Ridgewood Coffee Company — Restaurant in Ridgewood

Best coffee. Goofy, (the 2nd time I was here, the barista was dancing and chatting about a video game-happy barista - tasty coffee!) super chill, and down to earth baristas, I’m an east coast transplant to CALI, so I am always excited to try new coffee shops when I’m back here, but also really look for good customer service. You make a connection, chat about whatnot, and you’ve got a customer for life :)

Ridgewood coffee company was recommended by a random stranger at the pastry shop down the street, so we tried it, and during my three week holiday here, I’ve had 14 cups of coffee or lattes (I know, because they have this punch card, where you can accrue free drinks! Oh, my kids also love their red velvet cake pops (the Oreo is okay...they aren’t baked onsite, I think, as they say Keremo cakes on the sticks, but hopefully locally baked) they are rich, and the perfect mix of cake and frosting. My super picky, tree nut and peanut allergy having kids can devour the cake pops :)

There’s a 5 person limit in-store currently, so be ready to wait outside with mask on, but it’s worth it! And there are a few tables on either side of the storefront (it’s a corner location/lot) with two chairs per table, socially distanced :) it’s right in downtown ridgewood, and across the street from the park and steps from the NJ transit but to NYC. It feels like you walked into a Brooklyn cafe or an SF/East Bay coffee shop. It would be nice to see it filled with people working and enjoying coffee indoors, post covid. Oh, and there’s a bathroom to the left of...

2024 Update: They have moved to their new location May 2024 just one block away from the old one and the place is much more spacious!! While the previous address was mostly grab-and-go, their new spot makes you feel invited to stay longer and chill. Inside is wide, open and has lots of seating options. They have also updated their drinks menu and they now include some new specials such as their Einspanners which are delicious! They now also have a brunch menu available from 9am-2pm which is even a bigger plus!

Service kinda varied between my first and second visits though. First was met with friendly and good-natured staff while second was with someone that didnt look like he was in a good mood - no smiles or greeting, hardly any eye-contact and a somewhat stern “what was that?” when he didnt hear me say my order well. Maybe it’s just me but that interaction from the second visit made me feel like i was just a nuisance :(

Both indoor and outdoor seatings are great and they are good for solo, small groups and big groups. Since its so spacious inside, it comfortable for those who may need to bring in their strollers or wheelchairs etc. There is also a ramp to reach the restrooms and they are gender-neutral. Lots of good things happening here. Hoping to have more good experiences here (than bad) and more delicious...

Not just any coffee shop/café could survive in a place like Ridgewood NJ (or anywhere Bergen County) without also serving food or alcohol--so that alone should put their level of quality in perspective. RCC's been doing just that for well over a decade. This place was the first place to start serving Specialty Coffee anywhere in the area--way before latte art and instagram/social media-focused shops started being made. I have been going here since the early 2000's and the staff have been consistently amazing people and really talented baristas. In the past, I've even had the pleasure of working here as well--and so I can speak equally highly from my perspective on both sides of the counter. If my opinion isn't enough, they've also been consistently voted Best Coffee in Bergen County--and it takes more than just proper equipment to achieve that kind of quality and consistency. It probably helps that they use a fellow northern NJ neighbor, Amalthea Coffee Roasters, as their craft-coffee roaster for specialty beans, single origins, and espresso. Tl;dr:...