Cafe Jax

Great drinks, huge variety of pastries (including donuts from Dough!), and most of all, tons of seating! Free Wifi!

This is a gem in the east 80’s in providing a quality and spacious café. Strong coffee, smooth green tea and chai lattes, and huge Dough doughnuts. The baristas are nice — most of the time.
Pros — Great place to work/​study in the back or just relax and catch up with a friend in the front. Comfortable seating and nice décor. Also great people watching if you sit at the huge window at the entrance.
Cons — Nothing glaring… Overpriced like many cafes. Baristas can be a bit short and impatient which is fine for any run of the mill café but not a neighborhood joint when you always want to feel welcome.

I do love this place so– great place to sit and work– and drink coffee and work and drink cappuccino’s and work, and drink tea, and work. If you want a quiet coffee house to come and silently work, or read– this is the place! Downstairs is HUGE with tons of places to plug in. It gets packed so come early. Super quiet so I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to «socialize».

Three and a half stars.
This is about the most comfortable place on the entire upper east side. There’s a secret basement, that’s not so secret to people in the know, but you wouldn’t just stumble across this coffee shop or even if you did, might not notice the basement. It’s quite a comfortable spread with many sofas, chairs, tables to work and the like.
WiFi is free and works fine. I’m a coffee junkie, so I generally can drink a cup every hour.
Recently, I had a project to work on and sat for about 3 hours. I had 2 lattes and a regular drip. The drip was just OK (not very hot) and the lattes were very good. Very smooth with just the right amount of foam.
I also had 2 cookies to snack on and both were fresh and full of flavor, but they don’t bake at Jax. Not sure where they’re shipped in from.
In conclusion, a good, comfortable place to work and decent coffee drinks. I think they serve Stumptown, which is cool.

This place is ideal for studying/​working with its big tables and comfy armchairs… Or at least it was before every one else on the UES discovered the spacious and comfortable basement area. I would suggest arriving before 11AM on weekends or you are unlikely to find a place to sit. Everything is slightly overpriced, but, given the wifi and comfy chairs, it’s worth it (also, I figure they probably had to raise the prices because everyone buys one drink and stays for 5 hours).

It’s a really great place to work or study. I really like the way it is decorated and the downstairs space is really large and cozy.
I think it is a little overpriced– 6 $ for a medium basic veggie tomato soup!!! And 3 $ for a tea is a little much considering it’s just a tea bag, not anything too fancy.
I also wish they had more vegan options on the menu

I like Café Jax. The coffee is above average, the food selection below average. Unfortunately, the reason this isn’t a four or five start for me is the reason why everyone else seems to put it at four or five stars. I was in college/​grad school for 7 years, and I totally get the appeal of a great place to park and do work. Sadly, as a working person now, I find people sitting on their laptops for HOURS taking up the entire joint to be annoying.
If you’re going to study, five star place. If you’re going because you want a quiet cup of coffee with a buddy before checking out a museum… might be hard to find a seat among all the laptop tapping and team project chatting.

This place has become my go to place for studying, and boy am I productive when I am there!
This is an amazing wonderland where my dreams can seemingly come true if I apply myself as much as I do on a regular basis even when I am not here.
They have ample seating upstairs and a great studying area downstairs, with a little garden outside. The bathroom is also very clean. The whole place is extremely homey/​quaint. By virtue of the cuteness of this place alone, I would give it 5 stars. The drinks are amazingly yummy, with perfect latte art each and every time. Not to mention the Dough doughnuts… What more can I ask for in a café?

My fav coffee spot in all of Manhattan. The shop itself has a nice laid back vibe conducive to working to just catching up with a friend. The coffee is awesome and the baristas are great.
They have a cool outdoors section which is perfect when the weather is nice. Oh they also have ice cream; I like ice cream.

This café is amazing!!! It’s my first time to be here and I can say I will definitely be here again and again and again! First of all, I went inside and thought that it was just a really small coffee shop. And then I noticed that there was a stair leads me to downstairs. When I saw the inner view of downstair, I was surprised! Many people were sitting there working or studying, busying doing their own work. There was a light and calming music. It’s quiet but not that quiet. If you want to find a place to study and work, definitely come here. If you want to find a nice and cozy coffee shop to chill out with friends, you can come here too. They have a cute and cozy backyard downstair. Actually, most people here are working on their own staff but not talking with each other. The coffee here is awesome too. They serve Stumptown coffee. The barista is nice. Jax provides free wifi, many plugs to charge your phone or laptop, many interesting and nice designed table and desks to work. It’s my favorite coffee shops in Manhattan now. I should come here earlier lols~

Dough donuts. Excellent coffee served in actual mugs (if you stay). Punch cards towards a free coffee! Atmosphere that makes you want to hang out and never pressures you to leave. Oh yeah, and the bacon, cheddar and green onion scone makes my dreams come true. I love this place and their royal tenenbaums wallpaper. This is the finest coffee establishment in the upper east side, without a doubt.
Everyone who has negative things to say should just go to Starbucks and enjoy their lackluster atmosphere, coffee and service without a smile. I will take your seat and outlet, thanks. You’re in New York City, get used to the service (everywhere) or go home.
Jax, you’re the best!

Ideal working café
Really good apple cinnamon latte and the pastries are top notch as well

One thing before I get into it. This place would have 5 stars from everyone if the service was better. Seriously, the atmosphere, food and coffee are top notch. Service though…
I love coffee shops. I review them all the time. This one just took its place atop one of my favorites in New York. First came here Monday and then I found myself coming back all week (it’s now Friday). Coffee is solid. Not going to blow you away but it’s really good. The food is also top notch. You aren’t going to write home about it but zero complaints. What you really pay for is the atmosphere. It’s perfect. Outlets and extension cords cover the floor (if you can’t find a place to get power that’s your fault) and the cozy interior is wonderful. Has a feeling that they went shopping at a yard sale (or twenty) and took everything one could sit on/​work on with them. And the backyard area is wonderful as well. Wifi has been solid and it’s free and lasts all day. Love love love this place.

A cute, comfy place – I love the downstairs and all of its mismatched tables and sofas, with no pressure from service to leave. You have to buy something if you’re going to work here though, which is understandable, but the service leaves something to be desired… literally no customer service at all.
Disregarding the service, this café is wonderful and I even loved my huge poppyseed scone! Totally worth the $ 4.

I found myself wandering the Upper East Side for coffee after dining. I did what I always do when I’m in the mood for something in an area I’m not familiar with, Unilocal!This is quite a cozy café, I mean there’s literally an entire floor of sofas in the basement. I grabbed a matcha latte, first café I’ve ever seen advertise one, and took a difficult walk downstairs towards the show floor. Great place to have coffee and study/​socialize.
PRO TIP: they have those «buy 8 drinks and you get one free» cards

Great place to do work on your laptop on the UES.
They have a big area downstairs with lots of communal tables, as well as individual chairs. Each one comes with a footstool and a side table, which are nice touches.
The coffee is decent.
Strong wifi signal despite all the people using it.
Good playlist, but not obnoxiously loud.
Wish they would crank the ac a bit.

Great place on the UES for coffee and to sit with friends and chat. They have more space downstairs too. I got a latte and their «pop tart». Warmed up a bit, the pop tart was delicious.
I’m giving it 4 stars because the staff was not very friendly. Seemed rushed for having only 2 people in line. Also, they don’t have a napkin box, you have to ask for it. It’s the little things, I know. But it’s important to me!

Iced coffee. Scones. Free WiFi. Terrific downstairs seating area. Back patio area. Great spot to bring your laptop and chill out. So different from many other coffee places on the UES. First time here and am now kicking myself for not being a regular.
A previous reviewer called this a «basic trendy coffee shop» and I so DISAGREE! Starbucks is what fits that description and has all too often opened up everywhere around the city with their passionless, faceless, cookie cutter, trendy coffee chain locations. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a spot like Café Jax open in the neighborhood and take a chance.
There are a few tables to sit at upstairs, but head to the large downstairs for plenty of seating. Nice atmosphere with some cool old desks, community benches, and shabby chic pieces to plant yourself at and enjoy a drink over conversation, read, study, or surf the web. Also, the music is set on low volume so you can hear yourself think. I saw plenty of outlets around too and some power chords. WiFi signal is nice and strong down here. One thing I notice as I am sitting here on a Friday afternoon is that it’s packed with those clicking away on computers and can resemble a study hall. No biggie as I saw many come and go so spots opened up. Can be a bit warm down here on super hot days I assume as they have a few small AC units on in the windows working now and it’s just cool enough.
As I read so many reviews here bashing the counter staff I was curious to check this place out and see what all the gruff was about. I found them to be ok and had no problems with attitudes. They answered my questions, got my order right, and even offered me a customer loyalty card for a free drink after the eighth one.
Great tasting Stumptown coffee, pastries, bagels, sandwiches, Blue Marble organic ice cream, donuts, shakes, floats, and popsicles offered here too. I felt the prices were reasonable enough and worth it to relax for a while in a comfy seat and use the WiFi. Worth the spend to help support these small businesses. Heck, there is even a small backyard patio area to enjoy too. How often do you see that in a NYC coffee spot?
Overall, this coffee joint is fine by me! I’ll definitely be coming back here more often to satiate my caffeine addiction!

Super unfriendly service and unwelcoming atmosphere (obnoxious sign on the door and other signs throughout the café, some mentioned in a number of reviews, is a great example of this). One of the baristas is particularly unfriendly and impatient. Also so incredibly expensive.
Despite this, I keep coming back for the Dough donuts and the outdoor seating area… If I knew of anywhere else on the UES with this around me I would definitely not come here. I absolutely hate supporting this business. Hopefully I find another place around here soon…
Update: Just discovered Whole Foods UES carries Dough donuts too! Also $ 3.00 there not $ 3.75.

I was really excited when this neighborhood spot opened up. We thought it was going to be a nice local spot where we could get to know the baristas, sit and relax and enjoy some coffee. It has a large seating area and a little garden downstairs which gives it a welcoming feel.
I overlooked the overpriced coffee and bitchy service at first. What has really turned me off and dissuaded me from stepping inside even though it’s next door is buy your coffee and get the hell out atmosphere the owner has set up.
First it was the wifi charge which turned into a minimum purchase to sit fee. Now There are way too many signs that have come up over the moths reminding patrons that this is a business and not your comfy local café. The latest example is a sign in the door now saying
«Once again it goes w/​out saying NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK. Or you will be asked to leave. This isn’t a home, lounge study hall or community center w/​free wifi. Café Jax is a Business.»
Clearly Lee the owner has no idea how to win over her «community» and run a local «business».
If you want over priced coffee with bitchy service and a get the fuck out attitude this might be your place. Otherwise Oren’s on 81^st had better coffee and warmer service and the Starbucks around the corner has a nice patio with free wifi.

L’un des meilleurs spot pour prendre une pause café avec un Wifi dans l’Upper East Side.
Le café Jax est l’un de ces endroits cosy ou il fait bon oublier le temps qui passé.
En rez de chaussée une petite salle avec le comptoir au fond où il faut aller commander.
La salle au sous sol est immense et propose un large choix de tables et fauteuils confortable pour travailler, papoter, se relaxer, voir même prendre le petit déjeuner!
Nous y avons passé plusieurs matinées et avons eu le plaisir de goûter à diverses spécialités.
Les cafés et chai latte sont toujours bien dosé, peut sucré et la mousse onctueuse à souhait!
Le granola au yahourt est très gourmand mais la part un peu petite. Le croissant aux amandes est un vrai régal.
A noter qu’il né proposent que des boissons chaudes! Et pas de jus de fruits.
Chaque jour un large choix de cakes, muffins et autres viennoiseries.
Le personnel est très sympathiques et souriants. Nous y sommes retourné plusieurs jours de suites avec plaisir et nous le recommandons chaudement!