Essex Coffee and Tea Company

Stopped in for an afternoon pick me up after having pizza around the corner. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful! We got an oat milk hazelnut latte, a mocha latte, and another latte (I forget the flavor). All of them were really good - strong flavors without being overpowering. We’d come back again!

I’ve been coming here for years on my way in to work, and even though I’ve relocated jobs farther away, I still drive the distance for my favorite bag of beans. I’ve tried so many different coffees and teas here, and I truly love every single one. Essex Coffee & Tea will always be my favorite tea shop, and I look forward to seeing Dave and the girls there every time I stop by. The artwork is great too!

Just read this last person's review. How entitled can you be?! Don't be a Jane - this spot is perfect! We visited Essex today for the first time and this is my new favorite coffee shop. Cool cozy vibe, great latte, delicious gluten free cinnamon maple coffee cake. It was super busy (Sunday morning) but the baristas were very friendly and the service was top notch. Will be trying their matcha latte next time we come down. Support your local businesses!

A lovely stop while in Essex for my favorite Matcha Tea Latte with oat milk! Grab a gourmet pastry such as a pumpkin spice biscotti or pumpkin walnut bread and you’ll be all set for the afternoon. Gf and vegetarian options too! Friendly and efficient service. Nice little outdoor seating area as well as indoor tables.

Need to update their website. Says they have affogato but they do not, even though they have espresso and are located adjacent to an ice cream store. Owner replied below. I would suggest they be mindful of their Google listing so customers are not mislead.

Great spot , would be super cool if they had a phone to call in orders but I guess the ambiance of the place is the historic theme and value in itself. Personal preference is probably phone but I understand not having one

Super Cute Atmosphere. Incredible Coffee. Fresh and Delicious Bagels/Muffins. Friendly Staff 10/10 👌🏻. Also allergen friendly options! Gluten free baked goods!

In the charming downtown of Essex, CT is a little coffee shop located across the street from the historic Griswold Inn. The coffee quality is exceptional here. With beans from local coffee roasters you really can’t ask for more. The staff are very accommodating, and the cafe clean. This spot is truly a hidden gem if you haven’t discovered it yet, I’d recommend moving it to the top of your list!

While we were visiting the quaint water town of Essex, we stopped by here for a mocha and a sweet treat. It's a small coffee shop with some tables inside. Excellent coffee, even better lemon square and a very very sweet person made our coffee - loved the vibes. We took our food out to the waterfront and enjoyed it on a bench overlooking the water. Overall, very nice day :)

Beautiful building in this historical area. Friendly staff. Very nice ambiance. I was in the area because my daughter had a field trip to the CT River museum. I stopped in for a coffee and Andes up with a delicious piece of crumb cake as well. The regular coffee is self serve (which I loved so I could make it a 1/2 caff since it was the afternoon). 4 coffees to choose from when I was there. If I were in the area I'd certainly come again.

While in Essex last weekend on an unusually warm late January afternoon, I wanted to stop for a coffee. Essex Coffee & Tea Company is conveniently located on Main Street. This coffee shop looks cute from the outside, but it's a bit worn out looking on the inside. I got an iced latte, I wouldn't dare think of anything iced this week because of the awful negative temperatures, but last week was a different story. If you're looking to get a basic coffee, those are self serve. My iced latte was really good. It had a solid, strong coffee taste to it. I didn't get any flavor shots this time. The small was a very generous size. Unfortunately, there is no restroom in the Essex Coffee & Tea Company. They have some couches where you can sit. They also have some delicious baked goods. This is a nice little coffee shop to get a great coffee if you're in town.

I am a local in another town and popped in here to get a quick coffee. The coffee was very good but on the warm side. I ordered a banana walnut loaf and a Lemon Biscotti. I asked if the bread was was made there and it is not. The Banana bread was awful, cold and tasted like all flour. The biscotti also was not good. Very disappointing.

Essex Coffee & Tea Company is a gourmet coffee and tea house that opened in Essex, Connecticut in 1999. It was founded by businessman Lee Thompson. Since 2009, it has been owned by husband and wife David Michael Jascot Jr. and Dannielle Jascot. The business offers a wide selection of gourmet coffees and loose leaf teas. In addition to their beverages, they also make fresh baked goods such as muffins, cookies, brownies, scones, cakes, and gluten-free macaroons. The Jascots are also avid supporters of the local arts and offer monthly art displays by local artists. My wife and I recently visited Essex Coffee & Tea Company while we were staying in Essex for our anniversary. We were staying across the street at the Griswold Inn. While exploring the nearby shops, we wandered into the coffee shop. I was happy to see that they offered some Autumn-inspired drinks. I ordered their Pumpkin Spice Latte and it really hit the spot. My wife and I also ordered a square of their delicious crumb cake. We really enjoyed the vibe of the coffeehouse and liked the local art that was on display. We enjoyed our coffee and pastry at one of their tables outside by the sidewalk. We would definitely stop here again!

I am a coffee fienddd and drove here because of the reviews and my god this is hands down the worst latte I've ever had. Employees were nice and it was cute but my goodness. Never in my life have I thrown out a full latte. Burnt and watery

Main reason I would never go back is : who ever heard of a coffee shop with tables and chairs that won't let you use their bathroom? !!?? Coffee so so Biscotti forgettable Huge disappointment in such a pretty spot - no incentive to go back

The coffee is good and the place is old-timey charming. A good business to have in Essex. We were super lucky and were able to park right in front. The servers were not speedy even when we were the only customers at the moment--a large group came in right after us, and they were still queued up when we left after finishing our coffees.

We ducked in here while we were in Essex, just after we stuffed our faces with chocolate at Chocolate Shot. We were immediately met with an enthusiastically friendly barista, who was so warm and genuine, we felt like we wanted to sit a bit and just enjoy the cafe for awhile. I ordered a hot tea and hubby ordered a coffee, and then I spied their macaroons. I saw online that they are known for these, so I ordered a few and popped them in a bag. Despite that we wanted to stay, we were on a timeline so we headed out just after paying. On the road, I was impressed with my tea, which was perfectly steeped and very flavorful. Hubby liked his coffee and was impressed with their offering of peaberry coffee which is really hard to find but is so delicious. The star player of the visit other than the barista was their macaroon, which really was notable. The texture was perfect, and they were delicately moist and crunchy on the outside. The location was easy to find, with ample free parking in the back lot. Prices were very reasonable given the quality of the product, and the ambiance, which was not super overdone, was warm and welcoming, which is a perfect combo for a coffee shop. If I were back in this area, I definitely would carve out some time to come here, grab a cuppa and some macaroons, and just relax a bit. Overall, a great experience.

I always say that when it's time for me to retire, I hope that I end up in a place like Essex Village. Nestled alongside the Connecticut River with it's small shops and the historic Griswold Inn, it's the quintessential New England town. It is also the home to my favorite coffee shop in all of CT. The Essex Coffee & Tea Co. might also be one of the smallest, but that only adds to its charm. I have been visiting Essex Coffee for years. They have always had consistently good coffee. They also offer teas, carafes of fresh brewed coffee, lattes, cappuccino and more. I tend to treat myself to a latte when I visit, since I don't get here as often as I'd like. If you're looking for something sweet, they make delectable coconut macaroons. I always pick up 2 or 3 of the small chocolate covered ones for my son. When he comes with me, he enjoys a Horizon juice pack out of their cooler or a cocoa in the colder months. Their sweet breads (banana, pumpkin, etc) are moist and delicious. The best thing here, when they are available, has to be the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars. They are to die for! The only drawback to sitting and enjoying your coffee here, is the lack of a public restroom. It's definitely not enough to keep me from coming back!

A very quaint place to grab some coffee and pastries in the Essex area. This coffee shop feels very rustic with old floorboards and simple wooden tables throughout the shop. It is located right near the water which makes it a nice place to grab a coffee and walk around outside. They have a parking lot in the back and outdoor seating. Their menu is pretty straightforward. It is comprised of coffees, teas, and a select few pastries. It seems like they make most, if not all, of their pastries/desserts themselves. Their macaroons are well known and seem to be a local favorite. They've won at several local competitions and were quite tasty. We also had a blueberry muffin which was hearty and filling. They offer the day old pastries at half the price which was nice, especially if you'd like to save a few bucks. Overall, the location is what makes Essex Tea and Coffee really special. Aside from that and their macaroons, it is a fairly comparable coffee shop to most trendy cafes serving a variety of coffees, teas, and pastries. If you are in the Essex area, and need a local coffee place to try, give them a holler.

Great spot in the heart of Essex Great spot to stop and visit a Small business in a small village

I visited today (3 days before Christmas) with my extended family, and we were a bit of a crowd. The gentleman who served us did not seem overly enthused upon our arrival but I was still grateful that our group of kids got their hot chocolates (as a reward for walking many blocks in the cold!!) I apologized if we were a bit overwhelming but he did not respond. I did appreciate that he made the temperature of the hot chocolate right for my kids as I wasn't sure what to expect. Despite it being days before Christmas and families are generally gathering and trying to have some fun, the woman ahead of me in line (as I was holding my squirmy toddler) was apparently annoyed at our presence and remarked to the server loudly enough so I could hear that she "ran ahead of them when she saw them coming down the street!!!!" I would have appreciated a little support from the staff or at least a smile but I get it- not everyone enjoys children around Christmas. They'd rather have their coffee quick, and their quiet. Can't say much about the coffee as I didn't want to stress the staff further and order for myself, but the kids enjoyed the hot chocolate!

I frequent this local coffee shop on the weekends. Every time I am there, there is always a line out the door. No big deal. Good coffee is worth the wait. My issue is that there are two young men in there "working" one is taller with blonde hair, and the other, shorter with darker curly hair. The blond gentleman is the only one working. The shorter one is always sitting on the cooler/counter on his phone. I have seen the blonde ask for help, and the other gentleman just looks up and goes back to his phone. This past time was a 25-minute wait. I did ask about leaving a tip. Unfortunately, they have to share them between the two of them. There are cameas and hopefully the owner/manager will look and adjust pay/scheduling/tips accordingly. Do better Essex Coffee and Tea Co.

It's the only coffee shop in Essex historic downtown .. it's worth a stop if your in the area, they close pretty early though 5-ish. Lemon poppy cake and macaroons are the recommended choice for baked goods here. Not good for large groups...neither is it a sit down n sip kinda place...they have a very small seating area ..I recommend take out and why would you sit there anyway, get your cup and take a stroll in the beautiful Main Street. There are no restrooms the closet public one is like .25 miles away.

Essex Coffee & Tea Company is my absolute favorite coffee shop. The owners Dave and Danielle are amazing and they truly make the best drinks. I highly recommend their Iced Dirty Chai Lattes and Mini Chocolate Macaroons. A must stop on any adventure through southeastern Connecticut. Essex Coffee & Tea is a place I am happy to call home! : )

Best coffee I've ever had - highly recommend this spot to anyone passing through Essex. Great service, bagels, and pastries.

Worth a visit, but no restroom! 1/4 mile walk to the very very nice clean Essex public restroom. Good Quality drinks and Noms: Drinks: Organic is the focus of their coffee and tea selection. The default House is organic and tres decent. Light and caffeiney. Ask for a mug if you don't want to waste a cup. Looking forward to trying one the the fancier drinks next time, who can resist a name like Chai-a-leBouff? Loose tea: it's a pretty standard tea selection. A decent variety (all the standards plus Roobios, oolong, ginger tumeric, cinnamon plum, mini pu-erh cakes etc, etc) to satisfy most needs and good quality organics, but overall I wouldn't call this a major tea destination as in, drive 30 miles to get tea here. It IS however a great resource in this area. When I run out of Earl grey, oolong, etc, I'll get tea here, rather than supporting corporate brands. Snacks: I had a chocolate mini macaroon that was not overly sweet. Lots of subtle flavor of amaretto and the coconut itself shines! I can't wait to come with a friend and split a black bean brownie. (I've had home versions of this but haven't often seen them offered in public.) 1/21/15 indeed, tried one black bean brownie, and they are huge and delish and terribly decadent. Plus, you can tell yourself it's healthy! Cuteness: Located in an adorable section of town. Great lounge area with a vinyl record collection and player! The bad: No public restroom?!?!??? Argh! I happened to drink a giant bottle of water on the road, and timed things to get to the coffee shop in time. My bad. It was 20 degrees out and I basically had already tossed off my coat on a chair all ready to pee, but, joke was on me! I was sent to find some town green with some public restrooms, but I have absolutely zero sense of direction. Argh. I couldn't find it and my hands were going numb, and I had to beg at another restaurant to use theirs. Curse my tiny bladder, I had not even finished my coffee and had I go again. I'm sure this is not an easy thing to fix, what with the laws around disability accessibility in public restrooms, the old building, etc. Still it really diminished the experience for me. ((So why a five star? That should tell you how adorable and high quality delicious this place is)) Overall I'd visit again but I'd be careful to come dehydrated. :) **1/21/15 I have now found the public restroom which is quite clean and nice

A small coffee shop which serves coffee, gluten free goodies, brownies, juices and more. I got a bean brownie and an apple juice for my little one and I got coconut macaroons. The husband got regular hot coffee. The brownies tasted really good I had no clue a bean brownie existed. As this place won the best macaroons they are the best. So crunchy on the outside yet so soft inside awesomeness overloaded. Small space for seating, couple of books to read while you sip! No restrooms that's the only drawback of this cozy coffee shop.

Fun coffee shop in downtown Essex. The coffee here is very good but the coconut macaroons are AMAZING. Great cycling stop for us, I always look forward to it. Super nice staff too.

In keeping with the spirit of Essex, this coffee shop is small, quirky, and satisfying. The brewed coffee was strong with a unique flavor that indicated the coffee buyer knew much more than which grocery aisle had the Eight O'Clock. The shop offers a limited selection of freshly baked goods. The two items that we tried were fresh, flaky, and nicely tinged with cinnamon. The L-shaped inside area has a few seats around the corner from the counter. On nice days, one can sit on the sidewalk and look down at the end of the street where the British attacked in 1814 and where sea-faring captains still tread (though today's skippers are more likely to be racing a one-design spinnaker challenge than running commercial trade with the Ivory Coast). If you're in Essex, you should take at least one stroll along Main Street, preferably on a summer morning. If you're taking that morning stroll, you owe yourself a good cup of coffee (or tea), and this is the place to get it. Or make that a winter morning, when sitting by the window with a a good hot cup might be even more appreciated. On frigid winter mornings, even an orange-and-purple clad Mass Pike Dunkin' Donuts seems cozy. I can only imagine what the Essex Coffee and Tea Company would be like.

I tried the ginger spice which is a pumpkin cinnamon ginger chai tea, and I didn't really like it very much. It tasted almost like liquefied sweet potatoes lol. It was pretty awful I don't think I drank more than a few sips because it started to upset my stomach. My friends got coffees that they really liked and said they were good but mine just wasn't. Maybe partially my fault for branching out and trying something adventurous and different from my norm. If I'm in the area though I think o would come back again and try something different!

Really good iced coffee but the worst biscotti I've ever had, anywhere. Grocery store biscottis are better. Too bad.

Cute little coffee shop, but I was very unimpressed with their coffees. Extremely over roasted, burnt and oily. This is often used as an attempt to disguise the poor quality of the bean. As soon as you walk in, a variety of coffees are offered from the self serve station. This is a nice feature, however, the urns are of gas station quality, and clearly haven't been designated towards any particular bean or roast. After a quick sampling of the brews on hand, the residue of old flavored coffees lingered in their organic house blend. When your business' name is comprised of the words coffee and tea, the pressure is on to excel at those 2 things.

I stayed at the Griswold Inn a month ago and our room was right next to this adorable coffee shop! I came here every morning and enjoyed everything I ordered. They had really fun flavored lattes that were really good. I had the Nutella latte and the white chocolate raspberry latte. If you have an extra sweet tooth, I'd recommend the white Choco raspberry. They have pastries and deserts & a huge selection of teas. Great little coffee shop in the area!

Super friendly staff and pretty good selection of coffee and teas. They also offer Averys soda which is always nice to see! There's a nice little sitting area inside which is a nice break from the heat on a hot summer day.

Small interior, few seats, and my pecan latte was blah. Sorry. I wish it was better

Small coffee shop across from the Griswold Inn is perfect to stop in while you walk downtown or just want to grab a table and relax. Staff is always very friendly!

Great little spot..had peppermint green tea and it was fantastic.Only no restrooms. .not to good when drinking tea:)

Really nice and friendly place for a cup of coffee and a snack. I come in pretty frequently for a bagel, and often I seem to snag the last one. Either I come in just late enough that I'm playing with fire, or there's a secret bagel supply in the back that replenishes what's in the pastry case! All of the baked goods are on point: delicious lemon poppy seed muffin tops (not sure if there's a name for this...literally just the top of the muffin), decadent blondies, and perfect, slightly warmed croissants. The staff is always so friendly, too! A great place to sit with a friend and have a leisurely morning.

LOVE this adorable coffee shop. The staff is so sweet, all very chill.The atmosphere is very relaxed, low key music, interesting rotation of local art on the walls and there is a wonderful sidewalk area with tables and chairs. All the locals and regulars filter in and out all day, sometimes sitting at tables catching up on local gossip and politics. The baked goods and treats make the place smell AH-mazing and it is hard to resist all the treats in that glass case. The Mississippi Mud Bars look like a SLAB of chocolate with liquid on top. Just do it. Oh and the lemon bars look lemony, refreshing, large yet light. I have had the chocolate dipped macaroons and they really are great. It is hard to stop once you start! I get espresso when I am there and it is has a deep rich flavor and slightly bitter - exactly how i like it! They have a wide variety of coffees available as well as Rishi tea. My favorite is the Turmeric Ginger with a bit of honey. Oh, almost forgot, the building it is in is so charming. It was built in 1720. Pretty incredible. Enjoy!

Over previous occasions I have had wonderful experiences. However, today I went in and asked simply if they had amaretto syrup, as I work in a cafe very similar and noticed the many Torani syrups they had. To my surprise, a young girl behind the counter chuckled at me and said "I have raspberry". I believe I am younger than the girl and it even took me back, along with my family who was behind me. I've never had any bad experiences with this establishment but to be laughed at over a simple question was simply appalling.

Delicious coffee, lovely service, yummy treats. So glad I found this spot. Just the right study spot or go on a date with your kid spot!

Excellent coffee, probably the best you'll have along the Connecticut shoreline. The reason is that they bring in beans that were only just recently roasted (usually a day or two) making for a very fresh tasting coffee or espresso. Great baked goods too.

Needed some coffee before work and I am all about trying new coffee shops and I am so glad I checked this place out. I tried of their specials. A delicious gingerbread latte with soy milk and it was worth every penny! If you a coffee lover like myself and love actual real coffee, than definitely check this place out! Plus the staff was super chill and kind!!!

Wrong mapping in Yelp as near Red Balloon and on the main street - great iced coffee options

Staff was great. The restaurant is in a charming house in quaint Essex. Had an Americano and it was very robust with excellent flavor. The blondie brownie was rich and dense. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Great little coffee shop in the historic area of Essex. The coffees are all great quality and the baked goods have made a considerable improvement over their quality from a few years ago. I believe they have won some awards too. Seating is limited inside, but truly fits the small town feel of the entire town. During the spring and summer, outdoor seating drinking a cup of coffee in this small New England icon really is amazing. Great stop for all tours coming through the area.

My FAVORITE coffee shop on the shoreline!!! Friendly and happy staff, who know how to make a proper espresso drink. Always fresh pastries and bagels, with the best flavor selection. Drinks are always consistent and made with a perfect balance of flavor. Not to mention the adorable shop itself and homey atmosphere. I recommend you try their famous macaroons

I live in the Hartford area and we were in Essex to take our son on the steam train. A friend mentioned that we should stop in here for coffee first. My husband thought I was crazy for wanting to drive down early for coffee but he obliged. I am so glad we did. It was a gorgeous spring morning so we sat outside with our two year old and three month old. Our coffee was fantastic. Brewed perfectly and we enjoyed a couple breakfast treats like muffins and a cinnamon quick bread. This shop is a real find and a must stop for anyone in the area looking for a good cup of coffee.

Great coffee. Delicious sweets and baked goods, like homemade macaroons, buttery muffins and big slices of coffee cake. I just wish they had some savory items, so that I could have a meal here, instead of just coffee and snacks.

Small selection of coffee roasts and baked goods are not fresh. Owner does not allow patrons to sit with any outside food even though they bought coffee/drinks from him. Skip it and get coffee at the Cheese Shop in Centerbrook or at Ashlawn Farm in Lyme.

A coffee shop with all the charm you expect in Essex. I don't drink coffee so I can't give it 5 stars. I went there for a business meeting and for that they're great. Good parking for Essex, cozy decor, great sound quality to hold a meeting and pastries that are out of this world. I even got wifi.

My husband and I try and come here daily. Everything is delicious. I am addicted to the iced Hawaiian hazelnut that I drink all year round. We particularly love the ambience - quiet, no cell phones, jazz music and the staff. Kristen and Brian are the best.

This shop is quaint. Great atmosphere and drinks( especially the tea lattes! My favorite and worth the wait.) The owner is awesome and super friendly.

Great service, great espresso and SO happy to see gluten free desserts ( TIP- get the macaroons...they were delicious- and apparently award winning!) We have been in this little shop before and we are always treated so well. Essex is such a quaint little town and this coffee shop is a great spot to relax in after a walk through the village. Coffee, tea, smoothies, and even gelato (I think we got one of everything!) all delicious. Can't wait to come back!

Great quiet, place with all the charm and atmosphere you would expect in downtown Essex.

Their coffee is wonderful - very refreshing, and for a fair price. Their award winning coconut macaroons are delicious, as well.

Delicious fresh baked scones that are still warm first thing in the morning, great coffee selection and the best Oregon Chai Latte combine to make this the best little coffe shop I've been too.