Coffee houses have always been a meeting place for poets, intellectuals, students, writers, musicians and artists. Coffee houses generally don't have full kitchens built with ranges, ovens, hoods and flues. The coffee house space has comfortable seating with dark roasted coffee and espresso brew offered with inexpensive desserts, lights meals and beverages. Service is casual as in walking up to a counter, ordering and paying for your drink and food. Depending on the order, it may be brought to your table or you may carry it yourself.
Some patrons use a criteria of ambiance first and coffee second when evaluating coffee houses.
Original artwork from local artist cover the walls and perhaps live music and poetry readings are performed. A local bulletin board might hang on the wall for people to scan deals on apartment sublets, cheap airline tickets or guitar lessons. A rack carrying neighborhood, underground newspapers and magazines will be available free for customers to read. All these add to the attraction of a coffee house. In addition, music and ambiance is definitely an important factor when designing your ideal coffee house.