The vibe of the cafe is really nice and it's in a cute area but the food was just okay

Very good food & drinks. A little pricey but very cute spot to just have chill vibes.

This is the best place to catch up with friends/ get some time for yourself with books. They have live music throughout the day, and no cover charges! The comfortable couches, unique decor and books, board games will have you feel at home. I loved their tiramisu ( which comes in a cocktail glass) and coffee selections. We spent about an hour and would love to visit again read more

They recently changed their menu, so some items I loved went away. That said, I like the brand they keep and their food is consistently good. I can also east their roasted potatoes with pesto aioli by the bucketful. read more

Came in here just for dessert but judging on how amazing the dessert was, I would imagine that the food is great as well! This is a really cute hipster place with lots of various food options on the menu from pizza to Mediterranean. They also have a bunch of unique latte choices and if it was earlier in the day I would have definitely tried it. Choosing on the dessert menu was no easy task. Everything sounded absolutely amazing and there were only four of us which means only four desserts (first world problems). We decided on the Cheesecake, Apple Crumb Pie, Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie, and Tollhouse Cookie Tart. Cheesecake - AMAZING. It had a crunchy layer of bruleed sugar on top which is a unique touch that I've never had with cheesecake. Apple Crumb Pie - perfect cinnamon to apples ratio and had that crunchy pie crust that I personally love. Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie - personally, this was my least favorite out of all of them because it was just way too peanut butter-y. Not bad at all but just an overpowering taste. Tollhouse Cookie Tart - soft and chewy cookie in the shape of a cupcake. It was nice and warm when they brought it out and comes with ice cream! You can add ice cream to any of the dessert that don't already come with it for only $1.50 extra. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Cheesecake - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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Cute little cafe where people can chat, do work, or grab dinner. My two girlfriends and I came here and their food was great. We shared the appetizer with pita bread and several samples such as hummus, garlic aioli spread, and quinoia tabbouleh - delicious! each of our separate entrees ranged about $12-15 and their portions were very filling. I will definitely be making a trip back here the next time I'm in town! read more

So good!!! So glad this is around the corner from me because I will continue to come back probably for the rest of my life. I recommend this place maybe twice a week to everybody that I know and meet because it is not only authentic but it has quality food and the service is always great. This is a smaller place so you might have a wait sometimes but that doesn't mean that it's not worth it. I would recommend the turkey and brie sandwich that they have as well as all of their desserts because they are amazing I would also recommend to get ice cream on the side of them if you have a sweet tooth. For colder days, I also love to get their hot chocolate it is housemade and comes with tons of whipped cream on top. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

Sign posted on June 4, 2023, indicating closed for a private party. Sign posted closed for July 4, 2023 holiday; 2 perfectly good reasons for being closed. My issue is that you don't update your website or your google listing to inform your customers ahead of time of the restaurant being closed. read more

One of my absolute favorite hometown restaurants! I've been coming to Van Gogh's since I was young and I've had an amazing experience every time. Every member of their staff is kind and welcoming and every dish and drink is delicious. read more

A very trendy place with some couches in the midst of tables and starry night painted on the wall and a van gogh mosaic in the windows. It is a very pretty spot to get some work done or just go to relax with friends, however, I thought the food was just mediocre. The shrimp dish was too salty, and the pizza had a bit too much bbq sauce on it. The brown derby looked amazing but tasted like almost brownies and ice cream: a ton of sugar. But for some people the aesthetic might make it worth it read more

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Amazing portion controlled food. Chill place with good vibe. Enjoy the jazz night for sure

If I could give them 10 stars I would; their food is phenomenal. They have an artsy rustic antique vibe. It has a warm laid back ambiance. Great place to take your friends to hang out and chill they have books and board games. It's close to kean university so it's a great student hang out. The service is fast and sweet. The two girls working here are so nice. The one with the beautiful tattoos helped me decide what to pick for both my meal and dessert. There were so many yummy choices I couldn't decide!! Love love love this place. Definitely will be back. Ps. I got the sandwich with shrimp and the apple pie with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. I feel like I touched a bit of heaven while eating. read more

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Great place to relax and chat with friends, great selection of teas and drinks, plus their dessert menu is great Recommend going later in the day, maybe after work with friends/coworkers to destress and relax read more

Good good. Great service. A definite laid back vibe with cool sounds and a library. Definitely recommend.

Fun, artsy cafe with lots of good, approachable food options. Great place to meet friends and share a reasonably priced and tasty meal. Recommend the buffalo chicken meatballs as well as the apple and Brie pizza. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Buffalo chicken meatballs - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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Omg.....the lattes. So indulgent. Definitely don't miss out on these! The buffalo cauliflower tacos were also excellent. Such a cute interesting spot! I could have sat in here for hours just admiring the environment. Very friendly staff and helpful when it came to splitting the check multiple ways. read more

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I have been coming here since I was 14 (9 years ago) and I still love it as much as I did the first time. This place is perfect for any occasion-- date nights, hanging out with friends, birthday dinner, etc. I have tried pretty much everything on their menu and I am never disappointed. A few of my favorites and must haves are the Brown Derby, Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Spinach Dip, and Mezza Platter! My boyfriend and I went there recently, we tried their Chicken Flatbread and we were blown away. We ordered it again a week later because we liked it so much. Additionally, as much as I miss their inside dining experience, playing games till closing, and their open mic nights, I think they are handling the COVID situation so well. The outdoor atmosphere is very nicely done and take out is just as good! I recommend this place to everyone I know. Definitely one of the best and most unique places in Union. read more

I will 100% be back. This place is very refreshing because there are things on the menu you cannot find anywhere else. I had the Lucky charms iced latte and it was deliciousssss, though i'm not sure where the lucky charms came in other than the marshmallows on top. I also had a brie and apple pizza, a little hesitant at first but our waitress assured me it would be good and it was WILD. It was a really tasty balance of sweet and salty, juicy and dry with a whole ton of flavor. Definitely coming back to try the other things on the menu!!! Plus their outdoor seating is the cutest read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Brie and Apple Pizza - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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Cozy atmosphere, tasty food, and maybe the only place from my youth that's essentially unchanged. A valued institution.

Loved every minute of this lunch. Stopped by after a headshot photoshoot right down the block! Every sip and every bite of food was delicious. I ordered the Smore's Latte with less sugar and it was perfect. For food, I ordered the cauliflower tacos and honestly it was the perfect portion size. I will be back here! read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Smores Latte (the one with the graham cracker) - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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One of my favorite places in the area. Grab a friend or a book and enjoy. Great coffee, tea and desserts. The food is also amazing!!! The servers are all extremely friendly and helpful. read more

The cheesecake is amazing! And the atmosphere is so calming. I will definitely be coming back.

An interesting place with an interesting selection. Service is a bit slow, and indifferent . The Decour is nice and as you would expect. Came on a Monday night and had a medium business going but enough empty tables that helped with seating. Has a series of vegetarian/meat items along with selections of coffees. Generally an all in all bistro. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

This place is the best kept secret. It a a wonderful place for good conversation. The atmosphere is really laid back with a hint of maturity. I didn't find out if they were serious about paying $5 to rent the games but there was an option for games. read more

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I stopped by today to grab a latte and to check out the ambience. I wanted to see if this would be a good place to bring my laptop and work. A lot smaller than I thought it would be. The place was filled with regulars and had a pretty chill vibe. I ordered a banana nilla latte. I thought it would Taste more like the cookie than it did. The banana flavor was subtle. I dont think it was worth $7 for that latte. I expected a lot more flavor. The presentation was awesome though. I didn't get to try the food so maybe that will win me over. I'll go back again and try something else. The cashier did say that the s'mores latte was their most popular drink. That might be the way to go if you go just for their drinks. I'll definitely update my review when I go back! read more

This place is adorable! The decor is very shabby chic, which I love, I love the mismatch furniture, giving it such an amazing, fun, artsy vibe. I also love that they cater to vegetarians, vegans and even those with gluten allergies by clearly labeling the menu. For me, I ordered the Penne but made vegan friendly and it was delicious, completely hitting the spot. Was a little surprised the extra portobello mushrooms were $4 but really added to the dish. The waiter who served us was friendly and polite, which is always appreciated. The service was also quick, didn't have to wait forever for food and it wasn't as if the cafe was empty. I'd definitely go back. I could seriously sit there all day and eat all my meals there while banging out a novel and/or working from "home". read more

Overpriced. Overrated food. Attitude is not welcoming. Doesn't win me over with cleanliness. Personally, I find it hard to find something on the menu to order. There's seems to be something about each dish that turns me off. Desserts are supposed to be great, but they are just ok at best, and definitely not worth the price. The old furniture may look cute and cozy, but I often wonder what might be nesting/crawling underneath it. If they started all over and revamped the place, I think it could be good. (-; read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Be good or be Gone! - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

Before covid I used to go there often with friends to study for mid terms and finals. It's a great place just to go and chill with friends. The environment is chill. I took my dad there for lunch post covid and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the Cuban sandwich. We ordered the Buffalo meatballs as well. Tea was amazing! Will continue to keep going!! read more

The best coffee shop/restaurant/local business ever! 10 reasons why I love Van Goghs Ear Cafe 1. Their menu is amazingly good! They have specials everyday! One of my favorites is of course The PIZZA specials! 2. DESSERT!! brown derby and tiramisu!!!! 3. The coffee is probably made fresh every minute of the day! Lol ok I lied but the drinks there are just yummy from hot cocoa to yummy tea! 4. The atmosphere! Good music, live music on certain days! Just awesome tunes 5. BYOB! Bring your own booooze! Who wouldn't love that? 6. The waitresses and waiters are just fantastic! Y'all need to give them a big tip lol 7. The old antique furniture! 8. This is a great place to hangout and unwind! 9. The awesome board games they have! 10. It's Affordable!! read more

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I absolutely love the feel to this place! Since living in DC I have missed hanging out in coffee houses with that "fee" to it. Van Gogh is as close as it's gotten! The food is delicious and the hot drinks are...mmmm They have free wifi- just ask your server for the password. The servers are pretty chill but they get the order right and food comes out at a reasonable amount of time. The decor has that laid back artsy feel with paint in the walls, couches, and small tables. There are a few bigger tables available if needed. The place is awesome! Check it out:-) read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - This s'more latte was everything I needed - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

I've been looking to try this spot for awhile and must admit the place (other than the fantastic service) was just ok. A trendy hipster seeming cafe, Van Gogh's Ear is made with a mismatched mix of tables and chairs, arm chairs, and sofas. There's plenty of seating welcoming parties of 1-4ish and walls painted with Van Gogh works. There's a pretty solid menu, but no guarantee it's all available. I struck out twice when there was no soup and no falafel. I did end up with the chilled white bean salad and chorizo (which was quite good and pretty generous for a "small plate" portion) but it was pesky getting there. Desserts are all a bit on the pricey side most in the $6-8 range. They do sound delicious though. The biggest problem was that the music was on the loud side. It was harder to concentrate than I would have liked while on my computer, and I did have to project my voice more than usual for the server to hear me. Music should help create a mood - not overpower it. I give big credit to the service. One server covered all tables, and yet I never had an empty water glass, he checked in regularly (though not obnoxiously), and overall was truly pleasant. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Chorizo and White Bean Salad from the "small plates" menu - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

I have to say, I keep trying this business because of the creativity of the food. But it's not consistent. I'm saddened.

I've been here a few times with my husband and we usually have no complaints other than the last two times they've been out of baba ghanoush. The atmosphere is nothing short of charming, with mix-matched chairs, tables, lamps and other nicknacks, and the giant mural-sized recreation of Van Gogh's Starry Night on the wall and self-portrait on the front window add to the beauty. The same man always seems to be working, he's young and hip and pleasant, but we were a bit taken aback during our last visit when we wanted to pull a chair over to a different table (the cafe was empty) because my husband's mom wanted to sit at one table, but it only had two seats and there were three of us. The man told us the whole restaurant was empty we really shouldn't rearrange the furniture. We figured it was for that reason it shouldn't be a problem that we rearrange. Anyway, the way he said it kind of gave us bad vibes, but we looked past it and sat in another spot. We ordered the Ali Baba's special, which is supposed to come with hummus, white bean dip and baba ghanoush, but as usual, they were out of baba ghanoush. My husband and his mother ordered the eggplant sandwich and I ordered the turkey, brie and apple baguette. My husband and I both ended up opting for kettle chips as a side because they were out of tabouli salad. We each received delicious drinks, my husband loves the thin mint coffee (he gets his made with soy), I got an americano, and my mother-in-law got an unsweetened iced tea. I got a banana chocolate soy latte to-go, and it was unbelievably good, although the cup was a little spilly! All in all not a bad experience, but not knock-it-out-of-the-park good either. read more

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Been going here since I was a kid, super lovely local restaraunt really nice ambience and cool vintage ambiance

I stop here for lunch occasionally and the food always delicious. Great service and great atmosphere!

Love the food and miss it so much. When i go back to NJ i'm going to go there and order a toasted almond coffee while i wait to eat the salad with the awesome house dressing. then i'm going to get the chicken sandwich i can't remember the name of and top it off with a tollhouse cookie dessert. mmmmmmm. when i lived there, it's most likely where you would find me, as well as my friends, before after or even during school/work. besides the food, what keeps me coming back is the smokin' hot staff. !! haha i love you guys! ps - for the alcohol section, they let you bring your own wine but each person drinking it must order an entree. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - out front - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

Perfect spot to unwind and catch up with friends or have a nice date. Either way you will enjoy your time here. Dim lights, board games and comfortable chairs makes you feel like you are drinking coffee in a friend's house instead of a genetic coffee place. This place has good food, live music and board games for you to play. I took my cards and played crazy eight with my friends the last time I came here. There is free parking in the back and its handicap accessible. Ohh I almost forgot! the best part its that it stays open until late! I meant 12am - 1am late! It's the best!! I highly recommend the oven roasted potato, spinach dip, shrimp van Gogh, and caramel latte. Man that roasted potato was amazing! I can taste it right now.. you should definitely try it! read more

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I love this place! I have gone alone and in a large group. The staff is very friendly. I have liked every meal and dessert I tried. The atmosphere is really nice and laid back. They have live music on Sunday from 8pm - 11pm with a $4 cover. On Tuesday, they have "Open Mic Night" from 8pm - 10pm. There is no cover for that. Come alone or bring friends. You'll have a great time! Parking can be difficult as multiple businesses share a lot. If you are coming as group, I recommend car-pooling. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Peach Cobbler goodness with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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I reallyyy like this place. :D (It may well be one of my favorite cafes ever.) Super relaxed, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. There are shelves of books, and board games(?) on one of the shelves by the back door. I believe they have live music here twice a week, according to other reviews/one of the sign? The food looked absolutely amazing, but we weren't actually all that hungry, so instead, we got a pot of chamomile tea and an apple crumb pie with ice cream. It was pretty freaking delicious, and I do believe this is one of the places where I would eat the entire menu if I could. (Everything sounded so amazing.) It was a weekday evening and somewhat packed with people, but it's definitely a place where you can carry a conversation without having to yell or just nod and smile while pretending you can actually hear what the other person's saying. (Definitely a plus.) It seems like the perfect first-date getting-to-know you venue. Or a place to catch up with old friends. Or somewhere you could just go to chill alone. I misread one of the specials on the wall ("Irish Stew" as "Trish Stew") and was mildly alarmed because I have a friend named Trish. :[ Glad I figured that one out. read more

Ahhh Van Goghs, one of the only quaint places in the local area. I think that concept is great and have been enjoying this place for at the past 6 years. Early tip for the alcoholics, this place is BYOB as it is a coffee house. Once you walk in the decor lends itself to be a mix between styles with artwork all over the walls, mix and matched furniture, draws filled with random patrons messages, random christmas lights dangling and an upright piano just in case you get the urge to play. The food menu has grown over the years and my favorite are the buffalo chicken meatballs. Mmmm I can taste them as I write this review. This is the only place that I have ever seen these. Moving on to the next staple here the Pizza. These are supposedly personal size but honestly they can be shared between two people with some room left for dessert. Oh yea, the coffee and tea selection is impressive as well. I personally am more of a tea drinker. There are loose teas and you can get a half/full pot. Whenever you want to relax, unwind and be in good company this is one of the places to go to. You can bring a group of friends or a date. Check out their calendar as they often have performers and open mic nights. Once again another local gem hidden in plain sight. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Buffalo chicken meatballs - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey