Joe The Art of Coffee
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Manhattan/Greenwich Village, Manhattan/Union Square9 East 13th Street
New York, NY 10002 (212) 924-7400
- Nearest Transit:
Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
14th Street (PATH)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: None
44 Reviews for Joe The Art of Coffee
Great cappuccinos--amazingly delicious. The pastries here are great, they often have red velvet donuts! This is the best coffee in Manhattan.
Drip coffee was fairly dark, similar to a Peets but not quite as heavily roasted. The shop is small, just a couple tables in the front and a couple along the wall as you walk in. Service was super slow. It seemed like it took an eternity to get an iced late. Seriously several minutes with essentially no line.
I was chilling here for about an hour and the line around lunch time was continually huge, if the staff was cranking service times could have definitely been better. Oh well.
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The coffee here is delicious and the coffee guy can make a beautiful little leafy design on your coffee to look at. The tables are limited and very small, so this is just quick stop normally on the way to somewhere important.
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I fell in love with the Waverly location and Amy Sedaris' cupcakes. 13th Street is no Waverly place but it's right across the street from my new pad, so I am there more frequently.
Somehow it just doesn't have the same, "You and me against a Starbucks kinda world" vibe to it. But it is across the street.
So there's that.
The coffee is still quite nice and the baked goods are still worth the guilt.
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Very good espresso drinks, mediocre drip coffee, a great assortment of local pastries, and several types of interesting loose tea. I'm guessing this place has wi-fi too based on the plethora of laptops I saw, and it has a clean bathroom and TWO seating areas, the main floor one and a smaller area on the second floor that can be accessed by a ladder - possibly one of the coolest things ever.
The staff are friendly and fun, and reasonably fast considering the busy hum of the place. My double cappuccino - ordered dry with extra foam, not taking any chances this time! - came proportioned as a cappuccino should be, with ample, good quality foam and a trademark leaf pattern. The espresso was very good. Not as good as a few other places, but the competition in this city is stiff.
On other occasions I've had their pear green loose tea (quite tasty with a massive portion of tea leaves and it's unusual to find pear flavoured tea) and their drip brew coffee. The latter failed to impress; it was overground or perhaps overbrewed or both, and so on the bitter, acidic side. I make it sound dreadful, but it was perfectly drinkable - I just wouldn't get it again. To its credit, it was quite strong.
They offer reasonably priced pastries here and quite a selection (muffins, cookies, cakes, almond french-toast like slices of brioche, and amazing looking cinnamon buns), making it difficult for my sweet tooth to decide. I spied a small cake donut ($2.25) and inquired as to who supplies their donuts? Response: Donut Plant - yay! This spoke volumes of the quality of edibles proffered. It was a very tasty plain glazed cake donut. A friend got a raspberry thumbprint style cookie, with the cookie part consisting, as is traditional, primarily of ground almonds, but I found it disappointing; the jam was tasty but the cookie was dry and lacking in flavour.
Overall, Joe's has some advantages over other fine coffeeshops in the area; its coffee may not be quite as outstanding but the pastry selection, bathroom, and pleasant seating area make up for much of that. This would be a good place to linger for a while and read or work.
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I can't rave about this coffee shop as I compare them all to Grumpy's but it's still pretty good. I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. The coffee was good, not incredible or memorable, but good. The decor is very dialed down which is a good sign that they focus on coffee and service. As always, i wish there were more tables (several of the tables are along the area where people stand in line to order their coffee, which is distracting if you are there to work). The service was surprisingly slow; I was there on a Sunday afternoon, there were just 3 people on line in front of me but the wait for a cafe au lait was about 10 minutes. I bore this hardship well as I had a seat and work to do but it does seem a bit much for NYC.
I am looking forward to their Grand Central branch opening as there is a dearth of coffee shops in this area; I'll report once they are open.
Oh it's so hard to write an objective review after spending a week in Seattle. New York coffee shops just don't compare, but I'll give it a try anyway.
So Joe has been my staple of choice for a few years now. It's quaint, clean and the staff is great. The coffee is very good and I definitely prefer it over a not-to-be mentioned chain that we all know. I usually get the house which is a nice dark roast with great flavor. The other drinks are good as well, but for some reason, I just cannot enjoy their espresso. I've had it a few times and it's just too damn bitter. Too bad cause my preferred drink is a quad espresso (and I drink these two to three times a day....yeah, I'm flyin!).
My only issues with Joe are that they need larger "large" cups and more cookies and brownies which they run out of (though this has been getting better). I also wish that they would have a traditional granita maker in the summertime vs. their blender made ones that they have. When I asked about it they said "This is how they're made in Italy." Well, I just got back from an extended tour through Italy and I used to live there as well...it's not how they make them. They make them in a granita machine.
One last thing...this place is cash only.
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Combed through many a cafe in NYC and Joe has to be hands down the best espresso around.
If you're a Dunkin Donut or Starbucks drinker, this sort of 'real' coffee probably won't appeal to you...If you're idea of a kewl espresso machine is a bush button automatic one, you should go to Bouchon...If you think Illy defines the only excellence of espresso, then you still have got a lot to learn.
More than the quality of the beans which may or may not be beatable, the actual preparation of the shots of espresso is something every cafe in the city should be taking note of....Espresso shots are not supposed to be bitter or burnt tasting, it should almost be chocolatey in flavor with a nice crema head to it.
Bonus for having hot chocolate that actually uses milk instead of water.
Staff is actually friendly and the cafes are inviting/warm...Feels like how a cafe should be as opposed to putting on airs.
Joe clearly has done their homework and it shows...As big as NYC is, I will go far out of my way to get their macchiatos over any other in the city.
Loved visiting the cafe and hope that more and more cafes learn about the art of how to actually make good espresso.
Note: If you're a drip coffee drinker then check back when they will be employing their individual drip coffees, you won't want another.
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Joe wanted to create a coffee shop based on good coffee, not on decor, hype and merchandising. I think he accomplished his goal and then some when he decided to sell amazing chocolate cupcakes too.
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Opened up during my first year of law school, right around the corner from that dreaded building. I would like to take this time to thank them for keeping me awake during countless hours of reading law books, sitting in long lectures with some of my fellow douche bag students, and languishing over outlines and exams.
The coffee here is good, strong, and a kick in the pants. I truly have had a lot of it over the past three years. I also like their staff, despite other people's reviews. They have always been very friendly to me. But, it's not comfortable to come here and actually sit down, this is a better take out place. They could also have used a better design system, there is no room for the line that forms every morning and then abuts the coffee condiment area. With a backpack filled with books you truly end up hitting someone in the face each and every time. Sorry for that!
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I am giving Joe 4 stars because I love the soy and iced soy Latte. I was not blown away by their drip coffee however; nor am I big fan of the environment on 13th street, regardless of how bright and cheery. I dunno know ...there is just something about hard aluminum chairs that just don't do it for me. Most likely the chairs are intentionally uncomfortable as they do not want customers to linger for hours and hours. The place is always bustling... the coffee always fresh and delish. In my opinion the dry deserts and employees leave much to be desired...but I only go there for the soy latte which is a work of art.
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This place happens to be one of my fav spots for coffee...I cant go as often as I'd like it's not really in the area that I work but it's worth the trip. It's a little expensive for coffee but if you stay instead of taking it to go, they put these awesome designs in your coffee....well worth it
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I can't really blame Joe for having "The Art of Coffee". You see I ordered Tea here and they certainly are not Joe The Art of Tea. It was basic tea. One thing they did get right though was having it piping hot!
It makes for a great hand warmer when you've got good company and are taking a stroll around town with drink in hand. You'll need to wait a good 30 mins before it's at a temperature that won't scald your tongue, but boy does the tea really get out at that temp.
Although not as artsy, great job with the tea!
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I love Joe! It's a super cute place to have coffee with a friend or to do some work. I always get their vanilla latte. The right amount of vanilla and it's strong. The pastries are good, i got the cake donut and it wasn't too
sweet. The service is great, and they're quick.
The only thing it does add up, and it's cash only.
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When I first stumbled upon Joe's about three years ago I thought I was in heaven. They serve their lattes up right with a leaf pattern in the foam and they don't make you drink from a paper cup when you really want to linger with the porcelain one. And I love how they have actual spoons because I hate the taste the wooden sticks leave in my coffee. But after having been in NYC a while I've found that just because you can make a leaf pattern in the foam, doesn't mean you can make a great cup of coffee.
Now, I can't speak for the drip coffee but for me the cappuccinos and macchiatos never come out quite right, The milk tends to be too cool, and the espresso bitter. Also, the cappuccino cups are too big to get the proper proportion of milk to espresso.
For s specific example, today I went to Joe's and ordered an espresso macchiato. When the barista handed it to me the foam looked black, although it did have a perfect white heart in the center. I took it to the condiment bar, put in sugar, and tasted it. It was so thick and bitter I couldn't drink it. I hate the taste of the sweet luke warm milk and the black foam wasn't helping. I took the drink back to the barista and told her it just wasn't warm enough and asked her to remake it. (I felt bad telling her that not only was it too cool, but it tasted like she had left the shot sitting for a few minutes before adding the milk). I must say she was completely happy to remake it and even commented that people have been telling her she makes the milk too hot sometimes. (I suggested a thermometer and she said it was more a matter of preference than perfect temperature). My newly made drink was much better temperature-wise but the foam was still a bitter black.
I still give Joe's three stars because they steam milk for each drink individually, they have proper for here cups, and if it isn't too crowded, the place is pleasant. Minus two stars because I want to go to a coffee bar where they get my macchiato right every time. Definitely not the best espresso in the city.
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Sooo, I was disappointed. Joe, you do not live up to the hype *at this location*. The Waverly location hands down, has got this one beat. Maybe it was just an off day. I sure am willing to try again.
I met lovely yelpers Lisa C, Michael G, Joolie T and newbie from Germany Anja...and tried to describe the latte art - that should have been present.
The decor - kinda cold. And, I don't mean temperature. I didn't really like, didn't feel warm and welcoming, didn't feel like a place I'd want to hang out in...seating was not incredibly sparse, but not comfy either.
And yet, they get 4 stars (though I seriously debated 3, wish there was a half button)...cause, It was still a very good cup of cappuccino. Starbucks, I say screw to you!
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Good muffin flavor. I came here after diposing of two very not-tasty baked goods from the Union Sq Farmers' Market (Saturday). Apple Walnut - smelled delicious and had a beautiful baked brown color. Good texture. High on fluffy factor but not highest (probably not highest cuz of the moist apple). Very high marks for the ample raisins and walnuts pieces. There were even thin slices of apple in the muffin. Strike one for no crisp muffin top. All softness.
Didn't want a coffee at the time so can't attest to the coffee. Friend got hot chocolate and was happy with it. Friendly behind-the-counter girl.
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It is said that you get the best coffee in Manhattan at Joe's. Well, I have to try next time I go there, hopefully again with the Yelpers I met for the first time today, Lisa, Victoria, Julie and Michael. But besides for the coffee, the tea was also very good and tasty and it is a cute place. The donuts and cupcakes looked delicious. But it is very small and I guess sometimes it s really hard to get a table.
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I'm not a coffee snob. You can ignore pretty much anything I have to say about coffee. That being said, they do serve up fabulous coffee here. So why only three stars? Well, while the coffee is great and the baristas behind the bar know their art well, they are not the happy, friendly sort of artists and seem to be either overwhelmed, bored, or just generally unhappy... it's like they've come down from their coffee high. I suppose that's possible, but seriously, a smile with my coffee would help me cut back on the sugar in it.
The place it self is very clean lined and a tad bit cold (decor wise). Still, it's a nice place and you can sit there (if you find a place) for a while without anyone really bothering you (unless it's crazy crowded in which case hogging a seat is a bit rude!)
I don't know if the coffee shop itself offers free wi-fi but my computer has picked up a variety of unencrypted signals so I was able to work there. They also have lots of sweet things to add to your coffee/sugar high, including Red Velvet cupcakes (made by Amy Sederis, I think?) Haven't tried those, but it's on my list!
I should mention that I once tried their frozen coffee (don't remember the name) and I had asked if it was very sweet. My overly-serious-unfriendly-unsmiling-but-skilled-ba rista replied sourly, "If you mean is it sweet like a Frappacino, then no, not that sweet". So that's what I got. And you know what? It was VERY sweet.
Oh well, lesson learned. Stick to the coffee in hot form, I guess! For people who are serious about coffee, go to Joe the Art of Coffee.
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I love Joe's coffee. The wait is pretty long though so if you're in a hurry don't go here. Their granola bars and green tea cookies are yummy
I've been really looking for an ideal cup of coffee, and although I tolerate Starbucks burnt overpriced stuff and typical coffee machine crap, Joe's cup of drip coffee reminded me that the world's got lots of better beans to offer. The coffee was strong but not bitter, and their chocolate biscotti is perefct for dippage and enhanced my Joe's experience. I liked the sunny space, the affable help, and the tons of periodicals/flyers everywhere which served as "pieces of flair." Liked the music on the stereo. I would prefer more, perhaps cushier seating, but I still definitely plan to return again and order a latte with some swirly hearts on it....
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See my review for Jack's Stir Brew. Joe's is pretty much the same in coffee quality, although more likely to hand you a bad cup that's been sitting around for too long. The espresso is solid, but not remarkable.
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Great coffee shop, the baristas are really nice and friendly. I'm an idiot when it comes to coffee, but I can tell you this is better than a lot of coffee I've had (try the 4 dollar coffee at The Spotted Pig, you gotta crank it out yourself but it melted my hair).
Its a bright, nice store next to I think an art supply store? Here's the deal which makes it kind of cool too and promotes loyalty among the customers: you get a coffee card, one of those ten cups you get next one on the house.
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8:30 AM... hmmm that's 5:30 AM my time. Caffeinate me! Thank you Joe for waking me up on my walks to Parsons.
The staff is super friendly and the espresso is super strong. On those hot muggy days an ice coffee just hits the spot. I wouldn't say it's the best coffee ever, but it's up there.
Cheers to my new found addiction!
You know you serve up good cup a joe when you don't have wifi and ppl still flock here. My espresso was super strong and bitchy.. just how i like it and my women. Friend ordered a granita.. I thought it was going to be too sweet but it was just perfect.. it had a nutty flavor to it too which was great. Lots of interesting pictures for sale all over the walls.. and I think someone lives upstairs b/c there is a ladder to a loft there. Maybe the coffee god lives there.
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What's there not to like about Joe the Art of Coffee ? (named after coffee, and not a certain " Mr. Joseph")
Amy Sedaris Cupcakes (though irregular availability), Leaf patterned Lattes (meant not just to demonstrate aesthetics - but mastery of the barista i.e. there's just the right crema to hold the design), top notch beans from a boutique supplier...I would give it 5 stars, but for one major gripe - tables can play tricks on your eyes: now you see it, now you don't. Pure Magic!
As coffee afficionados would tell you, an espresso is meant to be enjoyed within 2 minutes of its being served. Thus, a number of establishments have instructions to the Barista to use the shot of espresso within 10 seconds or discard it. Consequently, I am not a big proponent of taking it "to go".
Also, some of their baristas here are inconsistent in their mastery. More so than what one expects of a place of undeniable pedigree. I would thus recommend the West Village location over the others.
A regular at Joe's locations for over three years now, whenever I am unable to find a table, I mouth the choicest of swear words (under my breath) at Starbucks - for not holding on to its customers!
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I suppose the $2.08 sticker price on a shot of espresso is justified, since it is a three-course meal in your mouth, making it an inexpensive dinner rather than an "I'm a cafe capitalizing on my fame"-style overpriced drink. As someone who pines for espresso done the Italian way -- two eyedropper-sized drips of pure caffeinated bliss -- I made the mistake one time of ordering my shot "ristretto", which ended up tasting -- in the hands of a decidedly wrought Joe sous-chef -- as vulgar as Michael Richards at the Laugh Factory. I would perhaps agree with the reviewer who noted a certain unevenness about the technical abilities of the various baristas. But this is where I buy my beans for home (always excellent), and I return more often than not, if only to eavesdrop on the NYU students trying to sound like they understand Marx.
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I had a caffe breve here with my box full of 'wichcraft cookie sandwiches. I was pretty happy. The breve was good. It comes second to the breve I had in Seattle (I will find out the name of the place and write it up...) I had their coffee a few months ago. Not bad - but it's hard to beat coffee from Costa Rica. Britt's Organic and Dark Roast are still my favorites by far... I would pay Joe a visit if I was in the area (or craving a breve), but if not, I'll just brew Britt at home.
my printers are near by. my go-to Korean place is near by. parsons is near by. my work is near by. other than those reasons... i probably wouldn't have noticed that Joe: the Art of Coffee was here. i would pass it by all the time on my way to work... but nothing about their sign-age or aesthetics lured me in. until one day.... Lisa C. decided to have an afternoon coffee session.
Best coffee in NYC? are you serious? i hear it from practically everyone in the area... and i'm a bit skeptical. i tried the Iced Chai.... it was pleasantly good- but i've tasted the exact duplicate at Starbucks, Tully's, Seattle's Best Coffee, and all these other coffee shop franchises. i enjoyed it. the price was decent.
the space is indeed a little tight and a bit annoying. i like sitting in comfortable furniture... not on metal. the music isn't overbearing, there's not too much foot traffic, and apparently the cream designs are awesome. "APPARENTLY" because neither Victora (who ordered the cappuccino) or anyone else witness the "artwork" in the cream. boo.
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Tired of Fourbucks every 5 feet? Want a place where people will drop hard earned cash and stay without even wifi? Are you a coffee nut and love the taste of bitter espresso? Well you're in luck because not only is the coffee brewed just right, their espresso tastes like BILE. Yes, I am not an espresso lover but I do know bitter tasting espresso is orgasmic to those with a chemical dependency. I got the granita and I was expecting the usual granular texture but was surprised that it was smooth as a baby's ass. Worth the trip to get away from the Fourbucks monotony.
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Tasty, well-textured cappucino, though there's a bit of an acidic aftertaste that I'm not digging. Decent tables to sit at, though you're packed in pretty tight so hopefully you like eavesdropping on your neighbors.
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liked this small cozy coffee shop a lot.
it's packed, usually, but it's not too hard to get seat.
the atmosphere is very friendly, nice and comfortable.
i go here for coffee, and study or before i go to trader joe's.
joe, joe, joe day.
me liky.
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I'm a coffee snob. I've tried nearly every cafe in Paris over the last seven years. I've lived in Florence, where a cappucino is taken seriously. I don't feel like an ass ordering a macchiato. I've never found an espresso this good. It kind of made me want to cry. I wish I could redecorate the intello/dorm/cafeteria interior of Joe to match the quality of the coffee, but it would take a lot of zinc, marble and mahogany.
I'm in Joe's 3-4 times a week as it's right around the corner from where I work/go-to-school. I must admit, however, I'm not too big on the shop. Just like clockwork, torrents of students rushing to class clog up the awkwardly arranged seating area in queues that can stretch out of the door on a regular basis. The chairs and their tables always seem to be crunched together, making it more interesting than a game of twister, in the event that you're able to snag a seat, to sit down and/or stand up; I've seen people accidently knock over their coffee numerous times.
The coffee is damn good, but it's overpriced: $1.75 for a small coffee [c'est la Manhattan, I suppose]. And the baristas, god bless them as they are all cool people, take forever to fix a drink.
When the shop is less busy, however, it's a great place for reading. Plus they always play good music. I recommend visiting on a Sunday afternoon - the rush hour here is brutal.
If i lived closer, I'd come here everyday. These people really, really know their coffee, because it's amazingly good.
Most prefer the original location, which as more of a vibe, but I actually like this one better - it's less crowded and messy. Honestly. Come and try the coffee here.
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My previously mentioned coffee snob boyfriend has a favorite coffee shop in Manhattan - it happens to be on the lower east side on some far from the subways corner (I have walked what seems like miles in the rain or freezing cold to get to this place). Thank goodness he discovered Joe! I have a had a few yummy lattes here - complete with the pretty design in the perfect foam. He has had some really great looking espresso shots that were thick and loaded with crema. The people behind the counter have always been friendly and fun.
I also love the "Jen @ Joe" artwork they have on display.
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Solid coffee shop. Another place that really takes their drinks really seriously (in a good way)-- especially the espresso. They host interesting coffee and tea lectures at the Waverly shop.
Good Joe
pretty good joe
place closes a little too early for me
small and quaint"
visited the one on Waverly
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I have to up my review. It's small (9ish 2-person tables) and closes early but their coffee is excellent and the pastries are pretty darn good as well-- not dry and stale.
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Great little coffee place off Union Sq. - little sister to the famous Joe - The Art of Coffee in the West Village. Staff was awesome and fun, and the coffee is delicious - one complaint is that there's no wi-fi! The place seems to scream for it, and yet none. I had a little business meeting here and aside from the lack of wireless, enjoyed myself thoroughly.
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