Perk Up Cafe
6536 Cornell Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46220
Perk Up Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Indianapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6536 Cornell Ave
Indianapolis, IN, 46220 - Phone (317) 251-0033
- Website https://www.perkupindy.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Good for Working : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Tara M.
*This* is the place I have been searching for since I got to Indianapolis. I can't believe there's only one review. A homey, down-to-earth neighborhood coffee in Broad Ripple with hardwood floors, overhead fans, good music, wifi, home-roasted coffee, fresh baked eats, a deck. What more could you want in life? But wait, there's more! On Sundays there is an authentic Koffeeklatch. And not the Linda Richman kind - the kind with fresh baked German pastries.
(5)Kieron M.
A little cramped feeling, cut the number of chairs in half, get more comfortable chairs. But...nice homey feeling...and the coffee was good!
(4)Rion W.
This place has a lot of character. They have a completely manual espresso bar and they roast their own beans. The food is quite good albeit a little pricey. The coffee drinks are highly recommended. The staff is extremely friendly, and they have free wifi. It's atmosphere is very laid back and they have seating inside and out. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)Chris D.
Fantastic cafe. The owner, in particular, is incredibly nice and helpful. It would seem that she has built her cafe to be one that she'd enjoy as a customer. If that is the case, it was a smart move as this place is VERY customer friendly. She has a nice selection of teas and is willing to put any of them over ice on a warm day. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, it is a rarity and particularly noteworthy in that she takes the time to make sure that the tea isn't too watered down by the melting ice. The food options are currently a bit limited. This seems to be an intentional choice on her part to roll out a more expanded menu slowly so that she does it in a sustainable way (she is taking some smart steps in that direction with some special buffet dinners on a monthly or semi-montly basis). Despite the limited menu, I had a delicious veggie melt sandwich the other day which included wonderful homemade bread. One of the bigger pluses for me about Perk Up is that dogs are allowed in the large front porch seating area. Since the cafe is just feet from the Monon this is a huge bonus. And not only are dogs welcome, the owner makes sure that fresh water is available and is always quick to offer a treat. While I haven't had the chance yet to use the indoor seating, the decor is great. Warm and welcoming while still offering space for intimate conversations or book reading. All around, this is a great place that really seems on a path to get even better in coming months.
(5)Aaron P.
Service unbelievably bad... 30+ min for breakfast with 5 other people there
(1)Ryan L.
I came for the first time over summer just as they were closing. Wasn't able to get a good feel for the place and just came back to give it another shot. Their espresso machine is imported from Italy, I believe, and it is top notch. The best espresso I have ever had. I ordered the "I Am Not a Hippie", which is cafe cubano with honey-soy milk. It was warm, smooth, and comforting with the perfect amount of sweet. Ordered the turkey black bean chili for a small lunch. The flavor was incredible but the beans were slightly undercooked. This was the only complaint I had with the visit. I sat down to get some studying done, met some fantastic people sitting around me, enjoyed unique and thrilling conversations, and went back to order one of their special Sunday pastries that are served from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. I was recommended either the Chocolate/Vanilla pound cake w/cherries, filled with a vanilla butter cream and topped w/chocolate ganache or the Hazelnut cake topped with a light nougat/hazelnut cream. I ordered the Hazelnut cake and it was a perfect compliment to the honey soy espresso. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and was able to relax, get some studying done, and meet some great people. This is the best Indianapolis has to offer.
(5)Diane O.
Charming little coffee shop.. It was towards the end of the day and I ordered a regular coffee. The barista, Sean, felt the brewed coffee may not be fresh enough soo he brewed an Americano / no extra charge.. Was delicious. Love the environment.. not pretentious.
(5)Daria B.
Ducked in here to use the restroom and found a great gem of a coffee place. Loved the owner/ baker being there and the freshly baked European goodies. Great decor and atmosphere. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Broad Ripple and I hope it continues to do well!
(5)J A.
Great coffee and inviting atmosphere.
(2)Melody C.
living in chicago, i wanted something other than starbucks. so i stumbled upon this place after a nice run along monon trail this morning. was a bit shocked with the price of their drinks. i chose a vanilla chai tea latte, i think starbucks is cheaper but theirs has more sugar. perk up's was quite tasty & just right with the sweetness.
(3)Janice Ann R.
Check out that patio for Monon gawking. Dog friendly! Love their fresh roasted coffee, really delicious & memorable. Can't understand why anyone would pick Starbucks over a wonderful local coffee house like this. It's so easy to pull up, go in, plunk your change in the self serve box, grab n' go. Interior is cozy & welcoming; note the bearded regular sitting in his spot by the door most mornings. Haven't had a lot of their pastry items, but I do know the homemade quiche was fabulous.
(4)Derrick B.
Just the piece of Broadripple I've always craved: Friendly service. In-house roasted coffee Freshly crafted pastries. Cozy atmosphere. Perk-up should be high on your to-do list!
(5)Lorand M.
Really superb coffee...this...BJava...and maybe Henry's have the best coffee in the city Food is quite good with healthy options...and excellent fresh bread available for take home on Tuesdays ..of course...I have not been to all of 'em...yet !
(5)Patty H.
The guy behind th counter was completely pretentious and unfriendly towards me, maybe it was because I wasn't dressed like a hipster and was really friendly when I cam in... I know hipsters don't like that...the coffee was not hot but the pastry was divine... That's the only reason I give it two stars plus the fact that it's cozy and quiet, I've lived in Portland so I may be more judgmental about coffee shops, sorry guys! I'm willing to give it a second try though!
(2)Alex P.
A great little German Kafé, doing all the espresso right with their own small batch roasted beans. I definitely suggest a visit!
(5)Emily F.
Perk Up Cafe was pleasantly surprising and not at all what I was expecting, but definitely a hidden gem! My friend and I decided to stop in after passing it on the way home from dinner the night before. We were expecting to just grab a pastry and some coffee, but there were so many different options that we had to stop and reconsider our choices, and the barista was super helpful, explaining the menu and chatting with us. Saturday is French Toast special day (yum!), but we were in the mood for eggs, one of our favorite foods. I ordered a Dirty Hippie blended drink, which was a chai with espresso, and their regular egg sandwich (egg, your choice of cheese, and bacon) on a pretzel bun. My friend ordered a Funky Monkey (mocha and banana) and a deluxe egg sandwich, and our barista was very accommodating to her lactose allergy, removing the cheese and replacing milk. It also turned out they were out of the banana flavor, but my friend was allowed to substitute her choice of syrup, and the resulting mocha raspberry had me wishing I'd ordered that instead - however my Dirty Hippie was also to die for. After we received our coffee, we sat down (inside to avoid the 90 degree humidity), but the patio was still packed with BRipp locals, chatting and people-watching the Monon Trail despite the heat. The dark interior and furnishings were very cosy, and the artwork on the walls was all for sale - an added flair. The atmosphere was relaxing and not loud or overstimulating, which was nice. Our food was delivered to us, and despite having asked for a pretzel bun, my sandwich came on wheat bread. Minor blip, and I'm pretty low maintenance, so I ran with it, and it was still just as good. All the coffee beans at Perk Up are roasted on site and pastries are made in-house, which makes it even better. It's also right next door to residences, so it blends right into the neighborhood, making it very locally accessible and easy to stop in on your way to work in the morning for a really good cup of coffee. It's also dog friendly, which is even better because I got to pet a visiting puppy. I will most definitely be back (to have the raspberry mocha and try a cranberry coconut muffin)!!
(4)Jennifer F.
Perk Up Cafe is in a charming light blue house with white trim. The dining area is small and intimate with warm, dark tones. The staff has always been cheerful, as well as helpful, taking time to go over the espresso, bread and pastry items. One of the foreign exchange students I supervise is German and informed me that he missed German bread. i asked Jeanette, one of the owners, which bread she thought he would like. She took the time to describe the breads and told me what she thought he would enjoy the most. Additionally, she gave me a business card to give him and stated that I should suggest that he look at the website in order to familiarize himself with the bread offerings and the days they would be available. I purchased a loaf and delivered it to him, along with the business card. He was absolutely ecstatic to receive the bread. I also purchased a loaf for myself. My family and I spread butter on it and put it under the broiler until it was a golden brown. It was good, however, it seemed to lack a bit of salt. In addition to bread, I have purchased the Mint Monon, White Mocha, Lemon Poppyseed and Blueberry muffins, Apple Cake, and biscotti. I absolutely love the White Mocha, which boasts a bold, rich and creamy flavor and the Blueberry muffin, which was light, airy, and loaded with blueberries, as well as the biscotti. The Apple Cake had an amazing amount of apples in it and the crust was great, I just wished it was sweeter. However, I am aware that European desserts are generally not as sweet as American desserts. The Lemon Poppyseed Muffin was good, but nothing I would feel compelled to make a special trip to purchase. The Mint Monon was good also, however, I would have preferred more pronounced mint flavor, but I am sure I can remedy that by simply asking for more mint syrup. Once I have made my purchases, I enjoy sitting in the warm and cozy dining area in order to read a good book, or to converse with family and friends. Due to the small size, it does fill up quickly, which means that one may have to sit in the chairs against the window that don't have a table, which results in having no where to place your coffee, etc. It would be nice if small tables could go between the dining chair and wingback chairs on either side since one may not want to hold their beverage the entire time or sit it on the floor. I truly love coming to Perk Up Cafe. The staff is outstanding, the ambience is great and I enjoy relaxing in the cozy dining room with a biscotti and hot White Mocha. I have given four stars instead of five because the bread needed a bit more salt to bring out the flavor, I would have preferred the Apple Cake to be sweeter, and the four chairs in the dining room without a table need at least two small ones to share between them in order to have somewhere to place drinks and food. However, overall, I enjoy The Perk Up Cafe very much and intend to keep visiting them often.
(4)Allison F.
A good place to pop in a grab a cup of coffee real quick.
(4)Holly H.
Perk Up is one of my favorite coffee places in Indianapolis. It's warm and inviting and a great place for a morning meeting or a remote work space. In warmer months their patio is a nice place to spend a morning. The coffee is always fresh and delicious, with a depth of flavor you don't find at a lot of places. I traditionally go for drip coffee (and they have several to choose from) but I occasionally shake things up with a skim milk cappuccino. So. Good.
(4)Ntianu S.
I enjoy coming to this place to just work. It's fairly small and can get a bit noisy, but still a great place to work or meet up with a friend. During my first visit, I had the pumpkin latte which was pretty good. It wasn't as heavy or sweet as Starbucks. I love the copper espresso machine. So neat. On my second visit, the espresso machine was down, so I had to have hot tea. The selection was pretty basic. They also have an assortment of pastries. Thumbs up for the pumpkin muffin. Keep in mind that this place is in the broad ripple area, so parking can be pretty limited. I do not believe they have a private lot. Venture away from Starbucks and be sure to check this place out. Worth a visit.
(4)Aaron W.
My wife and I have been coming here for years to enjoy the German coffee time, "Kaffeeklatsch" that is held on Sunday afternoon starting at 1pm. The wonderful owners of this shop create a selection of German pastries during this time. Each week, the variety changes. They have a keen eye for quality and a traditional focus. The place is a converted older house and is quite cozy. The space is well maintained with the "dining room" offering ample enough seating for the size. The coffee drink selection is typical but well executed. If you have the chance or the inclination, try the traditional German breads on offer here when they come available. For Christmas, try the stollen bread. Recommendations: Everything. I have never been disappointed with any of the offerings. German cheesecakes, apricot cookies, pretzels, farmer's bread, rye and bee sting pastries. Great, great stuff served by a friendly staff and made with true love.
(5)Charlie P.
This small little Cafe had a great space and feel to it. We got some tasty coffee, some breakfast bagel sandwiches and everything was really sweet.
(5)Lindsay R.
First and foremost- I do not drink coffee. I came for a meeting and had the house special apricot and something tea, which was bland. Their Saturday special on French toast was pretty good. Fresh and tasty. The best part about the place is the atmosphere. Would be really good for a study session or casual meeting. I believe they said their food was made in house as well.
(3)Vadim O.
Perk Up cafe is awesome! We stopped by here to get a cup of coffee but ended up ordering their delicious tomato basil soup, a traditional german cake with poppy seeds and a cup of chai latte. Everything was the highest quality and service is super friendly. I wish they close a bit later during the day. We hit closed doors a few times before but finally made it today on time! Their location just a few steps off the Monon trail is incredible.
(5)Kristen D.
Tiny building that I mistook for someone's home. We walked in and were greeted by a very good smelling aroma, grabbed a quick cup of their house blend, and rolled out. It looked like only one guy was working at the time, so because he was ringing everyone up AND making the coffee himself, we didn't move too quickly through here. Still, it was fun to try out a local coffee shop off the beaten path!
(3)Debra M.
I have gone to Perk Up for years and years. I met the, then owner, Kim in 2006 and she was one of the first people to welcome me to Broad Ripple as we had just moved here. Because of her personality and just how awesome the place is, I became a regular. Like so many other regulars. They roast their own coffee beans in house. Their espresso machine is a work of art, itself. A glorious copper accented contraption imported from Italy that is a wonder to behold. Their espresso and coffee flavors are top notch. Some of the best you can get in Broad Ripple, if not all of Indiana. The coffee shop is just delightful. They have a nice large deck with plenty of tables, umbrellas and outdoor seating. Most importantly, They Are Dog Friendly, inside and out. With bowls of fresh water and sometimes free treats for your furry little companions. The inside is nice and cozy, with the typical Euro cafe feel. They serve fresh, in house made pastries and baked goods that are out of this world. The lunch items are over priced and cheaply prepared, don't waste your money. Or your time. And that leads me to the negative side of my review. The place would be 100% perfect if not for the way it is ran. The current owners are wonderful bakers with zero business sense. Constant revolving door of staff. Execution of the simplest details leaves much to be desired. You can go in there just wanting an espresso and wait for over twenty minutes because there is only one person working and they are trying to accomplish the tasks of three separate people. That is my only complaint and it is unfortunately substantial. But aside from that, I will always love this place. It brings back happy memories. It is right on the Monon Trail. There are parking spaces in front of the store if the people "walking" on the Monon Trail (don't Even get me started, who Drives somewhere to take a Walk??), aren't using them all. This is a lovely place. You might wait awhile to get your espresso, but it'll be worth it and you'll probably meet some very cool people, so hang out for a little while. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Michayla S.
The coffee here is better than Starbucks, and the atmosphere is cozy. It's the kind of place you could show up to with a book and just stay there for hours. When the weather is decent, there is a ton of outdoor seating, and you can bring your dog! The staff is always really friendly, and they appear to know a lot of the regulars on a first name basis. Try the raspberry dirty hippie. It's a raspberry chai latte, and it's so good. Also, any of their pastries and breads are really good. They make some in house and get the rest from a local place, and both are delicious. This place closes at 4:00pm, so make sure to get there before then. It's worth it.
(4)Ericka W.
If for no other reason to enjoy this place, listen to the chit chat as you linger in the addictive aroma of freshly brewed java beans. This is a bit of what I heard: Customer: So, you're saying the best is probably plastic. Cuz' you still get some of the taste of glass and cardboard in the other cups. What about china, ya' know like what you use for mugs? Or steel? I'd bet steel would be good. Do they make steel cups? Barista: I think they call them tin cups. But even with plastic a little of the plastic flavor is going to be picked up in your coffee. Its just less expensive, it doesn't really have to do with taste. As I smiled and sipped my deliciously warm green tea chai, I heard the customer ask where he could buy the "right kind of plastic," cups. So worth every penny. And right off the Monon trail, so stop it to warm up during those long winter walks.
(4)Alex P.
A great little German Kafé, doing all the espresso right with their own small batch roasted beans. I definitely suggest a visit!
(5)Derrick B.
Just the piece of Broadripple I've always craved: Friendly service. In-house roasted coffee Freshly crafted pastries. Cozy atmosphere. Perk-up should be high on your to-do list!
(5)Lorand M.
Really superb coffee...this...BJava...and maybe Henry's have the best coffee in the city Food is quite good with healthy options...and excellent fresh bread available for take home on Tuesdays ..of course...I have not been to all of 'em...yet !
(5)Patty H.
The guy behind th counter was completely pretentious and unfriendly towards me, maybe it was because I wasn't dressed like a hipster and was really friendly when I cam in... I know hipsters don't like that...the coffee was not hot but the pastry was divine... That's the only reason I give it two stars plus the fact that it's cozy and quiet, I've lived in Portland so I may be more judgmental about coffee shops, sorry guys! I'm willing to give it a second try though!
(2)Emily F.
Perk Up Cafe was pleasantly surprising and not at all what I was expecting, but definitely a hidden gem! My friend and I decided to stop in after passing it on the way home from dinner the night before. We were expecting to just grab a pastry and some coffee, but there were so many different options that we had to stop and reconsider our choices, and the barista was super helpful, explaining the menu and chatting with us. Saturday is French Toast special day (yum!), but we were in the mood for eggs, one of our favorite foods. I ordered a Dirty Hippie blended drink, which was a chai with espresso, and their regular egg sandwich (egg, your choice of cheese, and bacon) on a pretzel bun. My friend ordered a Funky Monkey (mocha and banana) and a deluxe egg sandwich, and our barista was very accommodating to her lactose allergy, removing the cheese and replacing milk. It also turned out they were out of the banana flavor, but my friend was allowed to substitute her choice of syrup, and the resulting mocha raspberry had me wishing I'd ordered that instead - however my Dirty Hippie was also to die for. After we received our coffee, we sat down (inside to avoid the 90 degree humidity), but the patio was still packed with BRipp locals, chatting and people-watching the Monon Trail despite the heat. The dark interior and furnishings were very cosy, and the artwork on the walls was all for sale - an added flair. The atmosphere was relaxing and not loud or overstimulating, which was nice. Our food was delivered to us, and despite having asked for a pretzel bun, my sandwich came on wheat bread. Minor blip, and I'm pretty low maintenance, so I ran with it, and it was still just as good. All the coffee beans at Perk Up are roasted on site and pastries are made in-house, which makes it even better. It's also right next door to residences, so it blends right into the neighborhood, making it very locally accessible and easy to stop in on your way to work in the morning for a really good cup of coffee. It's also dog friendly, which is even better because I got to pet a visiting puppy. I will most definitely be back (to have the raspberry mocha and try a cranberry coconut muffin)!!
(4)Janice Ann R.
Check out that patio for Monon gawking. Dog friendly! Love their fresh roasted coffee, really delicious & memorable. Can't understand why anyone would pick Starbucks over a wonderful local coffee house like this. It's so easy to pull up, go in, plunk your change in the self serve box, grab n' go. Interior is cozy & welcoming; note the bearded regular sitting in his spot by the door most mornings. Haven't had a lot of their pastry items, but I do know the homemade quiche was fabulous.
(4)Tara M.
*This* is the place I have been searching for since I got to Indianapolis. I can't believe there's only one review. A homey, down-to-earth neighborhood coffee in Broad Ripple with hardwood floors, overhead fans, good music, wifi, home-roasted coffee, fresh baked eats, a deck. What more could you want in life? But wait, there's more! On Sundays there is an authentic Koffeeklatch. And not the Linda Richman kind - the kind with fresh baked German pastries.
(5)Kieron M.
A little cramped feeling, cut the number of chairs in half, get more comfortable chairs. But...nice homey feeling...and the coffee was good!
(4)Jennifer F.
Perk Up Cafe is in a charming light blue house with white trim. The dining area is small and intimate with warm, dark tones. The staff has always been cheerful, as well as helpful, taking time to go over the espresso, bread and pastry items. One of the foreign exchange students I supervise is German and informed me that he missed German bread. i asked Jeanette, one of the owners, which bread she thought he would like. She took the time to describe the breads and told me what she thought he would enjoy the most. Additionally, she gave me a business card to give him and stated that I should suggest that he look at the website in order to familiarize himself with the bread offerings and the days they would be available. I purchased a loaf and delivered it to him, along with the business card. He was absolutely ecstatic to receive the bread. I also purchased a loaf for myself. My family and I spread butter on it and put it under the broiler until it was a golden brown. It was good, however, it seemed to lack a bit of salt. In addition to bread, I have purchased the Mint Monon, White Mocha, Lemon Poppyseed and Blueberry muffins, Apple Cake, and biscotti. I absolutely love the White Mocha, which boasts a bold, rich and creamy flavor and the Blueberry muffin, which was light, airy, and loaded with blueberries, as well as the biscotti. The Apple Cake had an amazing amount of apples in it and the crust was great, I just wished it was sweeter. However, I am aware that European desserts are generally not as sweet as American desserts. The Lemon Poppyseed Muffin was good, but nothing I would feel compelled to make a special trip to purchase. The Mint Monon was good also, however, I would have preferred more pronounced mint flavor, but I am sure I can remedy that by simply asking for more mint syrup. Once I have made my purchases, I enjoy sitting in the warm and cozy dining area in order to read a good book, or to converse with family and friends. Due to the small size, it does fill up quickly, which means that one may have to sit in the chairs against the window that don't have a table, which results in having no where to place your coffee, etc. It would be nice if small tables could go between the dining chair and wingback chairs on either side since one may not want to hold their beverage the entire time or sit it on the floor. I truly love coming to Perk Up Cafe. The staff is outstanding, the ambience is great and I enjoy relaxing in the cozy dining room with a biscotti and hot White Mocha. I have given four stars instead of five because the bread needed a bit more salt to bring out the flavor, I would have preferred the Apple Cake to be sweeter, and the four chairs in the dining room without a table need at least two small ones to share between them in order to have somewhere to place drinks and food. However, overall, I enjoy The Perk Up Cafe very much and intend to keep visiting them often.
(4)Allison F.
A good place to pop in a grab a cup of coffee real quick.
(4)Holly H.
Perk Up is one of my favorite coffee places in Indianapolis. It's warm and inviting and a great place for a morning meeting or a remote work space. In warmer months their patio is a nice place to spend a morning. The coffee is always fresh and delicious, with a depth of flavor you don't find at a lot of places. I traditionally go for drip coffee (and they have several to choose from) but I occasionally shake things up with a skim milk cappuccino. So. Good.
(4)Ntianu S.
I enjoy coming to this place to just work. It's fairly small and can get a bit noisy, but still a great place to work or meet up with a friend. During my first visit, I had the pumpkin latte which was pretty good. It wasn't as heavy or sweet as Starbucks. I love the copper espresso machine. So neat. On my second visit, the espresso machine was down, so I had to have hot tea. The selection was pretty basic. They also have an assortment of pastries. Thumbs up for the pumpkin muffin. Keep in mind that this place is in the broad ripple area, so parking can be pretty limited. I do not believe they have a private lot. Venture away from Starbucks and be sure to check this place out. Worth a visit.
(4)Aaron W.
My wife and I have been coming here for years to enjoy the German coffee time, "Kaffeeklatsch" that is held on Sunday afternoon starting at 1pm. The wonderful owners of this shop create a selection of German pastries during this time. Each week, the variety changes. They have a keen eye for quality and a traditional focus. The place is a converted older house and is quite cozy. The space is well maintained with the "dining room" offering ample enough seating for the size. The coffee drink selection is typical but well executed. If you have the chance or the inclination, try the traditional German breads on offer here when they come available. For Christmas, try the stollen bread. Recommendations: Everything. I have never been disappointed with any of the offerings. German cheesecakes, apricot cookies, pretzels, farmer's bread, rye and bee sting pastries. Great, great stuff served by a friendly staff and made with true love.
(5)Charlie P.
This small little Cafe had a great space and feel to it. We got some tasty coffee, some breakfast bagel sandwiches and everything was really sweet.
(5)Lindsay R.
First and foremost- I do not drink coffee. I came for a meeting and had the house special apricot and something tea, which was bland. Their Saturday special on French toast was pretty good. Fresh and tasty. The best part about the place is the atmosphere. Would be really good for a study session or casual meeting. I believe they said their food was made in house as well.
(3)Vadim O.
Perk Up cafe is awesome! We stopped by here to get a cup of coffee but ended up ordering their delicious tomato basil soup, a traditional german cake with poppy seeds and a cup of chai latte. Everything was the highest quality and service is super friendly. I wish they close a bit later during the day. We hit closed doors a few times before but finally made it today on time! Their location just a few steps off the Monon trail is incredible.
(5)Kristen D.
Tiny building that I mistook for someone's home. We walked in and were greeted by a very good smelling aroma, grabbed a quick cup of their house blend, and rolled out. It looked like only one guy was working at the time, so because he was ringing everyone up AND making the coffee himself, we didn't move too quickly through here. Still, it was fun to try out a local coffee shop off the beaten path!
(3)Debra M.
I have gone to Perk Up for years and years. I met the, then owner, Kim in 2006 and she was one of the first people to welcome me to Broad Ripple as we had just moved here. Because of her personality and just how awesome the place is, I became a regular. Like so many other regulars. They roast their own coffee beans in house. Their espresso machine is a work of art, itself. A glorious copper accented contraption imported from Italy that is a wonder to behold. Their espresso and coffee flavors are top notch. Some of the best you can get in Broad Ripple, if not all of Indiana. The coffee shop is just delightful. They have a nice large deck with plenty of tables, umbrellas and outdoor seating. Most importantly, They Are Dog Friendly, inside and out. With bowls of fresh water and sometimes free treats for your furry little companions. The inside is nice and cozy, with the typical Euro cafe feel. They serve fresh, in house made pastries and baked goods that are out of this world. The lunch items are over priced and cheaply prepared, don't waste your money. Or your time. And that leads me to the negative side of my review. The place would be 100% perfect if not for the way it is ran. The current owners are wonderful bakers with zero business sense. Constant revolving door of staff. Execution of the simplest details leaves much to be desired. You can go in there just wanting an espresso and wait for over twenty minutes because there is only one person working and they are trying to accomplish the tasks of three separate people. That is my only complaint and it is unfortunately substantial. But aside from that, I will always love this place. It brings back happy memories. It is right on the Monon Trail. There are parking spaces in front of the store if the people "walking" on the Monon Trail (don't Even get me started, who Drives somewhere to take a Walk??), aren't using them all. This is a lovely place. You might wait awhile to get your espresso, but it'll be worth it and you'll probably meet some very cool people, so hang out for a little while. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Michayla S.
The coffee here is better than Starbucks, and the atmosphere is cozy. It's the kind of place you could show up to with a book and just stay there for hours. When the weather is decent, there is a ton of outdoor seating, and you can bring your dog! The staff is always really friendly, and they appear to know a lot of the regulars on a first name basis. Try the raspberry dirty hippie. It's a raspberry chai latte, and it's so good. Also, any of their pastries and breads are really good. They make some in house and get the rest from a local place, and both are delicious. This place closes at 4:00pm, so make sure to get there before then. It's worth it.
(4)Ericka W.
If for no other reason to enjoy this place, listen to the chit chat as you linger in the addictive aroma of freshly brewed java beans. This is a bit of what I heard: Customer: So, you're saying the best is probably plastic. Cuz' you still get some of the taste of glass and cardboard in the other cups. What about china, ya' know like what you use for mugs? Or steel? I'd bet steel would be good. Do they make steel cups? Barista: I think they call them tin cups. But even with plastic a little of the plastic flavor is going to be picked up in your coffee. Its just less expensive, it doesn't really have to do with taste. As I smiled and sipped my deliciously warm green tea chai, I heard the customer ask where he could buy the "right kind of plastic," cups. So worth every penny. And right off the Monon trail, so stop it to warm up during those long winter walks.
(4)Rion W.
This place has a lot of character. They have a completely manual espresso bar and they roast their own beans. The food is quite good albeit a little pricey. The coffee drinks are highly recommended. The staff is extremely friendly, and they have free wifi. It's atmosphere is very laid back and they have seating inside and out. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)Chris D.
Fantastic cafe. The owner, in particular, is incredibly nice and helpful. It would seem that she has built her cafe to be one that she'd enjoy as a customer. If that is the case, it was a smart move as this place is VERY customer friendly. She has a nice selection of teas and is willing to put any of them over ice on a warm day. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, it is a rarity and particularly noteworthy in that she takes the time to make sure that the tea isn't too watered down by the melting ice. The food options are currently a bit limited. This seems to be an intentional choice on her part to roll out a more expanded menu slowly so that she does it in a sustainable way (she is taking some smart steps in that direction with some special buffet dinners on a monthly or semi-montly basis). Despite the limited menu, I had a delicious veggie melt sandwich the other day which included wonderful homemade bread. One of the bigger pluses for me about Perk Up is that dogs are allowed in the large front porch seating area. Since the cafe is just feet from the Monon this is a huge bonus. And not only are dogs welcome, the owner makes sure that fresh water is available and is always quick to offer a treat. While I haven't had the chance yet to use the indoor seating, the decor is great. Warm and welcoming while still offering space for intimate conversations or book reading. All around, this is a great place that really seems on a path to get even better in coming months.
(5)Aaron P.
Service unbelievably bad... 30+ min for breakfast with 5 other people there
(1)Ryan L.
I came for the first time over summer just as they were closing. Wasn't able to get a good feel for the place and just came back to give it another shot. Their espresso machine is imported from Italy, I believe, and it is top notch. The best espresso I have ever had. I ordered the "I Am Not a Hippie", which is cafe cubano with honey-soy milk. It was warm, smooth, and comforting with the perfect amount of sweet. Ordered the turkey black bean chili for a small lunch. The flavor was incredible but the beans were slightly undercooked. This was the only complaint I had with the visit. I sat down to get some studying done, met some fantastic people sitting around me, enjoyed unique and thrilling conversations, and went back to order one of their special Sunday pastries that are served from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. I was recommended either the Chocolate/Vanilla pound cake w/cherries, filled with a vanilla butter cream and topped w/chocolate ganache or the Hazelnut cake topped with a light nougat/hazelnut cream. I ordered the Hazelnut cake and it was a perfect compliment to the honey soy espresso. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and was able to relax, get some studying done, and meet some great people. This is the best Indianapolis has to offer.
(5)Diane O.
Charming little coffee shop.. It was towards the end of the day and I ordered a regular coffee. The barista, Sean, felt the brewed coffee may not be fresh enough soo he brewed an Americano / no extra charge.. Was delicious. Love the environment.. not pretentious.
(5)Daria B.
Ducked in here to use the restroom and found a great gem of a coffee place. Loved the owner/ baker being there and the freshly baked European goodies. Great decor and atmosphere. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Broad Ripple and I hope it continues to do well!
(5)J A.
Great coffee and inviting atmosphere.
(2)Melody C.
living in chicago, i wanted something other than starbucks. so i stumbled upon this place after a nice run along monon trail this morning. was a bit shocked with the price of their drinks. i chose a vanilla chai tea latte, i think starbucks is cheaper but theirs has more sugar. perk up's was quite tasty & just right with the sweetness.
(3)