I must say this espresso place lacks in multiple ways. For one the coffee here is the worst I've had in all of Connecticut. Even Starbucks beats this place, and beats it by a long shot!! The place is very pretentious and trying too hard. This isn't Manhattan, it's Darien. Darien will never be able to compete with Manhattan, so stop. The Baristas were very nice even though the guy there didn't really know his stuff. He tried though and that's what matters. With all that said, please don't have coffee at Espresso Neat. Instead go to the Starbucks down the road or the Whole Foods which has better coffee than Neat. God I wanted to scrub my tongue after drinking their coffee. Gross!! read more

NEAT Coffee - Croissant was delicious. The coffee made me want to puke. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

Sorry, not impressed. Unreasonably overpriced and quite pretentious place. The line was long but there were I think enough staff members. I really do not know what took them so long. I hoped good things just take more time. Sadly, not the case. I had average coffee, worse than mediocre sandwich, and an old cookie. I would give more stars for the pleasant outdoor seating, but I won't because you cannot go there for the seating only. Right? read more

It's ideal for meeting people who appreciate coffee and unique atmosphere It's so far from my home but it worths visiting absolutely I'll go there again read more

NEAT Coffee - What a lovely place - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

See all

No doubt about this place deserves 5 stars. The staff here is amazing- attentive, knowledgeable, laid back and funny. The espresso and coffee here is absolutely perfect. The consistency is amazing and I have never been disappointed. I am more than willing to drive out of my way to come to Neat and prefer it over Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks any day. One of my favorite things about Neat is that they offer almond milk and it's never bitter or burnt tasting. I wish there was one that was closer to where I live because I would undoubtedly be here every day. If you try Neat out be careful- you can easily become hooked! read more

NEAT Coffee - Vanilla latte + almond milk! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

This is my oasis. I have been here numerous times and the coffee is consistently delicious. And this may sound silly, but they have these little PBJ sandwiches for a dollar that always hit the spot. I love Espresso Neat. I love the atmosphere. I love the coffee. I love the consistently kind baristas. I love sitting at the big communal table and reading a magazine. I also love taking my girlfriends there for a chat or laying out some paperwork to get down to business, solo. Another reviewer mentioned you'd be better off at Starbucks???? I'm guessing he's one of those guys that adds three packs of sugar and sweetened condensed milk to every coffee... Espresso Neat is well-crafted coffee and a fantastic experience. Even their homemade chai, rich foam-topped cappuccinos, and delightfully cocoa-infused mochas trump any Midtown coffee bar. It is a delightfully surprising find in Darien. I only wish they were closer so I could walk there every day. read more

Pros: Good artisanal coffee that could be great. Very friendly and skilled staff, in an interesting space. One of the very few good coffee shops in the area, period. Cons: Prices are particularly high and Darien can feel uncomfortably preppy and high class. The espresso could be better. --- Fairfield county is basically a coffee-shop desert. So i welcome a "third-wave" coffee joint like Espresso Neat. They undoubtedly do good coffee, but I think they would be a lot better with more competition, to push them. The espresso isn't bad, but for the particularly high price I think it falls a little short. I find it a bit too acidic and thin. It is consistent though, and never bad. The milk drinks are quite good in my opinion, although some may prefer the their cappuccino or macchiato to have frothier milk than how I've experienced it prepared. I really hope that if Espresso Neat opens a third location it's in South Norwalk or Blackrock, and not Westport or New Cannan. The not-so ritzy cities in SWCT would do well by some good coffee too! read more

I go out of my way to go here. Great coffee and service. Everyone's incredibly funny and sweet and they have great recommendations. You can tell that they really care about their craft from the way they talk about and handle coffee. I often see people here hanging out, working, etc, and the space is perfect for it all. It's never really loud there so it's the perfect spot to meet up with friends or to get some work done. Oh, and there's a beautiful plaza just outside. Great place and I definitely recommend stopping by. I recommend their lattes as well - full bodied, creamy and balanced! read more

The only place in fairdield county with coffee on par with the best spots nyc has to offer. It's 100% the real deal and a shame to see anyone giving it a bad review. The haters can have fun with their old american folgers and euro trash. read more

My favorite study spot! Calm and relaxing atmosphere, all of the staff are wonderful and friendly! Love the Not-so-Neat in the summer, the hot cider, and mocha. Also, their Japanese green tea is delicious and served in a fun clear glass vase. The outside sitting in the spring to fall is beautiful! read more

NEAT Coffee - Hot apple cider! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

Very nice clean place where they take the coffee very seriously, with the most beautiful bathroom I have ever seen in a coffee house. The cappuccino was good -- the foam was creamy as it should be, not airy as it usually is in these parts. However, the espresso part of the cappuccino was part exactly my taste. The manager? was very personable and professional when I told him this, and asked me to see him next time so that he can make the espresso to my liking. I really like it place. read more

Espresso Neat is expensive, but worth it for coffee lovers. They have fabulous outdoor, courtyard seating when the weather is nice. This cafe is a hidden gem in Darien found on a side street off the noisy post road. They have some generic, somewhat dry and overpriced pastry options. But the coffee, service, and atmosphere here really warrant 4 stars. If you're trying to cut down on your caffeine intake, try their Mexican Hot Chocolate made with Chipotle infused mocha and cinnamon. A luxurious treat that will warm you up on the winter. The staff here are speedy, knowledgeable and efficient. Why bother with Starbucks or dunks down the street when you could enjoy a far superior beverage for the same price. read more

Excellence. Great coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes. Every cup of coffee is made precisely - measured and timed. Friendly staff / owners and a great atmosphere keep me coming back. Love the raspberry danish and almond croissant. read more

I was on my way to a long drive from NYC to RI and took the exit that took me into Darien. I found the place by luck and it was amazing. I love espresso coffee and their coffee was great. I had a macchiato, my husband a latte and my friend a hot chocolate with a carrot muffin. Everything was delicious. It might be a little pricey (everything came up to about$15) but it was so worth it. The service was great and the place look beautiful. read more

NEAT Coffee - My macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

See all

Great for coffee drinkers and above average for tea sippers. Modern lines for inside environs and outside seating is even more attractive given the fountain and tree lined patio. Sandwiches and salads leave a lot to desire but the sitting indoors allows for spreading out on a couch and playing with toys so that's awesome compared to other options in cafe culture around town. One thing I can say is that this coffee shop is a reflection of the change that has happened in Darien - to sit and listen to Jerry Garcia while sippin a tea here is mind blowing compared to option ten years ago! It comes at a cost though - gas is $1/gal more than average and the tea here matches the rate: $1/cup more than average. If it isn't obvious that's a 25% increase approximately over average, and I'm being conservative on that estimate... read more

Was so excited to try this place out this morning. Staff was quite rude when I asked for more espresso that I *paid* for. Not accommodating or hospitable. True shame. read more

Love the place, hate the prices. I came here on a Saturday morning to grab some caffeine and get some studying in. It's a very comfortable coffee shop and really great staff. I didn't know what to order so I talked to one of the baristas and told her what I liked and didn't like. We ultimately decided on a flat white. I'd have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my drink, but in my opinion it was a little expensive for what I got. read more

NEAT Coffee - Flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

So, why did I order online, arrive and wait ten minutes, just to be told, I had to let them know I arrived before they would start my order! Now another 10 minutes before I get my coffee. Why require mobile ordering if you are going to waste my time. Why do they think their plan is better than every other coffee shop in America that requires mobile ordering read more

Latte was good but very expensive. Note that during the pandemic they are not accepting cash or credit cards You need the app to order anything and then pay for it. read more

Espresso ... Perfect. You don't always come across baristas weighing their doses on a digi! =D Had to get a capp to go too... Also perfect. The two baristas I spoke with were very pleasant and know their stuff. I'll happily pay a premium for the care and love that they put into their drinks. Beans on the machine were west coast... So that hurt a little ;) Great thing they have going there! read more

Great great coffee. Cute little coffee spot in downtown Darien. Best coffee in town. Almond croissant was also tasty. read more

NEAT Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

Great little place to grab a coffee. On the expensive side - yes - but this isn't billed as a Dunkin' Donuts replacement. It is meant to offer a different experience and it does! The outdoor terrace area is very nice in the summer months and the decor inside is also very nice. Pastries are very nice also, as other reviewer's have mentioned they come from SoNo Baking Company. When not too busy it's nice when the staff puts on a show pouring hot milk in a pattern into your drink. We are lucky to have this little shop as part of our community. read more

Not gonna lie. This place is kinda mediocre. BUT I'm not a coffee drinker, I drink tea. Their tea machine is super cool but their teas are kinda gross and not flavorful. I don't really see the appeal for overpriced coffee and tea. read more

A great little coffee shop off the main drag in Darien with plenty of parking. The coffee is good and they have light bites, but not real brunch food or anything. The seating is OK, but not a place to have a large group or anything. I plan to come here more often as it's a quant local spot. read more

Asked for a large regular coffee and was shocked by the "one size" small and $4.25 price tag. This place is overpriced and the coffee is not great. There is a need for a non-chain, coffee shop in town, but they can't be optimally priced at such a premium. I would go everyday if they had a $2.10, even $2.50 cup of coffee, but now I will never go again and, if you read other reviews, I'm not alone. How many customers have they permanently lost by setting prices so high? Will residents of Darien recognize that they are paying $4.25 for (nearly) boiling water? Crazy. read more

This single establishment is the embodiment of the community. The range and diversity I see move through this humble but amazing coffee shop is astounding. I love everything about this little spot and they always have such beautiful lattes for me every morning. Thanks! read more

Visited with my wife and daughter for the first time yesterday 2/5/11. Really liked the interior...very comfortable place. Liked the fact that you were serving Stumptown coffees and were selling Intelligentsia by the package. Had your Guatemala coffee, the $3.95 pour over. Honestly, the coffee you started with was good...I think the pour over method just doesn't bring out any special flavor...my daughter had the Ethiopian...not much of a difference between the two using this brew method. Would suggest if you were going to "hand craft" a coffee like that you should really consider switching to an Aeropress instead. Much tastier, better results, and less of a wait for your customers. Will try an espresso-based drink next time. read more

Great coffee!! Every cup is made with care and precision. And it's a nice atmosphere to hang out and have a nice conversation. Much nicer than any filthy Starbucks. read more

Good latte, but $4.50??? I'm sorry, maybe you can swing that in Darien, but I frequent some pretty stellar coffee establishments in bigger markets that don't price gouge like this... read more

Wasn't impressed. No passion from the baristas. Coffee was good but not great and for $4.50 a cup I expect exceptional. No longer offering cupping & tasting or educational events. Disappointed. read more

Good but overpriced coffee. Limited seating filled with Darienites "taking meetings" over lattes. If you want a quick coffee rather than a chat, Dunkin D is just up the block. read more

Small eclectic coffee shop. Some seating. Latte is very good. Unique muffins. Free parking nearby.

I have a bit of a love and hate affair with Espresso NEAT. First the love: it's really neat. It's a tidy, smartly designed, well appointed, cozy and stylish coffee place. It's not trying to be Starbucks or anything else; it's what it is and gosh darn it, people like it that way. Now the 'hate' side of the equation. While it is a destination coffee/espresso stop in the heart of one of the toniest of tony 'gold coast' towns; it's kind of a rip-off. Hate to say it, but coming here for a cup of coffee and a small danish will set you back about twice what you'd pay up the street at the place with the green siren and funny named cup sizes. My 'Stumptown' roasted 8oz coffee and small danish was about $7. Good? Sure. But it's a cup of coffee! Nothing too special about that and if I had gone for the almond croissant, the price would have been closer to $9 for my little post-Brooks Brothers shopping snack. It's close to the train station, in the heart of the town, nice to spend some time in and all in all, a pleasant experience. Now, if they could do something about those $4.50 croissants! read more

See all

I love trying new coffee spots. I don't believe in limiting yourself to one. Anyway, I went here the other day and got my usual (I have to try this at every coffee shop) a dirty Chai latte and an iced Americano. The Americano was good because all it was was an espresso with water. Can't mess that up. My dirty chai on the other hand, could have been made better. It tasted more like steamed milk with some coffee and chai than the other way around. The coffee is good but I don't think the barista who made my coffee knew what they were doing. read more

A NEAT little gourmet coffee shop in Darien. They individually drip each cup to order. There is a selection of at least six different coffees from different parts of the world. The expresso neat was unfortunately overly bitter and sludgy. The lounge area is very pleasant and there is outdoor seating around the courtyard fountain. They have hot breakfast, sandwiches, and various pastries that were quite good. Fairly expensive compared to Starbucks, but much much better. read more

The location, building, interior, ambiance and owners are excellent. The coffee too was excellent. It's definitely a must to check out. The only room I could see for improvement is offering a quick cup of already brewed coffee. But maybe they'll offer that in the future. I'll keep my fingers crossed. read more

cute little place to have fancy coffee. a little pricey but i liked the atmosphere read more

NEAT Coffee - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

Hard to fault this place. Best coffee - go out of our way to come here but it's worth it. Lovely relaxing decor too after being just recently renovated. Edward amazing, but all baristas treat it like they're creating a piece of art. Makes it extra special. Baked goods by SoNo bakery which many would argue are best in this area. I personally do like my croissants from Sweet Peas in Old Greenwich but their coffee isn't anywhere near in the same league as NEAT. So often, since we're coming all the way from OG, we will buy the croissants first, then go get the coffee at NEAT. Bit inconvenient for most though, and SoNo is still good. Let's put it this way, I wouldn't go out of my way for Sweet Peas, but I will for NEAT. read more

Such a cute spot with great customer service. The coffee is tasty and I love that they offer steamers. Yum! Coming from NYC, the prices are just fine, ample spots to sit and games strewn around for kids. If you visit, make sure to try the oat cake at the counter for just $1! Think of a crunchy nature valley bar, just home made and tasty! If I lived nearby, I'd be a regular. read more

Great coffee spot! Prices may be steep for your run of the mill coffee shops in CT, but this ain't your mama's Starbucks! Not only do they have fantastical coffee, hot apple cider (seasonally), some amazing $1 cookie/coffee snacks, fantastic music and a spic and span bathroom with Meyer's hand soap (environmentally conscious!). Alas we live in NYC and cannot be regular regulars. read more

Coming from Stamford, I was spoiled by Lorca but NEAT really comes close! It's one of those places I like to escape to for a nice cup of coffee and some "me" time. Everyone is extremely friendly, the coffee is delicious and the atmosphere is just great! Highly recommend! read more