Coffee’s Favorite Community

Twenty-seven years ago, Carla Reid opened Black Dog Café as a temporary plan. Now, it is a local favorite. Situated in Midtown Tallahassee overlooking Lake Ella, this bustling café boasts not only scenic views but also some truly great coffee. From seasonal lattes to house-made frittatas, Black Dog has something for everyone.  

Inside, the lively hum of conversation pairs well with the scent of freshly ground espresso beans. Outside, sunlight spills through the towering oak trees, while regulars sip their favorite drinks, wrapped in the comfort of routine. This is Tallahassee’s longest-standing independent coffee house, after all. 

At the café, students study under cozy lighting, and friends chat over cappuccinos on the wooden patio, their laughter carried by the breeze. The space is scattered with chessboards and has a designated toy section where kids can play while their parents enjoy a cup of coffee. All are welcome here. 

At any given moment, it is likely the owner of Black Dog Café, Hannah Cummings, will be moving about the shop with a peppermint or vanilla cold brew in hand. Previously the café’s longtime manager, Cummings officially took over as owner this past January. 

Even though the shop was named for Reid’s dog, Phaedrus, it really is all about the people. Black Dog fosters a strong sense of community, and Cummings is committed to keeping it this way. Reid built a space where people could connect around coffee, and that connection has become the seemingly effortless mission of Black Dog. 

Photo by Dave Barfield

You often hear the phrase, “It’s the people that make the place,” but in this café’s case, it is undeniably true. Baristas remember regulars’ drink orders by heart. Couples who met at the café return each year to reminisce. College students claim their favorite study spots before every exam. “You come two times, three times and you’re already a regular,” Cummings says. 

Cummings first visited the café as a patron and quickly fell in love with the unique community. “I started hanging out there when I was 19, so I became a regular very quickly,” she says. “It was just a wonderful place where anybody could stop in anytime of the day and you’d know six people.” 

Before the pandemic, late nights at Black Dog meant open mic nights and poetry readings with a room full of listeners. Cummings hopes to bring these events back. She also plans to increase the café’s local charity efforts.

Sustainability and ethical sourcing remain a priority. Since January, Black Dog has partnered with Compost Community to compost all possible materials. The café sources its eggs locally, and a local baker supplies the pastries. It has used the same responsible coffee roaster since Reid set up shop in 1997. 

These values are just a footnote in what makes Black Dog a local favorite. Cummings shares one of her favorite recent memories: a couple getting engaged by the lake. Cummings, the café staff, and the couple’s family all watched from inside. Of course, the happy pair stopped in for coffee afterward.

Looking for a place to unwind, meet new people, or maybe even find your soulmate? Black Dog Café cannot promise you love, but it can promise a great cup of coffee and a warm community.

Located at 299 Lake Ella Drive, in the back of the American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13. For more information, call (850) 224-2518.