Cup of Joe Cafe & Bar — Restaurant in Portsmouth

So, had a dreadful experience today, June 25 2025 around 12:15pm at Cup of Joe in downtown Portsmouth NH. I am a local and wont ever come back. I waited about 7 minutes in a short line as only one person was serving customers as well as operating the till. A second person -Kaitlyn ( or Caitlyn ?) was near by preparing food. After a very long wait, Kaitlyn decided to come to the front to serve me. The two regular coffees were over $7.50 and self serve. I was handed two cups. As my husband likes dark/bold coffee that was my choice for him. They were very low and it ran out. When I informed Kaitlyn they were out of this coffee blend she told me the light coffee was not out and to use that. NICE. She did offer that I could wait another five minutes for the dark/bold coffee to be brewed. I told her that wasn't acceptable for a self service coffee place to be out of coffee after such a long wait. In total they had only three choices. I was informed it is only the two of them and they have too much to do and they needed more people. I asked what she was doing when only one person was serving. She told me she was preparing all the food. This made no sense to me as after a quick look around, no one was actually eating any food. I told her that I saw no one eating anything. I was informed that the seating outside has lots of people eating. I was intrigued by this as my husband was outside sitting. So I ventured outside and of course not a single person had anything to eat. I waited, still no one had ordered food. Perhaps they thought I was a tourist? I told them I would be writing a review about my experience and they told me in no uncertain terms they did not care. Having lived in Portsmouth since 2018, there are lots of lovely coffee places, I just wont be back to this one. Just a thought, if part of the name of your business is Cup of Joe, perhaps make coffee (even if just self service) a priority....

Are you looking for the most comfortable coffee shop and or bar in Portsmouth nh? Look no further. As a locally known poet, worker and queer woman of Portsmouth, I stumbled into Cup of Joe in January 2023 and never looked back. I have been to most local establishments in town as a patron. I had previously boasted about certain establishments that i called my “safe” places that i had taken many dates to. I lost that trust and safety in a lot of establishments for their prejudice I didn’t experience until many months later.

Cup of Joe has never made me feel anything but seen and heard and appreciated. I have never been asked to be anyone but myself. My differences are not only accepted but celebrated. I have not met a staff member at cup of Joe who ever put my safety at risk. They always have made me feel so appreciated and respected. Not only is Cup of Joe a locally owned business. It is woman owned. It is one of the very few black owned businesses in town and it is owned by a queer person. Cup of Joe hosts many events with the local queer community.

The entire staff will make sure you have the most enjoyable experience, just be patient as at night it can sometimes just be the bar manager and one bartender taking care of everyone! ❤️

And please try all 6 of their Espresso Martinis 😉 you will NOT be disappointed! Tell Shake the Bar Manger Becca recommended having one of all the Espresso Martinis 🥰 better yet tell Jaz...

Very welcoming service! The server, who has been there for a year, smiled at everyone and was very friendly. She spoke highly of the owner/manager and said the cafe has been open for four years. A server brought me my latte when she noticed I had a walking cane. I had the Cafe latte with a chocolate almond croissant 🥐. I liked the leaf symbol on top 🔝. I was told that the croissant arrives frozen, but, it still tasted good 👍. I liked how the inside was designed. The lighting fixtures, the way coffee ☕ mugs, even from other cafes, had a spot on shelves, the bar 🍻 and what I enjoyed the most, the window 🪟 view! I'm not a big fan of mood lighting, but, I like and recommend this cafe. Outdoor seating available. Like Douglas MacArthur I shall return! Update: June 2023; I tried the State Street breakfast sandwich. Very small, very good 👍! Only issues, size of sandwich to price, tables need to be wiped down better and I was unsuccessful when I tried to order online. I pointed it out to a staff member and she didn't know that it was available on the website. Update: September 2024; I stopped in for a quick coffee ☕/ croissant 🥐 and wanted to show my support for this cafe, especially since it was the victim, along with the local Synagogue, of bigotry. My cup was heated before I poured coffee in it! Nice 👍 touch! I did get a frown when I politely mentioned that the bathroom had no...