The Sparrows Coffee Tea & Newstand
1035 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506
The Sparrows Coffee Tea & Newstand Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Grand Rapids for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1035 Wealthy St SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49506 - Phone (616) 608-3375
- Website https://www.thesparrowsgr.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 6:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch, Dessert
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Blake C.
I always love visiting high quality local coffee shops when I'm traveling. This little gem has a wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff, wifi, great drinks and is in a beautiful part of town. I'm a sucker for great quality beverages, and the cappuccino I ordered was fantastic. My barista was knowledgable and shared my passion for good drinks. My brother and I are both baristas, so we're a bit picky about our coffee and tea drinks. He had a delicious mocha with a nice blend of espresso, milk and what tasted like a semi sweet milk chocolate. Definitely a great place to stop if your in Grand Rapids! The atmosphere is great for study, meeting, social gatherings, creative work, and relaxing. I can't wait to stop by again the next time I'm in town.
(5)Annette J.
Spent a couple of days working here and had a grand ol' time! It's comfortable and spacious, they've got great fair-trade coffee, plenty o'tea, a super nice staff, and reliable wi-fi. Oh and they're open late. Which is a plus in my book when it comes to coffee shops. Yes, my kind of joint! The front is SO cute and, while it was too cold to park outside during my last visit, I am quite positive the outdoor seating would be delightful here in the warmer months. Hungry? It's cool. They've got you covered with a few bites including some baked goods from one of my GR faves Field and Fire. Need something to read while you enjoy a pastry and a latte? They've got that taken care of too. In addition to the coffee shop vibe they also fancy themselves a "newsstand" which means they have a smattering of publications available along the wall for purchase. The selection is also quite interesting, from titles I recognized to some international magazines and such that I'd never heard of before but looked interesting. OH! And they have a "drink of the day" (or is it week? I can't remember) and when I was there it was a lavender latte. If they have it again you MUST try it. It's fantastic. I believe they make their own syrup for it. It's really excellent.
(4)Elizabeth M.
My husband and I were in the area and really wanted to check out a new coffee house and we found The Sparrows. What a wonderful place. The atmosphere is relaxing and the customer service was great. I ordered the Honey Lavender Latte on ice. It was delish! Definitely will be back - and recommend you to visit.
(5)Tom L.
This is the best little coffeehouse in Grand Rapids. Starbucks takes a backseat to this place any day. Great atmosphere & fantastic Wi-Fi plus the coffee is amazing.
(4)Ben B.
The best coffeeshop vibe in Grand Rapids. I frequent The Sparrows not so much for their coffee, which is supurb, but for the ultra tasteful design of the place. The magazine selection is huge and provides and nice base for the rest of the decor. Feel free to browse, but make sure you purchase one before you start reading it... The hardwood floors are contrasted by the bold white walls and they always have great local artwork hanging up. The wifi is usually fast, I have never had a problem and I usually am there 2-4 days a week during the school year. It is a great place to get some work done or meet a friend. There are some nice places to sit outside in the summer and smoke. The place can get crowded however, especially on Sunday's. The music is always nice, and they keep it turned down for conversation (or earbuds). The tea selection is one of the better selections in Grand Rapids, if not the best. The prices are on par with Starbucks for the most part, I also find them to be cheaper than many other specialty coffee shops in Grand Rapids. On top of that, because it is in easttown, you don't have to worry about parking. They don't have much for food, other then some tasty snacks, however, the wealthy market is right accross the street, and The Electric Cheetah, who makes one of the best sandwichs in the city is less than a block away. "Try to be captain nice today!"
(5)Sarang K.
I had ... something that was an espresso shot with condensed milk. It was good, although I spilled most of the espresso on the way out to the outdoor seating. I had it iced (just poured it on a cup of ice), and it was great. Indoors they have a great array of magazines and publications, local, national, and international. It's a great place to spend a few hours and pretty quiet too. Wifi is a given.
(4)Coryn R.
Really comfortable vibes, great tea selection and really good coffee!
(5)Amanda L.
A solid option for coffee and specialty drinks. I got there chi-der (cider + chai) last visit and it was superb. They have chill, hipster vibe with lots of magazines to relax with. Great place for work or studying. The building itself is old and still retains allot of it's original charms, including it's creaky, wood floors, front picture window, and slat walls. Check out the bathroom- It's is especially cool because it's decorated completely out of old windows; it reminds me of Alice in Wonderland for some reason.
(3)Annie J.
Great coffee. Solid wi-fi. Open late. Fun, healthy food. Decadent desserts. Fun atmosphere. Friendly, hip staff. Great selection of zines. Good place to work when out of the office or need to escape home.
(5)Michelle C.
The bubble tea is delicious. My favorite bubble tea place closed down, I think this will be my new place to go to. Very friendly atmosphere. Nice staff. Prices are a bit high but it's a local place so what can you expect.
(5)Sara B.
I've only been here once, but really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is artsy and welcoming and has plenty of reading material as well. The staff is helpful in describing the drinks and the tea that I had was fantastic. I love that they give you the container to watch your tea steep and then it's as easy as putting it on top of your mug for freshly steeped and beautiful tea. It's small and quaint, and you should stop by if you have the time.
(4)Elizabeth M.
We found where the hipsters get coffee in Grand Rapids...The Sparrows. It's a cute little coffee shop that also sells bubble tea and newspapers/magazines. The coffee menu is pretty basic and includes all the staples coffee, lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, etc. they also have a good selection of tea. A nice place if you're looking for a locally owned coffee shop. They were out of tapioca peals so my husband got coconut jellies in his tea. Neither of us had experienced the jellies before. They were little shavings of a gelatin-type substance. Not as good as tapioca, but they were alright.
(3)Maurice F.
The coffee here is superb, I'm not a fan of having to pay for reading material which was the only off-putting thing about this place but honestly it's just something to nit-pick at. The staff is amazing. The coffee is beyond good. The music they play is chilling and relaxing. The building is small but very accessible. One of the better coffee places I've visited.
(4)FoodE Y.
Overview: 3.5 stars - but yelp won't let us give half stars! Go here if you happen to be in the area Typically in my reviews, I give a star for each of these categories (Service, Food, Drink, Ambiance, Parking) and then add up to rate my experience at a particular business. Service - nice barista Food - didn't order any food but the coffee was good! Nothing really stuck out at me but I think that had to do with the beans. The barista did pull a good shot but the beans must have been a little sub par compared to the rest of my coffee experience at other places. I didn't take a picture. Drink selection - for artisan coffee shops, less is more! Just enough selection without all the frilly drinks. Ambiance/Cleanliness - this category doesn't score much on my scale. There are always people sitting on the porch either sweeping or smoking. So not only you can't sit outside but even the two chairs by the window are right behind the porch so you can't sit there either without feeling awkward that people are staring at you. The rest of the place is pretty dark, not as airy and well lit as other places I have visited. I must give it to them that they are one of the few decent coffee shops that is open late!!!! Parking - street parking but what in GR isn't? Not hard to find a parking spot close by. Much better parking compared to Madcap.
(3)Jessica R.
I've been looking for a go to coffee shop in the area and I've finally found the one. Sparrow has a great atmosphere, is affordable, and the lattes are great. Highly recommend
(5)Kensey W.
my friend and i wanted to get a little bit of work done on our west coast vacation so we stopped in at sparrows to grab a coffe and do it. it was a great decision!! we both loved being here. the atmosphere was perfect - cozy with non-intrusive music. She had a tea latte and i had a lavender latte and both were super good. i loved that my latte wasn't too sweet, as can happen sometimes when i depart from my usual americano. i loved that they had a bunch of magazines too. we wanted to browse for something to grab to read on the ride back, but didn't quite have time to. the selection looked awesome though. the people working here were mostly nice, some more friendly than others. if i'm in this area again, whether i just want a coffee or want to hunker down and spend some time, i will definitely be stopping in again!
(4)Jessica R.
I spent a lot of my young years sitting here drinking Major Majors and tea while reading various magazines. This is one of those places that you can have a deep conversation with a friend or dive into a book. I've had a few first dates here conversing about the various teas and the cups that flip over to brew the tea. I love this place. When you're sick, they have a full tea bar, and you can choose one from over 50+ teas to make you feel better. It is the only tea bar that I am aware of in GR. Their lattes are always beautiful pieces of art that are always as tasty as they look. I believe they use madcap coffee, which is a great local roast. They have a great variety of different drinks including Italian Soda! When you're here make sure you have a good friend and a great conversation ready. You'll be back again for more.
(5)Valerie L.
This coffee shop is so cute! I completely agree with the "comfortable and spacious" comments. I really enjoyed coming here and being able to find a table-- there are plenty of them! They even have a few seats at the counter. The seating in the front windows are the best! The crowd during the day were hipster-y students on their laptops studying and working on projects. I sat down to write wedding thank-you cards, and found the shop to be welcoming and not too loud! I felt like this place was a little less pretentious than some of the other local GR coffee shops (like Mad Cap & Rowsters). Not wanting to order coffee (crazy, I know!)....I had already had a few cups that day, so I ordered a green tea bubble tea with strawberry coconut tapioca. I really like bubble tea with round tapioca usually, but the tapioca in this drink was in chunks that looked like gems.....it was a bit weird. I'm assuming it was house-made tapioca, but I did not like the texture-- it was not chewy like tapioca pearls, but more like a soft gel candy. I did enjoy the strawberry coconut flavor, but the tapioca was a bit sweet! The green tea was very good, and I'm glad that I did not have it sweetened since the tapioca was already so sweet! Next time I visit the Sparrows, I will try a coffee drink and avoid the tapioca.
(4)Jessie I.
A completely charming and quaint little coffee shop in Eastown. It doesn't get much better than this in terms of authenticity. It's a great place to study. There is an ungodly amount of loose leaf teas to choose from that they will brew up for you. While it is always packed with people when I've been there past 7pm, the afternoon crowd is much more calm/quiet. Knowledgeable and friendly baristas. Definitely a must visit, local coffee house for anyone from out of town.
(5)Jane L.
Went for the first time last week with a coworker. She actually lives in a 5 minute walking distance so I just parked my car at her house and walked in. It was around 11PM on a weekday, and there were about 5 people in the building besides us. First of all it's a great atmosphere! I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but I had asked for an iced coffee with a hint of caramel (I did not know the menu/items and didn't want to stand there reading the whole thing) and the barista made it no problem! :) It was delicious too. My coworker got this cinnamon-y tea thing and I just loved the presentation of it. I should have taken a picture!! Oh well, maybe next time I will remember to :) Highly recommend this place!!
(5)Amy P.
Great literature, amazing crepes, fair trade coffee, delicious bubble tea, free wifi. Great place to study and chat with friends
(5)Andy H.
Went there on a Saturday night, ordered a latte to-to. The latte was very smooth with a strong hint of nutty flavor. Easily the best coffee I've had in the past year. If Starbucks is a 4/10, and Biggby is a 2.5/10, I would put this at 9.5/10. @ $3.25 for a 16 oz latte, you surely won't be disappointed. The atmosphere was vibrant yet sophisticated. I wasn't in the store for long - but that was at least my first impression. Anyway, if you love coffee and are near that area you owe it to yourself to at least try the latte. Moving on to teas, I only had a sip of my fiancee's "dirty hairy" (that's the name of the tea - get your minds out of the gutter!!!). It's basically Earl Grey tea+ soy milk and honey. The honey complements the soy milk well in such a way that the "soy taste" is overwhelmed by fruity/flowery scent. Exotic and fun drink! Too bad I don't live in the area, but if I do, I will definitely be a regular there!
(5)Jennifer B.
Eastown done well with this little independent coffee and tea house If you like tea and a charming little coffee/tea house this would be your place.
(4)Kate L.
I didn't know hipsters existed in Grand Rapids until I stepped into Sparrows (though to be fair, there were just as many, if not more families). This place is a super-cute coffee shop with an awesome selection of arts (literary, visual, etc.) magazines. Coffee is quite decent as well. I was happy to see they have Vietnamese coffee on the menu; a rare find.
(4)Anissa C.
Cool atmosphere. Great coffee and food. A gem in the city.
(4)Ashley M.
Another wonderful gem tucked away in Eastown. Great coffee and tea selection. A nice, laid-back place to study, sit back and contemplate life, or simply hang out. The Sparrows is a cozy, simple space with a great atmosphere. Skip the pretentious, cookie cutter pseudo-coffee houses and come to this great independent coffee shop... you'll be glad you did!
(5)Jenny K.
Extremely charming, cozy and inviting. Sparrows has friendly service, a wide drink selection and is the most perfect place to spend a cold, blustery Sunday afternoon. It's always quiet, and the music selection doesn't inhibit studying. If you are with a large group and intend on talking loudly, this isn't the place because 90% of the customers are busy reading textbooks or typing away on their computers. I'm really glad this little place is doing so well!
(5)Ryan M.
Considering I come here five days a week or so, I love it. Having worked on Wealthy Street for a few years, it has always been nice to have this place so close. A seat is almost always available, they have pretty good wi-fi, and good coffee. The finer ponts include locally baked goods, lots of loose leaf tea to choose from and a great collection of off-the-beaten-track magazines. It's easy to sit here for hours. Everything is priced very fairly and the specialty drinks are unique. The Dirty Harry is a champ. The staff are all friendly and knowledgeable, and yes, as a previous review mentioned, are busy. This place does get busy, because it is awesome so be patient. Seating exists for about 50, with a few tables out front as well. Creaky wood floors, ceiling fans and A/C are found inside. There typically is some type of great art exhibits on the walls by local artists. So great they support local all the way. The overall ambiance is relaxed as people talk, work on computers and generally stay pretty mellow. It is somewhat enjoyable when the inevitable duo talks overwhelmingly loud about crazy stuff, but that's what the earbuds are for. Step outside and you are on Wealthy Street with food and entertainment up and down the street. The Sparrows rocks.
(5)Jonathan L.
Eastown is an eclectic and charming neighborhood, and The Sparrows fits right in. I didn't feel like having coffee when I went, so I had the Dirty Hairy (earl grey, soy milke latte, honey). It was delicious! I never had a drink so smooth, aromatic, and comforting. I would clearly recommend getting that drink. The place is small and crowded, I would not go there to study.
(5)Ben H.
First coffee shop that caught my eye in GR. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. I just got a caramel latte but it was tasty and kept me awake. Awesome musical selection and mucho credit for the extension cords and free wi-fi to make it feel like a welcoming hangout instead of a fast food chain to push you out the door as fast as you came in. I will definitely be making many return trips in the near future.
(4)Jana P.
The Sparrows has my vote for the best latte in Grand Rapids. This is why: "We are now using Moo-Ville milk from a small, family operated dairy. The cows are grass fed and the milk (not skim) is non-homogenized. Moo-Ville milk is slightly sweeter and the non-homogenized is more "natural" and easier to digest. Also, we have contacted a syrup company that makes tastier syrups that contain no hi-fructose corn syrup and we will hopefully be making the switch soon." (taken from their blog). Also, they always seem to be trying new beans or new techniques to make the very best espresso that they can. I love restaurants that don't rest on their laurels. AWESOME selection of loose-leaf teas. They're lined up along the counter top so you can open the jars and sniff them all. However, their tea brewers did make me a little uncomfortable the first time one of them "peed" into my glass. LOL Love all the magazines too; includes many titles that are harder to find in Grand Rapids. Try their specialty -- the behemoth; it's a little shot of heaven. Just so you know, I don't work at the Sparrows, or have relatives there, or any money invested or anything, I just really love them! I don't often spend time on the internet raving about places, but I just want everyone to know about this great little East Hills secret.
(5)Rita W.
The female barista should spend less time on her smart phone and more time paying attention to guests at the counter waiting to be served. (this has happened with the same girl on several occasions) I always give people the benefit thinking "maybe they are just having a bad day", but multiple times with the same employee? It is a huge turn off when you walk up to the counter and not only does she not look at you, but continues to scroll through her phone. I had to say hello, and then she acted like it was a chore to take my order. I could care less how hip you look. Smile at people and make them feel welcome, if you can't do that I would recommend finding a job not in customer service. Next time she is working I will be walking back out the door.
(2)Gabriela G.
Hipsters galore roam around this Victorian house with it's nest-like interior. Cozy, Charming, i feel like a doll inside a miniature doll-house where everything is carefully placed to make you want to spend hours inside (especially on a cold Michigan winter day)! The coffee is great! I ordered an Americano on every visit. Priced fairly. Patrons in rockabilly fold-over jeans. plaid cotton shirts, and slicked-back shiny hair work away on their laptops and read Nietzsche through thick rimmed framed glasses. Chat with like-minded friends through heavy haystack moustaches, While red headed future-santa claus's scratch their stringy orange beards as they look up at the menu deciding what drink to order. In my three days in Grand Rapids, i came here twice. It was a bit out of the way of my hotel (near the airport) but it was totally worth the drive. It was a warm, grounding space, with fresh, flavorful coffee that made me feel centered and comforted me from long days of flighty scattered travels for work. Conveniently located next to Uncle Cheetah's Soup kitchen and across the street from the Wealthy Art Deco Independent theater, you can easily spend an afternoon in the area. Maybe sample the salmon bisque or the tomato saffron at the Soup shop, drink coffee till you are wired at The Sparrow and end your evening with a movie at the Wealthy!
(4)Carrie G.
Best chai tea around. Very friendly staff. Great atmosphere too. A lot of hipsters, but welcoming to everyone.
(4)Douglas E.
Sparrows has an uniquely simple vibe that is hard to do justice to in writing... but I'll do my best. Tucked away in the rough-edged Eastown of Grand Rapids, it truly is something special. The coffee is great, there is a extensive (but not overwhelming) menu including a wide range of teas and a mingled selection of cleverly named coffee specialties. The atmosphere is inviting and the people are outwardly friendly. The staff is knowledgeable and consistent but often are working solo so patience is a must. The most intriguing thing about this place is that it seems as though every type of person can enjoy their drink in harmony. I see some of the most interestingly dressed people that I have ever seen sitting next to the typical businessman on a regular basis. How refreshing! Another really cool thing is the newsstand. I can always count on finding something that interests me one way or another. Not outrageously priced, and with a selection that not many coffee shops can rival, I can honestly say that I would suggest this to anyone who asked. There is free WiFi and seating outside for those nice summer days. Completely organic and fair-trade, you simply can't go wrong with this place.
(4)Waylon D.
Though I should perhaps have post traumatic flash backs of study binges at Sparrows during my days at Calvin College, the spot still brings a smile to my face. Now that I have graduated, I love to come back here when I am in town and grab a cup of tea with a friend. Sparrows can get a little crowded, so perhaps it is better a place to grab a drink with a friend, as opposed to studying. When you are looking for crucial study space, quiet spots or spots next to outlets can become a little limited. The menu here is great. I always find a favorite on the seasonal menu. My all time favorite was the frauline maria. The staff is friendly, but often a one-man-show, so be patient.
(4)Julia D.
This has to be the hipster capital of GR. It even has a bird on it! That said, the hipsters seem to know where good coffee can be found. This place isn't your run-of-the-mill coffee shop. Of course they have the standards because they have coffee, espresso, and milk. DUH. They also feature a variety of fun little drinks and concoctions as well as some lovely baked goods. I cooled off one Saturday afternoon with friends and it was just perfect.
(4)Faith H.
This is a great independent coffee house, well worth the detour from the freeway if you are going through Grand Rapids.
(5)Anny C.
Cute coffeeshop for studying! I got their genmaicha. Their teapot is really creative. When you put it on top of your cup, the bottom releases and pours out tea but when you put it on your tabletop, the bottom plugs up. I've never seen anything like that before! I hate studying at coffee shops where I come out reeking of coffee, but after three hours of sitting there, I came out relatively coffee-stink free!
(5)Jessica B.
I liked this place when I lived in Grand Rapids. They had great espresso and a really wide selection of tea. I visited again while I was back in GR in November and I was happy. It was quiet, they played Arcade Fire's The Suburbs, and I had some great mint yerba mate.
(4)amy g.
I LOVE this place. I might actually love it slightly more than 76 Coffee and I LOVE that place. So that's saying something for sure. But because I tend to be more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker, I opt for this place over 76. The first time we went I think it was fairly obvious because we were probably a pain in the ass, asking questions and wanting to smell all of the teas. And the wonderful young lady working the counter could not have been more helpful. Just a nice environment all-around. And they have good bubble tea! That's nice =D
(5)Corey H.
A true find. Sadly it seems as it's left to the locals to enjoy, as it's not on the way to anywhere. So if you're staying in Grand Rapids on business or visiting for a bit, then by all means make your way over to Sparrows. What I love more than anything else is that the offering here is complete. Complete for tea, complete for coffee, complete for coffee concoctions. WIFI, check. Knowledgeable baristas, check. Charming character, check. Opposite of Starbucks, check! Approaching the door, be careful not to rip it off the hinges (it's surprisingly light). While you might impress your company with how well your P90X is coming along, it'll be a bit embarrassing while entering the small interior of the cafe. Along the right wall is a great collection of periodicals. And we DO NOT call them magazines. Magazines are different. These are smart, low production jobs that sell a few thousand of these high quality glossies. I did notice how many more Macs there were than PCs. I sat with one of the PCs and I felt a bit odd. Not nearly as cool, and I have a feeling that he felt the same way too. I moved. One more kudo, this spot is serving drinks in actual glassware. And I've never gotten one of those pretentious designs in my latte foam. When I do I want to scream. It was cute once. But now I just feel cheap and used when I receive a heart or leaf in my foam. It's like... save it for your girlfriend and stop flirting with me. I'm not gonna do you just cause you can make cute designs in my foam. Blech.
(4)Mandie A.
I've only been here a couple of times, but both times have been really positive experiences. They have free internet, and lots of delicious drinks. Their tea is served in these little devices that you put on top of your mug. I don't drink coffee, so I liked that they had many different kinds of teas and non- coffee drinks. There is also a huge selection of magazines and newspapers for sale if you're looking for something in particular. A few locally made goods, such as jewelry, are also sold here. It's nice to have a laid- back local coffeehouse to go to.
(5)Brian B.
There's a lot of great independent coffee shops in Grand Rapids, and The Sparrows is one of the best. I lived down the street from the place for a while, and I made a habit of walking down there when I needed a change of scenery, or a copy of the New York Times. It's a comfortable and inviting place to be, whether you need to get some work done, or have a chat with friends. If you're there solo, without much to do, there's an eclectic selection of magazines that are hard to find elsewhere, which is so much nicer than thumbing your way through some ratty communal GR Press. Great decor, great coffee, and a wonderful tea selection.
(5)Samuel C.
The best Coffee Shop in Grand Rapids. Best Staff. Best Bosses. Awesome magazine selection for purchase. Local cooks, and artists showcase here all the time. Def worth your gold. Max capacity during the winter is cramped at around 35, but in the summer seating is available in the garden and on Wealthy. Truly a gorgeous spot.
(5)Constantine F.
This is the first place I ever had coffee in GR. They make one of the best espresso I've ever had. My fiancée loves their lattes too. Of coarse the quality varies with each barista, otherwise I would have given five starts. I am looking forward to trying their crepes and teas.
(4)Mark V.
Best coffee shop on Wealthy Street. Charming is the word.
(5)Jane M.
A sweet little place with a good feeling about it. They have completely covered a wall with a selection of magazines and newspapers for reading, and lined their long counter with jars of loose leaf teas. There are two old comfy chairs by the front window, good for watching the rain.
(4)J S.
Awesome atmosphere. Excellent home made pastries. Most god awful coffee I have ever tasted.
(3)Dustin T.
One of the best coffee shops in the city. Great local coffee and a selection of magazines which are great and also very different from your normal book-store-selection.
(5)Annie K.
Ok, so I have been looking for a tea house and I have heard "Sparrow" being thrown around but never knew exactly where it was and what it was. So after hearing the words tea and Sparrow in the same sentence I decided to look it up and check it out. I met my friend, also a lover of tea, for tea. Its a great little place and they have a great selection of teas. You order tea (or coffee if you must) and you take this cool tea brewing canister to your seat. *sidenote: even if you go to check out what this tea brewing canister is...do it!* you can get free water refills, so since it was cold we got a refill and had a great time. The atmosphere is very neat - magazines, books, and newspapers line the large wall. Its a great place! You have to check them out! I can't believe they have been around and it took me this long to get there. However, I am meeting my friend there again this weekend so all is not lost. Oh and how can you not love them even more when they are organic and fair-trade? Its not like most other places in town. Try it! You'll love it! Save me a seat!
(4)K W.
Charming little cafe with outdoor seating and always interesting people watching. Great espresso too. Friendly staff that knows their stuff. A great place to relax with a book on a sunny summer day.
(5)Jennifer Z.
Hands down my favorite coffee shop in town. The cozy atmosphere and great music makes it a great place to hang out or study. They have a wide selection of tea, coffee, and even boba drinks. And If you get bored, there are eclectic magazines and books to browse. The main reason I love it is because it reminds me of coffee shops I used to visit in Austin, TX, where I moved here from. If you have been to Austin before, you'll understand how big of a compliment that was.
(5)Mighty M.
The Sparrows is a unique little joint that just has a very welcoming vibe. I love the crowd here. Customers and staff alike are very friendly. They have amazing Fair Trade Loose Leaf teas, and free wireless. My favorite local coffee shop.
(5)Matthew R.
I've only visited here once, but loved the ambiance of the place. Has that home-town, non-chain independent feel that breeds loyalty.
(4)Mike O.
I was lured here by the promise of "newstand", and found the establishment slightly lacking in that department, but it was such a great and amazing business, it totally made up for the small periodical selection. I thought this place was tops! It's a coffee shop with a rack on the wall featuring some magazines, zines and local publications, collections of prose and poetry. There were, I would estimate, 20 titles offered. And great stuff, too! Mental Floss, Bust, Wax Poetics, etc, but a limited selection nonetheless. I suppose I should make a disclaimer: When people say that, it's sometimes because they didn't have what they were looking for. In this case, I was found a couple of things, but I think, my concern was that it is called a "newstand", and by those standards, the selection was kind of small, yet, at the same time, fitting to the location. Small, but very good, if that helps? As for the coffee portion of the shop, they had a good selection of coffee drinks, as well as tea and bottled sodas and juices - stuff like Jones Soda, and other high-quality drinks. They had some exciting pastry options - I tried an apple pastry that mixed perfectly with the coffee and the magazine and really hit the spot on a cold day. The decor is very cool - a perfect bohemian coffee spot, a place to get a cup and relax with a good tome and get lost in your thoughts. It's in a homey building full of wood fixtures and charm. If I lived here, this would be a regular hang-out for sure.
(5)Anna P.
this is my favorite coffee shop in GR. they do not roast their own coffee though, they use rowsters. they make a specialty drink called the Behemoth that's really good, but i prefer vietnamese coffees and they took it off the menu and some of the baristas wont make it for me, which is super annoying since others will. the teas are great. the atmosphere is super hipster. i'm not really into that, but i like the small patio. the buildings old and cool. one of the main baristas is so quiet it drives me nuts. i can never hear her. ever. it sounds like she has a perminant sore throat. idk, maybe not worth complaining about. it's a bit expensive but definitely worth it. it can be pretty busy on the weekends.
(4)Andrew W.
Was a bit letdown by my macchiato. The place has the right vibe for a stellar espresso beverage, but I think the barista may not have been on her A game.
(3)Tim R.
Just a great spot! Love the atmosphere and the coffee is excellent. It's spots like this that make Grand Rapids such a charming town.
(5)Nora M.
Good coffee, free street parking, fairly quiet in an older building with wood floors. If this was closer to my house I would be a regular. Fairly small inside.
(4)Christian R.
Place is great. Excellent variety of gourmet coffees, great music playing. Really nice area to get work done. HIPSTER CENTRAL
(5)Mina S.
I have visited this place a few times. I really love comming in. I am not a "hipster" ( So old school here LOL) However, as a regular mom consumer, I really do love the atomopshere of this coffee shop. The wooden floors, the vintage and artsy feel is fantastic. I felt very welcomed by the staff and my coffee drinks have always tasted great. A regular cup of coffee can run you about 2 bucks, so it is a bit pricey, but I feel its worth every penny, especially when you come in with freinds to chat. This place is not as crowded as the other coffee shops either, so I do feel its a nice hidden gem in the city.
(5)