Let me see if there are any reviews at all... Yes, people like it but complain about being crowded during the week (Sunday seems a great time to be here!)--sometimes rude servers
Good reviews, but people like the outlet in the East Village over on Second Avenue even better...
The Bean
824 Broadway
(between 13th St & 11th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Union Square, East Village
(212) 510-7714
(between 13th St & 11th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Union Square, East Village
(212) 510-7714
- Nearest Transit Station:
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Union Sq - 14 St. (L)14 St. - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)14 St. - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 7 am - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
- $
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Dessert
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
125 reviews for The Bean
Review Highlights What's this?
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"if I can ever resist getting the dirty chai when im there." In 11 reviews
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"conveniently located a few blocks off Union Square." In 12 reviews
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"There are tons of amazing vegan cakes and treats available." In 12 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
124 reviews in English
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Review from D S.
Packed coffee house that we ducked into for a bathroom break. (Gross bathroom, ask the barista for the key) So, felt obligated to make a purchase. Had a really nicely crafted iced chai latte, not too sweet and nicely spiced.
There were lots of tables, but super hot in there, like only a fan was running. I wouldn't want to stay in there for very long!
Free, teeny-tiny cookie upon check in. Get it, it's so cute, but not much of a taste...-
Free mini cookie... A tiny bite-but it's free with check i…
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Review from Brian D.
We were looking for a decent place to sit, chill and have a snack after an hour of power browsing at the Strand. The Bean seemed like a good fit.
Unfortunately, I didn't try the coffee so I can't speak intelligently on one of the fundamental things about the place. But the atmosphere was nice enough. Decent seating and no corporate decorations. And the food was clearly fun. Lots of macarons, cereal bars made of a wide range of cereals, and a selection of trail mixes (including one made of cashews, honey roast peanuts, and white and peanut butter chips. Now that's my kind of trail mix!).
My one thought on the service is that when I asked about the contents of the trail mix, so that I didn't get surprised by something I was allergic to, the girl behind the counter didn't have a list. She just picked a cup of it up, studied it and told me what she thought was in it.
I suspect that if I liked the coffee at all, I'd give this place four stars. But for now I'll have to make that 3.5 stars, rounded up, based on what I did experience. -
Review from Megan M.
East Village, Manhattan, NYCoffee: 5-stars. The Dirty Chai Latte is just about the most delicious coffee drink I've ever had- seriously, it's heaven in a cup.
Service: 3-stars. I've been here 5 times and no one has ever greeted me or asked if I was ready to order. The baristas just stare at you blankly or ignore you completely until you flag them down. Good thing the coffee keeps bringing me back.
Seating: 2-stars: I would love to make this my regular hang-out coffee shop, but there is never anywhere to sit! My advice: add more outdoor seating to keep people coming back and train the staff to smile and welcome guests. A little goes a long way.
Note: I've heard the 1st Ave location has much better seating options, perhaps try that location? -
Review from Lisa K.
Greenville, NCService behind the counter is so rude. I've only met one who's nice. Add burnt stale bagels. Not a good combo. -
Review from Eliza W.
Manhattan, NYWill the manager please read these reviews? Rude, not just unfriendly, service. Every once in a while, I get someone super nice and I think, ok, I'll start coming here again. Then next time.... attitude. I love this place otherwise, except for the fact that they generally prefer humidity to A/C. Desserts and coffee are yummy. Sandwiches & quiche - eh. I love that they love dogs - biscuits, water outside -awesome :) Please go undercover or something, management, and find out how most of your staff treats customers. -
Review from Grace S.
New York, NYThere is no reason why a review for a cafe should be too long so I'll keep it brief.
Friendly staff, no credit card minimum (yay! they also take AmEx which is wonderful), free wifi, and adequate seating.
I had a s'more macaron that was DELISHUZ. The iced coffee, however, wasn't so great- kind of sour. -
Review from Heather M.
Jersey City, NJMany months ago I tried to enter The Bean but shied away as the line was too long for my patience and social anxiety. I have a recurring weekly appointment near Union Square and pass by The Bean every week and almost always it's packed.
Tonight after eating a "Box of Gyro" at Mamagyro next door I felt like utter crap and wanted to have a cup of tea to settle my stomach. I peered inside The Bean's windows and saw for once that there was only one person in line.
I approached the cash register area and inquired what kinds of teas they had. The tall short-haired gal handed me a small laminated menu. While handing it to me I heard her say something I couldn't understand at first. I nicely looked at her in the face in a way I'd say most humans do to express to the other person that they couldn't quite hear them clearly and could they please repeat what they said. I gathered that she wasn't picking up on my body language and asked, "Is this the whole tea menu?" to which she moved her head to the side flipping her wrist and said, "...Yeah", as though I were a deaf imbecile.
I set the menu down and looked through the tea list although my lightly simmering aggravation from her response made it hard to focus on the scripted font. Big meanie vibes aside it must have been fate arriving there with my stomach ache because they have "The Superhero" digestive detox tea. The girl who made my tea was the only slightly friendly one there.
Next I paid for my tea. All I remember is feeling like I was E.T. and she was seeing an extraterrestrial for the first time based on the look in her eyes. I'm 95% sure I didn't have chicken gyro all over my face and I'm having a hard time understanding her response to my presence at her place of work.
I know what it's like to work in customer service where food and drinks are being served and instantly hating everyone that walks in the door but damn it, I was friendly as hell and didn't deserve weird attitudes!
Lucky for The Bean "The Superhero" did not disappoint and tasted great even without sugar! I considered adding sugar but hightailing it out of there and far away from the SASS was more important at the moment. I think I will return to try more of their teas but I hope friendlier employees are working that day. -
Review from A C.
Manhattan, NYWe figured two bagels and two coffees, no big deal right? Well, the counter staff didn't even say hello to us. We waited patiently on line then finally noticed we were clearly being ignored, then I said "Could we please order?" whereupon the guy behind the counter FINALLY acknowledged us. He was stingy with the cream cheese but the bagels were nice and chewy. I asked him not to toast one of our bagels, but he didn't hear me, or wasn't paying attention, and started toasting it anyway. I had to ask 2-3 times for him to pull it out of the toaster. It wasn't even that busy. We were the only people in there ordering bagels.
The girl who rung us up was full of attitude. Whatever happened to customer service with a smile? Why such an attitude? It's a bagel shop, not a black market organ operation.
This review isn't a commentary of the quality of the food, or cleanliness of the shop, but on the lack of friendly service. A hello, friendly service and a smile isn't too much to offer your customers, is it?-
Cute bean cards.
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Review from Mario V.
Brooklyn, NYTheir bagel and flavored cream cheese selection is pretty good, as is their coffee and iced teas. Somehow though for whatever reason, the experience isn't all that memorable. Can't quite put my finger on it. Hmmm. -
Review from Carol B.
Crowded coffee shop, friendly service.
Prices that are equivalent to Starbucks, but a lot more selection as far as snacks and food fare. They also have macaroons...if you like that sort of thing.
Very close to Forbidden Planet and the Strand, so it's a great place to stop and read your book or comic before heading home.
It's a bit too congested and the workers are a little bit to ornery for this to be my favorite coffee shop...but I've seen much worse. -
Review from Phil H.
Why so much hate on The Bean? It's like the anti-Starbucks. Conveniently located in Union Square, and a few steps from the Strand Bookstore.
Dropped in last weekend after shopping in the area to relax a bit and grab something hot to drink. It was crowded but they have a lot of seating jammed into a relatively small place. Had to wait a few minutes but scored a great window seat spot right near an outlet. I had my computer with me so it was great that they offer free WiFi, password "espresso". Plenty of snacks and pastries here to choose from. Prices are ok.
Ended up a large cappucinno which tasted fine. The piece of chocolate chip banana bread was kind of bland though. Kind of a cutesy type look and decor out of a women's magazine feature, but that's what makes it a bit different from the Starbucks Borg. Ok spot overall to be a wifi hog and sip on a drink for a spell. -
Review from Antonia D.
New York, NYMaybe I'm biased because this cafe is right across the street from my job, but then again, maybe not because so is Pret and I'm damn well not going to waste my time reviewing them:)
To echo what another reviewer so beautifully put, The Bean is not just a coffee shop- it's one of those rare cafes where you feel like you can sit in for hours without getting bored. If you sit there long enough you can get a feel for the neighborhood's personality and arts-driven culture. From the moment you walk in there is a huge bulletin board to your left of local bands, writers, and other artists promoting their upcoming events. The staff is very nice and quick to chat with you or compliment you on something interesting you're wearing. They actually seem to have a good camaraderie going on too- the team behind the bar is always laughing and enjoying their work.
The coffee has yet to disappoint. I'd go for their famous Dirty Chai, or one of their delicious americanos. Even the house blend is really good.
The pricing for the food is a little steep for what I would call just average sandwiches, at best. But, then again, I don't go for the food, I go for the coffee, and yes, their sinfully scrumptious brownies(try the "smores" flavor- you'll actually think you've died and gone to heaven) -
Review from Keyonna S.
Harlem, Manhattan, NYI got my work done, the staff was friendly, they have good coffee, and nice sandwiches to curb your lunch fix. -
Review from Esther L.
New York, NYSunday morning, my internet at home is not working, so I venture out to Everyman Espresso which is closed despite their listed hours from 8am for today. Next stop was Think Coffee, which did not have WiFi. So now I am at The Bean. which is lovely and cozy on this Sunday morning when it's quiet and slow. Their macarons look oddly vibrantly hued, and they're from Dana's Bakery. I tried the "Fruity Cereal" flavor with my AM coffee. nice.
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