Papillon Quality Gourmet Coffees

Bland, overly sweet — NO air conditioning (despite their claims)
I went to this café this afternoon and purchased a Mexican mocha and a ham and cheese croissant as well as a wildberry smoothie for my five-​year old. I couldn’t taste the cinnamon they allegedly put in the mocha, thought the slice of Kraft cheddar cheese they slapped in the croissant was disgusting, and my kid’s smoothie was so sweet that he refused to drink it.
They also LIED about having air conditioning — on an afternoon in which the temperature was in the mid90s, it was actually hotter inside, under the lazily rotating fan, than outside. The only living creatures who looked like they were enjoying themselves there were the flies.

I stopped in for a Mexican mocha because I haven’t had a good one since I left Petaluma and Davinci’s. I wouldn’t recommend it. The «large» $ 5 coffee was 16oz at most, and the coffee was over sweet, watery (probably fat free milk) and full of chocolate «grit» in every sip. It contained granules of hard chocolate that didn’t mix or dilute with the coffee. Probably not a problem with hot coffee but Davinci’s used cocoa powder that worked both ways. Coffee had nothing else to recommend it above other mochas.

I love trying new coffee shops. This one is located in my mans city and I finally decided to go there today.
This coffee shop is located in a small strip mall. Pretty busy considering there are a few restaurants in the area. The only downfall to this that you have to pay for parking here. I ordered a medium mocha frost which I would assume Is their version of a Mocha frap, it was less chocolatey and more of a coffee taste which I like. They have a variety of pastries to choose from as well.

This little coffee shop tucked in the strip mall has a little cozy feel. The owner is very friendly and helpful. A simple menu but quality espresso drinks and pastries makes it an easy place to chill or catch up with the paperback or newspaper. Free wifi and lots of seating makes it an obvious choice if you want to get away from those crowds at those other coffee house chains. There is ample parking but don’t forget to feed the meter.

I saw this place posted on Facebook and decided to try it out! Sad that it’s in a shopping center where all the parking is metered and it’s $ 1.50 an hour. But if you don’t have a reason to stay too long then it shouldn’t be so bad.
I found the prices to be reasonable for what was given to you. The place is decent size with plenty of tables for hanging out, working, etc. There are also tables outside, along the perimeter of the coffee house. The barista’s were nice and there is a case for pastries. There is a $ 5 minimum for credit card purchases so you’ll most likely need to get a couple of items. I ordered a mocha frost, similar to that of a frappuccino, it was really good and affordable. It’s a really cute place in the corner of the shopping center, I would definitely come back to hang out here, but it would be a short stay. It’s peaceful. Thankful to have discovered it on facebook.

Classic café feel, great coffee, delicious treats, and a rotating selection of local artists on the walls. I love this place and I’ll keep coming back!

Probably more like 3 ½ stars. It’s a decent coffee shop, but there isn’t a whole lot that stands out about it. The coffee is reasonable (but not amazing). I’d go here compared to Starbucks or other large chain coffee shops, but it doesn’t leave me eager to come back after I leave.
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We tried Papillon because I don’t like Starbucks and I also like to support small businesses over chain stores. Unfortunately, there’s nothing spectacular about Papillon.
The décor is unimaginative, with a sterile/​cafeteria vibe to it. Any other retail business could move in right away without having to change much about the décor. Bland. Feels temporary.
Our coffee was okay — nothing to complain about, but nothing to rave about either. I asked if they had hazelnut creamer and I was told «No, but we have syrups.» With my approval, she (apparently) added the hazelnut syrup to my coffee, but I sure couldn’t taste anything other than ordinary coffee. Did she really even add the syrup? I wonder.
I also ordered their breakfast sandwich ($ 4.50): toasted bagel, fried egg, Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese and a slice of tomato. It took a while to prepare (which was fine, and expected). But, I got it «to go» and I didn’t open the wrapper until we got back to my sister’s house. Only then, I noticed she forgot to include the advertised tomato slice — which I hoped would have elevated it slightly above a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin. If they were out of tomato, I think she should have informed me, rather than just handing me the sandwich without one of the listed ingredients.
We were there the morning after Thanksgiving, and the place was slammed. With only one cashier and one employee fulfilling all the orders, service was very slow. There was a long line and not enough room for it. Customers were backed up against the main entrance, making it difficult for others to enter or exit. One cashier and only one «barista» is insufficient and bad business.

Love the quality of their coffee. One of my favorite coffee places of all time. They have a wide variety of pastries to select from, that are all delicious. And they are very good about getting you in and out of there, wonderful customer service.

After a hot day traversing around the area, I arrived back at Lafayette BART and decided to pop in here for a nice, refreshing cup of coffee.
It’s a cute little shop located amongst some of downtown Lafayette’s big eateries and restaurants. I love the local feel and love in the area, and was pleased to find that this Asian-​run café has been pleasing locals for a while.
I opted to get an iced Papillon Latte, as it seemed like one of their «go-to’s.» It was decent and prepared on the spot by the cashier lady. It said it contained a lot of things in it, but it merely tasted like a normal espresso latte.
Since it was a late, slow afternoon, the entire shop was pretty empty and quiet, with ample seating and lots of good space to work on your computer or read. Definitely a relaxing atmosphere. Workers seemed a little dead, but prompt. (Also nice that one of the regulars saw my UCI Alumni license plate, and introduced me to one of their employees who is transferring there!)
I didn’t fall in love with their coffee, but it was a decent pick-​me-​up. Service great, prices VERY reasonable, and a lovely, quiet space to serve local clientele. Not enough to make me want to go out of my way to grab another cup of coffee, though…

3 stars just for the ambiance and location. Quality of drinks and service? 1 star.
I also had an awkward encounter with the cashier (as mentioned in other reviews). When I stepped up to the counter I was met with a stare so I just rattled off my order. She didn’t even bother to tell me the price. For a moment I thought maybe she had some kind of speech or language situation and felt bad until I saw her chattering away with her coworkers. The chai latte was watered down and muffin was just your average pastry fare. It’s a great place to meet friends or get some work done with ample seating in a quiet plaza. I’m just hoping next time I’ll be greeted with a «hello» but no big deal.

Great cute little café to pick up a nice coffee to have strolling the beautiful downtown area. Quaint, comfy and yummy.

You’ve got to give credit to an independent coffee and tea shop that is in direct competition with three StarPeets within a mile. There aren’t many places in Lafayette that feel like a real community meeting place with real people, but this is one of them.
The coffee is not too strong. I’ll go for a cappuccino every once in a while, but really I’m a tea drinker. I’ll leave the coffee reviews to the Java-​heads.
Papillion sells bulk tea, just like an old-​fashioned tea shop. When you go to those other beverage places, they sell tea in a tin or *yuck* in teabags. I like Papillion because you can look and smell the tea before you buy it. My one complaint is that they store it in clear jars. Tea really should be stored in airtight and light-​free canisters.
My favorite is the Dragonwell. It’s a classic everyday green. At Peet’s they sell it for three times as much, but I really don’t think it is three times as good. Sure, Papillion’s is less fancy, kind of like the sort that you get at 99 Ranch market, but it does the trick, and I really like seeing all the happy people at Papillion when I buy my monthly supply.

This place is about half a mile from my place so I thought I would take a nice little walk and do some reading here. The location is convenient and the décor is nice. The server was friendly enough. I ordered the mexican chocolate mocha in the regular size. It did NOT have even a hint of mexican chocolate taste. The price was reasonable. Came out to a little under $ 4. They accept credit cards but have a minimum limit of $ 5,so I couldn’t use my debit card. Luckily, I had cash on me. The overall experience was okay. I might be coming back, but only out of convenience.

Update: it’s easier to get both a parking spot and tables these days, ever since the parking meters were installed. When parking was free, it was often impossible to get a table (the café is very popular with locals) and it was also hard to get a parking spot. Now that meters have been installed, there are both parking spots and tables.
Still my favorite café, for so many reasons (as in my first review).

Most mornings that I come in here, I’m in a grab-​and-​go situation where I don’t have a lot of time, and even when the place is crowded the wait is generally not too long. Owners aren’t the chattiest people but they are friendly, and they recommended the peach ginger tea that I am now hooked on. They have about 30 teas there, English breakfast and mandarin green are also good. Not a huge mocha drinker, but the one I tried here was good, and the coffee is french roast most days, so if you like it a bit strong you’ll like it here.
Parking can be an adventure because Chow/​Smitten/​Open Sesame and others share a small lot, so the earlier you go the shorter the wait is.

This place bothers me. The flavors official the espresso drinks are good. But then don’t know what they are doing. And I can say that because I’ve been a barista most of my life.
My moms cappuccino was basically a latte. There was not enough foam, and there was not enough foam. The espresso was bitter. No creaminess to it, and that’s because they short pull their shots.
I got the Mexican mocha which was good. But still you could taste the bitterness with the espresso.
The girl that works there also doesn’t know how to simply steam milk. The milk was not frothing, and she wasn’t even paying attention to it.
Idk. Call me biased, but a coffee place competing against large chains and is trying to make a name for themselves, should know how to make a simple latte and cappuccino when they are the only people there.
This place doesn’t deserve 4 stars

I’ll be back because I liked the environment so much more than the starbucks in the same center. I only tried a bottled drink and an everything bagel so give more than 3 stars would feel false… I’ll try more and update the review.
If you’ve read my café reviews you know what I’m looking for… essentially a place to get good coffee, good conversation and wifi.
Here’s what I liked:
Plenty of tables and the music was just right — essential when I’m meeting up with someone and want to be able to talk.
Wifi was good, consistent and outlets abundant.
Parking is a bit nutso in this plaza during lunch. And they have installed meters in the lot — though not yet functional. If you’re willing to walk a block or two there is plenty of parking across the street in the safeway lot at no cost.
Not really any selection of food but some snacks here and there or pastries but that is wise because there are a ton of good restaurants in the area.

This café that tries to offer a lot of items. They had bagels, macaroons, coffee blends, a good amount of seating and they were pretty busy.
I travel light. I keep my car key, phone, and credit card. No purse.
I assumed they took cards, which they do, with a $ 5 minimum. I was only buying a coffee and this was my first visit. I ordered my drink. The owner guy was friendly at first. I handed him my card. He grumbled there was a $ 5 minimum but charged my card. Then he walked over and complained to his wife. His wife told me next time I had to make a $ 5 minimum purchase. Ok, fine. The owner didn’t say thank you OR GIVE ME A RECEIPT. I didn’t even want to talk to them since they were so hostile about a tiny issue. Seriously!
The coffee is alright. The whip cream isn’t sweetened and there were small fat clumps.
I was excited to try this place out, but the quick mood change bothered me. Most café owners are very nice and want to make clients instead of complain about being $ 1 short to make the minimum $ 5 card purchase. Whatever Papillon!

My go-​to coffee shop in Lafayette.
Their French Roast is potent, and the Lemon Squares are divine.
They have a large selection of teas and plenty of seating inside.
Lauren’s Blend is my current coffee obsession!
On behalf of all caffeine-​oholics everywhere, thank you, Papillon, for making Lafayette more awesome! FIVE STARS.
Enjoy.