Steve O Reno’s Cappuccino

Great alternative brunch /​tea stop — definitely unconventional, but welcoming to all. Try the smoothies…

I’ve been going to this place since living in the North End back in 2008. Always a smiling face and a great cup of coffee in the window.
Perhaps with the newly brokered inclusion of filthy hamburgers (don’t get me wrong — I loves me a good hamburger… just not that fast food garbage) into Tim Horton’s empire, people will start bypassing the ridiculous line ups for their «Timmy’s» and finally discover what real coffee should taste like — at places like Steve O Reno’s.

One of the reasons I miss living in the North End!
Great coffee and latte’s. I’ve never had the renowned macchiatto, but that’s perfect, because it just gives me another excuse to go back!
I much prefer it to the over priced, under delivered coffee at Starbucks, or the ‘tastes like an ash tray bog water’ from Tim’s.
I’m no coffee connoisseur, nor am I sure of what they call those who are, but I’ll be back again and again.

Steve O Reno’s gets five stars from me.
Nearly 20 years ago this little coffee shack popped up in the old loading bay parking lot on Robie Street. I was working at a place called Spots Pots as a decorator, and my boss Sue was thrilled this place opened~she knew the owner personally and supported local before doing so was mainstream.
I haven’t had a coffee from this place in a good decade. These days, due to my allergy to milk & soy I don’t enjoy coffee much and I never get to have cappuccinos. There are very few coffee places that offer almond milk as a substitute. I can understand why, but still I am often disappointed.
Yesterday I as walking down Robie, it was a chilly, misty morning. I stopped at peered at the little menu on the side and a bubbly girl open the window. I asked if they used almond milk or not.
To my delight and surprise she answered that they did! Well, I ordered a cap double time.
It was Amazing. I walked away literally grinning from ear to ear sipping my frothy, creamy coffee.
Steve o Reno’s…thank you for making cappuccinos enjoyable and available to me again.
I am a huge fan.

Finally, I have checked another Haligonian ‘must’ off my list: I drove through and ordered from the window of the infamous Steve O homebase on Robie Street! I feel energized! I feel empowered! I feel over-​caffeinated! I just have so many feelings!
It’s a funny thing this place… I do love local businesses doing things to make ordering even more convenient for their customers, not to mention pulling a thing or two from what the big chains do, but man –I can’t imagine trying to get back into Robie Street traffic if you grabbed your morning java here on the daily. Still, props to those who manage just fine!
The staff were friendly and definitely added to the quirky experience for this first-​timer. My only regret is being goaded by their ‘recommended’ option of the macchiato. I figured I’d go all out for my Steve’s experience but it just wasn’t what I wanted… I should have stuck with a cappuccino or latte and driven away much happier. Still, the single macchiato was dirt-​cheap at $ 2 flat so no harm done!

One of my fave machiattos in the city.
Allie and Matt — two of the friendliest baristas in town. Especially considering I’m bumbling through at ungodly hours in the AM.
It’s convenient (drive-​thru fancy coffee shack)
They’ve recently started carrying jane’s (of jane’s on the common) breakfast sandwiches (which I haven’t tried — but cool nonetheless).

Before moving to Halifax, I was confused by the idea of a drive-​through cappuccino shack. Now I understand: it is awesome. The Canadiana is a coffee lover’s dream come true. While it is weird to stand in line between two cars, you’re allowed to walk through to get your coffee.

Oh the Steve O shack of happy mocha goodness! For a long time I didn’t patronize this particular Steve Os because I thought I needed an automobile — but as Lacey points out — not so!
Anyone can stroll (or roll) up to the window and be served by the fun, funky, friendly folks behind the window.
This is one of the few places in the area to procure a good mocha (or cappa or latte), and it’s almost always good — nice and hot, with the right choco-​to-​espresso ratio.
My only criticism is unrelated to to the food/​bevvies/​service: if you are driving, it can be a little challenging to get in and out — left turns are kinda life-​flashing-​before-​your-​eyes at certain times of day, so be sure to give yourself a few extra minutes travel time.

Being a non-​car owner, I am often taunted by drive-​throughs, teased by their «cars only» nature. However, Steve’s will hook you up with a java if you show up sans wheels with a smile on your face and cash in your hand.
There isn’t a ton of espresso based bevie stands in the North End, so this Steve’s, centrally located just off of Robie, is perfect if you’re in need of a tasty pick-​me-​up.
I’ve swung by a couple of times, most notable was my last visit on a blustery day. The friendly staff were sweet and chatty; they fixed my up with a yummy latte and sent me on my merry foot-​cruising way. Steve’s doesn’t always serve the tastiest of javas, but every now and then they hit the nail on the head with a decadent, frothy five star concoction.
If you’re in this hood, swing by for some swell door-​side beverage service. You’ll probably get a nice smile from one of the workers (which is more than enough reason to go), plus a pretty good cuppa joe to boot. Sha-​wing!

I stopped into Steve O Reno’s one day on my way home from work. I was looking for a decaf latté (and a full-​strength one for my partner). Since, for once, I had cash in my pocket (Steve O Reno’s doesn’t take debit) I decided to give them a whirl.
The service was amazing — friendly and outgoing. It took a few minutes to make up the drinks and while I waited I opted to take a couple oatseed cakes to eat at home with the lattés.
Good things first: the oatseed cakes were incredible. I’m not a big fan of seeds and nuts, nor of oatcakes, but these were perfectly sweetened and had a delicious seedy crunch to them.
Now the bad news: the lattés were muddy-​tasting. Far from being a light concoction of espresso and steamed milk, they had a heavy, dull taste that overpowered any froth that may have been involved.
I was very disappointed, as the reviews had promised great things. I’ll check Steve O Reno’s out in the future, to make sure this wasn’t a one-​off bad experience.

Nothing like a caffeine fix in the afternoon. Normally I don’t drive over but take my chances playing chicken trying to cross Robie street mid day. Sometime I even take my best bud and grab him a hot chocolate topped with whip cream and I think chocolate shavings. Myself I like something tastier I go for a large Chi– Latte just the smell of it reminders me of Christmas as it has a hit on Nutmeg, and the taste is even better on a cold winter day.
This location is drive up only no seating area at all. I normally just walk up and knock on the window. Looks kind of funny standing behind a truck for coffee, oh well it is worth it!

I have to give a 5 Star to this location. I like the Americanos and Cappachinos.
The staff here are always up beat for that hour of the morning. I also try to grab one of their muffins, although they seem to go fast, I have gone many a time and they are sold out.
But to be honest, there are not a lot of places around this area that have Drive Through, especially with the speciality coffees.
It is small but packed with great staff and coffee.

Steve O Reno’s has two locations in Halifax — one, a drive-​through «Cappuccino Shack» on Robie Street, the other, a walk-​in café at 1536 Brunswick Street. This review is in reference to the drive-​through location.
If I could give this location 6 stars out of five, I would, especially for the crew that works the shack on weekday mornings. These women KNOW their cappuccino, and they have been consistently making the best cappuccino in Halifax for several years. Always the right temperature, always the right amount of froth — and always a smile and a cheerful «good morning» for the bleary regulars who wait patiently at their window for a little sip of heaven.
Their Americanos and Chai lattes are also deliciously satisfying.
Oh, and please don’t forget to shut your car off as you wait.