It took a latte time to get here, but it was worth it. This spot was highly recommended from a friend so I decided to check it out. On a busy street in a nice little community. They have tables to sit outside or inside. Inside is spotlessly clean and the decor is appealing. Bags of coffee and gift items like shirts and home decor or available to purchase. I saved the best for last, the food and drink. I had a Spanish torte with some amazing Sriracha sauce lightly drizzled on top. Just a little kick in the sauce but not too much. To help wash that down I had an iced Coquito latte. No alcohol in this one, but it was still delicious. My suggestion would be to get a liquor license and add the alcohol ha ha. Definitely check out J Rene If you are in the West Hartford area or if you are looking for a great torte and latte.

Stopped in here randomly and Im so glad we did! The coffee was great but the highlight to us was the food. I ordered the lox croissant, and my boyfriend got the monte cristo. Sooo good! The lox on a croissant was incredibly buttery. The owner was super sweet too!

Awesome small coffee shop. Has a very personal feel and the coffee is excellent.

This was my first time at this establishment and lets just say it will not be my last time. Its a very clean place, staff is extremely friendly and very helpful. The staff works as a team and is very quick with explaining the menu or helping with an order. I was super impressed. The French vanilla iced latte was delicious and so was my breakfast sandwich. The waffle was freshly made, that first bite with the avocado was to die for!! I just needed a little more on the sandwich, because I absolutely LOVE avocado.

Cute coffee shop with really nice house roasted beans! We bought beans to take home and have been enjoying those as well. They also have a coffee trailer and do private and public events. We loved having them out for our private event.

Great coffee! Nice people and space...

The space is a minimalists dream come true. Ample seating arranged primarily to foster community and collaboration, this ideal reiterated by lack of wi-if in the shop. If you’re looking to hunker down and do some online work... this may not be the mobile office space you desire.The owners wanted to create a space for people to gather and connect to one another rather than with a screen. Their heart for the community beats through the space they’ve created as well as the coffee they roast.Ethically sourced beans are roasted in house by J.Rene himself, who I had the pleasure of meeting my first time in.Their direct menu highlights the wonderful coffee they roast, featuring unique brewing methods like a siphon pot.J.Rene is a worthy coffee roaster in Hartford, stop in, choose a bean, a brewing method, and prepare to disconnect to reconnect. Happy sipping!

Nice Place. They have great coffee. The Baristas were fast and friendly. The ambiance is positive upbeat. Just far enough from downtown that parking isnt an issue. The place is very clean. Upscale prices. The Diedrich coffee bean roaster looks cool out in the main area

Came here on 28 December 2019, the experience was lackluster and the coffee was mediocre. I wanted to order a small latte, but they informed me that lattes only came in a $6 20oz serving. I figured that it would be relatively hard to ruin a latte because it such a simple drink. I inquired about flavor shots they potentially had, to which they responded that there were none. Flavoring options aside, the drink was beyond abysmally mediocre. The quality of the roast espresso wasnt worth the money I paid for it in the slightest! I only took a few sips to determine that I could not stand the drink for the price I paid and the quality received. I requested to exchange the latte, while in the store, for a tea bag and water, and that I was dissatisfied, to which they responded that if I wanted a different item I would have to buy something else and that it was unfortunate that I did not enjoy the product given to me. The tea bags and water was about $4 cheaper than the latte, but they werent even willing to exercise their customer service skills and offer me an exchange to ensure my satisfaction. Talk about miserable customer service skills! I poured the drink out, outside of the store. I would never recommend this place to anyone :) !

I frequent both J. Rene Coffee locations as they are local to me. Some of the best coffee around CT. Try the cold brew, or an Oat Milk Latte. You wont be disappointed!

This is where to go to see the science of great coffee. The perfection of minimalism, might be a good way to describe it. There isnt a lot on the menu, theres not a vast selection of whole bean coffee but, what they offer they do very well.As I walked in the first thing I noticed was the music, which was some funky jazz like The Budos Band, The Bamboos etc. Then I saw the roasters in the front corner, they actually roast their own beans. You cant find fresher coffee than that.I had ordered a Honduran coffee brewed with the siphon pot. It is definitely worth it, this method brings out all the subtle notes that normal brewing just doesnt provide. Plus, it is interesting to see it being brewed as well. My girlfriend got a total of two lattes which tasted exactly the same. They seemingly have perfected consistency.

I drive out of my way each week to get coffee here. The staff are all so kind and polite. The coffee is delicious and a little bonus is that they have carbonated water. I enjoy my delicious coffee then rehydrate with a cup of bubbly water and it just makes my whole day. I love this place!

Hidden Gem on park road West Hartford. Great place for a cup of Cappuccino with special someone.

Serene coffee boutique surrounded by antique shops right in the heart of Park Road, blocks away from Blue Back Square. Their coffee is to die for, and they have so many different preparation methods you can choose from. J. René also sells coffee paraphernalia, beans, and other fun coffee related items. The place is beautifully decorated and theres always flowers on the table. They also have a band playing on certain nights. It is always on my obligatory stop list when Im in the area. A lovely experience every time!

Waste of money... Don’t come here :(

Great costumer service! They’re very nice and the place is super cute. Great vibes!

Had a Mocca latte, was one of the better, well balanced drinks Ive had in a while.

A great coffee shop with a wide selection of coffees from all over the world.

Great coffee, great employees, great food. I definitely see myself as a regular and Ive only been there twice.

One of my favorite spots in the Greater Hartford area. A great third-wave cafe and roaster with a variety of brewing methods (including syphon at the moment!), small snacks, and miscellaneous coffee equipment. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The atmosphere almost feels higher-end, but is cozy and comfortable. Most importantly, the drinks are fantastic! I would recommend to anyone.

So glad I stopped by. The ambiance, the service, the smell inside, and the coffee...oh my! Lovely

A mystical blast of flavorful phenomena. Science, chemistry, and in-house roasted. Great vibes from staff and patrons. A MUST see in Hartford.

Good coffee, ambiance and customer service...parking is free off street. I wish that they can expand the outdoor area with a better sitting arrangement. Parking is plentiful off street, maybe the town will allow for those parking spots in-front of the store to be removed, at least seasonally? Not sure what local zoning regulations dictate but the minimal outside seating is a huge missed opportunity, in my opinion. However, still a great place.

Excellent shop with many brewing methods and roasts to choose from. The siphon pot Ethiopian I had was delicious and my friend had a v60 that he enjoyed very much. Literally has in-house roasting, the ovens were right next to the tables. Had a brief chat with the owner who is a very cool dude and very knowledgeable and passionate about coffee and community. Be sure to strike up a convo if you see him in shop.

Great brioche breakfast sandwich, worth the stop for a late brunch or early breakfast.

Really great spot for coffee. Options are plentiful and interior is gorgeous. Parking is really tough though. Also I would recommend Silk City Coffee (20mins east) or Dom (20 minutes west) over them. However, they are much better than Blue State in downtown which makes them the best cafe in the near-hartford region to me.

Tasty coffee but be careful if buying whole beans here. Just bought my first bag here to try them out and found a stone among the beans that would have tore up my grinder if I didn’t catch it.

Wonderful coffee here. Amazing atmosphere great for in the go or meet up. Parking can be slightly tricky at times but it is well worth it.

I think their coffee is very good and high quality. The staff has always been kind and I am glad they offer dairy free options for drinks. It’s a cute local cafe, and they give back to the community as well with a coffee line that donates a portion of proceeds to a cycling nonprofit. I recommend J René

Great coffee, and if you are a coffee lover, you will appreciate the different options and well done brew. Nice place, but no wifi and even though music is nice, there is always some kitchen noise on the back. Staff is not very nice and eating options are poor.

Great food and coffee. Loved the Alaskan salmon on the croissant.

A much needed, unique coffee spot in West Hartford. True, real coffee and great treats too. Staff is top notch

Very good coffee and garter sever

Excellent coffee, great pastry, friendly staff. Been in US for 3 weeks, this is some of the best expresso we have had

Good coffee. Would totally caffeinate here again in the future.

Coffee was a disappointment. I expect it to be fresh and smooth. I found it acidic. The location is convenient. The venue is wide open and less comfortable than some specialty coffee shops. The servers are friendly and the venue is clean.

Very nice coffee house! A good café con leche

Best best BEST coffee in the area. Who else makes a siphon brew like this or a pour over? Plus a lot of nicely decorated seating area and good service. N.b. Food is a very limited set of pastry options.In response to others comments, I agree that there is a serious lack of outlets and the lack of wifi must have been a conscious choice on the part of the owner. In terms of your coffee taking too long, not sure if the place was too busy but a French press or a siphon brew takes time to make, amigo. Know this when you order or just get the drip coffee theyve got ready.

What a charming bistro, nice tables and seats. Kind and caring staff, excellent coffee and tiny morsel cupcakes that are just enough for a treat without making you feel overwhelmed. PERFECT!

Went there during a busy part of the morning. The staff were polite and efficient. Ordered a latte which came out promptly and was quite delicious.Would definitely return.

Horrible parking!!!!! The place was super clean and cute, very nice staff but the coffee was way overpriced. Only have two flavors to choose from. Ill be going back to Starbucks.

For coffee connoisseurs. Nice place within high quality and large variety of coffee. They show many machines to make coffee and apparently they organize coffee tasting sessions.

Simply put, J Rene, the coffee, the food, and the people are phenomenal. Easily the best part of my morning and never fails to put a smile in my face and a pep in my are (and that’s not just the exquisite coffee talking).Even if you know coffee pretty well or a complete novice, the folks will help educate on their procuring/ roasting/ brewing processes, different coffee varietals, and how get the most out of your coffee. It is done with kind & eager passion to share their craft, not out of haughtiness or pride.More than the homemade baked goods though — and these are all baked on premises with expertise — I cannot emphasize how great the people are. The co-owner (I’ll leave her name out for privacy) is among the first to greet customers by name when you walk in. When she isn’t making coffee/ taking orders, she’s finishing up the day’s baking. The baristas take absolute pride in what they do. I love that when there is a lull in the action, she encourages her workers to take a break, enjoy a quick cup of coffee and chat. The moment a customer walks in, they spring into action.It’s this kind of love and caring that separates a place like J Rene from all others. My work assignment in Hartford ended a little while ago, but the smile that this place brought to my face will remain.

Favorite coffee shop in West Hartford. Friendly staff and great coffee selection.

Delicious coffee and pastries. Great setting for sitting and talking. Excellent service from well informed and well trained staff. Good looking, too!Only good source in Hartford for expertly roasted coffee, done in store on state of the art equipment. If youre an espresso junkie, this is the place to buy your beans. The difference between coffee 1 day past roasting vs 1 week is astonishing.

Fast service, friendly, great tasting coffee/food.

A place with people that care about place and tastes. Some beautiful coffees on display with regular curated rotations. An absolute must-stop when in the area.

I attended a cupping event and learned more about coffee selection and tasting than I ever imagined. Coffee is complicated! Mr Renee is very passionate about his work. Great local place to experience a well thought about cup of coffee.

Very friendly staff. The coffee is not overpowering nor is it too light. They seem to have found a perfect balance of smooth and rich, even with their dark roast. They use some interesting-looking instruments to brew the coffee and whatever they are, they work! Atmosphere is as vibrant as the coffee. I couldnt recommend a better place for coffee!

I had an awkward interaction with the owner a few months back when she refused to make my boyfriend a hot chocolate (literally just a mocha without the espresso). I decided to come back owing to the decent coffee and proximity to my house, only to discover that there is not a single outlet for customer use. I sat down, chugged my cappuccino, then drove somewhere else with outlets to get my work done. Just two very awkward experiences that show this business has little value for their customers.Two stars for the decent coffee.Try Hartford Baking Company, Sarahs, or Blue State for comparable coffee and exemplary customer service and ambience

The coffee here is fantastic. Ive been buying their 12-oz bags of coffee and have had them grind it for my French press. Comparing it to a similar coffee that Id been buying at Starbucks is just not a fair comparison. The J Rene coffee is incredibly smooth and flavorful. It just takes one sip to spoil you. Ive had espresso in the store, and its equally good - much better than most espresso that Ive had.The coffee is expensive - their 12-oz bags of coffee are more expensive than Starbucks 16-oz bags, but, it is a lot better. The only downside, at least for me, is their hoursl They close daily at 6pm (3pm on Sunday).

We popped in just for a coffee, but we couldnt resist the delicious homemade lemon cheesecake! Service was spot on.

The place is simply awesome... Way better than other chain coffee shops.. Really good ambience, welcoming staff...i like their house blend as well..N the best thing, they have private parking...I stay close in this area, so whenever i have someone coming to have a small meeting or so, Id prefer this place over sitting at home...

Really nice place. Cool and cozy and all points in-between. dog water thing for extra credit.

Got one of the artisan coffees and a delightful croissant with blueberries and chocolate inside. The service was fantastic and the food and coffee were delicious.

Very good coffee...bought some beans for home! Enjoying my espressos at home. Will definitely come back when in the area.

A quiet, local coffee house that roasts its own beans. I dont know much about coffee, but its a nice spot, quiet and has served me well as a meeting spot. Not much other than coffee or tea and a few light snack items. Parking is a touch limited, but depending on the time you go, it usually isnt a problem. A nice, local alternative to Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Panera.

Good coffee, and a nice pour over selection. Very friendly service. Ive received roasted coffee from here as a gift and really liked it.

They make the best lattes. I love buying my espresso beans here too. They always have tasty treats as well.

Always a friendly smile when going in, great place to meet for coffee meetings. As a non coffee drinker I find myself enjoying a cup here time to time

Best coffee around!

Probably the best coffee in town, in a cool clean environment. My only critique is that it can be expensive. Think $7 for two 16oz coffees. However, the flavor and attention to quality and detail make it worth it. They used to have these excellent GIANT biscotti, but I havent seen them lately. Food offerings have all been great!

Must go for Hartford. Come often for work, and love this coffee shop. Excellent cold brew and awesome vibes.

Best coffee spot in the Hartford area! The roast is just right and the baristas always pull decent shots!

Very good coffee!

Love the cappuccinos here. I gotta give these guys top rating. Ive been on a county wide search and J Rene and Rebel Dog are tops for sure!

Enjoyed a nice cup of coffee with my family. Carlos, thank you for the brewing lesson.

This is easily among my most favorite places in West Hartford. I go frequently and the staff is wonderful. The espresso is the best in the area, hands down. Its a great place to relax with a coffee, read a book, or get some work done.

I love the Quaker Diner but cannot choke down the swill they claim is coffee. I get it, youre an original diner. That doesnt mean your coffee has to be something from the 1930s. So, pop across the street and get some decent Joe from J. Rene.

One of my favorite independent coffee shops. Great lattes! Great coffee beans to take home as well.

Cant urge people to not go here. It has such a lofty casual feel to the place with an intoxicating aroma. The pastries werent the most delicious but this could be a great get together spot

The coffee is great, nice and relaxing coffee shop. However, I was very disappointed when I was told there was no electrical outlets or wifi. I guess they only want people to grab one cup of coffee and go.

The best coffee i love coffee. I love these places ❤️❤️❤️

Got the siphon pot artisan coffee !!! This was simply the best cup of coffee I have ever drank !!! The person behind the counter was fantastic as well!!! She passed along her knowledge and made it more than just a cup of coffee !!!

Great coffee! I had their pound cake/marble cake and it was delicious. Its a cute place filled with cool coffee making gadgets.

Excellent coffee, chill atmosphere, good ambient music, friendly and helpful staff. Love coming here weekend mornings and kicking back with a good book. They should really relax the dress code though; having every barista wear business casual doesnt quite fit the coffee shop vibe.

A really unique experience in the Park Road Neighborhood of West Hartford. The coffee is great and the staff is very knowledgeable. What makes it unique is the different ways they brew the coffee and the different blends. Ill leave the way they brew the coffee as a surprise for you when you get there...

A great little place in West Hartford to get coffee and a pastry or what not. Locally roasted coffee that is nice and light, no super dark char-broiled Sumatran stuff here.

I believed in this place because of its hipster appearance which usually means good coffee. Every time the coffee tastes stale. I give up. Go elsewhere.

Espresso done right. Their space is clean, free of clutter, and they roast and brew great coffee. With stellar attention and technique they brew excellent espresso drinks. A bit expensive for a daily habit so I bought a good grinder and learned to brew at home with their beans. Great stuff!

This place is great. Moving from NYC the one thing I missed was having great small neighborhood cafes and now I can honestly say I found the one here in WH. Great coffee, amazing staff and nice ambiance.

Coffee is amazing with such great variety. The owner and his wife are really nice. They will sit down and chat with you and discuss coffee and how to brew certain roasts. My boyfriend and I have learned a lot from them and buy their coffee any time we go by there. I always recommend this place to anyone in the area.

A great, local alternative to that big Seattle-based chain. Excellent baristas who are clearly passionate about the art of coffee. Bagged beans for sale, along with a small assortment of coffee-crafting accessories. Oh yeah, and some yummy treats too. Usually have some good downtempo / trip-hop electronic music playing.

Coffee is not good. I always order Americanos to make sure Ill get a balance coffee. Came here twice thinking the first time I ordered the iced Americano it wasnt my lucky day, maybe the espresso machine wasnt dialed in just right, but after the second visit I can say their coffee is just bad. Also got some pastries, not sure where they are sourced from but they did not seamed fresh at all. Will pass on this next time.

Great coffe shop. Coffee is full of flavor. The place offers contemporary style design. Whether you are looking for coffee to go or a place to do your work or share a pot of coffee with a friend...this is it. Beats local chain coffee shops hands down.

Great coffee with lots of options. These guys and gals are excited to make and talk about coffee. If you have time grab a siphon pot!

The worst coffee I have ever had. Both my wife and I were so excited to try J. Renè and we were so disappointed. The coffee had a burnt sugar test and had no body or richness. The scone and cookie were good but would have been better if they offered to warm them up. Maybe it was just a bad day for them however we would not be going back.

Great coffee and excellent service!

Modern coffee shop with excellent iced mocha! Also obsessed with pastry options including that coffee cake! Parking lot can be a bit tricky/awkward; however, it doesn’t detract from the overall cafe experience :).

Great coffee so you dont really need it, but still wish they had some more options like most local coffee shops. Love going there.

Ive traveled all over the world, drinking coffee and espresso...I will not visit J.René again. Aside from the pretentiousness of their menu philosophy, they were not overly friendly, helpful, or knowledgeable. In addition, for a espresso shop with a limited menu, not to make a proper latte or cappuccino, is absurd. The latte and cappuccino (both doubles) tasted as if watered down espresso was used, both tasted as if they were just steamed milk with a bad bitter aftertaste. Sarahs or Blue State are better choices.

The smell of rich fresh roasted coffee may make you swoon. 🤩

Great atmosphere and nice staff. If you are into coffee equipment for pour over, they have you handled. Nice roaster and afterburner setup. I had the Nitro Cold Brew which was different than Ive had previously (or brewered myself), which was cool.

Small independent coffee shop. Excellent quality. Variety. If you love coffee, try to catch them when theyre roasting ... oh yeah!!!

Great little spot with a true appreciation for romantic coffee experience!!Tip : dont go in the afternoon 3:30 / 4:30, they clean the floors daily with very potent chemicals.

We had an excellent experience due to the kind staff, the flavor-full coffee, and an environment balanced with energy and relaxation.

The perfect 16 oz latte to go; it has never needed sugar and its served at an immediately-drinkable temperature. Unlike chain stores, they dont scald the beans to get quality flavor because J. René buys quality beans in the first place.I wont comment on ambience, as I drink coffee while Im running errands; however, the staff are friendly and they keep the shop scrupulously clean.

Best espresso in the state hands down. Could easily go head to head with any other coffee shop in New England.

Not a fam of the spot at all. I walk in on Friday at 3pm, coming from a cafe that had mediocre lattes and wanted to try something that Google said had 4.4 stars. Possibly just for their coffee Im guessing. Upside, parking was free. Downside, no one greeted me or said hi to me when i walked in. Two workers, standing at the register in full blown conversations both looked at me, said nothing and continued back to their conversation. No Would you like a few moments or Did you need help making a decision or Hi, how are you doing today. Nothing. I waited purposely for 2 minutes to see if they were gonna acknowledge me as I looked confused by the menu. Two other people were taken care of, but not acknowledged either, before i left out. Free parking doesnt excuse bad customer service.

Awesome place, awesome coffee. Dedicated to the craft of specialty coffee.