Love this place! The coffee is tasty, the wide range of baked goods are delicious, it's clean, good music is always playing, and the staff are super-sweet. Other commenters are correct that it's not inexpensive; you will spend anywhere fro $4 to $10 depending on what you buy. However, it's a local business owned and staffed by people who live nearby, so I feel much better that my money goes here instead of national companies Starbucks or Dunkin'. Shop local, people! The owners are very principled people. You get a discount if you bring your own mug; the shop has also transitioned to using paper straws to cut back on single-use plastics. Lastly: Don't worry about the long lines out front -- the cashier/baristas have a great communication structure going and the line moves quite fast. Plus, everyone hangs out with their doggos outside, so you're sure to see some excellent pups! read more

I went there Friday afternoon around 4pm. I was in the line and there was one guy in front of me. After he got his coffee, I approached to the counter and the cashier literally treated me like a child who did something wrong and shouted "The line is over there!!" I didn't even want to bother and say the people he was pointing at came after me. I just left without buying anything. Why people hire rude staff? That is not how hospitality business works. Probably will never go again. read more

The iced oat milk latte and blackberry scone are so good! I went back 2 days in a row.

Slim shop outfitted with ramshackle chairs + tables. Good coffee with aloof but pleasant staff. A great spot to hang out solo or work with one other person, but not ideal for a meeting of 3 or more. read more

Great coffee shop! Good coffee and yummy Jamaican Grapenut Ice Cream! So far my favorite ice cream, and it's homemade! My friend also loves their Iced Chai Latte. read more

Their Iced Chai Lattes are absolutely to die for, as are the pastries. Although it can get a little pricey (but what coffee shop isn't these days), it's worth it for the deliciousness and the decor. I do have to agree with the pervious commenter about the odd shape but I think it just adds to the vibe of the place. It's a gem! read more

Best homemade almond milk I've ever had. The cinnamon roll comes in at a close second. Everything is a reasonably priced and in a good area. Place is really small and when I walked up there was line out the door but, trust me, it's worth the wait. I'll be stopping by again. read more

I never once was a coffee person - until discovering Bittersweet. An easy place to find (particularly on the weekends, when post-dogparkers tie their wagging counterparts on the stoop just outside), this little swell of a coffeeshop offers coffee far more delicious (not to mention personable) than the homogenized swill of middle America - and complements their hand-pressed efforts with yummy music and savory Balthazar bites. While, at times, a longish line will form, Bittersweet patrons are a convivial sort and most likely engage striking conversation. After making new best friends, order a cappuccino or one of their monthly specials - then enjoy your steaming treat with your croissant and newspaper. Oh. And bring your laptop because there's free wi-fi - [but what coffee shop doesn't offer free wi-fi these days?] read more

Came here to grab iced coffee which was great. Simple syrup is necessary when it comes to iced coffee season so thank you bittersweet for having not only 1 but 2 simple syrup options (one made from refined sugar and one made from raw) After taking a look at the pastries, my mouth was watering and I took home a scallion cheddar scone. IT WAS DELICIOUS! Best choice I've made all day. it was moist, buttery, and savory with a little spicy kick from the onions. Since you're right across the street from my apartment, bittersweet, you will be seeing more of me. Note: there was no line when I walked in at 8:00am on a Thursday. The prices weren't cheap but average. read more

A cute little place - I just wish the decor wasn't so overpoweringly yellow. It's a little stifling. Perhaps if they lowered the lights just a tad... The espresso is great, though. And the barista actually knew how to make a tallat/cortado. read more

I haven't tried anything here but the Jamaican grape nut ice cream. It's so good, I probably won't get around to trying anything else since I am absolutely hooked on this flavor. Only downside, this place closes at 8:00 p.m. read more

This is just a review of their coffee, staff, and suitability as a place to work. Coffee: very good. I've gotten iced latte's here several times and they are fucking DELICIOUS. Staff: super nice and chill and for the most part attentive, competent, etc. Work space: not the best. Myself and another person had a lot of trouble connecting to the WiFi, they had to reset the router and she was still unable to get on (luckily I was). Not sure if it's a weak connection or what. Staff we very nice about it though and tried their best to help. The seating essentially consists of three counters, two of which are very shallow with seats that, IMO, are too low and makes for awkward uncomfortable seating if you're trying to use your laptop. The other main counter in the back is much better, with hooks underneath for your stuff, but there aren't really any outlets (or at least not any you can use without risking people tripping over them on the way to the bathroom and such). Also (and this is probably just me being grumpy and prone to getting cold), because it is a long, narrow space, the air conditioning unit blows very strong on the main back seating area. The temp setting was 74 degrees but I was still freezing after a while. I guess there's not much that can be done about this but it was a bummer and it prevented me from staying longer. Bottom line: good place for coffee and maybe some light work or leisure reading, but not conducive to getting real work done. read more

God Bless this establishment. In case you were wondering, this is the best cafe in the neighborhood. Their coffees are always perfect, they're home made almond milk is delish (even if it does cost extra, and will result in me not being able to afford a house deposit for another few years) The staff are also GREAT. Talk about a home run! Also, do yourself a favor and get a cinnamon scroll. Are they worth the 3000 calories? Umm, is the pope a catholic?! Oh also PS, I can't speak directly for all the dogs out there but I think those home made dog treats they sell are awesome! The doggos go nuts for them. It's pretty much crack. read more

Been living in Fort Greene for a little over a year now and happy to get to call this my neighborhood coffee spot. Espresso drinks and the cold brew are my favorite, and if you want to get indulgent their mocha is sooo good. Great selection of sandwiches and pastries. When I first started going I overlooked them but now I've tried basically everything and they're all delicious. Recommend: croissants, sticky bun, corn cheese muffin, and of course the dough donuts. read more

Definitely the best coffee in the neighborhood. Ahh those La Colombe beans. Staff is nice and friendly. But... 3 dollar regular sized brownies? 3.50 for Hott apple cider from a store bought plastic gallon?! The only real complaint here is that it's a bit too pricey for it's food and items outside of coffee. C'mon Bittersweet you can do better. read more

Came here to grab coffee and found an amazing assortment of pastries and baked goods. Don't be put off by its small size. The line moved fairly quickly and the employees were eager to help. Great location by the park, too, and makes for fun people/dog watching. read more

Rated for coffee only. Yeah, the coffee is good. Got the mocha. Very nice. Tiny place. Ice cream is good too, if I remember correctly. You would not waste your time going here. If you're planning to stay and drink in the coffee shop, there's not much room. But it's right next to the park so you can always sit and sip and enjoy there. read more

Zero Customer Service at times Good Coffee and Great Donut Selection from Dough. The Customers in the Early A.M where more chipper Pre-coffee than the Baristas where.. oh well you cant have it all. my sisters loves this spot and raves about there Sandwiches read more

I went here the day of the snowstorm after rolling down the hill in Ft. Greene Park and the place was a giant puddle. Gross! But my cappuccino had a heart in the foam, and that made it all better. The hipster vibe here is not unwelcomed, but maybe someone should have been on top of the river of rock salted water coming in the door. That's all I'm saying. read more

Took 1 star off for prices. Iced coffee in the summer is consistent and delish. Cappuccino in the winter is a great go to in between the dog park and the farmers market. The only problem I have is that the regular coffee at times can be either a little too strong or a little too watery and bitter. This inconsistency keeps me from the coffee at times, but all in all this is the best in the neighborhood. Yummy almond croissant and bread too! read more

they have some pretty killer iced coffee. However my only problem with this place is that its a little pricy. But then again its fort greene. though, recently, they have expanded and how serve sandwiches that I might try one day. But inside is still a little small but its pretty cozy. read more

This is my go to place if I'm in the mood for something sweet, namely their delicious cinnamon rolls. Sometimes the queue can be a bit long, but it moves fast and the service is friendly and prompt read more

Bittersweet is just down the street from my apartment and I absolutely adore it. While I can't afford to spend $4 every day on a latte, I am a faithful customer on Saturdays and Sundays. The staff are always extremely friendly, and while I have never sat and hung out in the small back space usually packed with people and laptops, I can imagine it would be a great spot for people watching (but balancing a laptop on a table with 4 other laptops is precarious and probably unproductive). Now to be fair I am really reviewing the few things that I have had in there, specifically their latte, iced latte, and chocolate croissants. Now, the iced latte is delish, but an iced latte is an iced latte. However, the hot lattes are amazing. The milk is perfectly frothed, and i mean perfect. creamy and delicious and the espresso strong. My boyfriend is a black coffee drinker and he even enjoys a latte from here every once in a while. I also love the chocolate croissants. I don't know where they get them delivered from but the chocolate is rich and has a slight bitter hint complimenting the sweet pastry crust. yes and please. I hear the ice cream is delish in the summer so I'm looking forward to trying it... read more

Great scones. Cold brew is nice and smooth not bitter at all. Moving soon and wish I could take this place with me! read more

Really yummy sandwiches! Friendly staff and great owners. Love that they started donating their leftovers through their partnership with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine! I love supporting cafes that help the community. read more

Great coffee and pastries. Seems like a local business vs a Starbucks. Conveniently located close to the park after our dog walks. Cash only if below $5. What else do you need for a coffee shop? read more

Never written a review before let alone a negative one. And I feel really bad doing this... I'm just going to get right into it. I discovered this place bc I work very close by and I have been going here for a couple months now - every single day sometimes even twice a day. (Yes I am obsessed with coffee). And i'm all about supporting mom and pop shops rather than a starbucks or dunkin chain. I work at a residential building nearby and you can't imagine all the people I've recommended this coffee shop to. I one day very recently decided to start asking for my iced coffee with no ice bc it just gets TOO watered down very quickly and the taste isn't so tastey anymore. Now mind you they only have one size (for your iced coffee options) which you can call a 'medium' or compare it to the size of a solo cup so it already isn't that much. Now imagine them filling it to the brim with ice. Realistically you only get a couple sips AND their prices are anywhere from $5.50+. I noticed they only filled it 1/4th of the way or even a little less and I asked for a little more (almond) milk and this guy said he would need to charge me $1 extra for A SIP more. I honestly thought he was kidding or playing a joke. Like are you serious? lol (and truthfully im not one to complain). You're ALREADY under-delivering by charging $5.50 for a medium iced coffee thats filled to the brim with ice. A SIP of almond milk more...So I could get my full coffee experience is all I wanted out of this lol. He was like "It's already more than we usually give..so I'll need to charge you atleast 1 more dollar" Yes... it IS more than you usually give and that's because you normally fill the entire cup with ice and under-deliver to your loyal customers. And i've worked for a restaurant before and have always given a little more especially to our loyal customers. They will love you, always keep coming back AND recommend everyone they know. It costs really nothing.. being that most of the time, yes, they purposely under deliver. AND the fact that they're sending more customers over to you based on their experience. The experience turned me off so much that I don't even crave their coffee anymore. I just make it myself now. Actually saves me money and I'm also now making my own homemade almond milk and it's even tastier now. (Look it up on youtube - super easy) Will also find another coffee shop to recommend to all our residents/clients to. read more

Even though they were missing or had run out of a majority of the items on their chalkboard by mid-afternoon, the friendly female behind the counter provided my not-that-great $1 coconut macaroon with a smile. This joint is cash only and enforces a largest-bill-is-a-$20 policy, with seating outside and inside. *Reading reviews about the loss of ice cream AFTER my visit makes it a bit more bearable, especially 'cause it was probably better than Fort Grace scoopage at General Greene. read more

Delicious coffee -- my personal addiction. Homemade almond milk. Both iced coffee and regular are really good -- I don't know what they do to it but it's my favorite in Brooklyn. Maybe the city? Dangerous for my wallet since it's on the way to work... read more

I suppose the cost of a good coffee in New York is $4.00 plus asshole tax. Some of the staff are quite standoffish on a regular basis, while others are very cordial and friendly. Either way they are always attentive and make fantastic coffee, so for that, I cannot complain. Their espresso drinks are all very good. Try their maple latte if you like a nice balance of sweet and strong. I've also had their plain and sandwich croissants which are flaky and buttery (yum). I wouldn't stay there with a laptop because it's very narrow and can get crowded. But they do have wifi which is always a huge plus if you don't mind rubbing butts with the neighborhood. Overall, it's a good place to get good coffee to go. read more

Best coffee in Fort Greene and the homemade cinnamon rolls are not to be missed!!!

We had the worst experience at this coffee shop on Friday, August 12, after unknowingly arriving when they were about to close at 5pm. We got our coffees around 4:59/5pm or so and when we hung around to take a photo, one of the baristas rudely yelled (from inside) "y'all have to take them somewhere else" and she started disassembling the store's signs etc. now I totally understand that the store is about to close, but I can't for the life of me understand the rudeness. When we told the barista she was being rude, her answer was something like, "yeah, sure, bye!" and she stormed off. WOWWWW!!! We wondered aloud if she would have treated us the same were we white patrons. I can almost guarantee she wouldn't have spoken to white customers like that. It's too easy to punch down on Black women, I guess. I will not be returning to a place where I am humiliated for the sake of coffee. I'm still shaken by that experience. read more

Literally the best cappuccino you can find. 5 stars for cappuccino. I hate when places charge for almond milk (I think it's ridiculous!!!) but they make their own almond milk so I totally get uncharging for this and am happy to pay extra for a chemical free milk! 5 stars for pastries! 4/3 stars for gluten free ones. 5 stars for staff. Super tiny space so good for grab and go and always a line but moves fast and there's a line because it's real real good! If there's not a line in NYC then it's probably not good. read more

I used to walk by this place early in the morning and wonder, who has time to wait in that long line at this hour? Finally one day i decided to try it and realized the line going out the door is not actually very long, it's just an adorably tiny shop. They have THE BEST chai latte ever. It does not come sweetened but you can get it with honey if you prefer. It is the perfect balance of spices and tastes great with milk or their homemade almond milk. And it only costs $3.50!! Unheard of price in this area. I have tried several other places nearby and their $5 chais do not compare. Their pastries are also delicious and freshly baked. I recommend the blueberry scones and polenta muffins. The croissants are just ok, nothing special compared to the scones and muffins. Only downside to this place is $5 card minimum. read more

Delicious almond milk latte, so smooth and creamy! I only wish there was more room, even to stand...

Love the staff here! It's been nice to have small chats with them at the takeout window during these times of high anxiety and stress. Appreciate the lines drawn on the street for safe distancing. Strong coffee and tasty snacks! read more

I am a community developer in the Clinton Hill and a daily coffee drinker - americano, black, no milk or sugar to hide behind. They make it on the mark every time. I consider Bittersweet to be my second office. I spend hours at a time working and observing customer service in this well run cafe. They manage rush-hour with care, anticipating drink orders of regular customers and keeping traffic flowing through the narrow storefront. During slow shifts they clean continuously, everything from the the napkin dispensers to simple syrup containers, making sure that countertops remain free of sticky spills and restocking for the next rush. They have remained a steadfast business despite growing neighborhood competition. Having tried many other options within proximity I find myself back and back again at this mom & pop. Looking through other reviews I see similar sentiment. When I am posted at their counter for several hours I watch satisfied regulars come for their choice items and kindly check in with the hard-working staff. Sandwiches, salads, and other goods are readily available and they continue to make them throughout the day for optimal freshness. Disappointed reviewers complain of poor customer service. I observe many of these incidents and attest that too often it is customer expectations that are to blame, not the personal interest of the staff. I offer them my whole self and get the same in return. Addressing the recent review by Meredith R. of "ice costing a $1 and dry doughnuts from Dough"... this reviewer must consider that iced drinks in any coffee shop cost more as it requires additional energy to acquire and store ice. At Bittersweet ice is hauled up from their basement kitchen - any observant customer could appreciate the labor. Dough doughnut shop is located less than a mile from Bittersweet. If the pastry "looked" dry then I recommend the short and beautiful walk to the source. Loyal customers and loyal staff are the backbone of small businesses in Brooklyn. This place boasts both. Come see for yourself. I will probably be there. read more

I have to rate this place bc after my first visit, I am not impressed... Their homemade chai latte is probably much better warm but over ice, not tasty at all. All you taste is the spicy chai. Plus, they charge $1 for ice! Really?! Plus the doughnuts from Dough looked completely dried out. read more

Absolutely love this place. Perfect coffee and delish house made bakery items. I love the corn muffin and the ham and cheese croissant. It's the go to spot near Fort Greene Park. read more

Cute little cafe close to the park. The coffee is average but the cranberry oatmeal cookies are super yummy. The biggest draw for me was that it was the only cafe on Dekalb Ave that wasn't extremely crowded on a particular rainy Saturday afternoon, which makes for a pleasant little spot to read and relax without fighting for the experience and that sounds good to me. read more