“Alright, just one medium Americano? It will be $1 off since it’s before 9AM.”

An inner dialogue erupts.

A dollar off, oh gosh. Whatever the stress hormone is called, it’s pumpin’ now. Does this mean I should actually tip $2? I’m a girl… but I’m also good at mental math. No, Katherine, $2 would be over a 60% tip. This is why you get so many credit card fraud alerts.

I end up tipping a dollar, unaccustomed to this sort of imposed frugality.

Tipico is Buffalo’s sleekest, hipster coffee shop. Even as I write, a purple haired babe with a
steady walk and an ironic horse/American flag t-shirt arrives (naturally, she also has a pierced upper lip). Giant windows line two sides of the store, and skylights offer the inner side of the shop additional natural lighting. Seating is always available, and there is a steady stream of patrons.

Two baristas are working behind the bar, and it is hard not to notice their reading materials: a book about Malcolm X and Kafka’s “America.” Very telling.

If the giant windows are not enough of a draw, the remaining walls are brick or stark white with an interesting cove in the wall where customers can sit. This area is a mixture of black/white tiles and bright blue/green/navy floral tiles that pop and make you immediately reach for your phone, thumb grazing your Iphone’s home button, before pausing to question whether you will be judged for so flagrantly Instagramming the scene. 

The breakfast options are delightful. The regularly changing selection of baked goods from Butter Block and toast options (featuring BreadHive breads) never disappoint. A slice of fresh bread topped with half an avocado or homemade ricotta and jam can never be wrong. Other options are a white bean spread or Nutella. Sadly, my recent diet fads have led me to spurn the glutinous indulgences I love and instead opt for low carb options. For other self-loathers, fear not. You can order hard-boiled eggs, bright orange yolks perfectly cooked and sprinkled with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.

If you asked me if I had ever ordered any of the a la carte items in order to create a mini charcuterie board, I’d admit that I had, and suggest that you do the same for an evening work session. Aggressively completing applications past dinner, fresh cheese, tasty salami, and those perfect little eggs were everything a girl could ask for, short of a bottle of pinot noir and chocolate rum balls.

This place is a mix of students from D’Youville, located just a block away, and older baby boomers who seem to also be drawn to this spot for no known reason besides that they must also have good taste. Nevertheless, I’ve never had a problem finding a seat and there are multiple spots to plug in your computer chord.

If you have work to be done and you appreciate an esthetically pleasing spot, there’s no better place in Buffalo.

STATS

Price of a 12oz coffee: $2.75

Adult beverages: No.

Vibe: Hipster and chic. Clean and bright.

Music: Quiet.

Work/Study Spot?: Yes.

Wifi: Available with password. You might need to ask them to re-set it, which they are happy to do.

Food: Butter Block pastries (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) and BreadHive bread for toasts! Plus additional a la cart items.

Punch Card: No.

Coffee Sourcing: Detour Coffee Roasters and Ruby Coffee Roasters

Milk Options: House made coconut milk (I’m not a fan)

Website: tipicocoffee.com

Hours:

Mon – Fri (6AM-9PM)

Sat (7AM-9PM)

Sun (7AM-8PM)

Location:

128 Fargo Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14201