Black Dog Cafe

229 Lake Ella Dr, Tallahassee, FL

★★★★★4.7(1,354 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

This lakeside gem captures old Florida charm with sprawling live oaks and a serene patio overlooking ducks and walking paths, making it as much a destination for nature lovers as coffee enthusiasts. The baristas bring genuine warmth to every order, whether you're grabbing a traditional espresso drink or their standout spiced apple cider, and the kitchen offers surprising depth with fresh pastries, light fare, and even soup. It's the kind of place where you can linger for hours with your pup, your laptop, or your friends—the kind of distinctive gathering spot that locals clearly treasure.

What to expect

Slow sitPastriesFamily friendlyMeetingsTraditional drinksDog friendlyWifiLight foodOutdoor seating

Google Reviews

Kelsey Drews
★★★★★a month ago

Love the atmosphere here! It’s got an old Florida vibe with the live oak and shady patio by the lake. They have a wide selection of pastries and nibbles. They even have soup. Every kind of coffee and tea and kombucha on tap.

ashley locey
★★★★a month ago

We stopped by Black Dog Cafe in Tallahassee and the location alone makes it worth visiting. It is absolutely beautiful. There are big trees, a lake with ducks, and a walking path that makes it feel so peaceful. It felt cozy and homey the second we got there. I love animals so being able to sit under a tree by the water, watch the ducks, and enjoy my coffee made it even better. I really appreciate that they will serve your drink in a regular mug if you ask. It just makes the experience feel more relaxed. They also offer to go cups if you need it. It seems like a lot of students study there which is nice because it has that comfortable atmosphere where you can hang out for a while. We both got cappuccinos. We are big coffee lovers and while it was good, we did wish it tasted a little less burnt and a bit smoother. I also wish they did latte art instead of just foam on top. It was still enjoyable, just could have been slightly more balanced. They have lots of drink options and different teas which I thought was great. They even sell cute little bags of oats so you can feed the ducks which I loved. They have food options too but we did not try them this time. The staff was very nice and welcoming. Overall I really enjoyed it and would definitely go back, especially for the setting and the peaceful vibe by the lake.

Kristin Caringola
★★★★★3 months ago

Great experience! The baristas were super nice and you could tell they love their jobs even tho it was a packed house and they could have easily been stressed - nope! They were vibing and churning out delicious drinks. We got vanilla Cortados with oat milk that were divine! Espresso is top tier. I’m so sad it was so cold we couldn’t enjoy the gorgeous patio overlooking the lake but it would be amazing in warmer weather. Such a quaint coffee shop. 10/10

LaCloteal INC
★★★★★4 months ago

Wonderful and Tasty Apple Cider with Cinnamon! Steaming hot and Freshly brewed! Kinda like a baked cinnamon apple made into a cider poured into a cup. Add it all together and it's heaven in fancy cup. I Highly recommend this warm wintery drink! ❤️

Greg Kimball
★★★★★8 months ago

I recently visited the Black Dog Cafe at 229 Lake Ella Dr, in Tallahassee, FL. I enjoyed my experience having a breakfast at this place. The decor is a little eclectic maybe but very homey. I went to the register and the very nice person helped me with some questions and I had a breakfast bar with coffee. Both were very good. Thanks

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