Java's Cafe

Javas, during the 2008 Jazz Festival, 06-2008 by RudyBang

Java's Cafe began life as a cafe in 1992 (see Java's History). This key location, adjacent to Eastman School of Music, was created in the tradition of coffeehouses in college neighborhoods, decorating the walls with offbeat art and booking latent musical talent.

The Java's Cafe website lists a sandwich, desert, coffee and tea menu. The company has its own bakery and offers vegetarian and vegan food.

In the 2005 mayoral election, several customers protested three John Parrinello signs posted in the window by promoting a boycott of Java's for its support of a Republican.

Free Wi-fi

Awards

• Voted "Best Coffee Shop" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of' Awards in 2008.²
  

Comments:

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I can't survive on Eight O'Clock crappy beans any longer. I'll try to stick in a Chris Maj flier ASAP. —ChrisMaj

2005-11-15 22:18:48   They also have a wonderful selection of rotating artwork, a daily poem, frequent open mic nights, and lots of hottie Eastman School students. —MariahBetz

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2006-09-20 11:16:09   As far as I know, this is the only place that makes real chai (not from powder or concentrate) in town. They have a great funky atmosphere. —EllenKelsey

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2007-01-28 17:20:44   I'd rather light myself on fire on than go to Java's for any reason. It is (poorly) staffed by arrogant little self-righteous "hipster" pricks who don't even attempt to mask their obvious contempt for your patronage, as if they're volunteer workers whom you woke up from a nap to make you coffee. They also won't let you order a mocha, and insist that you call it a "cappuccino with chocolate flavoring". Here in America, that IS a mocha. Ugh. Worst place ever. —MisterElkington

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2007-02-05 09:39:34   as sad as it is, the coffee here is overpriced and pretty much sucks. I'm all for supporting local businesses, but this place makes me want to go to starbucks. (i feel dirty even saying it) —NjTourist

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2007-03-17 14:46:35   I admit that Java's employees can be a bit flippant — I practically go there everyday and half of them still treat me like a stranger. Not to be a jerk, but they do get continually accosted by people who don't know what they're ordering despite standing in line for 10 minutes or by people getting pissed off when their "Macchiato" is not what they thought it would be. In all honesty, comments such as "here in America, that IS a mocha" don't help much — a mocha is yet another syrupy latte abortion invented by the American coffee market to mask the taste of inferior beans. Now, on to Java's... :-) As they get their coffee from Joe's (known around the country, no less), it's great. Lunch menu is always fresh, and most baked goods are well-done (I typically stick with things that I know are from the Little Bakery). But as a true coffeehouse in Rochester that stays open until Midnight every night and offers a quality product, they are the only game in town and a very good one at that. —RochesterGuy

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2007-03-18 18:41:03   Word, Rochester Guy, word. —RudyBang

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2007-03-21 18:28:16   Java's actually does take plastic at a $5 minimum. So you'll have to order $5 worth of cookies and coffee, or be forced to leave a tip. —DoctorRachel

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2007-05-04 11:17:09   The only thing this place has going for it is location. They don't even make "real" lattes and cappucinos. Both to them are the same, one is just bigger. AND they froth it in the cup. Its like a factory- they just whip them out without thought or artistic form. Most of the time they burn the milk too. Then they put in a fancy cup with a saucer to make it look "quality." sorry they have all you amateurs and idiots fooled. slobs. —RedDress

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2007-05-11 17:25:31   I like Java's for the atmosphere (read: I like to people-watch) and the chai. After having Java's chai every other day while I was an RIT student, I can't stand the powdered-mix chai that all the other places serve. And I just like pretentious hipsters, what can I say? :) Subcultures are fascinating. —AdrienneDahler

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2007-09-09 11:32:17   I have to say the quality of their food & drink is piss poor now. Their cookies and snack bars are awful, I got a smoothie and it was just sugar water, and my friend got a flavored coffee with hardly any flavor. This was downtown last night. I go to the RIT and MCC locations as well. —JoannaLicata

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2008-03-29 12:32:09   Ithink that Java's is cool, although I must say I only go there once in a blue moon. I like the art work and the basement pool tables. It's a great place for younger people. This summer I saw one of the greatest concerts right outside of the shop...it was awesome. all I ever get is there hot chocolate and cookies both of which are good. —EnishaCray

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2008-04-01 09:55:21   While yes, Java's is full of hipster art-pricks, it's still a fairly decent place to grab a drink. Their assorted mixed drinks are good (try a Chaplain or Terrapin if you don't believe me), and while their baked goods aren't always fresh or even good at all (at least not at the RIT location), I can vouch for their chocolate croissants as being amazing. So while it's not perfect, I often find myself starting off my days in the RIT Java's - it's a great place to wake up with a coffee or to come in the afternoon to take a break and unwind. —TonyFolenta

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2008-04-28 23:50:59   The best espresso in town. Hands down. —SmitaRao

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2008-06-15 17:30:22   I have not been here in a while, but my friends and I used to frequent this place. The "Shot in the Dark" is one of my favorites. I also enjoy the Goya Soda's on a hot summers night. —MikeDixon

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2008-08-16 21:57:32   I love Java's more than anything in the world. When friends and family visit from out of town, Java's is as high on the priority list as Wegmans. I find it to be the perfect place to hang out almost every night with any number of people. I crave visual stimulation, so the walls layered with art and the strange looking people satisfy my appetite. The baristas really are wonderful- I am not sure where these hard feelings are coming from. Perhaps if you smile, say thank you, or make small talk they will stop being arrogant and self-righteous. That's probably how they feel about you. I truly believe they have the best coffee in town; many people I know have started drinking their coffee black because their coffee is so complex in flavor.It is very clearly recently roasted, and stored in cedar drawers. I think that may be all the difference. Their chai is made from fresh ingredients and spices, and is honestly the best I've ever had. If you appreciate fine teas, I don't know why you don't live here! They serve very fresh, aromatic loose leaf tea and if you want them to combine any of them, they will. Their lunch sandwiches are heavenly. Very unusual combinations that will leave you addicted. I am not sure what sort of super-coffee you are comparing javes to in order to conclude that their stuff is "piss poor", but I must say again they really know how to roast. Really amazing espresso and macchiatos. The people who manage Java's are really interesting and prominent in the local community. Awesome people and I feel good giving them my money. Rochester would not be without Java's! —tracypee

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2008-10-21 21:13:11   Not all of us hipsters are pricks. Let's not stereotype now. —BillyG.

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2009-02-27 12:59:41   Very sadly I have to agree with Joanna's post. Quality differs dramatically from visit to visit. Sometimes I still get a great brew — but much more frequently my coffee tastes weak and has an acidic finish (this could be many things: water too hot, too few grounds, leaving it on the burner too long, etc.). I haven't seen Mike around as much (he must be busy w/ Good Luck) and he's allowing the baristas to run things with seemingly not much oversight. It's not their job and it shows. Between my mokka pot and my Chemex there's little reason to go much of anywhere around here for coffee outside of course the necessary caffeine fix. —RochesterGuy