Jabali

I do my best to support small businesses, especially coffee shops. While I love Starbucks with a bittersweet passion, I will scour to find a local gem. So, off to Yelp I went! And, for the first time, Yelp reviews let me down! I don't know what the 4-star rating is about, but darling, it's a no for me. Do not pass go, and no, you certainly cannot collect $200. Ambiance: Upon entering, I felt angst, shocking awe, and confusion. In short, there is no ambiance. It seemed like a lot of junk was thrown about. Everything looked "makeshift." Has the interior ever been dusted? I honestly don't know how to explain it. I saw another review where a "vibe" was mentioned. What vibe? I beg.Coffee: I was offered Kenyan or Brazilian coffee beans, but against my better judgment, I ordered a cappuccino. I received it after a few minutes, paid my $3 and left. I didn't even drink it. As I sat in my car, thinking about the coffee shop - the dirty counters, the plastic spoon I asked for, but instead, I was offered a stirrer that was sitting in a dusty glass with other "knick knacks," I questioned my judgment. I couldn't bring myself to drink the cappuccino. I opted to drive another mile and a half to another coffee shop that seemed a bit more my speed.I don't know why I didn't just leave as soon as I opened the door. I wouldn't recommend this place at all. I'm all for quaint and being unique, but this...this is different. Again, I don't know what the 4 stars is about...I obviously missed something.

Was in town for a conference and I have a rule while traveling. "Go to a local coffee shop and get coffee and beans". This place did NOT disappoint. Extremely unassuming from the outside, and the inside is rustic and has a cool no frills cafe vibe. Not a place to sit around and work unfortunately. There aren't any chairs, and really no food. Just really good coffee, roasted by the owner who cares about making really good coffee. Also, this place is incredibly cheap. New favorite Baltimore based cafe for sure.

What type of place is this??I'm looking for coffee to go and came across Jabali. Walking inside, it looks like a spot that would fit right in Williamsburg. Wooden floors and glass showcases. Except the glass showcases on close inspection are filled with clutter. The gentleman that greets me just "pops" up. Good morning! While I'm reading the coffee board, the gentleman tells me he can make two types of coffee. I look at this guy, he's wearing a white tee shirt that's moth eaten? He's like the Nutty Professor of Java! He says to me, your from Jersey right? You say coffee like me. What? I'm from Mississippi?! That gets a laugh out of the guy.I ask, any baked goods? He shows me something from the supermarket, I can give you a piece of 7Up cake?What the heck is 7Up cake??? Sir, I drink Sprite.He hands me my cup and I ask where is the milk? He points to a styrofoam cooler.Now, I'm pissing myself. I feel like I'm on Punked. This was just too funny.I threw him a buck and left starving. This place did make me smile.

Great little spot, the gentleman (and his parrot) who made our coffee was very knowledgeable and friendly. We'll be back the next time we're in town!

Very interesting place. Definitely unique. I got a cold brew. It was a little weaker than I like, but the flavor was good. I'm not sure if this will be to everyone's liking, but the prices are reasonable and it has a lot of local flavor.

I so, so wanted to like this place...but i dont. There were a few people in there that were obviously regulars and must enjoy the place. However, its not for me. Let me start with this...as i was waiting for my Americano to be made i felt something fly over my shoulder and i thought CRAP im being attacked by a Raven...am i in an Edgar Allen Poe movie??? No, well, sort of.... The bird is a parrot and it landed on the gentleman's shoulder WHILE he is making my drink...then the bird and the owner start to have a conversation....I sh... you not....As i look around the place is so filled with ....stuff... i feel like in the little crazy shop in town where Harry Potter goes w his school pals.... I get my Americano and slowly walk out the door ...while for 5 seconds i before i get to the door I know, i just know Voldemort is going to appear in front of me and the door will slam shut and the other customers will turn into some other creatures and surround me... go there fornan adventure, leave a tip, just dont drink the coffee...i didnt..and its probably the only reason why i escaped with my life

I left this place extremely perplexed. As I entered this coffee shop, I was greeted with a deli-style display fridge straight out of the 50's. The decor looked like I'd just walked into a great-grandmother's tea room--tons of knick knacks and random stuff on the shelves. Unfinished hardwood floors. Definitely a lot of character to the place.I asked if I could get an iced latte, and the guy answered without any hint of confidence: "Yeah, I think I can do that". Oh boy. 5 minutes and a manual French press later, he gives me what looks like an iced coffee--in one of those really generic paper coffee cups stamped with "Coffee" in cursive, but no branding in sight.I ask where the cream is, and he points to a styrofoam cooler that has some half and half in it. Are we camping?The coffee itself? Watered down tasting, like a cheap drip coffee. My dopamine receptors were on fire after drinking the full cup.I'm from Seattle (very coffee-privileged), so maybe I was just completely out of place here. Either way, it was a puzzling experience that I'll remember for a lifetime. So that means something. And the guy was very nice.

Unassuming little coffee shop but served amazing coffee. I stopped a cup of cappuccino and it taste so good. It has a good aroma. Simple but has strong flavor, would definitely stopped again. Friendly staff..

My partner treated me to a latte Saturday morning. We were in dire need of caffeine and in Fell's Point. We found street parking nearby and walked in. Jabali is a small coffee shop in a great little corner space at S. Bond and Lancaster. There's chalk board with all the drinks to your left when you enter. There's a few high stools and a drink ledge by the storefront window, and a bench to your right. When we walked in, a man (who I think is the proprietor) said hello and took our order. He was really nice and makes a legit latte. It's a relaxed vibe in there - it's quiet and there isn't ambient background music playing to force a relaxed vibe (like some places). There were local regulars in the shop when we came in, and they were chatting it up with the owner. We sat at the window and enjoyed our drinks. It's a nice spot.

Incredible coffee for ridiculously cheap prices made by a very down to earth owner. No frills. The world needs more places like this