Blank Street Coffee Review: Cool, but is it any good?
I recently dropped by Blank Street Coffee, for an actual coffee too not an Instagram photo, and I have to say overall, it left a solid impression. I visited mid-morning on a weekday, so it wasn’t too crowded, and the staff were friendly (albeit a little rushed).
Atmosphere & space
The shop felt bright, clean, and minimalist (edgey, obvs) lots of pale wood, white tile, and subtle green accents. It has that quiet, modern café vibe. Seating was limited (just a couple of small tables or bar seats near the windows), so it feels more built for grab-and-go than long hangs with your laptop. This echoes what others have observed:
“a small but smart coffee bar … two bars you can perch at … limited seating”
Menu & offerings
The Blank Street Coffee menu is impressively broad for a compact spot: espresso classics, cold brews, flavoured matcha drinks, teas, and a few baked goods. I ended up ordering their Blueberry Matcha (don’t ask) and a flat white. According to the company’s site, the Blueberry Matcha is made from ceremonial matcha with blueberry and oat milk.
I also got a pistachio croissant from the pastry cabinet, since many trip advsior reviews mention it as a standout.
Tasting impressions
Blueberry Matcha: Smooth and slightly sweet. The blueberry flavor was unmistakable, but it didn’t overpower the matcha entirely, it struck a nice balance. As one reviewer put it, “the first sip was pure blueberry, and as the drink mixed together, the matcha started to creep in.” Redbrick
Flat White: Clean, well textured milk, with a gentle espresso backbone. Not overly bold, but satisfying.
Pistachio Croissant: Flaky, buttery, with a gentle nutty richness. It paired very well with the matcha.
There was one slight letdown: I found the matcha a bit too sweet for my liking. Some of the blueberry notes edged into dessert territory. I also noticed that staff might have varied slightly in strength, one sip was more vegetal, another sweeter.
Service & speed
Service was efficient. I waited maybe 3–4 minutes from order to pickup. The barista was polite, if not overly chatty. During busier windows, I imagine the pace might make it feel impersonal. In fact, some reviews online mention inconsistency in service across branches, saying staff can seem impatient when things get hectic, but that’s a good sign if a place is busy surely?
Value for money?
For what you get, I felt the pricing was reasonable, particularly for the flavoured / specialty matchas. It doesn’t feel cheap, but the experience is fair for a café with premium touches. Some fans in NYC claim Blank Street’s prices are fairer than some other specialty cafés. Half Half Travel
Weaknesses & caveats
Seating is tight, not ideal for long stays or group meetups
Flavoured drinks tend toward sweetness, which might not appeal to those who prefer less sugar
Because it’s in a minimalist, streamlined format, the “character” is lighter than many indie cafés
As with many chains, consistency depends heavily on the location and staff
Overall impression
Blank Street Coffee nails the niche of a trendy, efficient, aesthetic-forward café that delivers solid specialty drinks in a compact package. If you're after a flavoured matcha, a banging flat white, or just a stylish caffeine fix and an edgey photo, it’s a strong choice. It’s not perfect, sweetness and seating are minor drawbacks, but I’d happily return, especially for that Blueberry Matcha and a pistachio pastry. Who am I!?
