Ever since moving to Park Slope I have been looking a great spot to hang out and do work. Root Hill fits the bill. This place is laid back, clean, cool, and relaxing. They have great coffee and loose tea (the hot chocolate was just okay) and are purported to have good food too (though I have not yet tried any). They've got free wi-fi, plugs in the walls for your laptop and they seem to welcome those who come to do work. The place is not big (even the tables themselves are very small - except for one big one in the back that seems to always be monopolized by a single person - very annoying). The decor is great, though - clean lines (lots of white, green, and some brown). The place is calm, relatively quiet, and low-key. Very inviting. The prices seemed a little bit high to me ($4.50 for a hot chocolate?). Overall, though, Root Hill seems like just what I was looking for. read more

Definitely a charming neighborhood spot. I spent the morning there working on a paper and it was a fantastic setting and definitely welcome to people just camping out for a few hours. Bright and sunny with abundant seating for the relatively tight space. My vanilla latte was delicious, perfectly balanced, not too much syrup. I also ordered a chocolate croissant which I expected to be sub-par but was surprisingly good. The staff was constantly wiping down the tables and all had on a friendly face. A variety of people, from young to old. Pricing does seem a little high but nothing outrageous that would discourage me from going back and trying the food! read more

Gross bathroom, Not enough power outlets for laptops, which defeats purpose of coming here to work. The food that sits in the glass case looks sad. Music was appropriate volume. Not friendly staff (or was she the owner?). Okay coffee and my cookie was good -- pricey though! Take it to-go if you are pressed for time with no other options. read more

Root Hill Café was a pleasant find in Brooklyn for some morning java, specifically a cappuccino. Needing something to satisfy my growling stomach, I complimented it with one of their large and moist chocolate chip muffins. Mmmm. I enjoyed both of them at one of the wall tables in the small, yet aesthetically pleasing little shop. It had a clean, modern feel with white brick walls, black painted ceiling and faded, grey wood shelving. Of course, what café is complete without free WiFi and RHC is no different. read more

This place is really small. I was thrown off by the photos I saw on Yelp. The inside is just a few tables against the wall and a center long table that is small and has no outlets, so if you're wanting to come and do some work on your laptop, it's probably best to come early since it tends to get really crowded. I came here to try and do some work, but it gets really packed... so it's noisy, hot (with people opening the doors constantly, but their AC is not strong at all) and the WiFi was ridiculously slow. I know it's free so I shouldn't complain, but I've never been to a coffee shop where the WiFi was this slow. It literally took minutes for Google News to open. With the summer heat being close to 95 degrees, I was kind of surprised that they didn't lower their window shades to block out the heat. Like I said... with the kitchen heat and the outside heat, it was very warm. So, after a few painful hours of slow internet, the hot air, and the noisy crowds, I just called it a day and left. The decaf I ordered wasn't bad, so I gave them three stars. Oh, and they have tons of outlets for your laptops against the wall where the seats/tables are. But I don't think I'll be back though. read more

Stopped in here earlier today when I was in the neighborhood and needed to find a place to work. Very nice cafe! They have various iced and hot coffees and sandwiches. I had a turkey, cheese, and apple on a sesame roll and an iced coffee. There's a few neat little tables along one wall which have outlets and are big enough to have a laptop and your food and coffee (I hate it when cafes have miniature tables!) but still individual sized. A few outlets by these tables. There are also larger tables in the front of the cafe for bigger groups, and also an outdoor bench type table in the front. The decore is good. The coffee is strong. The sandwich was fresh. The wifi was free! What's not to like? I'll be back when I'm in the neighborhood for sure! read more

Small coffeeshop for a quick to-go order or for hanging out. I was in the neighborhood and got a multi-grain bagel with cream cheese that came out to $2.50. My friend got a grilled cheese sandwich for $7. Food was nothing special but over-priced. The cashier was friendly and helpful. Barista was pretty hot (but he's married). My main gripe is that our plates and cups were all DIRTY. My friend's americano had coffee stains from the previous customer's drink (although she said her americano was good). My dish had dried melted cheese on it from the previous meal. GROSS. Are they washing their dishware at all? If their dishes and cups are this dirty, I can't imagine what the kitchen is like... Ok to visit if you need to but I think there are other places to check out. They had a steady stream of customers the whole time I was there, I guess from their prime location (good people watching, although mostly yuppies and hipster transplants). read more

Terrifically friendly staff, lots of food options and even more drink options. They have both soy and almond milk for coffee! The root hill roast is a fabulous light roast with a smooth finish. Defintely delightful. The cashier gave me my breakfast for free to congratulate my fiancé and I on our upcoming wedding! How sweet! read more

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Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone Conversation and The best Carmel latte that you ever had... read more

Nice little café in the area. We were looking for a food spot near BK Boulders and found this thru Yelp. They've got great coffee and a good tea selection and their baked goodies are very good. The scones are delightful and I'm looking forward to trying their other items on the menu. read more

My first visit here was on a hot day in spring so I really needed my java on ice; purists would say that I am therefore not qualified to judge the coffee. Perhaps, but what if I said it was pretty good and just the way I like it? Yeah, hypothetical purist, you're fine with it when it's good news! Hmph! Coffee at a cafe is good...so that's a plus, basic requirement met. If the coffee is good what is my problem? Why so stingy with the stars? The wait for coffee and food was ridiculously long. I was the only person online (so technically not a line) and there were 3 people already seated with their drinks/food; behind the counter was a cashier and two other people (barista, maybe and the owner) so no exuse for the delay. I wasn't in a huge hurry...in fact, my plan was to linger as I had some work I needed to do. I waited about 5 minutes for my coffee; not a crazy long wait but I really can't imagine what the delay was and wondered how bad it would be on a busy day. I also ordered a pannini which took about 15 minutes and seemed to require effort by both the barista and the owner. It was a shame about the pannini...it was a really good concept poorly executed. They used a baguette for the bread which doesn't flatten in the pannini press and which stays brutally crusty, capable of slicing the soft palate without effort. The sandwich was a grilled chicken pannini with parmesan and grilled onions...the flavor of the sandwich was great but ruined by the HUGE hunk of dry chicken breast. I think they have the right idea for this place...like the sandwich...but it needs some fine-tuning. I'm not going to diss this place for being hard to get to (for me) but that fact will likely contribute to my not going back too often. I'll definitely stop by if I'm in the hood and want a really good coffee. read more

A quick iced coffee post rock wall tear... these guys are right around the corner. Situated on 4th Avenue not far from the Union St station, it's a cool steel and glass front, with nice booth seats and plenty more inside. The wifi is called Root Hill Trash Pony. No idea what that is from, maybe someone else knows... read more

Really loving this place for its friendly service, yummy coffee, and appealing decor. We've been impressed with the baked goods and enjoyed this morning's breakfast burrito very much. The Clover coffee is smooth and full of flavor. The low-key atmosphere, unpretentious staff, and excellent videos playing silently in the background (from Chaplin to Planet of the Apes to Looney Tunes) make this a fun, tasty stop on the way from here to there. read more

Really good coffee - the Clover machine is unbeatable. But it's really expensive as well, from $2.50-$3.50 a cup, depending on your blend. I REALLY liked the Sumatra. The staff are good, friendly faces that you've seen at other neighborhood standby's like Gorilla, etc. Also got a breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel), which was superb - the egg was actually seasoned (weird, right?), good ol' american cheese, and the bagel was crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with good glutenation going on too. The decor is ok, I'm not a huge fan, it's a little too grade school primary meets ikea for me, with what look like faux tin ceiling panels (see the photo), but if it's eco-friendly I'm a fan. read more

grilled cheese with tomato = the best hang over meal You get nice thick bread and a layer of 2 different kinds of cheese (not sure what kind but really? all cheese is great) and oozing butter... so you get the perfect hangover munchy of greasy goodness and carbs. I would say that the dallop of salad COULD be larger ... but the yummy little pickles included with the sandwich were a pretty great touch. Cute place right down the hill from my apartment so its perfect for stumbling down in PJs and not worrying about being judged ... read more

PROS: Friendly & helpful staff, good atmosphere, good coffee. CONS: Service is slow. read more

I really like this place because it has plenty of light and space. There are tables for you to work at alone and comfortable couches if you want to chat with a friend. The people who come here are young adults and they're not noisy at all. Even groups of friends keep their voices down. And it's one of those places where the customers and the service are consistent--it doesn't matter if you come here on a Monday or a Saturday night; it's a great place to do work or chill out. There are outlets all along the wall, so I would say it's a laptop friendly place. Their coffee is pretty standard for Park Slope coffee shops. Neither horrible nor rave-worthy. read more

Yes! Love the place! Great to get vegan foods that are delish! Even if there's a rush the staff are quick to serve, and mostly nice. I get it when there's a line it is tough to be behind a counter. No worries it is five stars because it is just great! read more

Nice Style, Ehhh bathroom, Ok coffee, And a laptop friendly environment. read more

I used to work around this area and I needed coffee badly. I decided to stop in for a small cup of ice cold coffee. This place has a self-serve milk and sugar counter. After completing my ice cold coffee, I took my first sip and I was in love with the coffee. I regret not buying a large ice cold coffee instead. It's true, it is quite pricey but it is worth the try! read more

This place is great, and much needed on 4th ave! I'm also very pleased they built-out the kitchen area, although I miss some of the seating that had to go to make way for the new kitchen. The only reason I don't give them 5 stars is because of the price. I got an amazing sandwich, but it cost $8.50, which is slightly out of step with the economy of the immediate surroundings. I know good food should not be cheap or fast, but even in Manhattan a sandwich of this size (slightly petite) would cost a little less. Overall, I recommend this place highly. I also agree with the reviewer who praises the croissants. They are really delicious. read more

Great little spot to get work done. Place is a laptop friendly cafe. Food is pretty solid and moderately priced. My only criticism is that they didn't have juice. Settled for water but whatever! Space is small so seats are limited but would definitely come back! read more

I have now back two days in a row for a cup of the fantastic Clover coffee. Who knew that individually brewed coffee could actually make me feel closer to nirvana,and that I would be ok with spending $3 for it. This is the classic perfect cafe. Good music, tasty snacks, chill staff, good light, and delicious coffee. They mentioned they would be getting their beer and wine license soon, and then I'm moving in. Oh and again, Clover coffee, it take like sunshine:) read more

Best local coffee shop. The owner Michelle is fantastic and very friendly. She makes the time to get to know the regulars and chat. The coffee and tea are always consistently good. The grilled cheese is fantastic. The wifi is fast and free. Its always clean. Go there. :) read more

This place has some of the best cafe food around. The chocolate chip muffin cannot be missed, and their sandwiches, sausage biscuits, and iced coffee are the stuff that dreams are made of. Unfortunately, their service can be a little spotty, especially on the weekend, but it's nothing catastrophic, and it's worth it for the food. read more

Wonderful little spot! Friendly service and great coffee. Had a great time sitting and enjoying the AC and atmosphere on a hot afternoon. The pastries are yummy too. read more

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

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One of my favorite hole in the wall coffee spots in all of BK. Great to work in if you can find a seat (not during covid), have a small outdoor street seating, and friendly service. Awesome pastries and wide variety of specialty drinks - I like their turmeric latte! read more

Adorable little place. Love the Covid friendly walk up counter. I definitely recommend stopping here on a nice Brooklyn afternoon

Really good coffee and pastries, with kind and friendly staff! They make the muffins on site, and have a big menu of treats and sandwiches. Lavender oat milk latte is a favorite. read more

Really good coffee, really nice space. Nice folks behind the counter, too. The food kind of sucks, unfortunately, or it'd be an easy five stars. Definitely recommended, though. I just wish it had been there when I lived down on 4th Ave. read more

Cute Australian cafe in Brooklyn. Nice lattes and "healthy" cookies with flax and cranberries. The savory mini pies looked nice. Great customer service and lots of seating. read more

Coffee and almond croissant was right for me. Free Wi-Fi available. Cute and cozy place.

I came specifically to try their espresso-based coffee. I ordered two lattes. The milk texturing was good on both, but the coffee was nothing to write home about. The food was a bit meh, but I was more interested in the coffee anyway. The vibe of the place is nice though. read more

Root Hill has terrific coffee, an awesome staff, a chill space, and now, they offer rock-my-world, baked-on-site treats! YUM!!!! In the morning, the muffins and scones are just out of the oven and still warm. Raspberry ginger is my favorite. The cookies are chewy and scrumptious. And, on a hot day get their homemade ice cream sandwiches, they'll cool you down. What are you waiting for? read more

I want to like this place, as I live very close by, but I just don't. I've been a couple of times, and have never felt a warm welcome . I went in recently with my mom who was visiting from out of town - we were going to grab a light snack and some lattes, and when we ordered, they let me know they had just "cleaned the machine", so all we could have is drip coffee. It was 4:40 pm (they close at 5:00 pm). Do you close at 4:40 pm or 5:00 pm? If it's 5, then that's when the machine should be cleaned... Right as we were deciding to stay or not, another employee walked over to a table in the cafe and let them know that they were closing soon. This was a clear indication that they were more worried about closing and leaving then providing any sort of customer service. I didn't even want to bother inquiring about ordering a snack, as it really felt as though they just wanted us to order drip coffee and leave. This did not create an environment I wanted to be in when catching up with my mother who just got into the city, so we decided to go elsewhere. Due to the multiple experiences of poor hospitality, I'll spend my money elsewhere. read more

After being stuck in Gowanus for a while waiting on friends, I decided to try out some of the local shops and vendors. The area is changing for the better... slowly. RHC is pretty basic, small, so a bit limited, but good in a pinch. There are worse places out there. read more

We didn't eat here but really enjoyed the coffee. Great oat milk Cappuccino. Small, modern setting with some outdoor seating.

This is the best possible place to get coffee in Park Slope/ Gowanus. I remember the first time I went in. I was struck by the cute and cool overall look of the place. I have been returning here for about two years now, and unlike Ozzies, these guys make sure you get a REAL cappuccino. No bubbly sticky milk foam, just perfect smooth cappuccino. The owners here are friendly and involved in their business. I just love it. After living in Brooklyn for 6 years now, I have finally found my perfect cafe. read more

+1/2 i had forgotten what a real muffin tasted like. this muffin is no cupcake.* the carrot and peach muffin is a 5 star muffin. the coffee is exceedingly ept and the service is stellar. the prices are a mite high though. *i love cupcakes, however if i fancy a muffin, then a muffin is what i aspire to eat. after all a muffin should be a muffin. read more

Here's what Root Hill is not: 1) A hangout destination. (If you want this, go to Gorilla or Ozzie's.) Don't come here to chat with friends over a cuppa, because it's usually so quiet in here that everyone will be listening to your conversation, whether they (or you) like it or not. Awkward. And for the love of jeebus, don't come here on a date. 2) A restaurant-cafe. (If you want this, go to Le Gamin, Park Cafe, Moutarde) Let me say that the ingredients from which the food is made are always top-notch: local, organic, spelty, etc. Also they have Blue Sky muffins, which are ridiculously good. However, they're still figuring out how to make tasty menu items out of the ingredients on hand. The grilled cheese is consistently great, though, and the soups are usually a safe bet as well. 3) A people-watching spot. (If you want this, go to Cafe Regular or Tea Lounge.) If you dress up to come here, you will be disappointed, because nobody looks at anybody. Plus the location is on an icky stretch of 4th Ave next to a lot of auto shops, so it's not like there are celebrities popping in, or cute kids whizzing by. Here's what it is: the single best spot for sitting, working, and drinking coffee in the Park Slope area. The seats are comfortable and have enough space between them; the music is nonintrusive; the WiFi is free; the coffee is spectacular; the crowd is chill and unpretentious. I also love the design: the space gets great light without ever being blindingly sunny, and the overall ambiance is very modern and cool without being trendy. For my purposes, Root Hill is perfect. Even its imperfections make it more perfect in my eyes, because they cause some people to go elsewhere, thus making it less crowded for those of us who love it. read more