Common Grounds A Neighborhood Coffee House

Brooklyn, United States

3.7

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 347-533-9525
Website:
www.commongroundsny.com
Address:
376 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11216
b/t Jefferson Ave & Putnam Ave
Bedford Stuyvesant
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miNostrand Avenue (A,C)
0.4 miKingston-Throop Avenues (C)
0.5 miB15
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Bussiness info

Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Good for Working
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Brooklyn) 20:53 Thursday, 28 November 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Common Grounds is a neighborhood coffee house located in Bedford Stuyvesant which offers specialty coffee and teas, pastries and Belgian Waffles and Ice Cream.

History

Established in 2007.

Common Grounds opened to create a space for people to connect. Bedford Stuyvesant lacked community gathering places and Common Grounds opened to fill that void.

Since opening we’ve become an anchor in the neighborhood; fostering networking, economic development and our local artists. We’ve hosted book signings, baby showers, graduation parties, block association meetings and even a wedding.

In addition to being a wonderful space, Common Grounds offers THE BEST cup of coffee in the neighborhood and had our Pumpkin Latte featured in NY Magazine last fall.

We’re known for our Our Belgian Waffles which will melt in your mouth and the only thing that would make it better is if you topped it with a few scoops of ice cream!

We hope to see you soon. We Love Yelpers!

We hope to see you soon. We Love Yelpers!

Meet the Business Owner

Tremaine W.

Business Owner

I am a life long resident of Bedford Stuyvesant and an avid coffee drinker. I imagined a space where I could relax and connect with friends and wanted it to be in my neighborhood. Thus, the birth of Common Grounds. I’m involved in just about everything happening in Bed Stuy and invite you to join me. I support local businesses; offer Common Grounds as exhibit space for local artists and volunteer with a few community organizations.

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20 reviews of Common Grounds A Neighborhood Coffee House

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Brooklyn, NY
Decided to try this place because it seemed like they had some delicious looking waffles. Upon entering the place, I walked through a curtain (I guess there isn’t AC or maybe it wasn’t on) into the main area. Here’s the problem with leaving your door open. Flies. Not something I want to see. Anyway, tried ordering a Belgian waffle with strawberries, was told the only thing they could add was apple, they didn’t have any other toppings. Just. Remove them from the menu if that’s the case. Left without ordering but, from what I saw the place needs a it of work.
Place rating: 2
New York, NY
It’s not a café for getting work done in a pleasant atmosphere.
The café is not in the same condition as it was pictured three years ago and the staff was rude. It has a decent backyard, where I was excited to get some work done. However, the wifi was none existent there. I tried to talk to the staff about it, but he just repeated the password and network over and over again. When I told him I couldn’t get it in the backyard, he just walked away.
The coffee was okay; the $.50 cookie was the only positive part of the experience.
Place rating: 1
Brooklyn, NY
My sister and I got some awesome iced cappuccino’s here the first time, so good we wanted more. I sent my sister for some the next day. However this time, there was a guy who argued that there’s no such thing as an iced cappuccino.
When my sister came back with what looked like an iced coffee with a bunch of milk and no ice… she explained he said there’s no such thing. I then called him to clarify but he claims all the Brooklyn coffee shops we’ve gotten iced cappuccinos from are making us Lattes.
He was a smart ass on the phone who asked me to teach him how to make a cappuccino and prompted me to go get my coffee somewhere else.
I sure hope this was not the manager/​owner or else this is a business that doesn’t deserve to be in the neighborhood.
Place rating: 3
Brooklyn, NY
It’s great, at least four stars… when it’s open. It’s a Monday morning at 9:15, the website says it should be open from 8 to 5 today, but it’s closed. No sign, no nothing.
Not the first time this has happened, so it’s frustrating when you set out with the coffee shop being your destination only to find inexplicably that it’s closed. The thing is, I don’t know if they’re LATE, or if they’re just NOT OPEN. I could easily walk down there again later to find out, but you know what? I’m not actually going to do that. So even if they do open, they can’t get my business today.
Seriously, the coffee is good, the employees are nice, but if you’re going to have posted hours, you should stick to those hours so your customers know they can rely on you. I’m soaking wet and back at home because I walked four blocks in the pouring wind and rain thinking I was going to have a hot coffee at Common Grounds.
Not sure when I’ll be back.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I’ve only been here once, but I will definitely return.
Great little spot in bed-​stuy, friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, fresh food and beverages…
I had the oatmeal and a smoothie and it was under $ 10. If this place was in Williamsburg, they would charge double for half the portions.
Everyone I’ve talked to loves their waffles, so I must order those next time.
Place rating: 2
Brooklyn, NY
So disappointed. I wanted to support this neighborhood spot, but I can’t overlook the many errors witnessed recently. For having two large Bunn drip brew machines why does someone have to wait almost 20 minutes for a watery hot coffee? Customer service was lacking — no acknowledgement, no hello, no «it’ll be a minute, cold I make you an americano instead?», no «here’s your change» after pressing a million buttons for a minute, no «thank you» when previous customer returned with a tip. I cant even imagine how long it would take to order anything other than a coffee. And for goodness sakes, hide your low quality Restaurant Depot cheesecake and desserts sitting in plastic package by the milk bar next to other shopping products that should be hidden in the room with the shelf full of games. Organize your products (you def have the space), improve the quality (do you really need so many syrups and rest depot food?), improve the customer experience (service, transaction time) and maybe the coffee and food spots heading to Tompkins won’t win all your business.
Place rating: 5
Ossining, NY
I love this place! The coffee is good for a good price (cheaper than some other coffee spots around here) and the waffles are amazing. Staff is super friendly as well. The inside is chill and comfortable, but I definitely suggest to go outside and sit in their cute backyard as soon as the weather gets nice!
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
I’ve always really liked Common Grounds. After coming here intermittently after it first opened, really only because I didn’t live anywhere close, now that I’m very close I try to make it whenever I am in the mood for something flaky n’ sweet (hey, that’s a good restaurant name!). My favorite new addition to CG is that that serve pie!!! I’m in the minority, but I’ll usually take a slice of pie over cake!
Exclamation points aside, they also have tea and coffee and other beverages, though the coffee in the past has been pretty wanting. I’ve had a sandwich from there in the past, and it was pretty good, but I’ve never had any breakfast, of which they have recent new additions and deals, which probably mostly appeal to the tourists that now stay in and inhabit Bed-​Stuy on a regular these days. They also have a nice lil’ lounge in which you can play available games, or bring your own small ones (I’ve played UNO there), as well as a backyard in the summertime.
Long story short, in the neighborhood this is my go-​to muffin spot and sweets spot. Check ‘em out.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Belgian waffles. Ice cream raspberry sorbet. Outdoor seating. Cute little Brooklyn café in an up and coming neighborhood. So peaceful in the back yard.
Place rating: 5
Sterling, VA
I went here while staying in Bed Stuy on vacation before going back to grad school. I really just needed a place to sit and read and take some time (it had been quite the summer). The environment here was perfect!
I sat out back which was amazing, but if I had sat inside I feel like I still would have had the environment I was searching for.
The muffin (blueberry) was perfect, & the coffee was also pretty good.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
I’m not a big coffee drinker. I’m more of a hot tea and hot chocolate guy. And this is the place I like to go to get them. The pastries are really good as well. Although I do love this place, my one and only gripe with them is that they take better care of the furniture in the backyard. The tables and chairs need to be cleaned daily. Especially if they remain unused for long periods of time. That’s really a minor issue and the ONLY thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars. Maybe on my next visit, it will be corrected and I can change and give them the solid review they fully deserve.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
This review is based on my personal experience. (Perhaps because I went in on a weekday)
Walked in and the young man behind the counter greeted me. It was my first time there and he was patient as I decided what pastry to choose. Felt they were missing almond croissants. *note to owner*
I told him I wanted tea and he went through all the types with me. He warmed my pastry and it was yummy and fresh.
There was a backyard (could be spruced up a bit-​flowers go a long way)
Still a cool hidden plus. Perhaps they should wipe down tables periodically.
It was a hot day and they had fans blowing inside which actually created a cool breeze but it it was busier it probably wouldn’t help much
They could use a picture or two or 3 on wall, you know, conversation pieces
All in all I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow
Has enough potential to become a neighborhood staple
Place rating: 4
Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
The staff here is really friendly and I really enjoyed my latte. It’s nice having a neighborhood coffee shop with a back patio. I enjoy being able to work in the back without feeling rushed. I recommend!
Place rating: 3
Jacksonville, FL
The coffee is good, I’ll hand them that. But for a local spot, they could be a little better with customer service. I’ve had 2 different people wait on me and they both act like I’m bothering them when I order. Not sure why they insist on being snobby, they’re making me a latte not a 5 star meal.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
This is a great little spot. The people who work behind the counter are ALWAYS very helpful and accomodating when go there.
The prices for drinks (cooler drinks) are a bit high, but it’s NYC, I get it.
The wi-​fi is pretty solid and reliable. Good speed.
Great couch/​lounging area in the back of the shop.
I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone in Bedford-​Stuyvesant.
Place rating: 3
Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
Very nice find in the neighborhood. HUGE delicious waffles for the price that are definitely worth the wait. They’ve got a cozy interior with welcoming music and entertainment going. Free WiFi is always a plus, too. There was a bit of a mildewy smell that may be attributed to the weird streak of warm weather we’ve had out here, but either way, this is a very decent coffee shop that I’ll come back to.
Place rating: 4
Maplewood, NJ
This review is definitely overdue. Everytime I’ve been here, the service has been somewhat slow but the customer service is always great. The staff smile like they mean it and say hi like they mean that. The coffee is not the best but the other drinks are good. I mostly come here to enjoy some quiet «me» time and do some writing when I am in writer mode (which is not often).
There’s enough places to sit, the place is always tidy, staff always friendly, and drinks (minus coffee) are good. This is definitely my second go-​to spot since it is so close to my apartment.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Great place and excellent service. They have belgian waffles with all the trimmings and paninis and great expresso plus coffee, tea and baked goods. Cannot go wrong for multiple purposes… have a tv with sports, every kinda board game, books and wifi for doing work or streaming/​downloading movies. This is my kinda place and its black owned! Support our black businesses in bed stuy!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Cute — rare find in Bed-​Stuy. Quality coffee, good prices and a very friendly service!
Place rating: 4
Oakland, CA
Maybe it’s me, but I think this place is awesome.
Large patio backyard, comfy chairs and couches, a hilarious and super friendly guy behind the counter, and plenty of space to feel comfortable.
I ordered a milkshake here, and although it was expensive, it’s was pretty good. Maybe I will come back for their waffles, but I love this place simply because it exists. I haven’t had the coffee, but I will say that their other beverages are good.
I’m glad this coffee shop is different.