Brewing coffee is an art and finding a cafe that puts its heart and soul into the process is rare these days. Rey Sol Coffee in Ridgewood, New Jersey fills this gap and more. Its rich blend of history and family makes for a warm experience from the counter to the cup.
Rey Sol takes pride in being “an expression of the Colombian coffee culture.” The store opened up in November 2020, brewing 100 percent Columbian coffee imported from its owner’s farm in South America. As you walk through the doors of the roastery, you breathe in the toasty aroma of their signature brew. “There’s just something about coffee being roasted in our store. Something you have to see and feel to understand,” they boast on Instagram.
The founder of Rey Sol, Lisimaco Ramirez, was born in Balboa, Risaralda, Colombia. His family had a small coffee farm, which ended up being the root of his interest in roasting. Since 1966, he has devoted himself to the art of coffee, as a means of sharing his family roots through his brew.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrzYPSDv70/
Today, the coffee menu at Rey Sol is dense with options, both hot and iced from lattes, espressos, and matcha to cappuccinos, teas, and hot chocolate. One of their signature cups is the El Campesino, made with house-made syrup containing star anise, cloves, panela (sugarcane), and cinnamon.
Maybe you’re looking for a trendy brunch spot. Maybe you just need a muffin on-the-go. Whichever it may be, Rey Sol serves it all day long. Some of their dishes include ricotta and berry toast, made with tangy ricotta cheese, fresh berries, and housemade blackberry jam. On a slightly more savory side, you can try their eggs Benedict toast, built with poached eggs, prosciutto, pesto, hollandaise sauce, and a sprinkle of paprika.
For most restaurants, COVID-19 has brought about tons of obstacles and immense uncertainty. With the halting of dine-in for some time, the restaurant industry took a substantial hit economically. National statistics show the shocking losses of $30 billion in March, $50 billion in April, and $40 billion in May of 2020. Nonetheless, Rey Sol has powered through. They have continued to provide safe and efficient service throughout one of the hardest periods of time for the restaurant industry.
With an unforeseeable future, one thing is for sure: the warm staff and authentic, robust taste of Rey Sol coffee is a welcome addition to Ridgewood.
Main image via @reysolcoffee
