Backhouse Café Coffee & Tea

Always friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best barista in town!
Great for plain coffee, fancy flavored coffee (hot or iced), tea & small bites (muffins, mini-quiches, scones)
Located in historic & beautiful Victorian house

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The Backhouse is worth the visit for the atmosphere alone. The restored Victorian feels like a museum- very intentionally refurbished.
The owners love their coffee and serve it well. I would be there TOO often if I was a local…
June gave my friend and I a little tour of the shop and some of its historical features.

I hope to be back soon.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loved the coffee! Ask for a quick tour when you go. It has a gorgeous interior!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My friends and I have become regulars at Backhouse because of its close proximity to campus and because we enjoy the aesthetics of the building. I’ve heard people at school say the owners aren’t the friendliest, but I never experienced this for myself until today.

I have a chronic condition and take a medication that requires me to hit my protein goals every day. Fairlife protein shakes and milk are a key part of maintaining those goals. I brought my own glass of Fairlife milk and asked the owner’s wife if I was able to just get a shot of espresso and a cup of ice on the side so I could build my own latte.

She seemed very confused by this request, and I did my best to further clarify. She called her husband over to help interpret what I wanted. The wife, visibly upset, turned to walk away, but her husband harshly told her to come back. They asked what kind of milk I had, asked why it was so special, and wanted to see the milk I had brought. I was told that I would be charged the full price of a latte even though I brought my own milk because “I was still using their cups and ice.” (I had brought my own glass.) They thankfully ended up not charging me for a full latte, just the espresso, but I am still very saddened by this experience. My friend then went to order, and the wife passive-aggressively said, “and do you also have a special milk?”

I have worked in the specialty coffee industry for years now, I even managed a shop at one point. I understand the numbers and what it costs to run a coffee shop. It’s not uncommon a customer will come in and do the exact thing I requested. I have gone to other shops in the area and ordered this with no problems. People have dietary restrictions and dietary goals, and that is none of their business. I’m still a paying customer, and I should not have to explain myself or be treated like a delinquent.

The number one rule in hospitality and customer service is to give the customer what they want. A happy customer is a returning customer. A few cents of profit loss is not worth a regular never returning. To the owners: people go to third-wave shops not only for the coffee, but for the community and the experience. We need to keep the specialty coffee world alive and well, and not let chains and corporations take over what we value. I hope you do not see this as an attack on your business, but an opportunity for reflection and change. Have a great day!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 1

Nice place to relax with family members.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent service and food/drink in an amazing old style home reproduced in wonderful detail and tastefully decorated! The ambiance is impeccable!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A gem of a place in middle of Williamsport town. The owner and staff were super polite. We had an amazing time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stopped here on a road trip and was so impressed! Gorgeous space, great drinks, and the cinnamon chip scone was perfect.

I had my final visit today. This visit marked about the 5th time I’ve had to navigate his (the owner’s) strange, way-too-forceful nature and I’m done. Best quiche around. Lovely decor. My wife loves the coffee. But today was the last straw for me. I was told I couldn’t be on my laptop…in what universe does a coffee shop prohibit laptops (iPads)(?) and the place was half full. There was an older gentleman playing his phone on speaker! He was far more disruptive than I. Again, not the first time I’ve had run-ins with them. But hey, it’s their business and they can run it how they want. I agree the daughter is very nice. But I will never go back.

I had my final visit today. This visit marked about the 5th time I’ve had to navigate his (the owner’s) strange, way-too-forceful nature and I’m done. Best quiche around. Lovely decor. My wife loves the coffee. But today was the last straw for me. I was told I couldn’t be on my laptop…in what universe does a coffee shop prohibit laptops (iPads)(?) and the place was half full. There was an older gentleman playing his phone on speaker! He was far more disruptive than I. Again, not the first time I’ve had run-ins with them. But hey, it’s their business and they can run it how they want. I agree the daughter is very nice. But I will never go back.

I enjoyed my visit. This café is quiet and full of historical aspects. The prices were affordable and tasty. I recommend a visit.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I enjoyed my visit. This café is quiet and full of historical aspects. The prices were affordable and tasty. I recommend a visit.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best place in town for coffee!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just WOW. I was completely blown away by this classy but welcoming coffee shop. I absolutely loved the old Victorian building it is in, and we really enjoyed the spread out seating in different rooms. You can chill on a couch with a friend, curl up in a corner, or use a table if you’d like. There were also tables and chairs out on the lawn. The menu all sounded fantastic, and they also had some tasty looking baked goods. The barista was super friendly, as well as efficient! I wanted to try a signature drink but just went with a basic iced vanilla latte. The espresso was some of the best I’ve ever had! It was a tad on the sweeter side to me, but I still enjoyed every bit of it! I really can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5