Rowland Cafe

The nice coffee cafe is located inside The Guardian Building Lobby. I never knew their was anything like that in the building but to the tell the truth; I never had a reason to go until yesterday.

The coffee cafe isn't like your regular dunkin' donut coffee -- it's on same level as Starbucks coffe. Freshly prepared in front of you and decorated as well -- I gotten a hot coca; it was so pretty I waited to drink it. Lol!

They are opened normally business hours... and if you stay until it closed you might get a chance to get some free leftovers. (The workers is extremely awesome!!!)

This place is exactly that, a cafe. The food is good here, but dont expect a brunch menu if you come. I would liken this place to a coffee shop more than anything in regards to the food and beverage menu.

The indoor architecture is amazing and I would highly recommend everyone come check it out. Nice, calm atmosphere in the Guardian Building.

Beautiful building! And, glad they serve Illy brand espresso & coffees. Try a date bar, they are lovely!

Only three stars because I visited on a Saturday and none of the food they advertise was available : (

I walked here, bypassing several other places specifically to have brunch in this beautiful building. But, all they had was a day-old sandwich to offer and a handful of pastries.

Saturday- you might be thinking that it's excusable to be on minimal supply at a downtown location on a Saturday. But, the website and signs in the lobby when I arrived bragged about being open until 3 with food and drinks!! Aaaand, furthermore, there were three tour groups and multiple tourists that came through just in the time I sat to have my cappuccino. So, it's busy, just not stocked.

Bummer, because the Brazilian jazz piping from the espresso bar, the barista, and the building were all lovely...but it's disappointing and frustrating to plan for a meal and be met with an understocked place.

You want an amazingly friendly coffee experience? Then go see Indigo the barista at Rowland Cafe. Seriously, nicest dude ever. So helpful and generous with his time and caffeine! Speaking of the caffeine, the coffee ain't no slouch either. Illy coffee. Can't go wrong with that! But if you're not in the bean type of mood they do have a solid selection of carbonated beverages for your enjoyment as well (San Pellegrino in the house!).

Hungry? Oh do they have treats for you! Delicious little bars of chocolate, coconut, toffee, peanut, etc., layered up in delectable combinations. Cookies, brownies, and biscotti can give you a sugar buzz as well. They seemed to have a few options of savory sandwiches as well but I have a hard time choosing a wrap when there are brownies available!

So here we've got good coffee, great service, and tasty morsels. Already sounds like a worthwhile place, right? Well, add the grandeur of the architecture of the Guardian building and Rowland knocks it out of the park. It is SO gorgeous in there. High arched ceilings, beautifully painted detailing, ahh! The most ideal place to sit with a cup of coffee, enjoy free wifi, munch on a biscotti, and chill out/work/catch up with a friend (or a few!).

When I need to escape the confines of the First National Building, I stroll across Woodward Ave. to Rowland Cafe, located in one of my favorite downtown buildings, The Guardian.

I like to stop in here because it's quiet, there's free wi-fi and it's a great place to people watch, re-center your day. The coffee at Rowland is top notch. It's illy espresso, which makes an incredible Cafe Americano. Don't expect Starbucks inspired creations at Rowland. This stuff is the real deal.

If coffee's not your speed, as Tiffany D. mentioned, there is a fine selection of Euro water, really expensive soft drinks and imports aplenty. Their food is ok. Most of it comes from the Stella International Cafe (also in the Guardian Building) and is made with quality ingredients, though if a sandwich looks as if it's been sitting for a while, I'd avoid it. The bread can get soggy.

Lots of pastry options as well.

All in all, a nice cafe nestled into one of Detroit's most recognizable facade. It's worth the trip inside if you're hoping from building to building or if you haven't had the opportunity to tour some of the D's fine, fine architecture.

First off, if you have not already checked out the Guardian Building, then you MUST! It's my favorite building in Detroit for architecture which just so happens to have this lovely little cafe tucked away inside.

This was the place I'd go when I lived in Detroit when I wanted a well flavored, strong cappuccino. I don't have to ask for a double shot for fear that I'll get some thing "milked down" with a high milk to liquid caffeine ratio- like at say Starbucks establishments. They carry "illy" brand coffee here, and for those who don't know...illy = delicious! No but really, it's great quality Italian coffee.

The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous, there's a huge mural/map of Michigan on one wall and the ceilings are covered in wonderfully detailed tile work. The style, I believe, is Art Deco with an Aztec twist. You'll see what I mean when you get there. The lobby of the building is pretty stunning as well.

The snack treats are pretty good, last time I was there I got a Madeleine cookie. It was tasty but a bit stale...so that was sort of disappointing, they should be tender not tough!

Also a big plus is the neighboring Real Detroit store. Literally right next to the cafe you can find all sorts of Detroit made goods- Faygo, Bettermade, Mc Clures Pickles, Printed T's...books on Quame...all sorts of goodies!

What a sweet little excuse to hang out in one of Detroit's most gorgeous buildings. Their selection of teas was good, and they also had some yummy orangeade and other flavorful refreshers.

It was around lunchtime, so I tried a tuna sandwich -- simple, crisp and satisfying, unlike some cafe tuna sandwiches that can get a little soggy.

I had work to do, so I hopped on the wifi and hung out for a spell. I'd be working, working, working, then take a look up and all around me. Gazing at those mosaics was pretty amazing, and it was wonderful to have a few reflective moments just soaking in the grandeur and considering all of the time and care that must have gone into this landmark.

The staff here was really friendly, the food was a slight step above a lot of cafes, but the environment? That's truly the part that can't be beat.

Beautiful building. Gorgeous, in fact.

Rowland Cafe is situated right smack dab in a grand atrium of the Guardian Building in downtown Detroit. Ample table space, quick counter service, and generous offerings from quiche, sandwiches, soups, juices and full espresso bar.

The best (and biggest) bowl of Ethiopian lentil soup I've ever encountered, and it came at precisely the right moment to fend off chilly weather and imminent hunger. Mmmm, very, very good...and priced well at around $4.

My only hangup was the spotty wifi...

Winter. Soup. Perfect.

It's like drinking coffee in a masterpiece. The service is friendly. The coffee is good. But really, it's all about the surroundings. If walls can be sumptuous...if architecture can totally change your mood, your day, your outlook on the city - than this is that place.

A building built when architecture was meant to elevate the ordinary person. And a proper espresso.

It just feels like something wonderful could happen to you here.

(It's really a very ordinary, but good coffee place, serving illy in those totally cute white cups with saucers. A decent selection of locally made desserts and friendly service.)

The Rowland wins for location. Bajesus it's beautiful in the Guardian lobby. Having said that, it's a bit of an orphan, dwarfed in a giant space that's shared with a bank and a couple of other small building lobby retailers. Alas there aren't many other good coffee options in downtown Detroit.

The free wireless is straightforward but my damn work laptop sucks down the juice like a 70s Caddy and power outlets are non-existant in the Rowland's island proper and well hidden in the surrounding lobby environs. Big thanks to the nearby shoeshine guy who pointed out a table that'd been dragged over to a wall where there was a plug about five feet up.

Space is a bit loud and echo-y due to the nature of the beast, and is a fine tradeoff in exchange for the sheer art deco beauty. Quoting from the wikipedia gives a bit of history of the name of the café (my assumption that the names are related):

"Wirt C. Rowland, of the Smith Hinchman & Grylls firm, was the building's architect while Corrado Parducci created the two sculptures flanking the Griswold Street entrance. The building includes works by muralist Ezra Winter. Rowland's attention to detail was meticulous. He supervised the creation of bricks to achieve the desired color for the exterior and designed furniture for the bank's offices. His attention went as far as designing tableware, linens and waitress uniforms for a restaurant in the building."

Definitely a recommended stop for anyone visiting downtown Detroit, but for telecommute friendly café's you'll have to leave downtown =(