Wow. 10/10 all around. I was visiting the area searching for quality espresso and was so happy to find this spot.

Absolutely in love with this café! Coffee is great, great quick bites to eat, and great atmosphere! (They were out of a few ingredients for a breakfast item I wanted to try, but the blueberry biscuit that I had was yummy!) Great place to work too!

I was in the area to visit family. I needed my AM fix and decided to travel to find a nice coffee shop in Highland Park. The 16 oz coffee was undrinkable. Literally. I dumped it in the garbage inside the Dunkin Donuts where I got a decent latte. In addition, aspects of the employees behavior was weirdly distracted so they didn’t actually make what I asked for. Also, the only syrup they have is vanilla. I don’t understand all the good reviews. It was such an unpleasant experience.

This is my favorite coffee shop in the area. Great single origin pour over options, great coffee beans, and great drink options for the non coffee lovers you bring here.

I came to this coffee shop to do some work online and found it to be a great environment with a good strong wifi connection. I really enjoyed during my stay there because I was so productive and effective at that time. The coffee was great and the food was even better. I will definitely be visiting again in the future to try some of the other interesting sounding items on the menu. Highly recommended!

Do not sleep on this place!! If you’re looking for a cup of coffee or to buy beans look no further! Not only is the quality of their products amazing but their staff is informative and intelligent as well. They have house made kombucha, freshly roasted beans, a beautiful setting, everything a coffee lover could ask for! Seriously the coffee shop for coffee lovers!

I try not to leave negative reviews but this was the worst dirty chai Ive ever had. The milk was so poorly steamed that the top of my drink was just a dense layer of tasteless foam. There was barely any sweetness to the drink and I couldnt taste any espresso. Plus, it cost over $8 for a medium. Really disappointed because the coffee was nothing like what it looks like on Google or their Instagram. Nice interior space and I wish them the best, but the drinks are extremely subpar.

A cute spot to spend a couple hours having brunch with a friend but not so much a place to stop by for coffee to-go. The parking is limited and be prepared for crowded weekends. (Took us 45 min to get our coffee). The current system of leaving drinks on a table for people to take themselves led to a few people taking the wrong drinks. It was funny to watch but probably not so funny for whomever had to wait for their coffee to be remade.I wish I couldve seen the inside of the location to give a more detailed review but based off my experience, I wouldnt go back.

Delicious coffee, roasted in house. Great consistent baristas what more do you need?There seems to be a stage with a microphone I didnt ask what for but its a smaller stage.They have some outdoor seating and two of the three patio tables have umbrellas.

I believe they approached PERFECTION as far as their coffee goes. MASTER baristas work at this place. The problem is I can’t anymore get coffee anywhere else and be satisfied.

I have been coming to Penstock (OQ) for years now, but I decided to finally write a review. This place has always been great, with an excellent selection of great whole bean coffees. But I really want to recognize the changes they have made over the past year to serve their customers and community safely, first with online ordering and now with in-store pick-up. They have maintained the level of quality and service they consistently provide. Best coffee in the New Brunswick area. Thanks!

The thing I like about local coffee shops is that they care about the customers and make sure you get nice cup of coffee. I tried their nitro coffee and iced matcha latte and both were really good, I would say it was a lot better than what you get from a well know coffee franchises. Nice atmosphere and best service. Definitely come back for more and Ill suggest whoever reads it should support these kind of local coffee house around them.

I loved this place instantly. Came in with me wife on Aug 4th at 11:20. It was slightly busy but received our orders within 4 minutes.There is everything good about this place. It’s located slightly away from the busy road so one can avoid all the noises. The ambience is warm and friendly. Our servers were really nice and inspite of being busy they were there to answer our questions (“what is satcha?” Haha)Ended up ordering that and a latte.Would definitely come back here again, accumulate points and drink this seasonal flavor - Satcha.

Best coffee in highland park. Pretty spacious, great staff.

Good coffee and baked goods. A little pricy, but if you were there to do work (in the Before Times) it was good for that! Seating area outside now is also good for hanging out if the weather is nice. (Biscuit with jam is really tasty!)

The coffee itself is great. Everyone enjoyed whatever they got. I don’t agree with it being the best coffee in the state though. Also, it can be hard to find seating if you’re with more than two people.

Absolutely love Penstock coffee! A must-stop every Friday during farmers-market season. While a little pricy, their food is really good, and I love that they sell bags of coffee beans/grounds for home brewing. Must visit!

They have a great system for takeout and near lovely outdoor dining option with picnic tables, including umbrellas. Please follow the signs that direct the public to order online, DO NOT GO INSIDE

The coffee here is good. Its a nice little hip place. I dont know if its the OQ coffee and was bought out by the chain Penstock or if everything was replaced. The seating area looks mostly the same, though you cant use it now during Covid.

The drinks here are amazing. The staff doesnt miss a beat. Honestly, some of the smoothest espresso Ive ever had. Definitely recommend this place for any self-proclaimed coffee connoisseurs.

Friendly staff, great coffee

The coffee is great and responsibly produced. This place is more than coffee though, its a place that makes a difference with every cup (somehow this comes off in the flavor. Dont ask me how lol). Go here if you like coffee.

Service is like clockwork. I always order 5-10 mins before I go to pick up my coffee and it’s always ready when I arrive to pick it up.The coffee is fantastic- I get the maple iced latte every time because I love it so much.The service is fantastic, and the ambiance is great. This is truly a regular hangout spot for local highland park residents and many people spend hours there catching up with friends or studying.

Coffee was delicious and they offer oat milk. Curb side pick up was smooth. A good coffee spot to go to if youre not in the mood for Dunkin or Starbucks. I prefer local coffee shops like this one any day.

Superb freshly roasted beans delivered quickly! Better than our local Princeton roasters.

Great coffee, will definitely be coming back to buy some fresh roasted beans!

Not the same quality as OQ Coffee, the previous storefront. Beans do not hold great flavor, and the price is higher now. I feel they miss the mark with premium pricing, for coffee you can get elsewhere. The sample coffee I drank was weak. The dirty chai iced latte I got was underwhelming, tasted like they poured store bought chai tea cream. In regards to speed of service, they were short staffed, so it was slow. If youre a local, I guess this store is ok.

Truly fulfills all expectations when one imagines a Coffee Roaster.Warm, welcoming environment; courteous baristas and they offer snacks locally sourced from different non-profits.Theyre doing a great job and they make their own mocha syrup so no artificial nonsense

Very good variety of coffees, their baked goods are delicious, and the staff is very friendly.

One of the best cappuccino in the area. The ambience is nice and would be great to get a sip of coffee sitting in the open in summer.

Good coffee, love the option of outdoor seating.

I was working in the area and got a really quite excellent pour over from here, at a good price. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable too!

Possibly the dankest cold brew I’ve ever had. Order it black

Amazing capucinno and its nice they have outdoor seating.

Amazing espresso, and I love the varieties of apples they have rotating. A Highland Park staple.

If you want to be late for something order a coffee here.

Ya these guys are great! One of my favorite coffee shops in the area!

Really cozy cute place! Very good find, so glad theyre here.

One of the bags I ordered was not what it was supposed to be, but the quality of the coffee is outstanding. It is very fresh and aromatic. This would be a five star review if the order was right.

Great drinks! Loved the blood orange iced tea and apple cider.

Good coffee and outdoor dining options

Amazing coffee and yummy pastries. Staff is really helpful and friendly.

Was driving through the area, only got a pourover. Was good but not amazing. Looks like a shop that knows what its doing but its hard to get the true experience during Covid.

This is a wonderful coffee shop, staff is very friendly, it is very nice inside and has a lively atmosphere. There is beautiful art on the wall and is very well decorated. There is a good variety of coffees, espressos, cappuccinos, etc and my group was well pleased.

This is such a terrific spot. Really high end coffee, far superior to any chain, at comparable prices for a drip cup. Expect to pay more ($5 range) for a pour over, nothing unexpected there and again excellent beans. Wide range of choices as well.Nice decor, they recently expanded inside to double the seating.Would suggest they do something to deflect the AC as its directly above a bunch of the seats. Got pretty chilly there and had to move today.

Their coffee is delicious and ethically sourced, which I love.

Best coffee in New Jersey

Great place^^Responsibility are always nice, in amid of this situations

Penstock convinced me that black coffee actually can taste good. Friendly baristas, a relaxed atmosphere, and a variety of great single origin beans make this a wonderful place to sit and work or meet a friend.

Great small-coffee-shop atmosphere. Nice staff. A lot of people come and get coffee in a mug and chill out for a little while, to do homework or just hang out. Kind of a hipster feel, but thats not always a bad thing.

Deserves to have a five star rate. Good place to have some time with their delicious coffee with their some specialties. Great people around and great service as well.

Always loved the coffee Ive gotten here, both prepared in shop and buying beans to brew at home, and the new CSA-like grocery options are a really great service!

Very nice atmosphere to visit and sit for a while. The staff are very inviting and I think that their motto is even start a conversation. The coffee that is served here is amazing and seems to be very well thought out, rather than servicing on-the-cheap. The new expansion makes OQ even more inviting because of the comfortable seating.

As a coffee shop I cannot give this a review because I am not a coffee drinker, but my fiance loves it. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the employees are always incredibly nice. When I do go, I enjoy their tea offerings, and they have such a great variety of ways to serve it. Their little outdoor tables are nice, the only problem is there is occasionally no seating available.

Excellent coffee served in a warm, friendly atmosphere. So glad we came across Penstock when we stopped to stretch our legs! Thanks for a great experience!

My favorite coffee in NJ

I agree with everyone else about the service, the atmosphere, and setup. It is an excellent place to spend some time either by your own or with a friend. They even have some tables and seats outside, which could take more people in a warm day. But, I did not like the coffee. The espresso has a very strong acidity, which almost covers all other aroma and flavors. To me, their espresso is way out of balance, and I think even Starbucks is better than OQ. But this is my own opinion and just about espresso. I have never tried any other coffee there.

Great coffee, delicious thumbprint cookies, relaxed atmosphere. This place has everything to be a 5-star coffee shop and added to a must visit list for local coffee shops.

Cute spot for coffee/tea with good atmosphere, but pricey. They have good non-dairy options too. Gets very crowded, but the additional seating they have helps balance it more. They also have seating outside, so its great during the warm weather.

Coffee shop is a bit off Main Street. Relaxed atmosphere and the new addition adds more space to sit and enjoy your drink! They have options like oat milk and dont automatically lid and straw your drink so you can be more environmentally friendly.

Don’t see what the big deal is. I got a double espresso and was disappointed. It did the trick but was not palatable. In my opinion Wawa does a better espresso!

Meh coffee, extremely expensive. Lots of laptop people, not very inviting if you want to have some coffee and talk. Apparently it’s the “best coffee in the state” I’ve had better at a local diner and it didn’t cost $6.

Very appetizing. The staff was very sociable and kind. Prices were average for the menu. Feels like a place in Charlotte that I enjoyed visiting.

Had an iced latte that was very tasty. Atmosphere is awesome, artsy with all kinds of different things people. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Will definitely be back!

Great coffee! The outside looks like any other coffee shop, but the interior is rather cozy.Many of the other reviews didnt like the seating arrangement, but I had no problem with it. Theres plenty of room to bring a laptop or some work and spread out.The staff is friendly and good at what they do. The baristas more than willing to let you order off menu and are very accommodating.One of my new favorite coffee houses.

Another Local Place on the list for my mother and I. #highlandparklocals Totally recommend such a relaxing atmosphere inside and out. Excellent customer service as well. Will definitely be returning. #yogi_photog

Simply the best! Lots of locals know this secret. Friendly people gather here. The coffee is just ...wow. The staff is very nice and mellow. Try to catch the open mic night showcasing local (musical) artists.

They have really great coffee here and the vegan ginger snaps are the best! Its a bit small sitting space so sometimes there wont always be seating but its been rare that I havent been able to get a seat. A good place to work quietly and have a great cup of coffee.

The iced chai latte I had was delicious, but I will not be returning due to my service experience. I stopped in after going to the farmers market and walking around on a hot day with my son. First, I was given an odd look when I walked in with my stroller (clearly staring at the stroller). After I order my drink the woman behind the counter rolled her eyes at me; all while still giving the stroller the evil eye so quite impressive. She then took my payment, handed me my card and just walked away. This last part wouldnt have bothered me had she not asked every other person before and after me would they like to find a seat or leave. I was clearly being treated differently for coming in with my son. I could see if he was yelling or crying, but he was playing happily in his stroller and distracting no one. As it was a hot day and we needed to cool off, we sat until I finished my latte and my son had some water. During this entire time my son never cried, but we were still given dirty looks from the people behind the counter. I am all about supporting local businesses and was excited to visit this coffee shop but will never be returning after this treatment.

Best coffee around! Delicious maple lattes in the winter. The expansion is fantastic... Many more tables and chairs. A cute kids corner now too.

Great place to study or drop in on the weekend with the family. Kids corner keeps the kids entertained long enough to enjoy a scone and a latte! Best coffee in NJ!

I like the teas and cookies they serve, and its very convenient if you live in the area. Coffee lovers really like the coffee here too. Its just a little hard to find a seats sometimes because its a small place. It would be perfect if it were bigger.

The coffee house is pretty inconspicuous from the outside, so its not hard to miss driving by. The inside is really nice, but it felt crammed and confined due to the arrangement of everything. The items are expensive. The cookie we had was nice. We also ordered a mocha latte, but there didnt seem to be any mocha in it.

Great place with delicious baked goods and coffee. Love the vegan options.

Im very confused by these reviews. Im a local who really would have loved for this place to be good, and I tried different drinks multiple times throughout the past year. I have been here three times and I have truly never had a good cup of coffee. I would have been able to tolerate a decent coffee because the location and atmosphere of this place is great. I think there are a few problems with the coffee here: Primarily their iced drinks are severely watered down. The coffee is also too bitter which leads me to think they arent using their equipment properly. I really wish this place was good, and hopefully it improves because its the only local coffee shop, but Ive tried OQ too many times and Ive always been disappointed.

The coffee here is always on point, it’s incredible. And the people are super polite. Highly recommend.

I was actually really let down by this place. I took a group with me to try this place since I saw all the good reviews, and we didn’t technically get either their cappuccino or regular hot coffee the other reviewers rave about so I don’t know if this review is fair, but we did get a hot chocolate and iced coffee which both tasted really horrible and were thrown out when my group left the place. I was actually embarrassed for recommending we go here. Also note everything their is mostly in the $4 + range so not really a bargain place either. I over all don’t recommend.

Such an awesome shop! Great coffee and selection of pastries. I really appreciate their commitment to sustainability, both through their coffee sourcing and their offering of reusable cups.

Great cold brew.Update: best americano Ive had anywhere. So smooth! A little steep with the pricing however, but worth it for the great coffee.

Update: Penstock has adjusted with the post-pandemic lockdown weirdness flawlessly - they have a great online ordering service, outdoor seating, increased options, grocery delivery, and fantastic service as always. The baked goods are amazing! Ill leave my old review since it was funny, but I cant give them anything less than 5/5 now.================================Old review:The coffee is fantastic, but the place is way too quiet. Whenever I walk in, the baristas warmly welcome you but then people busy studying turn to look at you. Its hard to navigate the place because of the weird rows of tables and the seating split into two rooms. Once I tripped over a heavy cast iron chair and the noise was so loud everyone turned to look at me.I would suggest changing the seating arrangement and playing some mellow background music at all times. I would go many more times if I could avoid the awkwardness created by these poor design choices.

Consistently the best coffee Ive had in the greater NYC area. Im being serious -- OQs blends are my favorite. Their service is top-notch, the decor is wonderful, their drinks are always smooth and well made, theres a ton of vegan options and the staff is just lovely. Coming here is one of my favorite parts of the day!

Staff are helpful and welcoming. Beautiful decor with a relaxed vibe. Great place to hang out if youre in the area.

Best coffee in Central Jersey. Staff cares about the coffee. I wish the seating was more cozy and comfortable. Good for a brief pause to enjoy an espresso.

Staff are helpful and welcoming. Beautiful decor with a cool atmosphere. Great place to hang out.

Great little coffee shop and roastery. Third wave/artisnal style cafe. Nice atmosphere. Only minus are the banker type hours. Can buy cups of coffee or their own roasted bags of coffee for your home machines. Small pastries and treats available too. Love the place!

Love coming here for a coffee. Sometimes I grab and go, other times I lounge for an hour or two. Best pour over selection around.

Super relaxing spot for a good coffee and some great tunes. Id recommend going here when the tables are out. Nitro cold brew was a bit weak but single origin pour overs are on point and compete only with Hidden Grounds in the area

Chill, quaint spot to enjoy a cortado. My favorite place to go to grab a drip coffee or a hand crafted espresso. The beans they roast are flavorfully delicious. A mouthful so right you always want to come back. I recommend this to anybody who wants a quality cup without having to venture too far out of their orbit. As I said in the beginning, my go to is the cortado. Give it a try. It will not disappoint. Check this place out for a unique coffee or espresso sipping experience.

Small, cozy coffee shop that takes its coffee seriously. Great owners and very pleasant staff.Looking forward to the expansion... They have begun work to expand into the space next door.

Love this place for their delicious bakery items, lattes, sustainable coffee sourcing, and reliable WiFi. During nice weather grab a table outside and enjoy!It can get noisy at peak times but its a great place to work from for extended times if you can handle that, and even has some toys if youre meeting a friend and bringing the kids.The recent remodel/expansion opened up a lot more space but I feel they could use it a little more efficiently. I cant put my finger on it, but with different furniture and/or arrangement I bet they could fit 20 more people confortably.

Coffee was good. Chill atmosphere. And free cold water on the side which is was great for a such a hot day

Great local coffee roaster. Off to a great start! Sophisticated staff who know their coffee! Cozy wooden decor. Try the iced mocha!

FAIL. This is the worst coffee I ever had. The Capuccino had zero foam and the milk was not only not hot but sour. The telltale sign that I missed is there was hardly any customers there. Unfortunately this used to be one of the best places. With a new crew it has gone down. Way on down. Stay away.

Great hot and iced almond milk lattes! Chai tea latte is great too. Staff very friendly and accommodating

A Highland Park classic, this place never ceases to amaze! Though pricey, the drinks are top notch, with ethically sourced coffee, and the seating is comfortable and theres free Wi-Fi. OQ is a great place to study, write, work, chill, meet people, and find out about local events. Its dog friendly, so that makes it even more fun! Also, this is one of the only places Ive been able to find in NJ that offers Oat Milk. Try it out - its delicious!

A great local find that roasts amazing beans. Lots of different varieties to suit everyones tastes. Really good espresso shots.

I love to work at this place because of the atmosphere, the coffee, and the skills of the baristas. This place used to be congested in terms of space, but they have recently expanded, which makes it even more ideal. The only thing I wish this place would change is its timing; it closes at 6 pm on weekdays and I wish it would stay open longer.

Everything here is delicious and the baristas are fun. I just wish they had more space (maybe open up a second location? ). Try the ginger snaps!

Some of the best coffee that Ive had. All their coffee is roasted in the shop weekly, and you can tell. Very fresh. Very good.Staff are very friendly and helpful.

I would give 10 stars if I could. But I give 4 because they dont stay open past 5 or 6pm except for Tuesday which I believe is 9pm. So I dont get to enjoy this place as its always closed when I would want to go. Maybe consider staying open later? Not everyone likes to drink alcohol at Pinos and thats our only late spot in town. I would come and support if yall stayed open later. :)