Espresso Royale Caffe

East Lansing, United States

3.7

20 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 517-332-5224
Website:
espressoroyale.com
Address:
527 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI, 48823
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.9 mi#1684 EBD Michigan past Mifflin
1.9 mi#1735 WBD Michigan before Kipling
2 mi#1683 EBD Michigan past Foster
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Today

Today –
Local time (East Lansing) 07:05 Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

At ERC we make all of our bakery items fresh right here in the store. Offering a variety of breads, muffins, scones and other homemade treats. We also offer VEGAN baked goods! To top it all off we roast all of our own coffee in Brighton, MI, to ensure that we get you the best and freshest cup of coffee in town.

History

Established in 1987.

The inspiration for «ERC» began in the early 80’s at traditional coffee houses of San Fran, and Berkley areas of California.

The first ERC was opened in 1987 and more sprung up across the country in college towns such as, Urbana, East Lansing, Minneapolis, Madison, Ann Arbor, and Athens.

The ERC house blend was formulated in 1987 and was designed for drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes with its full body, color, and flavor.

Espresso Royale has always been known for its friendly staff, unmatched drink quality and a service style that is casual and welcoming. That friendliness comes from a heartfelt philosophy. Not a company driven philosophy, but more a people driven philosophy.

These days, customers are a part of designing cafes, products and new directions. «We don’t tell customers what they will like and what they will buy» says Marcus, the company’s founder, «they lead us to understand where they are going in life and how we can do things better.»

Meet the Manager

Dustin S.

Manager

Hi, so I’ve been working for ERC since 2003 and still loving it. I fell in love with this place as a customer years before and after a brief stint in the real world I decided to try my luck in the coffee world. I always knew a desk job was not for me and ERC offered me a professional and enjoyable working environment where I was allowed to let loose my ideas in making the East Lansing store my own. At the time I had no idea what I was really getting into, all I knew was now my job to supply the atmosphere and culture that had drawn me here in the first place.

So here I am 6 years later, still serving coffee and I still get excited when I see the perfect cappuccino. So next time your in, feel free to stop and tell me what you think of my store. I’m always open to a fresh look and new ideas. If you don’t see me behind the counter, I’m probably enjoying a coffee and conversation on the front patio, so come say Hi. Hopefully you’ll love it as much as I do.

Espresso Royale Caffe also recommends

Peanut Barrel

154

reviews

Burgers

,

Sandwiches

,

Bars

Dustin S. says,

«Joe is a great guy, not just to his customers but his staff as well. Its the best burger in town and everything fits the budget.»

Nearby

Near this location:
40
ft
Taco Bell
601 E Grand River Ave
50
ft
Chipotle Mexican Grill
539 E Grand River
60
ft
Action Board Shop
514 E Grand River Ave Suit J
60
ft
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
523 E Grand River Ave
70
ft
Peanut Barrel
521 E Grand River Ave
70
ft
Flat Black & Circular
541 E Grand River Ave

20 reviews of Espresso Royale Caffe

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Place rating: 4
Trenton, MI
Great place to get some homework done or hangout with friends. This trendy coffee shop is definitely a place to check out right on Grand River. They have so many different drinks to try that it makes for a very hard decision in life. I got the matcha green tea latte with skim Milk and it was not too sweet. Only thing I wish was that they put less matcha because all of it did not dissolve. I also have tried the vanilla spice which is good. They have loose leaf tea so any tea latte you get is the freshest it can be. They have many flavored syrups so for the people who lean more towards coffee have no fear! The list of possible ways to get your coffee or espresso is endless!
Place rating: 3
Fort Myers, FL
Good, quiet place to get stuff done and enjoy a coffee or tea.
I had to clarify a few things with their menu, and found out they were adding flavoring syrup to make even their teas, which is not acceptable to me. I had to talk the barista through how to make a real version of what was on their menu. She did really well!
Espresso Royale would do better to include more comfier chairs and seating.
Place rating: 5
Lansing, MI
The have the best customer service and loose leaf tea… they have a very nice relaxing environment to to just sit back and relax while enjoying your drink.
Place rating: 4
New Braunfels, TX
Been around for years. Got hooked on their mochas. Gained 10 lbs their mochas their that good. Nice place to kick back and relax.
Place rating: 4
Lansing, MI
They are one if the only places in town you can get real chai– not the boxed powdery duff but actual chai they make themselves. And it’s delish. Also about the only place in town you can get loose leaf tea. The fireplace in cold weather: awesome cozy atmosphere.
Place rating: 2
Oshkosh, WI
This place is close to my office, which is mighty convenient. I always appreciated that they have fair trade coffee available. But I think today is the last straw, because they are always understaffed and the service suffers as a result.
Today I came in and there was one guy working alone. The place was packed and there was a line… as usual. I ordered just a large coffee. First, I missed a dime when he handed me my change and he just threw it in the tip jar. Yeah, it’s only ten cents but it’s MY ten cents to what I want with. But I can let that slide; maybe I made it look like I was just giving him ten cents (as weird as that may be). Anyway the barista said the coffee was brewing and he’d call it out in a couple minutes. About 15 minutes later, I am standing at the other side of the counter and he has clearly forgotten about my coffee because of the ever-​growing line. After I tell him I’m still waiting for my coffee (which I can see has been done brewing for a while now) he gives me a medium instead of a large. Clearly irritated with me for asking for my large, dumps the medium in a large cup and adds the tiniest bit more coffee to it.
This is bad service, but I don’t blame this barista. He clearly is being pushed to the limit because management obviously does not give a crap about the staff’s training or sanity. There needs to be more people working during the rushes. During the ~20 minutes I was there, the guy also had to disappear into the back to refill all the cup lids, tell some guy trying to do some cleaning work (apparently) that all the managers were outside somewhere. Plus, people were filming a movie or something inside. Even though the barista dude was a dick to me I think he was just having a tough day because this is ridiculous. Say what you want about Starbucks but at least they have more than one person running the whole place! Good luck barista dude, I think you’re going to need it. I also think in the future I’m just going to walk the extra block to get my coffee somewhere else.
Place rating: 4
East Lansing, MI
I love this place, while a student at Michigan State I would almost always stop by Espresso Royale for a Spanish latte before or after a class at Berkey Hall (right across Grand River).
It’s a very welcoming atmosphere, with great prices and great drinks.
I also love to sit and read or study inside when it’s chilly or on the patio in warm weather!
Definitely check it out!
Place rating: 4
Milwaukee, WI
Espresso Royale is generally my go-​to place for tea. I like the atmosphere so much more than Wanderer’s – which is no longer open – and the wait and customer service is better than it is at Starbucks. The baristas are very friendly and great to talk with. I also was very pleased when they were out of several syrups they charged me for a regular iced tea rather than a flavored one because I had a difficult time finding a syrup to use.
The nice thing about Espresso Royale is it’s also very easy to study or get writing done when it’s packed, something I can’t say about most coffee shops.
My only complaint is that I was in there today and there was a patron who was yelling everything he said. This was the type of person who on a scale of 1 to 10 for volume level, he was at a 15. This person was also there to just hang out with friends and didn’t even bother buying anything there. It bothered me and other customers at Espresso Royale and the baristas did nothing. I left earlier than I intended because I couldn’t focus on writing a paper. It was annoying, but it hasn’t dented my opinion of Espresso Royale.
Place rating: 2
Madison, WI
We patronize Espresso Royale, but it is very hit or miss. Some baristas produce good products, but what is clear to me is that management does not care to train their workers consistently. Sure, they can basically mix up any drink on the menu, but they just do not have the tools or understanding to craft a good drink.
For example – I’ve specifically asked for a wet latte, gotten a cup full of foam, asked the barista to remake it (which she did), and gotten the same thing. Clearly this person does not know how to vary their milk frothing. Again, can’t really hold it against this person because we see it again and again.
Could be really good shop if mgmt would go the extra mile in educating their workers.
Place rating: 3
Seattle, WA
I don’t drink coffee, but I come to Espresso Royale because the black iced tea is amazing. It’s always a treat when I stop in for a glass, because that’s the only reason I go. Sometimes I’ll bring a book to hang out and read, but most of the time the music is too loud, distracting, and terrible for me to hang around. The baristas choose the music, and one is overly fond of Glee soundtracks. I don’t usually buy food here, either, because the options are underwhelming, although they do make them on-​site.
The customer service has always been great, in my experience.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
I usually stop by right at open before work.
The a.m. baristas are always friendly.
This is a chill, relaxing spot for a nice cappuccino.
The loyalty program is a also a plus, as are the coupons on the back of your Kroger receipt.
Place rating: 5
Salt Lake City, UT
Good stuff
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
Great coffee /​tea spot — practically deserted on Friday night. Free Wifi. They have a fireplace for when the outside is cold and damp (as it was on this night). I love places like this, it feels so insular. They have outdoor seating for when the weather is nice.
I’m an instant fan.
Place rating: 5
Scottsdale, AZ
Espresso Royale is my favorite coffee spot in East Lansing. Although it is a chain, it has a homey feel that you can call the shop your own.
If you bring your own cup, refills are only $ 1.25 and their house blend is a personal favorite. If black coffee isn’t your thing, try the vanilla latte or ask for a recommendation as the Baristas are always helpful.
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
Another Michigan State University staple. Just for that, it gets at least 3 stars. Since the coffee and treats are tasty, I will give it 4. Generally this place is pretty packed with students, so you may have a difficult time finding seating. It’s a cool place with a laid back atmosphere. Customer service is so-​so, but again, it’s a Spartan staple. I love this place because of how often I would frequent it when I was at MSU.
Place rating: 5
Blacksburg, VA
A great place to get a cup of coffee and some work done. Can be noisy for some people, but I’m pretty good at tuning out and I bring an iPod just in case. I’ve also had many work-​related meetings here. The atmosphere is nice and well-​lit. The baked goods are pretty good. And the baristas are quite friendly.
Place rating: 4
Muskegon, MI
I like this place. It was my regular coffee shop when I was going to school. But I fully acknowledge that there really isn’t anything special about it. It’s that place you go to all the time, take a sip of your drink, and then scoff about what the hell you just tasted, but then you just sit down and bare with it. And return the next day for more mediocre-​tasting coffee. It seems to be the place to easily meet up with your buddies after a long day of studying (& the peanut barrel is right next door). It’s just so conveniently-​located and it’s a very nice, relaxing atmosphere (Love that outdoor fireplace — makes for great people-​watching). Free wifi and daily tea specials was my big draw. And cheap latte day (Wednesday) was always nice as well.
But don’t let Unilocal decide if you’re gonna go here because then I feel you’ll be disappointed. It’s a place you wander into because you walk past it everyday and really need that caffeine fix, or you have an hour in between classes and you need to kill some time. And then you start doing it more and more, maybe everyday, and just become accustomed to it. Sigh. I miss it.
Place rating: 2
Utica, MI
This was the coffee place I generally avoided the most. The coffee and espresso drinks aren’t bad. I sometimes like their vegetarian food options even though they are usually pretty bland. The tea selection is pretty good, and I’ll give them that. I’ve just always found their customer service to just be okay and somewhat slow.
If you are a hipster then this café is definitely your place. If you are chain smoker, this is also your place. This is why I also docked this place points. Espresso allows you the option to sit outside which is nice. You can still get their internet access and enjoy the sunshine while being in the shade. What’s God awful and makes me avoid this place like the plague is every table is outfitted with ash trays. Everyone is smoking up a storm. It’s absolutely awful. Because of the way the outdoor section is set up there is not a decent cross breeze that will eliminate the smoke so it just hangs there.
One incident that will always stick out in my mind is last spring I went to go work on my thesis outdoors there. Being a graduate student in the sciences and working in a lab I hadn’t been outside to enjoy the weather in about two years and was pasty white due to it. I am working when a bunch of rude hipsters plop down at the table next to me and all 8 of them whip out cigarettes at the same time! I’m an asthmatic so I don’t fare well. After a few minutes I started coughing really bad due to the smoke. A few minutes after those few minutes past and I’m still hacking and ready to pack up shop and leave. During a coffee fit I heard one of the the rude little undergrads say «You know, I don’t even know why asthmatic people leave their own place. Their coughing is annoying everyone.»
I would recommend avoiding this place and go to Biggby’s instead. More space, still outdoor seating areas, and I haven’t encountered any rude people there before.
Place rating: 1
Sacramento, CA
AWFUL!
I really don’t understand the hype.
Not a bit of great customer service in their bone at all! I’m not expecting workers to ham it up when they see a customer — but a nice simple greeting would be great. A first impression is really everything.
I walked in after checking out Unilocal reviews and their website — they sell Mayan chocolate for $ 8 — curious, I gave it a go. The worker at the counter — white girl with blonde hair and glasses —- stared at me, didn’t greet me, didn’t ask if I wanted any help — that’s fine — whatever.
I approached her with the tin can in my hand and wanted to pay — still nothing — I ended up saying hi to her.
Then another customer was behind me, I guess he was a regular —- she decided to say Hi to him and asked what he wanted. He said spouted his order —- this is while I’m still standing there figuring out if I still need to sign anything or if I’m going to get a receipt. I totally felt like I was in the way — I felt very rushed. I went off to the side and packed my things in my bag and walked out.
And then I turned back around — went up to the same stupid girl and asked for a refund. I didn’t tell her why — I didn’t go off on her — cuz first off, I was by myself and I didn’t want to look crazy and cause drama over an $ 8 tin of chocolate. HOWEVER, Hell no am I going to give my hard earned money to this lame establishment.
Neverrrrr going back.
Place rating: 4
Gaines, MI
As a German major at MSU it is pretty much a requirement that I like Espresso Royale considering that it is one of the two places in East Lansing you are most likely to find German majors (the other is Wells Hall). Seriously. If you ask your TA/​Prof/​German major friends to meet for coffee, they will suggest Espresso Royale.
I used to go there about once a week for German coffee hour (Kaffeestunde), but now I’m too busy to go, and I miss it. I love the fireplace that keeps you warm outside in the winter.
It gets four stars because my chai latte last night was not as warm as I’d like, and the Italian sodas are almost too sweet. But the atmosphere is great. And du kannst Deutsch sprechen. Gibt es etwas, das besser ist?