This was my first stop when I moved to New York and I was so very excited for a cool, non-Starbucks, coffee shop. I saw they had a mocha/ coffee blend thing (I don't remember what it was called) so I ordered it so very excitedly. The drink tasted like burnt coffee and old chocolate. The first sip made me sick to my stomach. I decide that maybe this was just bad luck so I went back. Ordered just a regular coffee. Again, burnt tasting and just awful. read more

Oren's has amazing amazing customer service. I received one of those free drink vouchers, and because they took a while to make my drink, they not only gave me more vouchers but they gave two drinks (one for me, one for my friend who didn't even order anything). The coffee itself tastes great, and the frozen caramel was smooth. It was my first time there but I will definitely be returning! read more

I bought one Pound Oren's special blend coffee . It is so good. Taste of the coffee is unique, it has full body&sweet. Staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. read more

Oren's has good coffee and I've been a daily customer for many years. However, I stopped going, just a little insult. I gave a $10 for a small cup of coffee and only got $3 in change, I pointed out the error and was ignored. Overpaying by $5 and treated gruffly isn't the way to treat a good customer. A good coffee option but the staff can be apathetic or rushed and not careful. Better to brew your own at home and save time and money. read more

Seemed like the best place for a latte in the neighborhood, but the price increase they put in place at the start of September was pretty nasty. The 16-ounce latte (formerly called a medium, but now called a large) was $4.41 and it jumped all the way up to $5.01. Get that, $5 for a latte. Hard to believe that just a couple years ago the 16-ouncer was cheaper than at the Starbucks a block away. Further, although they have started using their pre-loaded customer cards again after revamping their cash register system over the summer, it doesn't work as well as it used to. And frankly it seems goofed up, to the point where the last time I used the card (and ran it down to 0), I wondered if I had been double-swiped for a couple drinks during the previous couple weeks. Sad to say I have started scouting around the neighborhood for another coffee place that serves a good latte _and_ at a reasonable price. read more

Big thumbs down on cashless policy. I will no longer be a customer. I spent over $600 per year on beans and coffee from Oren's but I'm done, am switching to Joe near me. We should boycott cashless places for many reasons. 1.) I don't want to put a million three and four dollar purchases on my card. 2.) It encourages consumer debt. Studies show when people spend cash they are more careful. 3.) Half of America doesn't have access to a bank or credit card. read more

I love this place, both me and my daughter frequent it on our rushed hours to work for me and class for her. I love the smells and enjoy the talks I sometimes haves with the baristas. For someone who loves the Colombian bean, their coffee hits the spot. I recommend it for someone who needs a good pick me up. Nevertheless, there is no seating and the lines tend to get long on a fairly nice day. read more

Their coffee is great and their prices really aren't bad - $2 for a small coffee. You can buy cheaper coffee in the neighbourhood, sure, but the difference in taste is huge. You don't have to be a coffee snob for it to be worth walking a couple of extra blocks and paying an extra quarter for a coffee that actually tastes nice - it just makes sense. This Oren's has been much quieter since Joe's opened in Columbia earlier this year, and has tended to skim away the Columbia students. I actually think the straight-up coffee is nicer here than at Joe's - it's richer and has less bitterness - and the prices are similar. Joe's fancy, cup-brew coffees are definitely better though - so if you want to pay a little extra and wait a little longer go to Joe's, but if you want to grab a filter coffee quickly then go to Oren's. read more

I've been to several Oren's locations and liked them all based on the product and concept (different coffees brewed every day). This one really shines. Everyone who works there seems genuinely happy, and they treat customers like friends. They remember what you order if you're regular. Even the music selection is awesome, and at a good level for keeping conversation possible. When it's busy, they keep it moving far better than most Starbucks I've been to. Kudos! read more

Not the best place for coffee. I got a mocha that tasted like milk with some cocoa powder in it.

Quick, quality caffeine! The staff are friendly and efficient, meaning there's rarely a line even during peak commuting times. Sometimes the young son of one of the baristas operates the register, and even he's on top of it! There's very little food offered, only a few pastries or healthy packaged snacks. Also seating is limited to three stools in the window. But if all you need is a coffee to-go, this is the place. Save yourself the pain of the Starbucks two blocks away. read more

i gotta say, the coffee is good here. the space is tight (elbows in face trying to grab a cover for your to-go cup). and the service is friendly, based on eye-contact facial memory - orders come up in no particular sequence and everyone has to stand around the tiny space. actually the service can be mixed, maybe has to do with the compuslory visual size-up. but in this neighborhood surprisingly it's the only decent spot dedicated to coffee. there is a starbucks and a couple of bagel places where you can get a decent cup of joe, and too many people continue to flock to the nussbaum and wu across the street for no good reason to rule that out as an option.. this place is good for a reliable cup of joe. read more

Oren's roasts the best coffee in the city. The people are friendly, and their teas and other goodies are good as well, but the coffee is amazing. That said, their specialty drinks (lattes, capuccinos, etc.) aren't quite as impressive, but for really good straight up coffee and beans, this place can't be beat. read more

So I've been in there two times and both times I left disappointed. In this most recent trip, I asked for a chai tea latte and what I got was 75% ice 24% milk and two squirts of a sugary pre-sweetened syrup that was quoted to be "infused with tea". This small beverage cost me $5.00! This place is overpriced for having such non-authentic food and beverages IMO. read more

No where to sit. Staff are not friendly. Coffee and pastries mediocre at best! Walked across the street to Starbucks and started over.....

this oren's location is really small. the espresso is better than starbucks's, and the milk is steamed more skillfully. the baristas are really nice and over-caffinated like those who work in a neighborhood coffee shop, which contributes to the general neighborhoody feel of the place. you can also choose beans from the wall of jars across from the main counter. their brewed coffee is just okay but i've found nowhere in ny that brews like on the west coast and oren's is better than most. i highly recommend the scottish shortbread cookies. they are buttery, cakey and... energizing. downside; its a little expensive read more

I come here to get holiday gifts, this review is for the service. Been coming here nearly 10 years. The staff was always friendly and answered any questions in a courteous manner. Not sure what happened, the two girls there were sadly quite rude, they basically bounced the questions back, which wasn't helpful in deciding on gifts. You won't find any smiles here. It could be that they didn't know about the products and were new. They took forever to grind the beans as if they were new employees. They then asked if I wanted a bag, even though I bought a few pounds, I shouldn't have to ask. Asking for gift bags was like pulling teeth, they are very reluctant to give them out. Updates to the store include no paper receipts and the rewards program is a digital format. The store don't sell the assortment of mugs they had up until last year. Seeing that other reviewers have said the same about the staff, I may try another location next year (they have several) or another company. read more

Great coffee. Their pumpkin spice latte is one of the best I've had. Their mint mocha is amazing as well. Great staff. Great vibes

Two dollars for a small cup of coffee that is cheaper and tastier than the (two) Starbucks across the street. There are four high chairs facing out the window. Prime seating. Insanely crowded at peak times (ie morning/Sat/Sun) but what coffee place isn't. read more

Excellent coffee, tasty and fresh treats plus very friendly staff. Can never say enough of this place. Everytime I visit NYC and stay at the Algonquin (right across the street), I go here for morning coffee and breakfast. Excellent place. More importantly, the staff is very friendly and courteous. Keep up the good work. read more

Nice hearty sweet rich textured espresso shot. Mine served in paper cup that cooled espresso, please use ceramic cups only! Good sticky bun with surprise of raisins inside. Grab one of three seats quick. Recommend for purest and "Starbucks" crew too. read more

Oren's is my favorite Morningside Heights coffee spot. Their coffee is always robust and strong, even the iced coffee. They also have some tasty baked goods--especially the vegan chocolate chip cookie! Not much seating, but otherwise perfect. They also have a wide selection of beans to purchase that they can grind for you. As good as it gets! read more

The line out the door every morning should tell you something about their coffee. It's delicious and no nonsense. They tend to run out of croissants and muffins by the time I get there (sometimes as early as 9:30). For Columbia students commuting, I totally recommend getting off the 1 a stop early at 110th to get a cuppa and savor it as you walk to campus. read more

This is my favorite coffee spot in the area. The coffee is actually tasty, not burnt or watered down like many of the alternatives nearby. I'm taking off points because their rotating "coffee of the day" can be hit or miss -- usually it's great, but on one or two occasions I thought it was terrible. I just wish I knew which of the rotating flavors were the best. Unfortunately, I never remember to pay attention and I'm usually out the door by the time I take my first sip (it's a tiny shop). I'm not sure it matters. I sort of enjoy the surprise. read more

I discovered my favorite cappuccino here. Visit here three times a week since I live around this place. Addicted to the special flavor of the coffee bean which makes the cappuccino stand out. Add one more broccoli scone to have a perfect breakfast! read more

I have tried Oren's once before (cafe au lait) and just didn't care for the fruttiness of their coffee. This time I tried a latte, after reading great reviews on here, and it is still pretty awful. Also, I ordered a chocolate donut & was given a scone instead. I understand accidents happen, but I went to take a final immediately after & was disappointed in the crappy cup of coffee. I would recommend Hungarian on 111th & Amsterdam--better, cheaper, & great customer service. read more

We walked a long ways and past several other coffee shops to come here, based on the good reviews. If it was an off day, I feel sorry for the owner, because the aggressively rude and doesn't-give-a-**** attitude of the girl at the register will drive a business into the ground. It was not even busy, and the barista/cashier was slamming cups around, shoving the drinks at us. She made a face when we asked what kind of donuts were in the case and rattled off the flavors so quickly and rudely that it was clear she just wanted to be rid of her customers. The trash was overflowing and the counters dirty in a place that is so small, it would take 5 seconds to wipe them. The coffee was mediocre and unsatisfactory, although perhaps someone behind the espresso machine with work ethic and pride in her work would produce a better product. So sorry that this was a lingering disappointment. I would NOT recommend this coffee to anyone looking for an enjoyable experience. The baristas seemed in such a rush and had no interest in the requests or needs of the customers. Overall a very unsatisfactory visit and we will not be returning. read more

one of those places where an italian can get a real espresso... Anyway cookies were great too... at least in the one located in upper east side. read more

The best caramel lattes in the UWS! I always stop by when I'm in the area. Also doesn't have that cheap, sugary taste starbucks dones. Only reason that it isn't a 5-star review is because the pastries are unfortunately disappointing (I know!). read more

pros: good coffee, nice pastries, pleasant staff, cool ambiance (as far as I can tell) cons: tiny place, 3 seats at the window but it's not a place to sit & read or work with your morning coffee read more