Friend's Cafe

Maggie Ho

2024-04

I’m glad I stopped by on a whim. I was greeted by a small, cozy cafe and got a yummy London fog latte, which had a good strong lavender flavor. Pets are welcomed, which I found out when a cute poodle walked in and jumped on the couch. There is a parking lot, which is a huge bonus in NB. My only issue is that sometimes this place is too busy xD. It’s super popular and frequented by Rutgers students, so finding a table and navigating around the tables may be hard :(.I didn’t see any Iranian/Persian sweets or specials but I guess I wasn’t looking closely enough.

Sunee Fleshman

2024-03

This place is a hidden gem! Not just dog friendly, but dog-centric, Friends Cafe offers a special menu for your furry friend that is delivered with kindness, care and special attention to detail. My Koda enjoyed a chicken bowl with rice, veggies and egg that was served with a squeaky toy and a few dog treats! It was so special! After being turned away from many cafes because I brought my dog along, I am so excited to have found a spot that welcomes dog lovers and their pets alike. This was truly a memorable experience - If you are a dog parent in New Jersey, this place is a MUST!

KT Ho-Nguyen

2024-04

Friend's is one of my favorite cafe to work out of. The baristas are so nice and friendly, and I love seeing the well behaved pups that sometimes visit with their parents. Friend's feels like a third place that's missing in a lot of cities now, and I'm so grateful to have a cozy place like this nearby. The wifi is secure and reliable. The food is great! Note: Friend's does get really crowded and does have a time limit during their rush hours.I also love that they're dog friendly and have a great dog food menu. My dog's favorite is the Zoey's Chicken Platter with an egg on top.

Rhea Alimchandani

2024-03

Dope spot. Love the interior and exterior decor. Super cozy. Enough seating for about 15-20 people, comfortably. Beverage options are abound and they have non dairy options, which for a lactose tummy like mine, is crucial! Pet friendly, too 😍👌Persian rice bowl with chicken was FIRE 🔥 so good.Thanks for being a gem!

Karen Qiu

2024-04

They provide parking, which is rare in this area from my experience!There were so many options to pick from when it came to drinks and food. I got the chicken fajitas, which were priced reasonably and really good! It was fresh, flavorful, and came with a good amount of sauce(separate). I also got the iced Twix latte, which was a good blend of flavors, but was(in my opinion) too sweet, little to no coffeand not enough ice since it was a bit warm still. If I had asked for slightly less sweet, it would have been perfect.The atmosphere is where this place shines. There is a comforting feel with how this place is decorated(there’s a huge wall of photos dedicated to furry visitors), and while a little cramped, doesn’t feel as such when you sit down with how it’s formatted. I am a bit concerned if I were to bring my dog though, as navigating around tables are very hard since the place is relatively small and he could be stepped on if it’s slightly busier. It’s not too loud, even when it is very busy, and the baristas are very nice. It’s a cute place to sit down and work for a bit as a student.

Karishma Patel

2024-04

Friends Cafe provided the most wonderful experience for not only my husband and I, but also our extremely large furry son. Cocoa enjoyed the steak bowl off the furry menu while we enjoyed a Twix latte and a matcha tea latte- all super delicious. The staff and owner are kind, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend all NJ pet parents to visit this hidden gem!

James Ferretti

2024-04

Such a fun place. Great food and drinks for people and pets alike. Went there with my 1 year old Corgi mix and she inhaled her meal and loved meeting lots of new 2 and 4 legged friends.My wife had the grilled cheese and tomato soup combo and loved it and I had a delicious cappuccino.Warm, inviting and fun decor and great service. Met the owners Mo and Josephine and they couldn’t have been more friendly.10/10 would definitely recommend this unique spot to animal lovers of all ages.

Sonia M. Razavi

2023-11

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Ray Ricca

2024-02

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Dora Gomes-Willis

2024-04

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amanda sierra

2024-04

I am so upset that I feel compelled to write this review right now. I have been a loyal patron of Friends for many years now. I am a senior at Rutgers and have spent many wonderful afternoons at Friends cafe. I know all of the familiar faces and even am very friendly with some of the kind baristas. This afternoon, my boyfriend and I decided to do our work at Friends outside. We arrived, I placed an order, and began to do work on our laptops. My boyfriend placed his bagel and coffee that he brought from the dining hall on the table. We then were interrupted by who I assume is the owner of the cafe, a man who I have seen at the cafe countless times. He stated that the bagel must be thrown out or put away as there is no outside food allowed on the premises. I completely understand this and if I was a business owner, I would have made the exact statement. We complied with his request and my boyfriend removed the bagel from the table and stood up to throw away his coffee. The man then came over to us again and began explaining how my boyfriend should go inside and place his order if he wants to sit at the tables outside. He then began stating that this is "common knowledge" and that we would NOT be allowed to sit outside unless my boyfriend purchased something as well. Note, that I had purchased both a sandwich and a coffee at this time. He also stated that there were multiple signs all over the cafe which stated this. I have never once seen a sign in friends cafe that states I MUST purchase an item to sit inside or outside. Personally, I think this is absurd, especially in a coffee shop which attracts college students who enjoy finding peaceful places to do their work. I asked him if it was absolutely necessary that my boyfriend purchased something even though I had purchased two items and he stated YES. He stated the cafe "was not a library" to which I replied I would like a to-go box for my sandwich because I was starting to become irritated by his demeanor. I am so infuriated at the way my boyfriend treated, but also the way I was spoken to as a paying customer and someone who has been extremely loyal to this establishment for YEARS. I always felt friends was a welcoming space, especially for college students, and I never recalled seeing a sign stating an item MUST be purchased in order to enjoy the space of Friends cafe. As someone who has spent a considerable amount of money at the cafe, I am sorry to say I won't be returning. If the owner is so adamant about his clientele purchasing an item in order to sit, he should place SEVERAL, LARGE signs up promptly. Never once have I been shooed out of a cafe for not purchasing a product. Perhaps some people will disagree with me, but I feel I need to voice my opinion. I'm disappointed in friends and I truly expected a more welcoming atmosphere from the management.

Emily Schiller

2024-03

I wish I knew about this place earlier! It's such a gem with amazing food, friendly staff, and a cozy space. I got the persian rice bowl with beef. It was flavorful with a generous portion of avocado. Also got the bagel and lox for a friend and he loved it. Creative dishes that are filling with high-quality ingredients. Planning to go back asap.

lori courtney

2023-11

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Darrah Zadeh

2023-05

Came to friends cafe for the first time as we live in LA and decided to stop by based on reviews and we definitely weren't disappointed. All the items we had were absolutely delicious and would not hesitated to order them again. The pastries were some of the best we have had as well as the food that was just as delicious. The owners were also very friendly, welcoming and helpful to make our experience great. Would definitely recommend and will for sure return when I'm in the area.

Elaine Delancer

2023-06

Outstanding pet-friendly restaurant that goes above and beyond to cater to the needs of both pets and their owners. With a welcoming environment, delicious food for pets and humans alike, and a dedicated and caring staff, this establishment is a must-visit for any pet lover. I wholeheartedly recommend Friend’s Café to anyone looking for a delightful experience with their furry companions.

ANG PAT

2023-12

Super cute little cafe filled with students and locals. They have a wall of pet photos from their guests which is super cute and two cozy couches to sit at. The food is so yummy. I especially love the bowls which are super filling, the frozen espresso, and the apple tart. Everyone working is so friendly and the endearing owner guy is usually around on weekends chit chatting with the regulars. Its a great place!

Thomas Paolino

2024-02

Where do I begin? Do I start with the food, the staff, the indoor/outdoor dining area or the owners? If I could give 10 stars I would, I’ve been going there probably close to a year now and I can say with the utmost confidence that I have never had a bad experience or meal there. The menu is full of very unique dishes that were very well thought out and made with only the best ingredients that money can buy. But none of it would be possible without the time, love and years of experience of the cafés entrepreneur, Josephine, or as I call her “Jo”. And the cafés business operations manager who ensures that everything it running like a well oiled machine, “Mo”, or Mohammed, Josephine’s husband.The concept, a dog friendly café? In todays day and age? Simply genius. I am there a few times a week, sometimes days, to have lunch with my best friend and loyal pooch, Zoey. We are either having lunch, dinner or both and if you bring your dog there just go right in, pick a place to sit inside or out, and you might see a menu item called “Zoey’s Chicken”. Or choose from one of the home made menu items cooked specifically for your canine with only the finest fresh ingredients. Watch the game on the giant screen TV while one of the cafés friendly staff bring you a fine Italian espresso, or hot Persian tea. Just about all of the staff are college students working around classes trying to make a few bucks, and every single one of them are friendly and proud to work there, they treat the place like they own it. Mohammed and Josephine were blessed with these fine young adults, so make sure you leave them a good tip after you finish your lunch, they work hard and keep the place running 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.Don’t forget to choose from one of Josephine’s hand made pastries, pies or croissants from the assortment of home made desserts on display, which are so good it will guarantee you’ll be back for more.Bon Appetite !!!TP

Sean Wittmaack

2024-04

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Maria Arkel

2023-08

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Wanda Lopez

2022-05

Super chill place. Great service. Delicious food, drinks, desserts.I personally had the avocado toast with a cappuccino (oat milk) which I appreciated.Their desserts are hard to resist!Will come back with friends again.

Franca Eleftheriades

2024-04

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Meredith Webber

2023-05

This place is so good we came back the next morning!! That girl bowl & honey bear latte are amazing but the baked goods are where it’s at! The owners, Josephine & Mo are fantastic! To clear up the tip issue others posted abt.. electronic tips go to back of house workers cash tips go to baristas. Support local & go to this place. Be happy!

Maryam A

2024-03

Cute cozy place, food was exceptionally delicious with great presentation. We ordered albalo polo and baghali polo with salmon.The owners were so welcoming and kind, treating us to ice cream/falodeh and fruits.I definitely recommend Friend’s cafe!

Rosemary Coloprisco

2024-03

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Dana Lynn

2024-03

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douglas bartlett

2023-11

The atmosphere and service is what makes this place so great. In addition their coffees and drinks are absolutely fabulous. For a college town stop it’s nice, however the food is not the best. The grilled chicken sandwich is just a soft chicken patty between bun with Heinz sauce, likewise waffles are golden malt…Not great, but I would still return for the coffee and drinks anyday! Also it’s pet friendly which is a plus.

tom deltz

2024-04

This is second visit with my dog Porscha. First time we dined inside second time outside. Both were a very pleasant experience. The staff & customers couldn’t have been more friendly.We plan on making more visits this summer.A hidden gem for us. 🤗

L P

2023-09

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nathalie porraspita

2024-04

I shared a waffles and Nutella with chocolate ice cream. Whipped cream and just pure care. I loved it so much I wrote a poemTo all the waffles I’ve had before youNutella and chocolate and whipped cream toI smiled and hummed with cheer and delightI lost the battle to the desert delightI workout all weekTrain and eat rightThen I tripped into the friends cafeMocha lattes and good coffeeThe perfect end to my Sunday.

cromefx

2024-04

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