Volta Coffee, Tea & Chocolate

It took them 13 minutes from the time I ordered to get my tea and they were not that busy. I have never waited that long for a cup of tea or coffee anywhere, even busier places. I liked the Moroccan mint tea I ordered but it definitely was not worth the wait. I was also hoping to find a good place to study but the atmosphere wasn’t ideal for studying and it closes at 5 on Sundays.

Best quiche I’ve ever had!!! I didn’t expect it to be so good when I ordered it honestly… Got a pot of tumeric tea as well and it’s also delicious! I am impressed, Gainesville! Also a great spot to study

I would not recommend this coffee shop to anyone. Every time I went to Volta I left upset. The reason being is that every barista I met was very rude and pretentious. Going into this coffee shop for the first time, I asked something like «what do you recommend» or «what is this drink» and all, without fail, just stared at me like I am an idiot or an inconvenience to their precious time. I gave it a couple times in hope that maybe one of the baristas was having a bad day, but no. They were all the same. Not only that, but I am not the only one who thinks the baristas are rude and snobby. I went to a coffee shop in Jacksonville and told them I was from Gainesville and they said «oh then you probably know the coffee shop Volta… yeah their workers are super rude.» And just another girl today said the same thing.
This coffee shop is not worth the time or gas. Rude baristas and average, overpriced coffee.

Finally, a good coffee place that I know will serve me a great cup when I am Gainesville.
One of the few places I have seen serving Ruby coffee so I had to order just black. Barista did a great pour over and I would highly recommend you attempt to have a pour over when you go.

Volta has been a staple of the downtown community for over five years. It has a great coffee house vibe with mostly hard table seating with a few soft chairs here and there. Local artists and eclectic posters adorn the walls. Even the employees fit the coffee house feel, an eccentric bunch just looking to serve you coffee and be mildly grumpy while doing it.
Normally I like to judge a coffee shop on how well they make a cappuccino, however, today I was hankering for some chocolate goodness. I chose a Mocha. It arrived about five minutes later, the store did not appear to be busy. The foam was spectacular, mousy and thick, and the milk had just a hint of chocolate which was an interesting take on the style. The espresso blended with the chocolate giving an extra dark chocolate feel to the drink.
Overall Volta did not suck!

Volta is pretty close to where I live downtown, so I decided to walk over and give it a try. I had their iced Americano and it was pretty good. Everyone was really friendly there, and there was ample seating inside and out. The hours are kind of limited, but they are locally owned which is a plus. Overall, I think I will be back again!

Nice place to have coffee in the morning, the outside seating was nice but the chairs and table were wobbly. I got my coffee and said to leave room for milk, but it want much space. However the coffee was fantastic. You you taste every note and aroma from roasted bean. Internet was great. Oh yes the cheese Danish! That was amazing too

Over priced for not that great of tea.
Hours are ridiculous, this is a college town where students need to study, why close at 5pm and 9pm? Never coming back.

Pricey and incredibly slow. The cappuccino was also lackluster. The mango scone was pretty good but not great. The seating is somewhat sparse considering how much floorspace there is, and the clientele is probably a bit too hipster for me. I cannot tell if your trilby is being worn ironically or earnestly!

I’m European and I’ve visited Volta almost every day for the past two years. I haven’t had better coffee anywhere in the world, the closest being a specialized shop close to the Zurich main train station.
If I have to point an issue is the choice of music — you may want to bring headphones just in case.

mmmmmm DELICIOUS COFFEE!!! But the staff… not the nicest. It’s OK, it’s worth it for the yummiest coffee I’ve ever had in my life.

I don’t usually drink coffee but when I do, I go to a non-​franchise coffee shop. Today was a coffee day and I have Volta a try.
According to the barista I spoke with, they change up the menu twice a week, which is pretty darn often. The café is spacious and has tables with outlets, as well as window seating to enjoy some natural light. I came during a rainy afternoon and there was a fair number of people sitting down and working.
I ordered an in-​season brewed drink (Guatemala Durazno) and a Volta Tiramisu. I found the tiramisu to be filling, but not quite flavorful. The coffee had a light body and a pleasant aroma.
With a free public cupping every Saturday at 11 AM and an ambience conducive for working, Volta merits a 4 star rating.

Australian travelling in USA. My latte was good, a little watery but better than Starbucks. My husbands macchiato was way better than his latte.
The staff were super pretentious, if they had backed it up with an awesome coffee I wouldn’t have minded.

I’ve come a long way from where I started off on my journey to loving Volta: it all began with my dad brewing pots of Joe early in the morning that always smelled great, but tasted like dirt. So thankful that I can keep an open mind (or perhaps mouth) and trust the abilities of places like Volta to elevate my understanding of the humble coffee bean from painful bitterness to mellow bliss. Volta won’t be the cheap caffeine high I was accustomed to expecting: it’s the quality café that places flavors of the brew before any add-​ins or addictions.
The Venue
A very trendy and comfortable place to be, Volta operates right on the edge of downtown right off of University Ave. Outdoors tables give pet owners and those looking to enjoy a sunny day a place to sip, while plenty of lounge chairs, stools, and spots are on the inside to beat the heat. Local art covers the inside walls, and the front windows are ceiling to floor, which lends ample natural lighting to stay awake if you are coming for a place to be productive.
The Vibe
Orders are placed at the counter and they’ll shout out the names of the orders as they’re ground out (Ex. «Columbian drip for here») so keep close until you’ve got your goods. The ambience is comfortable and calm, making this a primetime choice to study on a weekend morning or catch up with a close friend.
The Goods
Bar none: this is the highest quality, highest craft of coffee you can get in town. Any drink type you may imagine is available for those who like special orders, but the real sell point comes with the nose of the baristas who keep only the best beans possible in rotation for their patrons. Not a single cup, whether espresso or standard drip, lacks a story. Be it floral, fruity, nutty, or sweet you will get more out of each sip than you do in some meals.
And speaking of food: you better believe they have in-​house, baked fresh pastries, sweets, and treats of equal caliber. My last trip they rolled out some raspberry donuts that put those sugar-​dusted nuggets of breakfast sadness to absolute shame. Oh and imported, premium chocolate bars. That too.
Final Thoughts
High school me poured sugar and creamer into every cup, but the me that frequents Volta finds no place for either. If you need a giant jug of burnt water to jar yourself out of exhaustion, so be it. Consider Volta the gentle yawn and stretch of a Saturday morning against the cruel roar of your chain beanery alarm clock.

As mentioned in previous reviews, I visit Gainesville once a month as a drilling US Army Reservist. The search for great coffee spots where ever I go has become a bit of a hobby, and I’m very glad I found this place!
Located in the cusp of downtown, this place was easy to find, and easy to get a parking space. After reading some reviews, I had some pretty steep (Ha!) expectations, and was looking forward to a great cup of espresso.
Upon walking in there is a great indie vibe going on; lots of pamphlets and flyers of local events happening. This is to be expected in a large college town. The menu was simple but creative. I order my standard soy cappuccino, but no snack this time. I was instructed to use the house simple syrup, which, located in the middle of the ordering area I thought was a little annoying, but not a deal breaker.
Overall, the drink was perfect, and the staff seemed friendly. I was in a bit of a rush, so I had a short, but positive experience at Volta, and will definitely be back!

Large, quiet place perfect for getting together with friends or study or relax.
Staff is nice, friendly, not impatient with their customers, and knows what they’re doing.
This place is obviously better than Starbucks. Support your local coffee house!
Interior was nothing to call home about but whatever. They had two potted succulents by the window and they were dying lol.
Ample seating unlike Starbucks.
Ordered a chai tea latte, it was nice and flavorful with a hint of something floral. Very interesting and lovely.

I always get the Vanilla Latte, it is delicious.
The staff really loves coffee and they are much nicer than some of the other coffee places around town.
I only wish there were more places to park by it that aren’t just 2 hour spaces so I could sit there longer.

Awesome place!
Went for my first time today just to get some coffee and study a bit, and I thought the atmosphere was perfect for that (light background noise, chatting and low-​volume music).
The prices were a little higher than I thought, but I don’t mind paying a little extra for the quality. I got a cinnamon latte and some fruit/​lemon cream type pie (forgot the name– oops). Both were delicious and clearly made with care. Staff was personable and knowledgable. Might have to make this a frequent Sunday study spot.

Volta’s got a nice, studio layout that’s studious, and the noise level is just quiet enough to help you focus. When you look around you’ll notice most people are relaxed and being productive at the same time. It’s my kind of work environment! (Parents, if you want to bring your babies it’d be best to bring them during their nap time.)

I’m on a mission to try every chai in Gainesville. From this vantage point, Volta does not disappoint!
This cute, spacious and modern-​looking coffee shop sits conveniently downtown. The baristas are extremely talented and yet lack the pretentious air of some other places in Gainesville (read: Maude’s)… You can even score a classic New York Egg Crème here!
Bottom line: I’ve never had anything bad from here, and it’s a fun place to sit with a crossword.