I'm legit unsure if I just had a racially motivated poor interaction, or if it's just general bad customer service. I went to Van Gogh's Ear cafe - which is BYOB - by myself to see the "Singer/Songwriter open mic" that is listed on their website and on the window in the front of the restaurant. When I arrived, they said the event was cancelled due to covid. When I mentioned that it was literally currently written on the window, they said "what are we supposed to do, repaint the window?" (you could put up a sign, or update your website, or be nice when people misunderstand your sign and website) Everything after sitting down was rough. They sent staff my way over and over to get me to order - they told me a few times that there was a $10 minimum - I tried to assure them that I could afford that sort of thing - the minimum clearly wasn't the issue. I ordered some dessert - and they brought me the check once I finished without asking me anything. I paid my tab, and I went to open a beer - remember, it's BYOB - when a young woman, presumably the manager, said that I couldn't open anymore beers because I had 3 beers over a 90 minute period (She said an hour, but that's untrue - also, i'm 6'1''/210 and came there without drinking - again, to see an open mic). It's curious that this cut-off happened the moment after I paid my tab. It's curious that no one offered me any water. After writing this, I think it's mostly bad customer service. All I know is that I felt awful after leaving and I most certainly don't believe I did anything to warrant being treated like anyone else who was there this evening. Still, Good luck, VGE - Y'all can do better. read more

I really like Van Gogh's Ear Cafe. It's comfy, cozy and open late!! The cafe is located on the main street in downtown Union. Street parking has never been hard for me to find but I've only come later in the evening when most stores are closed. There is a variety of mismatched seating in here. Big tables, cozy little seating nooks, couches and chairs and smaller cafe tables all adorn this cafe. The art and books outlining the cafe give it such a cozy feel! I've only had coffee and desserts here but they do have a menu too. If you're into decadent coffee drinks they have a huge menu. Service is always spread thin but super nice. This is a great place to come and relax with a coffee and some sweets. read more

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Environmentally stimulating, creative, and romantic cafe. The Head Cook at Van Gogh's loves to experiment with inventive, and locally conscious food. One of the best lunch, coffee, and dessert menus in town. Had my first Art Show here. read more

We stopped by Van Gogh's Ear Cafe for dessert and coffee and were not disappointed. A wonderful option in the greater Newark area to have a meeting or grab a bite. We tried the peanut butter mousse, the [legendary] brown derby, and the apple crumb. All were delicious and well presented. While the brown derby was good, it wasn't as unique or special as the apple crumb or peanut butter mousse. I'd definitely recommend trying those unless you're looking for the safe option. Their coffee was also pretty good. The ambience was warm and cozy with plenty of seating. Parking wasn't too bad, with street parking and a small lot. They rent out board games if that might be of interest to anyone. Customer service was great overall with friendly and quick service. If you're in the greater Newark area, check them out! read more

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Great Coffee and ambiance! Loved the little eclectic coffee shop! They served our iced coffee in little mason jars.

Cool vibe. Haven't been in a long while. I stop by every few years. The place is eclectic wirh an array of different types of decor. I've had the fish tacos not bad. I've also had the ham tosti again not bad. Van Gogh's Ear is just not my place. I can't explain why; it just isn't. Food is okay, service is fine, prices are decent, decors is fantastic but just not a 'go-to' place. Van Gogh's Ear has live entertainment which I have not attended any of the sessions. Staff is always friendly and the wait for a table is not long. Prices will not leave your pockets feeling broke. Parking can be stuff along Stuyvesant Ave also along the side streets. There are municipal lots not to far away with ample parking. I give Van Gogh's Ear 5 stars based on the positives even though this established is not my cup of tea. read more

I love this restaurant. I come here pretty often and when friend are in town it is always a hit. I like the ambiance, and it has a great menu. I often order the flying fox with almond milk or iced coffee. For food I like the falafel with the siracha coleslaw on the side, I also liked the chickpea grilled cheese though sometimes it depends on who makes it. Recently I had their vegan triple chocolate cake and I was skeptical since sometimes vegan cakes are hit or miss, but this one is delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're in the area. read more

Always an amazing treat! Love the coffees, brown derby (yum) sandwiches.. all good. Service is always friendly and ambiance is so cool, especially when there's live music or weather allows for outside seating. read more

One of my favorite coffee houses. Food is great, service has always been great and I love the ambiance. I would be there ever if it were closer to me. read more

Haven't been her in years, it stopped in recently for lunch with my daughter. We both enjoyed our meals and drinks. Cute atmosphere as usual. read more

Interior decor of couches and library feel matches the quirkiness of the cafe name. Perfect place to meet up with a friend (after some struggles with street parking since the mini lot was full). They feature small eats, loaded lattes and desserts. Lots and lots of options. Yelp is helpful. I got myself a chai latte & carrot cake... tasty but less sugar and more spice would have been preferred, for both actually. Very much appreciated my SF mug. Friend had a simple coffee & their black bean hummus special. He enjoyed his post-dinner snack. Would consider coming back again in future to try more of their menu! read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - Less sugar and more spice would have made these doubly as nice - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

Good food, chill environment. Want to stay and sit on a couch with coffee. Service was friendly and helpful with my choices!

The atmosphere is very lowkey and mellow. You can do work here , catch up with friends or have dinner and dessert . The starry night portrait on the wall just gives off the vibes the cafe tries to entail. The sweet potato pizza is very different and the staff is extremely accommodating. The best seating is the couches by the bookcases it just captures everything. read more

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

This place is magical in every sense. My boyfriend & I had heard about it before and thought it'd be a cute place to visit since I'm a Van Gogh fan. I got the pink drink while he got a regular ginger ale. We started off with the spinach dip app, half chips and half pita. The dip was amazing and the pita bread was a perfect combo. Next, we split a regular pizza. It looked and tasted great. For our entrees, I got a chicken & mozz sandwich on focaccia bread with pasta salad on the side. He got the brisket sandwich with tater tots on the side. The food altogether was tasty, warm and filling. Honorable mention: the tater tots were amazing!! The service was great with little to no wait time. I loved how cozy the cafe was and the music matched the perfect ambiance. Before we left, my boyfriend discovered a drawer on the table which revealed countless notes left by previous guests. Very touching and intimate messages. This cafe is a 10/10! We will definitely be back to read each other's notes and try their cheesecake! read more

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PROS: Nice, relaxed vibe this place brings out. Plants everywhere, furniture all matches and it looks like its from nature, good size menu with decent prices for a coffee shop, and nice staff. They have a small parking lot in the back of the place and they allow puppies to come in CONS: The place is not clean. Most of the tables had crumbs on them and it took them a while to turn over the tables. OVERALL: Nice place to come and eat, I prefer take out rather than sitting down. However, if they cleaned that day then relax read more

I loooove this cafe! It's so much more than just a cafe. I've come here on first dates, get togethers with friends and just for a quick lunch with my mom. It's perfect for any occasion. Service is always fantastic, the servers are so caring and will explain anything from the menu for you. The food is great but the coffee is fantasticcc! If you're looking for a nice sugary rush, search no more. They have everything from s'mores to Nutella lattes. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options as well. Dessert is delicious. The atmosphere is so so relaxing. They never rush you out, always tell you to take your time. There's books and board games all over the place. They have live music too, just check their website for when that's happening. Also for open mic night! I really love and respect this small business because they really do it right. They have posters and stickers with everything they believe in and support. It's great to see a local business take a stand and not be scared of being judged for it. read more

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

It's eclectic, feels a bit funky, like the place needs a deep cleaning. Maybe it's also all the dusty books and antiques that was slightly off putting or the cold attitude from the hostess or maybe owner. No clue who the woman was who seated us but she sure made that mask policy very clear. Not that we really needed to be told, but understand protocol. The cafe has a college age, hipster, and also hippy vibe. Only stopped by because my teen had heard about their wide variety of coffee and teas. The food reminded me of college cafeteria food. The prices were fair. Guacamole serving for chips is kid size. No salsa or guacamole on the tacos. Pizza was average at best. It is a great place for coffee, tea and maybe even dessert but I would not go out of my way to come here again. read more

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

I've come here twice for dessert, and it hasn't disappointed! This cafe is a hipster's paradise - trendy and laid back (yet efficient) staff, funky furniture, extensive menu with plenty of espresso/tea drinks served in mugs of all shapes and sizes, and a Starry Night mural with a banner in front of it that says "Turnt Up" lol. I've tried the S'mores Latte, Thin Mint Latte, and the Buttermilk Coffee Cake. All delicious! I highly recommend them all. They get really packed on weekend nights though, so prepare to wait. I look forward to trying more items on their menu! read more

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Great ambience and fun place to sit and gab. The coffee drinks ads absolutely amazing. This is your next favorite haunt!

A cute spot. Vintage vibe. Service is alright. Enjoyed their panna cotta but their cauliflower tacos were okay - they need a lot of improvement on the food front. Enjoyed playing connect four with my hubby. Wish they had jenga there! read more

First time eating here! I'm not familiar with their to-go packing and I was ordering tacos through Uber eats so I left a note asking that each one be wrapped individually if they didn't have the disposable holders. Tacos arrived intact, then were inhaled! Lol Literally just killed them. I had the Buffalo cauliflower tacos! Roasted cauliflower with hot sauce, guacamole, pickled red onion on corn tortillas. They had the perfect kick. Could have used a smidge more guac, it was like a spread under the lettuce. Also more whole pieces of cauliflower. Other than, they were yummy! I have a 40% discount for pickup order on uber eats, definitely will be using it to try some other menu items. read more

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This place is hit or miss and a bit over priced. I enjoyed the pizza before but tonight i ordered the shrimp scampi and it had no flavor. The waiter must have been having a bad day or just didnt care to provide me good service. I asked him for a dessert menu after i was done with my food and he replied and a sassy manner, "you didnt preview the menu when it was at the table?" Just asked for my check and left. Disappointed. Oh well. read more

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

Van Gogh's more like Van do not Go here!!! One word overpriced. They charge you to enter and your they give you flavorless food at a high price. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - One of the desserts. $8 for this tiny thing - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

My favorite place to have a bite to eat, drink coffee/tea & chill!!!! Such a cute & quaint spot. They have great music, atmosphere and even board games to play w/ friends or your date!! I've been going here since 2006 and have never stopped! I love you van gohs ear!! read more

This cute little cafe brings so much fun and heart to Union City. The name alone is just the most amazing name I have seen for a cafe. The front window had a stained-glass replica of Van Goh's famous self-portrait. Inside, the mishmash of antique furniture gives the cafe a fun and eclectic vibe. This would be the perfect place to bring a book and wile away a lazy Sunday. My two friends and I ordered a drink each and snacks to share. We got the Chocolatina ($5) Vincent's Folly ($5), and the S'mores drink ($6). All three were deliciously indulgent. The Chocolatina was my favorite because it was the sweetest and had a strong chocolate flavor. Vincent's Folly was the lightest of the three, and is less sweet for those who prefer less sweet drinks (I don't understand you, but I respect you). The snacks were so delicious and filling. We ordered the quesadilla ($8) and the buffalo chicken meatballs ($8). The price was perfectly reasonable given how much food we got. I think my favorite was the quesadilla, which was chock full of delicious veggies. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - (From left) Chocolatina, S'mores, and Vincent's Folly - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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There's great coffee here. Nice environment. Very cool. You can have a good time. I like it here and will come here more often.

Food was good - people were super nice. Servers friendly and great vibe Would def recommend read more

Great food and ambiance! I definitely recommend this place for an evening of relaxation.

Quirky and eclectic. I came for the ambiance but will continue returning for the food. I heard it was good, but didn't expect it to be amazing. Servers are happy and upbeat. A must go. read more

They say there's no place like home, and nothing screams (or rather sings) "New Jersey open mic nights" quite like Van Gogh's The Garden State's quintessential acoustic venue. But don't get it twisted, their jazz is off the charts as well. Go for the Pumpkin Apple Pie, no ala mode needed. Trust me, it's fine all by itself! read more

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

My absolutely favorite cafe! Whether I'm meeting a friend for lunch, studying after class, or just want some dessert, Van gogh's ear cafe is amazing. I love the vibes and every single waiter/waitress I've had are awesome. The service is quick and the food is so yummy, especially the drinks and desserts. My fave thing to get for food is the mac and cheese. Highly recommend visiting this cute little spot in town! read more

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

Don't ever eat any food that has been carried through a curtain... what this places lacks in "eating establishment" it makes up for with cheap apartment furnishings like a cloth curtain over the door to the kitchen. Also you can't play the piano. Come here if you want to see bright blue pixie cuts, dudes on MacBooks, sad workers, mismatched furniture, and eat on a table that doesn't match an appropriate height of the chairs. Should be a soup kitchen giving out free bowls of their overpriced soups and salads. Coffee taste likes garbage but is only 1$ read more

This is a coffee shop that feels like home. As soon as you walk in , there's bookshelves , games, and cozy furniture. They are also vegan friendly which is cool . One of our favorite coffee shops read more

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

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I havent driven over 20 mins for coffee and a chill spot to chill at since i was about 18, many many years ago...but being an artist an all--the name of this place caught my eye. Yeah how corny. But anyway, myself and two friends from North Jersey (or should i say, more north jersey than this spot?), piled into my car and came here late one night. The place is actually pretty big, honestly when you think of coffee cafe--you think of about 10 chairs and maybe three stools and two beat up bean bags you can sit on. Nope not here, this place is the size of a decent apartment, one big room, that is covered with retro looking tables...chairs...bookshelves.....small beat up coffee tables...Basically it looks like a bunch of college kids who attend art school went garbage picking so they had something to stuff into their Williamsburg apt. that costs about 2400 a month. Anyway, we had to wait about 10 mins for a spot to hang out in, so we made it to the back and sat on some dumpy chairs..which weren't so bad. this gave us a chance to talk and look around. theres a lot to look at. then we got a spot by the entrance. we were served quickly, both food and drinks. I ordered the Gingersnap Latte. It was huge! and had a redic amount of whip cream which IS MY FAVE! and a small gingerbread cookie on top! The latte itself was pretty good, sweet and not too hot. I hate waiting for my coffees to cool down. for $5 it was a nice treat. My friend got the raspberry ice tea, which was bigger than her. it was in a HUGE bar mug and she could only drink about 3/4 of it. My other friend who is a bit of a coffee shop whore, got the chocatini? something like that. she really enjoyed it. as far as food, two of us hit up the late night menu. for $4 i got a decent sized cheese quesadilla that had peppers, it came with a side of sour cream and house made guac. everything was pretty good and to be honest...the price was very generous. My friend got the spinach and garlic dip which was only $5 and totally worth it. NOt only was the portion big but it tasted good! not like your apple bees or random chain restaurants...i was pretty impressed. over all, i really enjoyed this spot...theres a lot of artwork..and books and things to look at..many many chairs and tables and if a place was so packed on a weds night that we had to wait 10 mins to come in...why are you not there? and i love cheap late night menus =P read more

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Love this cafe. It's cozy, romantic, so intimate, a place to make memories and get your caffeine buzz on. The murals are a wonderful re-creation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night", and adjacent walls pick up the rolling hills of wheat from the painting, it's very well executed, kudos to the painter and the owners for the design. They have a truly wonderful array of caffinated beverages, sandwiches and light snacks that cater to many tastes, including many vegetarian options. The seating is varied and conducive to intimacy or small groups, creating intimate spaces using plants and wing chairs (my favorite spot) to really create a nice atmosphere no matter where you sit. If you're amongst friends or cultivating a budding romance, this is the best spot. Thanks for the memories BT read more

I used to go here a lot before COVID. The food is still amazing, but a bit is lost with the atmosphere because of social distancing. The chicken focaccia was delicious, as was the coffee. read more

A pleasant place. Good location. I like to visit such popular places. It is both comfortable and cozy here. Everything is set up. A very cool place, as for me. Everything is set up. A professional approach is visible. read more

I've been wanting to check this place out for awhile. The mural on the wall is gorgeous! I also like the other pieces of artwork that include Van Gogh himself. I like the concept of the place as it includes books and games and I think it's a great environment to relax/study at. One downside: I noticed that there is a fee to rent the games which is kind of unprofessional. For my beverage, I ordered the Awkward Turtle latte (iced) and it was alright. This spot prides itself on its coffee but I don't think the quality is that great. For the table, we got tater tots and spinach dip to share. The tots were good but did not taste too fresh - like you could tell they are frozen. The spinach dip was yummy. The best part of the meal was the grilled cheese. It had tomatoes and spinach inside and it was delicious. They have live music on certain nights and I really enjoyed the Jazz group performing that night. Overall, I think the food is okay - not very over the top. Also, the staff seemed off the last few times that I visited as they were very standoffish and not super friendly. The hostess was pretty rude and our server never came back to the table but had someone else print and hand us our check although they were standing there the whole time. It was weird. read more

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First things first: The s'mores latte is bomb, the tiramisu is whatever, and the Italian sodas are kind of off. Secondly: I think going in the daytime trumps going at night (the service gets worse at night). Good: They stay open late! The drinks are delicious--not like the best-drink-I-ever-had kind of delicious, but good enough. I don't remember what I had to eat, so there you go--average and unmemorable cafe fare. I can see this joint being a good spot for leisure reading or catching up with friends over drinks, food, & desserts, but... Bad: This place is not a great place to study or to do other work. There are hardly any outlets and the workers get really butt hurt when you move around to plug your laptop into one of their few grimy outlets. Rude. The bathrooms need to be cleaned. Please and thank you. I found it weird that I had to wait to be seated. It's a cafe... Anyways, it's got this total hipster vibe with interesting drink options sort of thing going for it. Good job New Jersey. read more

Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - No crowd in the afternoon - Cafes Near Me - Union, New Jersey

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The Brown Derby little one on one friend celebration for my birthday, and it was perfect grade ambience, and chocolate. Love it.