Spruce Coffee

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2025-01-20

In a town with no shortage of caffeine outposts, Spruce Coffee carves out its own niche as New Haven's living room turned progressive café space. The interior reads more like a particularly well designed cooperative house than a standard coffee shop, with leather sofas and armchairs scattered beneath warm Edison bulbs and pink paper lanterns. Cascading plants soften the industrial ceiling, while slate blue walls alternate with chalkboard messages that hint at the space's community minded spirit. The matcha latte emerges as the menu standout, though it arrives at a decidedly relaxed pace, with wait times hovering around 25 minutes during peak hours. While the rest of the menu sticks to standard café fare, the unhurried service seems less an oversight than a deliberate choice, encouraging patrons to settle in rather than rush out. The crowd shifts throughout the day, from laptop workers and local students to evening gatherings for open mic nights and live music events. Outside, Pride and Palestinian flags signal the establishment's social consciousness, while inside, the mix of cozy seating and community programming suggests Spruce Coffee aims to be more than just another place to grab a drink. It works beautifully if you arrive ready to embrace the slow life and appreciate a café that prioritizes atmosphere over efficiency. Those seeking a quick coffee fix, however, might want to look elsewhere in New Haven's café landscape. Dog and human friendly.

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2024-11-17

Such a beautiful location in the morning sun, and the plants lend a feeling of life to the space! The owners and the employees are all excellent friendly people and provide such an electric vibe! The drinks are tasty and you can tell they are made with love! I can tell Spruce is going to add such a great hangout space for East Rock!!

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2024-12-01

This is coffee shop that east rock has NEEDED!!! It’s so cozy and welcoming, with yummy drinks and a sweet atmosphere. Also it’s open late — til 10!!!! The folks that work there are so sweet (thanks Rose!) and it’s the perfect place to do work or meet up with friends. So grateful this place exists