Uncommon Coffee — Restaurant in Essex

This morning, I visited Uncommon Coffee for the first time, and it certainly lived up to its name! Known for its community-centric vibe and locally sourced ingredients, this cozy café impressed me with both its ambiance and offerings.

I started with something from their seasonal menu, the Hojicha Latte. For those unfamiliar, Hojicha is a unique tea made from the stems or twigs of the tea plant. What makes Uncommon's version special is that they use powdered Hojicha imported by Stone Leaf Tea, preparing it like matcha before mixing in local maple syrup and milk. I opted for the hot 10oz version, with oat milk as my choice of dairy alternative. The latte was earthy, smooth, and had a subtle sweetness from the maple syrup that made it the perfect start to the day.

For food, I tried their Regular Breakfast Sandwich, choosing Beyond Sausage for a plant-based option. It came with a perfectly cooked egg, melted cheddar, and herb butter, all served on a toasted English muffin. The Beyond Sausage was flavorful, and the herb butter added a nice depth to each bite.

Uncommon Coffee is a fantastic spot for anyone working remotely or students looking for a peaceful environment. The café's layout is both spacious and comfortable, with plenty of seating options. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between vibrant and relaxed, ideal for getting some work done or simply enjoying a quiet moment with your drink.

Service was friendly and efficient, with staff quick to make recommendations and answer questions. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a few hours of study, Uncommon Coffee offers an inviting, warm atmosphere with exceptional food and drinks. One interesting fact: the café is deeply committed to sustainability, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced products and eco-friendly practices.

This is definitely a place I’ll be...

Between the espresso and the ambience, this place has the potential to become my weekend getaway. The espresso, while not mind-blowing, is above average. And the signature Tiger Claw is a flavor combination I didn't expect to like, but it has quickly become my go-to. Seriously. Get it. The space is very open, but each nook offers privacy to each party. You can see their roasters in the back, and the barista area is open enough to watch them work their craft (if you're into coffee/espresso, this is a huge plus!). There are burlap coffee bags hanging from the ceiling to add a little extra decor, but the genius in the design is they mitigate high sound levels, so conversations are easy to have without feeling like you're shouting. And the books! There are hundreds of books along the shelves. Guests are free to grab a book to enjoy with their coffee, which is a huge boon to solo guests. The staff is friendly enough and the service is quick. All in all, a great place...

This place is a gorgeous coffee shop, with an awesome library atmosphere that is cozy in spite of the big open ceiling. The service, however, is not what I expect from a local shop. The employees seem half excited about being there and less excited about entertaining any request outside of the norm. “Can I buy some beans in my own container to reduce waist?” “We don’t do that but we can pull one of our bags off the shelf, dump it in to your can and throw away the bag.” “Do you have sugar in the raw or honey I can put in my latte?” “No, we have white sugar and sweet and low.” Never do I sense any hint of sorrow that they can’t fulfill my request. I hate to admit it but Starbucks employees are ALWAYS more helpful and friendly than the folks at Uncommon Coffee. I love the atmosphere and definitely prefer to support a local business but it disappoints me every...