The only time my flat white came out disgusting never happened. Their baristas are trained well! Pastries are ok but the interior is hard to beat. This Variety's easily one of my favorite places to work in the area. It's also one of my favorite places to do nothing and look out the window. read more

Variety - Flat white - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Servers are quite nice. good atmosphere to come with your laptop and work. Coffee and pastries are average.

I want to preface this review by sharing I used to come to this variety multiple times a week to get the same milky iced espresso sorta drink...I won't get too specific as I don't want to identify myself. Baristas were solid, price was right, everything was grand... I don't know what has happened in the last 6-9 months but I've had to stop coming here full stop. The drink I would always order and am intimately familiar with now tastes fundamentally different--burnt. And not in a dark roast way I would opt into... burnt in a non-intentional way. I don't know if something's up with the espresso machine plumbing that's burning the espresso, if the quality of the roast/beans have changed (doubt it), or if the microbiome of the ice machine is off--but the coffee now always tastes burnt in a way it never did before...and all my friends agree! I sincerely lament that this is the case and I check every 6 weeks or so to see if the espresso machine has been tuned up or something... but once again my cup was not tasty yesterday :/ !! I still go to other variety locations around the city and everything is ok elsewhere. I wasn't going to say anything but I'm just exhausted of not being able to get my reasonably priced, reliably good iced espresso drink when I get off at dekalb so I'm speaking up! For what its worth, I used to be a barista so I'm not just chatting, I sincerely want better for us all!! @Variety please just like get your guy to check the espresso machine or something IDK but summer's around the corner! read more

Randomly went here just to because the aesthetic. I like the retro industrial decor and open space. Ordered the iced chai oat milk latte. It was sweet and spicy. There's an assortment of pastries I'll try next time. The price is decent, $5 for a 16 oz. Only note for staff, to keep the same customer service energy. She was nice to an apparent returning guest. But a great worker because my chai was made fast. I felt rushed but maybe because I had my ear pods in my ears. I still tipped for her great job with making the chai. It's made with a particular brand called "Donna". The barista was alone but it wasn't busy despite the crowd of remote workers. I don't think there's WiFi but this is a great space to work. If you're in the area of dekalb and Wyckoff, there's slight variety but not really. Limited options, wish there was matcha but chai is next best option. Water closet located in rear. read more

Variety - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Like I said, Bushwick really is the new hip neighborhood. Great coffee as always. I was glad to have this near the apartment. read more

Variety - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Pretty spacious cafe with amazing custard donuts and drinks. The drinks only come in one size (medium) so that could be a problem for some. The workers are friendly and get out orders pretty fast. read more

Excellent Coffee Quality: Known for bold, well-balanced espresso and flavorful single-origin pour-overs. You can taste the care in every cup. read more

Mocha Lattes with almond milk are my goto at any coffee shop. This is for sure one of the best I've ever had in my life. Place is packed because there's feee wifi but I got a spot. Bathroom is pretty clean and staff is friendly. read more

Awesome service and awesome space to work in. Only downside is the ac is exceptionally cold sometimes

I lived in Bushwick for nine months before officially becoming a Variety convert. I knew the spot was popular among Bushwick locals, and now I see why! The cold brew here is the best I've had in the neighborhood. Super smooth, notes of chocolate, and very low acidity, I've been known to drink two in a row. The vanilla simple syrup available for self-serve absolutely elevates a great coffee to the next level. The muffins are decent and the service is always efficient and usually friendly. But the cold brew deserves five stars on its own, it's truly the stuff of dreams! read more

Variety - Oops I added too much milk but still so good - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Was waiting for 25 minutes for late. The barista apologized for the mistake and then forgot to make it again. Service really bad. The quality of the coffee does not worth the money and especially my time. If you want to kill 25 minutes and get an overpriced coffee this is the place. My advice, co to DD, much faster and better coffee. read more

Good place to work and drink coffee. Barista with beard is weirdly confrontational for no reason, maybe too much caffeine!

Variety has been a staple for me whenever I'm in the area and need a quick espresso. The drinks aren't crazy expensive at around $3-$5 (as opposed to some other cafes in Manhattan that can charge like $7 for a latte) and they get the job done to caffeinated me. Not the best coffee shop ever but very much solid! I also love them for the fact that they do not charge for milk alternatives (oat, soy, almond) and have plant milks for self serve by the counter :-) Always a perk! The pastries here are also very good and the vegan pumpkin bread is DIVINE. Lots of seating inside and outside as well so a great spot to do work or chill with friends! read more

Variety - Americano - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

New simple, clean spacious quality coffee shop opened up. Great play to take a break, reflect, read etc. Check them out! Coffee menu is simple. They also have loose tea and bottled drinks as another option. read more

Variety - Nice street facing alcove to people watch - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

They say that the we are products of our environment. You can't describe something fully without also describing the surroundings. This is true in this hipster watering hole. The cold brew is good, of course, but sipping it on their comfy serpentine bench with the exposed brick atmosphere adds to the whole experience of being there. read more

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Yummy iced latte, fair prices, almond croissant was average. I would certainly go again, though, to support a neighborhood spot! Also adequate seating both inside and outside. read more

Variety - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Open late. Delicious Cranberry-Apple Tea(my fav) and hot chocolate. Always cold by the large back table because of their garage door where they get their shipments. read more

Iced coffee is good but it could be a bit cheaper. Tasty but not my favorite. Line can be long but moves quickly.

Super cute coffee shop with ample seating in Bushwick. A great place to chill and do work. I got the hot apple cider and it was super cozy. I ended up grabbing a bag of beans to make coffee with at home and they were super fresh and delicious! I'd definitely return! read more

Boring! I considered giving another star just for having vegan desserts. However, I refuse because they only have 2 of them. Also, I don't think I would ever return (which is rare for a cafe) so I feel I can only give a certain amount of stars. The place is reasonably priced but I won't be back. First, the baristas gave us an attitude the moment we stepped in. Then I realized they have no syrups or unique coffee beverages. This would be fine if the coffee rocked. But it doesn't. I ordered a latte with almond milk and it was just so weak. They put too much milk and the coffee flavor I did taste wasn't that great. The pastries, on the other hand, were tasty but cannot redeem my visit. They aren't anything special and I dislike that the labels are misleading. For example, a pastry labeled mango blackberry muffin had no blackberries. What it did have was greens that I guess was zucchini and a ton of walnuts. You can't just not tell people about nuts. I initially wanted to try Variety because it is well liked. And I chose it over other choices since it looked to have plenty of seating. Which it does but all of it is taken by single people on their laptops. I had to creep behind a guy who was leaving to grab his table. It is a huge cafe and yet it is taken over by laptop people, which doesn't necessarily create the cozy environment I like for a Sunday morning chat with my sister. read more

Variety - "Blackberry mango" muffin. It had no blackberries but it had a lot of walnuts and some greens I guess was zucchini. - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Tasty coffee and friendly baristas! The inside is so cute and welcoming, but the seats are usually full. I love that they have the cream bar so I can add however much (or little) cream I want. They also have almond milk, soy, etc. Delicious pastries too! read more

Variety - Iced coffee - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great coffee shop, great coffee but WHY DOES THE MUSIC HAVE TO BE SO LOUD???? Most of us come here for work and it's imposible to have a call.. or even a chat with someone IRL. It's extremely loud srsly, please lower the volume and I'm sure even more people will be coming read more

When I come to Variety I keep it simple. This Bushwick roastery is smart, they are close to the L stop Dekalb and they roast in house which keeps cost low. And by cost low..I mean cheapest good coffee you can get that isn't Dunkin. And they're iced coffee is delicious and is a little over $3 which is just unheard of. For some reason the words "cold brew" translate into "liquid gold". This place is affordable and consistent and hits the caffeine quotas needed for the two train commute I have to do and sometimes I do venture through Union Square and I instantly regret said move. Back to Variety, I love the high ceilings and the rustic light sign in the outside that can not be missed in Wycoff. The space is open and large. People are dedicated to their seating and computers. I am tempted by a treat display case stuffed with muffins and croissants and some how I make it to the front. I always order a coffee with room with my own to go cup or iced coffee. They have not only soy but almond milk to pour in and there two exit doors. I might also add there's a Mz. Pac-Man table. I did mention its tough to get seats sometimes. I keep this place as my grab and go spot. And it keeps me happy with caffeine! Ooh I also love their Rocky Horror lip packaging for their coffee. read more

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going to Variety has become part of my daily ritual. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING DECAF!!! the outside seating means theres always a place to sit, and always keepin me tan in the summer. love it here! read more

Great drinks, I got the cortado and my sister got the chai latte. We also got some pastries - the croissant was what you would expect, the raspberry muffin had good texture and wasn't too sweet. The interior is spacious and is good for sitting down to do work. They were decorating the place for the holidays when I was there! read more

Variety - Cortado, Chai latte, raspberry muffin, plain croissant - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This place is great! wonderful drinks! great prices! kind staff! But they NEED a pre approved playlist or something because they were playing LOUD metal-esque music all morning this sunday and everyone around me hated it. It was truly terrible and I found myself getting more anxious and unable to get work done which I feel should be the opposite experience when at a coffee shop. It was for like 2 hours please look into this read more

love this place ... "chigh latte, extra salt" ... especially love the music!!! write down a lot of new bands to send my son (he's in prison for 85 years for selling deadly chinese fentinol) read more

Love this place - great coffee - but since they cut their hours from 9pm to 7pm, I've started to go less. Many regulars are migrating to Nook, a few blocks away on Irving, because they're open later. read more

Always enjoy my time at Variety. Such a NY staple. Ran in quick for a cold brew, very friendly and quick service. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Variety - Outside - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Quaint and cozy - that local cafe feel that everyone craves around their hood. Met someone for coffee here. Plenty of tables and space to have a good day of work with your laptop or to have a small friendly or business meeting. My latte was PERFECT. Service was excellent! read more

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I got lucky with this place. I know it's been open for a while now but since I've graduated, I've been desperately looking for a comfortable place to study for my GREs. This place has quite the charm. I tried the coffee and I'm not coffee person, but this coffee was tolerable (in a good way). Excellent wifi and very spacious. The bathroom was also very clean. This place will definitely be a regular spot. I love that they stay open late. Not a lot of coffee shops are open past 7. It's nice coming back home from work and then heading over to study at Variety. My only cons are as listed: The staff could be a little bit more friendly and welcoming. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb when the barista just looked at me and continued talking to her coworker. It was my first time at Variety and it didn't feel welcomed at all. The AC was on very high. It was hot outside but after a few minutes inside Variety, it was like an icebox. So bring a sweater! Lastly, maybe it was just when I went, but the music was a little too loud and distracting. I normally like studying to music that I don't know because I could focus more but it was oddly loud and noticeable. I did get work done but I also couldn't block the sound out. read more

Variety - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Best place to get a coffee in the neighborhood! Friendly people always ready to fulfill all of my expectations, couldn't ask for more! read more

Walked into this coffee shop for a mini break. It has such a chill and homey vibe. I purchased an Iced Latte with whole milk and I was very pleased. I will be back. read more

Variety - Whole milk iced latte & iced almond milk chai latte - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

When I'm in the Bushwick-ish area, this is my go-to coffee shop. It's always busy and sometimes you can't find a seat but the service is good, efficient and quick. It takes no time to get your beverages. I really like the layout of this place. It says modern with an ode to old school, without feeling too gimmicky, commercial or hipster chic. And placing aesthetics aside, the coffee is actually good. read more

Variety - Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Good coffee and pastries in a prime location, but it's also kind of expensive and hectic. Also, it's strangely cold inside during winter. And I sometimes have trouble with the WiFi. But I keep coming back because the beverages and location are good. Lots of people in funny outfits if you're into that. On a different note, I've seen many odd things go down here, including a robbery. Watch your stuff. That should go without saying in a city this big, but not everyone gets the message. read more

Variety has my favorite coffee in the city. The lates here blow my mind. Recently I've loved their maple latte as well as their regular oat milk latte. Plus their baked goods are superb! In current times I just try to get and get out as fast as I can, and I find that's pretty easy to do at this coffee shop. read more

Really liked the decor here (exposed brick walls, wood floor and marble topped tables), very spacious and of course great coffee. Ordered an oat milk flat white, was very good. They have free wifi and lots of tables, so it's perfect for studying/doing work. They also have an awesome retro Pac-Man machine that you can play on... read more

Variety - Oat milk flat white - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

After all these years, still loving this spot. Excellent coffee, chill baristas and most importantly, great seating outside. Used to ride myride my bike over from Astoria just to enjoy this spot. My bike got ripped off so I've been walking! Great exercise and coffee. read more

Variety - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Fantastic coffee shop with an unbelievable amount of space. If you're sick of cramped spaces where other customers have to knock over your cortado just to make their way to the counter, you'll love it here. Pros: + DAT SPACE. They could have crammed another dozen tables in here, but they didn't, and I love them for it! + prices are a little cheaper than most other spots + self-serve tap water at the end of the counter + some outdoor seating is available on the front and side sidewalks + free wifi with no password + good espresso + milk counter includes vanilla bean-infused simple syrup--nice touch! + marble-top tables make for an attractive photo and a beautiful complement to the dark wooden floors + big windows in the front that faces the sunrise, so it's really pleasant to relax there around 8ish and enjoy some great coffee + on the other hand, you can escape the light if you'd rather have a more traditional "dark and moody" coffee shop experience if you sit in the back tables + several outlets available + located close to the Dekalb L station and a short jaunt from Myrtle-Wyckoff Cons: - espresso not served with sparkling water :( - no vegan options in food case (I'm rarely looking for food, so it doesn't bother me too much) read more

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I've been a fan of Variety for years, and you can check out my recent and much older reviews of the shop on Graham on that page. Here, I want to mainly review the company/roaster, as well as this specific coffee shop. Starting with the latter, it is a beautiful, spartan, big, open store, with some tables outside, that have umbrellas for shade. Coffee is great, and I can particularly vouch for having had excellent drip there. Very good value, reliable wifi, and a great shop all around. Here's what I really want to say though. (Caveat: the below is really just speculation and my experience...I'm not sure any of it is true, and haven't done any research.) It is my understanding that Variety was a pioneer, almost 10 year ago. It was the first shop I knew of in NYC that ever offered Ritual Coffee, which is a badge of honor in my mind. I then have the impression that a lot of places caught up with Variety, and began doing coffee that was just as interesting and good. So what is so impressive to me about Variety is that it seems to have reinvented itself as a roaster, and now seems to be on top again. I think what they do is outstanding, but more importantly, when I talk to baristas at other great coffee shops, everyone seems to really revere Variety now...can't imagine higher praise. read more