Griot Cafe

Found this great spot while enjoying a weekend away with friends. The food.. delicious, the atmosphere... inviting, the service.. top notch- John and Victor are fantastic, warm and accommodating in every way. But the coffee.. the coffee... impeccable!! My husband is vegan but I am not. It's always such a plus when we find a place that can cater to us both.. and we both really enjoyed all the options here. If you ever find yourself in Jersey City I highly recommend stopping in, you wont be disappointed!

I usually go to this place for green tea, and it’s always really good and fresh. The staff are very friendly and make you feel welcome every time you visit. I also tried their egg sandwich, and it was tasty and nicely made. The cafe has a cozy atmosphere with plenty of seating, which makes it a great spot to relax, study, or do some work. It’s clean, quiet, and has a nice vibe overall. If you’re nearby, I really recommend stopping by and trying something from their menu you’ll definitely like it.

I stopped in with friends for breakfast before heading to the airport. The café opens before 9 a.m., but it seems to be run by just one person in the front and possibly one person in the kitchen. That said, the space itself is bright, clean, and charming—a cozy spot to sit and catch up with friends. We ordered several dishes to share: beignets, the plantain sandwich with fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and waffles with eggs and bacon. The beignets were the biggest disappointment—dense, small, and only two tiny pieces for the price. The plantain sandwich had good flavor, but the plantains used in place of bread were dense and tough, which didn’t pair well with the filling. The shrimp was seasoned nicely, but the grits were undercooked, lumpy, and bland unless mixed with the shrimp gravy. The waffles looked nice but were thin and light on portion size, again not reflective of the price point. Overall, while the food had moments of good flavor, the portions and preparation did not match the prices charged. Service was kind but understandably limited with so few staff working. If you’re in a pinch and need a meal, this isn’t a terrible option, but it’s not one I’d go out of my way for. Also, be careful with parking meters in the area—they’re closely monitored, and tickets are common even when paying through the app.

The only food I like here is their turno. There are a variety of filling from beef to vegetable. Everything else I had here was dry including the griot sandwich and monkey bread. The fresh squeezed orange juice is OK but tasted watered down and had no pulp. Also service is hit or miss sometimes friendly sometimes a little attitude. Pros: It is laptop friendly just mind the sound of the juicer. And kids are allowed

Located on Central avenue, this cafe has a great ambiance while the setting is perfect for anyone who wants to do their office work here! The service was quick. I had ordered their signature Gri-oat latte, which seems like coffee with oat milk and it was really amazing! Probably the best coffee I've had in a while whereas I also tried out their Kenyan Vegan samosas. I honestly didn't expect them to be so good as they contained moist mashed potatoes, corn, green peas and carrot while providing a must required green chutney (sauce) on the side! The chutney seemed to be freshly made and overall it was a great feeling to start the fall morning with something great! Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely love to be back!