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Java Blend Coffee Roasters
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat 8 am - 3 pm
Sun 9 am - 3 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Java Blend Coffee Roasters
Review Highlights
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"What could be better than sweet, freshly roasted beans." In 3 reviews -
"My latest purchase - Fog City." In 4 reviews -
"...and are very helpful about choosing coffee to take home." In 3 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Tony H.
Halifax, NS
2/7/2012
one negative comment. they need different hours
who works 8-4 anymore?
no one.
it's 2012 they need to get better hour so I can devour their gorgeous coffee more often.
I also enjoy this place but I am never able to make their enough especially since I work all week till 6. -
Review from Lori M.
4/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I only ever get their coffee to go as the tables are always occupied. It doesn't scream cozy but it does yell deliciousness!
Their coffee is among the best in Halifax (I get it twice while down at the Market).
The K2 coffee is the best bean I have ever, ever had and panic if I run low at home.
Prices for drinks and beans are very reasonable.
While I am at it, the shop is excellent to deal with from a fundraising point of view as my sorority works with them every year, selling beans to raise money for our charitable ventures. -
Review from Kimberley M.
Halifax, NS
1/3/2012
This past Christmas I received a Moka Pot as a gift, and I just knew that Java Blend would be the right place to pick up some freshly roasted coffee for my new kitchen toy. I'm so happy I stopped in to pick up some of their House Blend. Of all the coffee shops in Halifax, this one definitely has the best "coffee" smell that hits you when you walk in, and the choices of beans seem endless. The staff know their stuff, and the story of their brand on the coffee packaging will instantly reassure you that yes, this is the place you want to buy your coffee from.
I really can't wait to try some of the other blends. This is an amazing business that I'm excited to know more about! -
Review from Kim H.
10/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is one of my favourite places in Halifax to grab a latte - they definitely have some of the freshest, best quality coffee in town. They do everything on-site, even roasting, which I think contributes to the quality and makes me even happier to support them (and actually you can always tell when they are roasting because if you are within a radius of a few kms you can smell it!)
I haven't tried many of their blends, but the Northender is a good one in my book - not only because it's good, but because...well, I AM a Northender (and I am amused by small things).
The cafe itself is a little "meh" for me to be honest - there isn't much room for cozy, private seating and the decor is pretty much nonexistent, but that's a small thing. I mean a coffeeshop should be the prettiest and biggest in the world and have shitty coffee, know what I mean?
The owner is really knowledgeable and helpful - my mom knows him because she is a regular and also because she asks them for a silent auction donation for my sister's work every year and they ALWAYS give something really nice (usually some kind of coffee gift basket). They never say no so you can tell they are really supportive of the community in the area and that's great to see.
It's nice to see small businesses thriving in an area that has traditionally been run-down, dirty and dangerous - I really feel that their success has been a direct contributor to the rejuvenation of the North End.Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Jennie S.
Halifax, NS
8/23/2011 ROTD 9/13/2011
We got onto Java Blend coffee due to their close location to our home. Love this place! Lots of coffee selection, with well made coffee, and a fantastic alternative to chains. We also got onto their take home beans due to them posting a group buy. Their barristas were very knowledgable abou the various coffees and grinding to suit our needs.
I also love walking by when they are roasting. Makes me drool to smell the coffee in the air!
Do not park in the Robin's mini plaza parking lot beside it. A friend got 'booted' because of this but it was completely reasonable. There are signs that indicate parking is for customers only. -
Review from Cheryl C.
11/8/2011
I'm not a coffee connoisseur to the extent that some of my friends are, but I do love a nice espresso or press every morning.
The combination that Java Blend does so well is very good coffee, which they roast themselves, with friendly and efficient service. there are other nice local coffee joints in town, but I often find I am waiting for yonks to get my drink if I ask for anything more complicated than drip. Yonks. I don't want to wait for yonks. Is that so bad?
Also, Java Blend carries a few treats from Janes in the morning - sweet potato biscuit with bacon to name one. What more could you ask for? -
Review from Bessy N.
Halifax, NS
Since buying my new espresso machine (I'm in heaven) I've been buying my bean, freshly roasted from Java. What could be better than sweet, freshly roasted beans?
If you are truly a coffee lover, you should NEVER pass over a bag of Java Blend beans for packaged Starbucks or other freeze dried crap. Just sayin'
I'm currently addicted to the K2 blend - excellent for espresso - I highly recommend.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/15/2009 First to Review
When I moved back to Halifax (9 year layover in Toronto) I was desperately-seeking capuccino. And I… Read more »
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Review from Kathy J.
Halifax, NS
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee (perhapsf the best in the city) and we almost exclusively use thier beans at home! Love supporting local.
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Review from Ben B.
Whoa. With so many five-star ratings, a business is either off-the-charts incredible, or disappointingly overhyped and I'm very glad to report that when it comes to Java Blend, it's definitely the former.
While the café itself doesn't really do it for me with small, simple tables scattered around, the range, quality and flavours of coffee are something special. Staff seem to know their stuff - although perhaps a little too much for a baby coffee drinker like myself - and are happy to help you figure out what you're looking for.
The prices are great, the music is awesome (I'm so on board with a full-on motown revival), and being able to take home bags of espresso as you leave can't be beat. In fact, I put my 1/2lb of K2 on the dash so I could smell it the whole way home. Deeeeelish. -
Review from Ann K.
Halifax, NS
2/4/2012
We have been getting our coffee beans here for more than a generation. Excellent quality freshly roasted beans ,friendly staff. The best source for coffee in the city.
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Review from Victoria P.
Halifax, NS
11/9/2011
Nice atmosphere and best chai latte ever!
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Review from Brittney K.
Halifax, NS
12/17/2010
Halifax's best? Absolutely!
First off, the smells that eminate from this store are divine- nothing beats the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans, especially when it's the wee hours of the morning and you need a pick-me-up. Seriously, take a stroll up North Street, and I'll bet the aromas of roasted coffee will lure you toward this cafe (if you're into coffee- if not, I digress.)
The coffees here are brewed masterpieces, expertly roasted to please even the most discerning of tastes (ie. like mine!!). This cafe serves Fog City blends which are among my fave blends (the other is Intelligentsia from the Smiling Goat- but that's for another review ;P ) . I like my coffee the same way I like my men- rich!! (ha!)- and the Fog City blends definitely deliver on that premise with rich, tasteful flavoring (and an amazing aroma to boot). Anytime I drop by this store I make it a point to pick up some of the Columbian blend for at-home perkable goodness, and here's the thing: for the quality you get, the price is a steal- there have been occasions where I've paid more at the grocery store! Unreal.
My only regret with this coffee shop is that I don't get to stop by here nearly enough- it's a little farther than my usual spots on Spring Garden. But when I do get the chance to drop in, I'm there- it's worth it! -
Review from Lacey H.
2/25/2010 3 photos
I'm having some issues with my java devices today. My stove top percolator is being finicky and my cheap cup-a-time machine is on the fritz. Perhaps a visit to Java Blend will set me down the straight and narrow.
At home, their beans are my number one choice. Currently I'm working my way through a scrumptious bag of Fog City, a perfectly balanced, rich little bean with a smooth finish.
The prices at Java Blend are as good as the coffee. Their drinks are expertly prepared and the service is fun, prompt and most often attractive.
Java Blend is the bee's knees of coffee in Halifax. It's a great place to meet friends, write a poem while watching the traffic, or grab a cup to-go.Listed in: The Essentials: Grocery…, Top Soy Latte Purveyors
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Review from Dee B.
Halifax, NS
8/29/2011
Super friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere...but better than that a great cup of coffee.
I'm a 6 cup a day man, and I would say that their medium roast, lunchpail-joe drip coffee is the best in the city, and amongst the best I've ever had...and cheap to boot.
if you want to get fancy, the staff and owners are really, really in to coffee.
A very well run business with a superior product.
Don't let the deadbeat hipsters that litter the premises keep this gem to themselves. -
Review from Terry K.
Halifax, NS
11/29/2011
Coffee is good, coffee is great! Especially at Java Blend. Fresh roasting is essential and quality beans are even more important, both are found here. I love freshly roasted coffee especially when it is sourced responsibly either by fair trade or through programs designed to allow poor coffee farmers around the world to sell their coffee in bidding wars that bring them better than fair trade prices for their coffee beans. Long sentence, I know...whew! Jimmy, who runs the business is a certified barista (coffee snob and like a sommelier for wine) is friendly an knowledgable about all things coffee. Muffins and cookies are available but no lunch items I'm afraid. Business is brisk here and often you will find a line up but not to worry. Someone will come from the roasting room out back to help clear the line quickly. I've never purchased beans here that were past their prime and the staff knows the style of beans so I can get suggestions when looking to try something new. You can purchase very inexpensive stove top cappuccino makers or the pricy ones plus an assortment of other coffee making devices including this glass one that looks like an elegant drug lab. If you happen to need the washroom you will experience a walk between the big coffee roasters out back. Quite an operation! Oh, did I mention the amazing prices? I don't know how they keep offering coffee at such a low price. I can get a double late' for $3.50. I've never found that anywhere else for less than $4.75. So, you should go and enjoy this friendly, neighborhood connected coffee shop for great coffee and atmosphere. Enjoy!
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Review from Alex K.
Halifax, NS
7/19/2011
While Halifax has a lot of great places to grab a cup, JB is my favorite. Great coffee and great beans.
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Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
12/1/2009 3 photos
I admit it...I'm a coffee-holic, if that's a word. I like my coffee dark roasted, and I like to experiment with different coffees from around the world. I also prefer to buy fair trade and organic coffee. So I never expected to find such an outstanding selection in Halifax's north end right next to a Robin!
It is a challenge to find parking, but once you get inside, however many circles around the block you needed are worth it. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. The choices...well too many to mention from mild to powerful. They come from Africa, Latin & South America, as well as Asia & the Pacific Island.
My latest purchase - Fog City...I even love the name is a tasty blend from Mexico, Peru and Columbia and it's Organic and Fair Trade. Delicioso...I can almost hear the Latin music in the background.
Don't bother to go on Sunday...not open, which is a pity! -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
5/14/2010
Java Blend is one of the best coffee houses you can find. Here they roast their own coffee and let me tell you, the smell when you walk in
is just plain amazing.
The prices do not seem to be as high as other shoppes either, which leaves the question of how can such a fabulous cup of coffee, cost less.
There is not much parking around here, you will most likely to have to park on a side street.
The staff here moves quickly, they are use to the line ups that can happen. -
Review from Lesley-Anne S.
Halifax, NS
1/24/2011 8 Check-ins Here
I love coffee. A lot. I drink it black and often. I've tried a lot of beans - local and not - and Java Blend is my daily coffee fix. I'm a big fan of their Aztec dark roast. I like it so much that I will drag around my travel mug AND an extra thermos of coffee, just so I don't have to buy a lesser coffee later in the day.
Listed in: North Ending, Coffee Talk
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Review from Noemi W.
Halifax, NS
4/14/2011
One of the best (if not THE best) coffee shop in Halifax. It's not open on Sundays though, which is unfortunate.
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Review from Laura P.
7/24/2010
Not exactly in the neighborhood, Java Blend is a haunt worth the jaunt. And with my recent obsession of iced expressos, Java B is one sure spot to get this fix.
Coffee beans for days, they've got it all down to a science. Rich blends and artful integrity give locals a quality java time, and a cosy spot to enjoy. They've got tons of specialty drinks, and always seem to prepare them with an extra mile of TLC. Its the basic framework behind this spot that makes it so great.
Prices echo humility, and this ain't no corporate coffee cash-in. Just a sweet little spot on North Street with great coffee and the means of making it delicious. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
11/14/2009
I was a little surprised when I saw everyone had ranked Java Blend Coffee five stars to be honest. I used to go there years back and they didn't have impressive customer service. The food and drink were great, but if you've read any of my previous reviews you'd know I am strict when it comes to good customer service.
So I headed there a few days ago and was surprised to find out they really improved their customer service. The food is still great, even the decaf is amazing and the environment is very cool and relaxing. Java Blend has been around for a few years now. Its probably been around for over a decade or so but I feel like it just opened up yesterday. In any case they have consistently delivered great coffee and good food and their customer service keeps getting better at this store. Their prices are a bit higher than other places, but not enough to turn me off. Are there other coffee shops near by that are cooler and still deliver great product at similar pricing? Yes. I won't say who but I will say that competition is starting up in that area. However I have a sneaky feeling that Java Blend will be around and be successful no matter who moves in next door or down the street from them. -
Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
1/23/2010
Biking up North Street this week I nearly crashed as the delicious aromas from Java Blend wafted towards me. Time for a coffee break.
I prefer a medium bodied blend myself and the Columbian that I tried tasted great. Other blends that i'll be back for: Guatemalean, Sumara Gayo and the Northender blend.
Lots of Bonjour brand french presses and other espresso themed paraphernalia. Metropolitan loose teas were also available.
The baked goods were looking pretty lackluster by 3pm though, so get in earlier if that's what you're hunting for. -
Review from Philip Y.
10/7/2010
What can I say! It is really one of the BEST coffee in Halifax. Quality and at affordable price. Bring along your Java blend card and get a chop everytime you make a purchase of the beans. Once you collected all of them, you'll get one bag free..
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Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/28/2009
"Dr. Penfield, I smell burnt toast."
That's our running brain-surgery gag, whenever we're within a two-block radius of Java Blend, because you can always smell the roasting beans, with a slightly burnt but delicious odor that hangs constantly over the neighbourhood.
The coffee here is good, really good. They really do know their stuff. The location is a bit of a challenge for me because I don't live within walking distance and it's tough to find parking. But once in a while I pop in for a cappuccino and it's always been a rewarding experience. Nice, smooth coffee and friendly staff. Interesting assortment of customers, too. Fun people-watching here. -
Review from Christopher G.
Halifax, NS
5/28/2010
I'm actually a little surprised by all the wonderful comments on Java Blend...
Maybe I'm just really picky about my coffee but when it comes to their product I've always found it sub-par. I have yet to feel like I have had a great cup of coffee from Java Blend, be it their beans brewed at home or from their shop specifically.
The shop is clean, staff is [usually] friendly, and the vibe is pretty okay, but I've never been impressed. It's nice for North St, I'll give it that. But beyond that there are a lot of better coffee shops in Halifax. The people give it an extra star - were I casing this review solely on their coffee it would have earned only 2-stars. -
Review from Anna H.
Halifax, NS
3/25/2010
What I love about Java Blend is that it's clearly all about the coffee. Prices are so reasonable here that it makes me angry at other local shops - if Java Blend can serve amazing coffee at a great price, what is everyone else's problem? The fact that they roast on site may help out a bit. At the very least it contributes to the amazing aroma in the shop.
There is usually a line, but it moves quickly thanks to efficient service and a high volume of staffers. Highly recommended if you're doing a coffee tour of Halifax. -
Review from R N.
Halifax, NS
9/10/2010
The staff here know their beans! They make delicious drinks and are very helpful about choosing coffee to take home. They have a great selection of beans for all palates, and their medium roasts (my preference), have delicious, rich flavors.
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Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
2/20/2010
if Java Blend was a person, he'd be the modest guy in the corner that is quietly confident* in his expertise.
approaching Java Blend, the first thing you will notice even before its signage is the smell of coffee beans (which is, in my opinion, better than any cologne on the market). hot or cold, there's usually someone sitting outside with a dart and a cup of coffee that - in a caffeine induced fervor - you may be inclined to grab as your own. head inside, because there's more cup of goodness just yonder.
inside, the decor is warm and inviting like someone's living room complete with fixtures like gossiping old folks, a coffee plant in the corner, and a shelf with real books (not props as i've seen elsewhere). it's so homey that i didn't realize until my second visit that some of the coffee and tea "decorations" were actually inconspicuously displayed (read: NOT obnoxiously flaunted and showcased) retail items.
but enough about at-home-away-from-home. go, stay a while, or don't because the beans are the best part about Java Blend and you can buy a batch to enjoy in the comfort of your own living room. i can't say enough about the beans here, but it should suffice to say that Java Blend is on my list** of top three (not just beans) ANY THING, in the nova scotia. And top four Canadian roasters***. I particularly like Fog City and tend to shy away from fruit and/or wine flavours.
*minus 1/2 star = 4.5 stars
because while most of the baristas are amazingly friendly, there's just one barista that always seems to speak to me in a peculiar way. it mostly benign, i think. it could be an attempt at pretentiousness. i can't quite put my finger on it. either way, somehow it stays with me longer than i'd prefer.
**there's actually nothing else on this list, but it felt superficial to admit my coffee addiction by making it #1
*** in no particular order: Java Blend, 49th Parallel, Coffeeholic, and Merchants of Green Coffee.
