Lambertville Coffee Shops: A Local’s Guide
by SL Bruno
One of the things I used to lament about Lambertville when I first moved here in 2013 was the lack of coffee shops. There were three at the time and none were particularly good for remote work. That’s a criteria that, to me, is make or break besides the coffee itself.
Fast forward to our post-COVID world and while two of the old shops are still here, they all now boast great wifi, which makes them a viable option as a work place, a general hang out place, or just a great place to meet up.
Quick note: I drink my coffee black in a perfect world (shaking my fist at my sensitive stomach), but IRL I enjoy cappuccino and iced lattes—iced for the flavors that come out of the bean at lower temps. I can enjoy a sweet cup as well, so I’m going to tell you about the best of the best based on these preferences. With the small print out of the way, let’s talk Lambertville Coffee!
Union Coffee 49 North Union Street
Walk into Union and you will see a well-oiled machine at work with the friendly staff keeping the often long lines moving smoothly and efficiently, and always with a smile.
At Union, you have what I believe is the best cappuccino or latte in town. The flavor is smooth and bold, and always well balanced no matter what flavors you add, or if you get it plain. I buy my espresso beans here—they even offer to grind them for you!
Union has local art on display that rotates regularly, which is a lovely treat while you’re sipping on your brew. If you are looking for some nosh, they offer lovely breakfast options and pastries in addition to smoothies. The quiche is served with a fresh side salad and is always a great choice.
If you can get a seat, it’s a good place to get some work done, with excellent wifi. It can be noisy and it usually is the busiest coffee shop in town at most hours (especially on the weekends) so go early and claim a seat! If you stop in, be sure to say hello to Carolyn, the owner. She’s a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a pillar of the community.
Must-tries at Union are the straight cappuccino, or latte. If you don’t take your coffee drinks sweet, try it with one of their homemade syrups. They make lavender, peppermint, and vanilla as well as seasonal favorites, so keep an eye out! My personal favorite is Lavender Oat Latte with honey to kick the allergy season on its tuchus. The combo of oat and lavender is a match made in heaven!
Bucks On Bridge 25 Bridge Street
A long-time Lambertville staple, Bucks on Bridge serves Organic Fair Trade coffee. Be sure to let Babs, the owner, know you’re a local. She’ll remember your name, and your order!
This is the shop I go to when I want to feel like a part of the community. There always seems to be an open seat and people are friendly and inclusive. I’ve also gone and worked when I wanted to be alone and focused, and I had no problem with that either.
Bucks also has rotating local art on display and is the home of JB Kline’s music shop upstairs. The cappuccinos and lattes are great especially when ordering sweeter options. This is one place I’ll pick a hot cappuccino over iced.
They also offer some lovely breakfast options like sourdough with banana and peanut butter, or my favorite, bagel and lox. Besides breakfast, there’s also an ice cream shop in the back, which makes it the perfect location for an affogato!
The must-have for me is the pumpkin latte in the fall. I look forward to Bucks’ pumpkin latte every year. If you ask nicely, Babs might make you one offseason if they have the mix still available. And try their breakfast options!
The only downside of Bucks, much like most on this list, is the parking—there is none. Bucks is closer to the south side of town so, if you’re willing to walk a block, parking is free and easier to find at most hours if you go south of Ferry Street.
Luminary 243 North Union Street
Located in what used to be Rojo’s, Luminary is the only coffee shop in town that roasts their own beans. Importantly, not only do they have ample street parking, but also a parking lot, which is a rare find in Lambertville. That alone rockets Luminary to the top of the list of coffee shops to try.
They have a great atmosphere for working, though the music can be a distraction sometimes and the seats might get full, but if you stick around, something usually opens up. They are also the only shop that has a couch and cozy living room area.
Luminary is another shop that displays local art on the walls, and they offer local pastries as well. In fact, you can get delicious doughnuts on Sundays at around 9am. Curiosity Doughnut, which recently opened a brick and mortar store in Doylestown, delivers doughnuts to Luminary.
Personally, I go with the coffee here over the lattes. They have a great pour over, which is served in a massive mug, so be prepared to wait and then have coffee for hours! Try the drip if you want a quicker cup.
They focus on their single origin options here, and have a daily brew which is worth a taste. If you like the old Rojo, you might enjoy their cup, as it has a higher end than the others you will get in town.
Lambertville Trading Company (LTC) 43 Bridge Street
If you ask a tourist to name a coffee shop in Lambertville, 9 times out of 10 they will describe LTC, though they usually won’t remember the name. It’s one of the best places in town to people watch since it’s on Bridge Street and has lovely window seating.
Like an old school coffee shop, you’ll see many bins of coffee beans in the front, which is not my favorite way to keep beans fresh, but it does show off the many options you have for your favorite cup. They specialize in dark roasts so, if you prefer a french press cup of coffee, this might be the spot for you. Coffee is serve-yourself in the back with espresso drinks ordered up at the front.
LTC has a lovely atmosphere, though it’s more of a gift shop than a sit-and-stay kind of place. It’s only a few doors down from Bucks, so you’ll find the same parking restrictions and options here, but they do have a bike rack out front.
The must-try here is the French press. If this is your preferred way to drink coffee, you can get it at LTC.
Meta Cafe 15 Klines Court
Shout out to Meta, a little-known sandwich shop with a limited beverage menu.
Meta has a hand pull espresso machine, much like what I have at my home, so I can tell you this requires more skill than the automatic espresso machines and it maybe less consistent, but you must give Bryan and his team’s creations a try.
This is the only shop I know that will put your iced latte in a shaker and shake it up so you get a foam on top even if you get an iced latte! They also have fun seasonal homemade flavors like the rose latte or the orange honey latte.
The must tries here are really the sandwiches, but do try the iced vanilla latte if sweet drinks are your bag.
The love of coffee comes to us all differently, and people have strong preferences for how they like their cup of joe. Hopefully I’ve helped you determine which Lambertville coffee shop is the best for you!
Keep things interesting. Please donate today.