Capital One Cafe: Not My First Choice Coffee Shop
As someone who spends a lot of time (and money) cafe hopping around the world, I finally visited a Capital One Cafe.
Although I won’t be making any Capital One Cafes my go-to spots, I can see why people enjoy going to them.
Most of the articles I’ve read felt like advertisements so I’m going to walk you through my experience at one of the locations and talk about why I’m critical of these types of “coffee shops.”
What is a Capital One Cafe?
The banking institution, Capital One, has opened locations that are half bank and half coffee shop.
It’s Capital One’s attempt at creating a third space where you can get some work done, hang out and not feel stressed out about your finances.
Ok, that last part is a stretch or maybe I’m just not seeing the grand vision.
There are more than 50 locations across the U.S. that serve snacks and drinks, provide co-working spaces with multiple types of seating, meeting rooms and ATMs.
My first impressions of the Boston Back Bay location
The location
Boston’s Back Bay is known for its shopping, cafes like Blank Street Coffee and Tatte Bakery and the scenic Boston Public Library – Central Library in Copley Square.
This area is somewhat busy during the week but absolutely packed during the weekend.
If you want a seat on the weekends, come early.
The decor & ambiance
Bright and relaxed. Lots of light-colored wood, including the flooring.
And plants are everywhere, which I can appreciate.
This location has two stories. Downstairs has the cafe and the banking services, private workspaces you can book and some seating.
Upstairs has a lot more seating and different types:
- small round tables that seat 2
- Large rectangular tables that seat up to 6 people
- Booths that seat at 3 – 4 people
- Cushioned chairs with coffee tables for individuals
The downstairs area seemed more lively with friends chatting and families hanging out while upstairs felt like the designated quiet study area.
Ambassador support
Upon walking in, before I could turn my head in the direction of Verve Coffee, I was greeted by one of the ambassadors and asked why I came in.
“For the cafe,” I replied as I start walking in the direction of the line to place my order.
“Are you a Capital One card holder?” asks the ambassador.
As I give them my answer, I stand in line and the ambassador walks towards me.
The ambassador asks me if I’m interested in learning more about Capital One’s products and services.
I decline and the ambassador returns to their spot in front of the main entrance.
A “Hi, welcome in. Let me know if you need anything” would have sufficed.
Especially, after seeing other people walk in without the same interaction with the ambassadors.
Menu & prices
The menu includes drinks such as craft coffee & espresso, matcha lattes, hot chocolate and chai tea.
Food and snacks include avocado toast, pastries, yogurt bowls, smoothies and signature sandwiches.
These appear to be the standard menu items from some of the Verve Coffee Roasters locations.
So, Capital One Cafe hasn’t developed their own menu.
And they don’t need to.
Verve Coffee Roasters has a great reputation for quality, taste and customer service.
I ordered the smallest size Honey Lavender Latte which is listed as a “Signature Beverage” and a cherry danish.
The latte costs $5.75. Non-dairy milk (soy, almond and oat) is $1.00 extra.
I didn’t see the price for the danish but I estimate it to cost between $3 and $5.
If you have a Capital One or Discover card, you get a discount, so in this example, the price comes out to $7.52 before tip.
Keep in mind that the prices vary depending on the location.
Taste
I’m not a coffee person so I had no business getting a latte.
I love lavender and was hoping that there would be a strong lavender flavor, usually achieved with lavender syrup.
Unfortunately, I didn’t taste any lavender but the drink wasn’t that bad.
The cherry danish, with sliced almonds, was really good.
Make sure to ask for your pastry to be warmed up.
Why the Capital One Cafe misses the mark for me
Financial education from a bank?
Banks and other financial institutions have built massive amounts of wealth because the average person lacks a certain amount of financial literacy.
In other words, banks make a lot of money because we don’t understand how money works.
So, what does a bank have to gain from educating their customers about their finances?
The illusion of trust?
Which makes me think that younger generations and/or people with less experience with banks are the target audience.
There are too many people of older generations who are wary of banks and rightfully so, given their negative experiences with them.
Cafe and a bank? Or a cafe with a side of banking?
The Capital One Cafe is more cafe than bank.
Inside the cafe, you can open an account, but only through self-service.
But why would I leave the comfort and security of my home when I can open an account….from home.
However, if you want the full banking services, then why not go into a regular bank branch instead of the cafe?
But then I question the purpose of these cafes.
Are the cafes supposed to bring in a new clientele for the bank?
Are the cafe customers supposed to “graduate” from the cafe to a full-service bank location?
Is the ultimate plan to turn all Capital One bank locations into this cafe hybrid?
What’s unique about the Capital One Cafe?
I have a running list of go-to cafes worldwide and I can give you reasons for every single one.
For example, Kyle’s Good Finds has the best spice cake and it’s located in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo.
Kyle has been living in Japan for 30+ years and I really enjoy learning about his experiences as an expat.
What are my reasons for going to this cafe?
Honestly, I’m going to Capital One Cafes because I want to write a decent article about it.
Not necessarily because I want to go or would choose it over another coffee shop.
More cafe hopping but in Japan
Kyoto, Japan Cafes that are Actually Worth Your Time and Money
