Northampton Coffee

* I Like Northampton… I Like Coffee… But I Don’t Like Northampton Coffee *
Visited this place again last week. My 10^th (or so) time here in the last 6 – 7 years.
The place was never very friendly, but it’s now taken-​on a very cold feeling. Maybe it was just the day I was here, but none of the three baristas were smiling. Even when waited on, the barista (or is it baristo?) seemed like he hated being there.
The coffee is OK… nothing to write home about. And not cheap.
When I used to come here, I’d sometimes be the only patron present. But it’s grown in popularity — it was nearly full the weekday afternoon I visited — and in growing, has tried to accommodate more patrons by decreasing the size of the tables. I found the table too small, to «against the wall» for a notebook + papers.
It could be a nice little space, as it’s just outside of downtown, so not as crowded as (and with better parking options than) The Roost, Sip and the other local coffee shops. But the service and atmosphere are just too cold — and the tables too small — for me to feel happy visiting this shop.
— Phil

Love the coffee, love the warm, yet non-​fluffy, unprecious vibe of the place, lots of space to set up shop and work.

This cute place is right around the corner from my condo. It has a great atmosphere and offers a steamed coffee.

Always awesome. Great coffee and baked goods. Friendly and attentive staff. I bring true coffee drinkers here to get the real deal. Thank you for rocking.

I had a fantastic time. I LOVE coffee and theirs was going to become a regular in my busy schedule.
The atmosphere was ok but the vibe was what made me happy.

I am picky about my coffee. This place is very good. I just moved to the area and so far this has been much better than the 4 other (and rather lackluster) coffee shops I visited before.
As for coffee, this place offers two varieties of drip as well as espresso straight up, or with steamed milk or hot water.

Had lunch here with a few of my friends. The guys behind the counter were nice and professional. The best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had in my life! I love the mustard seeds and little pickles that came with it. The reason for the 4 and not 5 stars is it is completely full of college kids leeching off the of internet access and free water. It was difficult to find setting to accommodate all 4 of us due to all of the college kids. Such a shame. We would have stayed longer and spent more money if we could have all sat together.

If I could give Northampton Coffee «0 stars» I would. Servers/​baristas are consistently unfriendly and rude. No conscientiousness as far as customer service goes. I’ve given this place more than enough chances since August to redeem itself and each time it seems to get worse and worse. The coffee and espresso is sub par, maybe average on a good day. Did I forget to mention the incessant blaring of music? Thought a coffee shop was supposed to be relaxing. No thanks, Northampton Coffee. I will be taking my business elsewhere from now on.

Uhhh! There’s just something about the service/​servers here that sucks. Attitude? I don’t know. I never quite feel welcome, or that they like what they’re doing. The prices for espresso are high, the quality is fair. I love to sit here and hang out, but the product is just okay. Add to that the indifference of the staff, and I choose to go somewhere else unless I forget the general impression, which I’m reminded of when walk in again.

STOP BY IF VISITING TOWN!
Because this is a coffee shop and neither a library nor an Internet café, I am giving a full five stars because:
Their coffee is very good, conscientiously and meticulously prepared, and so far the best I’ve had in town (esp espresso-​based bevs). Baristas focused and aiming to please. Go here for serious coffee if you are ever in the area.

I haven’t lived in the area long and my first mission upon arriving was to find decent coffee. So far Northampton Coffee (and Amherst and Greenfield) is the only reliable latte of the bunch.
Some of the other reviews confuse me. I’ve always received a warm welcome, well crafted drink and unlike most of the places on main street a place to sit. There’s free WiFi every time I’ve been in, I always use my credit card and there are plug ins around for your laptop. Don’t miss out on this place it’s great.

I think this coffee shop actively does not want customers. The staff are largely unfriendly, the chairs/​tables are uncomfortable, they charge for wireless, prices are ridiculous, and outlets are scarce.

The coffee is great, yet it is hardly enjoyable given the ethos of this establishment. It is a regrettable combination that can be summarized with the following: cash-​only yet high-​brow, great coffee but lousy accompaniments, lacking free Wi-​Fi yet never a decent seat.
Go here if you just want coffee, have $ 5 in greenbacks to pay for it, and don’t mind drinking it on a walk or to continue on your way. This is unfortunately not an inviting environment, though, which is one of my prime criteria for coffee consumption.

I really wish this place wasn’t so frustrating.
Their coffee is great. The people are a little elitist, but they’re usually nice.
The place is quiet and conducive to working or reflection.
The brewed (french press) coffee is extremely cheap for what you get.
They have ample seating, a welcoming, clean and open layout, and TONS of light.
So…
… why on earth do you charge for wireless?
Worse, why on earth would you charge SO MUCH?
It’s so unbelievably irritating. Even Thorne’s (WHICH IS A friggin’ MALL) has free wifi. And let’s not forget how all this does is bar normal people from staying around. People like me would tether our laptop to our iPhone anyway.
They could do so many things: have a password you tell everyone, charge less for using the Wifi, charge less for the fancy drinks, require some kind of verification for the wifi, ANYTHING but this.
I would come in here every day if you had free wifi and a better selection of food. But since you don’t, I can’t see any reason to return.
Northampton has tons more coffee shops, and while none of them are 100% perfect, Woodstar, Foundry, and Haymarket each have their charms and all three are superior to this.

$ 4 half caff americano and pay for use internest aside– its’ a damn fine latte you get here. But be prepared to pay for it.

I stopped going a couple years ago when they started charging for internet. Maybe they have to to prevent all the tenants they share that building with from wifi piggybacking? I don’t know, but they’re are other places in town that share buildings with other tenants that do not charge for internet. Maybe they are just trying to keep the hangout time brisk. Whatever it is, I now go where the internet is free.
Anyways, my impression upon my last visits was: great coffee but a weird baked goods selection… a nice, spartan environment. Perfectionist about their craft – they gave me a timer when I ordered a green tea!

I find it sad to say this: But this is the only coffee house I have found in Northampton where you can consistently get a proper cappuccino made by a well-​trained barista. It’s not about the design; it’s about the way the milk fuses with the crema — and they do it right here.
Love this place and its sister coffee houses: Amherst Coffee and Greenfield Coffee
p. s. It doesn’t hurt that they use one of my favorite beans: those roasted locally by Barrington Coffee.

This is no coffee slinging joint. If you are someone who enjoys really well-​made espresso drinks or drinking a flavorful, well-​roasted and fresh cup of coffee, than you’ve gotta check out this place.
If you think that attention to detail, caring about the product and making each drink with the utmost care and attention is «pretentious» than this may not be the place for you. I just call it «makin’ it with love.»
I have always received a warm reception when I step into Northampton Coffee, and I have never experienced any «attitude» from staff. If the prices are slightly higher than other cafes in the area, it is because the employees are actually paid a better than living wage and because the beans are outstanding.
You can also enjoy this coffee at Amherst Coffee and Whiskey Bar and Greenfield Coffee.
And for those who wonder whether or not Northampton Coffee gives back to the community? For one, Noho Coffee has donated hundreds of pounds of gourmet cocoa, sugar, and gallons of vanilla extract to the annual Safe Passage Hot Chocolate Run for several years now. Last year alone, their donation helped raised over $ 135,000 for this local organization that provides counseling, shelter, and legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence.

This is a semi-​regular stop on our regular trips between CT & VT. It’s easy enough to get off 91 and swing thru town to grab a good cup of coffee from a local place versus stopping in Springfield at Starbucks.
Like some of the other reviewers, I do feel that the staff lacks the customer service attitude a homey place like this should provide. On multiple occasions I’ve been met with blank stares and almost a bit of snobbery. Sure, we might not be local/​daily regulars, but we’re still customers that come in repeatedly. Even if we only came in once, it’d be nice if the staff smiled.
Still, despite the less than cheery service, we usually prefer to patronize small businesses over corporate joints. And again, the coffee is good.

#1 latte in life.
As of this writing (⁴⁄₀₉) Northampton Coffee is the single, most consistently creamy, velvety smooth, great tasting, A+ latte I’ve ever had. I have NEVER had a bad latte here, and it doesn’t matter WHO is behind the bar. If you enjoy lattes, there is no other choice in the happy valley. Period.
To be fair, I’ve been around the coffee scene and I’ve spent plenty of time working in cafes. I know what it takes to train staff and to get them to adhere to «the way to make coffee» laid down by the owners intent on their vision (including storing beans, grinding based on temp/​humidity, and milk steaming.) I also understand the juggling game of keeping your stock (coffee and dairy) fresh. This place has it down.
I don’t know what Northampton Coffee is doing to train their baristas, but the staff are never rude, luke-​warm maybe, but never rude. And they all make the same top-​grade latte every single time complete with a perfect little leaf on the top.
This is the kind of latte that will cure the morning blues, help mentally organize an avalanche of to-​dos, make the sun shine and basically set your *ss straight and on your way into a fine day.
I can’t speak for the house coffee.