Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Van Gogh's Ear Cafe

    4.2 (765 reviews)
    ModerateCafes, Desserts, American
    Open 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Van Gogh's Ear Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Van Gogh's Ear Cafe Photos

    VAN GOGH'S EAR CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Classy
    Casual

    You might also consider

    More like Van Gogh's Ear Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Van Gogh's Ear Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shrimp
    Bella M.

    I came to Van Gogh's Ear with my family to enjoy some live jazz, and we were seated at a cozy four-person table nestled between two bookshelves. My bookworm daughter was instantly in love- she grabbed a copy of Harry Potter off the shelf and started reading before we even ordered. My other daughter was equally thrilled when she spotted the collection of games available to borrow. She picked one to play after our meal, and it was a fun touch. The jazz was excellent- not too loud, which meant we could all enjoy the music and still hold a conversation. It created the perfect atmosphere for a family night out. (They have live music on Friday and Sunday nights from 7-10 PM ) I hadn't eaten here in a few years (though came for drinks recently), but I'm so glad we gave the food a try. They've made some great changes to the menu since I last ate here. We arrived just before 7 PM and caught the happy hour deal- three small plates for $20, which was a fantastic value. We chose the whipped ricotta with honey and focaccia, the olives, and the garlic shrimp. All three were delicious, especially the shrimp, which we loved so much we ordered a second round - plus the shrimp flatbread. We happily dipped the focaccia into the garlic sauce leftover in the little cast iron dish until the plate was clean. Drinks were great too- my mom loved her matcha, I had the rose matcha (so good), and my kids liked their cherry Temples (Shirley Temples). To finish the night we had a large pot of jasmine tea, enough for us each to have a cup. Overall, this was a fantastic experience, good music, excellent food, warm ambiance, friendly service. I'm definitely adding Van Gogh's Ear to our regular rotation now that I know the food is just as good as the vibe.

    Outside
    Amelia C.

    This cafe was really cool. It has a casual and cozy vibe that is perfect for a casual lunch with friends and family. They have live music sometimes at night so seems like also a fun time. The outdoor patio seating is really nice when the weather is above 65 degrees, that is where I sat outside. To my understanding, if you are dining in you can just yourself anywhere and someone will bring your party some menus. Or you can order to go at the counter. I chose to sit outside and ordered the Chicken focaccia sandwich with tater tots. The focaccia bread was amazing and the sandwich was really good! I could have used more pickles but that was my only critique. The tater tots were very crispy and the food came out a decent speed. They had Coke products which was a nice surprise for a cafe type place! The Diet Coke was good, however no free refills. But this is most likely because you are allowed to sit and study/work here and the free soda refills would probably keep people here longer, so this rule is understandable and the server let me know before I ordered another drink that there were no free refills. I appreciate the transparency. Parking is a little confusing if you are not familiar with the area, so be prepared. I still don't really know if I parked legally or not. But surrounding area seems safe. Overall, I am looking forward to visiting again and trying their pastries and listening to the live music offered.

    Tater Tots
    Jahnavi Y.

    One of my fave NJ cafes! Unique and cozy interior decor with plenty of seating options from tables to couches. A great place to catch up with friends or just grab coffee. I love their huge menu selection of teas, coffees, and food items. As a tea lover, I appreciate how you can order tea by the pot (small or large) and share amongst your friends or refill for yourself. I got the artichoke flatbread which was surprisingly delicious. They have large portions sizes which makes the prices reasonable. Service is friendly and pretty fast depending on how busy they are. Didn't have to wait long for our drinks and food orders.

    Love this!!
    Suzette S.

    I absolutely love Vincent Van Gogh! So excited when we drove through Union and I noticed this cafe! Stopped by for a snack! Ffom the Cold Crafted, Ordered: Tropical Punch- mango + passionfruit tea + pineapple juice + seltzer + pomegranate + lime And From the Snack & Sides, Ordered: Whipped Ricotta & Focaccia creamy whipped ricotta blended with lemon and black pepper | house-made mini rosemary focaccia loaf! Loved it!! Fantastic vibes! Loved the Van Gogh theme and decor! Staff was friendly. Metered street parking.

    Rosaly S.

    I made a quick stop for a white chocolate latte. The environment was very welcoming and very cutesy The latte was average. I have to come back and try the food!

    Hot chocolate

    Super cute place to come to on a snow day. Cozy chairs and a chill vibe. There's board games to spend time with if you're in a group. Loved the grilled cheese.

    The cookies and cream milk shake
    Sonal B.

    I loved how cute this place is. I got the cookies and cream milkshake and it was so yum. Hit the spot on a warm cold day. My friends go the chips and guacamole and tater tots. And they loved their food too. The prices are reasonable, the ambience chill and not rushed. Lovely spot to hang out with your friends.

    Pics of cups my family was served coffee in ..

    Had the most unpleasant experience visiting this godforsaken cafe with my family. First we were served coffee in a cup that I presume they meant to throw after we were done. It felt weird to be served coffee in themed cups so looked around to check if it was the norm, but realized we were the only "lucky" ones, everyone else enjoyed coffee in regular white cups. Ordered avocado toast and asked for quinoa salad on the side as menu clearly indicated will be served as an add on, but received the sandwich minus the salad. Checked with the waitress politely, she replied it wasn't an add on but sarcastically added she can get it for me as it'll just cost them a dollar extra to make. I wouldn't have felt it as an insult had she just said "if you want I'll get it for you but it'll cost you extra - do you still want it?". Asked her for an extra empty plate, which (surprisingly) she never returned back with. Lost my appetite and left the place with a bitter taste in my mouth. Not sure if it's the waitress or the place itself is discriminatory but I vow never to return.

    A unique, charming, and must do café.
    Jose P.

    Van Gogh's Ear Cafe was an exceptional visit. This place has it all....the catchy name, the decor, eclectic furniture, the attentive service, a large outdoor seating area, delicious food, and excellent coffee/drinks. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted and serviced by a 5 star waitstaff. We had the privilege of having Pilar and she went above and beyond with suggestions and details regarding their live music, most popular drinks, and origins of their furnishings/decor. Our drinks were extraordinary: Mocha Latte, Cappuccino, and Lavender Iced Latte were all amazing and perfectly crafted. The food was just as impressive: Avocado Toast (the pickled red onions were magical) and the Plain Flatbread Pizza (Marinara and Mozzarella) were both scrumptious and well presented. I cannot recommend Van Gogh's Ear, enough. Here, you'll have a relaxing visit, great food, impeccable service, and be surrounded by an artistic ambiance that'll make you a happy returning guest.

    Very Merry UnBirthday Cake - not good (refrigerated taste)
    Uzma K.

    The service was good we got everything pretty fast. The food was pretty hit or miss I put in the captions what was good and what wasn't. I enjoyed everything for the most part - for the desserts (except the birthday cake) for the drinks are too milky if you get Matcha drinks there. The presentation for everything was nice. The cookie was so good ! $8 Peach pie was alright, it just didn't have enough peaches. The birthday cake was not good though, it had too much of the frosting and less cake consistency since it was served pretty cold so it had the refrigerator taste. I did learn they have live music on Tuesdays and Sunday. Sunday they charge a $5 cover fee and Tuesday no cover. I'd come again to maybe try some real food and the ambiance. It's a nice cafe for a date or even to hang out and get some work done. They also have outdoor seating in the back of cafe.

    Pulled Pork Sandwich on focaccia bread
    Patricia M.

    I love Van Gogh's Ear. This is a great place to come and do work or study or even play games. The ambiance is laid back and the service is a bit slow, but it is all part of the charm. This time I got the pulled pork on the focaccia bread. I swear by this focaccia and would pair it with any sandwich. The person I went with got the brisket on the focaccia and also loved it. They also have great beverages and desserts here. I personally like the cookie tart. Also, prices are reasonable!

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

    I absolutely loved the ambiance and furniture of this establishment. The workers are super nice. The food did take some time to arrive however it was busy. It tasted absolutely delicious and was not too expensive.

    Mocha Chip milkshake

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amanda M.
    89
    94
    241

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 6
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Uzma K.
    130
    186
    1064

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nadia B.
    553
    278
    1202

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sali N.
    19
    49
    29

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    I have returned over 3 years later and I can proudly say that the s'mores latte is still the best thing I've ever had

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan R.
    187
    2
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan L.
    95
    1269
    2303

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Laura B.
    1
    138
    52

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 20

    Van Gogh's Ear Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Van Gogh's Ear Cafe

    Hi! Is Van gogh's Ear Cafe BYOB?

    They actually do! No hard liquor is allowed but wines and spirits are accepted & they'll even give you an ice bucket for icing! The staff is super attentive to their customers' needs.

    Are kids allowed here?

    Yup kids are allowed.

    How is the parking?

    They have a parking lot behind the cafe, it does fill up quickly so I would try Stuyvesant Ave. If that's full there's always parking around the corner and it's not too far of a walk.

    Do they study?

    If you mean is it quiet enough to study, then yes! As long as you're not there during the nights with live music, it's a great place to do that.

    View All 6 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ayala Coffee - Ube pie

    Ayala Coffee

    (63 reviews)

    $$

    Finally got to experience this place after hearing of it for more than 2+ years! I've heard at…read moretimes this Coffee spot can be pretty packed, so I feel like I came on a really good day. First off: Service. I told the employee that this was my first time there, and they were more-than-happy to help me make a decision for my order. Patient and walked me through. Second: The Food. Let's get into it. 1) Cassava Latte ($7.50) - I was so pleasantly suprised at this drink; described as "(i)nspired by the Filipino dessert cake, made with condensed milk and coconut." The first sip, and I was intrigued! It was perfectly sweet, and the perfect mix of that coconut-dessert taste that cassava typically delivers! It tasted genuine, if that's possible. 2) Sinigang Croquette ($5.00) - This was interesting. Described as "Pork and Gabi (taro) shaped into a patty, rolled in Japanese bread crumbs, and deep fried. Served with our in-house sawsawan (dipping sauce)", it hit all the right notes. To be honest? $5.00 for 1 felt a bit steep. I'd pay $7.50 for two, though! 3) Boy Bawang Shio Pan ($7.50) - This was the most curious of all my purchases. Described as an "(i)n-house salt bread rolled in garlic and corn crumbs, filled with roasted garlic butter, topped with corn cheese whip. Inspired by the popular Filipino snack: Boy Bawang. THIS ITEM I SING ITS PRAISES. I am an absolute lover of the Boy Bawang Garlic Flavor Corn Snack --- much more pungent than anything Corn Nuts could ever offer. This Shio Pan absolutely delivered with its roasted garlic flavor! And as soon as you take a few bites ---- you get hit with that roasted garlic butter --- and let me tell you, they are not shy about their filling! Absolute master class --- but it's only for a limited run. You should definitely try! Third: Ambiance - The Cafe is quaint --- and has a seating area that could maybe fit between 18-24 people? It's just along the side of the business, but I managed to get a table for myself. Ayala, you did not disappoint! Can't wait to try your Sisig Flatbread for the next round!

    I came into this place with very high expectations because it was ranked globally on beli. It was…read moregood, but it did miss a bit. First the good: The food was good! I had the sisig flatbread and the pork croquette. The sisig flatbread had very unique and complex flavors. I thought it was very creative. The croquette was fresh and tasty, but it was truly the sauce that came with it that was the star of the show. It bold and vinegary and tasted great with the sisig flat bread as well. I tried a bit of my friend's pandan waffle and it was quite tasty! I could really taste the pandan. Now the bad. The ube latte was mediocre. I asked for mine with matcha, but I really couldn't even taste the matcha. I think next time I might try their other drinks to see if there is a difference. However, I was really expecting better. Overall: I'd say the food is better than the drinks, which is a bit of a disappointment because I was hoping for both to be out of this world. The service was good and the staff was very kind. I also enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant as well.

    Harper's Cafe - Hummus Toast topped feta, cherry tomatoes, and sunflower seeds drizzled with balsamic glaze and a side of arugula.

    Harper's Cafe

    (95 reviews)

    $$

    Definitely my regular for my morning or midday Matcha. The staff is chill with an amazing memory…read moreand the drinks are consistently on point. There is almost always music playing and I really appreciate them taking orders over the phone and online. They also have this cool complimentary option of personalizing your cup with a black & white photo of you if you ask. I've also had the turmeric latte and the avocado toast which are worth getting again. The toast was fresh and flavorful. They also have an enclosed booth that looks like it seats 4. Great for a little open privacy. The couches are quite comfortable as well. They have punch cards which is good, but I'm terrible with remembering so it would be great if they went digital with rewards. Maybe 1 point per visit or 1 point per $1 with tiered rewards. Would love to see more vegan options on the menu, maybe a cinnamon roll lol.

    If you're looking for really good food and cafe drinks, Harper's needs to be on your list! Had one…read moreof the best chai lattes of my LIFE at this spot. It was rich & sweet with the perfect amount of cinnamon. I also ordered the "Harper's Club with turkey bacon" and it was a 10/10! The hot honey was the cherry on top. I will definitely have to go back and try their coffee, but I am confident it will not disappoint. It is a smaller coffee shop, so seating is somewhat limited, but I went on a Saturday afternoon and it was not busy at all. I wouldn't say the space is all that aesthetic, it certainly has more of a chill, laid back vibe. But there are very cool paintings along the side wall, and even a little gondola lift booth that I think is very unique :) They also have a section with a bunch of games to play at your table too, which is cool!

    Van Gogh's Ear Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...