Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Value: 5/5 ------- I love love love Cafe Cotton Bean. Highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for a delicious cup of coffee and one of the cutest stores in the neighborhood. The staff are all incredibly friendly, and service is relatively fast given their space limitations. (If you're trying to come here to work, I highly recommend coming during off peak hours - late mornings on a weekend are basically claustrophobic!) I haven't really tried any of the food besides the pastries, but the croissant is heaven. That plus a cappuccino is my quickly becoming my Sunday morning choice of breakfast always. They also have a little bench out front and a water bowl in the summer if you have a furry friend accompanying you. read more

Coffee was decent but overpriced. There's no syrups other than simple, so just be warned if you are wanting other syrups. My biggest issue was the staff being curt and rude. They also did not clearly let us know when food / drinks were ready. Not a very welcoming space. Overall wouldn't recommend. In other words: if I wanted to pay $11 for a bad coffee and getting my feelings hurt, I'd go hook up with a frat man and pay for my taxi home read more

My first reaction is that they should really have wifi, I'm sorry but that is the primary use for a coffee shop for many of us in 2026. However, they make up for it with their delicious and actually substantial food menu. I got the shrimp tempura burger served on a homemade wild rice cake bun and it was delicious, crunchy, savory, a little messy and fell apart but worth it. There's surprisingly a decent amount of seating, quiet electronic music, friendly staff. It's a good neighborhood spot for a coffee or treat and I had a good work sesh there. read more

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I ordered an iced matcha latte with oat milk. While I waited I looked around. The space is pretty grubby and could use a fresh coat of paint. It was also silent. No music. Drab vibe. Oh, and the matcha! A $10 flavorless light green-colored cup of oatmilk. I left the cafe, walked to the corner and dumped in in the trash. read more

for $11, I expected the iced latte to be better. I never leave reviews but was thorough disappointed. The girl at the front was sweet though. The guy was not. read more

seriously, please heed the other bad reviews that span 5+ years! i hate saying this about a small coffee shop but clearly, they have not bothered to take any of the criticism over the years which is a real bummer. the one thing i will give them is that the coffee itself is good, so 2 stars. but also, is that not the bare minimum, people? the staff seemed annoyed by the customers' presence. both workers were unfriendly and judgmental when my friend asked politely about the availability of flavored syrup. wow, how dare someone might enjoy a more sugary coffee in the drink that they, themselves, will be paying for and they, themselves, will be drinking. my other friend didn't know her mocha was ready for 10 mins because they did not call it out. we would have heard it since it is a tiny space, and it wasn't busy (understandably). the environment in which you're supposed to enjoy your overpriced food and drink ($11 for an iced latte, no syrups added), you can't appreciate the experience due to: 1. gross, uncomfortable, and cramped seating, and 2. no wifi or computers allowed. i understand not wanting to have people camped out for hours after only buying one thing when the store is that small. i get it. however, why make the seating so unbelievably uncomfortable, uninviting, and actively disgusting? just convert to a walk-up window. between that and the customer disservice, don't bother with having a physical space if you are going out of your way to make your patrons feel like a nuisance for supporting a local coffee shop. my main takeaway is, the shop owners don't mind leaving a bad impression on locals, loyal customers, or those visiting, because they know that they're the only passable cafe open before 9 AM in the area. this cafe operates on "be barely attentive enough to get the sale and forget about the customer experience post-purchase." if that's your vibe, then i cannot recommend this establishment enough. read more

Stopped by on a whim it was pretty empty and chill, it was early afternoon. I was greeted with great service and attention. My questions were answered with no issue. Coffee itself (forgot to take a picture I got a large latte w 4 espresso shots) was delicious and smooth. I definitely got the kick I needed. The space is casual and cute imo. Minimalist. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love the food and also the home mead oatmilk. Bit the service is not good in that they don't announce when you order is ready. It's now been multiple instances of this. First time I ordered 2 egg sandwiches and 30 mins later I ask and they have no idea where it sent and they started to make. When it was done, it was places silently in the counter and we had no idea. They are completely disconnected from the customer after the order is placed. If you order a drink, you have to watch out for it like an eagle. They dont announce in any audible fashion and so You and other customers have to figure out what's what. I wish they would follow through with the service and do better post sale. First coffee shop I have had this issue with. It Ruins an otherwise relaxing morning. read more

My favorite coffee spot in the neighborhood :) everyone who works there is so nice and friendly, their coffee is fabulous, and they have a great food menu. Inside and outside seating and they'll occasionally have events there! read more

Just moved to the neighborhood and I think this is officially my favorite cafe in the area! It's usually pretty busy but the line moves quickly and there's a good amount of indoor/outdoor seating. Staff are super friendly. Coffee is good, and I just had the bacon egg cheese avocado sandwich this morning and it was phenomenal. Definitely worth checking out! read more

i'm not surprised to see how many other bad reviews there of this place. honestly, it's a bad sign when a neighborhood coffee shop has bad reviews. neighborhood coffee shops are supposed to make people happy. all you have to do is make decent coffee, offer a decent environment, and be kind. well, this place manages to fail. i usually like all things japanese, so it's strange to find myself writing this negative review. (there are so many great japanese coffee shops out there.) but here we are. my main beef is that the staff and owner just aren't very nice. they've been curt with our small children, have an ambiguous laptop policy (you can use them apparently, but there's only one outlet and you're not allowed to use it... but you'll only find that out if you plug into it, in which case they'll just come over and unplug it for you), and most damning of all, the staff is 100% smile-free. on top of it, the coffee is nothing special: a bit burnt tasting IMO, but that's subjective. my advice to the owners is: if this is the energy you like to cultivate, open a little japanese tea house. then you can be as pretentious and dour as you want. at least patrons will know what they're signing up for. read more

18 bucks for a coffee and an egg, cheese, avocado for them to mess up and put bacon on the sandwich twice..... they also just have their sugar dumped in a bin you scoop out of which imo is gross. enjoy at your own risk! read more

Updated menu! A cute space for coffee and brunch, with a couple tables inside and outside. The yakisoba burger had a bun of the fried noodles which was unique and had a great flavor, although a little messy. Hazelnut chocolate pretzel pastry was incredible. Matcha wasn't the best I've ever had, but still decent. Would definitely go back! read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I would not recommend this business because there is a barista (with pink hair) who is unreasonable, lacks common sense and fails to appreciate loyal customers. Yesterday I was with a friend who has patronized the cafe since the Pandemic of 2020 EVERYDAY (literally 7 days a week except for when she's traveling). Yesterday while still on cafe grounds, not yet having taken a sip, my friend's coffee slipped out of her hands and spilled. She went back inside to get a replacement coffee and the barista with pink hair told her she had to repurchase the coffee. My friend who, as I stated has been a LOYAL customer since 2020 and is a member of their loyalty program where they give out free coffee after so many purchases, was dumbfounded when Barista with Pink Hair doubled-down on not being able to replace the coffee. Where is the common sense, where is the appreciation for LOYAL customers? I'm hoping that the owner speaks with Barista with Pink Hair and makes this a teach-able moment because running a successful business is nuanced, especially within a residential community. My friend felt like she was a part of that coffee shop community, but now she is adamant that she will never purchase another cup of coffee from them again and as a result, neither will I. This is not how you treat neighbors who have supported you so loyally. Bad business-sense. The math ain't math-ing. But there is hope that the owner will reach out and make this right. read more

Amazing staff. All GLUTEN FREE PEOPLE STAY AWAY!!! No management on premises which means no accountability - would also assume they don't care about the staff, customers, nor the local community. Kitchen food ingredients is sub-par in comparison to your local deli, or worse. The "rice noodle burger" is actually wheat noodles and seitan patty - they don't serve rice noodles and there is no burger on the premises. I'm sick right now actually. read more

The coffee they use is delicious and I loved my cortado. A bit on the pricier side for a cortado with oat milk, but the people working were so friendly and the service was quick. I would love to go back and try the food since the menu looked delicious (that Yakiso Burger looked amaze). read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Small cute coffee shop that lets you order ahead. Great location off Nostrand. Some seating outside available. Basic menu with decent variety of food and pastries. Cappuccino was great, skip the iced matcha latte or at least try with any other milk besides whole milk. The matcha was kind of mild and massively over taken by the whole milk, felt like I was just drinking a cup of milk. Staff are very fast and welcoming. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Matcha latte iced - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very friendly service! Got a mocha and enjoyed waiting in the cute and clean tables that they have inside (omg! Indoor seating.) Will be back to try more menu options. read more

I wish I had taken a picture of my matcha green tea ice cream (phone was dying) but I can assure you it was delicious!! I got only one scoop ($2.50) and it was plenty. Not too sweet and very creamy. Excited to come back and try the coffee! Atmosphere in the cafe was great to hang out in! read more

Grabbed avo toast and drip coffee from here and it was DELIGHTFUL. I was super duper impressed!!!

I popped in here on a whim today as I had a UPS drop off to make and it was across the street. It's a cute little cafe, with benches and a few tables to sit at outside. The inside is very typical of a upscale coffee shop with white walls and black lettering with lots of options (including matcha and coffee drinks). They also have some food and dessert items. I ordered an iced oat chai and a chocolate chip cookie, and both were pretty good. The service was good and friendly and I will definitely come back! read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Outside of the cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Came here with my mom for breakfast and was not impressed with the food. Ordered an avocado toast and bacon egg and cheese. Avocado toast was ok, but not worth the money, also you get two small pieces of toast. My mom didn't even fully eat the bacon egg and cheese. She said the eggs had a raw taste. Will not be returning. read more

I'm very disappointed to say that because of the mistreatment my friend experienced with not having her accidentally spilled coffee replaced as would happen at any normal, reasonable food establishment, I will no longer offer my patronage here. The head barista with pink hair should publicly apologize for her insensitivity and this local business should make the situation right (publicly) or, sad again to say, I will have to discourage other Crown Heights residents (especially people of color) from patronizing this place that mistreats its customers. read more

This small little coffee spot has really delicious drinks. I ordered a dirty chai latte with oat milk, hot and it kept me super caffeinated and it was delicious. This is definitely gonna be my new neighborhood coffee spot. read more

Great service. Quality coffee. Freshly-baked, super tasty pastries (including savory ones, which I find very hard to find in Brooklyn). Cute, cozy ambience with sufficient outdoor seating. One of my favorite coffee shops in BK. read more

Unfortunately this is one of those NY coffee shops that don't have to sell flavor in their food or drinks:/. This is my second time trying this place and both drinks were bland and just terrible (smoothie first time and tea the second). I unfortunately tried their bacon egg and avacado and it was extremely bland. On top of that, the tables weren't wiped or cleaned both times I tried them. Just all around, no good :( read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Bag, egg, and cheese avacado on sourdough bread. SO BLANDDDD and hard! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Came here to try the iced matcha latte a few different times and was hoping for different results.. each time it seemed like I was basically drinking nothing but a cup of milk. I don't know if their ratios are off or if the matcha they are using is not good quality but something needs to change. I came here to check other reviews and noticed this has been a common occurrence over the years they've been open. read more

A nice spot with some casual outdoor seating. I only had coffee and it was fine. It was a lighter than usual roast for an espresso drink. Service was reasonably fast and efficient. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean has all of the hallmarks of a successful bougie coffee shop...overpriced food and drink, rigidly inconvenient policy and that brand of superficially polite service with chilly undertones that Brooklyn may not have invented but has truly perfected. Unfortunately the end result misses the mark. I've tried time and again to get on board with their offerings, mostly because they're the only decent coffee place in the immediate area that opens before 9 (seriously, how are you gonna open a cafe if you're unwilling to wake up early). After today I think I'll be waiting for those other places to roll out of bed. I'm really not that picky. I can deal with a $6+ cup of cold brew, although that seems high even by BK standards. But I expect that in paying that premium I will receive a product and experience of a quality reflecting that higher price. Why is it then that Cafe Cotton Bean can not be bothered to melt sugar in water so that I can prepare my beverage to my liking and enjoy it immediately. I guess the fact that simple syrup is available at literally every other coffee shop in the borough has gotten me a little spoiled. Oh well, I'm a big boy, I can deal with a little sugar on the bottom of my cup. I mean, I can just stir it up with my straw when I take a sip, right? Wrong. No straws at Cafe Cotton Bean. Ostensibly an environmental measure of some sort, I can't help but think just a small portion of that $6+ I paid could recoup the cost of a compostable straw. I tried the food once and it reflected the rest of my experience with this place; the quality is just about on par with what you would expect but at a slightly higher price point and lacking in some of the details you might find to be standard in other establishments of the same ilk. I have wondered if maybe this is just a sign of the times and I'm just transforming into an ornery old curmudgeon. But then I go into any number of other bougie coffeeshops and pay what I'm used to and receive what I expect, and walk away perfectly satisfied. So the only conclusion I can come to is that Cafe Cotton Bean is doing a things differently, namely charging just a little more and giving just a little less. read more

I am so glad I tried this coffee shop out. It has a really cool/minimalist vibe. It's a very quiet place so if you need a place to work or read it is ideal for that. I love it even more for the Japanese twist and saw a lot of things on the menu I will be back to try. This time I had an iced latte and the avocado toast with egg, it was all delicious. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Avocado toast w/ egg and iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

good egg sandwich, great coffee, wish they had normal sugar though. Staff were super friendly, I'm definitely looking forward to another visit! read more

I'll start off by saying that I have been here 100+ times. There's nothin else I'd want from a local coffee Japanese joint than this place has to offer. The employees, owner and community of people who frequent this place make it feel like home. The food is out of this world, anything you order from the menu is finely crafted into a food experience you have yet to imagine. -No bathroom ;( -No WiFi, but plenty of public access (Optimum/NYClink) read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very cute and modern cafe with a nice selection of sandwiches, toasts and granola bowls. They also have creative and unique drinks like the Beets smoothie (which is more like a juice because it isn't blended with ice). It was refreshing, had a hint of ginger, and was perfectly sweetened with the slightest bit of honey. The ladies who work there were really pleasant as well! I'd definitely come back for coffee and lunch. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The neighborhood spot where you come with a friend/family/loved one to chill in the AM. It has a beautiful, airy vibe that is refreshing without the cold minimalism so many coffee shops have these days. It feels super open and light in there, and despite the pretty quiet atmosphere it's not a good place to work. There is no free WiFi (there's an Optimum hotspot but that's it) and no restroom. This isn't a complaint as I totally understand some cafes aren't meant for that, just a warning if you're looking for a work/study cafe. Why it's not 5 Stars: the coffee isn't the best. They use Parlor which is a Brooklyn roaster and as much I love to support local, I'm not a big fan of Parlor beans. If you like Parlor, this will be your fave new place! I'll definitely be back with some friends for a chill weekend coffee. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I ordered a hot mocha last week. It took them nearly 6 minutes to give me an ICED mocha. It took them several seconds to offer to replace it. Because they were generally rude to me (and not to the other patrons who looked nothing like me), I opted to not have them make another drink. It was probably the most overpriced, disgusting cup of MILK, I've ever had. A teaspoon of coffee and 16 oz of cream. Obviously, my friends, family and I (all from the neighborhood with deep roots) will never step foot in that place again. The bodega across the street serves a better cup of coffee. read more

I came here during a very freezing day when I needed a place to warm up for a few minutes. This was definitely the perfect place for just that! It was so warm and steamy in here that the windows were fogged, it was perfect after being outside in temperatures I don't even want to think about. The cafe itself is very minimalistic and cozy. Staff is friendly enough and the menu is very straightforward. I just ordered a simple black coffee, but even their black coffee was delicious and I ended up lingering here way longer than anticipated, not wanting to go back out in the cold. Highly recommended and I'd love to come back again myself. read more

Cute little nook in Crown Height. Super small sitting area but has a warm homey feeling. They have a very simple menu, so don't need to rack your brain on what to go. If you're in a hurry and would like coffee and a simple breakfast than this is a spot you should try out. But warning upon entering you'll be hit with a musty egg smell. Lol I order their latte which was made with perfect. You can tell they take their coffee seriously because the barista took his time in making my latte; and everyone else's. Even as the small area got packed he did not rush, but took his time in crafting a great cup. I order one of their egg sandwich, with their price being a bit high you definitely get what you paid for. The egg sandwich are pretty big and made fresh. You can taste the real eggs and not that powder/carton egg you'll get at most spots. read more

This is a real treat. Well-priced food. I had Avacado toast on sourdough. Perhaps cliche! Still I liked it and the coffee was excellent. Intimate atmosphere that's all about efficiency meets quality. I thought the staff was good and wished they would share themselves a little more. I'll come back! read more

This coffee shop opened right across the street from my apartment last winter, and it's a great place to grab coffee on the way to the subway or hangout while doing laundry. Coffee is good but a little expensive. Have only tried the avocado toast which is a good deal (only $5) but made with chipotle mayo so be prepared for a little spice. The lavender iced tea is also excellent and very refreshing. Pro tip: this cafe is right by the B65 bus stop at Bergen & Nostrand so perfect to duck inside when waiting for the bus! read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Avocado toast (with chipotle mayo and sunflower seeds) - only $5 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A personal favorite of mine. This charming little Japanese cafe offers some of the best brews around, and it's only a short distance from my apartment, so I try and stop by to get my caffeine fix as often as I can. The avocado toast is great! I had mine with an egg on top for a filling power lunch. I wish they added more seeds to it though. The lattes are great, and I want to try their mochi next time I visit. Definitely come here if you're a coffee snob, the staff know their stuff, and every drink is excellently prepared. Be mindful that it does get a bit crowded at times (it's a popular spot around lunch and breakfast hours!) so be sure to plan your visit accordingly so you can find a place to sit down. read more

Cafe Cotton Bean - Avocado Toast doing the avocado most - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York