I heard about this place through word of mouth. I have been going to Starbucks right across the way, but now I am definitely switching to coming here instead. The cafe is right in be middle of Chester Main Street where all of shops are. It is very small--there are 4 small tables and one long table that seats 6. All together the cafe seats 16. The decor is really cute. And comfortable. A lot of light. It seems like there are a lot of regulars, and Maria has gotten to know them personally, which is cool. Maria makes ALL of her baked goods, and they are really reasonably priced-- about the same price of sbux but MUCH better. I had her French vanilla coffee this morning and it was wonderful, strong coffee. Also had a huge chocolate chip muffin...YUM! She also makes blended lemonade that she can blend with mint and other herbs (pictured, half consumed lol). SO GOOD especially in the summer. The one thing that is keeping me from 5 stars is that the cafe does no have a public restroom, at all. People using the cafe have to go across the street to the municipal parking lot and use the port-a-johns in the lot. I thought that was kinda odd and could be really unpleasant and annoying when it's cold outside. It is a beautiful day today so I just walked over like it was no big deal, but if it was cold I could see it being irritating. This doesn't take away any stars but FYI purchases under $15 are cash only. Don't go to Starbucks. Come here. Seriously. read more

Maria's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Catherine H Rare find. Warm friendly place with outstanding treats. Great place for a first date. Thank you to the owner and the counter staff. read more

My neighborhood coffee shop! Great service All around. A must stop when strolling down our charming Main Street. I highly recommend. read more

Pretty decent coffee local coffee shop with a couple of tables inside and like 2 tables outside. It's decorated really cute. They have baked goods that looked really fresh and homemade. They also sell some Italian products for pasta, sauce, balsamic and oil, cookies, etc. that look imported. The lady and the staff were super friendly. Coffee was a little light but it was fresh. read more

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Cute coffee shop .. very nice owner Staff was friendly. If I lived closer this would be my Saturday morning coffee spot. Oh and the the cappuccino was delicious ! read more

A charming little coffee shop with nice indoor and outdoor seating. The staff was friendly and kept the place nice and clean. I ordered a frozen lemonade with mint and it was yummy, but I wish it was less slushy like. They have a variety of freshly baked goods, and I had Nonnas cookie, which was in between a cookie and cake, but it was delicious! I will definitely be back to try some of the paninis and other coffee items. read more

Maria's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

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Maria's is the type of coffee shop that reminds me of my mom's home baked goods. It has a charming, warm, friendly atmosphere. I'm visiting Chester for the weekend but if I lived locally, I would be a regular customer. Maria thank you all your hard work and dedication to maintaining a high standard of quality. Your friend from Starbucks! read more

Coffee & Espresso are so flavorful. Had the fig bar and muffin; both were so fresh. The staff offer great service.

The iced coffee came with coffee ice cubes. More places need to do that. It was enjoyable.

One of the rudest owners I have ever met. For being a small business owner I would expect somewhat of an attempt at friendly customer service. Would not recommend or return due to owner and coffee not even being good. read more

Was treated rudely when parking in front of Maria's so we decided to go else where for something to eat.

Love Maria's. Best coffee around. Really good baked treats and a couple sandwiches. No, it's not your remote office, it's not a large family restaurant, and it's not a rest stop. But, if you want really good coffee, good snacks and friendly service, Maria's is your spot. read more

Coffee was solid. Interaction w/ staff not so much. I'm a GDMI (Guide Dog Mobility Instructor) and was training dogs in the area. Worked one of my dogs in and owner or employee asked me to bring dog outside while I waited for my coffee - and said she'd bring it out to me. I clarified that it was a guide dog in training (dog had harness etc.) She said she understood and said that other trainers and blind guide dog users had come in before. She clearly understood the situation and apparently didn't care that Federal Law guaranteed myself and the dog access to the establishment. Since this was clearly not ignorance and she was making an informed decision, I decided not to push the issue or make a scene. Something tells me when her regular customer rolls in with their toy poodle sticking out of a designer hand bag she doesn't ask them to wait outside, even though that dog has no legal right whatsoever to be there in the first place. Just a hunch. read more

Wow. Talk about rude staff. From the young woman working the register to the owner. Both had some sort of attitude problem. Don't ask questions or you get some eyes rolling and snarky responses. Coffee was good. I believe their bad attitudes and poor customer service is known due to the fact that another family made a comment to us on the way out that this was pretty much normal for the place. read more

Went in for a chia lattee and left with an terrible experience. The owner (I assume), an old woman with dark hair denied me use of her restroom. She stood in front of the door and blocked it when I asked for access and told me off in the most rude way. Saying they didn't have a restroom, then changing it and saying it was closed, then just loudly stating "NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS" When I was clearly a customer holding the drink they just made me. It is illegal to refuse your customer restrooms in food and beverage establishments! Do better and change your attitude lady. On the positive side the young lady in her twenties with medium brown hair who made me by was very sweet and helpful. read more

Coffee is decent, nothing to write home about. Staff is clueless, sometimes outright rude. Owner, well, gruff, and please don't try to sell me jewelry when all I want is a cup of coffee. You don't know who I am, and I may know more about jewelry than you think. Next time, I'll walk around the corner to El Monte, they are always so pleasant, and their coffee is truly brilliant. read more

After going to Maria's for a couple years now it still does not disappoint! The drinks are great the atmosphere is fantastic the food is wonderful and the baked goods are out-of-this-world! Marias service and family are one of a kind. If you're not stopping by Maria's and you're in the Chester area you are missing out! read more

If you have ever had a bad experience anywhere, honestly consider mine is worse. Maria was actually violent towards me, not in a physical way but definitely emotionally, she was just rude and nasty. Is that how you like to run a business? Your violence confuses me. For you to feel my pain... it started when a few days ago I came in solo looking for some coffee, I ordered an iced coffee with whole milk and 2 sugars, well to begin it was burnt as all hell and then she proceeded to comment on my facial expressions when I tasted her burnt coffee. Does she not realize that is my face? I just feel like her nastiness radiates and I would never ever go back, Chester is so cute but she ruins so many happy faces with her rudeness. (even when she comments on my facial structure) read more

I would have loved to be given the option to place an order without the woman who was working rudely saying she can't have my stroller inside. I had entered, announced I just wanted to place an order and would bring my infant outside, but the attitude and complete lack of personality made me more than happy to leave completely without placing an order. When you are rude to new, possibly repeat customers, you become a disgrace to the small business community. A more effective method of communication (and business tactic) would have been for someone to kindly offer to accommodate me in another way, either bringing a menu outside or providing a mobile ordering service so that my baby stroller and our valuable time and money wouldn't inconvenience you so much. read more

If I could give negative stars, I would. Came through as a visitor on a work trip from NYC and was so excited to find such a cute coffee shop to spend some time in and get work done. Upon arrival, the barista (who seemed to be the owner) was beyond rude and ignorant. I asked for some suggestions being it was my first time & I noticed some unique flavors that I've never tried before and received such an arrogant response. I've never felt such a lack of hospitality in an establishment before. After ordering, I discovered the $15 card minimum (which is ridiculous but I didn't argue) instead I picked out a $15 bag of coffee to go to meet the requirement only then to find signs that read "NO laptops." Luckily I found a spot outside to get my work done and drink what was maybe the worst, watered down coffee I've ever received. I always try to support small businesses when I can (especially after being a manager of a small coffee shop myself) but do yourself a favor and go to Starbucks. read more

Get to the Chase: Pros: 1) Great location (very cozy, quaint, and suburban) 2) Warm ambience to have a cuppa, read a book, or catch up with an old friend 3) Simple menu with basic choices...not frappa-$@#ito's, whatcha latte's, BS-coffee 4) There was a live guitarist Cons: 1) Order was done wrong...mixed up both size and flavor for my 2 friends' orders 2) High-schooler behind the counter? Nothing against that, but if they could move any slower I could have run to Wall St. station and back 3) Very limited seating 4) Pumpkin latte was too sweet and had soup-like resemblance in flavor and texture Nice cozy place, but stick to the basics, and also you probably won't find seating. read more

Really loved my time here! The staff was radically kind and welcoming, and the flower centerpieces really made the place a wonderful place to spend an afternoon doing work with the WiFi. read more

Maria's - Very thankful to have found this bakery! The atmosphere really helped make studying for finals as painless as possible - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Amazing coffee = check Amazing pastries = check Amazing lattes = check Amazing paninis = check This is the perfect little café to grab a cup of coffee with a pastry or a panini or soup (all homemade by Maria). Last time there I had the best French Vanilla latte with the most superb turkey, zucchini and gouda panini. There is live music pretty often which is always pleasant to go along with a meal. It's truly family owned and operated and a perfect location right in the middle of main street. Keep doing what you're doing Maria! read more

Won't be back. Decided to take a stop in with my 2 sons- one walking and one in a car seat stroller. Right before I got to the door the young girl quickly opened it and said "We do not allow stroller inside. Tell me what you would like and I can bring it out to you." I said I actually have never been in your place before so I'm not sure what I'm going to order. She said "Ok please your stroller outside." Now given that I had stuff inside my stroller and my baby in his car seat I hesitated a moment and almost decided to leave and she said "Well we are not busy at the moment so I can make a one time exception." I let her know I won't be staying to eat whatever I'm ordering so I would be taking it to go anyways. All this interaction left a poor taste in my mouth but I decided to order a coffee, sandwich and a muffin for my boy. Everything was ok tasting but expensive. Spent about $15 for everything. When she gave me my coffee she pointed me to the direction of the cream and sugar and said after I'm done to wait outside and she will bring my food out to me. There was literally nobody else sitting inside so I didn't see the problem waiting inside or bringing a stroller inside at all. I could understand if it's very busy yes it could be tight but why ruin your change to have a returning customer. Well I went to sit outside and I couldn't even sit at the tables that were covered under their patio because there was no room since the other woman were sitting at the tables. I needed to sit for about 10 minutes in the sun waiting for her to bring the food. Won't be back here. Be sure to check this off your list if your a mom with kids and happen to have a stroller. read more

What can be better than stopping for an espresso and having the owner offer you Sambucca in your drink for no charge. Better yet, I poured it. The double espresso was perfect and served in an appropriate cup and saucer Had a great cranberry scone with it . Place opened two months ago. Maria owns the bakery next door, that i now need to try. She also owns Maria's cafe in Long Valley which is open for breakfast and lunch read more

Unfriendly staff, small cramped place. We stayed for less than 1 minute. Not pet friendly.

The service here is a joke - the girl at the counter was crazy rude and literally didn't want anything to do with us. After we ordered we tried to sit down and she yelled at us saying they were closed (while three other tables were still seated) and the door was open and people were still walking in. Super rude people and service, won't be returning. read more

I noticed how cute and cosy the coffee shop looked and I made a point of returning for lunch later. I first ordered my coffee inside and immediately picked up on the owner's lack of customer appreciation. She didn't greet me nor smiled and was very stern and abrupt ( rude) when I said that I'd like to sit outside. She absolutely spoiled my experience of enjoying a relaxing environment with good food and drink. ( I decided NOT to buy lunch there). While I was there another family arrived and wanted to sit at the table (that only had 3 chairs). I offered that they could use my chair. The next moment the owner rushed out and said absolutely not. No chairs may be moved! My goodness! I could not believe that you could be more aggressive and absolutely rude to your customers. This woman should NOT be interacting with customers! Personally, I will NEVER return to her store. It was a disturbing experience. read more

Good food and drinks. And the staff was actually very, very friendly. But the posted signs are a little snarky and unwelcoming ... "No Strollers" and "Dont move the tables." It was as if the owner wants the ability to charge $5 for a coffee without having to 'deal' with the customers who are buying their high-priced products. read more

Maria's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chester, New Jersey

Coffee = 3 stars Ambiance = 5 stars So 4 stars sounds about right. I got a mediocre cappucino and a piece of fairly good veggie quiche. Service was nice and the outdoor seating is an absolute delight. read more

We'e been going to Maria's for years on our way to the bi-annual craft fair in Chester. It was a ritual for me and my elderly mom until our last visit when Maria herself ask me and my 78 year old mother to get up and move from our table to make way for a young couple with kids who wanted to "eat". Um.. we were actually still eating too! It was so bizarre and the young mom who was taking our table was so mortified I actually felt worse for her than us! Maria has never had the best "bedside manner" but it was the only joint in town, but after this, sorry Maria, you hit an all time low and we will go elsewhere as well as all our family and friends who frequented your shop. Beware patrons, I've read other similar reviews. it's really such a shame, especially when we re trying so hard to support local businesses... read more

Very cozy, Italian atmosphere. The owner Maria is a sweetheart and takes pride in her store. Stop in when you are in Chester!

One star since you can't give zero. I did not notice the sign saying no strollers and I walked in to purchase a coffee with my son in his little umbrella stroller. There was no one else in the entire place. The woman behind the counter was extremely rude and condescendingly said to me "We do not allow strollers in here HUN"...she did not crack a smile and shook her head at me while she said it like I was a moron or something. It was a genuine mistake on my part as I did not notice the sign and have never been to a coffee shop where they shun you for having a stroller. Had she not been so rude about it, I likely would have just brought the stroller back outside to my husband and proceeded to purchase our coffees, but who wants to give their money to someone who treats people that way. We went to Dunkin Donuts. read more

Wow Hostile And right across the street from The Sweet Spot bakery with Black River Roasters coffee. That's a great spot by the way. Maybe Maria's has decided they are sick of this business. I can't say that the customer service was bad because that's an understatement Needing an afternoon coffee and bathroom I went into Marias. No bathroom not even for customers was the first problem. Really, a restaurant with no bathroom My companion has a read more

What a great little coffee shop. The brochette was amazing and the wine paired wonderfully. The live music and atmosphere was laid back and welcoming. The place was clean and tidy and the staff were warm and delightful. I would highly recommend this place on a beautiful afternoon. 5 stars at least. Thanx again. read more

My family stopped by today for coffee after pumpkin picking at Alstede's down the street. There are several tables outside, none of which were in use. I was with my two young children, and moved a chair over so we could sit as a family and was reprimanded by the owner. Again, there was no one else sitting outside. So then I sat with my daughter on my lap. My girls happened to have donuts from the farm, and when we got up to leave, the owner came out with a hand written sign that she slapped on the table we were sitting at saying "no food from other eateries." Talk about passive aggressive! It's notlike we didn't buy her sub-par coffee. Try to support local businesses during this time, but clearly the owner was not appreciative of ours and I will not be back! read more

Maria's is cozy and fun, and her baked goods can't be beat! Love her imported Italian products too.

First off, this place would be so much better if not for one thing: THE SIGNS! There is a comment, warning, instruction or tirade affixed to every surface of the cafe. Don't touch the cookie jar, upstairs is closed, this is not a drain just ask, etc. it's become a running joke in my household. But still, they have tasty if sometimes too sweet pastries, they often have some live music and it's in a cute section of town to watch old ladies from Staten Island argue while they go antiquing. If Maria seems a bit gruff, it's probably because she's busy thinking of new signs to write. If only they relaxed a bit this place would be amazing! read more

Wish I had read the other reviews before stopping in, because apparently many have experienced the awful customer service here. It looked like such a cute shop and we were excited to try it. While we waited our turn, two officers came in and we thought it was respectful to let them go first because they're on duty and we were in no hurry. The older woman (owner it seems according to other negative reviews) very rudely & bluntly announced that they were already being helped (instead of just letting the officers do so which we were already joking around and talking to them and they stated they were already being helped). Deciding to ignore her instead of just walking out (which I wish we had) luckily a nice young woman behind the counter proceeded to take our order. I ordered my fiancé's drink first and went to look at their pastries counter. I heard someone say "what else can I get you?" and I assumed it was the woman helping us because we were told the officers' orders were already being handled (I didn't see because I was by the pastries). I mean I'll admit it was my mistake, but the owner was so nasty and responded to me like I was dumb. She goes "I was asking them. She's helping you and I'm helping them" in a very condescending tone with such a rude look on her face...instead of just politely correcting me. You would think people would want business especially with this pandemic and as a coffee addict I would definitely become a regular for the right business. However, I do not enjoy giving my money to rude people so I will not be back. read more

On every trip to Chester, we always make a point to visit Maria's. It's our favorite spot in quaint Chester! The ambiance is relaxing and welcoming, and the coffee and homemade desserts are absolutely delicious! We love the selection of treats imported from Italy too. We're currently enjoying live music and it's the perfect spot to kick back and forget about the hustle and bustle of weekday life! We're already looking forward to our next trip! read more

Maria's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chester, New Jersey