If you're willing to pay for Starbucks, cross the street and go here instead. If you're buying coffee for home, even better. They actually take the time to help you pick out a good blend and grind it for you according to what method you use to brew. At the end of the day their pastries are 2 for 1. And they take credit cards. Really, there's no reason to go to Starbucks when this gem is right there. read more

Update 7/7/10: I downgraded them from 4 to 3 stars mainly because of the somewhat gruff and tiresome counter staff. They always seems so bored and understimulated. Please, drink some coffee! Hands down the best java in the Columbia area. Coffee and espresso drinks are consistently good, strong, and full flavored. Staff is young and hip, perhaps a little too self-aware and occasionally a bit gruff in the morning (perhaps mirroring their clientele). Small, tight space not conducive to gathering. Espresso drink and a pastry will set you back $6. read more

So, dont get me wrong, I LOVE my Starbucks. I'm so loyal to that place but I figure since I was in NY visiting, I should try something local. My boyfriend brough me here and grabbed an iced coffee. it was really good and inexpensive. I've decided that while I'm in New York, this will be my coffee of choice :-) read more

I have an undying love for Oren's. It's the only place where I can actually taste a difference in the coffee, the music is usually good, and the staff is friendly. The only downside is there's very limited seating. read more

The coffee at this place is delicious. Their donuts are from Underwest Donuts in Hell's Kitchen and they are some of the best donuts I've had in the city (and I've sampled a lot of donut places). Make good coffee, outsource the donuts and pastries to places that do them best--that's a recipe for success in my book. read more

It is shocking how popular this place is given the mediocrity of their coffee. Everywhere you go in Morningside Heights, someone has a cup from Oren's and I just want to ask them, 'Why?' Blink and you'll miss the small space tucked under the shadow of Tom's Restaurant next door. There are only 2 cramped stools to sit at by the front. There are often crazy-long lines out the door but once you get to the front, the service is rushed and harsh. Perhaps if they slowed down and/or opened a second location, the quality of the coffee might get a boost. I have no doubt they use the best coffee (or at least they better because it is damn expensive), but craft is the other half of the battle. The iced latte ($5 for a medium?!) was on two occasions burnt and over-milked. Maybe I'll have better luck with the drip. Unfortunately I can offer no alternatives because I have yet to have truly good espresso up here. Crowded, expensive, and not good. read more

A very good espresso bar. I am personally not a fan of bitter coffee so i strictly avoid their drip coffee. But the latte is AMAZING. The only problem is that they don't have seating. They can easily make room for seating arrangement. I just dont like the idea of a cafe without seating. Where will I drink my coffee, man? But it's great for New Yorkers who are always on the run. read more

Pretty good coffee! Reminds me of Peet's back in California. They have a large selection of roasts and their coffee never tastes watered down. The people are generally friendly and their baked goods selection isn't bad either. Get a frequent buyer stamp card if you buy beans! I wish they had more seating than just one small countertop but that's just a small quibble. Oh yeah, and their novelty mugs are hilarious...options include star wars quotes, philosopher quizzes, etc. read more

Had their moroccan mint green tea and it was pretty good. Seems like your average, nice little coffee shop chain.

I just think they have very strong good coffee and espresso. Perhaps the biggest compliment I could give is that there beans always seem perfectly roasted and very fresh. This is one of my go to places with locations across the city to get my beans! read more

I have only had Oren's coffee once which I liked but I tend to make my own at home so I dont get coffee here. The real draw for me is the tea at Oren's and the fact that they have a page full of options. I have had their chamomile citrus, tropical green, and ginger twist, all of which I love. Also major bonus points for asking me if I wanted honey, milk, or sugar in my tea (I always get honey) and I appreciate the personal touch! Another bonus, I have definitely paid for some drinks all in coins (I need to remember to use mine more) and have never gotten the stink eye hahha. Also the staff is just really friendly in general and I never have to wait long, even if the line is out the door. read more

Great coffee, friendly staff, super close to home. Their iced coffee is delicious, and the coffee itself is so flavorful. They sell both coffee beans and tea in bulk, and I know I'll be buying some loose leaf tea this winter. Also love that they have a punch card. read more

The chai is cinnamon + water. I know this is a coffee place but chai drinkers are people too. My bf ordered a cappuccino and claimed it was equally terrible. read more

I didn't actually go in, but my dad surprised me by picking me up an iced mocha for breakfast, which was delicious. I was excited to get another today on our way to walk the town, however they were closed for Memorial Day :( oh well, can't win 'em all, still a great cup of joe. read more

I'll get a cappuccino from Starbucks and be tired by 3pm, but a cappuccino from Oren's and I'm as hyper as a sugar-crazed 3 year old. Until 11. At night. Love it! read more

Better than Starbucks, yummy, fresh, and strong coffee. Unfortunately, there's nowhere to sit which limits my patronage. The staff is nice and when they have fresh baked goods from Balthazar, it's totally worth going a bit out of my way for this place. I really wish they'd expand into a full coffee house where I could study, meeting people, and spend more time. For now, the grab and go zucchini muffin and latte will have to do. read more

Best coffee in the neighborhood. Good selection of teapots, coffee mugs, and other accessories.

Always been my favorite, for muffins, chai tea, and their mugs with the logo on it. For over 5 years Oren's has been my pick on a cold morning in New York, and I have never been disappointed, neither will you. The staff is the icing on the cake that enhances what a great stop this is! read more

Best coffee near Columbia - so far. I'm A big Ninth Street fan but live uptown. When I can't make it downtown this place is I go.

I tried their iced coffee twice & it was really good both times! I personally LOVE coffee & their coffee tastes good! The iced coffee actually wasn't as strong as I normally like it, but next time I'll try their Americano or hot coffee to compare. There isn't anywhere you can study, but def. a good coffee shop to just swing by & pick up your coffee on your way to work, school, or wherever! read more

They keep their beans sealed in glass jars so as not to be affected by the air, unlike many roasters who leave their beans in those open air baskets. Their staff knows their coffee and has a passion about it, too. And the beans are delicious, this is the first time I drank my coffee black and enjoyed it! I use a Chemex and I have my own bur grinder (the camano coffee mill), and boy out of all the beans I've ground this was way up on the list! I had the Ethiopian Yrgacheffe, I believe, which, sadly, I was told was being taken off the shelf soon. Very excited to try them all! read more

Blended dirty chai latte was watery, not flavorful, and very lackluster. I was disappointed to say the least.

It's a decent coffee place, don't get me wrong. I just don't understand why you would come here over Joe's Coffee. With that said, I still come here from time to time and I have many friends who are absolutely in love with it. read more

Very small place, don't expect to get seats here at all as there are only about.....3-5-person capacity. This place is actually more of a pick-up-and-go coffee place. Serves good enough coffee and hot chocolate, nothing spectacular. A good stop for a cold morning or afternoon. read more

Know what to expect. This is a tiny shop with really great coffee and pastries. It's going to be crowded. There will be a line. Don't try to do work at one of the tiny little stools in the place. Regardless of the rush or the time, the baristas are always a pleasure. read more

Oren's has GREAT coffee.... my go-to coffee in NYC. Nothing fancy just quality roasts for a fantastic simple cup o' joe. There are breakfast items as well... scones, health bars, yogurt and snack items like cookies, chocolate, etc - all way better than starbucks crap likely to give you a hear attack. Also, though I don't get tea here I know they have a wide selection! Always friendly an down-to-earth staff too. Couldn't live without this place! read more

Got a chai latte. It was watery and bitter. The service was average but the space was tight and I repeatedly had to ask other customers to move so I could enter, order, pay, and exit. Probably wouldn't go back. read more

My successful return occurred on a Saturday (late) morning, and the line was smaller and the place less-staffed but still very well-attending to their patrons. The Doughnut Plant selection was respectable, and the lemon was fresh and not expensive. The Peanut Butta frogurt was quite good, and the girl who helped me out was very kind. The energy throughout the place displayed by employees was exemplary. Not sure if it had anything to do with them (arguably obnoxiously) blasting Ludacris and M.I.A. at a coffee shop. read more

This place is tiny. Like there are probably 3 chairs total in this place. The coffee of the day is always fun but this is a place to go if you buy your coffee by the pound. read more

This place has some of the best coffee I've had in New York! Most of the tips and reviews I read talked about how good their latte's were so of course that's what I got. It tasted great, had the right amount of espresso, and was very smooth--SO GOOD. I also had a chocolate croissant which tasted pretty normal, but was still good. The only problem is there's hardly any seating, so it's much more of a grab-and-go coffee shop, but I'd definitely recommend checking it out! read more

Oren's Daily Roast is a MoHi staple and my go-to coffeeshop for work-related meetings! Last week, I got coffee here with a professional in an industry I'm interested in, who I had met via Bumble Bizz. The coffee (and the conversation!) was so, so, so great. Oren's is always dependable and reliable for career-related meetups. read more

Outstanding coffee place that manages the flow of customers very smoothly. Each barista takes your order, makes the drink, and usually rings you up. This is a nice personal touch and eliminates the errors you might get with the transfer of orders from cashier to barista at a starbucks. In addition, the staff is super friendly. Finally, every drink I've had here (disclosure: most of the time I just get iced coffee, with the occasional fancy thing) has been spot on! read more

Best coffee in Morningside Heights (sorry Joe)! There's no seating unfortunately, but the coffees as good as you can get. They have a huge selection of beans for purchase in the back! read more