Red Raven Espresso Parlor

Eclectic. Interesting. Often erratic and inconsistent. A good space or arts, literature and live music events. Good menu selection of coffee drinks and food.

So I can’t rate the products as I’ve yet to have any but their atmosphere was super chill. I really appreciate their GSRM friendly attitude. They’ve got a great spot for meetings in the back as well.

The Red Raven is an eclectic space that is open for alternative people and activities. With press coverage for supporting LGBTQ rights, providing space for a hip hop show that other venues have turned their backs to, and other actions that may be deemed as controversial by some, this venue stands up for providing a safe space for those feeling marginalized.
As for the food and drink, the coffee is good and I love the vegan sandwiches.
Interesting music is always playing, from David Lynch to techno pop. Live events are usually going on nightly, from comedy to bluegrass jams.
There is a backroom available for small meetings and a stage for performances.
There is rotating art on the walls and the building has an interesting feel with the faint resemblance of the fire department that it once was and with a few couches and lounge chairs it’s easy to get comfy.
I recommend sitting at the bar and chatting with the barista or meeting locals that some by and sit nearby.

The Red Raven is Fargo’s original espresso bar. They have the best cold press, outdoor patio, and vegan friendly lunch in town. Grab a cup of coffee, $ 5 sandwich, and sit outside in the secluded alleyway space.

I had established with the barista that I wanted something iced (as it is 70+ degrees outside). He informed me they are out of iced coffee. Ok. So he offered the idea of an americana to which I agreed thinking that would be a good alternative. I also said I wanted a half shot of syrup and a little cream (not too sweet or too overpowered by the taste of cream). He seemed very confident about my order. He also asked if it was for here or to go (this comes into play shortly). I wanted it to go. I was excited to be refreshed… Here’s what happened: he made the espresso shots and poured them directly into a paper to go cup (not the plastic that you usually see for an iced creation). Did not add ice, did not strain over ice, nothing to cool down the hot espresso. Then I watched as he filled almost the entire rest of the cup with half and half from the fridge. (This had to be at least a cup of cream.) Then he added in a shot of syrup. The result? A luke warm, overly sweet, cream drink. Awful. I was kind of shocked and took the order and left. Never going back again. I feel these were novice errors and I am surprised they don’t know the difference between hot and iced drinks.

Had a pretty good lunch there today. I’d never been there before and my son suggested it so I dropped in with my son and daughter (both middle school age). I had a mock duck sloppy Joe, it came with a side salad, not bad for less than 4 dollars and quite tasty. The atmosphere was unique and inviting, the guy behind the counter was friendly and relaxed. Nobody seemed to be in a rush, it looked like a good place where you could just sit and relax, read a book, etc. My son thought it looked like a good place to sit and do his homework once school starts again. Just an all around positive experience.

All my prior visits to the Red Raven only involved drinks and baked goods. Recently, I visited for a lunch meeting and I have to say I was very impressed. While the lunch options were very limited (3 – 5 items), I know I will be coming back. I ordered the Artichoke and Humus sandwich, which comes with a side side salad. And the price was only $ 4.50! Initially, artichoke and humus doesn’t jump out as something I would normally get. The taste and texture of the sandwich was perfect. The bread was toasted and the cheese melted. I added a glass bottle of Coke to my order.
To top off the experience, we ate on the patio which is off the alley through the back door. The weather was perfect and their patio is quaint & comfortable as it is surrounded on three sides by 2 story brick buildings — which gives a different vibe than you experience at other traditional patios in Fargo.

The best coffee I’ve had in a while. The sandwich was good for the money and the atmosphere has a nice hipster feeling. Overall I rate this place 5 out of 5!

On hearing that I would be traveling to Fargo for work, a friend suggested I visit Red Raven as they had recently been in the news for banning anti-​gay North Dakota legislators. As a member of the LGBT community who travels frequently, I do like to keep up with what states and municipalities are banning me from breathing and spending money this week (news flash: mine is just as green as anyone else’s, and will pay your bills just the same) so I was glad to check out a space where I knew I would be welcome.
I came into Red Raven on a Tuesday morning to find the place all but empty, so I got to chat with one of the owners. He explained the history of the recent events, which had had them in the news quite a bit, and I picked a table, ordered tea, and set up to work.
The space is everything I want in a local community spot. Coffee for the coffee drinkers, tea for those of us who appreciate it, other beverages as appropriate, local art, zines, a pleasant environment for working or hanging out, and it takes that extra step to become if not a center for community organizing then at least a space where a lot of local activists hang out and it’s obviously used as a performance venue as well.
I ended up getting two beverages, a yerba mate and then a latte made with black tea with pomegranate. The latte was one of the best I’ve ever had, and the yerba mate was extremely pleasant. I was also very happy with seating options and lighting, which managed to hit that perfect level where it’s neither dark nor bright but it’s totally possible to see what you’re doing. I have no idea when I will next be in Fargo, but Red Raven is a rare gem.

This is a really cool place. The red raven strives to be a part of the community, not just a coffeeshop. They express their views, they are a drop site for csa farm deliveries, and they are a venue for musicians and speakers. You get good service and good coffee, and you also just feel like they care.

Everything they make and do in this place is fantastic. I rarely get coffee other places, because they blow everyone else out of the water. Everyone on staff is charming, courteous, and professional, but still maintain a laid back, low-​key, comfortable atmosphere. They display local artists on the beautifully exposed brick walls, and offer plenty of seating, along with books, games, and other entertainment for the choosing! BUT– here’s the best part: they DON’T discriminate. Towards anyone. Black, white, gay, straight, Catholic, atheist… it doesn’t matter, because they understand that being ‘different’ doesn’t arbitrarily make you a second-​class citizen. They have my business and my loyalty. And for every 1 star review that some jerk makes to prove a point, my friends and I will give you 5 stars. All day every day. Thank you, Red Raven, for the execution and delivery of the finest coffee and equal rights in the FM area!

I have been going to the red raven for so many years I cannot count them anymore. I have had some of the best coffee in town there and will continue to go there for years to come. Some of the neatest things about the Red Raven are the library where you can read books The local artwork is some stuff you wont see anywhere except the Raven. In the summer the court yard out back is full of life with plants everywhere and lots of seating plus the locally painted art murals. I have made countless friends there. I will look forward to getting my lattes here for many years to come.

The best coffee house, art venue, music venue, and comedy club you will find. The people who run it could not be more kind. I have been going here since they opened in their first location and go back every time I return to Fargo since I moved away.

I’m writing this review as I sit in Red Raven. This place is the definition of hipster, and I love it already. Provocative art lines the walls of this cozy spot. The furniture gives this place a homey vibe, and the tables are nice and big– good for studying. The green tea latte gets an A++ in my book. It’s delish and comes in a cute, hipster-​y cup too. I can’t believe I’ve never been here! However, it is easy to miss while driving on Main Ave.

Great, intimate café, especially when they have live music. Nice lighting and a unique space. Good tea and coffee choices. Open til 11:00pm everyday!

I love this place. Great coffees available that are made with care and served in unique an artsy mugs. The good is pretty good too. They have a nice line up of love entertainment and the people are always friendly. I haven’t sat out on their outdoor patio, but it looks nice. Great vibe inside and a hidden gem of Fargo.

I’ve lived here for a few years and I never even knew that it was there. It’s like it has some kind of filter in space-​time and only reveals itself when the time is right.
I came here one evening for a friends comedy routine. The outside is completely unassuming; an old firehouse maybe?
The inside is very much like the Tardis. It’s eclectic, colorful, warm, and inviting — definitely someplace one would want to go on one of our abysmally freezing winter evenings.
The menu is simple and has all the usual favorites. The heavenly thing — especially for those of us who love our coffee — is that everything comes in HUGE steins or mugs.
The staff is friendly, but not in that practiced/​fake way. Which is something that I find very refreshing.
If you’re in the F/​M area and are looking for a great cup of coffee and a comfortable place to enjoy it, I would highly recommend making this a stop!

Red Raven Espresso Parlor is an unique, worker owned/​operated coffee shop in downtown Fargo-​Moorhead. It’s also a social space, hosting open-​mic nights, art shows, comedy shows, and even a «garage sale» when I first moved to Fargo. Red Raven melds the ideas of coffee shop, social space, and community such that it gives rise to one of the better, if not the best, local options for caffeine fixes in the downtown scene.
During the day, there is plenty of space and it’s quiet. You’ll almost certainly find a place to plop down, and I sometimes choose Red Raven when I really want to get some work done, but the office/​home just aren’t working out. The chai tea latte is both the least expensive in the downtown area, and by far the tastiest. When you order a drink there, one of the baristas will be sure to take care of you, and they really focus on delivering an excellent drink, no matter how simple. I don’t drink coffee myself and never have, but all of my friends have absolutely raved about the quality and taste of coffee that Red Raven serves. The baristas there know their drink preparations and put their touch on even the simplest orders.
As far as community, Red Raven is deceptively inviting for all. At first, it may seem like a smug place where the millenial young adults congregate to do their thing, but that’s a really superficial view. In my many visits, I have seen all manner and ages of people enjoying the Red Raven, plinking on laptops, playing board games, or being entertained by the events. Open mic nights are excellent, not just because local musicians can be quite good, but also because everyone is there to have a good time. No one takes themselves too seriously on the comedy nights. The art shows have been engaging to say the least, especially the erotic art show (Aside: My friend entered her painting that I commissioned and it won! That might bias me).
Red Raven is my absolute favorite downtown hangout. Sure it serves as an excellent place to caffeine up, work, relax, enjoy entertainment or the passers-​by. But the absolute best part of Red Raven is that its a representative microcosmos of the developing FM community, a hodgepodge of interesting things and people. Enjoy the coffee too.

Red Raven perfectly captures the essence of an unassuming and comfortable coffee house with the bonus of excellent coffee and stellar service. The space is relaxed and practically invites you to settle in and stay for a while. With what I consider to be the best coffee in town, it’s tempting to sit and happily sip for hours on end.

Went there for their comedy night and was really impressed by the cool interior of the place. I’ve always kind of judged the Red Raven since before when it was on Roberts, but I have to admit that I’m glad I went now. Didn’t try any coffee there, unfortunately, but I had a cup of earl grey and it was delicious. Will definitely go again.