Ashbox is a neighborhood treasure. The food is beautifully prepared and healthy, the space is sweet, and the menu is a harmonious mix of American and Japanese home cooking. The prices are good, and the weekday "B" special is a downright bargain. I partly grew up in Japan, and Ashbox hits home in a way that other Japanese restaurants miss. Pro tips: You *can* use a credit card ($10 minimum). Arrive before 1pm to be sure your favorite special doesn't run out. read more

I've never had any of their sandwiches but I have had their Japanese offerings. Onigiri, miso soup, rice dishes, etc. It's a small selection of delicious Japanese foods, but worth. The onigiri and miso are some of the best I've had! Everything is fresh and healthy here. The staff is sweet, and there's places to sit down with your friends. Recommended walk to in Greenpoint. :) read more

A decent little lunch spot. I am a big luncher, so I like finding restaurants that do only that and don't worry about dinner. I had the lunch special - pork bagel with a salad. The pork was thick and tender, and the bagel was nice and warm. The meat was served on the salad so you could construct your own bagel, though I wish it had been assembled for me. I was really taken by how tasty the dressing on the salad was. A good portion size as well. And with my tea, lunch was still under $10. Pretty good deal. I'll definitely be back - want to try their soup next. read more

Ashbox - Lunch special - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

A beautiful example of a nondescript local cafe / eatery. However the subtleties of this Japanese cafe makes it extraordinary. This is not a local coffee shop that sells the same trendy coffees and few baked goods. What makes Ashbox a place I wished I've had near my neighborhood is a perfect offering of simple Japanese breakfast items, salads and your traditional American breakfast items. W read more

Ashbox - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I am impressed, Ashbox was actually terrific. Ashbox has a positive, relaxed, friendly ambience. All of the food items are magnificent, their menu is very good, I really like their Healthy Tofu Salad. Not to mention, the service was excellent and the staff was very welcoming. Overall it was an amazing experience. read more

I hate to update like this, but I'm kind of miffed. I really love their "smoked turkey" sandwich (with wasabi mayo), so much that I even make it myself at home! I don't live in the neighborhood, so I don't go to Ashbox often, but when I'm around at lunchtime, I stop by. So, maybe 4 times total. The last time I went, I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich and asked to add avocado, like the last time. Instead, I got their "turkey and avocado" sandwich which had honey mustard and non-smoked turkey. Okay, fine, I get the confusion. It wasn't terrible anyway. So, this time I go in and make it very clear what I'm ordered. I want the SMOKED turkey sandwich, Letter C, yeah, that one. And can you please ADD avocado? Because it doesn't have avocado. And I get.....the "turkey and avocado" sandwich. This time I sent it back, apologetically. I asked for the other sandwich, the LETTER C SANDWICH, NOT the turkey and avocado, the one with wasabi mayo, please! See? They are different sandwiches! (lots of pointing at the menu board here) And I get....a stupid "turkey and avocado" sandwich, except this time, they've swapped the honey mustard for plain old non-wasabi mayo. I give up. It's not a language barrier; the guy I ordered from and talked to had a very clear American accent. I'll just go back to eating my homemade sandwiches. read more

Absolutely delicious! The perfect lunch spot with the kindest service and incredible food. Will be back again and again!

Ashbox. What a neat little name...no confusion at all as to how to find this place...nestled between Ash and Box in Greenpoint. Came here with The Woman cause we were hungry like hostages. Like...really HUNGRY. I bookmarked this place prior to returning to the BK and was looking forward to having the Udon. But alas, no Udon was served today...maybe because it was 100 Million degrees out today...degrees Celsius! So hot that sweat trickles down the small of you back soaking your underwear until it puddles south of the waistline...that's called Swamp Ass. I digress. But back to the food. Ordered a few dishes... Spicy Salmon Onigiri Ball ($3) - Onigiri, also known as omusabi, is a popular Japanese snack where white rice is rolled into a ball, covered with nori (seaweed paper) and usually has something inside...onigiri can be shaped into balls, triangles or even long cylinders. Here, they make balls. After digging inside, found the little morsel of spicy cooked salmon in the middle. Good snack. Worth $3? Not really. Onigiri is usually found in Japan in convenience stores and usually not that much. Curry Over Rice Special ($6.99) - After rapidly demolishing the onigiri, The Woman and I ordered the Special...good thing we did because shortly after placing the order, the special was sold out. Came out within 5 minutes was definitely worth it. I'll return. read more

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Ashbox is a tiny little coffe-shop gem in Greenpoint. The best part about it: it's WAY more than a coffee shop. Sure, they have delicious coffee, beautiful teas, and creamy green tea lattes, but they also have an incredibly diverse (and delicious) menu of food. They even carry whole-wheat everything bagels, my personal favorite that are inexplicably hard to find. The Onigiri (brown rice balls), with salmon, kelp, or plum in the middle, all wrapped in seaweed, are AHH-mazing. The egg salad sandwich is made with free-range eggs, and is perfectly filling without being doused in mayo. Whatever you choose, it's prepared carefully and right in front of you. Even the tofu is made in-house! And with classical music ringing through the walls of this little shop, you can get work done, have a conversation with a friend, or just sit, enjoy your food, and take in the surroundings. It's a serene nook on the edge of Greenpoint, and I'd be there every day if I didn't live 1500 miles away! read more

I really wanted to LOVE this place. Coming inside it gave me a warm cozy feeling. But the rest of my experience gave me something otherwise. This is not a place to study in. There are minimal outlets and NO wifi. The food here was mediocre at best and left me with a weird aftertaste. I ordered a matcha latte hoping for the best but it literally tasted like nothing. I could've made a better latte at home. So disappointed considering it's a Japanese joint. I don't think I will return. There are better options for cafes. read more

I am seriously considering moving next door to this place, even if that means having to set up a tent on the sidewalk and leaving the rest of the world behind. The interior is inviting, not too big and not too small. The two Japanese women there were very Japanese, young, buoyant but quiet (make sure to listen for your order being called out when it's ready - for a deaf grannie like myself, it can be a little confusing/hard to hear. Anything with their tofu is fantastic - super flavorful. Their rice is also seasoned to perfection. The salad greens and veggies are fresh, crisp, and tangy. The salmon inside the rice ball was actually a little fishy for my taste but definitely not bad. Healthful, charming, delicious. It has me turning Japanese, oh yes I'm turning Japanese, I really think so. read more

At The edge Of Brooklyn Or the world Sits a quiet tea room waiting for you. read more

This place is weird. I did not like it very much. I had Green tea- it was good. The decor is wak and I know that its kinda funny in the Asian American owning a US coffee house kinda way, but its still dumb. I like the Cat motif. Music was was midi style classical. I feel bad now becuase I remember the workers were very friendly, so ill give it another star, BUT THATS IT!@!! Plus- I like that it is in that desolate wasteland North of Eagle St. where nothing much is going on read more

Food 7 + ambiance 6 + value 6 + service 5 = overall 6.5 / 10 (decent/good) Ashbox is a sentimental favorite of mine. It grew out of the woodworker culture of old Greenpoint and opened months at least before there was any other slightly elegant eatery in northern Greenpoint. Ashbox is quiet, warm, and calm. It's one of few cafes at which I actually do enjoy hanging out for extended periods of time. My favorite menu items are their tartines with butter and jam and, when they have them, their chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. read more

The first time we went in there was on a Saturday and we wanted to get breakfast, it being 11:30. She said they weren't serving breakfast anymore. "Well you've got other dishes with scrambled eggs for lunch, so I'll just take scrambled eggs and rice." "Sorry, we're not serving breakfast." Was I in the twilight zone? It was like the scene in Five Easy Pieces and I nearly pulled a Jack Nicholson on her. However, my lady digs quite a bit of their food and my friend Jess. is a fan, plus the owners do a lot to help people out and North Greenpoint could use more restaurants, cafes and bars than plastics plants and waste treatment sites. read more

This is my favorite cafe in NYC, and I have been in many. It is quiet enough if you need to read or get work done, and has wi-fi. The food is a good selection of items (sandwiches, pastries, soups) and inexpensive. It is owned by Japanese so the food is a mainly Japanese with a Western twist. Not lastly, the staff has been extremely friendly to me and we have chatted often and know me already. I wish all cafes more cafes are like this ... this is a truly hidden gem. Only problem may be accessibility - I drive (10-15mins from Woodside in Queens) so that's not a problem If you live in Greenpoint it's right near Pulaski bridge at the very end of Manhattan Ave. read more

If I could be a coffeeshop, I'd want to be Ashbox. I'm not cool enough, though, so I'd probably end up being Greenpoint Coffee House (a fine establishment, really). The terror I'd usually feel about writing a five-star review for this secret, impeccable little gem is offset by the fact that it is situated, quite literally, on the precipice of oblivion (Newtown Creek). I live nine blocks away and only make it here once a week. I... suddenly don't know what to say, I am getting a little misty-eyed. Iced mocha? Simple syrup! Spicy-salmon-mayo rice ball. Jewel-like teas in tiny glass jars. Cookbooks. A portrait of a cat. Lemon water in a big glass pitcher. For some reason I am thinking about my grandmother... ...my only regret is that they are closed on Sundays. read more

Small cafe with a really, really delicious, healthy and uncommon take on breakfast and lunch. Scrambled eggs with kim chee. Salad with homemade tofu and the most delightful sesame vinaigrette. Brown rice onigiri (rice balls with seaweed) stuffed with salmon, kelp or ume plum sauce. Great tea selection. Really cozy. If you live in Greenpoint or nearby and you are not eating here, you're pretty much living your life incorrectly. read more

Ashbox is great. Located between Ash St and Box St at teh very top of Greenpoint, Ashbox is an excellent place to get coffe, breakfast, lunch or a snack. The menu is pretty typicaly coffee house fare, but everything is prepared with a bit more care than at other places. The fruit salad has flacks of fresh mint, the waffles (for brunch) come with a ton of great fruit, not just a slice of banana, the water has a hint of lemon, etc. The space is also quite nice. It has a lived in feel without at all feeling dirty or run down (makes sense as it's a new renovation). The cedar lined bathroom is a nice touch. The prices are totally reasonable, especially for the brunch plates. The people are also exceptionally friendly. My only complaint is that I don't live closer! read more

A treat, and it used to be one of the only spots up north of Greenpoint Ave. The hours can be a little inconsistent, but they're so nice that it makes up for it. read more

You can taste the food is made with love. I feel healthier after every time I eat here. The lunch specials are always great. The tuna Rice balls and miso soup is a perfect lunch too. very cozy atmosphere. read more

Very tasty and reasonably priced. A little bit out of the way and the cash only rule is a bit annoying,

As others have said, it's a charmingly unique place with really good food. Pre-pandemic, the space was quirky and comfortable with plenty of little tables scattered around. Now, the indoor space is takeout only - and the owner generally taking orders and making food, so the line can move slowly - but there are a few outdoor tables. Truly unmatched for simple, fresh, healthy, and above all delicious Japanese food. There are sandwiches and salads as well - i've never tried, being fully focused on my avocado happy rolls. These are basically onigiri wrapped around a healthy slice of ripe avocado. Definitely recommend the one with barley miso. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. But the rice is somehow always excellent - it's multigrain, which is even harder to do perfectly - and you should order anything rice-based. The onigiri are enormous (pro tip - the extra 50 cents to get a fresh shiso leaf is worth it) and any of the avocado roll type things are surprisingly filling. Two is a good light lunch for me. The special beverages are also worth a try - I tried the homemade ginger ale the other day, and while it wasn't traditional ginger ale, it was tasty and refreshing. Next time I'll go back to the yuzu vinegar drink - yum. read more

Best cafe in the city. A quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Classical music drifting in the background. I like that traditional coffee/bagel combo, but they also have some truly great tea, and the onigiri are fresh and delicious (personally, I prefer the grilled salmon). The specials change daily, and they post them on their blog (ashboxgreenpoint.blogspot.com if you're curious). I recommend checking out the bathroom too. Like a perspective funhouse with a cool sliding door. read more

I wasn't terribly impressed. The food has a ...strange... quality to it, the cafe also doesn't seem to have any set hours. It opens and closes seemingly of its own free will. On the plus side its extremely quiet and the atmosphere exhanced by classical music is very relaxing. read more

Ashbox is our (bf & I) go to Brunch on most Saturdays. We usually order the same stuff: a Miso soup, Tuna/Salmon happy rice and a bonito flake wrap. Everything is made with love, and you can taste this. Aside from the delicious food, the atmosphere is tranquil and serene quite different from your typical brunch spots. If you're looking for quality Japanese comfort food, then this is your spot. Ashbox always takes me back to those cute hidden coffee shops in Tokyo. read more

Ashbox - Miso soup, Salmon avocado wrap & tuna/spicy mayo happy rice. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Quirky Japanese cafe in Greenpoint. A bit of a walk from the train but we drove here so that wasn't an issue. Their salmon onigiri was really good but I wasn't impressed with the macha latte (green tea latte) they offered. E had a smoked salmon sandwich and a cappucino. He liked the sandwich but said the coffee was just OK so I guess there's nothing really special about their coffee either. I do like how they did the decor inside and the customers who come here are very quiet and respectful. I had to lower my voice a lot (a stretch) since I didn't want anyone else overhearing my convo. They close at 4pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays. Plan accordingly. read more

This place was awesome. We stopped in for some warmth and food on a rainy day in Brooklyn and were so thrilled. Cozy atmosphere, soft music playing, friendly staff, and the menu rocked our worlds. I had the smoked turkey sandwich which had the most delicious wasabi mayo on it -- nom. Plus the hot chocolate was delicious, and the prices weren't bad. VERY awesome. read more

Ashbox - Smoked turkey sandwich & hot chocolate! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Ashbox is a great, quiet little coffeeshop. We visited on a rainy Saturday morning, and I got a cappuccino. We grabbed a table and played a board game, and no one seemed to mind. The coffee was great, but the food menu looked super interesting, and I want to go back for lunch one day. read more

Ashbox - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My favorite weekday lunch spot in Greenpoint. I always get the lunch special - a rice cup with either meat, fish, or veggies, and the soup of day. My favorite is Ponzu Beef or the Tuna Poke. The menu changes daily with lots of variety! Highly recommended. read more

Great little Asian cafe/restaurant with a decent variety of fresh, tasty meals, sandwiches and crispy salads, all for very reasonable prices. The Onigiri rice balls are ALL sensational ($4) and the sandwiches large, with a variety of bread options (all great) ($7-$9). The salads are snap fresh with a perfect subtle dose of very tasty dressing. The soups are delicious but rather small so if you're hungry add some rice or a side dish. They make a good coffee and have a great tea selection. The decor is really homey and comfortable with low key music if any, and one very appealing aspect is the fact they don't have wifi, so no computers everywhere. Because people don't sit here all day Facebooking, you can always get a table (though it is very popular), and people are actually conversing and reading newspapers. Makes for a great ambiance. Highly recommend! read more

This place is generally great. The seating area is quiet and comfortable, and the service is absolutely wonderful. The food is big hits and big misses. Rice balls, granola with yogurt, the wide selection of teas, all excellent. I would have given this place five stars, except that I have also tried their turkey sandwich. It is very nearly the most expensive thing on the menu, and it consists of a few compressed-meat-product slices, some leaves, and mayo, on toast. You just have to know what (not) to order, and this can be one of the best places of its kind in the city. read more

I've been having breakfast here almost every Saturday in the past year or so and I LOVE it. I normally get eggs and kimchee but I tried many other dishes such as the seaweed wraps, the sundries tomatoes brie sandwich, the turkey-eggs dish and more. All of them just perfect the way they are. Thing that impresses me the most is how fresh and amazingly delicious their greens always are.. Sad I cannot find greens like that in local supermarkets. Without any doubt.. 5 stars. read more

Really interesting food. You have to check Instagram to see what's up to date. Regular menu items like onigiri and seaweed rolls are great, but the daily specials really stand out. read more

I really enjoyed the relaxing spalike atmosphere here, it was a great place to start off the weekend. I kicked back quietly, listened to the piano music, ate some heathy tofu salad and when I turned around I coudn't believe how many other people were here, on their laptops! Great place to get in the zone. Completely agree with the "breezy" and "edge of the world" feel comments below. Don't bring your loud friends here. I only wish they were open more often (closed at 4 on Saturdays and completely on Sundays). The hot chocolate was good, but it was like 80% foam. Iced coffee was strong, just the way I like it! read more

Great vibe. Nice windows. Good furniture. Friendly service. Bad coffee. Low prices. Really. read more

I went here years ago while visiting my daughter. I love the place. The vibe. The food. Simple and elegant. Cozy.

A frequent lunch spot for me when I used to work in Greenpoint! Cute little place with the sweetest customer service. Always get a salmon (with spicy mayo, of course) rice ball and some genmaicha tea. If you're a fatty (like I am!), order 2 rice balls. Then take your food and sit at the end of the block near the water and people watch! read more

great little gem in the middle of warehouses in greenpoint bk. went here for a late brunch and it was well worth the walk over the bridge from LIC to BK. small japanese inspired cafe. they dont have your traditional brunch menu but the food is great. We ordered turkey sandwich on ciabatta bread and the teriyaki pork on ciabetta bread. and both were very tasty. i also ordered the grape vinegar healthy drink and it tasted weird it at first but it is actually pretty good! they have a broad selection of teas to choose from and they are not expensive at all. only downside about this place is that they close early. (4pm) i would definitely go back here to try a tea beverage and to order a breakfast dish if i can get there before 11am. read more

Ashbox - teriyaki pork on ciabatta - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I am glad that the place found its niche - unique food and great tea - after years of comfort coffee shop fare. Ashbox offers wonderful teas, delicious (yet healthy) salads and sandwiches, inigiri and other Japanese thingies and amazing green tea cookies. Everything is freshly made and quality of ingredients - consistently excellent. I come to Ashbox when I want to relax as much as have a nice meal. The place is really one of its kind, with lazy moving ceiling fan, giant windows looking at a landscape from "Last Picture Show" (kind of) and very eclectic low soundtrack (!). I haven't tried their coffee. read more