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    Neutral Ground Coffeehouse

    4.0 (51 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Neutral Ground Coffeehouse Photos

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    NEUTRAL GROUND COFFEEHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Breakfast chowdah!
    Bo S.

    A brisk morn ushered the canal-travelling Xonuts crew to seek refuge in the warm comfort of the Neutral Ground Coffeehouse. The cozy establishment smelled of coffee, pastries, and good vibes. Dave and Bo each ordered a coffee (Bo, of course, leaving room for cream but Dave enjoying it the way God intended). As they perused the seductive baked goods, Dave abdicated the choice to Bo while secretly hoping Bo would land on the S'more Brownie. Alas, he did not. Though peace and harmony reigned in Baked Goods Land with the introduction of the seasonal Egg Nog Scone. The scone adventure proved fruitful - an ingredient - perhaps egg nog - avoided the dryness trap of a traditional scone, yielding a fluffy and cakey consistency. While pondering breakfast selections, Bo and Dave arrived at the same item at the same time. Sal's Breakfast Chowder, $8.00. Sal promised to deliver a creamy chowder, complete with all the breakfast trappings - bacon, potato, egg, cheese, onion, and a hint of maple. And deliver he did. Just ask Dave - he was the only one bold enough to try the chowder. A heavenly mix of a traditional deconstructed breakfast meal, constructed into a chowder. There's a reason why Bo and Dave - in fifteen years of Xonutsing - never encountered a breakfast chowder. Because it is a high-risk, high-reward creation. Can you or I recreate this at home? Absolutely not. Can any restaurant attempt this with the same results as Neutral Ground Coffeehouse? Probably not. This is a one-of-a-kind, can't-find-anywhere-else, you're-crazy-if-you-think-you-can-do-this-on-your-own meal. Bo, on the other hand, celebrating the geography, elected for the Towpath Sandwich, $9.50. Sal (or someone else who imagines these brave breakfast creations) promised a bacon and egg sandwich with brie and caramelized balsamic onion jam on choice of bread. Bo was tempted by other menu items, until he saw, on the Towpath, "caramelized balsamic onion jam." So many adjectives! You can't even fit more adjectives! Bo got the sandwich on sourdough - a departure from his typical raisin bread. They did not offer that as an option, and Bo did not inquire. Perhaps he missed out on leveling up the Towpath Sandwich. Perhaps not. The world may never know. But of this, he is sure - the eggs came thick and the bacon came as neither crispy nor chewy: they were cooked to normal bacon standards. And they adhered to the bread with, you guessed it, the above-described onion jam! The jam added a much-appreciated heartiness to the sandwich, reminiscent of a cozy onion soup. And in these cold times, added heartiness is always welcome. While Dave's back was turned, Bo also dipped his sandwich into the chowdah. [chef's kiss emoji] One last tantalizing detail - the Neutral Grounds Coffeehouse has a plethora of shelves, sundries, and knicknacks to explore. Bring your sense of adventure and your appetite. TL;DR: If you haven't gone, go. If you have gone, go again. Bo and Dave rank this a 9 out of 10. But beware - the Neutral Ground Cofeehouse opens at 8am - not 7:30 like the traditional Xonuts haunts. Make it a special occasion. Pro Tip: get your scone warmed up! Don't Miss: breakfast chowder! You will not see its like in any other restaurant frequented by mortal men.

    Gordon V.

    Very nice coffee shop across from the canal. Outdoor seating and indoor ambiance with tables and merchandise for sale. Pet friendly inside and out. Was greeted with a friendly hello. I got the last half cup of Jamaican me crazy so she brewed a new pot. Unfortunately I had grounds in the bottom. I am sure had I mentioned it they would have given me a new cup, but I was engaged in conversation with a new friend so I did not go back up to the counter. I will revisit.

    Sydney R.

    After moving to Boston, I realized how much I missed the aesthetics of coffee on the Erie Canal. The Neutral Ground Coffee cafe has such cute vibes, great seating options, and amazing drink options. In addition to drinks, they also offer pastries and meal options. This morning I opted for an iced snicker doodle latte with almond milk and it was AMAZING. It made me realize just how much I missed my home town (being Pittsford). I didn't try any food this morning but noticed they don't have many gluten free options (I'm gluten free). However, their drinks are all gluten free (even smoothies). Neutral ground is always a must go latte stop when I visit Rochester. I can't wait to come back next time I visit.

    Oatmeal with berry topping
    Ophelia M.

    Stopped by this charming coffee shop a couple times on a recent trip to the area. One morning for breakfast I ordered the oatmeal with berry topping. The berry topping was an additional fee ($1.50) which is expected but the amount of berry added was pretty sparse (a sliced strawberry or two is all). For my coffee order, I got a mocha which was tasty! The dining room is large, offering plenty of table seating. They seem to reserve one side for events and gatherings. There was a baby shower gathering while I was there and they had the tables nicely decorated. It was a great place to get a little work done and the service is lovely. Get to it!

    The Pittsford Sandwich
    Sarah C.

    The Pittsford sandwich is delicious. It comes with sliced turkey and cranberry aioli. If you add the chips, it gives the sandwich an extra crunch. Sometimes it gets super packed on weekends and there's a long line. For drinks, I like the hot matcha with oat milk and the vanilla latte with syrup. It's a super cute spot to catch up with friends and there's ample parking in the back. Afterwards you can take a nice walk along the canal.

    Kristen H.

    Great spot at schoen place- hot drinks as well as beer/wine Small menu looked good but we just enjoyed coffees The space is beautiful sort of divided into two separate areas. It looks like one half is available for private functions. A bit of a wait for coffee but it's a pleasant atmosphere to sit while you wait.

    Tara M.

    Everyone was super friendly and accommodating. I can see it being easy to sit and enjoy coffee and food here. The atmosphere is very laid back and cozy. On the other hand, I was not a huge fan of what I got. I got an oatmilk latte and didn't want to finish it in the end. My egg sandwich on sourdough was taste burnt. Maybe I am an odd one out when I don't like my food "charred", which is the new hip thing to do. Not sure if all the sandwiches are like this or not. I would go back again and try another item. But my first experience I was not impressed.

    Sorry for blurry pic, Sam's breakfast chowder

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    4 months ago

    Nice, clean place serving good coffee at a decent price. Plus everyone, of all backgrounds, is welcomed and greeted with a smile.

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    3 years ago

    Coffee was FANTASTIC!! The iced latte had a nice and bold coffee flavor that stood up to the cream!

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    3 years ago

    Great atmosphere and nice little town it's situated in. I got a cold brew and it was good. Wish I had more time to spend there.

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    Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - coffee - Updated June 2026

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