Jando S.
Yelp
If it wasn't for the prominent, beautifully sprawled logo on their walls, I would have likened Astoria Coffee to coffee shops more commonly found in Brooklyn. There is a tinge of a hipster vibe here, though the clean and minimalist decor is something akin to a Real Simple magazine. Like any good coffee shop, the coffee steals the show. The rest of the menu included.
The owners, Dennis and Liz, have origins in the Midwest before settling down in Astoria. They went from a successful coffee delivery service to this brick & mortar location. Even as a novice coffee lover, I can appreciate all the hard work they've put in to make this place a success. Even the name "Astoria Coffee" speaks to the simplicity of the theme, which is all about featuring great coffee to the greater community in Queens.
The roasters are on rotation, meaning they often will feature roasters from all parts of the country. This means their coffee could have a new kick from month to month, which is as seasonal as one gets in this industry. This reflects in their simple menu, from drip coffee to espressos to one of the best matcha lattes ($3) I've had in forever. The same goes for the chai latte ($4). There is also beer and wine as well, which means this place is low-key happy hour fun.
There are a limited number of baked goods as well, such as gluten free brownies ($4) and "St. Louis" gooey cakes ($2). Randomly they have Alfajores ($3) which is pretty cool and some killer Date + Walnut Bars ($3). They go well with their selection of coffee / tea drinks and make great snacks on the go.
Their interior is lovely. Spacious without being too big, yet not so small that anyone would feel cramped in here. Their bright yellow stools give the place a nice color boost within their bright and beautiful white walls and high ceilings. Coffee dates, solo caffeine stays should fare well here, even the occasional group.