John Brown Coffee

Wow, this coffee is everything I’ve been searching for! It’s the perfect blend of smoothness and richness, with just the right amount of depth to make each cup feel indulgent. The aroma alone is enough to get you excited—it's warm, inviting, and absolutely heavenly. As for the taste and selection, this place has something for everyone, making it perfect for both mornings and afternoon pick-me-ups.

The texture of the coffee is wonderfully velvety, and the coffee has a clean finish with no bitterness lingering behind. Whether you're brewing as a drip coffee, pour-over, or espresso, the results are consistently excellent. It's definitely one of the top places for both coffee and a little sweet if you're interested in that too!

I can’t recommend this enough—it's the kind of coffee that makes you look forward to your next cup. Perfect for coffee lovers who enjoy quality without compromise!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Was very excited to try this place from reviews. Drove 35+ mins from Baltimore City for it. Specifically ordered a shaken espresso with oat milk (I am lactose intolerant). My drink along with two others came out. I knew by the look of my drink it was NOT right, I double checked with the cashier who looked very unsure and then she assured me that this was my drink - when a woman who walked off with the drink I am now sure is mine. Instead of offering to remake, she lied and told me the drink was mine. I had an almost immediate reaction and ran home sick due to the lactose intolerant the milk. Absolutely disappointing service, ESPECIALLY for the high price tag. Will not be returning. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere. Wildly overpriced, coffee was not good regardless of the allergy I had, and service was very poor.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I live in Carroll County Westminster and make the drive here weekly for the banana bread ice latte!!! The prices are fair and the drinks/food are SO GOOD!!! I cannot stop raving about this place and will continue support this business until I DIE!!! I love it here!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very cute coffee shop. Roadside so not much seating but there is one large table in front. Coffee is roasted by Vigilante roasters.

Tasting Notes: Oat Milk Cortado
First taste was a strong burnt flavor but it mellowed as I drank the cortado. Definitely a dark roast. Much darker than I prefer for espresso drinks such as cortados. Hints of dark chocolate and burnt cherries.

Great historic place to get a great cup of coffee

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

The lady up front was so nice & her partner got my iced coffee done so fast. 5/5 experience

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is such a cute little place, but the John Brown coffee made both myself and my husband very sick for 2 days afterward. We know it was the coffee because it was the only thing we both consumed in the time span of getting stomach ill. We won’t be returning for coffee, maybe to the butcher shop.

Atmosphere: 5

This place is spectacular! I have been in Maryland 3 years in a row and my go to coffee spot is John Brown! The coffee is great, the cookies are to die for and the staff are such a laugh!

Their baked goods are always fresh and delicious! A chore to try and get them before they sell out, but if you’re lucky enough… they’re amazing!

Big props to the butcher shop next door as well, the burgers are also amazing! Such a great little stopping point for a road trip.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Coffee is great, but they need to do something about the long wait. People take forever deciding on the pastries as they are not always the same and they want to see the whole list and then some stuff is sold out. If there could be a drink only line it would be awesome.

This spot has the best coffee and service! They are kind to their customers. They have many options for food and drinks. The butchery behind them sells sandwiches for lunch which we plan to come back to try. We WILL be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely love their coffee. One of the best cups you can get in the Baltimore area! That alone keeps my husband and I returning.

A few downsides...
#1 They give you a hand written list of their available pastries. You can't see what they look like and there are no descriptions. From where you stand to order you can't see any of them.
#2 The atmosphere is cute, but there's like no seating and you awkwardly stand in the doorway to order.
#3 The staff hasn't been super friendly when I have ordered.

All that being said, the coffee is still amazing and the location is beautiful. They make quality lattes 👌🏼

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

Excellent pastries and coffee!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

John Brown is my favorite place for a caramel latte - using Mouth Party caramel (the best ever) and the most flavorful & rich espresso...divine! Their wide array of mouth-watering pastries pleases the eye and the palate.

So, I’ve driven past this place a million times. Always intending to stop by for coffee assuming that’s all they serve. To my surprise, someone posted about their burgers on instagram. So I made it my business to go out of my way to finally pay them a visit. Well, I didn’t get to try the coffee. I ordered a burger (Double Pattie) and fries. The food was made to order. Cooked right there on the spot. My order was done in 5 mins. Long story short, that burger was unbelievably delicious. It tastes the way a McDonald’s Big Mac is supposed to taste. If I had tasted it with my eyes closed, I would’ve sworn it was a Big Mac but with waaay fresher ingredients. The fries were tasty as well. You can dine in or takeout. They also have a butcher shop with countless meat options. They sell ice cream, eggs, and milk as well. All appear to be Local Farm Fresh instead of delivered by a truck from another state. I will be visiting again very soon.

This was one of my favorite coffee shops in the area however my most recent visit was very unpleasant so I won’t be able to return. 🥲

I went over the Mother’s Day weekend with my mom and ordered 2 drinks and asked for a cup of ice water. When the drinks were ready, the employee handed me over just the 2 coffees. So I asked again for a cup of ice water. Then the employee told me in a very unpleasant tone, “you can walk over to the next door and get some water”. I was a little confused by her behavior and asked again for a cup of water. Then the employee told me in an unpleasant tone again “walk over to the next door and get some water” and barista almost yelling at me said, “I don’t want to dispense water in cups anymore”. I walked away with 2 coffee in my hand with such a bad taste on a beautiful sunny day with my mom.

My hope of writing this review is that the owner would retrain and educate the employees to treat all customers (white or nonwhite) with respect.

If the new policy is that water is not provided anymore, then it should be stated in a respectful tone. Or did they not provide water because I am not a white person?