chocolate paired with Nova Scotia sea salt anyone?)
The place is brand new but is already bumping with activity as patrons sipped and stirred, staying clear of the foggy weekend weather. I'm sure this will be another success for the ever expanding Uncommon Group. What will they think of next?
