Small World Coffee

Small World Coffee is definitely a Princeton staple, if you’re in town, you have to stop by! My daughter and I are regulars here, and for good reason! We love our Saturday early-morning breakfasts — there’s always a great selection of sweet options, plus a few savory ones. The coffee, tea, and especially the matcha are exceptional. Honestly, the matcha here is unparalleled. We’ve tried all the hyped-up spots in NYC, and none of them even come close to Small World. It’s cozy, local, and full of that authentic Princeton charm.

I quite liked this spot. Stopped in on a cold and busy afternoon. There were a lot of people present and in line when I arrived and I almost considered looking elsewhere, but the environment itself is still cozy enough to not be overwhelming with a crowd, and the space and seating options themselves were spread out and expansive. The service was quick too. I didn’t get food so I can’t speak to that side, but I’ll be back when in the area.

Good coffee and atmosphere. Much better than the national chains. The cakes a treats are supper(get there early for a large selection). Unfortunately all of the tables rock and spill your drink.

I'm so glad I stopped by. This coffee shop knows what it's doing! I ordered the mocha, and it was a masterpiece—perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. It's clear they use high-quality, fresh beans. You can def taste the difference. Had me up for HOURS

Fun little coffee shop near Princeton campus. Looking for something local, we picked this and were happy with our choice. We parked across the street and enjoyed all the other neighboring small shops. Once we got to the main entrance, there was a line nearly to the door but it moved quickly. The inside is a lot larger than you would expect and there was plenty of seating available. After ordering our coffees (latte and drip with caramel) and croissant, we sat up front by the window and enjoyed our drinks and food while playing some word and board games. It was a really pleasant time here, would definitely return if passing through the area again.

Coffee is good (a little strong to me but it tastes great), people are nice, and although sometimes it’s super crowded there are always good vibes. ☕️🥐

The first word that comes to mind when describing Small World is "charm." It's a charming atmosphere with excellent coffee. It's a popular place among Princeton University and Seminary students and faculty. If you're visiting Princeton, you should stop in here and feel the vibe.

Amazing spot with a great vibe and super friendly service. One of the best coffees I’ve had, and the pastries are to die for. I’ll definitely be back!

This place is located on Witherspoon St just North of the campus. Apparently it opened in about 1993. The people here are very friendly. They have WiFi and a fairly large seating area (see photos) which many people were taking advantage of. They have 2 bathrooms and great coffee. Worth trying out as opposed to Starbucks, which is not bad, but you can get anywhere. Nice place.

If you're looking for a local vibrant and lively coffee shop with delicious tasting coffee, this is your spot. The atmosphere is very welcoming and it smells DELICIOUS in here. The coffee itself is not too sweet for a vanilla latte which is enjoyable, and it actually tastes like coffee( doesn't taste like just milk). We definitely recommend!

This was perhaps the most interesting coffee shop I've been to. If you've ever been to a European coffee shop this definitely has the same vibes. It is extremely busy and definitely a spot for locals! Because it is so busy we had to wait outside in line before ordering. The inside had ample seating but is crammed and very loud and a little junky. You could say eclectic. I enjoyed that they used actual glasses / mugs for people dining in. I wish their menu was easier to read or specials were more readily available. I felt a tad rushed to order. They do move everyone in very quickly. Because I felt rushed I didn't order a flavor or anything special because I didn't get a good look at the menu and wasn't sure what customizations were available. It's a cool spot if you're in Princeton just be prepared for a bit of chaos !

How is it possible that I've been a Yelper for almost 10 years and have no review for Small World Coffee!! I've been here countless times. The service has always been friendly. The beverages whether straight up coffee, hot chocolate or a seasonal item such as hot cider always deliver. Expect a packed house as far as seating goes. People tend to camp out for extended periods of time with their laptops. We were lucky to snag a spot for four. On this visit, we ordered a latte, hot chocolate, and a seasonal Rosemary infused beverage. For our sweet tooth, we ordered Grandmas apple pie and Chocolate Chip Cake. Everything was great, especially the apple pie!

I first started coming here in college and that was ages ago. The place hasn't changed a bit and I love it for that! I was warmly greeted by the barista even though a line was forming behind me. I ordered an iced green tea; it was a little weak but serviceable. Honestly I don't come here for the coffee. The points are their great WiFi, 3 bathrooms, a microwave and 2 toasters. The place gets packed but typically you can get a table. My only issue: you can't plug in your devices. PS - if you're looking for serenity, this isn't the place.

I've loved this place for years! Always make sure to visit when I'm in town! Great place to meet up with friends, pause on a hot summers day, or read.

Stopped in for a hot chocolate and I'm so glad that I did. It was incredible and one of the best I've ever had. I knew that I was in for a treat when I saw a line formed out of the store and onto the sidewalk. The hot chocolate was at the optimal temperature and the whipped cream made this selection memorable. There is plenty of indoor seating and it was packed, as well it should be. If their other items are as good as their hot chocolate, this eatery will need to be placed in the Princeton "mandatory" visit list.

Five stars for Small World Coffee. The baristas are incredibly friendly, and service is fast. The pumpkin cream cold brew is SO GOOD. The cream to cold brew ratio is amazing and I can't even begin to express how delicious this is. Give it a try next time you go in. One of my friends got a matcha which was also delicious, and not overly milky. If you're a student this is a great spot to study and there are lots of tables to choose from!

Small World is very often my first stop when I get to Princeton. If it's hot, I get an iced oat milk latte, if it's cold, I get a hot black or a hot oat milk latte or maybeeeee something a little bit jazzier. But I am pretty confident I will get a fantastic drink. They baristas are always friendly and fast. There is LOTS of seating inside, but depending on the time of year, it might be packed with students studying, or just chit chatting. There might be a bit of a line, but don't be intimidated because it really does move quickly. If you are looking for a place to sit for a bit and enjoy your drink, this is it. If there are no tables available, grab your drink and go for a walk around town or campus. One bummer is that they don't have any outdoor seating or tables, but that's no big when the streets surrounding the coffee shop are as cute and walkable and lovely as Princeton's. You'll love Small World I am very sure.

valentines day = love small world has its priorities right: #1 peace #2 love and #3 coffee! living in princeton since the first coming, when small world arrived in 1993, swc has made people believers in great coffee! every year running up to valentine's day small world has sponsored the "love show" roasting an especially hot "love blend" but also creating love themed small world mugs, t-shirts, onesies, special hit beverages, cheerful local artist "love "notecards and smiles that convey their love for their first name customers. for 30 years small world was my perfect back-up for a last minute gift for a valentine! i could pop in, grab my cortado and sip as i searched all the lovingly designed giftables with big red valentine hearts on them. allas, i am 2300 miles from princeton and i desperately need something for my valentine . then suddenly, my los angeles us mail arrived with 2 lbs of fresh roasted sumatran decaf from small world coffee roasters! saved because we continue to be believers in the power of peace #1! love #2 and coffee #3 alive and well in princeton on valentine's day! small world we love you!

Inside was very pretty full but not packed- free seats available but you'll have to look around a bit. The atmosphere is very warm and upbeat- great coffeeshop vibes for chatting with friends or doing some light studying on your own. My jasmine tea fog was very pleasantly hot and warmed me up nicely. My drink had a tea-forward flavor, which I appreciated. A lot of places do tea fogs with a very heavy syrup/milk component, which has the drawback of covering up the tea. This was not the case here! Very good balance, especially given how jasmine tea has a typically lighter flavor that can be easy to overpower.

The chai is wayyy too bitter--I would not recommend. At the same time, it is kind of quirky and fun... Everything else I've had is great. You get a discount for bringing your own cup. They have great coffee. Great apple cider. Great blueberry crumb bars. The atmosphere is always bustling, and the lighting is lovely (very natural and properly bright). The staff are very friendly, too. The tables are a bit small for more than a laptop, or for larger groups (but see pictures in other reviews).

Does the business. Can get a bit packed in there; stacks and stacks of student shoved in the back. Peeps are friendly.

Small World Coffee is a delightful and snug cafe with an incredibly friendly and helpful staff. When I sought something refreshing and warm, despite my coffee aversion, I was suggested the ginger tonic with honey and lemon--it tasted fantastic, making my stroll around Princeton Downtown even more enjoyable. The prospect of returning is definite; it's an excellent spot for studying and people-watching.

First visit here today and I was a bit disappointed. Let me explain. Most places including Starbucks, stop making there dark roasts early in the day, this coffee shop is no different, they had a grumpy monkey coffee brew that was the brew of the day, when I went to order it the cashier said they stop brewing it at 12pm. Terrific, just give me a freaking cup, she did and it rang up at $4.00 for a larger regular brew coffee. I was in kind of shock but so tired I just gave her my last five dollar bill in my wallet and said give me my dollar back post haste. The coffee was suspect at first sip however after a few sips I can attest its decent coffee but by no means worth $4 bucks a cup. Unless I get an exuberant raise in the near future at my job I don't see myself coming back here unless I am in dire need of caffeine and if that be the case I will make a mental note to get the smallest size possible as $4 dollar coffee is a disgrace in a extremely busy coffee shop. Shame on you for that upcharge. As always people SYOY!!!

Such a cute coffee shop bang opposite Princeton University. Line was long but I chose to join the wagon as I wanted some warm and was keen to try this place . After browsing the menu I decided on Golden Mylk as I love ginger and the description " turmeric ginger emulsion " was very tempting . Was very warm & soothing with subtle ginger flavor that was extremely comforting. I have to go back to try their baked goodies .

I enjoyed the cafe and ambiance. Had their iced latte and it was really good. Nice crowd too.

Coffee is great. Staff is amazing. Love the seating options great studying spot! Lines can get long but that just shows how amazing this place is!

My favorite coffee shop in Princeton. Always go when I'm around. It's so iconic to this town and their coffee, ambiance, and service is great! So much energy in this establishment. It's always busy but you'll always find a spot for one or two at least.

Want to have the best coffee in the world and be a Princeton local? Take yourself to Small World Coffee and order a a cup of their famous coffee (ask for a single joe or double joe instead of small/large coffee if you want to impress the baristas)! There are two locations in Princeton, one on Witherspoon and the other on Nassau! The pictures in my review are only of the Nassau location but there is more "character" and atmosphere at the Witherspoon location as well. Always a favorite to go-to when I'm back in Princeton!

Solid coffee in Princeton! Great location on Nasau Street. Packed on a Saturday morning with line outside of the store. We waited about 20 minutes. Inside there are plenty of tables. Good college town vibe! Iced mocha is strong but very good. Pumpkin foam cold brew is a little sweet and great for the fall

A community gem- both for their impeccable drinks AND how the staff of each cafe personalizes everyone's experience.

Great customer service despite the busyness over thanksgiving break. Friendly and upbeat staff that isn't afraid to joke around with you; the man who took our order even asked if we wanted the brownie with the edge or the center brownie. I wouldn't study here but it's a nice place to meet a friend. Coffee was actually a bit bitter but the Gingerbread cold foam saved it!

Loved the mocha but omg their chai... is the strangest thing I've ever tried. It was sO strong, with so much of some ingredient (maybe ginger?) that I got into a coughing fit after trying it. Thankfully the staff asked "have you tried our Chai? because it's... strong" so I really appreciated the sample because we all ended up tasting a sip and my friend changed her order immediately. But otherwise, it's a nice cozy vibe and a great place to get drinks with friends!

Ordered: Blueberry Cream Cold Brew (~$7): cold brew made in their kitchen with heavy cream, blueberries, vanilla extract, and cinnamon Aya's take: I'm not usually a drink-caffeine-at-4pm type of person, but this drink caught my eye and I could not resist! The blueberry cream was delicious, creamy, and full of subtle flavors. It tasted great on its own and even better mixed with the cold brew. A little pricy but great try!

When I first went back to Small World Coffee after 10 years away I saw there was a line 10 people deep going outside of the door. The line fortunately moved quickly and we were served shortly after. The simple black coffee that I ordered was just as delicious as I remember ten years ago. I am not sure if the other food but everything looked just as good. The staff is friendly--one of the employees handed my a to do cup before I even had time to ask for it. Inside this coffee shop are the usual students and visitors. The place seems to fit more people than what you'd expect from seeing it from the outside, yet I never feel crowded in there. My friend and I quickly found seat with no trouble. I'm glad that little has changed in ten years. It's the best coffee shop in Princeton.

I must admit, I'm disappointed in myself for being tardy with these reviews, but I suppose it's better late than never. I simply adore "Small World Coffee" in Princeton. Every time I visit, I find myself drawn to this lively establishment bustling with people. The coffee they serve is a true delight. Whether I opt for a cortado or a regular espresso, each sip is a taste of perfection. And let's not forget about their wide array of other beverage options available. Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone seeking a memorable coffee experience.

Came into Princeton for a working day and by recommendation I came here. The baristas were VERY kind, the place wasn't loud-busy but most seats were filled, available plugs, individual seating was a great place to make a call, and the Tough Chai was amazing. Talk about SPICY! But the barista told me they could add extra milk to make it more palatable and it worked, can't imagine how spicy it is with a normal amount of milk. Great place, would absolutely return

Small World is solid -- good espresso and good vibes. I got an iced oat milk latte, which ran to $6.25. My biggest gripe is that the only non-dairy milk they have is oat milk. Sadly, they don't offer soy or almond milk. Inside is pretty huge! There is plenty of seating, and the ambiance is good. There's always a lot of people working.

Really good place for staying in the town!! Good coffee and great vibes! Live band is excellent!

Came to the Princeton area and came across this cute coffee shop. I always get an iced chai latte with oat milk and espresso, figured I'd try it. Before ordering, the staff are all wearing masks and have the plastic covering the cash register so it's hard to understand them. After ordering, the girl did say that the chai was strong with extra ginger and I've had chai strong before and didn't mind. No joke, this chai is not even chai, it's pure ginger and spice with no sweetness. I'm disappointed but again, the girl did warn me but just didn't expect to be a whole different taste. I'd like to try something different next time!

I stopped by for a quick hot drink on a chilly day and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I was greeted as soon as I walked in and the barista was very friendly and patient in answering my questions. If you like spicy food/drinks, the Tough Chai here is a MUST TRY. (Be warned: it does have a fairly good kick to it) Although I was hoping it would be sweeter, I did enjoy the extra spice and the unique taste. You can't find chai like this anywhere else! The indoor seating is closed off due to the pandemic, but they have outdoor seating. There were about 3-4 baristas when I went, so my order was ready in less than 2 minutes. I will definitely be coming back to try more of their coffee and other drinks when I'm in the area again!

One of my all time favorite coffee shops!! Small World is located in the heart of town and always has a great vibe. Plenty of indoor seating (but it can get completely full quickly). The drink menu is expansive and always has a few drinks on rotation. Today I tried the seasonal cold brew (Pumpkin) and the London Fog latte. Both were great - the cold brew was quite sweet and the London Fog was nice and milky. Prices are expensive, but Small World has everything you want in a coffee shop so I think it's worth it. Come here for the great drinks and your classic neighborhood coffee shop vibes!

Cute coffee shop right in the heart of Princeton University. They have some really strong coffee and if your a Mocha fan, I'd recommend the Ice Mocha. The Banana Mouse was great too. They took a bit to get the drinks ready but besides that it was great!

Oat cap is p good! Roasty flavor and hot and comes out very fast. Super crowded spot so mayb best for pickup

Bold drip coffee add that shot and you're good. Nice and cozy can get lots of work done but a bit noisy so bring your headphones.

This is my go to local coffee in Princeton. There are a lot of wonderful shops around this area that have great coffee so I encourage you to try them all. I always come back here for the NOLA iced coffee bc it's quick to order and always tastes delicious! My husband has tried various iced drinks and always likes them. If t you're coming here to work or study it is crowded during the school year and seating is odd but definitely doable!

I grew up in Princeton. Small World is the local coffee shop, full stop. It's a great place to get a cup of coffee, a snack, sit down and get some work, or run into the very person you've been trying to avoid recently. The vibe changes based on the time of day -- mornings are for the grab-and-goers and newspaper readers, afternoons welcome the laptop and post-shopping crew, evenings are for socializing and hanging out. I stop by every time I'm in town, if only to grab a "hot sticky cider" and to check out my picture (taken in Russia, 2001) on the wall of folks wearing Small World merch all around the world.

Smooth coffee, yummy treats and local community spot- perfect. Add in local art and friendly faces and I'm coming back again. So the 2nd trip I grabbed the beans and sipping back here in Oregon!

I've been to small world coffee a few times and I love this place! It has a great coffee shop ambiance and although the interior is small, it feels really homey. I definitely recommend if you're in the area!

The place is vert cute , food is good, and the service was excellent. The staff members are very friendly

Great coffee. Lovely treats. Wished so lived closer to it. Large sitting areas too. Located right off Nassau street. Definitely visit if in area

Stopped by this coffee shop in the morning after a run. The place was packed with a lengthy line, but workers are incredibly efficient with processing orders. One thing I dig about this place is that not only are the staff friendly, but they seemed genuinely happy to be working there which is cool seeing. They have a bunch of coffee and tea options to please almost anyone. I ended up going with a large Americano which came out quickly and piping hot. Tasted great and I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area looking for some coffee. There is also a bunch of seating and tables available too as I saw some people studying there.

Ah, I remember what is was like to travel and eat inside restaurants. This is a throwback pre-pandemic review... They make a good cappacino and we also enjoyed a few equally delightful pastries (especially the one with apple) in this bustling location. Check it out...

The coffee here is excellent! I had the iced vanilla latte and my husband had the vanilla cream cold brew. The miso chocolate chip cookie was really good too! Overall it can be a bit crowded and loud. We didn't have trouble finding a seat though. Lots of college students at work on their laptops around us too! Just not a quiet coffeeshop environment, so would recommend stopping in with the expectation of good people watching and a bit of hustle and bustle!

Overpriced for subpar coffee. This place is always packed but I still think it is overhyped.

Not sure what happened but this local coffee shop fell off the wagon for me. Their espresso roast tastes burnt and unenjoyably bitter. Honestly it's not a very smooth latte. I've had better in town and around. Also they've gone more corporate. Their new rewards system is terrible versus the old punch card. It used to be one free every 12 drinks (if you do a flavored latte it's like $72 spent) but now it's $5 off for every $100. Pretty terrible considering the earning margins for drinks are high. Also they didn't officially announce the retirement of the punch card - just stopped during COVID and then "word of mouth" for a few months. Pretty lame IMHO. As much as I like their staff, it seems like this coffee shop has become Starbucks lite. I'm no longer interested in supporting this establishment. The taste is meh and I feel they have coasted on "old" reputation. There are more places in town now with higher quality coffee. Try them instead.

Busy Sunday afternoon grabbed coffee and pastries with a friend :D both were delicious but I was a bit sad that oat milk cost $1 more

I have no doubt that this place is as wonderful as most of the reviews point out. Perhaps I couldn't get a real feel for it on a bustling Saturday afternoon. At around 3:30pm, the line was out the door. I searched Yelp for "Wi-Fi cafe, Princeton, NJ" and this is the first place that popped up. I intended to get some writing done and catch up with a friend. We nixed the plan to have coffee together and chat since there was no available seating, but since I'm already here, why not grab something?! Truth be told, I wanted flavored coffee - coffee with the flavor roasted into the beans! They only had syrups to add to regular coffee. That'll be a NO for me. I ordered apple cake and a large cappuncino to go! The cap is decent and rich. Apple cake is okay too! Despite the crowd, service was expedient and friendly. And I saw people working on laptops - with headphones on. Not conducive for me given noise level. There's live music beginning at 8:30pm. I would have checked it out if I was going to be still in the area.

The coffee and scone were great. But the only reason I went in was because they have a chalk board describing overnight oats, but when I tried to order them, the barista told me that the person who does that is away on maternity leave through September or so; very irritating- erase the board until she gets back, or get someone else to do it. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any hot food for breakfast.