I am going to echo what others are saying in these reviews. Unlike the other 3 Trees locations I have been to, I had an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience. After reading these reviews, I feel like their concern is with students robbing them of their profit and taking advantage of the space, which I can understand, but the shop was empty during our visit. Although I now understand that there are certain tables reserved for Laptops, the man (who I presume is the owner) who approached us about this was unpleasant in an tone. Another reviewer mentioned that they were uncomfortable being stared down at, another mentioned the shop was run like an authoritarian rule, and I agree. Alternatively, he could have suggested us to move to another table, but he did not, instead encouraging us to leave the store. I had to ask the cashier about where laptops could be used. While I understand this rule, the shop was completely empty at the time other than one other table. We could have been asked respectfully to move to one of the permitted Laptop Zones, but this was not mentioned to us, so this came off to me like he was trying to get rid of us.In previous reviews, the owner mentions that there are other spots on campus to study and this is why they have the policies they do (eg. no outside food policies for food safety reasons), and while this is true, there are going to be students coming to the shop to study regardless, maybe for a change of scenery, maybe because they like coffee, shops. I feel like their strict policies creates a hostile environment that is elitist and discriminatory. While I love supporting and have worked within family-owned cafes, I feel like these behaviours completely discourage people from returning. Being near UBC Campus means there will be a lot of students and other businesses in the area even create incentives for students to come in (eg. student discounts), but this establishment seems quite prejudiced against students, as their negative biases expose themselves through these reviews. I love Trees Coffee, and this location is new, clean, and peaceful, but the customer service entirely disappointed me, and I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee
Ros
First visit to this coffee cafe. Staff so very nice and, personable and attentive. Clearly take pride in what they do. Atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming.
Coffee was really outstanding and scone was tasty but maybe a little sweet for me. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Blair Parton
Their coffees taste burnt and bitter, their teas have no flavour. The lids on their cups do not fit tightly and have caused severe burns from leaking between the cup and lid. The food is severely overpriced and the serving sizes are so small. I’ve been here at least a dozen times and the experience has been exactly the same every time, do yourself a favour and visit the cafe inside urban fare next door instead..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
David VB
-Best mocha in town!-Other coffee drinks are excellent-We buy the Mexico beans here for our home espresso maker- Our favourite muffin is here!- Excellent sandwiches and wraps - we take them home for a light dinner- Tomasso & Francesca bring their Italian sensibility for a warm, friendly ambience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee, Banana Muffin, Muffin, Vegan Power Cookie
Brian Choi
Never before experienced such a beautiful environment be tainted by uncomfortable service at a cafe! Situated at one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of campus, students should feel welcome and wanted in a space like this, but that isn't case. The coffee was a cool 5/10, with great latte art, but the manager proceeded to turn off the outlet power during my stay. Went to go use the bathroom before I left and manager told me to walk to another bathroom 10 minutes away because he was planning on cleaning it despite someone else having just used it. Very baffling experience coupled with unnecessary hostility towards a paying customer and student just looking for somewhere to relax, do readings, and enjoy the day. Definitely would advise towards choosing a different cafe on campus, your time and peace of mind will thank you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
kiwan kim
I've been to this location a few times. Every time I stay here for more than 1 hour, I feel like they don't want me to stay. Asking me to move away from my seat so they can hang some painting or came by and asking if I needed something. Bizarre vibe.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Adriana
Cafe atmosphere was very nice and the barista was incredibly friendly. It's been difficult to find a good cafe that serves fair trade coffee, so I'm glad I found this one now!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee
Aman Mathur
The person behind the register is an absolute jem! Always greets us with a "ciao" and gave us dark chocolate covered almonds out of nowhere! A must visit just to meet our homie!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee, Vegan Wrap
Cameron Bouchard
Extremely rude service. I came here to get a coffee and work, and when I ordered a drip coffee the manager (and owner) bluntly said "this isn't a public library". When I asked him to clarify what he meant by that he would not, but I think it's pretty clear. I'm very shocked by this as they offer drip coffee for purchase. I did not expect to get told off for simply asking to order an item off their menu in the nearly empty coffee shop. Apparently this ON CAMPUS coffee shop is not an accepting place of students.
Love the atmosphere and the cheesecake! The Barista Sam is very sweet and helpful when decising to order and quick. Tom and Francesca provide such a fun atmosphere and mood!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Patry
Went in for the half-off cheese cake deal today with some friends and the service was pretty bad. We showed up an hour early, so ordered coffees and sat at a table just doing some school work. Was about to order cheese cakes and the owner came over and got mad at us for staying too long and told us it "Wasn't a public library." We had only been there for about an hour and the cafe was only like 1/3 full, but he aggressively kicked us out. Trees in general is a good chain, but don't recommend this location. Wont be going back.
Service: 1
Winter W.
Beautiful coffee shop with tall windows that let in the natural light. I especially love their comfy armchairs and carved wooden end tables! They have a rotating exhibit of local artists and occasional live music events. Perfect place for a lazy afternoon chatting with friends.Vegetarian options: Quite a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Highly recommend the blueberry vegan scone and organic salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Latte and Tiramisu Cheesecake
Margot Wind
I love the cheesecakes and the chai latte! And also the fact that they they use compostable cups AMAZING
Bici Bici
Great coffee shop!Coffee is definitely the best in the area. Delicious bakery, fresh everyday. (The blueberry scone is my favorite). Cheesecakes are to die for!I love the vibes, there are a lot of tables to study and work (I am a student). Super friendly staff. If you have the chance, you should chat with the owner, he had some great adventures and he’s always happy to share some stories!Vegetarian options: Yummy vegan wrap, vegan samosas, sandwiches, scone and muffin. Also, plant based milk (oat, soy, almond)Kid-friendliness: I don’t have kids, but many families come here and staff always have special surprises for little customers
Best coffee…robust and served with such a warm and gracious service. Will be back for the best coffee I have had since arriving on UBC
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Coffee chicken sandwich tiramisu cheesecake
I am going to echo what others are saying in these reviews. Unlike the other 3 Trees locations I have been to, I had an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience. After reading these reviews, I feel like their concern is with students robbing them of their profit and taking advantage of the space, which I can understand, but the shop was empty during our visit. Although I now understand that there are certain tables reserved for Laptops, the man (who I presume is the owner) who approached us about this was unpleasant in an tone. Another reviewer mentioned that they were uncomfortable being stared down at, another mentioned the shop was run like an authoritarian rule, and I agree. Alternatively, he could have suggested us to move to another table, but he did not, instead encouraging us to leave the store. I had to ask the cashier about where laptops could be used. While I understand this rule, the shop was completely empty at the time other than one other table. We could have been asked respectfully to move to one of the permitted Laptop Zones, but this was not mentioned to us, so this came off to me like he was trying to get rid of us.In previous reviews, the owner mentions that there are other spots on campus to study and this is why they have the policies they do (eg. no outside food policies for food safety reasons), and while this is true, there are going to be students coming to the shop to study regardless, maybe for a change of scenery, maybe because they like coffee, shops. I feel like their strict policies creates a hostile environment that is elitist and discriminatory. While I love supporting and have worked within family-owned cafes, I feel like these behaviours completely discourage people from returning. Being near UBC Campus means there will be a lot of students and other businesses in the area even create incentives for students to come in (eg. student discounts), but this establishment seems quite prejudiced against students, as their negative biases expose themselves through these reviews. I love Trees Coffee, and this location is new, clean, and peaceful, but the customer service entirely disappointed me, and I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee
First visit to this coffee cafe. Staff so very nice and, personable and attentive. Clearly take pride in what they do. Atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Coffee was really outstanding and scone was tasty but maybe a little sweet for me. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their coffees taste burnt and bitter, their teas have no flavour. The lids on their cups do not fit tightly and have caused severe burns from leaking between the cup and lid. The food is severely overpriced and the serving sizes are so small. I’ve been here at least a dozen times and the experience has been exactly the same every time, do yourself a favour and visit the cafe inside urban fare next door instead..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
-Best mocha in town!-Other coffee drinks are excellent-We buy the Mexico beans here for our home espresso maker- Our favourite muffin is here!- Excellent sandwiches and wraps - we take them home for a light dinner- Tomasso & Francesca bring their Italian sensibility for a warm, friendly ambience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee, Banana Muffin, Muffin, Vegan Power Cookie
Never before experienced such a beautiful environment be tainted by uncomfortable service at a cafe! Situated at one of the most beautiful and peaceful parts of campus, students should feel welcome and wanted in a space like this, but that isn't case. The coffee was a cool 5/10, with great latte art, but the manager proceeded to turn off the outlet power during my stay. Went to go use the bathroom before I left and manager told me to walk to another bathroom 10 minutes away because he was planning on cleaning it despite someone else having just used it. Very baffling experience coupled with unnecessary hostility towards a paying customer and student just looking for somewhere to relax, do readings, and enjoy the day. Definitely would advise towards choosing a different cafe on campus, your time and peace of mind will thank you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I've been to this location a few times. Every time I stay here for more than 1 hour, I feel like they don't want me to stay. Asking me to move away from my seat so they can hang some painting or came by and asking if I needed something. Bizarre vibe.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Cafe atmosphere was very nice and the barista was incredibly friendly. It's been difficult to find a good cafe that serves fair trade coffee, so I'm glad I found this one now!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee
The person behind the register is an absolute jem! Always greets us with a "ciao" and gave us dark chocolate covered almonds out of nowhere! A must visit just to meet our homie!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Organic Coffee, Vegan Wrap
Extremely rude service. I came here to get a coffee and work, and when I ordered a drip coffee the manager (and owner) bluntly said "this isn't a public library". When I asked him to clarify what he meant by that he would not, but I think it's pretty clear. I'm very shocked by this as they offer drip coffee for purchase. I did not expect to get told off for simply asking to order an item off their menu in the nearly empty coffee shop. Apparently this ON CAMPUS coffee shop is not an accepting place of students.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Love the atmosphere and the cheesecake! The Barista Sam is very sweet and helpful when decising to order and quick. Tom and Francesca provide such a fun atmosphere and mood!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went in for the half-off cheese cake deal today with some friends and the service was pretty bad. We showed up an hour early, so ordered coffees and sat at a table just doing some school work. Was about to order cheese cakes and the owner came over and got mad at us for staying too long and told us it "Wasn't a public library." We had only been there for about an hour and the cafe was only like 1/3 full, but he aggressively kicked us out. Trees in general is a good chain, but don't recommend this location. Wont be going back.
Service: 1
Beautiful coffee shop with tall windows that let in the natural light. I especially love their comfy armchairs and carved wooden end tables! They have a rotating exhibit of local artists and occasional live music events. Perfect place for a lazy afternoon chatting with friends.Vegetarian options: Quite a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Highly recommend the blueberry vegan scone and organic salad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Latte and Tiramisu Cheesecake
I love the cheesecakes and the chai latte! And also the fact that they they use compostable cups AMAZING
Great coffee shop!Coffee is definitely the best in the area. Delicious bakery, fresh everyday. (The blueberry scone is my favorite). Cheesecakes are to die for!I love the vibes, there are a lot of tables to study and work (I am a student). Super friendly staff. If you have the chance, you should chat with the owner, he had some great adventures and he’s always happy to share some stories!Vegetarian options: Yummy vegan wrap, vegan samosas, sandwiches, scone and muffin. Also, plant based milk (oat, soy, almond)Kid-friendliness: I don’t have kids, but many families come here and staff always have special surprises for little customers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissant Sandwiches