Black Brick Coffee — Restaurant in New York

Coffee ★★★★✩ Atmosphere ★★★★★ Food ★★★✩✩ Workability ★★★★✩ Music ★★★★✩

WiFi : Yes ; blackbrickcoffee, HOWELL300 Location : 300 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Finding the right coffee shop to study, work, hangout, and talk is hard to find in NY. There are many options to choose from. Many of which are either too noisy, too bright, uninviting vibe, or simply bad coffee! Granted, my criteria of the perfect cafe will differ from everyone; but like most one of the important things is the coffee. Let’s start with that … The coffee in Black Brick Coffee is from Stumptown which I do enjoy dearly. As for every new cafe I enter, I always order the usual espresso. In regards to the presentation, I look for the tiny details such as the color, plate and cup, and more importantly the seltzer water they (give) you. As for the taste, if you’re familiar with Stumptown you’ll get that nice nutty, acidity coffee. If you’re the type of person that is more into a light and fruity taste, I don’t recommend this. As for me, I always enjoy this roast, but would like to have it slightly lighter. Food choice is limited to a small number of pastries and cookies. I ordered the Almond Croissant, which was on the dry side, and not as flavorful as others … For the Atmosphere, I am not a big fan of extremely polished, modern cafes that makes it look like something out of an Ikea catalog … To me, I much prefer a rustic, industrial, slightly modern take. This cafe knocked it out of the ballpark; It has an awesome brick wall layout (as the name suggests), industrial stools and tables, mismatched plates, and warm filament lighting! … Now for the second most important thing on my list, the music and workability. Music I don’t care for as much because I either I listen to my own or I’m watching a video. But when I’m meeting friends to have a chat, I would like to have good music. Here, they offer nice acoustic rock music with relatively low volume; though it would be nice if it was a bit lower. As for the workability, WiFi is nice a responsive, plenty of work spaces, but limited on the amount...

I just had an awful experience at black brick. What a first impression. The kid behind the counter really needs to lose the bad attitude. All I asked was for a regular, large coffee and if it was medium roast. He said yes. When I took a sip, I told him that I couldn't drink it. It didn't taste like medium roast, it tasted a little burnt. I asked if I could return it. He told me he couldn't give me my money back just because I didn't like the coffee. It was horrible! He told me he could make a cappuccino instead. Before he made it, I told him I liked it light and to add more milk. He said, "it's all milk", with a nasty attitude. When I got the finished product, I told him that it was too dark and that's why I told him beforehand to add more milk. He said that he couldn't do anything else and couldn't add more milk! He then tuned me out and completely ignored me while I stared at him in shock! Horrible! Forget the 3 bucks! It's the attitude and lack of customer service that I detest. I never, ever leave any bad reviews. But maybe the kid, who didn't want to give me his name, can learn to be nicer! And do a better job keeping customers happy. It was my very first time in there. Never again. It's a shame because it was a cool looking place. Makes you feel warm but the service...

Update 2024: still my favorite. Great staff, all around nice people. People complain about the laptop policy, I for one appreciate it and think that it's very good.

During weekends there's a large table in the back that fits 6 people or so and a couch where 2 more can sit that allows laptops. The rest of the seating is for people having conversations and doing non-laptop things like reading and conversing.

During the week there's another 5 tables were laptops are allowed (most of the cafe!).

This is a nice balance and frankly very helpful so that you can find a place to seat and have a conversation most of the time when meeting a friend. It also gives the place a nice charm missing in places were everyone is at their laptop.

If I know I need to be on my laptop on a weekend, yes, I consider going elsewhere. It's inconvenient at times since I love this place, but that's part of why it is great.

Original review:

It's my favorite coffee shop in the area. The staff is nice, the ambience is great, their coffee and drinks are the best, and their prices are great. If you specify that your order is to stay they'll also use proper cups, not disposable ones, which is also very nice.

For pastries, their chocolate croissant and the tahini chocolate chunk cookies...