I have been a loyal customer for years, however today's experience at commercial drive at 4:00pm. I waited for a coffee for 20 mins that never arrived. As well other customers, service was so slow, The staff even called the previous customer the B---- word under there tongues which i heard when she also complained. I requested a refund and as told they do not know how and gave me a coffee card. I spent $12 for a latte and muffin for the experience. I usually do not complain, however the staff was just chatting with there friends and felt zero respect for customer service. Again I have been going for years multiple locations, never had and issue. The food quality and coffee is one of the best in town. read more

I had stopped by purchasing some baked goods here. So this review is not about coffee FYI. What a unique building at first. Vintage looks big size entrance door and a roaster machine in the centre of cafe. When I got there, it was not running but if so, I'm sure the coffee aroma would be amazing. I tried Turkey Chorizo Breakfast wrap. The turkey amount was not a lot but very satisfying and delicious. It had lasted almost 6 hours in my stomach. Also tried Jalapeño & Cheese Muffin. It was huge. It's not like so called muffin top. More like atomic bomb clouds, seriously. The surface was very crunchy and inside was moist. Jalapeños was strong bit. I felt other baked goods were also heavy and densed. I will be back again for sure. read more

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There are a dozen of new fancy coffee joints on the Drive I rather visit than JJ Bean but.... I had this voucher for a "free" small drink. The first thing came out of the male cashier's mouth, "oh another one of these", expressing his tremendous dismay. Frankly I am not a big fan of JJ Bean or have been to one for a long time, but I thought it may be an opportune time to give them an assessment. After the cashier's remark I ordered a croissant to benefit the business somehow. Recall the last similar almond chocolate croissant was at Nurvei Portland, a 5 star croissant. Curious how JJ Bean will fare. This particular afternoon, JJ on the Drive has its fair share of regulars sponging off their free wifi. The tables a mess and 4-5 staffs loafing about on their phones and chatting while the dirty dishes piled pyramid high in their sink and the joint buzzing with flies over empty plates prior patrons left behind. The milk in my latte was unable to overcome the excessive bitterness of the espresso. I had knew this ahead of time otherwise I would have ordered an Americano. Yup. Too bitter. Not that I mind a strong cup of espresso when it is well balanced. Nope. This was just bad tasting and bitter. As for the croissant, as if a thick heavy baguette met some almonds. The texture was more bread than the flakey croissant texture. Wasn't bad but definitely would not call it a croissant. A baguette meal. Perhaps. read more

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Phenomenal everything bagel croissants. Good coffee, but I personally prefer a darker roast. read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - a croissant and a cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Not mincing words. What they sell is great, but the space and service are a hot mess. Pastry options along with the coffee all suit my needs and they are great. Muffins that don't taste or look like cupcakes, doughnuts that look fresh, home style cookies; all great. But the service at the register is completely lacking. In the dozen or so visits over the past few months I have rarely had a hello or thank you and there is an expectation that the customer should be able to read the minds of the staff. They seem to treat their regulars better if they like them. The baristas tend to be slightly better, but in a noisy space they really need to do more to speak up when calling out drinks and names. The space itself, could use some help. It's a bit awkward getting around, but at least I have been able to get someone in a wheelchair into the space. TLDR; come for the food and coffee, but have no expectations of service. read more

A bustling cafe for a quick grab and go coffee and snack! If you're a bold espresso lover, JJ Bean is the place for you! Their espresso is strong, dark, rich, and chocolatey! They're always consistent with their drinks and never have I felt unsatisfied with my cup of joe. Using quality milk alternatives and beans, you can definitely tell that JJ Bean trains their baristas to put a lot of effort into each cup served, which I very much appreciate! You absolutely can't go wrong with any of their espresso beverages paired with their delicious an almond croissant or moist chocolate zucchini muffin! My usual espresso order is their Cortado for a quick energy boost, or their Americano. This location does not have wifi and is often busy with very limited seating. Thus, I would not recommend studying or wfh at this location. However, it is a great location for a quick grab and go! read more

We finished our night of restaurant hopping with my favourite coffee! Espresso macchiato with JJ Beans Espresso...smooth and low in acidity! It is great to see more JJ Beans popping up! The Drive is a great location with so many other great food choices! Our barista was attentive and funny...my daughter ordered a cappuccino and he did a cat with his coffee art and gave her a "catpuccino" Sometimes I find it hard to see chains come in to areas like The Drive where there have been so many Mom and Pop Shops for years but I make an exception for JJ Beans...let's just hope they don't get too big and lose some of their character and quality! Their baking is yummy too, we brought home the Salted Caramel Cookie...cause they are just too good to pass up...but we were too full to indulge in more!! Thanks for always bringing such good quality coffee JJ Beans!! read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - "Catpuccino"...so funny! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I frequent this Coffee Spot quite a bit, and this little coffee shop is exactly a perfect fit for The Drive. A quaint and kitchy atmosphere and always service with a smile. The JJ's Veggie Breakfast sandwich is my fave! Just the smell of the melted Brie and spinach when it's hot off the grill is enough to make my mouth water. The ripe tomato is the perfect complement to this vegetarian friendly breakfast Sandy. They have a ham egg and cheese option as well, which is smoky and delicious, but this veggie one is so good and satisfying, it's an easy choice. Why McMuffin when you can JJ? The Coffee has a lot of kick as well ;) read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - My favourite JJ's Veggie Breakfast sandwich Melted Brie, Spinach, Egg and a Ripe Tomato on an English Muffin. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

One of our go to places to get coffee beans to use at home. This time we got the Ethiopia blend which was blueberry flavored and absolutely adored. Because we got coffee beans, it also came with a free drip coffee which was a pleasant surprise. Will be back to replenish our coffee beans at home in the future! read more

There are 3 reason why i recommend this place. First, JJ bean's cafe mocha is the best and your bakeries too. When I came to Canada I tried your mocha for the first time and it was fantastic. I've never had any mocha that delicious. I can tell that is the one of the reason that I still live in Vancouver. Second, They also have a great customer service. I had a friend who came to Canada to visit me about 6 months ago. So I wanted to make her try your coffee. I brought her to JJ Bean and we ordered two medium mochas. But it didn't taste the same as usual. So i asked to the barista to make new one for us and I also explained about the taste. So he apologized us and remade it. So I was able to give her great mocha experience! The last one, I like the atmosphere of this store. Especially, this location. It is local cafe and cool. In Canada, there's a lot of races and also a lot of Korean. So sometimes I feel like I'm in Korea or China or other country not Canada, (I'm not saying that i don't like that feeling :0)but when I go in to the cafe I can feel Canada. I wish everyone tried your coffee. read more

I heard this place was good by locals and after visiting it for the first time I can now see why. Lovely staff and great coffee and food. They have a huge selection of vegan food options both sweet and savoury!! I had some banana bread and a giant chocolate brownie cookie. Both tasted delicious with my black coffee. Thank you JJBean :) Just a heads up - I went there Saturday afternoon and it was very busy so be prepared to have to sit outside. We eventually got a seat inside which was nice and warm. This truly feels like a local place where everyone meets :) I will be back! read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

First impression: Busy, very long line up but worth it! Coffee: 10/10 - whether I'm getting railtown dark roast (my fav) or an iced latte im always impressed. So good Dairy free alts: YES! and they sell the best oat milk brand (oatly) for only $5ish Aesthetics: 10/10 Plants: 10/10 Environment: 10/10 - kinda busy though! Baristas: 10/10 - they're super friendly Seating: 7/10 - depends on the time of day Wifi: !! no read more

This JJ Bean location is super cozy and the staff are really nice. Its usually pretty busy, but I've always been able to find a seat. The coffee is amazing of course, and the baked goods always look so fresh and good. As they do at every JJ Bean I've been to. Great location on The Drive, I'll be back soon I'm sure. read more

I'm not a coffee "snob" - honest. I admit I choose with reckless abandon mild or medium roast with the same no-clue knowledge or preference when ordering beer elsewhere. Wait. Should I admit that? (Yes. I'm that gal who doesn't know what a stout is, has a vague clue what guiness is but often orders whatever is on "special". I'm generally a one or two pint max kinda gal - yeah I'm a lightweight). Anyhow what I do know is coffee is coffee. It's better than tea and sometimes some coffee houses serve a brew that is overly bitter or burnt-tasting. This location is a great place to have a coffee - but not to use your smartphone or electronic WiFi needing device because they're too behind the times to install a router. Which sucks. I would have hoped they can set themselves apart from waves or blend by simply being a classy, local, happening vibe kinda hotspot yet the barista I asked about it seemed to think the lack of wifi made them better than the aforementioned student campout caffeine providers. I've enjoyed their peanut butter-type square, found not one but two indecently long (not mine) hairs in a chocolate chocolate cookie once (barista wasn't apologetic or even trying to make me feel better about noshing into that ick) however the cautious other cookie I picked completely apart weeks later was good. So know that if it's coffee and attitude you're seeking - you found it here. Certainly not wifi. read more

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First time here and within minutes of entering enjoy polite conversation with another patron. The people all seem to be friendly including staff. The ice mocha is giving me a slight boost & while the banana bread isn't totally fresh for 9am it is large and tasty. Very busy even for a Sunday morning! One downside, very limited power supplies. read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Banana Bread & Ice Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

This JJ Bean provides a real decent place to hang out with friends at the tip of the Drive. Easily accessible by car and a short walk from the Skytrain station this location makes it easy to meet up with friends at. There is a decent amount of seating inside for groups no larger than 4 and plenty of outdoor seating around the side as long as you don't mind braving the elements. The staff I've encountered are friendly enough and they get everything whipped up pretty quickly. read more

JJ Bean has a variety of roasts that are always pretty decent. The main reason I give them five stars is because they'll allow you to bring a mason jar in to get it filled up instead of wasting a bag. For those attempting to lower their footprint, coffee has been on area of difficulty. Most local shops will either sell you espresso beans (too dark) or simply offer to open a bag for you and dump that into a jar (looking at you, Pallet!) JJ Bean also gives you a buck or two off the cost of the beans and a free drink! What more could you ask for? A standard 1L mason jar will take 340g of coffee with a little room to spare. read more

I'm not a fan of this JJ Bean and I've given it more than a couple tries just so I knew I was being fair in this review. I live pretty close so this would be a perfect location however I find this JJ bean lacking in many aspects. Today I asked for a soy cappuccino and when my order came up I asked what it was as I didn't hear my name and I was reassured it was my soy cap, however it was as heavy as a latte and filled with milk and zero foam. Not a true cappuccino in the slightest. I also ordered the peanut butter oatmeal bar which was pretty dry and I'm the type to eat peanut butter off a dirty shoe! I didn't finish the bar and chucked out my coffee. Furthermore, they don't seem to clear away old coffee mugs and cups from free seats so you're left with having to do it yourself. It feels dirty, the coffee isn't great and nor is the food. They also missed my order a previous time and when I asked for an ice tea another time I got luke warm earl grey water with bits of ice floating already melted from the heat of the tea. Next time, if you're in the area stick to the Italian coffee bars, they know what's up! read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino (which was made as a latte :( ) and the dry peanut butter oatmeal bar. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

As with all JJ Bean House of Coffee's, I am head over heels for the coffee here and all the more surprised by the quality, considering that this is a chain, albeit a small one not on the world dominating status of Starbucks. This JJ Bean on Commercial Drive is always busy, overrun with business folks, students, entrepreneurs and the like, all meeting for meetings, chat sessions, study groups and work time. The store is a decent size and doesn't feel too cramped in comparison to some smaller stores and the outdoor patio is a great place for coffee sipping and people watching! Be forewarned, as this is not Starbucks, there is only a small menu at the front counter to choose from and the sizes are in English. They also have fresh-baked muffins and tasty sandwiches for your noshing delight! read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - photo courtesy of www.jjbeancoffee.com - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Even though it's kind of disturbing, it's nice when a larger corporate coffee company correctly predicts the kind of décor and service that a neighborhood wants. JJ Bean on Commercial is mellow, interesting and unique, with rustic decorations and young slacker baristas. The seating is what really wins JJ it's stars in this review. It has stools arranged in a circle in the middle, with oddly shaped piping instruments partially obscuring the view. There are couches in the corners, high chairs on the sides, plate glass windows, and a full patio outside. The coffee is decent, so it's worth a visit. Besides, there's usually someone you know already there reading the paper. read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

With it's big garage door style windows that bring the outside in (weather permitting) High wood beam ceilings and a casual rustic, industrial interior, JJ Bean is warm and welcoming. Plenty of seating inside and out. Great coffees, great muffins. Their wraps and sandwiches are just ok. Definitely a great place to sit and take in the colorful diverse vibes that the drive has to offer. read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Two in One review. My Friend PJ's review: A place so nice, they named it twice. JJ Bean on commercial has a welcoming ambiance. Greeted by Charmaine, we were efficient, yet delightfully served with fresh, aromatic coffee with tasty treats. Mine: This is place full of life. I enjoyed soya latte which was pretty tasty with their Oates bar. I feel prices point is some what high. They dont provide wifi which is not cool. read more

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This cafe has an interesting layout. It's just a classic cafe. A few food items mostly coffee. My experiences here have been pleasant enough. The table I was sitting at was a bit wobbly. The windows could use a cleaning. read more

Great location, interior and staff. I must say Jj bean has got the best coffee out of any coffee chain out there, or at least here in Vancouver. Any plans on opening one in BBY maybe ? read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I really do love JJ's Soy cappuccino's they really are 'the bomb' and I love their roasts but i hate those barista's attitudes! This is the 2nd worst location for baristatude. They don't even say thank you when you tell them what a great drink they made. Grumpy buncha b*&^s. Argh! Please note it was Saturday and crazy busy. But STILL...! read more

This place is in a great location but the service is terrible. Who says that you need to be rude to your customers? Who's in charge of this place? The coffee and atmosphere here are really good. I really like the coffee. So why do I avoid this location now? Easy answer, the staff sucks and doesn't care about their customers. Stupid. read more

This JJ Bean makes me feel at home on the Drive. The service felt genuinely kind and humorous, which surprised me when I rocked up on a busy, Sunday afternoon. Lots of outdoor seating, big space, with what appeared to be a decent sized kitchen in the back. That accounts for the just-out-of-the-oven taste of my raspberry oatmeal. The only annoyance was the barista who insisted on chatting with a friend who was hanging out instead of making coffee for the 5 of us who were getting impatient listening to their private conversation. read more

JJ Bean is some of the best coffee in the city. Their muffins are huge, dense, and chock full of both calories and flavour. I have never had a poorly made drink at JJ Bean, even at the Commercial Drive location, which is absolutely always busy. Probably my favourite thing about this particular JJ Bean is that it's a meeting place for the neighbourhood. Some very interesting people watching can be done here, especially on the patio on a sunny day. There's a rather large group of guys who seem to pass through and/or congregate here. I've witnessed some great conversations and altercations. As well, any seat facing the Drive is a great place to ogle good-looking and interestingly-dressed people, and perhaps play a round of "gay or not gay". One final comment about this JJ Bean. It is perhaps the location that most embodies the "JJ Bean Look". Every JJ Bean location has one or two employees that have the "JJ Bean Look", but every employee at the Commercial Drive location has it - even with a high staff turnover rate, they seem to always hire people with the "JJ Bean Look". Or maybe it's working at JJ Bean that gives people the Look. Let me describe it for you. The Commercial Drive JJ Bean employee looks tired, like they haven't slept much, but moves quickly - probably because of coffee. They smoke, every hour or so on the other side of the patio wall at the curb, and have coffee- and nicotine-stained fingertips. Their clothes hang off of them; not only because they are underfed, but also because the clothing is thrifted and threadbare, and worn in carelessly assembled layers. They are quiet, perhaps shy but perhaps just tired and apathetic, and unintrusive in their mannerisms. Anyway. What I'm saying is that the Commercial Drive JJ Bean is more than just a coffee shop - it's an experience. A very East Van experience. read more

I just got back from a quick coffee break here and find it pretty funny that many reviews express irritation towards the baristas spending more than socializing than making coffee. Ditto today, though at least there were just a couple of beverages to be made. I've never been to this location before but was immediately impressed with the giant patio that wraps around the side of the building. I would assume this is packed on a sunny summer's day! The inside offers lots of seating, including seating around what looks like an old bar. Odd but whatevs. I had a look at the delicious delights they offer to go with your beverage and was impressed. Monster muffins, cookies and bars, and sandwiches. Though why is a giant muffin the same price as an average sized cookie? At $2.25 each, I went for a peach and oatmeal muffin to satisfy my post-workout hunger. Add on a medium drip coffee and I was set to head back to the office. The only downside to the experience was that my muffin liner was firmly stuck to the bottom of my muffin. I lost a large portion of the bottom and had to do some tearing and reinspecting to ensure I didn't get a mouth full of paper. Heyyy baking Pam! read more

Not my favourite JJ location, but easily my most visited. It has become ritual to stop by here before grabbing groceries at Donald's. If JJ Bean's mochas were a boxing champion, it would be Muhammad Ali in 1966. It's going to take one hell of a mocha to take away JJ's belt! I've been searching dozens of places, and not a single one compares with JJ. Maybe it's their in-house roasting techniques, but that drink is magical. The location is typical Commercial Drive, filled with customers that either have no money or are trying to look like they have no money. (Your Macbook Pro's a giveaway, dude.) I'm sure the crowd are a nice bunch, but I'm just in and out with that one drink. The almighty mocha. read more

JJ Bean is a great place to grab a coffee, and damn are their baked goods delicious! I've been coming here sporadically for a few years, and I really enjoy their coffees and London fogs. The interior is definitely a little rustic, and well used - this place is ALWAYS busy! I used to stop by around 8am some mornings and there never fails to be a pretty decent line. The staff aren't always the most chatty, likely because they're so busy, but they're efficient and always get your coffee prepared quickly. It's tough to find a spot to sit, but if you can jump on one of the tables hold on tight and don't let go! The baked goods are insane, and one of those muffins will feed you for a week! They definitely have the basics down pat - great food, great coffee, and a unique space. Check it out! read more

I am by no means a hipster but I always feel just a little bit cooler coming here. This JJ was my first favourite coffee shop in Van. It holds a very dear spot in my heart :) read more

I don't know man, the baristas here are nice -- like, really nice. They're just a bit burnt out is all. Really, there are a couple of things to realise when it comes to these JJ peeps: (1) baristas are not ever, ever supposed to be chipper. This is only acceptable at Starbucks. JJ Bean is not Starbucks. Chances are I'm just waking up -- they're just respecting my need for quiet-time. (2) this is Commercial Drive. COMMERCIAL DRIVE. People are friendly, just in their own unique flower-petal kind of way. Sure, if there were a hipster parade, these folks would take the lead... actually, no they wouldn't. They *should* take the lead, but wouldn't. I digress. Baristas aside, I like this JJ just fine. Whether intentional or not, it has clearly been built to be a community gathering space. Super laid back with ample outdoor seating, there's nothing saying not to stay a long while. And so long as they offer the same smooth brew as I've come to expect from them, don't mind if I do, JJ Bean. Don't mind if I do. read more

BEST. MUFFINS. EVER. But would it kill these guys to smile? I go to JJ's frequently, probably once a week now that I've moved out to the burbs, even, and everything is consistently good. They make a great hazelnut breve latte, though it's leaning towards the expensive side. Drip coffee, basic fancy coffees and pastries/muffins/sandwiches are all reasonably priced (I think my favorite vegan chocolate chip zucchini muffin is $2.50). The place is poorly set-up in my opinion and is this susceptible to traffic jams as its almost always full and then some. However, we all keep coming back for solid coffee that's roasted at their Powell location, fresh and tasty (and vegan friendly) baked goods, and great locations. Commercial Drive's JJ is located just a few minutes' walk from the skytrain. My only qualm about this place is that sometimes you get a really salty barista, like today. The counter staff is frequently way nicer. I've just rarely received a "you're welcome," or even a glance or smile from those working the machine, and that's kind of shitty. They don't have wifi, which is a rare (and I'm assuming strategic) maneuver to either keep people from spending hours here (it's not working) or to get people to interact more (it's not working). Whatever, I'll just have to eat into my data to write yelp reviews ;) read more

This place used to be the bomb. The bread for the grilled cheese used to be this amazing sourdough until they changed to a flavourless blech of a bread. We used to buy about 5 a week now you couldn't pay me to eat that. The side salad is still good. It is a shame that they feel that their amazing almond croissants need to be literally buried under a mountain of icing sugar that does nothing for the taste and only serves to cover your table and shirt in its nastiness. We've stopped ordering those too The jam used to be great and was amazing with their cheese and jalapeño muffins. Now, when customers prefer to go next door to buy jam... You might want to consider the quality of the jam you are serving. Finally... I am SO sick and tired of spending time fighting to get the paper of of my cheese muffin... This should be a pleasure not a struggle. I went to the Main Street location today and guess what! Somehow the Main Street location has the magical ability to make them without the damned paper. Looks like we might start driving out there unless the baker at the commercial location can figure it out! read more

JJ Bean Coffee Roasters - Magic that Commercial Drive hasn't figured out yet. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Great coffee, awesome decor, awesome cookies. I like. very much. Only complaints: some baristas seem more interested in socializing - I usually come here when I'm not in a hurry and on the go. read more

Interesting spot this JJ Bean. When I first moved to East Van, driving by you could have mistaken it for a restaurant, a nightclub, or perhaps an employment centre. It seemed WAY too busy to "just be a coffee shop". But it is-- and as such, the ninja side of me was immediately intrigued.... Did they serve their coffee in golden cups? Offer tea served to the Ming Emperor? Free massages and happy endings? Alas, none of the above are true- I would have really loved a Golden Ming Emperor Happy Ending- but they do serve a decent brew. If you're in a hurry, don't even think about ordering a mocha-frappa-cinno-latte, just go straight for the drip coffee. If you don't like drip coffee, you're out of luck. If you do like drip coffee, we can't be friends. But I'm okay with that. Yours faithfully: The Ninja Pirate MJO read more

Really chill comfortable place to have some time to yourself, have a coffee, do some work on your laptop or read a book! I came here and got their Guatamala drip coffee, and I like my coffee with soy milk -- I love how they don't charge extra for soy here like other places do! Really happy about my visit =) read more

I generally love the JJ bean chain but this location just doesn't compare to the one on Main & 14th. reasons why i'd go somewhere else when on the Drive: -JJ bean roasts its own coffee- which is awesome- BUT this location just smells funky because of it. It's got that kind of burnt smell inside- not very pleasant. -Small location- difficult to sit in groups, or at a table..and the levels are weird- like if your at a table your head can be right beside somebodys ass on a high stool. -As a chain it's one of the better cafes, BUT when on the Drive? there are soooo many nicer indie coffee shops that line both sides of the streets- much rather go to those than stay in a smelly chain. it's a-ok..but why would you go here when there are better places just steps away? read more

JJ Bean is the perfect fit along Commercial Drive. Not only does it have amazing espresso, its laid-back vibe keeps me coming back. In a neighborhood known for it's coffee, JJ Bean sticks out as one of the top contenders on the Drive. Their espresso is rich and creamy and the coffee is strong enough to give you a good kick in the pants! The baristas are not your typical coffee shop types, they are tattooed and have the forever hung-over look (which I'm sure they are because I've frequently run into them at local bars the night before!) A few words of warning: don't expect your coffee in a jiffy....this place is laid-back in every way, including their speed of service. It's more of a place you want to go on a lazy Saturday morning not when you are rushing to work :) Final Word: WOOT WOOT I love JJ!!! read more