I love local. I love to shop local and support local business when and where I can. Turns out coffee in my neighbourhood is one of my favorite ways to do it. Especially at Java Blend. Tara and I can be found here on an at least weekly basis enjoying a coffee, or as our local meet-up spot. It's busy on weekends and there's not a ton of seating in the shop but the coffee and the espresso is fair-trade, smooth and some of my hands down favorite. We buy ground beans here for home every week. Lately our favorite blend is the Northender. If you want a little adventure while you're hanging out at Java Blend, take a trip to the washroom. You go through this magical door to the right of the counter and follow the silver line all the way through the roastery in the back to the washroom. It's like getting a peek behind the green curtain of Oz. The bathroom isn't particularly magical, but there is an impressive painting hung in there depicting a colorful JB barrista. If you like coffee, just go. You'll love it. I promise. read more

Excellent selection of high quality roasts. Still looking for a pour over in Halifax but will do a nice pressed pot or cup for you. Loving the vibe here! Haven't tried their baked goods but they look delish. Will be back. read more

I was a little surprised when I saw everyone had ranked Java Blend Coffee five stars to be honest. I used to go there years back and they didn't have impressive customer service. The food and drink were great, but if you've read any of my previous reviews you'd know I am strict when it comes to good customer service. So I headed there a few days ago and was surprised to find out they really improved their customer service. The food is still great, even the decaf is amazing and the environment is very cool and relaxing. Java Blend has been around for a few years now. Its probably been around for over a decade or so but I feel like it just opened up yesterday. In any case they have consistently delivered great coffee and good food and their customer service keeps getting better at this store. Their prices are a bit higher than other places, but not enough to turn me off. Are there other coffee shops near by that are cooler and still deliver great product at similar pricing? Yes. I won't say who but I will say that competition is starting up in that area. However I have a sneaky feeling that Java Blend will be around and be successful no matter who moves in next door or down the street from them. read more

Java blend was a coffee conniosseurs hotspot long before the city filled up with coffee joints. They roast a mean bean, brew a fine cup of coffee and have excellent service. I've been a fan for a long time and it's about time I gave them the kuddos they deserve. I'm probably like many people in that I will certainly find time to give a well deserved negative review.. It's nice to balance those with a pat on the back for those who continually provide excellent products and service. Well done Java Blend. read more

Biking up North Street this week I nearly crashed as the delicious aromas from Java Blend wafted towards me. Time for a coffee break. I prefer a medium bodied blend myself and the Columbian that I tried tasted great. Other blends that i'll be back for: Guatemalean, Sumara Gayo and the Northender blend. Lots of Bonjour brand french presses and other espresso themed paraphernalia. Metropolitan loose teas were also available. The baked goods were looking pretty lackluster by 3pm though, so get in earlier if that's what you're hunting for. read more

This is one of my favourite places in Halifax to grab a latte - they definitely have some of the freshest, best quality coffee in town. They do everything on-site, even roasting, which I think contributes to the quality and makes me even happier to support them (and actually you can always tell when they are roasting because if you are within a radius of a few kms you can smell it!) I haven't tried many of their blends, but the Northender is a good one in my book - not only because it's good, but because...well, I AM a Northender (and I am amused by small things). The cafe itself is a little "meh" for me to be honest - there isn't much room for cozy, private seating and the decor is pretty much nonexistent, but that's a small thing. I mean a coffeeshop should be the prettiest and biggest in the world and have shitty coffee, know what I mean? The owner is really knowledgeable and helpful - my mom knows him because she is a regular and also because she asks them for a silent auction donation for my sister's work every year and they ALWAYS give something really nice (usually some kind of coffee gift basket). They never say no so you can tell they are really supportive of the community in the area and that's great to see. It's nice to see small businesses thriving in an area that has traditionally been run-down, dirty and dangerous - I really feel that their success has been a direct contributor to the rejuvenation of the North End. read more

Probably some of the best coffee in all of Halifax. No joke, I love getting my coffee here. The baked goods however are lacking. Not sure where they get them from but they taste weeks old and are priced extremely high. read more

Java Blend is the original one-stop-coffee-shop! There coffee is awesome, staff is awesome, atomstphere (I bet you can guess what I'm about to say....) Awesome! I wholly enjoy this place and even though it is out of my normal routine I make a point of stopping in when I can. They have a great selection of different coffee gizmos for the home brewer as well! Not much else to say here! read more

Had an unfortunate experience with JB as I purchased 2 lbs of coffee on a recommendation of the employee and it was awful. I was convinced it was roasted incorrectly. Tried to deal with the owner (he said he was the owner) but he was about as interested in resolving the issue as a cranky 90 yo with an attack of gout! I want to support local but we now belong to a coffee club and have coffee sent to us on a set schedule from the US. So, all good! read more

I have been a faithful customer for several years now. These guys opened my eyes to how good coffee really could be. Hip, uber knowledgeable, quirky and friendly staff. If the North End had a heart, I think Java Blend is it. It might be a hipster hangout, but don't be worried if you aren't pierced and tattooed-- everyone is welcome. read more

"Dr. Penfield, I smell burnt toast." That's our running brain-surgery gag, whenever we're within a two-block radius of Java Blend, because you can always smell the roasting beans, with a slightly burnt but delicious odor that hangs constantly over the neighbourhood. The coffee here is good, really good. They really do know their stuff. The location is a bit of a challenge for me because I don't live within walking distance and it's tough to find parking. But once in a while I pop in for a cappuccino and it's always been a rewarding experience. Nice, smooth coffee and friendly staff. Interesting assortment of customers, too. Fun people-watching here. read more

I'm actually a little surprised by all the wonderful comments on Java Blend... Maybe I'm just really picky about my coffee but when it comes to their product I've always found it sub-par. I have yet to feel like I have had a great cup of coffee from Java Blend, be it their beans brewed at home or from their shop specifically. The shop is clean, staff is [usually] friendly, and the vibe is pretty okay, but I've never been impressed. It's nice for North St, I'll give it that. But beyond that there are a lot of better coffee shops in Halifax. The people give it an extra star - were I casing this review solely on their coffee it would have earned only 2-stars. read more

Likely the best cup of coffee I've had in recent memory: the acidity seemed to evade that sense of repulsion I typically feel towards the sour, and the bitterness was more smoky than ashen, like a subtle cloud of grains in the cradle of my mouth. The real kicker, though, is that they technically didn't make it themselves! Well, I concede that's not entirely true, but they did entrust the French Press into my very amateur hands when it still had two to three minutes left to steep, and apparently had faith that I wouldn't butcher the stirring/pouring thing (I must say I felt quite empowered thereafter). The aroma was so earthy and the flavours so full and enigmatic that I even ended up writing a poem about the magical experience. In the end, an impressive achievement on JavaBlend's part. Bravo, you brash baristas, who somehow managed to pull off such an exquisite cup of coffee while only doing half of the work! ;) read more

Wonderful coffee whether you buy a cup or a latte or get some beans to take home. I can't say it's my favourite only because I have a few favourite coffee suppliers in Halifax, but it is certainly one of them! read more

Best latte in the city. One of my go-to coffee shops in the North End, and always my coffee spot when wandering the Seaport Farmers Market.

Excellent place to buy beans (really, the only good source in Halifax). A few different choices for those making espresso at home, ranging from the fruity and modern to more traditional. Staff unfailingly polite and helpful, and the owner, Jim, is a terrific guy. Sometimes gets so busy that the quality of a straight shot can become a bit variable: tough to overcome in a very high-volume shop. read more

if Java Blend was a person, he'd be the modest guy in the corner that is quietly confident* in his expertise. approaching Java Blend, the first thing you will notice even before its signage is the smell of coffee beans (which is, in my opinion, better than any cologne on the market). hot or cold, there's usually someone sitting outside with a dart and a cup of coffee that - in a caffeine induced fervor - you may be inclined to grab as your own. head inside, because there's more cup of goodness just yonder. inside, the decor is warm and inviting like someone's living room complete with fixtures like gossiping old folks, a coffee plant in the corner, and a shelf with real books (not props as i've seen elsewhere). it's so homey that i didn't realize until my second visit that some of the coffee and tea "decorations" were actually inconspicuously displayed (read: NOT obnoxiously flaunted and showcased) retail items. but enough about at-home-away-from-home. go, stay a while, or don't because the beans are the best part about Java Blend and you can buy a batch to enjoy in the comfort of your own living room. i can't say enough about the beans here, but it should suffice to say that Java Blend is on my list** of top three (not just beans) ANY THING, in the nova scotia. And top four Canadian roasters***. I particularly like Fog City and tend to shy away from fruit and/or wine flavours. *minus 1/2 star = 4.5 stars because while most of the baristas are amazingly friendly, there's just one barista that always seems to speak to me in a peculiar way. it mostly benign, i think. it could be an attempt at pretentiousness. i can't quite put my finger on it. either way, somehow it stays with me longer than i'd prefer. **there's actually nothing else on this list, but it felt superficial to admit my coffee addiction by making it #1 *** in no particular order: Java Blend, 49th Parallel, Coffeeholic, and Merchants of Green Coffee. read more

What I love about Java Blend is that it's clearly all about the coffee. Prices are so reasonable here that it makes me angry at other local shops - if Java Blend can serve amazing coffee at a great price, what is everyone else's problem? The fact that they roast on site may help out a bit. At the very least it contributes to the amazing aroma in the shop. There is usually a line, but it moves quickly thanks to efficient service and a high volume of staffers. Highly recommended if you're doing a coffee tour of Halifax. read more

My husband drinks his coffee strong and black -- as strong and black as he can get it. (Me, I'm strictly a tea drinker). He grinds his own beans fresh every morning. He used to ask me to bring him beans from Kensington Market in Toronto, but after trying many sources out East, he now buys all his coffee from Java Blend. The fresh roasted coffee smells great, even to me, and he seems very happy with it :) He buys the Sumatra, by the way. read more

Their Dark Aztec is the best organic, Fair Trade coffee on the planet. Good service, fantastic coffee and a better than average price. I have dealt with 2 generations of the owners. read more

There's nothing quite like the smell of roasting coffee to draw you into a coffee shop. The coffee is great, though I have to admit I was pretty disappointed with the croissants. They just weren't light and flaky enough for my liking. It's one of the smaller coffee shops in the city, but Java Blend is always busy - a good sign if you're a coffee lover. read more

one negative comment. they need different hours who works 8-4 anymore? no one. it's 2012 they need to get better hour so I can devour their gorgeous coffee more often. I also enjoy this place but I am never able to make their enough especially since I work all week till 6. read more

What can I say! It is really one of the BEST coffee in Halifax. Quality and at affordable price. Bring along your Java blend card and get a chop everytime you make a purchase of the beans. Once you collected all of them, you'll get one bag free.. read more

This has got to be one of my favorite cups of coffee. Its so much more then a cup of energy mud. The smell of roasting beans draws you in from blocks away, and it is such a relaxing place too sit and wake up read more

Best coffee in town. Great variety for any taste and served by positive, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Absolutely the in-place to go (even if I am there). read more

Was here a few days ago on vacation and wanted to check out a local coffee roastery. Great place to buy beans or get a good cup of coffee. They roast on site and know their stuff. Even got a quick tour of the roastery in the back of the shop. Support your local coffee experts people! Friendly neighbors with a superior product, just say no to the big chains and drink something better tasting and better for your community! read more

I think this is the best coffee in the city. I'm not a coffee snob by any stretch, but you gotta trust that one of the original roasters in NS knows what it's doing. Also, the fact that this place is always busy is another good sign. They aren't trying to be fancy, they just want to make great coffee. Nothing wrong with that at all. They have their priorities straight, if you ask me! read more

I love coffee. A lot. I drink it black and often. I've tried a lot of beans - local and not - and Java Blend is my daily coffee fix. I'm a big fan of their Aztec dark roast. I like it so much that I will drag around my travel mug AND an extra thermos of coffee, just so I don't have to buy a lesser coffee later in the day. read more

Another five star review for Java Blend! I don't think I can add too much to the conversation here. I recently moved to the Java Blend neighborhood and was thrilled to have such a good coffee place nearby. Delicious coffees and helpful, informative staff who are happy to make recommendations every time I go buy a bag of beans! read more

Great coffee , good selection of beans from around the world , friendly staff and great service , been going here for many years and always satisfied . read more

One of the best (if not THE best) coffee shop in Halifax. It's not open on Sundays though, which is unfortunate.

Love the coffee here. I go often. The quality and price of their products is amazing. The only downside is that sometimes I find some of the staff a little hipster snobby. Most are amazing! read more

A very nice cafe with a great atmosphere and lots of windows. The coffee was great. I haven't purchased beans from them yet though as them are right around the corner I will be. In fact I believe they have just earned my business. Further, use the bathroom. It's a pretty standard bathroom, but to get to it you get to walk through the back of the store and see where they roast their beans. The entire place smells of delicious coffee. :D read more

I'm a coffee snob, after spending many years in Australia. I buy all my beans here; can't get away from the Sumatra Gayo at the moment, though they have several roasts to cater to all tastes. It's a busy, bustling shop, and is as popular with people wanting a quality coffee (to have in or take away) as it is for those like me who go mainly to buy beans for coffee-making at home. They have loyalty cards for both coffee-buyers and bean-buyers too, don't forget to get your card punched! read more

Whether you get there coffee at the cafe or elsewhere you will love it. Nothing beats fresh roasted in Halifax and no one does that like (other than?) JB. Cheap lattes and great service. read more

A fixture of Halifax coffee since the 1930s. This is straight up the most consistently great coffee around. It's my benchmark coffee I measure all others against. Coffee roasted onsite makes this place a working coffee factory and awesome coffee shop. K2 espresso is popular but the French Roast is my blend I have been drinking for the last 30 years. Walk there right now and try one of their awesome blends. You'll won't be disappointed. A warning, this is not nouveau coffee roasting. This is straight up classical coffee roasting. If your looking for under/ over roasted coffee, you might be disappointed. read more

Super friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere...but better than that a great cup of coffee. I'm a 6 cup a day man, and I would say that their medium roast, lunchpail-joe drip coffee is the best in the city, and amongst the best I've ever had...and cheap to boot. if you want to get fancy, the staff and owners are really, really in to coffee. A very well run business with a superior product. Don't let the deadbeat hipsters that litter the premises keep this gem to themselves. read more

While Halifax has a lot of great places to grab a cup, JB is my favorite. Great coffee and great beans.

Yum! Really good, fresh coffee. A bit of a challenge finding a seat--we've had to leave a couple times because there were no spots left--but I suppose that's a sign of how good it is! read more

By far the best place for a coffee in Halifax. And the smoothest cappuccino I have ever had. Also the best small coffee roaster. Huge variety of freshly roasted beans and blends, and they will grind it for your specific needs. And sold in bulk, what is not to like! read more