I just had one of the worst experiences a dog owner — and a pregnant woman — could have.
Today, I stopped by BXVL Coffeehouse with my yellow Labrador, who is also a service dog. When we arrived, we met the owner outside on the lawn, and my dog greeted her with a few friendly touches — he’s very well-trained but naturally affectionate. I thought it was a pleasant interaction, but I was wrong.
A few minutes later, after I had gone inside and taken a seat, the owner approached me with a surprisingly intense and unfriendly tone, asking several questions: • “Is your dog a service dog?” • “What kind of service dog is it?” • “Is it for you or someone else?”
I was completely caught off guard — not only because I’ve been coming to this coffeehouse with my family quite often and have always had a nice experience, but also because these questions felt intrusive and inappropriate.
For clarification: under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a business is legally allowed to ask only two questions about a service animal: 1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? 2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Anything beyond that — such as asking who the service dog is for or demanding proof or explanation — is not permitted.
It’s deeply disappointing to be treated with suspicion and hostility instead of kindness and understanding, especially at a place that used to feel so welcoming. I truly hope the owner becomes more informed about ADA service animal rights and learns to approach such situations with more respect and empathy.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
michael marsden
A very good railway station coffee house... excellent coffee. Croissants and other cakes.
Service: 5
Paula Monique
Best Matcha latte I’ve had in Bronxville, and it’s in my top 3 period. Perfect. The service was great, everyone was very kind and helpful. Chill vibe in there, at the train station. Super convenient if you’re taking the train but we just stopped in after a walk to grab some drinks. The baked goods looked tasty but we didn’t get any. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Anne Coyle
Great place for coffee, pastries, and light sandwiches. Staff is friendly and courteous. Owner is lovely!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taylor John
I’ve consistently loved my experiences here, which is why I’m giving this business 5 stars. The quality, atmosphere, and passion behind this small business are always evident, and I love supporting them. The owners also run the speakeasy on weekends, which adds a fun, creative touch to the overall vibe.
However, I feel it’s important to share a concerning moment from my recent visit. While my drink—a hot strawberry matcha—was delicious (and it’s worth noting that it’s advertised both hot and iced), there was some initial confusion with how to make it. The staff were kind and ultimately let me decide how I wanted it, and I appreciated that.
What disturbed me, though, was witnessing a negative interaction between one of the young employees—a young Black woman with braids—and the female owner. The owner loudly asked, “What are you doing?” in a sharp tone, right in front of me. The young woman calmly replied, “I’m making it hot—she asked for it hot, and she’s standing right there.” Despite that, the owner continued to raise her voice, she snapped at the young woman more than once while she was making the drinks.
At first glance, it seemed that a loud machine was interfering with the owner’s ability to hear or concentrate, and she snapped at the employee again in a more raised, angry tone. The young woman visibly jumped, and another customer and I exchanged a glance—it was that noticeable and uncomfortable.
In a busy, hot environment (it was over 80°F inside with just a few fans running and the machines going), I would have expected more grace and professionalism from management. Employees doing their best during a rush deserve support, not public reprimanding. A more appropriate approach might have been to address the issue privately after the morning rush, rather than in front of customers.
This hasn’t changed my overall appreciation for the business, but I hope to see a more respectful and supportive environment for the staff moving forward.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ThatDerpyBird
As I was ordering, the short girl with the arm tattoos greeted me with a warm smile and such a positive, welcoming vibe. Her demeanor was kind, her energy was uplifting. It’s rare to have such a good interaction nowadays, but she nailed it. 10/10 service.
The Bronxville Coffeehouse itself was just as lovely — cozy, inviting, and filled with charm. The atmosphere was perfect for relaxing or getting a little work done, and the coffee? Absolutely hit the spot. Great vibes 9/10
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Katia Brinkman
Delicious coffee and such a cosy space!
Remi W.
The staff is honestly the only reason I still swing by every now and then. When this place first opened, it felt like a breath of fresh air for the neighborhood. These days? The vibe’s a little more “needs some love,” which brings me to this review.
The peeling paint, cracked tiles, and those faux stained-glass bathroom windows that haven’t been cleaned since who knows when could be overlooked. But a mouse casually running across the floor on my last visit? Surprising—but then again, it is attached to the train station, so… I guess that’s just part of the ambiance now?
To be fair, the staff is consistently kind and personable. Special shoutout to Paul’s girlfriend—she’s hilarious and gave me her hairdresser’s info (those honey highlights are doing exactly what they need to do). Honestly, it’s the people that give this place any charm.
The coffee? Not roasted in-house. The baked goods? Brought in. At these prices, it’s giving “Bronxville markup” more than “must-try café.” But hey, not totally shocking.
If you’re going to grab something, stick with the black cold brew. That’s really the only thing I can recommend without a disclaimer.
EDITED AS A RESPONSE TO THE BUSINESS:
Thanks for the response. I appreciate the offer for a free cold brew, but I’d rather see the original concerns taken seriously than accept a complimentary drink.
To clarify: yes, this review was 100% about your location. I double-checked before posting. I’m surprised to hear that no one “recognizes” me — that doesn’t change the fact that my experience happened, and it doesn’t negate the feedback I shared.
I wrote the review because I felt disappointed, especially given the strong reputation you seem to have. I’m not trying to be malicious, but brushing off criticism by suggesting I must have confused your business with “some other place” feels dismissive.
I stand by what I said. If you’d like to genuinely address the concerns — not just the optics, I’m glad to answer your questions or give more detail. Otherwise, I hope this feedback helps in the future.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
IC Dawson
Rude customer service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
isabella dawson
⭐☆☆☆☆
I had a terrible experience at BXVL. I paid for a flat white but the barista forgot to make it. I was told I’d get a refund, but after following up, I still hadn’t received it. When I contacted the shop, the manager was extremely rude, dismissing my request and saying they “don’t do business like this” and that I should have come in personally—despite their staff admitting the mistake. Awful customer service. Plenty of better coffee shops in Bronxville that actually respect their customers.
I was very pleasantly surprised – this is not your average train station cafe! My cappuccino was delicious, the atmosphere was inviting, and the staff was kind. I’ll definitely be back
Bill D'Ambrosio
This is exactly what I look for in a coffeehouse - amazing coffee, friendly staff and very cool atmostphere. That's exactly what you'll find at the BXVL Coffeehouse. As you walk into the charming old Bronxville Train Station, the beautiful aroma of fresh-brewed quality coffee fills the air. The it's all uphill from there. The coffee! The pastries! And the various places to enjoy them! Treat yourself and visit the BXVL. You may not want to leave!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissants
Reg Aguirre
The coffee here is really good, and the shop itself is very pretty and it gets really good natural light. It’s good if you’re waiting for a train or if you’re hanging out with others, not so much for working or studying because they don’t have any power outlets.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Margaret Fenniman
In response to the owner: Charu Rana, I've been in your cafe multiple times and I stand by every statement I previously made. The scones and croissants are dry, the coffee is ridiculously overpriced, and the service is consistently terrible. The fact that you are personally responding to each of these reviews with snarky comments shows the exact level of unprofessionalism I am referencing. I have lived here for 22 years and commuted for 10. The Metro North station has and should always be available for public use. The tables I was sitting at outside are right next to the Metro North Railway sign. I in no way knew that your coffee shop had completely co-opted the space/seats that used to be publicly available. Instead of simply clarifying kindly, I was met with a snarky attitude at 8am with you responding "Metro North has done absolutely nothing to help me with this cafe." I thought you were a smart, respectful, female entrepreneur, but sadly I was wrong :(
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Christie Schaefer
Favorite coffee house! The owners and staff are really welcoming and they have arguably make the best coffee in
I just had one of the worst experiences a dog owner — and a pregnant woman — could have.
Today, I stopped by BXVL Coffeehouse with my yellow Labrador, who is also a service dog. When we arrived, we met the owner outside on the lawn, and my dog greeted her with a few friendly touches — he’s very well-trained but naturally affectionate. I thought it was a pleasant interaction, but I was wrong.
A few minutes later, after I had gone inside and taken a seat, the owner approached me with a surprisingly intense and unfriendly tone, asking several questions:
• “Is your dog a service dog?”
• “What kind of service dog is it?”
• “Is it for you or someone else?”
I was completely caught off guard — not only because I’ve been coming to this coffeehouse with my family quite often and have always had a nice experience, but also because these questions felt intrusive and inappropriate.
For clarification: under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a business is legally allowed to ask only two questions about a service animal:
1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Anything beyond that — such as asking who the service dog is for or demanding proof or explanation — is not permitted.
It’s deeply disappointing to be treated with suspicion and hostility instead of kindness and understanding, especially at a place that used to feel so welcoming. I truly hope the owner becomes more informed about ADA service animal rights and learns to approach such situations with more respect and empathy.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
A very good railway station coffee house... excellent coffee. Croissants and other cakes.
Service: 5
Best Matcha latte I’ve had in Bronxville, and it’s in my top 3 period. Perfect. The service was great, everyone was very kind and helpful. Chill vibe in there, at the train station. Super convenient if you’re taking the train but we just stopped in after a walk to grab some drinks. The baked goods looked tasty but we didn’t get any. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great place for coffee, pastries, and light sandwiches. Staff is friendly and courteous. Owner is lovely!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve consistently loved my experiences here, which is why I’m giving this business 5 stars. The quality, atmosphere, and passion behind this small business are always evident, and I love supporting them. The owners also run the speakeasy on weekends, which adds a fun, creative touch to the overall vibe.
However, I feel it’s important to share a concerning moment from my recent visit. While my drink—a hot strawberry matcha—was delicious (and it’s worth noting that it’s advertised both hot and iced), there was some initial confusion with how to make it. The staff were kind and ultimately let me decide how I wanted it, and I appreciated that.
What disturbed me, though, was witnessing a negative interaction between one of the young employees—a young Black woman with braids—and the female owner. The owner loudly asked, “What are you doing?” in a sharp tone, right in front of me. The young woman calmly replied, “I’m making it hot—she asked for it hot, and she’s standing right there.” Despite that, the owner continued to raise her voice, she snapped at the young woman more than once while she was making the drinks.
At first glance, it seemed that a loud machine was interfering with the owner’s ability to hear or concentrate, and she snapped at the employee again in a more raised, angry tone. The young woman visibly jumped, and another customer and I exchanged a glance—it was that noticeable and uncomfortable.
In a busy, hot environment (it was over 80°F inside with just a few fans running and the machines going), I would have expected more grace and professionalism from management. Employees doing their best during a rush deserve support, not public reprimanding. A more appropriate approach might have been to address the issue privately after the morning rush, rather than in front of customers.
This hasn’t changed my overall appreciation for the business, but I hope to see a more respectful and supportive environment for the staff moving forward.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As I was ordering, the short girl with the arm tattoos greeted me with a warm smile and such a positive, welcoming vibe. Her demeanor was kind, her energy was uplifting. It’s rare to have such a good interaction nowadays, but she nailed it. 10/10 service.
The Bronxville Coffeehouse itself was just as lovely — cozy, inviting, and filled with charm. The atmosphere was perfect for relaxing or getting a little work done, and the coffee? Absolutely hit the spot. Great vibes 9/10
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious coffee and such a cosy space!
The staff is honestly the only reason I still swing by every now and then. When this place first opened, it felt like a breath of fresh air for the neighborhood. These days? The vibe’s a little more “needs some love,” which brings me to this review.
The peeling paint, cracked tiles, and those faux stained-glass bathroom windows that haven’t been cleaned since who knows when could be overlooked. But a mouse casually running across the floor on my last visit? Surprising—but then again, it is attached to the train station, so… I guess that’s just part of the ambiance now?
To be fair, the staff is consistently kind and personable. Special shoutout to Paul’s girlfriend—she’s hilarious and gave me her hairdresser’s info (those honey highlights are doing exactly what they need to do). Honestly, it’s the people that give this place any charm.
The coffee? Not roasted in-house. The baked goods? Brought in. At these prices, it’s giving “Bronxville markup” more than “must-try café.” But hey, not totally shocking.
If you’re going to grab something, stick with the black cold brew. That’s really the only thing I can recommend without a disclaimer.
EDITED AS A RESPONSE TO THE BUSINESS:
Thanks for the response. I appreciate the offer for a free cold brew, but I’d rather see the original concerns taken seriously than accept a complimentary drink.
To clarify: yes, this review was 100% about your location. I double-checked before posting. I’m surprised to hear that no one “recognizes” me — that doesn’t change the fact that my experience happened, and it doesn’t negate the feedback I shared.
I wrote the review because I felt disappointed, especially given the strong reputation you seem to have. I’m not trying to be malicious, but brushing off criticism by suggesting I must have confused your business with “some other place” feels dismissive.
I stand by what I said. If you’d like to genuinely address the concerns — not just the optics, I’m glad to answer your questions or give more detail. Otherwise, I hope this feedback helps in the future.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Rude customer service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
⭐☆☆☆☆
I had a terrible experience at BXVL. I paid for a flat white but the barista forgot to make it. I was told I’d get a refund, but after following up, I still hadn’t received it. When I contacted the shop, the manager was extremely rude, dismissing my request and saying they “don’t do business like this” and that I should have come in personally—despite their staff admitting the mistake. Awful customer service. Plenty of better coffee shops in Bronxville that actually respect their customers.
Restaurantji Recommends
I was very pleasantly surprised – this is not your average train station cafe! My cappuccino was delicious, the atmosphere was inviting, and the staff was kind. I’ll definitely be back
This is exactly what I look for in a coffeehouse - amazing coffee, friendly staff and very cool atmostphere. That's exactly what you'll find at the BXVL Coffeehouse. As you walk into the charming old Bronxville Train Station, the beautiful aroma of fresh-brewed quality coffee fills the air. The it's all uphill from there. The coffee! The pastries! And the various places to enjoy them! Treat yourself and visit the BXVL. You may not want to leave!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Croissants
The coffee here is really good, and the shop itself is very pretty and it gets really good natural light. It’s good if you’re waiting for a train or if you’re hanging out with others, not so much for working or studying because they don’t have any power outlets.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
In response to the owner: Charu Rana, I've been in your cafe multiple times and I stand by every statement I previously made. The scones and croissants are dry, the coffee is ridiculously overpriced, and the service is consistently terrible. The fact that you are personally responding to each of these reviews with snarky comments shows the exact level of unprofessionalism I am referencing. I have lived here for 22 years and commuted for 10. The Metro North station has and should always be available for public use. The tables I was sitting at outside are right next to the Metro North Railway sign. I in no way knew that your coffee shop had completely co-opted the space/seats that used to be publicly available. Instead of simply clarifying kindly, I was met with a snarky attitude at 8am with you responding "Metro North has done absolutely nothing to help me with this cafe." I thought you were a smart, respectful, female entrepreneur, but sadly I was wrong :(
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Favorite coffee house! The owners and staff are really welcoming and they have arguably make the best coffee in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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