This place has lost its ambiance. Dirty tables and a dingy floor too. Cleanliness is important!

This is the JJ that I frequent most often, although my review can probably apply across the board. This location has a slight advantage because of the space (fireplace, w00t!), but also has a slight disadvantage because it's so busy. When I visit, I have to anxiously brace myself for the looking-for-a-seat dance, where you try to casually preen the room for an empty seat without causing a big disturbance. JJ serves consistently good espresso beverages, even managing to pull off a tasty decaf. By some cruel twist of fate, I adore coffee, but my body doesn't seem to metabolize it very well. JJ understands that at 4 in the afternoon, the choices I make will dictate whether I sleep that night or not...and he doesn't hate me for picking sleep over sweet, sweet caffeine. There is also a nice tea selection, for when I feel like mixing things up a bit with a rooibos. Alternatively, you can purchase a big ol' sack of beans to brew at home. Their treats are also appealing; cookies are enormous and make for a great pick me up. Staff/service is definitely not the friendliest...often times you'll see the staff skulking around, pouting and rolling their eyes. I suppose it's all part of the charm though. Can you even imagine a JJ with bright-eyed and bushy tailed employees? read more

Hey! I love this place. Well, actually I Iove all JJ Bean locations because their coffee is consistently awesome, but this location is my fav for a few reasons: Location. Staff. Bookable(small) conference room (with wifi) that was free. Wow. Also, they've always got TWO of their fabulous roasts on drip, whereas most JJ locations use a french press for their second flavor/variety/roast or whatever you wanna call it. "Railtown"(their house blend) is on drip in every store, and while it's grown on me, I prefer a cup of whatever the latest single origin coffee they have going. Always exotic and delicious, and perfectly roasted. But, for some reason, I only feel like french press coffee occasionally. The single origin beans are expensive, so it's nice to try them here, drip, by the cup, at the same prices as the cheaper blends they sell. (The Commercial JJ does two drip flavors too.) The staff at this store are great! But, this is true of all the locations I go to, so whoever is hiring/training is doing a good job too. Regarding all JJ Bean locations: I also like an occasional soy latte. JJ Bean serves up one of the best. Or rather two of the best as both the bean blends they use for their espresso are excellent. And I find that their baristas are consistently great too. Kudos. They have delicious food and baking as well. I am particularly fond of the Peanut butter oatmeal bar. Though they could do a better job of consistency with texture and size, the taste is always amazing. I asked and was told that all the locations are owned by the same local family. I have noticed small (sometimes obscure) things over the years at various stores that needed improving/fixing but I didn't feel like complaining. In most cases the issues were eventually dealt with which suggest the owners are paying attention and intent on improving. This all makes me feel even better about supporting this local family owned chain. I knew I loved JJ Bean, but I wasn't expecting this essay. Peace out coffee lovers. read more

I quit coming here years ago when I realized that everyone screams their heads off like pter-o-dac-tyls while yelling to hear one another while the music plays loudly. It is too loud to enjoy anything here. read more

One of my favourite places to have a coffee and relax. On wet, cool days, grab a latte (extra shot of course) and sit by the fireplace in the very comfortable chairs. On warm, sunny days, sit outside and people watch. Nice music, not too loud, excellent coffee, lots of windows, good service read more

This is possibly the busiest JJ Bean in the city. As a result, it is perhaps the least comfortable. There's far less of a community feel here than there is at Commercial Drive, or even at Yaletown. Still, JJ's coffee is consistently excellent, and if I'm grabbing a drink on Main - rather than going to sit and read or work - I will hit JJ every time. read more

I really like the coffee at JJ Bean, but I'm not too impressed by the service. A little friendliness goes a long way. I was also disappointed that the default is to pour drinks into "to go" cups. After witnessing those in front of me being handed "to go" cups when they really wanted to stay, I made it a point to say that I wanted mine "for here," but DOH, too late! The barista poured my drink out of the "to go" cup and into a "for here" cup, dumping the disposable cup into the trash. A spoon was placed on the saucer and before it was handed to me I said that I didn't need the spoon with the hopes that it could be used by someone else, but nope, into the sink it went. I felt like a big, fat environmental failure and like JJ Bean really wanted me and everyone else who walked through the door "to go." read more

Great coffee, probably only bested by Elysian. Impossible to get a seat.

The running joke before I moved to Vancouver was that I'd be working at JJ Bean (a result of my over-educated, under-employed anxieties), so I was intrigued when I discovered that I lived so close to one. I have the luxury of working from my laptop sometimes, so I'm always on the hunt for a comfortable wi-fi cafe. EVERY time I enter, all of the seats are taken. In the past month I have not ONCE gotten a chance to sit down and work there. The coffee is good enough, but it's not so great that I'd bother going there instead of anywhere else. read more

Mediocre food and very good coffee. Main St location is fun. Not great for a take out breakfast - unless coffee is your breakfast...

LOVE the oat milk chai tea and the lattes. And the BEST vegan muffins and chocolate banana bread. Professional staff too.

I come here for what is probably one of the best coffee in town. I'm a latte drinker. I do not come here for the aloof bordering non-existent service. Most of the staff here look like the Main St crowd - edgy, tattoo's, earings, needs a bath. If you're familiar with Main St then you know what I'm talking about. The cookies and muffins are also fantastic. It's too bad John Jr. doesn't pay more attention to staff standards otherwise I'd give it a 4 star review. read more

Arguably the best coffee in the city, and the best I've ever had, next to Continental on the Drive and Vivace in Seattle. The location and interior decor are nice, too, but the COFFEE is excellent!!! Their espresso tastes the way espresso should taste - unlike the stuff that Starbucks gets away with selling. read more

I love the vibe in here....so cozy and cool! I ordered an Americano and it was perfectly made and strong just the way I liked it. It came in a very cool round mug, very reminiscent of a Parisian-style latte mug. I think the fact that everything is organic and socially conscious makes it taste better. My friend got a London fog tea latte and that was also really yummy. Free Wi Fi helps and the snacks...oh my! Very tempting cakes and baked goods are available and the best part? It's all fresh fresh fresh. read more

I freaking love coffee!! I mean I would rather have a good coffee roaster in my life than a good boyfriend so I mean business! JJ Bean is wonderful! Never bitter with a nice sweetness that is so smooth and full of flavour! There are always line ups but the staff are great and keep things moving as fast as they can. I'm never disappointed when I go there. I have made excuses just to walk up there even when I didn't have to! They do charge slightly more that others but for the quality of the product they'd be fools not to. read more

Best mocha's and chocolate chip zuchinni muffins in town!!!!

Their coffee is tastier than Starbuck's, friendly service, comfortable seating

Warm comfy atmosphere. Relaxed yet very yuppie. Lots of new mommies with babies and people meeting one on one. Clean bathrooms. Good coffee. Smoke free. The jazz music was a bit loud. No wi-fi. Bring your analogue stuff. read more

I often come to this JJ Bean because it's close to my house, not necessarily because I enjoy the atmosphere or the coffee. I'm not sure what it is, but this café just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps you have to become part of the "JJ" crowd? I have sat here before working on my computer and noticed that there were a lot of people (mostly mums and dads), who seemed to know each other. Their coffee is mediocre, a bit bitter for me, and the food is nothing special. The muffins are dry and not very tasty and I had a sandwich the other day with mayonnaise that was overpowering. But I don't completely side step this place, so it mustn't be all bad. read more

I've been here a few times. I avoid large chains as much as possible, however, came here a few times out of desperation for a latte. The problem is that it is standard with standard service and eats to match. I just wish that I could've held the urge for 10 more minutes and gone to other near by establishments that are more mom and pop. Customer service was hit and miss. Doesn't hurt to smile...smiles are free. read more

Great coffee. I love the EL Cafe Negro. this is a great meeting place.

I would have to say this coffee shop is much better then its competition across the street which is starbucks.The prices are much bettter too and has better quality of coffee.In the winter they have a fireplace which you can sit in front of and sip your coffee and just relax.Very non corporate feel. read more

The staff that work here are so full of themselves. The Americano was bitter and horrid. There are better options for sure around Main St. Other places are much friendlier and better coffee. read more

I love the Main Street location of JJ Bean. Awesome area. Their coffee is amazingly good. This place is my favourite for coffee. And for zccms (zuchinni chocolate chip muffins). I talk about these muffins so often that I abbreviate them and people still understand. Big muffins (sometimes still warm), good price, awesome coffee, awesome location, fireplace. Amazing. P.S. - how could I forget to mention their jalapeno cheese muffins. There is something awesome about the mixture of coffee, jalapeno and cheese that I can't explain. read more

Absolutely my favorite coffee spots are JJ's. I really like this location's service and environment. I definitely get a good vibe here and the coffee is delish. read more

Love the $1 muffins! Sometimes it's annoying though when I go in to buy a muffin at full price ($2.50ish) and then 30 minutes after I've bought it they put the whole lot of muffins in a big metal bowl on sale as day old muffins for $1. It's happened a few times, and it's only $1.50, but it sucks seeing the value of my muffin decrease in the space of 30 minutes. Still an awesome place though. read more

One of the best drip coffees around and their espresso drinks are nice and smooth. Why not 5 stars? No gluten-free baked goods and the whole pouty hipster barista thing can really wear on a person. read more

Love their set up. Good place to go for late night coffee or tea.

Best JJ location in town! Great spot for people watching or chit chatting on a sunny afternoon! It's conveniently a block and a half from my place so I frequent it a lot. Not the best food, but all in all a nice little spot. Beats the other coffee spot across the street. read more

I haven't tried their coffee yet since I was more in the mood for a juice. They had nice cookies and I was surprised to find the place full of people and all the seats were taken. The fireplace is a nice touch and has that home feeling to it. Go here for a beverage but don't expect a seat in here. read more

Average coffee shop I would say. Expensive, and coffee is on the stronger side. Sizes are smaller than normal but prices are still high. Hard to find seating weekends during the day and early evening. Their wi-fi never seems to work properly; a weak router or something constantly causes their connection to drop and/or is very slow (very frustrating! Sometimes have to switch wi-fi to Starbucks that's across the street). Nice place to chill though, if you can find a seat. read more

Fun fact about this place, if you're wandering past before 6am, there's an aggressive 1-block radius smell of muffins.

Best coffee in the city hands down! LOVE LOVE LOVE their mocha's and baked goods! Can't go wrong with this spot...screw starbucks read more

Really enjoyed the clean, open-concept layout. There was ample sunlight and I was able to get lots of work done here on a Sunday afternoon. Service was quick and friendly, and my food was brought straight to my table. I didn't feel rushed to leave and as a bonus, they have washrooms that are really well maintained. read more

This has to be my favorite coffee shop anywhere (besides this one place in San Francisco, maybe). The coffee is amazingly tasty jet fuel and the staff are friendly, considering they are all so young and cool. Thumbs up from the old guy ;) read more

Love this place! Clean,.....spacious,..relaxing mood lighting.....great music.....and that's just the washroom, Order one of their awesome americanos, settle into one of their cushy leather chairs and when no one is looking, slip your hands down under the cusion and check for loose change......C'mon- itt ain't cheap living in Vancouver - put it towards your rent. read more

JJ Beans is the best. Always great coffee and service. Just today I went in and was helped by Jess who was super understandable and helpful with the grind level for espresso beans. I'm a fanatic for life! read more

JJ Bean is the only way to go. The staff is always friendly at this location and that's partly why they're so busy all of the time, the coffee is great. You can order something unusual and they don't blink an eye. LOVE the mocha's, oh gosh, they're 100 times better than Starbucks (who happens to be right across the street!). If you love coffee, please go to JJ's. read more

Love the coffee, friendly staff, and airy/open space. Not great for getting work done as I'm always running into friends due to the popularity of the place. Only complaint is the wifi, which is spotty depending on where you sit in the cafe. Also, between 10:30 and 11:00 the wifi goes down and the staff have to reset it. read more

I love the lattes here. I got such great service as well. I never noticed that they make a little picture wight eh foam. I thought they all did that but when I went to starbucks I noticed they don't add any pictures. Strange that I never noticed before... I guess I always asked for it to go and the lid hides it. lol read more