Java & Co in Vale of White Horse

If you prefer not to buy your cup of coffee with sugared milk from a branded global business that doesn’t pay taxes and pays for its CEO to jet-commute 1,100 miles to work and back, then Java & Co in Abingdon is the place for you. Charming service with a smile, excellent coffee, good pastries, a clean loo and that feeling of being welcomed into the community all make this a relaxing place to sit and watch the world go by. It helps that the view out of the window is a charming piazza-style street scene, and it helps that you know they probably walk to work: pavement footprint rather than the obscene carbon footprint imposed by a single man in his jet in the USA as he sets about proving by means of carbon fuel-powered flight how ludicrous his mission statement is when it witters about “every cup… nurture[s] the limitless possibilities of human connection”. Give me the real human touch of an independent coffee shop any time, like Java & Co. Did I mention they're really nice and make great coffee?

My husband and I were in Abingdon for the weekend and fancied a coffee and a bite to eat. I have Coeliac Disease and have had a really pleasant experience with R&R next to Java but thought we'd try a different cafe. I went in and asked the nice young boy working behind the counter if they have any gluten free products, preferably savoury, he smiled politely and pointed to the 'usual' fudge brownies and carrot cake and I think was a flap jack and something else, but sadly no savoury. The Lady who was behind him, who might have been the owner, suddenly ranted at me saying "do you know how expensive buying in Gluten Free is?" And then told me in no uncertain terms it's more than £3 a small loaf and not worth her while!! I have never been spoken to like that in a small cafe shop before. We did have the carrot cake which was very nice, but it didn't stop there, when the waitress came out with the coffees and cakes, she told us we had to sit elsewhere because we were sat in the wrong place!! She wasn't even nice about telling us, even though I couldn't see any signs, the waitress then told us the chairs were colour coded green to match the cafe!!! Of course, we should have known that! We had to then sit in the full sun at I think 26 degrees instead of the shade. The next day my family came out with us, but we sat and had a drink in the other cafe as no way I would ever go back to Java again.

Our experience was awful. The staff were extremely rude. The coffee we were given was far too strong and too full to add milk but we were made to feel very awkward asking for more milk or a weaker coffee. The owner/manager then came over and proceeded to say that we were sitting obstructing the fire exit which was clearly not true as there was no fire exit notice on the door where they had actually placed the chairs we were sitting on in the first place. We won't be returning.

Our order got lost. After 25 minutes of sitting, a waitress asked 'What exactly are you waiting for?' she apologised and told us that the order ticket had gone missing. These things happen. After giving the order again, this was duly delivered to our table by the same waitress who was banged the drinks and food onto the table and refused to speak to us again. I think this must be the waitress who appears in some of the others reviews. Coffee and cake were good and mistakes happen and are excusable but rudeness is never acceptable. If the owner responds to this review - it was not busy when we visited, so you cannot use that as an excuse.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What an amazing experience! Kiba the lovely owner and her fabulous family have created my best coffee/tea cafe experience since I have lived in Oxfordshire. The baked pastries are Devine and the coffee choices were decadent. We are so happy to discover Java&Co. And plan to come here often!! 🌻Lisa & Paul

Still the best coffee shop in Abingdon. Great coffee and choices of pastries and great staff . Highly recommended . Always a warm welcome. Sit inside or outside

This cafe serves a good selection of drinks including a variety of coffees and lovely cakes and pasties, both sweet and savoury. I tried the walnut and pumpkin one and it was delicious.

Stopped off here for a takeaway coffee and sandwich. Great, friendly service. Good choice of food and drinks. The coffee was excellent, as were our sandwiches, which came in a neat boxes with some corn chips as an added bonus. Can definitely recommend. So much nicer to go to an independent rather than a chain of coffee shops

Small, friendly cafe with great coffee and cake, right in the centre of town. Grab a takeaway here and go for a walk around the river or our lovely town.

There a number of coffee houses in the square, don’t be distracted by others! The staff here are amazing, accommodating and attentive. They have the freshest of pastries and cakes along with quite a comprehensive lunch and snack menu!The place is pooch friendly with doggy treats on tap!Thoroughly recommend this place!

Great place for a coffee in the sun. We had panini's and coffee which were delivered pretty quickly. Coffee was really good but panini was a bit under toasted and the crisps were a bit sparse.

I used to have to visit Abingdon for work regularly but never had the chance to explore. As my wife and I were nearby we decided to spend a few hours looking around. We only needed a coffee and cake and there were a few options close to the pedestrianised area-glad we chose this one. Service was very good and cakes (some of which in a special offer were excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed my choice which I ate whilst reading the paper and waiting whilst my wife and a a quick look around the shops.

I think there has been a change of ownership as food is really poor now compared with a few months ago. Cakes still good food off the menu is consistently really bad

Great service, super friendly staff, the best coffee we've had, and the cakes, most gluten free, are to die for. They allow well behaved dogs inside, and will go out of their way to be helpful. Whenever we're in Abingdon, this is where we'll go. Keep up the great work, guys xx

Friendly staff. Jovial atmosphere from what seems like a family run business. Great Bacon and Brie roll. And Dog Friendly!

Great customer service and good quality coffee. It is dog friendly inside and out, the outdoor seating is party under a canopy which was great with the rain!

Wow......what service! Not Necessarily cheap BUT the quality of food and drink is up there with anyone else but the customer of service....... making a fuss of kids, a laugh and a joke but not over the top. Just ultra friendly, genuinely nice people with a smile on their faces where nothing seems to much trouble.If I’m back in Abingdon I will return

The staff is very lovely and helpful. I really enjoyed their mood and service. Great thanks ladies! My favourite coffee spot during my stay.

On the red bull can says £1.35 and has been sold for £2.00. When I asked why the price is not the same as the one on the can I was told that they buy it on this price but they sell it on their price.

Tea and coffee ok but not supplied with teaspoons. The bacon butty was awful. Hardly any bacon and the tiny sesame roll was so dried out it crumbled to dust. So Stale and hard. Tiniest paper napkin and no knife, they insisted on adding the sauce. At least 3 staff trying to look busy but not one checked to see if the food was ok and avoided eye contact. I guess this explains why no one else was eating there.

Always greeted with friendly staff, great coffee and lovely fresh cakes, dog friendly too, recently had a make over and it looks great

I visit Java regularly. The atmosphere, coffee location and pastries are great. A really enjoyable experience. Thanks.

Popped in for a coffee Saturday afternoon and was served by a delightful young girl. Milkshakes and smoothies are really lovely here. The atmosphere is very relaxed. I had probably one of the lightest and most delicious chocolate cakes I have ever eaten. Definitely will return.

Thought I'd give a thumbs up to the Java cafe in Market Square, Abingdon. I mainly use it by myself, having a coffee whilst reading or writing. It has a relaxed and sociable atmosphere where I can enjoy the company of others whilst being by myself. The coffee and cakes are top quality too and the staff are very pleasant and welcoming. Going back soon!

After a long dog walk I arrived at Java to enjoy a medium Latte. On first tasting the Latte I felt that it tasted a little funny, so tried it again and it tasted like the milk was on the turn. I took the two Latte's back and explained to the lady behind the till that unfortunately I thought the milk wasn't right in the coffees. The immediate response was "there is nothing wrong with my milk. I said okay maybe it is the coffee and asked the member of staff to try them. I was told at this point that she didn't drink milk and that there was nothing wrong with her coffee either. The lady chucked the coffees down the sink opened the till and gave me my money back, followed by saying that the customer was not always right. I asked if I could speak to the Manager, to be informed that I was already speaking to the Manager. Terrible approach and will not return!

Great coffee - a busy, vibrant cafe. Great to sit watching the world go by in Abingdon! Friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Friendly staff, and the sea salt brownie was lovely. Small and cosy. Would be nice if the drinks were brought to the table, though, this is a minor, somewhat pedantic thing to mention.

Small but cosy. Steamy windows just like a coffee shop should have with a great cosy atmosphere. Food really good with panini made fresh to order. Cakes excellent. Most importantly the coffee is really good.

The outdoor seating is best at Java & Co, a place as recognised for its hot chocolate as tea and coffee.I enjoyed visiting; the staff are reasonably friendly, although it takes a bit of cajoling to get them to help you outside with your teas, once purchased!Sitting in the square, watching the world go by (especially on market Monday) is very good fun.Contactless payments at the counter are swift and painless.Price-wise, it's competitive in a town with plenty of options.

Since the new owners have taken over Java & Co in Abingdon they have invested in bringing it back to a high standard. The menu has improved tremendously, this is from the selection of cakes to sandwiches etc. The interior has been updated and it is a great place to go for a coffee and something to eat

So good to see oat milk as an option - only bad thing though is you have to pay extra for it...

The service was genuinely amazing, was met with plenty of smiles and quality was fantastic with lovely selection of different coffees and sides!

Stopped for a quick brunch. Tea and bacon roll were lovely and cafe is dog friendly which I like. However, if a server fusses a dog it would be really good if they washed their hands before continuing to serve.

My partner and I have always been regulars at Java but lately have started to go elsewhere after several visits having cold coffee and being ignored at the till by staff. Often if you get there at 4 they are packing the tables away around you or if you try to order a coffee you feel ignored as they stand with their backs to you not even acknowledging you. Most of the time lately they hardly speak to you even when serving you. On our most recent trip we sat outside with no coffee for an hour after taking the first one back cold ( there were others in the queue waiting to have theirs heated up too) when the coffee came out to us one was half full and one three quarters, when this was mentioned the coffees were taken away with no comment and then we waited another half hour for a fresh one which was still not full. We have had cold coffee on several occasions but this was the first time we had taken it back as have always enjoyed Java but of late have been really put off the whole experience which is a shame. The change in staff has not been good for cafe. Also the staff smoke outside with the customers which does not look good either.

Well situated in the old square & very popular. We had the bacon sandwich and tea. The sandwich was good but not the best value at £4 for two slices of bacon. I know they have to pay staff, rates etc but still not an item we'd recommend. Service was very quick & efficient.

It has been a little while since I'd been in, maybe not since it was taken over. The staff and owners always used to be very friendly and welcoming. Maybe a one off but the staff this morning, after taking my order, pretty much ignored me. Did make my coffee but put it down without looking at me or saying a word and turned away. I said thanks but no acknowledgement or interest. Coffee was decent but surprised and disappointed in the staff attitude.

Stopped off for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the tasty, homemade food. Staff were pleasant and helpful. We sat outside enjoying the lovely weather. Clearly very popular as tables were constantly full. Would recommend that you try it.

We have been in here a few times and it is lovely. It is recently renovated to a high standard, clean and let friendly. It has a range of lunch foods catering to different diets and allergies. The staff are friendly and efficient. Lovely experience.

We stopped here on Sunday for coffee and cake while visiting the area. Staff are really friendly and polite. This is a nice clean coffee shop and we will definitely use it again when next in the area.

Java has been a long time favourite of the family, it has retained its warm welcome and excellent customer service along with a new delicious menu, multiple milk choices to suit every taste, coconut, almond, etc. A bit of sunshine in the market square!

I'd always liked the location, but had previously been underwhelmed by the menu. However, the new range of lunch and breakfast items are fantastic (and delicious). Fresh, local ingredients (lots of avo) and every variety of milk for every type of coffee (including iced).

I love the refurbishment of the shop. It is classy and you can tell that they have carried this over to the food and drink with its upscaled presentation and attention to detail. It feels so much more comfortable and open. My only criticism is that there are no electrical outlets. Not sure if this is intentional. I would visit much more often if there was somewhere for me to plug up my laptop.

I have always ignored Java which is located in the town square in Abingdon as it has a rather unloved look about it. Recently, however, I popped in to get a quick coffee to go and once inside was attracted by the array of baked goods. The friendly Colombian woman who took my order told me that everything is homemade and not bought wholesale. Well that’s impressive for starters and so rare these days. I tried the Rose Pistachio cake which was a revelation. The coffee was really very good too. They have lovely crockery too which is a plus for me. There is limited seating inside and a lot of seating outside for nice days.

Java & Co Abingdon have gone from strength to strength since their new ownership!

If anyone looks at my other reviews it will be clear that it is unusual for me to give a negative review, so what is said below should be taken in that context. If I highlight issues or concerns, they should be taken seriously.

Java is our favourite coffee stop in town. Disabled friendly and always a cheery welcome, great coffee and super birthday cake treats.

Not impressed with new decor or quality of either coffee or service. Between staff swearing openly & loudly in front of customers (particularly the girl with American accent) and the loss of communal feel, it's just gone downhill. The interior has lost it's cosy sense of community and independent coffee shop feel, the wooden cladding has been done poorly (and since being fitted, has been covered over with another bad fitting of wood) and the staff seem out of control. We will be moving our regular custom elsewhere from now on, having given the new owners a chance to settle in- A shame, but it really doesn't feel comfortable in there anymore.

Usually start off here on a Saturday morning. Staff are friendly & the place has a nice atmosphere. There is a good range of drinks & food available. Reasonable priced too. In the centre of town it is easy to find & park.

Some friends and I went there one afternoon, the coffee and cake were very nice. Very welcoming coffee shop and dog friendly!

We popped in for cake and refreshments after an event locally. The staff were very friendly and we enjoyed the cake. There was able seating and a siciable atmosphere - even the other customers were friendly!

We go here a lot..... Good choices of drinks and cakes...nice to sit in on cold rainy days (like today) and lovely to sit out in the summer, or even get take away and walk to the river or Abbey Meadow.

Good service, great place to sit outside with a coffee and watch the world go by or chat to other people in the market place

We were in Abingdon as a stop off on our way to visit family ‘up north’ and saw this coffee shop in the centre of the town.

We love Java and co. We have a retriever who is spoiled by everyone in there, staff and customers alike. Super friendly staff, home cooked treats, great coffee and papers to browse through.

Regularly drive the round trip to meet friends and family at this warm hearted Cafe. The food and Coffee are delicious But the atmosphere and the friendly staff and people that frequent the cafe, make it a pleasurable experience. We love to sit outside in the warmer weather with our four legged chum. My favourite spot for people watching. Andrew gives regular facebook updates on what’s going on in the square in front of the cafe. So we can ensure we miss no events.Thank you for my free cake offer for my birthday very much appreciated. We will see you soon.

A super place to go for coffee/tea and cakes/snacks.

This is one of the best coffee shops in the area. The cafe itself is simply furnished but comfortable and welcoming. The owner and staff are really friendly and helpful, the coffee is excellent and there is a good range of cakes sandwiches and snacks on offer. It’s also dog friendly and in a great central location but peaceful and relaxing. Highly recommended.

I spend a fair amount of time and money here... the staff are always friendly, the coffee is tasty, the almond croissants are delicious. The space inside can get busy because it's the best but there's always high chairs for the little ones, blankets for outside and plenty of tables in the square.

Called in with my Daughter for a coffee and a bacon roll. Service is always quick and the staff are always friendly. Highly recommend the best coffee shop in Abingdon.

Visited here because another venue in Abingdon had a very limited menu for vegans and vegetarians. This place is great! Loads of choice. All freshly made. The vegan cake was delicious. Great friendly service. Would recommend the huge jacket potatoes!

Best coffee n Abingdon - very friendly staff, good selection of snacks, biscuits cakes etc - always fresh water for our four legged friends!

Java is an,unhurried gem of a coffee shop, the kind of place that has queues stretchng into the market square whenever enthusiasts gather but will otherwise serve you immediately with a made-to-suit coffee that arrives hot and frothy with a wee bottle of milk on the side, When you grab one of the many titles off the rack, there's an hour to be whiled away in the afternoon sun or peering out from the window bar. Their cakes are not mass-produced, nor are their sandwiches so the menu can change frequently. it;s a warm and friendly place with ready smiles all round including those of Andrew and his staff.

First time coming here, and was impressed by the variety of food and drink options. Staff were very friendly and got our food and drink quickly, it was also nice to be able to be able to look at over Abingdon Market Place.

Awesome coffee and service! A must on a chilly morning in Abingdon. The bacon and sausage bap for breakfast hit the mark.

My wife and I were in Abingdon for a while and stopped for tea. In the square we had a choice of Costa (knew what we'd get and don't disapprove) or Java & Co. On a sunny October afternoon there were quite a lot of customers at J&C; so we elected to try it. And as sometimes happens when you try somewhere new, we discovered a gem. Wonderful teas were drunk, while the service was excellent. Thoroughly recommended.

Had an excellent coffee and a wrap for lunch in this café located in the pretty town square. The owners were very friendly and welcoming, wifi was available, and the atmosphere was cosy. Recommended.

Visited Abingdon looking for breakfast,

And ticks boxes you’d not thought of, like not only welcome dogs inside but even provide doggy biscuits! Great choice of drinks and selection of non-dairy milk substitutes. Great setting too, can just sit here and chill watching the world go by.

Excellent service and good quality food and drink. Best hot chocolate anywhere. Lovely to sit in the square on a sunny day. Our favourite cafe in Abingdon.

Always a warm & cheerful welcome from Andrew, Claire and all their crew. Coffee is excellent and on occasions when I have also had food the the pastries and ciabatta's have been very good.

I love visiting Java after parkrun each week. This week I had an extra treat as it was my birthday so I had free cake! Amazing lemon and pistachio cake!! Great Earl Grey tea too and coffee. The kids love the Belgian waffles as a special treat and the bacon rolls are fab!

Love this coffee shop and its coffee strong Italian and perfect in every way

Great coffee and excellent pastries served by friendly staff! A great place to sit outside in the sunny weather on the market square and watch the world go by.

Called in for a coffee and a bacon roll . Java is by far the best coffee shop in Abingdon. Great friendly service. The coffee is just perfect and the bacon rolls you have to try them the best I have ever had . When visiting Abingdon you must call in a gem

After the weekly parkrun, we meet at Java in the market square on Saturday mornings for excellent coffee and bacon bap’s! Plenty of room to sit outside and enjoy the best coffee in Abingdon!

Very friendly staff. Very good pain au raisin, and coffee reasonably good. Espresso was fine, but lacked bite. Peculiar bacon roll. Good bacon but the roll itself seemed almost freezer burnt - far too crusty on the outside and unpleasant to eat: left the roll and ate the bacon.

It’s really nice to see that Java&Co; offer a whole range of vegan options, including wraps, flap jacks and a lovely lemon and pistachio cake - definitely try this one! We’ll certainly visit whenever we’re in the area!

I say 'on the square' because we accidentally went to their old address on the next door road (Google) and that place is obviously shut (but still has Java sign up)

Fantastic location on the Market Square, friendly helpful staff and great coffee, pastries and cakes as well as a fab lunch menu too. Lovely place to visit.

Java & Co is an independent cafe conveniently located in the centre of Abingdon. There are lots of cafes in the town centre, but I always go to Java for the great coffee, food (including delicious handmade cakes) and the wonderful and friendly service from all of the staff. The cafe is always spotlessly clean too. They also provide newspapers for customers to read and blankets for people to borrow if they choose to sit outside on a chilly day.

Friendly attentive staff who make great coffee, fab cakes and pastries. Really like the benefits of the loyalty club they’re are always great offers sent to your email

Really nice coffee house , friendly staff and excellent coffee ( all sorts are available)..Also try the Raspberry Muffins, fresh and an absolute delight in taste... and very reasonably priced. Would make a point of returning when in the area.

Stopped off for lunch, Thursday quite busy My wife had jacket potato beans and cheese I had bacon club sandwich. Food arrived quickly and was very good Jacket was hot loads of beans and cheese and a good salad garnish Club sandwich was very tasty...

Had a bit of time to kill whilst waiting for an appointment and was heading to another coffee shop (a well known chain!!) Noticed a Fatface shop and went for a browse first. So glad I did as when I left I spotted Java &Co...;.

Nice place, friendly staff, chocolate and orange cake is the daddy. Went for the turmeric latte instead of coffee just for a change, really nice made with almond milk as well, nice and warming. Clean toilet and plenty of seating inside and out

Senza osare sperare in un espresso veramente all' italiana, ricevo comunque un caffè più che decente, non troppo lungo. La...

I love this place - very good coffee and I can recommend the bacon rolls, croissants, cakes... pretty much anything, all freshly made! I visit most Saturday mornings, after parkrun, and service is always friendly and efficient, even when it’s busy. Lovely to sit outside...

Lovely coffee shop. Friendly staff. Quite efficient. Good range of drinks. Plenty of seats inside and out. Dog friendly. Clean and tidy, including the loo. Decaf coffee was great (which is a rarity!) Would definitely return. Only thing I’d say to improve is add compote...

I really love going to Java. The staff are all friendly, nothing is to much trouble. The choice of sandwiches, cakes and hot meals is very good. When in Abingdon,Java is my first choice for a coffee. Would recommend Java to family and friends.

We always stop here after our cycle ride for the coffee and bacon roll. Great coffee, friendly staff in a...

what a great coffee shop. in a town with a lot of coffee shops this stands out. The coffee was ground to perfection dn I had a great full flavoured well rounded coffee. I also sampled the cakes and a pastry for one of my boys. all good value. overall a great experience and individual not trying to be something else. I will be back, regularly!!

Regularly visit Java before and after cycling with my cycling team. The staff are friendly and the coffee (flat white) is excellent and a large serving unlike other shops in the town.

Serves great coffee and food. Really friendly service and is in a nice setting. Would highly recommend

Really good coffee and they offer a range of dairy free milk too. The service is really nice and attentive as well :)

Called in for a coffee to go today and chose Java as a change from one of the coffee chains. Friendly quick service and a lovely hot latte! Well priced too!

We visit this coffee shop regularly after doing ParkRun in Abingdon as you get 10% off with your barcode. It's a great coffee shop with plenty of outdoor seating, friendly staff and great coffee + cake; they also offer lovely milkshakes.The cafe inside is quite small but welcoming, they have a lot of homemade and local produce which is a great touch that places like Costa cannot offer. Based on our experiences I am happy to recommend a visit to this establishment and we always look forward to visiting on a Saturday.

Stopped here for coffee, tea & milkshake whislt awaiting a wedding nearby. Expensive for the milkshake @ £3.99 but it is expensive generally thereabouts. Nice outside seating area if you wanted that. Polite & attentive staff.

We dropped in for a take away coffee and hot chocolate. The service was really friendly and the drinks perfect. Will be back again!

Really friendly and great service. Outside seating with lovely view. Delicious coffee and cinnamon bun. Other choices looked appetising too.

I regularly use Java when I am in the town centre. I love the coffee and food (particularly the Sunday Brunch) - and the view across the square. The service is always fast and friendly.