Reviews of Maria's (Coffee Shop)

Patricia Mateo

Maria ran out of insulation sleeves for my very hot $5 coffee. I asked her if I could have an extra empty cup to double up on the paper cup as to not burn my hand and she said “no uneless you want to pay another $5 for another cup of coffee”. In my opinion that is being a TERRIBLE shop owner.

Krystina Steck

They have excellent coffee and baked goods. I have personally never been disappointed with the service here. I have found the staff to be very friendly and the shop has an awesome vibe. I was fairly surprised to see so many negative comments regarding Maria, as I have only had positive encounters with her.

Amanda Lally

I happily drive 45 minutes from NYC for the best chai I have ever tasted. The treats are also fresh and delicious (cookies!) and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming.

Paul B Taubman

This is a cozy coffee cafe where a small group of 6 met to have a casual meeting. We took up the main table in the middle and had a great time. The coffee was rich and flavorful. My first time there, I observed many locals coming and going and everyone was friendly. If I didn't live 25 minutes away, this would be my coffee shop for sure!

Kathy Shoffner

Good food, excellent coffee, nice staff

Elizabeth Lindsey

Delicious refreshing frozen lemonade with basil and strawberries!

c Olaf

This was our experience as PAYING customers here. After 10 mins. Of having our stroller in her shop and AFTER we order and pay for the coffee the owner approaches us with a tone, "You can't have strollers here." She tells us no strollers allowed then asks us to take our stroller out. We had yet to sit down and enjoy our coffee. Her cashier and her had seen us with our stroller in her shop for about 10 minutes yet, the owner waited until AFTER we purchased coffee and pastries to state the above. Next, I ask her where I can remove my stroller to outside and she keeps gestioning outside with an attitude. Then she says not to block the entrance and how there's a sign outside that says no strollers. Problem with her sign is we did not see it and the writing was about 1 inch in height. A customer was kind enough to hold the door open for us as the owner walked away in her unfriendliness. We walk out with my 73 year old mom and 1 year old baby into the almost 90 degrees heat to follow the owner's orders. In addition to her stroller rule, it makes NO sense to make us sit outside in the heat especially with how empty the air conditioned store was inside. There is NO empathy at this place even for paying customers. After feeling that we were treated poorly, I go back inside asking her to refund us and I return every thing that we had not consumed. The owner, again with an attitude, says no and after i question how this is fair? She starts calling the cops and threatens me with that. I told her all I want is a refund and she kept talking as I talked and she kept arguing . We left her coffee on her counter and left non refunded and treated VERY poorly. She told me if I was a teacher how could i not read her sign outside . It was about 90 degrees out, there's hardly a soul in her air conditioned store, and most of all she kicks us out AFTER we made the purchase. This is an awful ,awful place. I have never been treated SO poorly. Unfortunately, the police that supposedly she called never arrived and justice for our refund was never served. Rules in a business place only make sense when they are fair and if you are the business owner and it is extremely hot outside you should exercise judgement and COMMON sense around if your rules make sense for your paying customers, the same people that keep you in business. I am sure that this place has lost and will lose customers due to their adherence to rules that are not flexible and don't make sense for the paying customers. More so, there is insensitivity for senior citizens and babies here. Neither are moms welcome here. Again, an awful, awful place. We left this day $8 short for 2 coffees and a pastry and the only thing we walked out with, was the most sour experience of our lives over coffee. We were pleased to be treated fairly at the Starbucks around the corner.

Juan P

Limiting customers to pay <$15 in cash does not seem reasonable for a place like this...it was my last time there.

Nancy Hamstra

I truly love this place. The coffee is excellent, the baked goods are fresh and the staff couldn't be more accommodating. Michelle goes above and beyond. I highly recommend!

Christina Grimm

My husband and I would visit Maria’s whenever we would visit Chester. Unfortunately, I was yelled at by the owner immediately upon entering for having a stroller with my 4 month old. I was barely a foot inside and she yelled from the counter to leave and I can’t have a stroller inside. She didn’t even give me a second to explain that I was going to stand in the back and choose a drink. My husband was already standing online to order for me. I’m very well aware of my surroundings and would never try to bring a stroller into an establishment that was crowded or lacking space. If you don’t welcome strollers that’s fine, but a visable sign should be posted at the door. Very poor business to yell at a new mother in front of customers. Sadly, we won’t be returning.

Robert Quinn

Baked goods really awesome, lattes tasted burnt, but will try again.

John Bickhart

Great place for coffee, pastery, soup, paninis and great Italian hospitality. I would recommend this place to anyone. It's a place you can't go without visiting, often. Tell Maria that you understand that "This is not a dress rehearsal".

Joe Matta

Best cafe in Chester! Maria, the owner, is wonderful. You'll love her! Good coffee, good food and baked goods. Definitely stop in when you're in town!

Paul C

My favorite coffee shop hands down. Regular coffee and special lattes are equally as delicious. They also have baked goods and a small Italian market. If you’re in Chester, you must go.

Meghan Farrell

Best cinnamon rolls and iced coffee in town!

Kyle Leopard

Accidentally showed up just after closing during winter hours but was kind enough to serve me a coffee anyways. Woman behind the counter was very polite and the coffee was great too. Will deffinetly return

Jared Caputo

This place is very nice, and it has great food and beverages. It is new, and they have pastries/desserts/muffins, soups, etc. I would defiantly recommend checking this place out. Great place.

judy levine

Perfect and charming! Always a great Saturday having coffee and something yummy with my friend at Maria's!

Shawn KirK

Coziest little café with a delightful woman behind the counter

marvin bronstein

Super coffees and foods

Irene Rainier

It's the place to go for coffee and freshly baked goods to eat.

Henry Smith

I’ve been to this coffee shops a few times over the past few years and each time I wonder why Maria even has this shop. She is constantly complaining in front of customers and seems miserable. Well today I happen to be walking my dog and tied him up outside and she screamed at me about my dog being near the flowers. So I picked up my 10 lb pooch and started in the shop to order a cup of coffee and she screamed at me again. Okay I understand no dogs allowed inside but no where near her shop either? Maria it’s really not good customer service to yell. I will now go around the corner to El Montes. They are very kind there.

Astrid Oechtering

Friendly staff, a nice chat and good coffee. What else do you need?

Samantha Hunter

Very friendly staff. Apple turnover was delicious. Warm and cozy ambiance.

Veruzhka Odreman

Too much bees; is unconformtable

Don .Pollard

going to Maria's is like a mini vacation to Italy. I am embarrassed to say it but I often forget they have lunch as well as breakfast and coffee. The salads are good, the veggie panini is great as well as the soups.

Pio Marasco

Great place! Maria was super welcoming and a total character. We had amazing food and literally the best Espresso outside of Italy. We went in for just a coffee and ended up talking and hanging out there for hours. We’ll definitely be back when we’re in the area!!!

Chuck Mound

Was waiting in line and happend to fall behind a large order. Didnt have the time to wait, so decided to bail. Just as I was outside walking across the street, Maria was right behind me asking me what I wanted. I ordered a quick espresso and Crumb Cake which was amazing. Had both within 2 minutes and I was back on my way. I will be back again soon. Had no idea this hidden gem of a coffee shop was even there. Now that I do, it will be part of my visits to Chester. The people who live in town have the best place to go for coffee and treats. Thanks for chasing me down, would have never had the chance to experience your fabulous coffee shop..Love this place. :)

Tom Moloughney

Really nice local coffee shop. Great homemade pastries and excellent coffee.

Nicholas George

GREAT FOOD. OK PRICES!!

antonette dickson

Great service and coffee when I'm on my way home

stephanie c

finding hidden gems is such a treasure!

Paul Reidinger

Great coffee and baked desserts

Sarah Cody

The shop itself is very nice and has a nice feeling to it. I've been before and the staff was polite and helpful. I went in today and Maria (the owner) was there instead of the girl I usually see. She is awful. She was shouting at her new employee and wouldn't let her make my drink the way I had ordered it (a simple Cubano latte). I then saw they had a sign that said for orders of less than $15 they PREFER cash. I asked if I could pay with my card as I only had $3 cash with me and Maria wouldn't let me pay even though they had already started to make my coffee. Rude and wasteful! I used to love this little shop until I met it's namesake. Really unfortunate.

Patrick Goodhand

Friendly staff, good coffee, reasonable prices. I've only ever ordered the Ham and Brie panini, but I've had it about 6 times because it's so good.

Madelyn Regan

Always a great time with coffee, pastry and friends

Greg Robak

Cups

Joseph Barbier

Small but comfortable - coffee is excellent

Bj PalmerLee

Family goes there 3-4 times a week.

Prem

Cosy little place serving great coffee, and also teas and pastry/snacks/sandwiches. Seats maybe 15 people, which makes it a quaint old-timey place, very different from the corporate coffee shops. Also carries a variety of packaged Italian dry pastries and pastas, and their own custom coffee roasts.

Jauna Claypool

Would be cool to clarify the dollar extra for using a card. Even if there is a sign there. There goes the tip

Trevor Smith

Lovely quaint coffeeshop eatery. I love the signs inside.

Brenda J

Great coffee drinks.

Chris Rallo

Great coffee, friendly staff, rustic decor!

Anne Fox

Quaint and tasty

Sean Lavelle

Best Coffee place in NJ

Lisa Leuzzi

Bake goods excellent, owner very, very rude

Gina Amesbury

Adorable place, handsome guy was really nice, spoke to us about product. It was closing, which we found out when we were on line because the girls in front wanted something and the counter woman barked "we're closed so I can't give you that" then listed what they have. We got a black coffee, but the people behind us also got the "we're closed so I can't make that". She was so rude about it. I get wanting to go home but 1-lock the door if you're closed 2-just say I have limited items because we are actually closing or something 3-stay open past 5 on a Saturday, especially when there is a craft fair and sidewalk sales. I'd go here to try the dessert, or looked great but her demeanor was really unnecessary.

Brandon Moore

My go to Coffee Shop in the Chester, Mendham, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge area. Maria, her daughters, and her staff are super friendly and make an excellent coffee, just the way you want it. My wife refuses to get a Vanilla Chai Latte anywhere else..."it just isn't the same", i dont disagree. They are very delicious. Extra props goes to the Black Ice Coffee, instead of regular ice cubes they use ice cubes made of coffee. #genius The coffee never gets watered down. The baked goods are always on point as well! if you're luck enough to call yourself a regular, Maria does offer house accounts to a select few. Makes us feel real important!