Maru Coffee

Exceptional high-elevation coffee and gallery vibes in Brooklyn. Heard a lot of high praise about their LA flagship, so we made the drive down to check out this new Brooklyn outpost over the weekend. As expected, the shop was packed, but we were able to snag a small window table with barely a wait. The interior design was stunning. The varied, multi-colored wood decor gave the entire space the curated, minimalist feel of an art gallery (very reminiscent of those hyper-aesthetic, design-forward cafes in Seoul or Tokyo). The pricing was also incredibly reasonable for Brooklyn, mostly in the $5–$7 range. I’m usually fairly easygoing about beans as long as they dodge that aggressively dark, ashy roast, but the "Maru" beans they pull here (grown at high elevation) had a noticeably superior, nuanced profile. The bitterness was beautifully toned down. Both the breve macchiato and the vanilla bean latte were incredibly smooth, with no need for any extra sugar. We also grabbed a chocolate buckwheat cookie on the side, and it was phenomenal. I’ve always been a sucker for a cookie with that slightly gritty, crumbly texture, and this gluten-free version absolutely nailed it. It had a deep, rich cocoa flavor that wasn’t too sweet, and it finished with exactly the right amount of crunch.

One of the best specialty coffee shops in Brooklyn. Simple menu selection with a great variety of coffee. The pour overs are incredible and totally worth trying (personal favorite was the Ethiopia one), and if you’re coming from far away like I did I’d also recommend to grab a bag to brew at home. Seating area is pretty small and the lines are long so it was pretty hard to find seating. Staff is all super nice and attentive. Will definitely be coming back.

it’s a nice coffee shop with a good selection. pastries do sell out fast unfortunately at some point so u might wanna go there like earlier during the day. it’s pretty good, the only thing for me is i wish i can customize my drink to my liking which they don’t do unfortunately otherwise it’s good and i love the vibe

coffee was really good & high quality!! I’d recommend the iced breve macchiato. love the minimalist design and how clean and serene this place is and feels. no wifi though and tables and chairs are so small so i wouldn’t stay here to study or do work but great spot to chat w a friend, enjoy a lil drink, or grab it to go. best on a weekday morning n not a weekend to avoid lines.

I waited outside in line, in the cold this weekend, in an attempt to check out a new and interesting coffee shop. I'm not a coffee purist, I like lattes with unique homemade syrups, and after speaking with the lady at the counter I went with the breve white. I thought it was going to be topped with a thick layer of cloud like cream. It was more like 1/2 a cup of coffee with several spoonfuls of cream on top. Well that was ok, I guess I didn't understand the description as long as it tasted great. Sadly it did not! The cream was great, I could have sipped that away but the coffee was so tart and tangy, I couldn't drink it, it was too gross 😟 Eventually I gave up trying to make myself drink it and the friendly lady at the register replaced it with a vanilla bean latte, great! I'd have my interesting latte, but after I received it, it really just tasted like coffee on its own. As I drank it, I searched for an interesting flavor and just enjoyed a well made mostly coffee flavored latte. When I got to the bottom 1/4 of the cup, i was hit with vanilla bean flavor and the slight grainieness of vanilla beans! If it could have been blended at the beginning so that the whole latte tasted like vanilla bean, it would have been great. Either it wasn't blended well and the vanilla immediately sunk to the bottom, or they never blended the vanilla into the coffee and oat milk to begin with 😔 I left the cup with the bottom coated with vanilla beans....

Maru coffee is a LA based brand well known for their drinks, this is their first one located in the NYC area. This place was busy, but they still made orders quickly. There's a bathroom/restroom in the back for patrons, and a lot of natural lighting and seating inside. The matcha had a great taste, probably the best matcha we had during this weekend we were in NYC. The pastries were also good, though the croissant was pretty standard, the canelé was good and tasty.

Maru Cafe feels like Brooklyn local spot with Korean soul. The space is cozy, warm, very relaxed. You see locals working, chatting, staying long time. Coffee is good, balanced, not too acidic. Desserts and pastries are simple but comforting. What I like most is atmosphere, no rush, no pressure. Staff is friendly and natural. Perfect place for slow morning or afternoon break. こういうカフェが近所にほしい。 Maru Cafe is not loud or trendy, but honest and calming, which is rare these days.

We absolutely loved our experience here. The coffee itself is excellent, but what makes it even more special is the overall experience of enjoying it. Every little detail is thoughtfully taken care of, and those small touches make a big difference for visitors. The atmosphere is beautiful and carries a charm that instantly reminded me of the time I visited cafés in Seoul—it truly felt like being transported back in time. A wonderful spot for both great coffee and a memorable vibe.

Maru Coffee's first East Coast outpost in NYC completely lives up to the hype from its Los Angeles roots. The space is bright and airy with plenty of natural light and seating, making it a perfect spot to post up. Even when busy, the staff are impressively efficient at moving orders along quickly. A nice practical touch is the restroom available for customers in the back. The drinks are where they truly shine. The matcha was exceptional, deeply flavorful and probably the best we had all weekend in the city. Their focus on single-origin beans and a lighter roast profile, a philosophy brought from LA by founder Matthew Kim, clearly translates across their menu. The pastries were also a hit. While the croissant was pretty standard, the canelé was a standout: perfectly caramelized on the outside with a soft, flavorful center. It's an excellent addition to the neighborhood for a serious cup of coffee or, as we discovered, a top-tier matcha.

With all the hype, I was skeptical about another new cafe. I am sad to report it was worth the hype for me, which means I'll have to make the trip and brave the line to continue enjoying it I ordered an iced flat white w/ oat milk. For this espresso, they used their Kemi beans. Online, it says there are caramel & berry notes. This was one of the better (if not best) espressos I've had in the area. Creamy and rich- you could taste the slight sweetness of caramel followed by the fruitiness. I was genuinely surprised by how well those notes came through! I've come to enjoy a smaller cup size lately. I find that with an espresso shot pulled right, it highlights all those flavors (also the small cup and the tiny straw was actually so cute lol). I was able to enjoy my drink for about an hour and a half as the espresso flavor was so rich and strong that I took less sips. This is much more of a preference thing. If you normally down coffee without a thought, this may not be that drink for you. Hoping to come back to try their other beans through a tasting flight!

we waited on line for quite some time. gorgeous lighting inside if you're actually able to find a seat. cream top: if you're a fan long blacks, then you'll probably think it's great! however if you're like me, i don't really enjoy those. would maybe a good summer coffee order vs fall where i'm looking for something with a "full" taste. vanilla bean latte: wasn't impressed. the flavor wasn't coming through- probably needed more paste. matcha cookie: disappointing that they didn't make their pastries and baked goods, like the matcha cookie, in-house. it was sweet and oily, leaving a film in my mouth.

If you like sugary drinks, I don't think this place is for you but if you're a fan of good coffee, this place definitely takes their craft seriously. They have an open space and good seating options but not good for studying. They don't have wifi so keep that in mind. The staff is really honest about their drinks and the ambiance is really cozy! I do want to go back and try their matcha drinks but their coffee was solid!

Hailing from Los Angeles, I was excited to see / hear that Maru was a business that would open shop here in NYC. While I believe in waiting in line for quality coffee / bakery goods, I wouldn't justify waiting more than 15 minutes here. Their expertise feels skewed towards pour over creations and less so towards lattes / capps. Even though there are certain drinks they're supposedly known for i.e. vanilla bean latte, cream top but because it's an Asian cafe and not American, their flavored drinks are actually not that sweet. Take what you will and if you do prefer sweet vs. not sweet, wanted to put that out in the ether. The aesthetic and decor inside is minimalistic, but you're truly paying for the artistry of the slow coffee wave vibe and less of the Starbucks / Bottle aesthetic. We ordered the vanilla bean latte and cream top however were not quite that impressed...the latter you definitely have to stir really well!

The first time I came by, it was during the weekend and the line was a bit too much for me. I didn't ask questions and just ordered the signature drinks to go, which were good but not lining up good. The second time I came by, I went on a weekday so the wait was much shorter. This time around, slower paced, I realized I can choose from three types of beans for my espresso after asking about the menu. Instead of the signature drinks, I ordered a latte with the bean of choice. My goodness, what a difference in experience. I had a chance to sit down and sip, while snacking on a kouign amann. The latte was delicious and lingered in memory hours after. By sitting, I got to enjoy the space, admire the coffee sets, and the minimalist interior design.

Not worth the hype, the line, or the price. I got the infamous cream top and it was just ok. Definitely better places in the area that are a fraction of the price and still quality coffee.

I came here on a Saturday morning around 9:30am and waited about 10 minutes. The line moved fairly quickly. Their matcha latte is delicious - you can pay $2 extra to upgrade to the higher quality matcha (which I didn't but I want to try!). The flavor of the matcha is great (I heard they use ippodo but I'm not 100% sure). I would love to come back and sit down next time - though it looks like the tables might be hard to grab.

To be fair, this is actually a 5 star coffee shop and their coffee is superb, but goodness, the line is annoyingly long. Sure, we live in NYC and lines are inevitable, but are they always worth the wait? Building off its success and roots from LA, Maru made the pilgrimage out east (just like how a lot of Californians have moved here). By now, this location is a few months old so it has a very new feel to it and minimalist aesthetic. I ordered an espresso and was impressed by how much I loved it. It was a smoothly extracted shot and had a brightness that truly made it shined. I'm harsher than usual, but I'll come back again and see if I change my mind.

I don't remember how I found out about Maru in the first place but this recent addition to the neighborhood had to be checked out. I like the aesthetics inside and service is friendly. Their matcha latte definitely tastes legit but skews on the bitter side even with sweetener added. I wished they had a bigger menu so that you can look while waiting in line. Instead, you kind of have to make a split second decision once you get to the cash register and see the menu there on the counter

Maru definitely brought their LA magic to New York! If you swing by in the morning or early afternoon, be prepared for a line and trust me, it's for a reason. Their matcha is so good, and the BonBon is the perfect sweet treat to kickstart your day. The space is minimalistic, bright, and super chill ideal for catching up with friends, getting lost in a book, or just people-watching the crowd. NYC has no shortage of coffee spots, but this one is absolutely worth the visit.

Recommendation: For something slightly sweet but in such good balance, get the macchiato, which comes with their signature foam on top. I'm not usually someone who goes for anything smaller than 12oz, but I'd make an exception to have their macchiato again. It's that good. Other reviews are a bit outdated by now; their menu now includes their signatures like their cream top coffees. Even on a Monday morning, Maru still has a (short) line out the door and every table is occupied. Furniture beautifully designed, huge open windows for sunlight pouring in. Hang around a bit and you should catch yourself a table. People don't seem to stay too long if they're not on the tables to work on their laptops.

I usually steer clear of hype--especially when it's pushed by influencers with, let's be honest, mediocre taste at best. But after twenty-something years of fantastic espresso at Joe (Waverly) and the equally brilliant Abraço (where Elizabeth's cakes are downright outrageously delicious ) I'm ready to make a bold claim: Maru serves arguably the best espresso in NYC. Not Brooklyn. Not Staten Island. Not even the Bronx. Manhattan. NYC proper. Yes, there's a faint whiff of liberalism and woke-ism in the air, but it's far from overwhelming. The space is clean, the decor is sharp, and the service is genuinely professional. Highly recommended!!!!! Definitely a destination !!!!!

Friday morning at 9am and there was already a line out the door. The decor is minimalist but inviting with room to sit and catch up with a friend or two. I ordered a matcha latte and it was definitely one of the better ones I've had in the city! The matcha taste was strong and the milk wasn't overpowering. I also tried some of my friend's cream top and that was delicious. Not usually a coffee drinker but I'd would order it again

As a LA native I was so excited to see Maru come to NY. Their coffee & matcha are top notch! One of the best matchas lattes I've had in the city - they don't skimp out.

Waited about 30mins, got a cup of Bon bon and Cappuccino. The seating areas are very limited the space isn't spacious hard to find places to sit and chill. I didn't personally liked Bon bon because the cream on top was cold you had to sip it up to have the taste of coffee which was not my favorite. Cappuccino was decent nothing really special. Menu was available by the counter so had to waited to see what's on there until you get close by. Just overall not really enjoyed this place not worth the hype.. :/

Welcome to Brooklyn, Maru! We loved stopping by for our caffeine fix when we were in LA, and finally having on on the east coast, aka close by, is AMAZING! This Korean-owned coffee shop offers delicious coffee beverages - try their cream-topped ones, as they are super tasty! The staff are friendly, and the space itself is clean, open, and minimalistic - great for get-togethers or maybe to get some quick work done. Very accessible! +delicious cream-topped coffees +friendly service +seating available

Was very excited to see a little bit of LA coming to NYC. Minimalistic but elevated and cozy interior and vibes. We got the vanilla bean latte, and couldn't really taste the vanilla notes, but you can definitely taste the quality of the espresso, so no complaints. I usually prefer my coffee less sweet and for the espresso notes to overpower any syrups/sweetener, so it worked out. The signature cream top drink was slightly disappointing, because it had very prominent acidic notes, but it was otherwise okay. Also love that they're dog friendly, we saw like 5 big dogs and 2 smaller lap size dogs.

Coffee is pretty good! However, there always a long line during the weekend, almost no line during the weekend. Pastry also good but pricey (the pastry is from Lysee, totally understandable)

cute cafe ! drinks are yummy and pastries from lysee and frenchette are great too. i especially like the cream top and am glad for another fun coffee option in the neighborhood !

A popular LA coffee shop that made its way to NYC. Unfortunately their entire LA menu is not available in NYC - they do not offer the cream top coffees here. I tried the Bon Bon, which is one of their signature drinks and it was $6 for a tiny cup. Very expensive for what you get, so I would not get this again. I went on the weekend and the line was out the door around 12 PM. Interior is nice and airy inside, but it is hard to get a table on the weekend. I recommend taking the drink to go to enjoy it at the park!

So glad Maru came to the neighborhood! Since I live close by, I have been able to avoid the long lines and come during off peak hours during the week. I think the coffee is really good and I love both the vanilla latte which is so unique and the cream top which is the perfect amount of sweet! That being said I definitely wouldn't wait 45 minutes for this! They also carry pastries from Frenchette which is another favorite of mine! The inside is super cute and perfect for doing work or catching up with friends if you get there early enough and can snag a table!

A fresh and modern but cosy cafe in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC, @marucoffeela serves an amazing cappuccino! Freshly baked pastries, friendly baristas and plenty of seating. Really enjoyed the whole experience and could go again and again!

you cannot go wrong with anything you order but my favorites are the iced breve macchiato and the iced vanilla latte. i wouldn't recommend working at the coffee shop but it's a good spot to catch up with friends. interior decor reminds me of a lot of CPH coffee shops.

Coffee here is not my favorite. It seems like most of their coffee concoctions are slow brewed drip coffee based which is not a taste I like. I wish the menu was more clear about this. I will try the latte next and see if third times a charm.

vanilla bean latte is excellent! such a lovely coffee flavor and not too sweet space is light and bright, quite a bit of seating

I always visit maru in la so when I heard they opened a Brooklyn location I knew I had to visit the next time I visited the east coast. And what can I say they deliver just as well as they do in the west! Service is great and ambiance on point and drinks are delicious, reminded me of back home! Great to see a part of California in the East!

My favorite coffee shop in NY. I would highly recommend to try the cream top and the matcha. The matcha is not too sweet which i appreciate.

Absolutely love this place! This is my third time stopping by Maru, and every single time, their drinks amaze me. (tried Cream top, macchiato, matcha latte) It's hands down the best coffee I've had in NY. The vibe is minimal, warm, and calm, and the staff are always super friendly and welcoming. There's usually a line, but it moves quickly. FYI, they finally added their signature cream top to the menu. So good!!!

Excellent cold brew and great pour over options. Barista had great recommendations as well. Great new addition to the neighborhood, will be returning often.

I'm starting to believe that maru anywhere will be good! Came here after hearing about their new opening in New York and being from La I knew I gotta stop by to see how it compares and I can say it's got that same charm as back home! Drinks and service were great and the ambiance felt even more chic with the New York feel! Will be back again and recommend everyone from NY to try!

Religious coffee experience. Modern and minimal space, yet welcoming. Attention to detail can be seen all throughout, especially the coffee.

Came to BK from the city because I loved the one in LA. This location doesn't offer the cream top for matchas or on the side like they did in LA. It's literally just whipped cream in a little cup so idk why they can't do that. Also no vanilla syrup, at least not for matchas? Something they also had in LA. No WiFi either.

Now I get why there's always a line. The cream top was so good! Perfect spot to grab a coffee and go relax at Domino Park right down the street. Definitely coming back!