The Java Break

The place had a great atmosphere for studying or just hanging out with some friends and playing games. Their drinks are amazing and decently priced.

Such a cool place! They have different themes rooms, a cereal bar, and some decent coffee.

Best place to study, best place to go have a nice conversation over cereal and coffee, best place to spend your weekends and week nights! My favorite place in all of Lawrence.

Won’t go here again. The coffee is okay but it cost over $ 3 for a cup. My budget will not allow it! Will find it cheaper elsewhere!

I’ve studied a LOT of places, all over KC and surrounding metro over the last 15 years, and this place is cool! Service is awesome, drink was great, sandwich was delicious. All-​around wonderful atmosphere. I’ll definitely be back.

I like Java Break and it is a cute shop. however, it is frustrating how many times I have gone there in the morning and they have been closed. It is definitely not open ²⁴⁄₇.

I do have to update. Still love the place for the late night drink however their coffee has gone down hill. It has been tasting burnt and the almond milk is not what I remember. Do love the cereal bar though! Will probably grab coffee somewhere else

It is mind boggling how this place has an overall 3 and a half stars. The quirky aspects like the old TVs with the black and white cartoons, furniture, the drawings on the wall and the music just bring the ambiance all together. It is a great place to hang out with friends and study. The coffee and drinks are great and the cereal bar is a classic. From a students view, this coffee shop is one of the best in town.

I have been going to Java Break since I discovered Lawrence over 2 years ago, even before I physically moved here! Me and my partner started going in early in the mornings last year to take advantage of the 2 for 1 deal before work when we started realizing that the chia started tasting watered down! eventually after a few months we stopped going. We decided to give it another try last night since its right up the street from home, so we bundles up and walked down in the freezing cold totally looking forward to a once hot chia… both ended up having a weird very strong bitter after taste, my partner thought almost like soap but I did not think that. We threw them away not even half drank, first time in my life I’ve thrown away a chia! we noticed as we were walking out that the gal in front of us who also ordered a chia threw hers away almost full as well… very disappointed, we love to support local businesses but not if were not getting at least what we pay for! We will be walking the extra block to Starbucks i guess…

I went here for coffee this morning. I found it somewhat appealing that they are open 24 hours a day but less so that my barista had to ask me how to make a café au lait after explaining that she’d been on a 12 hour overnight shift. She gave me a cup of regular coffee (not espresso) with over-​steamed milk that simply tasted watery. The homemade blueberry scone was decent. I feel that much like a basic bartender, a barista should at minimum know how to assemble the beverage offerings on the menu. I was disappointed with the product and would likely not return here.

The very definition of Lawrence, Kansas-​eclectic, eccentric and fun. It offers homemade almond milk (a plus for the lactose intolerant, vegan, paleo, etc.), and an assortment of gluten free treats (the mini cheesecake and peanut butter cookie come to mind). It is faithfully open 24 hours for your early mornings or late nights. The lit outdoor patio is my favorite spot for early morning reading or relaxing.

This is the best local coffee shop in Lawrence. Java Break attracts college students from KU and Baker University who are pulling all-​nighters in order to cram for a test or finish a paper.
I especially love the cupcakes and the cereal bar. You can mix and match cereal combinations and add whatever you want to them. I like to add chocolate milk to mine! The cupcakes are also build-​your-​own. You can mix and match cupcake flavors and icing. Then, you can ice it yourself.
²⁴⁄₇ and great coffee? You just can’t beat it.

Shocked… I was shocked with bright lights and how clean the Java Break was during my last visit.
Yes, back in the day, I used to frequent Java Break almost daily. This was before the «dreaded» Starbucks opened on Mass. This was when everyone in Lawrence had a favorite coffee haunt. Mine was Java Break. It was grungy, loud and a bit grumpy like me at the time. But the coffee was delicious and reasonably priced. Every time I would get back to Lawrence, I would stop by to get a cup or even some Café Lawrence beans.
I think it’s been well over four years since I stopped in and as stated I was stopped in my tracks. Where did the dingy, dark and moody place go? Where was the decently strong coffee? I wasn’t greeted with a grunt but with «what can I get you folks?» Folks? Yes… it was nice to be greeted with a friendly smile instead of a sneer. But out with the grunge went my coffee too. We ordered two Café Lawrence’s to go. It was one of the worst, brown waters I have ever had.
Why am I giving The Java Break 3 stars instead of 2? They are open 24 hours which is helpful to underage college students. They did clean up their act. It seems like they cater more to sweet coffee drinks and not on the coffee which might be what the «kids» drink now. As for my beloved Café Lawrence? Ugh… I think I grew up and left it behind.

A 1950’s style Kansas coffee shop kind of says it all. This place was a little much for me with its Nickeodeon style décor. Coffee, and muffins were okay.

Food/​drinks — The food and drinks are reasonably priced. The sodas are freaking delicious.
Atmosphere — Depending on the time you go can make or break your visit. There are some really creepy people there sometimes. There is a room with board games and an old school black and white tv. There is a room with a lot of booths and tables that I see people studying at often. There is also a room where you can write anything on the walls with sharpie (bring your own sharpie) ANYTHING… There are quite a few pornographic cartoons and racist joke up there. I would suggest not going in there with your parents or child…
Customer service — Every time, but once that I have gone to Java Break I have been greeted with a condescending glare. A «why the hell are you here» look. I would really suggest these people work on their emotes attitudes.
–2 stars because of the horrible employee vibes. I would recommend going in once and checking it out while you enjoy your drink, but from then on stop by for a soda or something and take it with you.

Our first visit, we had a cappuccino, latte, and a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast panino to start Christmas Eve Eve day, paying just $ 10 for the whole shebang.
The Java Break has friendly service and four large rooms perfect for studying while ingesting some much needed caffeine while studying or an early morning breakfast with your (my) sweety.
The place may seem small from the outside, but it’s not. They have fair prices and we will be back again soon!

Its a trip. Anarchic 24 hour basement lair with food. There are smelly people, students, and hipsters. I expected red Lectroids. I looked at the back room and it scared me — not for my first visit. I will work up the courage to find the bathroom [i did — it was just fine], I stuck to the front room and dined in the shadow of the fantastic funky cereal bar. The breakfast panini I had was entirely fantastic. Really good. Café au lait worked once the sugar ratio was adjusted — house blend is pretty strong.

Only place that I can study and not feel like I’m bothering the staff. I noticed a lot of people complaining about the service… but they’re comparing it to places that will do anything short of getting on their knees to please you just so they make a $ 1 tip from you. Java Break’s staff is pretty spot on for their clientele… they don’t have to tell you how awesome their product is for you or where it’s from, you just grab a cup of go-​juice and a Wi-​Fi code and get your studying done. Oh, and once you’re hungry… CEREAL BAR!
Sorry they aren’t trying to be the most hip-​Seattle-​dbag coffee shop around. They’re a Lawrence staple and have a purpose in our community.
Java Break is nothing short of solid gold.

This is a really special place. Love the happy hour, love the environment, love the super awesome staff.
And whatever you get, ask for whipped cream on top. You won’t regret it– it’s fresh…

I’ve been lucky enough to travel the midwest and visit lots of coffee shops. That being said, Java Break is top 3 «WORST» I ever seen, heard, or witnessed first hand!
Unbelievably bad service, product, patron rules, and environment. Being a grad student and living in Lawrence and Kansas City over past 30 years, Java Break takes arrogance in the coffee business to a whole new level. Yes, I guess its understandable to have time limit policies for internet usage, but this place is rediculous. They act like this is some great shakes of a java café. Since the owner, management or whomever likes to get on here and rebutt reviewers, take a piece of advice: Dont forget who pays your bills… the freaking consumer you goons! Stop treating your patrons like garbage when its not deserved. I understand not wanting students or vagrants sleeping at the tables, but chill the hell out with some of your other rules. Too many other choices in Lawrence to put up with this garbage. Its not like they serve PT’s or any other respectable coffee in this joint.
No point in me reviewing the food or drink served at Java Break. Not the worst product ever, but this review is mainly about the service and down right horrible ways they treat customers. The sad thing is, Ive never been crapped on too bad at Java Break. It’s the way I and so many others have watched them treat many customers. I’m a positive person by nature, but this place sends off a bad vibe.