Category: Shop Tours / Coffee Shop
Transparency Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
It has been a long, cold winter here in New Jersey. After getting buried by back-to-back snowstorms recently, I’ve spent more days cooped up at home than I’d like to admit. The streets are still lined with those massive, dirty snow piles, and honestly, the cabin fever was starting to set in. I needed to get out of the house.
A quick search for a new spot revealed that Paper Plane Coffee Co. was only about a 20-minute drive from me. I’ve actually seen their coffee bags on the shelves at major markets like Whole Foods before, which always made me curious. For a brand with that kind of retail presence, I was surprised to find they seem to have just this one main location in Montclair. I decided to head over and see what it was all about.
I’m glad I did. The vibe inside is just cool. They really lean into the “Paper Plane” name with a row of airplane-style seats along the wall, complete with little window decals that make you feel like you’re at cruising altitude. It doesn’t feel gimmicky, though—it just fits the atmosphere. The space is filled with fun details like paper plane decorations and shelves stocked with gear: Chemex, AeroPress, Hario drippers, kettles, and books. It felt like the perfect place to hide away from the cold afternoon.
Their menu is displayed right behind the main counter, and I went straight for the pour-over list.
Flight #1: Santuario, Colombia (Washed Process) Notes: Citrus, Malt, Cacao
I started with the Santuario, which was listed at the top of the menu. I’m not a professional cupper, but this coffee just tasted “right” to me. It had this bright, citrusy kick at first sip that really woke me up. But what I liked most was that as it cooled, it got smoother and sweeter, kind of like malt. It finished with a nice chocolatey cacao taste that lingered for a while. It was just a really solid, enjoyable cup.
Flight #2: First Class – Las Nubes Bourbon, Colombia (Anaerobic Natural) Notes: Cocoa, Sour Cherry, Orange Peel
After hanging out for a bit, I decided to go for a second round. They have a section on the menu called “First Class,” which I’m guessing is their lineup for higher-end or more exclusive beans. I tried the Las Nubes Bourbon from this list.
I’ve been trying to get into anaerobic natural beans lately for the blog, but it’s been hit or miss. My wife Sue usually passes on them because if they aren’t super fresh, that fermented smell can be a bit much. But today? The smell was actually great—no funk, just a really inviting aroma that made me want to drink it immediately. It reminded me a lot of a great Gesha I had at Bean & Bean in Fort Lee a while back. It had a rich cocoa flavor mixed with a tart cherry taste that was really unique. I think Sue would actually like this one—I’ll have to bring her with me next time.
Fact Check: Small Batch & Roasting Operations
Before I left, I bought a bag of their ‘First Class – Las Nubes Wush Wush, Colombia’ to brew on my Chemex at home in a few days (keep an eye out for that review soon!).
Seeing this bag made me wonder about their operation. I’ve spotted Paper Plane Coffee beans on the shelves at places like Whole Foods, which made me question if they still did small-batch roasting. It turns out, they do both! While they have a robust wholesale and draft-drink operation for markets, their “First Class” lineup is as small-batch and micro-lot as it gets. For these beans, the Paper Plane team actually travels to farms like Las Nubes to personally oversee the harvest, fermentation, and drying processes.
Also, regarding the shop’s layout: I noticed a closed-off room next to the cafe and suspected it was their roasting room. That assumption was spot on. That space is actually their original Claremont Avenue storefront. They recently connected it to the current cafe, and it serves as their dedicated, in-house roasting facility where they handle all the inventory for both the cafe and their bulk wholesale orders.
If you are ever in the Montclair area, Paper Plane Coffee Co. is a must-visit. It’s a first-class experience from the vibe to the cup.
Paper Plane Coffee Co. 61 N Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
