Shinola Cafe

The Vibe: Chill, soothing, peaceful

Our emoji to describe it: 😌

About Shinola:

Shinola’s Ann Arbor location is not visibly a coffee shop from the outside. The Detroit-based company is primarily a luxury watch and bag shop. But, as evidenced by the coffee shop tucked in the basement of S. Main Street and the existence of their hotel in Detroit, Shinola has expanded into other areas of business.

What we think of the coffee: 

I can only speak to the latte I had at Shinola, as that’s my go-to order at most coffee shops. The latte was $5, but I like the flavor, as the foaminess on top undercuts the slight bitterness of the espresso shot. The aftertaste settles pleasantly, and I was left with a sense of contentment after drinking my coffee, which matched the vibes of the space itself. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back and order another latte, or try out a different drink. 

What we think of the space:

Despite its shiny exterior and the promise of luxury, the coffee shop itself feels laid back. The only reminders that Shinola is anything other than a coffee shop are the black-and-white pictures of watches on the sleek black walls. The slightly dim lighting and the soothing music choices give the impression that you’re in a mostly empty bar, slow dancing to jazz. The L-shaped couch features round tables big enough for a laptop and smaller coffee tables, giving options to either study or chat. Time slips away as Shinola’s coffee shop transports its patrons to a more relaxing reality. 

Daily Arts Writer Kristen Su can be reached at krsu@umich.edu.

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