- Attraction: Paper Plane Coffee Co.
- Location: 61 N Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Industry: Coffee Shop
- Website: https://www.paperplanecoffee.com
Five generations of Colombian coffee heritage meets creative mixology magic at one of New Jersey’s most unique cafés.
Paper Plane Coffee Co. transforms the simple act of grabbing coffee into an experience that’s equal parts nostalgic, inventive, and Instagram-worthy.
Founded in 2015 by Jonathan Echeverry—whose family has been growing coffee in the Colombian mountains for approximately 150 years—this isn’t your average corner coffee shop.
The name itself tells a story: it’s a clever play on words referencing the family’s secondary farm high in the mountain plains, where eucalyptus trees are grown for Colombia’s national paper company alongside coffee beans.
Those Paper Plains became Paper Plane, and the aviation theme carries throughout the entire café experience. After starting in Brooklyn and running weekend pop-ups in Williamsburg, Paper Plane landed permanently in Montclair in 2019, quickly becoming a beloved fixture in the community.
Related
More in New Jersey
Putt Your Way Through Sand Dunes And Wildwood History At This New Jersey Mini Golf Course
Keep Exploring →Drinks That Break All The Rules
The Science Menu: This is where Paper Plane truly takes flight. Rather than offering generic flavor pumps, founder Jonathan Echeverry—a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef with bartending expertise—crafted an entire menu of coffee cocktails and mocktails that blur the lines between beverages.
Each drink tells a story through pop culture references, travel inspiration, or pure nostalgia.
Vincent Vega: Named after the Pulp Fiction character, this coffee soda combines Mexican Coca-Cola with muddled cherry, vanilla, and espresso. It’s fizzy, sweet, and caffeinated—a combination that sounds wild but works beautifully.
The Mayan Latte: One of the most popular drinks, this spicy creation features cinnamon and cayenne pepper inspired by traditional Mexican chocolate. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and heat, with just enough kick to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
Butterbroo: Imagine if Harry Potter’s Butterbeer was reimagined as a latte. This whimsical drink delivers rich, buttery sweetness that feels both comforting and playful.
More in New Jersey
Visit The West Orange Lab Where Thomas Edison Perfected The Phonograph And Motion Picture Camera
Discover MoreTruffle Shuffle: Perhaps the most nostalgic offering, this is literally a double shot of espresso served inside a vintage YooHoo chocolate milk bottle. It’s childhood memories meeting grown-up caffeine needs.
Sebastián Gómez: For those who prefer pour-over coffee, this exotic option features beans aged in rum barrels with tasting notes of dried plums and boozy cranberries. It’s complex, smooth, and unlike anything you’ll find at chain coffee shops.
The Milo-Presso: A cultural nod that coffee lovers adore, this drink showcases the café’s commitment to global flavors and innovative pairings.
Rotating Monthly Menu: Paper Plane keeps things fresh with new specialty drinks each month, giving regulars a reason to keep coming back and explore different flavor profiles. The menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to discover.
Coffee Roasted With Expertise
The House Roast: All coffee is roasted on-site, filling the café with an intoxicating aroma that greets you the moment you walk in. Paper Plane focuses exclusively on light roasts, prioritizing the natural nuances of each bean’s origin, varietal, and processing method rather than masking flavors with heavy roasting.
Related
More in New Jersey
This Rahway Spot Has Flower Walls That Make Every Southern Brunch Dish Instagram-Worthy
Keep Exploring →Specialty Beans: You’ll find carefully selected fair-trade beans from various origins, all roasted in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. The café often features Colombian Gesha with lactic fermentation, showcasing fruity, complex aromas that coffee enthusiasts rave about.
Pour-Over Station: Watch the entire coffee preparation process at the dedicated pour-over counter, where skilled hands transform beans into liquid gold. This transparency lets you appreciate the craftsmanship behind each cup.
Classic Options Available: While the menu leans heavily into creative territory, you can still order traditional espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha lattes, loose leaf teas, and hot chocolates in multiple flavors. The café uses ceremonial-grade matcha and makes their vanilla syrup in-house with real extract and brown sugar.
Beyond The Beans
Fresh Pastries Daily: Paper Plane partners with Le French Dad Boulangerie to offer freshly baked pastries each morning. Expect flaky almond croissants, buttery cinnamon rolls, and other French-inspired treats that pair perfectly with your coffee.
Coffee Equipment & Merch: Browse the mini boutique featuring coffee-making equipment, locally sourced products, branded totes, mugs, and artistic posters. It’s the perfect spot to pick up gifts for coffee lovers or upgrade your home brewing setup.
More in New Jersey
Inside The Tiny Rockaway Café Where Breakfast Gets A Quirky Gothic Twist
Discover MoreDraft Drinks To Go: The café has launched a line of canned draft drinks with sleek, modern designs that are available nationwide. Toss one in your bag for on-the-go caffeine whenever you need it.
Wholesale Beans: Take the experience home by purchasing their specialty roasted beans. You’ll find options at local Whole Foods stores or order directly from the café.
The Airplane Experience
Authentic Airplane Seating: The café’s showstopper feature is rows of actual airplane seats with adjacent windows, creating the illusion you’re sitting in a cabin preparing for takeoff. These individual seats are perfect for solo work sessions or studying without needing to share a table with strangers.
Frank Sinatra Mural: Local artist Olga Muzician created a stunning wall mural featuring the phrase “Come fly with me”—a tribute to New Jersey’s own Frank Sinatra. The artwork adds local pride to the aviation theme.
Bright & Spacious Layout: White walls and wooden interiors create a clean, modern aesthetic that feels both cozy and open. Natural light floods the space during daytime hours.
Related
More in New Jersey
Experience Serious Nostalgia And Generous Scoops At This Cash-Only Old-School Parlor In Downtown Rutherford
Keep Exploring →Seasonal Decorations: The café frequently decorates for holidays and cultural celebrations, from Lunar New Year displays to Halloween themes, keeping the visual experience fresh and festive throughout the year.
Entertainment Options: You’ll find a free-to-play NES console with Super Mario Bros. 2 and an arcade game machine, adding playful nostalgia to the atmosphere. Some days feature live music performances, typically jazz on Friday afternoons.
Outdoor Seating: When weather permits, sidewalk seating provides a lovely people-watching perch. The outdoor area stays naturally shaded most of the day, keeping things comfortable even during warmer months.
What To Know Before You Visit
Pricing Philosophy: Paper Plane sits comfortably in the mid-range pricing tier for specialty coffee shops. Drinks typically range from around $4-$10, with specialty creations on the higher end.
Bring your own cup and you’ll save a bit on your order. Given the quality of ingredients, creative preparation, and generous portions, most visitors find the prices very reasonable for what they receive.
Atmosphere & Noise: This is a lively, energetic space with bright lights and music creating a vibrant vibe. It’s fantastic for casual meetings, catching up with friends, or showing out-of-town visitors something unique.
However, if you need absolute silence for focused work, the bustling environment might be challenging during peak hours.
Peak Times: Weekends can get quite busy, with the café filling up quickly. Paper Plane offers online ordering Friday through Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm to help you skip the line during the busiest periods.
Seating Availability: While the expanded space now offers more room, finding a seat during rush hours still requires patience. The airplane seats are first-come, first-serve, and they’re popular photo spots.
Menu Philosophy: The café strongly encourages ordering drinks as designed rather than heavy customization. The recipes have been carefully tested and balanced, so trust the process. However, they’re happy to adjust sweetness levels or make drinks decaf if needed.
Parking Situation: Street parking is available in the area, though it can be competitive during busy times. Plan a few extra minutes to find a spot.
Accessibility: The café is wheelchair accessible with an ADA-compliant main entrance, and dogs are welcome, making it a friendly spot for all visitors.
Hours of Operation: Open Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday through Sunday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Perfect for morning pick-me-ups or afternoon coffee dates.
Paper Plane Coffee Co.
📍 61 N Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
