Me and a friend of mine got off at Union St. and was about to go to Gorilla cafe. We asked this local where it was and he suggested to go to Root Hill Cafe which is just 2 blocks away from the train station. He said it's a very chilled out place. We took his suggestion because it was windy as fuck today and we didn't want to walk 5 blocks if there is a decent coffee place that is only 2 blocks away. I got an Iced Caramel Latte which was served in a cute jar. Never had such a cup in my life. My friend also got a Hot caramel latte and she said it was delicious. We were sitting on the brick wall side which was comfy but there was no back support. Oh well. Just came for coffee anyways. Will be going back here again and the staff was very friendly. I guess they improved since I read all the negative comments about the staff. They asked us how was the coffee and we both though it was delicious! After we left, we saw the guy again and he asked us if we liked. We both loved it! read more

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I ended up here because I've been in search of a good Americano in Carroll Gardens and Root Hill was recommended on Chowhound as the nearest best choice. Wow -- finally! The best cafe Americano I've had in Brooklyn by far. And my husband got the Clover coffee -- superb. Really thrilling to find a place where the owner's taken the time and care (and expense!) to make sure her coffee is the best it can be. Also friendly and happy feel. Lovely. Shall return even though it's over a mile from my house. As another reviewer mentioned, the Clover coffee is over $3 a cup. Although it feels a little surreal to pay that much for non-espresso brewed coffee, I'm willing to pay it simply for the near guarantee that it's not going to disappoint. I think of the HUNDREDS (thousands?) of putrid cups of coffee I've spent $1-$2 on over a lifetime. UPDATE 2/19/09: Just returned from Root Hill. Today I had the straight brewed coffee, a small for $1.50. It was great. So, though the Clover coffee is extra special, it's not necessary to get it every time or any time if you don't want to spend that much. Yay. read more

Weird smell and unmarked drinks, got chided for taking wrong one oooops. $5 coffee tiny. But yummy. Nice location and light

Chili soup was 50% of onions, cold. Oatmeal we waited 30 minutes, received a bowl of milk with a slimy substance Mmmm delicious read more

Root Hill Cafe - This is a very strange oatmeal Thanks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Get your Hipster work-ethic on at this Cafe. Cute seating. Outlets. Food and Mochas! I just ran in to get my signature Mocha Latte before walking over to Blink Fitness down the block. Nothing more nothing less. I would return at a later date to do some Hipster'ish shit when I have my Laptop on me. read more

Root Hill Cafe - Mocha before the gym. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Yikes. Masculine-presenting cashier really needs some customer service skills. Has dark hair, is white-presenting. If you see them, don't step a foot inside. Anyone else? Maybe. Twenty minutes before closing and I watched this person turn from a rather sullen soul to a complete asshole. Look, I work in food and I've had to stay until almost 11pm for my job and yes, it's annoying people come in right before closing but uh... this place closes at 5pm? I'm writing this as the store is closing and am waiting for a friend to meet up. Cashier was fine with me; they gave me my food as I had arrived an hour before closing but as soon as it hit 4:40, it was like a switch turned on and the mode was douchebag. A literal, actual kid came to the counter and asked for something and this cashier, in the absolutely most condescending voice I've ever heard, told him that they're almost closed and they can't get this item. Every patron afterwards was given the same answer. Holy shit. I've never seen a person hate their job or people this much. I don't think I'd ever patron this place again. The food was tasty, the prices are okay but that cashier literally was the most bitter person I've ever seen and I don't think I'd step foot in this building ever again after watching him treat a kid like shit. You've been warned. read more

Extremely basic cafe. Literally like 10 things on the menu & each thing over priced. Not worth it.

The coffee is fine, though they used to serve Parlor coffee and it was better than whatever they're serving now. The snacks are fairly healthy and tasty. But the service... Wow. The service is lacking. Very often, there is no barista in front as everyone is chatting loudly in the back. Shrug. With so many great coffee shops in this neighborhood, I guess i have high expectations and I've continually been disappointed here. read more

Good coffee and friendly service. When I stopped in on a Saturday morning, there were a few tables having hot foods/full on breakfast plates. I had an almond croissant that was tasty but came from Balthazar's bakery, and was $4.50? I'll plan on trying something hot next time! read more

This small cafe has a handful of seats and a large front window. There's a few seats outside on the sidewalk as well. There's a nice pastry counter with options. Cool interior. read more

I have been to this coffee shop only a few times, which is sad considering it's steps from my apartment. I have several issues with this place, starting with the customer service. I find the employees/owners to be incredibly rude, and almost dismissive. I once asked for them to describe an espresso drink to me, and you would think I asked them to come to my house and wash my dirty dishes. No one has ever even cracked a smile or show any hints of friendliness to the point where it's awkward. Their prices are seriously inflated, and not worth it. The coffee and espresso drinks are very strong. I once made the mistake of ordering ice cream here on a hot summer day when I needed their wi-fi (got attitude for asking ice cream flavors), and was given a single scoop that cost $4!! I also feel like I am inconveniencing them by sitting for more than 20 minutes with my lap top, but that probably has something to do with their unfriendliness. read more

I remember when this little coffee shop first opened. It was spacious, affordable and laid back. You could get a solid meal and drink for under $10. Fast-forward to 2014. The place has been revamped. No longer a laid back coffee shop, rather a tiny, packed and inconvenient place. Avoid this place around 3:00-4:00pm, or else you'll hAve to climb over the entitled park slope moms or their underpaid nannies with the kiddies. The place is definitely a TO-GO joint, the furniture/space is horribly uncomfortable. The coffee, tea & food are decent but NOT worth the crazy prices. Root hill can only get away with these inflated prices due to the lack of nearby competition. Can't wait for the new little coffee shop to open up, it's much needed. read more

It almost pains me to give Root Hill only 3 stars, but while the negatives of this place are less than the positives, the negatives can be REALLY negative. First the good: Tasty and affordable coffee and tea. The food is a little pricey but STELLAR. The atmosphere is adorable and there are plenty of outlets and wifi for people working. Tables usually open up quickly if its crowded. The music is good and (usually) at a good volume to enjoy but also work/read. And the bad/ugly: I have NEVER had any staff person here be nice or courteous to me. Each person I have had at the counter is far from cheerful if not downright rude. The people who appear to be the owners or managers are actually the roughest. They have been especially rude to my boyfriend who once asked to have the suddenly blaring music lowered and once stepped on their couch which connects to the "upper" level. Admittedly stepping on the couch is bad, but we've seen countless others do it not to mention kids run rampant over them without so much as a word. I've been really enjoying working and hanging out at this place...but the staff has been really poor and make our visits uncomfortable sometimes. Not sure if we'll be back. read more

I walked by today and the place was being gutted. Should be up and running again soon. Love the location, the space, music, etc. Coffee is great, although I don't know all that much about coffee. It never gets too crowded. My main concern is that I have never had a friendly exchange with the counter staff. The same person has served me, but has never shed the slightest drop of happiness. Cheer up, I like your place, but I'm getting turned off. read more

Nice little coffee shop at the corner of my sons school. Healthy snack options and delicious coffee. The vegan creamy drink "Tagore's Cup" is yummy iced or hot. Plenty of seating. Only issue is WiFi isn't consistent, so wouldn't plan to bring my laptop. read more

Good coffee, good food options, and friendly staff! Has great gluten free options, too!

THEY HAVE A CLOVER MACHINE! I didn't realize I could try a cup of coffee from a Clover so close to me. Stupid Starbucks for buying Clover... Anyways, it was yummy. All the nuances in the coffee seemed more intense, and the aroma was definitely more perfumed. I tried the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. I had a maple cranberry oatmeal cookie, too. All of it was enjoyed sitting in the sleek-yet-organic interior. Free wi-fi is an exciting prospect for future visits. read more

Yes yes, they have the clover machine and their coffee is great, but that is just one of the many things that draws me to the place. It's often hard to find a good coffee place that has good food - Root Hill does... great sandwiches, chili, mac and cheese - you can actually have a meal here, not just another giant crumbly scone kinda place. They have an amazing grilled cheese! I also love the atmosphere here. Serene is not a word I often use for a coffee place, but that is how it feels here. It is never too crowded, there are never too many little kids running around and everyone sort of acts civilized. I've gone to the Tea Lounge too many times and seen people camped out there with their stinky bare feet lounging on the sofas to ever actually want to eat or drink there. Ugh! Root Hill is, yes I'll say it again, serene and civilized but also pours a mean cup of coffee. One tiny thing - they need a better music selection... read more

I went to Root Hill Cafe today for the first time. The sandwich that I had was pretty tasty but the overall experience left a really bad taste in my mouth. The sandwich and drink that I ordered was $11, though I ended up paying $20 because the lady behind the counter did not give me change. Which made an expensive sandwich absurdly priced. When I asked the lady behind the counter for my change she was adamant that she had already given it to me. I did not get my change so tonight when they close up and balance their cash register they will find 9 extra dollars, money tha was not their. I hope the $9 of extra profit they made today was worth it because I will never return to this place, and neither will my friends. If you here make sure that you get your change. Otherwise, you may end up feeling robbed just like I did. read more

Comfy seating, free wifi, a good cafe menu, and really great herbal teas and good coffee make this place worth a visit. The staff are sweet and the music is okay if you're tired of whatever you brought with you (but bring headphones and music just in case). Cool spot. Now if only they'd start serving booze... read more

Small yet comfortable cafe on 4th ave. The seating is not the most comfortable, but there are outlets and good WiFi for studying a few hours. Drinks are reasonably priced, food varies. Avocado toast for $6 is a pretty decent deal for the area, though I haven't tried. There are worse cafes to go to. read more

I created an account, way past due just for Root Hill. If I could give it 4 1/2 stars I would. If it weren't a bit overpriced it would get 5. This place is fabulous, sparkling clean and easily the most productive coffee shop I've ever been to. There was hardly a soul in the place that wasn't working away, and those that weren't were considerate. Delicious coffee, amazing tea, scrumptious grilled cheese and overall amazing. Attentive staff who were really professional and truly give quality service. So it's well worth the 3 dollar cup of clover when you can spend your whole afternoon there. My new favorite Brooklyn coffee shop, and it trumps Tea Lounge easily! love this place! read more

Cute cafe on an industrial strip of 4th avenue. Lots of folks taking advantage of the wifi. Nice outdoor seating in the warmer months for people watching, or if you have your furry friend with you. Its near a handful of fancy schools so you'll have your share of Park Slope stay at home mom types with strollers in the afternoon. The coffee is a bit too strong for my taste and the prices are very inflated. Although if you tell them you're a teacher or student they'll give you a discount. The food is overpriced and bland. The portion sizes are also quite petite. I work a few blocks away and I usually regret going in there every time. My coffee and lunch options are limited on 4th Ave. I agree with most of the other posts. The counter/kitchen staff/owner(s) is NOT friendly at all. Even if you're there every single day. I can't tell if they're just miserable or have a holier than thou attitude (or both)... read more

As an Australian who has struggled to find a good coffee anywhere in America, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had given up on coffee a few days earlier but started to get withdrawal headaches. The staff were friendly and the barista has some neat coffee artwork skills. read more

Spent a lovely evening here last weekend. I will preface this review by saying I had the luxury of experiencing this wonderful oasis with the owner/designer, and what a treat it was. His incredible hospitality aside, this establishments stands on it's own. The layout allows this cafe to be used in a variety of versatile ways. Plenty of space to hole off on your own and work on that cliché script or bring your gaggle of gays to take over the comfortable couchy loungy area. The food was top notch and they serve wine and beer, two beer selections served on tap which is always preferred. The best part of Root Hill Cafe? The way they integrate the ever popular "green" initiative and focus on local...well, everything. From local produce to local refuse, Root Hill Cafe is an example of how intelligent design and a desire to recycle and reuse can produce a lovely neighborhood haven fit for a king...or a queen. . read more

Contrary to what some reviewers have suggested, it's not true that the staff looks down on people working on their laptops -- the owner's friends also seem to work there often, and they provide free, reliable WiFi for a reason. It *is* true that the staff isn't exactly cheerful, but that's different from being unfriendly. There was one new girl behind the counter this week; she seemed relaxed and smiled often, and I wish everyone else was like that but they're not. Maybe they're just socially awkward. I gave them four stars because the coffee is decent and the atmosphere is great to work in. In response to what another reviewer said about them not letting power cables run across the floor to reach outlets, it's understandable that they don't want that for safety reasons, especially with the kids around. However, I try to charge up before going there because that's the decent thing to do; leeching on free WiFi is fine, but leeching on electricity should be avoided if possible. read more

I live out of town and have visited RHC 3 times for the smashed avocado toast, not for the friendly service. I will not be back after a rude male staff member made a loud enough condescending comment after I asked for salt and pepper. Apparently he felt I should not need it as my sausage was surely salty enough. Apparently someone stepped on his root this morning. See you not again, there are plenty of other avocados in the sea. read more

Solid coffee just steps from the R train. I pop in here whenever I need a pick-me-up. The brewed and pour-over coffee is not my favorite but it is very good, much better than Starbucks. The service is quick and friendly. There's a decent number of seats and some cool booths again one of the walls. I've never seen it really crowded. If I lived in the neighborhood I'd probably bring my laptop in here to get shit done. read more

After pining for the cappuccinos of Italia, I came back to the states giving up on ever finding a place that could serve me similar. I was wrong! This place would be Root Hill Cafe. I've been a regular at this cafe, that is an hour out of the way for me, almost seven months. And yet, almost every Saturday afternoon I find myself sitting in one of the seats sipping one of Daniel's (the barista) delicious cappuccinos or mochas. The service can be slow at times (depending on the lines and crowd), but the food and ambiance makes up for the wait. Sometimes it gets so crowded you can barely sit, but that's the charm. Before you know it, you've lost track of time and space, you're simply just relaxing, doing your thing (be it typing, reading, eating, resting, talking, etc). I also love the local feel to the place as documented by art in and outside of the shop and the fact that they host a farmers market, book sharing and even volunteer events. It's truly a caring environment. Out of the many many cafes and coffee shops in NY, this one just feels like home, or as though I've been transported out of NY and into a shop somewhere upstate. Thanks Root Hill for being unpretentious and chill! I can't wait for my next Saturday Cappuccino! read more

A real gem! Delicious coffee (even when the Clover is on vacation.) A beautifully designed interior. Friendly caring owners and staff. Good food. You getting the picture? A real good Third Place. (As in Home, Work, "Third Place.") read more

Root Hill Cafe - Root Hill's Mural - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Root Hill just opened a couple months back, and I've been there three or four times... It's lovely. The people are friendly (remembered me after my first visit!), the coffee is really delicious, and there are cheap bites that are excellent-- I highly recommend the little breakfast burrito. Also, they have free wifi and the place is made out of eco-friendly materials. Awesome. I'm moving out of town soon to go to grad school, and honestly, one of my biggest (ok, well, at least big) regrets is not getting to live here longer while this place existed! (Oh, and even though it's right on 4th Ave., somehow very little road noise penetrates. That's quite a feat-- I used to live right on 4th, and damn, it was loud.) OK, now that I've spent time thinking about Root Hill, I can't resist-- I think I need some of their coffee... I'm heading down the hill now. PS: Root Hill doesn't have a sign yet, but just look for the glass front. read more

This place is real cute Egg sandwich was so good And laptop friendly* *if I had to post up in a cafe for hours, it would definitely be here read more

This cute coffeeshop sits on the corner of 4th Avenue and Carroll Street. There is not as much foot traffic when compared to 5th Avenue but definitely a ton of cars zooming by. On the weekend morning that I stayed here for about an hour, there was a car accident that happened in front of the cafe. That was slightly distracting. I ordered a hot chocolate (which was good) and sat myself down on a two-top to the left side of the cafe. For laptop users, please note that this is the only side with plugs. Plan accordingly. :) The only downside to these tables are that the chairs do not have back support. Just a free hanging bench. There are high chairs with some back support accompanied by high tables towards the front of the cafe. The staff were friendly, which is a rarity for cafes nowadays. Boo. However, I would not say that the setting is necessarily "warm." The inside has an industrial/sterile feel. read more

I live on the same block as this place. I don't go there a ton because they open rather late in the mornings - around 8, I think. But on the weekends, I occasionally stop in for a serious treat: the ham and swiss croissant and a dirty chai. It's a pricey treat (around $9 usually), but so worth it. Once, I took a friend and she had the chocolate croissant. It was amazing as well. I've had a sandwich here once, and it was pretty good too - the BLT, I think, with a spicy mayo that I liked a lot. Again, thought, it was expensive. I patronize Root Hill because it's convenient and good, but I do wince every time I pay. read more

Wow, Root Hill, my biggest complaint? You're not closer to me! I found you while wondering around Park Slope, after needing some fresh air from Gorilla. You have coffee, food, wifi, decent seating (I didn't love the wall benches, but I got a seat by an outlet, yay!), and a water tap? I'm a fan! I have yet to try the coffee, but the chicken panini I had was good. The food is a bit pricey, but for a cafe of this sort, it's sort of on par. Friendly staff, chill environment... Damn you why can't you be closer to Clinton Hill? read more

The ratio of writers, grad students and thinkers to decent coffeeshops in Park Slope is strangely low, and Root Hill is filling the gap. It's a great place to come and hit the books. Quiet, wifi, uncrowded. The modern green and white benches, exposed brick with a few vintage accents, get points from me. I much prefer a clean look to the ratty couches at Tea Lounge, and it's hard to find out here. Minor things - noisy fridge, less-than-picturesque view onto 4th Ave, and should-be-hipper music selection - but that's mostly fixed by earphones, and concentrating on what I'm supposed to be reading. It seems a little empty, so patronize it if you want it to stick around - which I do. read more

Being unloaded with the pressured task of finding a coffee shop for a blind date, I turned to the yelp reviews below...Root Hill is all that they've said it is. Although it's not exactly ideal for a date, it is the uber quiet, productive atmosphere that students and professionals are always looking for with good STRONG coffee to boot. It is so quiet that my date and i were in a whisper, paranoid of being eavesdropped. Wonderful staff. I chatted up with the barista about the posting for a permanent home for a pup. I'm always in favor of supporting animal rescue and am happy to see the local business is as well. I'd come back with my laptop any day! read more

I drove by this cafe two weeks ago. Its exterior was very nice. I'm a sucker for cafes with huge windows. I love natural light. I finally stopped by earlier this week to get lunch and to work. The prices are very reasonable. The sandwiches are a bit strange. They are slender and about 1.5 inches to 2 inches in width and 5inches to 6 inches in length. Next time I visit, I'll have lunch beforehand. The cafe is small but the space is used well and designed to optimize seating without inducing claustrophobia. There is free wifi though the network is a bit slow. There are outlets along the wall which is great. There is room for improvement but even so, I enjoyed my stay here. Got a lot of work done and can see myself becoming a regular here. read more

Super clean space. Free WIFI and outdoor and indoor seating. They serve some food as well, but all about the tea and espresso beverages. I had the caramel latte and it was perfectly mixed, not too hot, and not too creamy. My SO had the tea and they had loose tea. Great spot! read more

I don't drink coffee. I don't drink tea. I don't laze around coffee shops in the city! But, I do fetishize croissants, particularly chocolate ones. And Root Hill's are damn, damn good. I guess all their pastries are made in-house. They aren't the cheapest but they are really really good. If I'm in the hood, I'll stop in just for that. And for what it's worth, I've always found the staff nice and the place has a cool futuristic vibe but isn't the best to really sit and dish about your latest hookups as everyone can sort of hear everything .... moral: chocolate croissants! read more