This is a modern, “Portland like” coffee shop in west downtown Omaha. They have a great selection of drinks, stylish cafe, and friendly staff. If you’re looking for a place to grab a good cup of coffee go to Zen.
I was really looking forward to this place based off social media! We drove 3 hours to find out you have to reserve a flight, even after I told them how far we drove :/. The latte was average (still good). However $12 for a latte was a lot considering half of the two sided cup was just cold brew. Giving a 4 star for an average experience. Scones were average. I do think if I would have gotten a less expensive option of the cold brew it would have been worth the price.
Got 2 flights, all 8 of the drinks were delicious. Love their lemonade. & the ladies working were very friendly!
I had a great experience here. The coffee was GREAT! All of the staff were very attentive and I have a couple that make me want to come back again. Is there someone I can text or call to give specifics?
Definitely one of my favorite coffee spots in the area and was super excited to get the opportunity to grab free coffee thanks to Yelp Elite Events! I went with the baristas choice of coffee (Zen blend) and classic avocado toast. Perfect mid-morning treat to start on my Monday. I love the atmosphere, decor, coffee, food, etc here. Dont forget to sign up for their points system when you pay!!!
Cute coffee bar with nice vibes - had the house made pop tart - it was delicious
The coffee tasted fine, and the baristas seemed pretty rude. They are talking to each other and I was waiting about 30 seconds at the register before they came over. The table cleaner looked like he was very young and came around 3-4 times inside and outside to wash tables while I was here for 15-20 minutes. Ridiculous!
We went there on our hottest day yet, we came in mid afternoon. My husband and I were on a date.I ordered a flight, all cold, including a lavender lemonade.They even had a gluten free bar, besides all other desserts.Plenty of seating, and nice and cool.Treat yourself and a friend.
Really great blended turtle latte. Not too sweet and no chunks of ice with good coffee flavor. I usually get hot drinks because I feel like the iced ones have way too much ice, but on a hot day this is good. Very nice cashier and barista too!
Average latte that wasnt as hot as coffee should be. Service was good and staff was smiling.
Best cup of coffee Ive ever had outside of my own kitchen. The baristas were friendly and helpful. Would give them 5 stars if their name wasnt Zen.
Lovely and clean decor. Very welcoming and I loved that they had art from local artists. They had a lot to choose from in terms of drinks and had some pastries as well. I had a iced caramel latte and it was very good, smooth. I felt like I could have drank 10 more. My friend had a lavender lemonade and it was super refreshing and not overwhelmingly lavender. Very good place to take a stop in!
Cute Cafe. Pretty busy on a Sunday morning, which is a testament to their service. Love the Macha Latte and the Belgien Waffle Latte is amazing too!
We were so excited to hit this place up for a Bachelorette weekend. We made reservations for the coffee flights (as stated on social media to do)days in advance. They had no flights available when we arrived, so we had to wait until other customers were done with them. Im not sure what the point of the reservations is. The atmosphere is amazing. Super cute shop! They were out of bread and avocado, so that was a bummer. Their scones were delicious though! I tried the Butterbeer and Belgium waffle -both iced. Was not impressed with the coffee. It was lukewarm even with the ice. And surprising bitter for flavored coffee.
Wonderful ladies and amazing coffee/tea/vibe!!! Driving through Nebraska accidental find...no regret ❤️Congratulations on your growth, you deserve it!!
Zen coffee is great. We always have great service and the coffee is amazing. My wife loves the Honeybee, an I get a simple latte with heavy cream. The food is great too. Such a great locally, owned spot that just opened a new location closer to us, which will help us get there more often.
Omaha has some great coffee shops. Zen has one of the most attractive, welcoming atmospheres. The staff always seems legitimately happy to be there. Great place to chill and sip on some good and unique coffee or tea.
Our Lattes were perfect, also the avocado toast was delicious. The young lady was friendly, courteous, and efficient.
I love Zen and how great they are at welcoming others! Good coffee, awesome snacks, and good place for a meeting too!
LOVE this place! They have the best service in Omaha, Abby (the owner) is a wonderful women that knows exactly how to choose her employees. My favorite place in town!
Love this place!!! Grandkids love sharing a flight (all coffee free). Gee, put a waffle on a drink and what kid wouldnt love?
I’d love to give a higher review but we did not love the experience we had this morning. I’ve been seeing the flights all over Instagram so we made a plan to head to the downtown location from Papillion. Packed up all 3 kids and went to Zen downtown. We walked in and the gal at the front desk was not friendly at all. She looked us up and down, my husband said hello to her after she didn’t even greet us, We asked about the flights and she said sorry you have to make a reservation.... that was frustrating to hear. I get if it’s really busy but there was no one else in line and it wasn’t packed or anything. No one else was waiting for drinks either.Anyway, we went on and ordered some drinks and food for the us and the kids. She seemed so inconvenienced and annoyed. The scones were delicious but everything about our interaction just put us off. We unfortunately won’t be heading back there.
Amazing cappuccino! I was enjoying my cap while sitting in my car in the rain but became a little sketched out by some of the Ashley Apt. tenants who kept pacing back and forth outside. I left before I got to try Voodoo. 😢
Was In the areaDecided to try this place outGood coffee & the inside was the perfect spot for Instagram pictures or go work on school or business projects
Coffee shop that offers interesting drinks such as butterbeer latte.I was too full to have it when I went, so I ordered a decaf tea. My server was not very knowledgeable, but was quick to admit it. She had provided me with some incorrect information originally. She was happy to learn more about it.Service was very friendly.If you want a sleeve for your cup, you need to get it yourself.Parking lot is available in a decent sized lot .
Some really unique coffee and food options, pretty tasty and okay prices. I had a honey bee latte and my friend had a peanut butter, banana, and honey toast. Cool interior as well.
I really enjoy the hot chocolate here... Some of the best in town... Prices are about what youd expect.... Employees are very friendly... Nice place to hang and enjoy a drink and a book or newspaper
One of my favorite coffee shops in the area (although there are many great ones to choose from). I enjoy the variety of options and the fun seasonal drinks. They also just have really great drinks that are unique to them.What I really appreciate about Zen is the vibe (it truly is Zen) and the corner filled with local artwork to purchase.
Got the honey bee iced latte and it was really good, overall vibe was weird felt like I was being watched by the ladies behind the register
I am here for a wedding so I went in to try out the coffee. I had the smores latte which was ok, didnt taste much like smores but the latte itself was still decent. I understand its a small shop but there werent many food options past 12 which I understand. Also the environment wasnt as welcoming as I would think for a place named Zen. However, that could also just be my perception and may be a great atmosphere for someone else. But the thing I didnt like is they set the coffee lid with the top on the counter and I was looked at kind of weird when I asked for another lid. I understand they want to show the drink so they dont put on the lid but for sanitary reasons I dont really like the drinking part facing down, maybe if it was on a napkin. But Im an out of towner so I guess take what I say with a grain of salt. I do love that it is convenient, right across the street from the hotel. I might give it one more try tomorrow before I leave.
Great coffee and great atmosphere
The setting of this cafe is very open, bright and airy, which you would not expect from the outside. Delicious and fresh coffee, and their pastries go fast so get there early and you wont be disappointed.
Great vibe. Awesome service.
Great coffee shop. I highly recommend the Hammerhead!
Upon arriving to Zen, I was greeted, the music and plants provided a positive and relaxed atmosphere. Grace was very nice and helpful and suggested the lavender/honey latte which was delicious! It was very clean and I got to enjoy some reading on the comfortable couch they have available. I will be back, thank you.
Year round pumpkin coffee. they support local artists and source teas and treats from local businesses. and the lattes have a lot of depth of flavor. just wished they were open a little later.
If youre looking for a cozy and welcoming coffee shop to go to in Omaha, this will be one of the best places to go to. The shop was nicely designed, the staff was very nice and helped out a lot with options, and the food and coffee were of top quality. The only negative point I would like to make is that its very expensive ($6 for a single slice of PB toast with banana slices?). Unless you mind just staying home and making this kind of food for far cheaper, this can be a great place to stop by to start your day.
Nice atmosphere; always packed. Drink prices seem to me a tad on the expensive side.
Great environment, good coffee, reasonable prices.
Visiting from Denver.. this place is great. Doppio espresso boom fire: not acidic, nice punch=perfection. Heart burners who can’t handle coffee can do this place for sure!! Oatmilk latte- lights out; silky smooth with a touch of wonderful and a smell that makes one’s heart melt.Go visit this place
Zen is fantastic. I love the atmosphere and the employees. The coffee was amazing. I can’t wait to try their other options.
Windows have Great views of Downtown Omaha. Coffee is kinda Pricey. 2 Bucks for a Small Cup. Great WiFi though.
I had a great experience at this coffee shop. Grace was extremely patient and pleasant. will definitely be returning.
Nice place but the college students take up tables. Not enough places to sit to enjoy my drink.
Very very good :)
Clean, open, very friendly staff is a highlight, good coffee and outdoor seating.
Nice atmosphereLove the lavender lemonade!
Just drove all the way to 133rd to try this place out after seeing the location on the website to find out nothing is there. Once I called this location all I was told was “ya we are opening it soon” no sorry you drove 20min to support us or anything of the sort. The only “sorry” I got was when she said “sorry I’m just a barista”. I also didn’t hang up as I said it’s not your fault, thanks anyways and have a good day. So crazy to put hours of operation and a Google maps image to a business that doesn’t exist. The website never said coming soon nor did the barista state the owner wanted to speak to me. Lying about the barista apologizing isn’t helping you at all either! Lying on me won’t make me want to speak to you! I also don’t feel a customer is required to look on your social media when you have a website! There is nothing to resolve at this point. Lots of honest coffee shops in the area. Starbucks will get my money before Zen after this!
Great coffee, great service
Cozy coffee shop with lots of drink options and seating. Located right next to The Next Chapter Bookstore. Coffee and books, you cant go wrong.
Love the coffee, love the atmosphere, love everyone here. Definitely a favorite
We were super excited to try Zen while passing through Nebraska. I will start by saying the coffee was delicious! We had a lavender latte and Carmel latte both with oat milk.We placed our order at 7:25 while driving. The app said it will be ready at 8:05. We opted for curbside pick up. We waited till 8:05 and called they said they would bring it out. We waited another 10 minutes and had not received our coffee. Now several people have received there coffee which was brought out to them. I went inside at 8:24 and the lady at the front went outside to the car and asked our name again. I went around and picked up our coffee inside. She did not say hello, thank you for choosing Zen, NOTHING! This was not a Zen moment. Hopefully there online ordering process will improve.
Great coffee and a local business. Show your support for local businesses doing it right.
Coffee flights are love.
If you like to support locally owned coffee shops, but only if they are actually good then this is the place for you. Somewhat pricey, however you are paying for quality. Nice atmosphere with tables or couches and plenty of charging stations.
Their coffee was absolutely amazing! We were passing through Omaha and I wasnt expecting anything fabulous, but I was blown away! The coffee base was delicious and they had a very large variety of flavors. Just a heads up, the flavoring is super sweet but they are more than happy to make it half sweet Super cute work space and the staff were very friendly.
Nice and quiet and very clean
Really friendly barista! And a good iced americano 😁
Zen coffee is amazing! The owner is a fantastic lady who has a true vision for her business and executes it very well. The coffee is great, service is friendly, and the atmosphere is inviting and serene.
Amazing coffee, great customer service, and comfortable atmosphere.We are currently in the middle of opening a business next door and meet here OFTEN. The entire staff is just amazing. I had a group of potential employees with me the other day and we were all ordering a coffee and was going to go have our meeting while we were waiting on the owner to arrive, I decided to go ahead and order his tea and she made sure I had his order correct, is this for the owner of *****? He usually orders it on ice she didnt have to do that. She could have just let me get it out and WRONG. Thats what customer service is all about.
I’ve been here a few times. It’s always pretty busy and there’s usually just one guy behind the counter. Both the food and the latte I’ve gotten have been amazing. The guy working is super nice. When it’s busy there’s a good amount of wait which I’ve seen people complain about but... duh?Totally recommend. Especially for a light bite to eat.
Quick service, friendly staff. Cute accessories and tshirts to buy, unexpected protein donuts, and a pretty good iced latte. 10/10Hate it when the coffeeshops music is too loud, volume level was on point.
The ONLY negative thing about Zen Coffee is the lack of a drive through. I am a huge fan of this coffee shop and I dont even live in Nebraska! The drink selection is pretty comparable to most coffee shops. The breakfast treats always looked delicious, but what really sets Zen Coffee apart from the others is the service and the staff! Super awesome people! They have ample parking which is also easy to get in and out of. Its also located pretty close to the major parts of Omaha and Downtown. Great place to hang out with a friend or get your homework done. Highly recommend!!!
Great place with wonderful people. I feel cheated on days Im not able to go.
The girl who help me was very nice and help me out
I used to go here often because the shop is a cozy place to study and there are plenty of outlets. Sadly the last few times the drinks have been inconsistent and lacking flavor. I was also disappointed to see a change in the scones. The old blueberry ones were the best I’ve had but the new ones leave so much to be desired.
Service was great, drink was perfect! Thank you ladies!
I LOVE this shop!!! The staff is SO nice and there are always bright smiles and amazing suggestions! The morning crew is so fast and they just look like they are having a blast! It is fun to come in and the vibe is just right. You could literally build any drink you want here and that espresso is 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼!!! The other day I had a chance to stay and sit down and I listened as the Owner and the Barista greeted every single person by name-mind you, it was a long line of names, and they knew each one of them. They even remembered mine and I feel like I just discovered Zen! I just love the vibe of this place, I love the adorable staff, I love all the drinks, I love all they do for the community, I love how diverse the crowd is, I want to spend every day of my life here! ❤️
You will reach almost enlightenment just being there
Can’t say enough good things about this place!! Coffee is amazing and a great price too :)
One of my top four coffee shops in Omaha. I highly recommend their harvest spice latte. I feel a little basic getting it, but it is so worth it!
My family was in town for less than desirable reasons and arrived at the door 5 minutes before closing. We were met with a welcome and compassion for what we were experiencing. The kindness was appreciated!Now, the house menu of drink specials are very interesting and delicious! I had the honeybee, local honey infused with cinnamon, it was delicious! My sister had the chai with alternative milk, hemp and it was delicious as well! My brother had vanilla silk and that was delicious as well! What a beautiful coffee shop all round!
Took forever where out of nearly everything when we got there 2 hours after opening. But what we got was pretty good.
This was my first time to Zen and it won’t be my last! There is an expansive list of coffee, tea, and smoothie options, and plenty more! The ambiance is something that you don’t see in the heart of Omaha. To me, it’s the perfect-sized space with a heart that seems so much bigger. And did I mention there is a rewards program? See you again soon, Zen!
Friendly service, not to expensive, for it to get you uneasy, seemed the tenders of the place made you feel like they wanted you to feel at home,or with friends, and the chocolate chip cookies are to die 4 😉
Coffee too bitter for my taste.Update: I appreciate great customer service and the management team reaching out is great customer service!I will try Zen CC and update my review accordingly.
Went here with some girlfriends to enjoy good laughs before one of us deployed. Ordered the HoneyBee and it was delicious and perfect romance of roasted coffee beans and sweet honey. Friends liked their drinks (came with a waffle!) and were happy with them. Loved the atmosphere and we are excited to come back and make weekly visits a regular thing once we are all stateside again!
Good business practises:1. Acknowledge your customer; meaning: Hello. Good morning/afternoon...heck, even a simple `Hi would suffice.2. Introduce yourself; `Hi, Im Trite unless you are all `hey girl.3. Offer service acknowledgement: How can I help you; Im a bit behind but Ill be right with you.It really is very simple: Acknowledge, Intro and offer the truth.Practice it and maybe your business will no longer give 2 star service.
Zen Coffee is a nice local coffee shop. The interior is stylish and welcoming. The coffee is fabulous and reasonably priced. I recommend their Butter Beer or Carmel Dream speciality drinks. They are absolutely delicious. I would drink this coffee every day if I could. To top things off, sometimes the owners actually work the counter and that is how you know they are passionate about their coffee and customers. The owners and staff always greet me with a smile and are friendly. I live out west and Zen Coffee is always worth the trip.
Perfect location, and delicious coffee! I love their consciousness for the environment and how much effort they make for conserving our planet. Great study spot and a phenomenal place to catch up with friends throughout the year.
Great coffee. Had several types of scones that were excellent. Blueberry scone had huge blueberries!
Didnt live up to the hype of the other reviews. We got two lattes, one an eggnog and one normal. Neither were good... The former was sickly sweet, could only have a handful of sips. The latter was overly milky and burnt, barely any actual espresso taste. Both were extremely hot when they came out, undrinkable for about 5 minutes.Also kind of a weird thing about all the cups (which btw they were giving everyone throwaway cups, even if youre staying there... pretty wasteful), they have these branded ink stamps on them and the ink gives off a very unpleasant smell, even when just sitting on the table or in a cupholder.Anyways, pretty disappointed. Really went in ready to love this place based on reviews, but just didnt work out for us.UPDATE: The owner replied swiftly to my review and refunded me for the order, so Im bumping my stars up to 3 for excellent customer service.
It can get pretty busy in the mornings, so I would not recommend this for someone looking for a quiet study type place. However, its very lively, has great drinks, and excellent customer service!
Excellent pour overs n service too.😷
Cappuccino and scones were delicious! We tried the bacon scone, the spinach scone and the raspberry scone and Id get them all again! Plus they have outdoor seating if you come with your dog
I’m confused by some of these reviews. I’ve seen this store from the beginning and they have been able to take on any crowd; one person or 5, they remain pleasant and smile and still maintain great service! Everyone is always pleased. There are so many cool new drink options to try. You may not find the uppity coffee shop drinks, but their coffee is better than the rest-with or without added flavors! Their Zen Blend and Costa Rican are roasted here in Omaha and they are both very delicious! I never add cream and I get one or the other every morning. Keep it up!
I ordered a Honey Bee Latte, and it was delicious! Wish I had ordered a 16oz., rather than the 12oz. Nice music, kept low, free wifi, and clean.
Great service! Gonna partake again