100 N San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
The Rendezvous is a unique daytime coffeehouse/night time martini bar located inside Flagstaff's historic Hotel Monte Vista. Built in 1927, the hotel is supposedly haunted and is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the country. This hotel bar is one of my favorite places to get coffee in the city: I love the dark ambiance and high quality drinks.
I really love the drinks here. The Americanos and mochas here are just great: never burnt with a nice smooth, rich flavor. You will definitely be craving another, and how could you resist when you have the perfect setting overlooking downtown? One of the specialty espresso drinks is a "Hot Monte," a combo of espresso, dark chocolate, cayenne, and cinnamon. Japanese Pour Over and French Press can also be ordered. In addition, a handful of loose leaf green, white, black, and rooibos teas will please those trying to cut back on caffeine.
Breakfast options include a few pastry options, which in all honesty, usually look pretty old and unappetizing.
At night, you will find a wide assortment of specialty cocktails and martinis. On a side note, I wish they would improve their wine list which is currently very limited.
Service is always fast, especially in the morning when no one is around. Luckily, this coffee shop is less busy than others and has virtually no wait. Service is steadily getting better here compared to a year ago.
The setting at this coffee house is quite attractive compared to others downtown. There is a lot of ambiance and historic charm to enjoy, a really unique experience in comparison to a common chain. The comfortable couches, pretty artwork, and absence of any crowds leads to a rather enjoyable coffee drinking experience. Gazing out the large windows, taking in the action on San Francisco Street, while sipping a great espresso, is the perfect way to start any morning in Flagstaff.
Overall, Rendezvous is a great option for those seeking a quiet, upscale coffee experience. The relaxed atmosphere is quite enjoyable for enjoying your morning beverage, and unfortunately, not really available anywhere else downtown. I recommend skipping the trendy, overcrowded, overpriced choices in favor of this local gem. This is on my list of go-to shops since moving to the Flagstaff region: it's party of my regular rotation of locals coffeehouses I frequent most often. You really cannot beat the historic charm offered here.
