Such a great place, however when I was there they were blasting Phil Collins at an absurd volume the whole time I was trying to work on my laptop. Good lord. Other than that, awesome place.
Jen S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Philadelphia, PA
This place is everything you could ask for in a coffee shop. Great coffee, great pastries, fast service, wifi, and a functioning bathroom. For coffee this good in Williamsburg I would expect them to be charging more, but man am I glad they don’t! I stop here every single time I’m in Brooklyn and I just can’t get enough. The baristas are friendly and move through the line so quick that even when there are people in front of me, I am sure that I will not be waiting long. It’s right on the way to the L, so why not stop here?! I hear the croissants are the real breadwinner here but I just can’t get enough of the muffins. So again, a hot black coffee and a muffin it is! Variety for the win!!!
Thalie L.
Rating des Ortes: 3 New York, NY
This place is nice and coffee is good. I really like the bench outside so you can enjoy the sun or/and a cigarette. However I don’t like that it’s cash only because I never have cash on me. And the because of that, I decided to get my coffee at charter. It is a little bit smaller but very friendly and they take cc. I would probably get a coffee once in a while if randomly I have $ 5.00 in my wallet which happened like once a year.
Thea C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 New York, NY
I had a quick coffee date here. It was fine to stop by if you are in or from the neighborhood but I don’t see someone going out of their way to stop by.
Marian b.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
5 stars specifically for folks looking for a café to work from. They have outlets, reliable wi-fi, just the right music(lots of 70s, 80s + current; not too distracting) at just the right volume, and coffee refills for $ 1. And as someone else commented, definitely best coffee around for $ 1.50(considering it’s $ 2 at Millennium supermarket). Plus friendly service.
Jennifer T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Honolulu, HI
This review is why Unilocal sucks sometimes. People only write reviews when they have a really good experience or a really bad experience. I just had a really great experience. First time I’ve been to Variety– casual work meeting– forgot my wallet(they don’t have apple pay– maybe i should dock a star?) and the girl gave me my muffin for free even though I declined. Things like that rarely happen anymore… Super sweet staff. Sometimes that’s all you need!
Luiso A.
Rating des Ortes: 5 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Great coffee, even their plain coffee is pretty good. Definitely the best cup you can get for $ 1.50. It’s also a great place to do work or study since they have lots of tables and outlets in the back. Service is really friendly and attentive.
Leila G.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Beverly Hills, CA
Good coffee but… I wish I could say this is my neighborhood coffee shop. But it’s hard to make that claim when I’ve never actually been able to sit and enjoy my coffee!!! You know those days when you just want to order a coffee and relax with a friend, have a good chat and catch up? This apparently is not the place to do so! Even though there is a decent amount of seating the 2 person, 4 person etc seating is always taken up by ONE person camped out for hours on their laptop. They should enforce some sort of limit or designated laptop section. This place seems to be everyone’s home office and I’m standing there trying to have a friendly coffee date. Never going to happen I guess :( It’s a shame because the coffee is pretty good(not exactly stump town good though) & they have robertas pastries.
Natalia Y.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
Great place to get your work done. Very laid back, with non-distracting music and nice crowd most of the time. The best in the area if you’re looking to study or work for a few hours, or have a meeting. It can be crowded and noisy on the weekends, but you will most likely find a spot anytime. They have plenty of outlets and no «laptop free tables». They accept cash now too, which was probably their only downside before! I have tried many other coffee shops in Williamsburg/Greenpoint but it stayed my favorite.
Gordon M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 New York, NY
The go-to coffee spot for anyone near Graham on the L.
Max H.
Rating des Ortes: 3 New York, NY
The coffee is fine. But the environment is weird. It looks like a café that would be on a CBS sitcom about Brooklyn hipsters. Speaking of which a good 2/3rds of the people in there are obviously trying to be seen, as if they were using the café as kind of fashion accessory. I guess that’s fine if that’s what cafes need to do to make money, but it’s pretty sad and embarrassing. And to the guy who gave one star because they’re cash only: lol grow up dweeb
Reana K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Washington, DC
I love coming in here to do a little work or reading on my way to my Italian class. The drinks are reasonably priced, especially if you’re not getting anything too fussy, and the staff are welcoming. The natural light that pours in through the big front window really makes the space great for reading or working(though please, don’t be that jerk with the laptop who takes up a table of four for hours), and the seating goes farther back than you’d think from the outside, so plenty of space.
David D.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Brooklyn, NY
Not sure why the coffee shop owners on Graham put themselves before their customers, but Variety is yet another shop that only takes cash. So, if you don’t have cash you have to go to a shady bodega ATM nearby, which charges $ 2, and of course these days the banks charge $ 2.50. So thanks Variety… to get some of your coffee and pastries, which are tasty, it cost me nearly $ 4.50 in bank fees. I don’t frequent places that don’t put the customer first, so I will not be back. Also fix your front step so families don’t nearly kill their children getting them in and out of your shop.
Al L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Toronto, Canada
Very hipster coffee shop in Williamsburg. Good vibe and decent number of seats though many people have laptops and was hard to actually find a seat. Coffee was good and refreshing. Fairly strong brews.
Werner H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Brooklyn, NY
The quest for«variety» is a quest to reclaim our deadened minds from the tedium of modern urban existence: the same streets, the same subway, the same dreary return home every night. We try so hard to distract ourselves from this endless parade of sameness, by seeking out«interesting» things, cultural artifacts and ideas that engage our nature-deprived minds to keep us pushing on, seeking out our next fix… Café Variety is where I go when the days and nights at home get too dull. A cup of good coffee, a seat on a hard bench, and the displays of the young white monied naifs on the sidewalk out front: that is, unmistakably, variety.
Dennison M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
I walk past the Dunkin Donuts and come here and get a hot coffee. Sometimes I sit in the back with my laptop and do a little work. They keep the AC up, so it’s comfortable during the summer. I haven’t had a problem finding an outlet and someone willing to plug me in. Remember it’s cash-only, but that shouldn’t be a problem because any responsible person should have cash on him or her for emergencies… right?
Victor R.
Rating des Ortes: 5 East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
Been getting my morning fix here for a couple of years now. Inexpensive, great coffee.
Eric W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
9 years and counting, this has been my go to place for a fine cup of coffee(macchiato). Always strong and flavorful, but never burned. There is also the fact that it is the graham ave social hub. If you sit on the bench for long enough you will witness the entire neighborhood pass or stop by. If you want to be the mayor, just sit out front everyday and talk to everyone you can.
Hsin W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely My Fav Spot in BK. Great Coffee. Great Pastry. Great Music. Great Barista. Great Space. Close at 9pm!
Walter W.
Rating des Ortes: 4 New York, NY
Great coffee because it’s not burned. A little too boosterish, a laptop jungle. But this is Williamsburg. You can sit there all day with free wireless and Bowie tunes playing on the speaker. Local artists showcased on the walls – sometimes über talented, sometimes appealingly bad. The owner Gavin is super nice and the female baristas are friendly while the main manager guy is a little intimidating and cool but I guess he takes his coffee seriously. The baked goods are total junk food… wish they would sell something semi-healthy to eat. On the flip side, they have highest quality coconut water and kombucha in bottles. I would not be surprised if this growing brand is the next Starbucks.
Kizzy G.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Miami, FL
Dug the space and the drinks were spot-on. keep up the good job guys!
Yelena K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Brooklyn, NY
Walked in with slight trepidation, but was pleasantly surprised at the sweetness and smiliness of the barista and cashier. Very pleasant when you’re hungover at 8:30, trying to haul ass to work. The coffee was decent. Pro-tip: there’s a huge crack in the door in front of you when you sit and pee. Enjoy the pee-ple watching!
Thalie L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
$ 2.00 coffee is good but nothing crazy. Awesome music! Hipster coffee shop of course. Not too much place but if you are lucky you can find some room and work on your mac. Staff is nice. I like the bench outside so people can smoke. Probably heaven for freelance people. I guess. Parking Valet would be a big plus. but whatever.
Jane K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
I love this place!!! Best place to work ever The coffee is so good and its so cozy. with great lighting.
Karolina L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Norwalk, CT
Really lovely spot, the coffee tastes great, and it has a nice atmosphere. And you get a «re-fill» on your coffee for just $ 1 The baristas are all super friendly as well.
Ningyu C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 East Williamsburg, NY
I always look for reasons to stay up late, just so I have an excuse to get coffee at Variety Café on a weekday morning. Their iced lattes are great, and my go-to drink. I like espresso that is more bitter, and Variety Café has one of the best iced lattes around. It’s the perfect wake me up, perfect treat on those mornings. Also, why are their muffins so damn good? Giant, generous chunks of fruit. I suggest the Pumpkin-Walnut-Apple one, with apple bits inside and a cinnamon flavor, or anything with banana.
Emily B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 New York, NY
Variety is my life blood, like actually though cause if I don’t get a coffee I can’t live. It’s a cute little café/coffee shop off Graham Ave, the staff is super friendly, the atmosphere is great. There’s wifi and lots of friendly neighbors. Andddd they have cold brew for $ 2.50 which is slightly less than the other places in the hood and it’s also tastier. Basically– go here, it’s awesome.
Zenovia E.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Brooklyn, NY
Wi-Fi, ample seating, a laid-back vibe and friendly staff make this spot a winner. The coffee is pretty decent. My soy lattes come at the perfect temperature, are tasty and have a cute little«design» in the foam. I found out they only take cash when I tried to order on a recent day. Dejected, I started to leave, but the nice lady behind the counter made the drink and told me to pay next time. You just don’t hear that much these days. In fact, I was so stunned that I almost misunderstood her offer. You rock, Variety Café!
Neil R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Pittsford, NY
Another quality coffee joint that serves up some solid beans and water. And wow this is affordable coffee — paid $ 1.50.geez good price expected more. And refills are 1 dollar. Not too shabby. Plan to work from here often — very cool music too, when I was there lots of Supertramp, random and I like it! The one complaint I have is the seating — very hard wood benches. Can be a bit uncomfortable. That said everything else makes up for it. Good WIFI connection and power outlets — yay! I’ll be baaack.
Kat F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Austin, TX
What’s not to love? I have been coming here for years and it’s consistently outstanding. My to-go cappuccino is always delicious and does the trick at perking me up, and the baristas are friendly. Great neighbourhood coffee bar, and as an aside, the patrons always have the best taste in novels — I have seriously gotten so many good book recommendations from here just from peering across the tables to see what people are reading. Also they are open till 9pm, which is a godsend for those of us that require a second shift hit of caffeine. Cash only.