My favorite place to grab a coffee, delicious fresh bakery and work on my computer
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Muffin, Scone
Debbie mancino
We had heard about Ashlawn in Yankee Magazine and figured we’d try it when in the Saybrook area. Loved it and coffee did not disappoint! Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Emily
Ashlawn is more than a just a good cafe - it’s a gathering place for locals and passerby alike. It evokes a warmth that other places just cant replicate. Ive shared conversations and caffeine with friends and family, and written dozens of papers aside the wood stove. I look forward to the art, poetry and music. Pro-tip: arrive before the 9am rush and grab a warm scone and a coffee for “here” (save a paper cup) and savor the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
victoria campanella
Great coffee! Register girl slays so hard
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bob L
I’ve tried this place three or four times. I’ve never gotten what I ordered, something is always wrong. The coffee is a little bit below average it’s just disappointing to get away 5 miles and find out your coffee was made wrong or you have the wrong pastry. The woman who own the place is a wonderful person, I wish the employees had less attitude, less snootiness and were more attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kat Woods
Five stars is not nearly enough! Best coffee on the shoreline, and the blueberry lemon muffin is to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Quiche
Will G
We’ve been coming for years. Since before there was always a line out the door. With the caveat that this only applies to the cold brew coffee, the quality is erratic and overall seems to have declined significantly. Probably four or five bad experiences in a row at this point. Once we took only a few sips before throwing them out and returning home to have some coffee from the grocery store. We’ve had an employee question what we were ordering once which makes me wonder if the same product is consistently available. Will probably give it one more shot because we really did used to love it.On the bright side, we got a scone on our most recent trip and it was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
James Graydon
Definitely the best coffee in the area, hands down. The food program is great, too, plus they have quite a bit of space to sit and enjoy your drink/food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Zoe Gargesh
I ❤️ their Valentines drink! Place is so cute and cozy.
Disappointing first experience. Was excited to try out Ashlawn for the first time. Looks great online, has a rustic look and they seem to be a small business. I was planning to sit and enjoy a nice coffee and pastry. I went in and ordered. Was asked my name, was handed a bag with my pastries and that was it - , no plate offered, no napkins- but i did get the tip flip screen. As a first timer was I supposed to sit down? I wasn't handed our coffees (as they would need making) so guessing they would call and that there was a pickup location. The person who took my order provided no information and asked no other questions aside from my name. There is a pickup counter and they called me after a few minutes. Was disappointed to have our coffees served in paper cups with plastic lids and having to eat my muffin over a napkin. I don't mind this if I was sitting outside on bench but we were inside sharing a coffee table with another couple. I expected the experience to be better than Starbucks but it was no different. The interior is cozier maybe but the customer service was just as abrupt and "fast." Upon leaving I spotted a bucket with real mugs so they are available apparently they are just not offered. Overall not the experience I was expecting. My advice - treat all customers like new customers. Tell them how your shop works, what the process is. Offer them any options upfront.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Jen S.
Inasmuch as I like Ashlawn's ambience and their food/coffee, I'm fed up with their service (and, in the case of today, lack thereof). Twice now I've had my growler re-filled, only to find half the bottle was foam. The first time I literally went back after getting home, to show the young man who filled it what was left in the jug by the time it had settled. Not only did he seem annoyed for some reason, he didnt even offer an apology for his error and/or the inconvenience to me. A couple of months later the same thing happened when my daughter brought it in to be refilled for me. I didn't even bother to bring it back, so we paid full price for half a growler. Additionally, a blond woman who works there is quite snotty; not only was she rude on my latest visit but one of the two muffins she put in the to-go bag that I ordered wasnt what I'd asked for. Additionally, she barely had greeted me when I smiled and said hello, and didn't thank me for the tip I left or for coming in. And now, my husband just drove there to pick up some items only to find it closed. It's Sunday; I guess the inch of snow we got is just too much to handle. Frankly, based on the unprofessional responses to some reviews on here by the "owner" I suppose this kind of indifference and unacceptable service should be expected. So we'll bring our business elsewhere.
Gregory B.
Our favorite spot to get a hot latte and a delicious Morning Glory Muffin to go with it. I love that it is not a "National Chain" coffee shop. I purchase locally owned whenever I can.
Olivia Nelson
The coffee/espresso is really good and they have lots of cool options. I got the Aztec coffee which she explained to me was hot cocoa coffee and it was delicious! My boyfriend got the s’mores coffee and was also a big fan. They also have some awesome soda options and a cute atmosphere. The one downside is it’s a little on the expensive end, but worth a try for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Philip Morkel
NO STARS!!!!! Bought your Black Angus Dark Roast beans and it is utterly disgusting how you can ruin the beans!!! It’s bitter and gooey….. learned from Starbucks how to ruin coffee?
Politicized coffee
My favorite place to grab a coffee, delicious fresh bakery and work on my computer
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Muffin, Scone
We had heard about Ashlawn in Yankee Magazine and figured we’d try it when in the Saybrook area. Loved it and coffee did not disappoint! Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ashlawn is more than a just a good cafe - it’s a gathering place for locals and passerby alike. It evokes a warmth that other places just cant replicate. Ive shared conversations and caffeine with friends and family, and written dozens of papers aside the wood stove. I look forward to the art, poetry and music. Pro-tip: arrive before the 9am rush and grab a warm scone and a coffee for “here” (save a paper cup) and savor the ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great coffee! Register girl slays so hard
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve tried this place three or four times. I’ve never gotten what I ordered, something is always wrong. The coffee is a little bit below average it’s just disappointing to get away 5 miles and find out your coffee was made wrong or you have the wrong pastry. The woman who own the place is a wonderful person, I wish the employees had less attitude, less snootiness and were more attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Five stars is not nearly enough! Best coffee on the shoreline, and the blueberry lemon muffin is to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Quiche
We’ve been coming for years. Since before there was always a line out the door. With the caveat that this only applies to the cold brew coffee, the quality is erratic and overall seems to have declined significantly. Probably four or five bad experiences in a row at this point. Once we took only a few sips before throwing them out and returning home to have some coffee from the grocery store. We’ve had an employee question what we were ordering once which makes me wonder if the same product is consistently available. Will probably give it one more shot because we really did used to love it.On the bright side, we got a scone on our most recent trip and it was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Definitely the best coffee in the area, hands down. The food program is great, too, plus they have quite a bit of space to sit and enjoy your drink/food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
I ❤️ their Valentines drink! Place is so cute and cozy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Disappointing first experience. Was excited to try out Ashlawn for the first time. Looks great online, has a rustic look and they seem to be a small business. I was planning to sit and enjoy a nice coffee and pastry. I went in and ordered. Was asked my name, was handed a bag with my pastries and that was it - , no plate offered, no napkins- but i did get the tip flip screen. As a first timer was I supposed to sit down? I wasn't handed our coffees (as they would need making) so guessing they would call and that there was a pickup location. The person who took my order provided no information and asked no other questions aside from my name. There is a pickup counter and they called me after a few minutes. Was disappointed to have our coffees served in paper cups with plastic lids and having to eat my muffin over a napkin. I don't mind this if I was sitting outside on bench but we were inside sharing a coffee table with another couple. I expected the experience to be better than Starbucks but it was no different. The interior is cozier maybe but the customer service was just as abrupt and "fast." Upon leaving I spotted a bucket with real mugs so they are available apparently they are just not offered. Overall not the experience I was expecting. My advice - treat all customers like new customers. Tell them how your shop works, what the process is. Offer them any options upfront.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Inasmuch as I like Ashlawn's ambience and their food/coffee, I'm fed up with their service (and, in the case of today, lack thereof). Twice now I've had my growler re-filled, only to find half the bottle was foam. The first time I literally went back after getting home, to show the young man who filled it what was left in the jug by the time it had settled. Not only did he seem annoyed for some reason, he didnt even offer an apology for his error and/or the inconvenience to me. A couple of months later the same thing happened when my daughter brought it in to be refilled for me. I didn't even bother to bring it back, so we paid full price for half a growler. Additionally, a blond woman who works there is quite snotty; not only was she rude on my latest visit but one of the two muffins she put in the to-go bag that I ordered wasnt what I'd asked for. Additionally, she barely had greeted me when I smiled and said hello, and didn't thank me for the tip I left or for coming in. And now, my husband just drove there to pick up some items only to find it closed. It's Sunday; I guess the inch of snow we got is just too much to handle. Frankly, based on the unprofessional responses to some reviews on here by the "owner" I suppose this kind of indifference and unacceptable service should be expected. So we'll bring our business elsewhere.
Our favorite spot to get a hot latte and a delicious Morning Glory Muffin to go with it. I love that it is not a "National Chain" coffee shop. I purchase locally owned whenever I can.
The coffee/espresso is really good and they have lots of cool options. I got the Aztec coffee which she explained to me was hot cocoa coffee and it was delicious! My boyfriend got the s’mores coffee and was also a big fan. They also have some awesome soda options and a cute atmosphere. The one downside is it’s a little on the expensive end, but worth a try for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
NO STARS!!!!! Bought your Black Angus Dark Roast beans and it is utterly disgusting how you can ruin the beans!!! It’s bitter and gooey….. learned from Starbucks how to ruin coffee?