I started going to Oren's in late summer of twenty twenty-two because of how close it was to my new apartment. One day, I was craving an iced matcha to start my day and I thought "..maybe I should try the small coffee shop down the block with the little bench out front.." After walking in I noticed remnants of the pandemic, a small sign saying "take out only" taped across the window side counter top, a variety of coffee beans in the corner and a small collection of cafe instruments neatly organized on a wooden shelf. Once it was my turn to order I received the warmest smile, given yummy syrup recommendations for my matcha and I never felt rushed. As silly as it sounds I felt seen and heard! Starting my day at Oren's became part of my daily routine and my order was memorized by the baristas here. It's safe to consider myself a frequent flyer at Oren's and I'm really grateful for what this crew/place adds to the neighborhood!! read more

You really can't get much better than Oren's for your semi-chain cup of coffee. The waitstaff is friendly and courteous every day and they recently started stocking Doughnut Plant doughnuts and Balthazar pastries, so you really can't go wrong there. Extra kudos to Oren's for stocking Jamaican Blue Mountain (when I really want to treat myself) and its similiar-in-flavor-but-a-third-of-the-price cousin, the Costa Rican La Minita. Get your coffee, feel good about giving money to fair trade vendors and have substantially more variety than Starbucks in both local pastry providers and choice of bagged goods. Plus, let's face it: Oren's Just Makes A Better Cup Of Standard Coffee. I have gone out of my way, substantially, when not in Morningside Heights, to avoid Starbucks and go to Oren's to get an afternoon fix. I love you, Oren's. read more

Having only 4 hours of sleep, the coffee and donuts are to die for! Recommend the coconut almond, Tessa was beautifully wonderful. Her energy will brighten your day and completely turn it around!!! Thank you for that! read more

As I suspected, once cold weather hit this became my go-to place for caffeine and a snack before class. They make a great latte and are less rage-inducing than the Sbucks down the street by far. I've also gotten sort of addicted to the cinnamon buns, which are sweet and flaky without being overkill. Plus, they have a frequent buyer coffee card! How nice is that? read more

Packed every time I stop by which sucks, but the coffee is solid. It's not one of my usual go to coffee places, but it makes for a nice change of pace when I get sick and tired of Starbucks every now and again. read more

I stopped by yesterday for half a pound of Colombian and the two girls working were so helpful! My coffee this morning was the best! Even though this place costs an arm & a leg compared to other coffee joints, it's well worth it if you make it a point to start your day off right with a delicious, full bodied cup of joe. The best part of waking up is Oren's in my cup. Ok that was corny af, but whateva. read more

Like: Decent coffee, get a flat white Friendly guys Love the location Close to the subway Don't like: Not a good place to sit and get work done read more

This is the Upper West Side (Columbia area0 oren's and I LOVE OREN'S. This branch is no exception. Unlike Chris S. I feel the opposite - I find the coffee is always good and the service to be hit or miss. Otherwise I'd give it 5 stars. Not enough table space during rush peak hours. read more

Oren's is the only decent coffee shop in this food and coffee wasteland. It shocks me that there isn't a really good coffee shop* around Columbia. Many of the students and professors are willing to pay for a good cup of coffee--me included. Instead, we have two Starbucks on the same block. Each day Oren's features a different specialty coffee from a different region. The coffee is flavorful, bold, and doesn't leave a horrible acidic aftertaste in your mouth. Lines in the morning might take 5 mins, but the staff is fast, efficient, and friendly. Their pastries from the Baltahzar adds a little bit of SOHO to my mornings. I also love looking at the jars of coffee on their wall. I'm curious as to how often those jars get refilled and how fresh the coffee beans are. _______ *Joe's art of coffee just opened somewhere on campus. I have yet to visit, but I've heard that their coffee is very good. read more

I had a caffe Macchiato that made me swoon down the street! The cranberry muffin only reinforced my intoxication, for this joint. Plus, they sell some interesting mugs and bottles. A definite cozy, comfy, coffee cubby hole. read more

My regular morning go-to for soy lattes when I only feel like walking 2 blocks out of the way (Starbucks is less than a block from my work, and Joe is 10 blocks). Pricing is pretty decent, especially when you factor in the free drink for every 12 you buy when you use their card. And it's not one of those "free drink" things where all you get is a lousy small drip coffee-they let you have whatever you want! When I earn my free one, I love indulging in a large fancy schmancy drink...though they don't really do frills here (which is a good thing). The card also sometimes has awesome deals, like a few months back when they let you pay $40 and get $50 on your card. The food selection is good too, with baked goods from various bakeries (the requisite Balthazar croissants, plus random other bakeries-really like the sugarless berry scone!). They also have organic bars in varying brands and flavors, which are nice to have on hand if I haven't had time for breakfast yet. The baristas here are almost all very friendly (early in the morning, too, which is no easy feat!), and some of them are extra friendly and will sometimes upgrade your drink size...a great way to start off my day :) They're always listening to awesome music here, and the line is long but moves quickly! They've got their system down pat-one person will deal with you the whole time you're in there, from taking your order, making the drink, and ringing you up. Also-they take credit cards, and I don't think they have a minimum, but if they do it's very low. But I really do recommend getting the Oren's card because it makes life easier! read more

Notable to update - the espresso drinks have greatly improved at this location. One time I was waiting for SO LONG for a cappuccino, people were passing me one by one and I was getting annoyed and a tad twitchy for the caffeine. The grungy half awake man attending to my order was taking for-ever BUT (this is the good ending) in the end, who cares, he made me a surprisingly fantastic cappuccino. Now I tell people to hope for the slow ones. read more

When I can I go to Oren's ... Starbucks is just around the corner but there's something about not supporting that beast. Can't say I'm a huge fan of the coffee - but the service and chai are top marks. I work close by at the University and always a good little walk to break up the day. The staff could not be more friendly - always a pleasure. If you're looking for a sit down don't get your hopes up - only 3 chairs near the window. But on a sunny day there's never a bench far ... read more

As anyone who has ever been in a class with me can vouch for, Oren's is my go-to spot for a great cup of black coffee to get me through my afternoon (I have my giant French press to tackle my mornings). Totally consistent, dependable, fresh, and robust coffee. Did I just use the word "robust" in a review? Yes, yes I did. read more

Better than Starbucks, but not the best I've had. Canterbury Blend: a house blend of many different kinds of coffees, but it ended up being pretty bland. Colombian: also a bit bland. Convenient for Columbia students. If I went to Columbia, I'd probably come here for my caffeine fix. Friendly service. The snacks here seem a bit overpriced. read more

Best coffee in Manhattan - with the caveat that it does depend on the brew. This one is conveniently located - right near campus. It's tiny, so not a lot of seating options. But I have never had anything quite as good as their Guatemala with steamed milk. Their lattes are also great and they have a wide array of tea. Would also like to say that they, like many other cafes, are stocked by ovenly and dough for their cookies and pastries, but they ALWAYS are cheaper. Other cafes charge like $3.5 for ovenly cookies! Their almond croissants are very good, as are the whole wheat and the biscotti. Love their granola cookies. read more

Staff is awesome! Coffee is not Ninth Street Espresso or Third Rail, but still quite good. read more

Decided to stop by this coffee shop to give it a try as most parents in the area say the coffee is great. I was saddened by the lack of engagement from the employees. It seemed as though everyone who works there needs a cup of coffee as well. I had an almond milk caramel latte; which was great. The clientele is a bit intense. Someone almost attacked me cause I almost picked up the wrong beverage. Perhaps it might be beneficial to ask customers their names and write it on the cups, build relationships, smile, get to know your customers. Bring people back. I'd rather to continue to walk to Joe's or even Starbucks honestly after this experience. So much potential! read more

The espresso here is not great. Go for the standard brewed coffee. It really packs a kick. Goes excellently with creme. I do wish they would use a better quality creme, however... read more

Delicious coffee and espresso for around Starbucks price. Staff are extra friendly though. Definitely love coming here to grab Americanos. I've never really seen a line either so it's quick in and out! read more

Prices are basically the same as Starbucks but this place has better tasting coffee and better service. I came here while waiting for my friend to get out of class so he could show me around the city, and I just got a latte to go so I could drink something while walking around campus on a rainy day. The place is tiny though - it was kinda hard to tell where the line was because everyone inside was kinda mixed around and there's no real defined place on where to stand if you're waiting. It's just outside of Columbia so it's a great place to stop by on your way to class in the morning. read more

I am working on my time-management skills. Sometimes I don't "have time" to make my own coffee or tea in the morning. When this happens I go to Oren's. Okay, I get the coffee when it's really an emergency. It's okay, and it has a richer taste than what you get at Starbuck's a couple blocks away. The bigger draw for me is the tea. The selection is small, but the quality is high. And no artificial sweeteners in the iced tea. When I asked for an iced pomegranate green tea in the middle of December, I was not given a look of judgment. No, I was told, "we just brewed some this morning." Thirst quenched. It may not be as great as Hungarian Pastry, or have the same history, but it's good for a quick purchase. Do not expect to sit and chat with a friend or read a book. Demerits for lack of seating and mediocre bakery items, but everything else is good. read more

Used to get cafe au laits here to keep me awake for my philosophy seminars...pretty good coffee though I just came here because it's convenient from my dorm and didn't want to go to starbucks. No seating, just grab and go place. read more

Their staff is great. Their coffee is quite frankly, superb. For all the h8rz here complaining about ice lattes being burned and iced chai's not being sweetened enough, I say to you - REALLY? the coffee here is well brewed with a different variety daily. The price is on par with the quality. The baristas are awesome and they know their stuff in a way that FAR EXCEEDS their pay grade. For those of you complaining about a tip jar, STFU. The baristas know a lot about the different varietals, and they are well-veresed in steaming and pulling shots. The desserts are good, but generic. read more

My go-to coffee place in this neighborhood. They have great espresso and the people who work there are very friendly. Also, this place seems to attract super nice people--every time I go in I wind up chatting with somebody. Highly recommend. Only downside is that there isn't much seating, so more of a grab-and-go kind of place. read more

Still the best coffee place in Morningside Heights. The brewed coffee is delicious, so is the iced coffee. Don't forget the cookies, they are delicious, though a bit expensive. read more

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Got a cappuccino. Was expecting something better since they are a coffee roaster(rather than any other random cafe on the street) and the yelp reviews. The cappuccino I had was very underwhelming, below average. read more

This is a small coffee shop without much seating inside. I had a latte and it was good but not great. I think of this place as slightly better than Starbucks but not on the level of blue stone lane. read more

ATMOSPHERE: Warmish, friendly-ish, inside a tight space with limited seating (i.e. a few stools at the window). AMBIANCE: Collegiate, but not campus. SERVICE: Friendly and consistent, but a wee slow...watching folks leave because of an apparently unmoving line is a sad thing. SOUND: Solid tunes at a comfortable volume. COFFEE: Good to Pretty Dang Good and the only competition for Starbucks in the immediate vicinity. TREATS: Tasty cookies, but not always fresh. THOUGHTS: Reliable, likable grab-and-go coffee shop. May not change your life, but won't poison your conscience or soul. read more

Definitely not a study spot (it's tiny with no WiFi!), but Oren's is generally accepted as the best coffee near campus

If you're not a regular don't go there they don't understand concept of people waiting in line regulars come first very bad

If at the Butler Library, it's definitely worth the mini trek to Oren's in lieu of commonplace Starbucks. The extra few blocks will get the blood recirculating in the legs and ward off edema from salt-laden foods ingested from the stressful pre-exam days. The staff is very friendly (key for tiny coffee shops!) and helpful. I may be purchasing my next bag of coffee beans from here! My americano was aromatic and medium in strength. The roast was probably a medium light. read more

Live right near here, and when I run out of milk or beans for making coffee at home, i'm all for Orens. Great prices and love that they have a daily flavored brew too (I'm a rare coffee addict that loves flavored coffee). I also go here for my beans to buy in bulk and tea! Cute mug collection too when you need a last minute gift. Almost at my free coffee on my coffee card! Nowhere really to sit, more a grab a cup and go place, not a cafe. Bagels and bakery type munches are pretty good too in a pinch. read more

Look, Oren's is the same price as the two Starbucks located within a couple blocks. Walk a little bit and you can encounter coffee much much better than the bitter water masquerading as coffee at Starbucks. Yes, Oren's is a chain too, but it's managed to keep its soul for now. The service at this Morningside Heights Oren's is friendly and the coffee flows efficiently. Give the cookies a try (yum oatmeal raisin), they're pretty tasty and go well with the coffee. Be careful, this coffee packs a real punch. Go nuts, have fun at Oren's. read more

Best coffee in the area and nice, friendly staff. I wish it had a bigger seating area. If it did, I would definitely visit more often. Maybe one day I'll splurge and buy my coffee beans here instead of buying the cheapo $4.99 sludge beans from Westside Market. read more

Just delicious. The mochas are the best I've ever had. I wish people would stop showering me with Starbucks cards so I could patronize Oren's more often. read more

I unfortunately have become quite fond of the soy chai tea latte. The drink is creamy, comforting, and just sweet enough. At 3.50 for a small, I wish I was in love with something else. read more

I just picked up a coffee from there and it is really good--better than most. I wish they had space to settle down and work. They have a lot of bulk coffee here. read more

This is the best coffee shop in the neighborhood, hands down. The people that work there are so nice and personable. As regulars, they know my husband and my drink orders. The coffee and tea drinks are delicious. The iced green tea is super addicting. I'm not not really into espresso drinks but they make a good one and offer a variety of milk and milk alternative options. They also have a nice assortment of baked goods. I wish there was more area to sit, but for a take-out coffee shop, it's simply awesome! read more

This use to be a great place until some made the executive decision to change the manager.. Store no longer has that family feel anymore. Not to metion the guy with long hair behind the counter swing and touching his hair everytime he talks and doesnt wash his hand after its disgusting read more