Maroon Cafe Delivers Style and Substance

Maroon Cafe is a slightly off-the-beaten path coffee shop located on the corner of Willow and 7th Street. Open since June of last year, it contributes a stylish sleekness to the Hoboken coffee shop scene. The interior of Maroon is clean and compact with a chrome bar, wood floors and a small selection of seating.

I visited on what was probably the nicest day of the year so far, so aside from a few folks coming in to grab a coffee or tea to go, I had the place mostly to myself. 

I started with a small, straight-up coffee with milk, no sugar ($1.75). The barista added the milk for me—which I thought was a nice, personal touch—and recommended a few food items.  The coffee was delicious, smooth and strong without a bitter aftertaste.

I began my meal with an oat scone split down the middle and filled with house-made blueberry jam ($3.50). The scone was flaky and hearty and paired very nicely with the coffee. The blueberry jam was sweet and soaked into the scone.

Next, I sampled an excellent new menu item, a Vietnamese-style tuna sandwich served on fresh baked Balthazar bread ($3.75 for the demi size).  The sandwich was composed of albacore tuna, a healthy portion of cilantro, pickled carrots and a homemade tomato flavored mayonnaise. I highly recommend this sandwich, but definitely get the full size if you are hungry—it's worth the $5.50.

As sun filtered through the glass storefront and onto me and my table, I had visions of walking around a newly sunny and warm Hoboken with an iced tea.  Lucky for me, Maroon has a large assortment of teas. Hot, iced, bubble, you name it, they serve it. 

I settled on an iced passion fruit green tea. Although with choices like litchi jasmine green tea, mango black tea and peach oolong tea, making my decision wasn't easy. The iced passion fruit green tea was slightly sweet, completely refreshing and the perfect companion to an early spring day stroll.

Maroon is great place for coffee, tea and light fare. If you don't live nearby, it's worth the trip for its quality beverages, sweets and sandwiches.  

Maroon is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Free Wi-Fi is available.