Love this location. this is a great place for coffee and a place to sit down catch up and relax or do some work and focus. the coffee is pretty good and not so expen$ive. It’s decent for what you get :) which I tried the strawberry liege waffle and whip cream. Very tasty. And warm :) ice coffee was pretty good too !
Wei V.
Place rating: 3 Jersey City, NJ
I am so glad that there is a Caffe Bene nearby. I liked the bakery choices that they offered. However, I had the coffee ice cream today, which I wanted to have shaved ice but they didn’t serve it. The ice cream tastes almost salty and weird. When we asked to try some of the yogurt flavored ice cream. One of the staff sampled it first and said«gross», which totally turned us off. I would only go there if I want to just chill there for studying or reading a book because it was very empty in the café. Otherwise, for food I would go somewhere else.
Kristina N.
Place rating: 4 Lynn Haven, FL
My sister likes the misugaru drink but I just like to order my cortado, find a nook upstairs, and then get to work. Lots of tables, free wi-fi, stays open ’til 10, has a fake lit up «window» that tricks you(or maybe just me) into thinking it’s daytime all day, it’s quiet, AND they occasionally have free pastry samples. What a great place to study.
Anna C.
Place rating: 5 Harrington Park, NJ
The employees were really sweet which was a nice surprise and the portions made the smiles on my kids’ faces light up~ If you haven’t been there then get there.
Stephanie N.
Place rating: 3 Brooklyn, NY
This spot was next to my boss’s apartment, so I stopped for a quick coffee break. I had never been to caffe bene and was expecting something like Starbucks. A little bit cheaper, more variety. I got a coconut bubble tea, since they didn’t have coconut coffee. 3.5÷5 for bubble tea, not bad but wouldn’t necessarily try again.
Ruben V.
Place rating: 4 Ringwood, NJ
Their green tea latte tastes like a hot green tea frapp from Starbucks. It was a bit too sweet for me though. Overall, i enjoyed sipping on my latte while chatting w/my friends upstairs. This café is nice to chill in and i like how close it is to the waterfront incase you wanted to walk outside and have a view(; I’d definitely come here if i wanted to drink coffee and chill on my laptop. It has a bigger, nicer, and calmer environment than the Starbucks around here.
Kim D.
Place rating: 4 Jersey City, NJ
This was my first visit to any Caffe Bene, and it definitely made a good first impression. My boyfriend and I were looking for a quiet café to have a coffee and get a little work done for a couple of hours. We landed on this place because it seemed to be the only place in the area that was open late on a Saturday night, which is to say open past 5pm. Plus, it’s only a couple blocks from the lightrail and PATH stations, and has free wifi. We ordered a dark roast coffee, a latte, and choco-strawberry waffles(they were out of raspberries). The dark roast wasn’t too strong, but very smooth and tasty. The waffles were fresh, delicious, and eaten up in minutes. I didn’t look through their whole menu, but it seems like they have a variety of different things like desserts, pastries, gelato, sandwiches, etc. Next time, I’ll be trying their honey bread! The employees were very friendly and helpful. The cashier was patient with us as we tried to decide our order, and even gave us some good recommendations. Our order came out quick, which was great because we were on limited time. And when we were finished, I brought the tray back up to the counter where another employee insisted that next time, we can leave the dishes at our table and they will come clear it away for us. They’re a very sweet and accommodating staff. The café has two levels, but we only stayed downstairs. It’s a pretty good size for a café with a good amount of table and bar seating. The décor is pretty standard for what you’d expect of a café: a little trendy, but laid back and relaxing with good music playing. I was very happy with my experience here, and would gladly return, esp to try that honey bread =)
Yeraldine S.
Place rating: 4 Jersey City, NJ
I was happy when the Hoboken location opened up and to my surprise this location tops that one — well first off the location itself — close to the waterfront, the space, and service. I use to only go in for their mojito lemon drinks over the summer. I still would like to know the calorie count on these drinks –they are too good to be healthy. I feel like I’ve said this before(DejaVu) maybe I have reviewed a NY location or the Hoboken one but I think it’s worth writing a review for this one. The vanilla latte was perfect — not too sweet, no bitter taste. And to my surprise their waffle dessert(sundae) with chocolate gelato and strawberries was actually delicious! My friend was a fan. I agree that the size and price is higher than other local spots that might deliver better coffee but if you plan on sitting down and getting some work done, this place is a good choice.
Thomas W.
Place rating: 4 Greenbelt, MD
Amazing waffles, great coffee, neat place to hang out. Usually, I get my NYC waffle fix elsewhere, but I was really excited when I stumbled upon Caffé bene during my last visit. The place was never crowded the three occasions I went, and the upstairs is great for enjoying a leisurely afternoon. Service was friendly, and fast. Drinks: Not the very best coffee-based creations I’ve had — the white mocha was a tad too sweet — but pretty great nonetheless. Food: The blueberry and cream cheese waffle was amazing, as was the breakfast croissant. The blueberry and yogurt waffle was a bit of a letdown in comparison — not quite crispy enough, possibly due to the yogurt — but was still good.
Choua V.
Place rating: 5 Jersey City, NJ
I am a new fan of Caffe Bene! I hope keep their locations clean, friendly, and fresh. The pastries are amazing especially the chocolate waffles. Their mint tea is good too. I go there because I don’t have to fight for a seat in NYC like at Starbucks, and they are also much more cleaner than any NYC Starbucks. Check if out if you’re close to one! I still need to get to the one in Jersey City but I hear the view is amazing of downtown Manhattan.
Mark M.
Place rating: 4 Cedar Grove, NJ
Looks can be deceiving! This place is in a great location overlooking the waterfront in downtown jersey city! Looks small when you walk in but there is a very cozy upstairs level to go to. The coffee is on point and desserts and pastry are outstanding! Gotta try the pistachio cheesecake and green tea cake! These guys are talented and some really nice people also!
LC L.
Place rating: 4 New York, NY
Very nice and large upstairs area that is quiet and cozy for doing work. One wall is lined with bookcases filled with textbooks, World Book and Childcraft(flashbacks to my childhood!) encyclopedias, novels, and various other books. I ordered a banana liege waffle and an espresso drink. Coffee was good but the waffle was just ok. The syrup drizzled in top tasted too artificial. Overall a great place in the neighborhood to grab a coffee and get work done.
Jasmine S.
Place rating: 3 Elmhurst, Queens, NY
It’s close by the water, with a nice view of downtown New York City. Inside is very nice and warm ambiance better looking then Starbucks and more comfortable. I came here like 3 times and I’m not into their drinks or food. I had the red velvet bubble, it was nasty because it was lukewarm. Also had a waffle with chocolate, it was hard, not sore whatsoever. Honestly countless times of drinks that weren’t prepared well. I would go back if I need a place to lounge and maybe buy ice cream but that’s it. Never getting drinks here again
Francine R.
Place rating: 4 Union, NJ
Caffe Bene is a great coffee shop to have something small to eat, some coffee or dessert to relax and/or get work done. The overall décor is contemporary, comfortable and relaxed. The staff is very friendly. It has two floors, the second kind of feels like a loft, but there isn’t a lot of seating; wifi is provided though. I’ve been here several times with my boyfriend and I noticed that it’s never loud in here; people usually come here to get work done and keep to themselves. Their menu has a good variety of desserts and drinks, but not many hardy foods. They offer a few sandwiches and I read a sign that says they’ll be offering soups, but I’ve never tried either. My boyfriend got their caramel latte with almond milk which I’m so glad they offer rather than regular milk or soy, because not many places do. I got their hot chocolate which tastes amazing! A different mix than I’ve tasted at other places. I never drink anything with coffee or tea(I’m not fond of the taste) so I always get hot chocolate if it’s ever offered. Their waffles are delicious and remind of Waffle De Lys; the portion is good for one person. I’ve always gotten the waffle with banana with walnuts but no whipped cream; it came drizzled with chocolate as well. I’m giving Caffe Bene four stars because seating is limited and they close at 10pm instead 11pm or 12am. I would also like them to expand their menu. Other than that, this place is awesome!
Swiss M.
Place rating: 3 Manhattan, NY
The food: Pleasantly surprised since this is a chain. The waffle was good and coffee frapp hit the spot. The staff: mediocre at best. Been here twice. First time the girl messed up my order and didn’t tell me to come around the side to pick up, so I ended up waiting while my food sitting there. Second time I came in,(different girl) was in a foul mood. Almost wanted to rescind my order than have a person with bad energy making my shake, but ended up being good anyway.
Jennifer K.
Place rating: 5 Jersey City, NJ
A super cute and cozy coffee shop by the waterfront! The servers/cashiers are so friendly… the taro bubble tea is deeelish. I prefer coming here over going to the Starbucks down the street.
Christina L.
Place rating: 5 State College, PA
Lovely café with free wifi(with purchase) and a cute upstairs«quiet area.» This is a great place for studying or catching up with a friend. The food comes out quickly and is effortlessly delicious. Definitely would come again.
Vicky L.
Place rating: 3 Jersey City, NJ
Korean café, pastry, sandwich chain that opened a location in JC. The physical location itself is very spacious and relaxing. However, the coffee is inconsistent, I’ve been here a couple times to order the Café Saigon(a.k.a vietnamese coffee, a.k.a. coffee with condensed milk) and the first time it has more milk than coffee and the second time it was very, very sweet. It’s also pretty pricey. We’re talking around $ 3 for a small latte. I think if you’re going to hang out in the store, it’s more than worth it for the price of a cup of coffee. There’s wifi, lots of foliage, sunlight, and space. However, if I was just grabbing a cup of coffee, I think there are other places in the neighborhood that are just a little bit better.
Jennifer T.
Place rating: 3 Clifton, NJ
3.5 stars *vanilla bean gelato(yum!!! Very light and not too sweet; the consistency of this gelato was smooth yet chewy; when you take a scoop out, the gelato pulls; it’s a fun texture and I can honestly say I would like to have this again) *green tea gelato(interesting; it’s hard to find anything green tea flavored that’s not powdery though. the consistency is just about the same as the vanilla bean; not my favorite) This place is cute. Café setup is not unlike Starbucks or other fancier chain cafes. They have nice array of pastries, coffees, gelato, milk teas, sandwiches, and these ice parfaits. I need to go back and try those ice parfaits. They look really interesting and dare I say refreshing. They come in a HUGE cup and is $ 12 for one. The picture is so deceiving, because I thought it was a small size. Overall, cute place in a nice location.
Eric M.
Place rating: 3 Indianapolis, IN
This Korea-based chain might sweep the more heavily Asian influenced coasts(and maybe Chicago or Houston), but Starbucks shouldn’t be shaking in its boots. Overall presentation is classy. Loft seating above and a sort of Pacific Rim feel throughout the place. And the food on display, particularly the Liege-style Waffles, appear believably Belgian. But I just paid $ 5 for a medium Saigon coffee: sort of a sweet, inverted cappuccino. It was fine, but not $ 5 fine and was mostly memorable because of what I paid for a 10-ounce cup. While plugs are abundant, the seating often lacks a back, so you must lean forward as you sip your cup(or as you type on your Macbook Pro). Not comfortable. And then there’s that music. Holy good gravy. I mean, we obviously all own a copy of Mariah Carey’s «Daydream» and we all listen to it multiple times each day. But we don’t necessarily need Ms. Carey’s inspiration carried into javaland. At this place, 90s pop abounds, but not even the most jaded, ironic Brooklynites would contend with the likes of Natalie Imbruglia or «Tubthumping» by Chumbawamba. Does this exemplify Caffé Bene’s audacity, or is it the old classic«they just didn’t think it all the way through?» You decide. But be prepared to fork over at least a tenner for it.
Irene H.
Place rating: 4 New York, NY
Slightly overpriced but just wonderfully delicious waffles. Didn’t realized they had one in my hood but discovered it from a friend and went there for a waffle with gelato(tasted like ice cream though) and that costed me $ 6 dollars for a waffle smaller than my face which I easily devoured in about four bites but it was oh so yummy! I literally came here for the promise of above average waffles. The combination of the warm crisp waffle and the cold ice cream(which I’m sure it was and not gelato) was just like heaven in my mouth. I’m a sucker for sweets/desserts so despite the arm and leg it’ll cost me to fulfill my constant cravings, I’ll definitely be back. Great and friendly service as well, always a pleasure working with nice people.
Jaimee A.
Place rating: 3 Manhattan, NY
This is a very welcome addition to the Paulus Hook/Exchange Place area since Dunkin Dounuts closed. This is a very cute shop with lots of treats and a variety of coffees. The prices for a small latte is a little high at $ 3.25 but the quality was very good. The service was extremely nice and the staff worked at a reasonable pace. I would come back to satisfy my caffeine craving.
Bikram S.
Place rating: 2 Jamaica, NY
Beautiful décor and atmosphere BUT don’t expect much for food. –Tried the gelato twice: too sweet and watery –Tried the Iced Americano: walk over to Starbucks instead. –Tried the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake: tasted premade and had fridge taste, as if it was sitting for days. –Tried the Mango Passionfruit Smootie: sour mangoes, tastes powdery. I’ve tried the waffle at other locations, so hopefully those are good here! Staff is nice but too many young kids who are not confident in running a café. They forgot my order once cause the person before me ordered the same drink so they thought it was a mistake. Also, they need to be able to alter drinks and food to keep the customer happy.
K F.
Place rating: 5 New York, NY
Order: 1) Choco Raspberry Sundae Waffle — $ 9.50 2) Honey Bread with Strawberries and cheese — $ 8.95 This Caffebene opened in Jersey City recently. I went there for dinner. Yes, desert for diner. Interior is neat and clean very relaxing feeling. It has two stories. Second level has some bookshelves with books. You are free to grab and read while enjoying coffee. Service — cashier is friendly, when we ordered Choco Raspberry Sundae Waffle, he alert us that the waffle is bigger than the displayed simple version. It is totally fine with us since we didn’t eat dinner at all. He also gave us an electronic pager when it is ready, we can go pickup out food. Food — Honey Bread with Strawberries and Cheese are worth to try. At first I was wondering would one desert is enough for me for the night. It turns out absolutely enough. The Honey bread is huge and thick and warm. The flavor is very unique and topping with cream cheese and fresh strawberries. I never had bread with this kind of flavor. This desert did surprise me. I will go back and try the garlic cheese version. For Choco Raspberry Sundae Waffle, I feel like it is good. But not surprising enough. It is just a plain waffle with whipped cream, a scoop of chocolate gelato, one oreo, couple of raspberries and finally chocolate syrup. Price — Honey Bread with Strawberries and cheese is worth the price. On the other hand, the Choco Raspberry Sundae Waffle doesn’t worth the money. This is a easy made which I can also make it at home.
Craig C.
Place rating: 4 Nutley, NJ
I stopped in here to try it a few days after it’s opened. The space is really done well — tranquil, relaxing, and fresh. It really is a nice atmosphere. There are two levels, with a balcony that has seating up above. I really liked the feel of this place. I went just for food, although I know their main specialties are coffee, tea, and gelato. I ordered the spicy chicken sandwich, and it was very good. The hot sauce they used for the sandwich was very flavorful and quite unique as compared to other typical hot sauces. It had some sweetness to it. I was very happy with the sandwich; my only complaint would be that I’m not sure if it’s worth just under $ 10 for the size of the sandwich and the amount of filling. Overall, I was happy and I’ll definitely head back soon and try more of their items — teriyaki chicken up next?