Monkey Joe Roasting Co.

I got a chocolate cream cheese gluten free muffin and a March coffee special, the Irish Cream latte. My barista was overall pretty nice, the latte was a little sweet but flavored well, and the muffin was crumbly, but hey, what am I expecting from a gluten free baked good? There are definitely a lot of monkeys, it lives up to its name, but creates an interesting and not necessarily positive vibe. There’s no wifi and the table I sat at was wobbly and the music was on the loud and annoying side. If you’re just getting coffee on your way to work and don’t intend to stay too long, this is the perfect coffee shop for you.

Kingston's only coffee roaster and oldest coffee shop, Monkey Joe Roasting Company is off the beaten path but is definitely worth seeking out. Wide selection of in-house roasted beans, fresh brewed coffee (variety changes daily), and expert baristas who know their stuff re: espresso drinks make MJRC a must visit...often! Atmosphere is warm and fits with Kingston's historic vibe. Two staffers recently bought MJRC from original owners. They have continued the policy of not offering WiFi nor sandwiches. IMO this is positive as it encourages people to enjoy the coffee and each other's company instead of going there to bury themselves in work. There are other places in town for that. I rarely have anyone else's beans in my house than Monkey Joe's!

This place is great. The smell of fresh roasted coffee beans hits you right in the face as soon as you walk in. They have a huge selection to choose from and they really mind how they prep it for you. If you do a hot coffee like I did, you can pick drip, slow pour or French press for the brewing of your cup. The staff is friendly and patience, which is awesome when you have so many option. I'll definitely be going here every time I'm in the Kingston area.