I didn't think it was possible to find a more pretentious, smugly elitist coffee shop than Blue Bottle, which is 3 blocks away. Yet somehow in Williamsburg we are cursed with a plague of affectation, and it descends upon Toby's Estate with vengeance equal to that with which it claimed its brother on Wythe. I came here for a quick cup of coffee after missing the ferry, hoping for a quick pick-me-up before waking back to the pier. I disclosed my desire for speed to the lady at the counter and she assured me they could deliver. Five minutes later I was still waiting at the counter while a bearded betattooed hipster traded stories absentmindedly with another hipster about (I kid you not) their most sublime "coffee experiences." Telling this man, who clearly possessed no concept of time, that I was in a hurry was like talking to Mr. Bean in "Love Actually." I pleaded with him that I would take whatever had dropped through my miserable individual filter and that I was about to miss my second boat in a row. Response? "This will really be worth the wait." It wasn't. Needless to say I missed the boat. The coffee was fine, though I resented being forced to sweeten with their only choice, brown sugar. (Motto: we hate yuppies and diabetics.) Go to Vittoria or Ella's on Bedford or, in a pinch, Bakeri on Wythe. read more

It hurts a little bit that the best cafe/roaster I've found in NY is from Australia. And any time someone asks about coffee recommendations in New York, I tell them Toby's Estate, but then have to qualify that they're from Australia. But there it is. I can list other places that are good, but they either 1) Don't roast their own beans or 2) Don't have the selection like Toby does (no milk and sugar in the Parlor store, folks). Other places that carry Toby's beans just don't do it justice, either. Any latte I've had with Toby's beans at other cafes somehow is more acidic or bitter. And I buy Toby's beans a lot to make at home, so I'm always thrown as to how they make that happen. But Toby makes a great cuppa, and I'm always very excited and happy to stop in their main location (this one) for a treat. read more

Though my star rating isn't changing, wanted to update this review as now, more than a year after my original one, I live in the neighborhood and Toby's has become a somewhat regular haunt. The plusses have increased: avocado toast, good fruit and granola, tea served in pretty vintage china, and doughnuts from Doughnut Plant. Oh, plus a big bench area in front of the store which is awesome to sit at and soak up the sun on a nice day. The negative is definitely the crowd. It's very hard to get your own table most of the time, but fairly easy to get a seat at the big communal tables in the middle of the space. You'll find yourself elbow to elbow with everyone else typing away on their laptops and it can feel a bit claustrophobic. Still a great coffee shop option, though! read more

Partners Coffee - Brooklyn - Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Artisanal coffee houses are gaining speed on luxury condominiums in Williamsburg. And what joy! Upon returning from the holidays, I found that I no longer had to trudge the excruciating thirty yards to Blue Bottle, nor suffer the bleak fifteen yards to newcomer Kitten Coffee (housed in the former (or possibly extant, but dormant) Blackbird space), because the new giant, glossy, storefront a mere FIVE yards from my front door was not in fact a Restoration Hardware, but the biggest, most absurdly stylized coffee bar since Sweden was invented. Lots of leather seating. Lots of bar stools and cafe tables. Lots of light (I will never understand why a coffee house would require 20-foot ceilings, but I will nonetheless park enthusiastically 16 feet beneath them). Lots of decorative tshotshkes - in the overtly expensive way. No old-lace-and-arsenic charm here. No word on the WiFi yet, but I'm betting Toby's is within reach of my personal router. And the coffee ain't half bad either! Toby's isn't as cracktastic as Blue Bottle, but the ample seating, lighting and snack selection make up for the marginal drop in caffeine. Like BB and Kitten, espresso drinks start at $2.75. I will tentatively speculate that the Northside has its flagship coffee house - at long last!! read more

Toby's Estate is the post-hipster Panera for the incoming condo crowd with new sensation-demanding tastes for slightly-fetishized exotic origins. Commonly overheard outside the establishment are things like: OH MY GOD, BECKY, LOOK AT THAT FLAT WHITE. IT HAS TO BE ONE OF THOSE AUSTRALIAN THIRD WAVE COFFEE SHOP'S SIGNATURE ITEMS. The cappuccino is so over, man. So over. However, I've not found the flat white to be all that spectacular for all the blog-talk of it. I'm not honestly sure of the appeal. Yes, I understand the distinctions of texture, how the subtle lack of bubbles affects the nuances of the beans and whatnot; it's not a revolution in a cup. I don't particularly care for that drink. The average pulled drink is very good, very clean, but I think almost too much, and they're lacking personality because of that. I don't see a good reason to spend $3-$4 dollars on a small, singular ginger molasses cookie either, though I did once. It's worth maybe $1.50, really. I do like the communal table. Unlike most coffee shops there's a chance you'll talk to someone random here. I have on three or four occasions, two of those times my conversation partner mentioned being disappointed at the $4 rate for a drip coffee. I have to wonder what they're doing in this shop, or even in this neighborhood in the first place. They said the coffee tasted "ridiculously good" but that it was still too pricey. The Wi-Fi is fast. The ceiling-height, South-facing front windows in the afternoons will incinerate anyone not lucky enough to have nested in the couch area. It's fun to watch people migrate from the big table to little ones to get out of the sun and try to find a chair with back support. This is not a freelancer's coffice. Ultimately, it's almost unfortunate that Toby's Estate is a large and luxurious as it is. You can't distance the coffee from the patrons and environment. It feels a bit overwhelming and overindulgent. To the advantage of the proprietors, this does draw a very particular crowd - older, wealthier, more detached from reality. If you like the sort of people who say things like "do you mind watching my baby for a minute" while they take a call outside, perhaps you'll love this place. I don't doubt that this is a sign of things to come as New Williamsburg comes into its own. read more

Every time I've gone in this tourist trap I'm met with hipster pretension. Today the music was so loud the girl with the chip on her shoulder couldn't hear me yelling my order through my mask. And was met with eye rolling and attitude. I was once shamed for ordering soy milk. Apparently that is no longer cool. Only hemp and oat? This place is dumb. I hope Covid closes them for good. read more

1. Awful coffee - We ordered two cappuccinos and they both had an unpleasant sour taste. 2. Awful service - When placing our order, we noticed a fly sitting on the pastries under the glass. When we notified the cashier who was taking our order, he nonchalantly replied the following, while the fly continued to enjoy the pastries, "If you don't like it, you don't have to order it". Bad coffee paired with distasteful customer service and a flagrant lack of sanitation is unforgivable. If a supervisor / manager reads this, happy to chat further to point out the specific employee so your brand value is not jeopardized further. You may have invested in him by offering him employment, but he clearly is not invested in your business. read more

So, I'm just getting cream and sugar when a tall man stands besides me and asks, "Where are you all from?" "Excuse me, what?". "Are you with those people over there? He motions over to a group of Asian individuals sitting at a table several feet away. Half-amused and half-insulted, I scoffed at him and said, "Yo, my dude. Not all Asian people hang out together. We don't all know each other. Just because you're hanging out in Whitesville Willaimsburg doesn't mean every Asian person that happens into your corner of the city is rollin with a bunch of homies. No, I didn't actually say that. Instead, I got flustered and awkwardly continued our impolite conversation. I explained that I was merely on my work break. He introduced himself to me as Tony and that he worked there. Coffee is good though. Would recommend! read more

I'll admit, I'd probably have a better experience if I had my flat white to stay. I really had no choice, though; the space was completely packed today. Who can blame the Brooklynites, though? Beautiful spring-like Sundays send people out of their beds and out into the sun. The space was bright, airy, HUGE, and packed. Tons of seating, but none for me today. Toby's felt a little out-of-place in Williamsburg, like it should've been located somewhere in the Meatpacking District. But I won't hold that against them. INSTEAD, I'll hold their flat white against them. I've had amazing flat whites in London, Cafe Grumpy, and Tuck Shop. I was expecting these Aussies to step up their game and knock my socks off with their take on it. After getting through their delicious foam, I was met with some of the tartest coffee I've drank in quite some time. Maybe the baristas slacked off on quality, since I was taking my cup out with me. I was expecting better, though. I'll come back to Toby's one more time. I'm expecting perfection next time around. read more

I work in the area so I come here regularly. This time around though, I had a negative exchange with the counter person. He wore all black including a black peaked cap and an expression that read "I hate everything." He seemed so miserable and running on autopilot that I felt prompted to ask him if he was okay. I've worked in the service industry for years. If a customer cared enough about me as a human being to show concern, I'd be appreciative. I was met with an attitude that solidified my belief that he was angry at everything, including his job. By contrast, the gentleman that actually made my latte was so jovial. They were night and day. It was almost as if he felt the need to overcompensate for his self-loathing counterpart. Had I only met with him, this would be a 5 star review. Unfortunately, I went in for coffee and left upset thanks to the attitude of Mr. I hate everything. read more

I have given Toby's Estate WB at least 5 chances to win me over, and I cannot believe they can't get it right. They have a wonderful position and amazing glass facade store, however the quality of coffee, food and service is so inconsistent and far from the premium prices they charge. The service staff attitude is not of engagement, but rather cold with a touch of pretentiousness. Please don't follow Blue Bottle on this trait. Aussie coffee culture is better than that. read more

Lovely coffee, ambience, and decor!! Would HIGHLY recommend the Mint Julep. Perfect spot to cozy up with a book on a Sun afternoon. Wifi is a bit finicky, so manage expectations accordingly. read more

The first time I came by, I ordered just a regular coffee. The girl behind the counter asked me how I took it, so I was surprised when it came back plain black- after I specified with milk. She apologized for not explaining: she had selected the Brazil coffee for me, as it's bolder flavor stands up well to milkfat. Huh! I had an excellent latte on my second visit, and at that time I noticed a sign for Wednesday cupping classes (free)! Intrigued, I signed up, and attended a fascinating tasting, where 4 different types of beans are ground, and you smell the dry, then wet, then taste each brew three times looking for variances in flavor and rating the quality of the coffee. It was extremely challenging to try and open the palate and take the approach of the professionals- I encourage any bean lover to give it a try. I'm so happy a summer storm led me to seek refuge here! read more

Looks a bit like a Mac store, or upmarket Ikea, and although Australian is much more Sydney than Melbourne. Rather than tucked away, it opens with massive windows to the street, saying look at me! My latte is weak and cool, as in cold. The business is clearly going for style over substance, and is doing it very successfully judging by the numbers of punters here on their macs and mommas here with their kids. Just two stars - coffee is the reason I am here. Wifi second, and that works fine. read more

Friendly staff, wonderful drinks, and large, sunny space! Also a great spot for people-watching with a solid blend of locals, families, and tourists. I used to live in the neighborhood and still make the trip out here on the weekends when I can. read more

I'm not somebody who takes to Yelp very often, and definitely not over petty grievances. I'm also a pretty regular customer. If you're looking for a great cup of coffee or sandwich, and service isn't a super high priority to you, this place is five stars. If service IS important, it's not One Star. It's pretty decent. Anyway, a marketing email from them in my inbox today lit the fire to hop on Yelp. If they're marketing via email, they care about customer retention, and they've got baristas actively sabotaging that. Most recently, I tried to "bus my own table", and wasn't sure where to return the plate, so I brought it up the counter and asked the barista "is the spot where I can return this?" He didn't reply, so I placed the plate on the counter. Moments later, he followed me over to the milk/sugar shelf and placed the plate in a rubbermaid bin underneath. "Ah," I said. "That's where they go! Ok sorry!" Dude stares back at me, says nothing, then turns his back. One-off guy-having-a-bad-day, or pattern of bad customer service training? Well, it wasn't the first time. I've let a few of these things go over the years. Ask for an extra napkin and a barista hands one tiny napkin to you, without a word, even after you say "thanks". None-of-which should minimize that the majority of my encounters with the staff have been Good - at least a few folks being super cool of their own volition in Spite of an apparently lackadaisical culture toward customers. Just...it's happened too many times and left too bitter a taste in my mouth not to comment. read more

Really cool place to grab some coffee with a chill vibe. I'm usually a fan of black coffee but their black & white was delicious. I believe it has some milk but the way they prepared it wasn't anything I had expected. Overall, really great location and it's also clean/well organized. If I lived in Brooklyn, I would come here every day. read more

Partners Coffee - Brooklyn - Black and White iced coffee with a view of Toby's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I used to love going here and I really do love the coffee, however when I used to be greeted with friendly faces, am now given rude and short replies. Sad that customer service has taken a back seat to snobbery. read more

I love visiting this coffee shop when I'm in Williamsburg. It's bright and airy and they have lots of tables to work at or catch up with a friend over coffee. They also have a few cute benches outside that you can sit at when the weather is nicer. They have a great coffee selection and yummy pastries, though they are on the pricier side. I would recommend if in the area and seeking a good cup of coffee or wanting a place to catch up with a friend. read more

He asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked him how this works. He said, "You just tell them what flavors you like, fruity? Nutty? Earthy?" Cool. It's like a speakeasy except with coffee. I ended up with a Colombian latte, winning. read more

Toby's Estate sells you a 3rd wave coffee drinking experience rather than 3rd wave coffee. On the surface there's a lot that makes you want to like the place. You can see their roaster in the back. There is a cupping room that I presume allows you too taste their different blends on their cupping days. There is a battery of pour over coffee devices with scales that allow them to provide you with pour over coffee. There are 3 different espressos on tap (2 single origins and a blend). They pull ristrettos from a triple basket. However despite all of that, it falls short of providing a good shot. My espresso was a mix of acidic and acrid. You could taste the over-extraction from channeling. Typically, I would complain about an espresso having a short finish; however, in this case I was glad that the taste was over. So why 3 stars as opposed to something lower? In the end, this is still 3rd wave coffee no matter how poorly implemented. It is better than a Starbucks or local coffee shop trying to serve you stale over-roasted beans. However, in the spectrum of 3rd Wave Coffee Shops in the NYC area, it would rank in the 3rd Tier. read more

It's a gorgeous space... I'll give it that. Slightly evil staff served my ok latte. This place is just one more mediocre place in a sea of sameness that does well because of the hype and the hipsters. I can't imagine people come here for the espresso.. but maybe. Blue Bottle is umpteen times better in my humble opinion. read more

Staff is NOT friendly at all. Price is average for the area. Service is very important specially if the place is expensive.

If you are an author grasping at how to best describe the Williamsburg population, stumble into Toby's. It's a condensed version of this hipster Mecca. Everyone is oh-so-hipster with their second-hand clothes yet shelling out $4.50 for a small cup of pour-over. Every time I've been here, there have been fashion-junkies snapping most unique outfits ensembles. So if your new outfit is all that, stop by Toby's as you might be featured in January's issue of Teen Vogue. (Seriously.) Anyway, the coffee is strong. I tend to gravitate towards their Jamaican pour-over, and have enough caffeine in me to bounce off the walls for hours. I'm not a coffee snob, but this coffee is worth every hard earned penny. I've heard the wi-fi is lightning fast, so if you get into a writers block, you can surf around. Just charge up - no outlets in sight. read more

Beautiful space. Massive windows shine light on the well-decorated, large cafe all day. Coffee is great, featuring multiple cold-brews on tap. Good wi-fi. Place is pretty popular, open seats will be sparse but generally available. Delicious food. My favorite coffee place to go in Williamsburg. read more

No Williamsburg sightseeing trip is complete without a cup at Toby's Estate. If you really wanna get a sense of the neighborhood's demographic then hang out here for ten or twenty minutes. From waifs that seem to have a lot of money without a job to match it to tourists and the random freak it's a nice place to take a break. Service is pretty speedy even if you see a sizable line. read more

This cafe is even more hipster Australian than the cafes are in Australia! I've been a fan of Toby's Estate for years, and frequented many of their cafes when I lived in Sydney. I even did my Barista training with them - which, for the record, I never used to actually work as a Barista but it certainly turned me in to a supreme coffee snob and has meant I've been able to bore my friends to tears for many years afterwards. Well, the Australian cafes that Toby's Estate own are lovely but none of them are as beautifully designed and decorated as this one in Williamsburg. I loved that the Barista understood all my weird Australian coffee terminology and I imagine had I been away from home for longer I would have been ordering the vegemite on toast for breakfast. One tiny gripe... when I order a Long Black with Hot Milk On The Side (LB HMOS), please actually leave room in the cup for me to put the milk in! Filling the cup to the top kind of defeats the purpose. read more

I know there's good coffee and bad coffee. I don't exactly know how to rate it and if my palate is accurate.. I've had really gross muddy stuff (the kind at the bottom of the dispenser at a Marriott lobby) then I've had that really frou-frou fancy stuff that you 'sip on' and smell like wine. Whatever. I'm giving this place 5 stars because it's big and open, letting a lot of flattering light pour through (invite the ex and sit by the window so he can regret ever doing you wrong!). The boys behind the counter were hot and friendly. I wish I could handle more coffee without tweaking out because I would have kept visiting the counter over and over for that sweet service. Holla! Oh and my Americano was delish. The end! read more

Acceptable...when you think of it from their perspective. There are absolutely no outlets in the place. No one was plugged in. But it does make sense, as was explained to me. They want a high turnover of people = more money. Suggestion if you plan on working there - arrive fully charged, order their coffee, work like hell, leave feeling satisfied and productive...kinda like a good sex session, er, minus the ordering of the coffee...unless that's your kinda thing. read more

A tasty bit of Australia in the heart of Brooklyn! I had a flat white from the menu and it didn't disappoint! Coffee was great, staff was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed. Free wifi was also a bonus . I went to their public coffee cupping class in their custom designed cupping room and espresso lab. Allie my coffee educator for the class was amazing.. its $5 but you will then have the ability to purchase a bag of retail beans at $5 off on the day of the class. highly recommend for all! Its also close to the Bedford L train stop .. read more

We came to Toby's Estate Saturday night before going to Zenkichi for dinner. We were early for our reservations so we decided to get some coffee. We drove by this place and I was wondering what this huge looking place was. It was so bright and the windows were wall to wall and from ceiling to floor so it draws everyone's attention. Apparently, it was a coffee spot. It was definitely big inside and huge. There were seats and it seems like everyone sits there for a long time, just like at Starbucks. It is a hippy and artsy place where the Brooklynites hang out at. There are tables and seats and even couches! It has a very homey feel to it. He asked about a black coffee and the girl recommended a Brazilian coffee and that everyone likes to start with that one. I ordered a macchiatto. We ordered it to go since there were no seats available. Total was $6. They brew each cup freshly with their cute equipment and drippers. The macchiatto came in a really small cup with a heart on top. Very cute! :) I took a sip and it was not sweet at all so I had to add some brown sugar in it at the stand where they had the sugar in milk. And they had the cute little covers. It tasted better after I added the sugar in it. read more

Great coffee. But don't order food if you're on the way to work because they are sloooooow. Staff is friendly though.

I live in Australia and seeing how coffee is pretty crap in the US it was a refreshing breath of fresh air to see Toby's Estate in NY. Finally, a place that might do a proper flat white! Note: Iced coffee is not a thing in Australia, so I can see why Toby's might not do it well here...and coffee is best served strong anyway. The place is decked out with cool high ceilings and decor and service was pretty good, and the coffee was just as I expected, albeit in a smaller cup. Felt like I was in Surry Hills again. read more

Toby's roasts their own bean in house -- they offer some cool classes - check them out online! My tea was great & my girlfriends latte was great too. Came here on a Sunday and was close to impossible to find seating. The decor was beautiful, but I would never want to come here to work. The windows are huge, which brings in a great amount of sunlight but can probably glare your computer. Also- was way too loud for me. read more

This place would be cute if they had a little thing called HEAT. What the hell Toby?? It's the middle of winter and it's freezing in here. Almost everyone is sitting around in their winter coats and hats. Shouldn't that be a blatant sign? Me thinks so. Maybe I'll come back in the summer. That said the space is huge and inviting with large windows and plenty of sunlight. The baristas are your standard bored baristas and same with the crowd. As for the complaints about hipsters, why the hell are you even hanging out in Williamsburg? read more

Dear Toby's Estate Coffee, Your coffee is super tasty but those tables, and couches, and low-hanging ceiling lamps; by the wall... I think it would be a great idea to put the tables directly under the lights or to raise the lights. That way, silly tall people like me won't repeatedly smack their heads on said lamps. Thanks, Lou Other than that, the coffee is remarkably flavorful. They have the coffees described like wine on the menu. This concept is pretty on point. The flavors of the coffee are indeed that complex. I had the Honduras El Chorro, which they described as oak with red wine. I personally tasted apples and citrus. Go figure. Still pretty darn tasty. read more

Here's to another Brooklyn coffee spot. Toby is great if you're a people watcher or if you're in for a quick tap on your keyboard. There are no electrical outlets so if you're like me and prefer working in a cafe all day this may not be the best option. That may the only downside here. The ambience is very open and chill. Great for small groups and weekend visits. It is typically busy during the weekend but that's everywhere in Brooklyn. read more

Partners Coffee - Brooklyn - Macchiato with extra milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Well, it's geeky and well financed to be sure. Some really beautiful equipment and fantastic bean choices (we even managed to have some hard won Cup of Excellence competition coffee they got their hands on). The staff have a fanatical approach to their coffee, which we love. Lot's of space to sit with friends and watch the world for sure. The downside of the place is that it is SO popular and so busy that there is not a lot of personal interaction from the staff, which if you like that sort of thing you may feel ripped off. read more

I needed to find a coffee shop with ample space close by. I started off my morning at Black Brick but I had to find a new spot to study because it was too cold and there was a sick guy spreading germs. Toby's seemed like a good choice because they offer free wifi and space to do work. However, there are no outlets available for use. Bathrooms are also clean compared to other coffee shops! I wasn't sure of what to expect but I was pleased with my first step inside. Not only was the temperature perfect inside, but the aroma of coffee circulating the high ceilings was the first indication that I can stay here for the rest of my day. I slowly walked up to the counter and was greeted with a smile. I realized at that moment that the barristas at all of the three coffee shops I've been to in Brooklyn asked me how I was doing in a genuine manner (not always the case in Manhattan)! I ordered a soy latte and was ready to settle down here. I wasn't surprised when I took my first sip of the latte and noticed the high quality of the beans. It's pretty clear that Toby's takes extra care in selecting their beans. There's also a "cupping" room in the back. I wonder what goes on in there hehehe I found a seat on the high table which includes a bar to rest your feet. I later had to move to a lower table because I felt too awkward so high up. My new seat was right by the window where I got to soak up some vitamin d. I didn't know this was an Aussie favorite but I love it! I saw so many Aussies which can brighten up any day of mine. They are just so friendly and I love their accents haha! The sandwiches and special toasts look to be popular items here but I did not try them. I did get to smell it and oh boy did it smell scrumptious. One negative - I saw and heard two wailing babies inside. I won't knock off a star for that though only because they didn't stay for long. Yes, I am not a fan of wailing babies nor quiet ones. read more

Partners Coffee - Brooklyn - Soy latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Every time we visit NY we pop over to Toby's to have a coffee. The space is large & always has a great buzz about it. It's tough to get a seat but it can be done with a little patience. You can tell a lot of locals come here to hang out & work on the weekends...a short walk from Bedford metro & a nice walk down to the waterfront for a spectacular vista of manhattan. Ps the flatiron location is totally different but equally fantastic read more

Partners Coffee - Brooklyn - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York