Java Wally’s

When I first got to RIT, this was the only spot to get a competently prepared cup o’ joe that wasn’t out of a pump pot. Luckily, in my final year, there are now some better options, but Java’s will still be my go-​to spot on campus for my caffeine fix.
Mirroring the menu of their location downtown right next to the Eastman School of Music, Java’s baristas are delightfully hipster and always know how to make a good latte. They have a pretty good selection of beans, but I usually find myself coming in for an espresso-​based drink.
If they would start doing espresso tonics or something similar, they’d be perfect.

Absolutely adore this place and all the staff. They are all friendly, professional and make a mean chaplain or other speciality drinks

Yes. This is RIT. Fond memories of studying and sleeping on these comfortable couches and drinking Java’s coffee.

This is a great place to stop either between classes or if you’re trying to get work done for your next class.
Java’s is a signature to Rochester and can be found all around the city. They have signature drinks as well as your classics and when i say classics i mean it. They are not a STARBUCKS people, who when you order a macchiato or a cappuccino, it is a true macchiato not some rendition that is ultra flavored!
For me I like this place because it is right in my path of travel on a daily basis and a cup of regular coffee is only $ 1.25-$ 1.75. Also they do not charge extra if you want almond milk or soy milk. I never really understood that, why should i pay extra if i cant eat/​drink dairy products. I know it’s more expensive but i appreciate that i don’t have to pay extra!
Some common Favorites are a shot in the dark, which is a shot of expresso with seamed chocolate milk with whipped crème and jimmys on top! My usual order is either one of their flavored coffees or a Cappuccino made with almond milk.
This place is amongst one of the more pricier coffee shops on campus, but you defiantly get what you pay for with the great coffee and the atmosphere of a genuine coffee shop when it’s located in a library.
Appreciate all the art, Ramon Santiagos and the grungy furniture and have a cup of Joe!

This place is definitely every RIT student’s life savior. Be it early morning or late night, the cuppa joe here is always welcome. I’m pretty sure I can say this on behalf of every current student at RIT (or alumni for that matter) that at some point or another in their RIT life, Java’s has rescued them from the clutches of the vortex known as «Finals Week».
But in all seriousness this place is all sorts of cool and vibrant and chic and possibly every other synonym in that family of words. Old organic furniture with awesome vinyl album covered walls and the warmth like that of a true hipster coffee house make this a win-​win-​win for me. Oh, and their staff is so homely and nice and kind.
Try their Kashmiri chai (or Kava). You’re welcome.

An oasis in the Brick City. This isn’t part of RIT food service, so you won’t find prepared foods (like the downtown Java’s sandwich side). Pastries, cookies and bagels are available.
On the upside, though, that means they can have funky found furniture, album cover wall treatments, and a welcoming organic warmth unlike more buttoned-​up coffee concessions nearby.
I have seen this location evolve since it began. Common elements over the years include eye-​catching visual stimulus on the walls, a kind staff with a great sense of humor, and their excellent music selections.
Whether intentionally or not, this area supports the library’s «loud on bottom, quiet on top» study space program. This is a popular meeting spot for faculty and staff in the center of campus, and a great work space for students who like some background noise.

Javas not only has the best coffee on campus, the brand as a whole makes some of the best coffee in town. If you don’t believe me, go see their roaster at the Public Market on a Saturday morning. Their best drinks (for those that appreciate coffee) are their espressos, Americanos, and their roasts from Central America. If you order one of those three choices you should be all set.
They don’t have much in the way of food (thanks to RIT’s policies they aren’t allowed to make food on premises) but their granola is delicious, especially the Calypso variety.
The service is fantastic. The baristas are always courteous and going out of their way to help you. They are also just a fun lot, always joking and having fun. Such an atmosphere makes it the best place to escape to on campus. It’s a stark difference from the anti-​social engineers in most other places in campus.
The lines do get long, however. I’ve been going here almost everyday for the past year. The times with the shortest lines are usually between 10 – 30 minutes after the top of the hour. This correlates nicely with when all the classes start. Likewise, lines are longest when classes start to get out around 20-​till, and they peak 10 – 5 minutes before the top of the hour, when classes start again. However, the staff knows that you have classes to go to and speed up their service accordingly. Nine times out of ten, if you get in a super long line with only 10 minutes before class, you’ll get through the line and to class on time (as long as you don’t order some super complicated drink).

I am definitely lucky enough to have a Java’s of Rochester on my campus! Compared to the other stop-​and-​shop coffee places you would normally see on a college campus, Java’s is definitely higher quality, more comfortable and more relaxed. The workers are the hippest on campus, my friends and I joke that the prerequisite is to be an art major to even apply to work there — but they are always very nice and will joke with you as they make your drinks or you struggle to decide.
Along with excellent drinks that convinced me to invest in a Java’s branded mug to share my love and fuel a discount, their muffins and specifically the Capris coconut cookie are ideal for breakfast or a late night snack! Java Wally’s is nestled in the library and has great hours — open until 10:30pm weekdays so that I can refuel for late night studying.
My only qualm about Java’s is the constant traffic and long lines that intervene with getting to class on time, and the popularity of the place leaves little to none or competitive seating. I prefer going in the evenings, where it is quieter and reflects a good study atmosphere.

Very artistic and «avant-​garde» place on campus, good place to stay but I personally won’t choose this place for study because of the dim light and loud music. Sitting in the old couch and chair, watching art students with colorful hair and metal decorations…
I used to enjoy the service here but not any longer. The first thing puzzled me (as international student) is the receipt on which there prints «tips». My understanding of café is simply Starbucks where I can leave a few coins if purchase in cash, but I’ll not receive a receipt like this if I use card. This «surprise» is actually my own problem.
Then when I was tired of the latte or cappuccino there, I just ordered espresso and added sugar and milk myself. Of course I tried to save money this way, but it turned out that I could make better coffee using my own recipe. The first time I did this, the attendant charged for the regular price; but the next time, another attendant asked me how much milk I was gonna add and charged for the milk as well. I was embarrassed and disappointed a little bit, but I paid what she charged. I know I should just order latte if I want milk in my coffee, but I think attendants should be consistent in their service and let me know at the beginning if they don’t want me to order espresso only.

The place itself is a pretty nice little area in the library with couches for me to drink tea on while working on my laptop. I enjoy all the art, and the overall atmosphere. It’s pretty similar to the downtown location atmosphere wise.
I enjoy the Java’s downtown better because of their large selection of teas. I understand that this one is smaller and can’t have as many, but I would still love a bigger selection.
The chai here is completely mediocre. And if you get it iced it is even worse. One time the guy literally just threw the chai syrup at the bottom, threw some milk on top and handed it to me unmixed. Then I had to try to mix it without spilling it all over. Needless to say I ended up spilling it all over. After that experience I stopped getting the chai.
The coffees aren’t too bad either, but I’m not a big coffee fan so I don’t get them often.
I think I’ll just stick with the other teas. It’s pretty hard to mess up putting hot water over a tea bag.
I need something warm to get me through another Rochester winter.