My sister just moved around the corner from the cafe and stopped by for a late night snack. It was a quiet evening with just a few people in the cafe. About an hour passed before a waiter approached her and demanded to know what she bought and why she was sitting there. She told him she purchases a cookie an hour before and that she was simply getting some work done. He curtly responded 'Well, that's the point. We're closing in 20 minutes.' She would have very well understood she needed to leave due to the hours but the fact that he said it so brashly and assumed she was just loitering makes me and my sister think twice about ever stopping here again. Politeness goes a long way and should still count for something, even when it's late and you as a worker are tired. We are still customers who deserve respect. read more

It's a good space to get some work done, as you'll find many other people hanging out with their laptops and books during the day. And it's generally a welcoming atmosphere for that, though there are no outlets....so charge your batteries before you goo! food is average and a bit overpriced. But it's a reliable spot to go to for free wifi and comfortable seating. They have happy hour specials, too, although I don't think they really succeed in turning the space into a bar/night spot. The folks with laptops just get annoyed when they dim the lights and bust out the candles! read more

Cafe Amrita. Nice little place that could be perfect. Great location, right near the train at 110 / CPW. Close to the park, Morningside, and SoHa; a great meeting place for uptowners. The food is pretty good, seems pretty fresh and is quickly prepared. I've been before, but this AM I had a bacon/egg/cheese sandwich on a bagel and a huge coffee. Delish, but It's kind of hard to F up that combo. I went because I was finishing my taxes (I should totally be judged for this so go ahead) and wanted a place where I could distract myself with wifi. I like procrastinating. The whole thing is counter service. Kind of weird, but it's actually much faster than if there was table service. This is a good thing as I've worked brunch as a waiter and everyone expects coffee at a Starbucks pace. Got my food and asked about the internet password. No internet on weekend. ugh. I sat and watched the place all morning. While it got crowded, most of the turnover was pretty quick and they were never at total capacity. So there it is. Great place but 4 stars for no internet. And could have been a little cleaner. totes. read more

i will basically give this place 5 stars because there are hardly any places like this in NYC - roomy, non-Starbucks cafe/bar with simple cafe food where you can do work. I've seen plenty of young adults enjoy their weekend afternoons enjoying their glass of wine and talk. And that is hard to come by anywhere in NYC. A refreshing place to take a break. Otherwise, I can't really comment on food. However, as they want to keep it from turning into a library serving coffee (as many Starbucks can become), on weekends they don't allow computers/internet until after 4PM. I think it's a good move to keep the place a cool meeting place. read more

Same problems with understaffing in the past. I raised my rating to three stars because the espresso (Danesi) is really excellent. But with new competition by Starbucks a few doors down, they had better step up their service game. I stood in line forever, and after I ordered my simple double espresso, she proceeded to TAKE TWO MORE ORDERS before making mine. I don't come here more often because I usually don't have time to waste. read more

Best Belgian Waffle with fresh fruit & fresh whipped cream, EVER. I went here with a friend a few weeks ago and I still am thinking about these darn Belgium Waffles. This little cafe doesn't look like much, but it has a cool, hipster vibe. I think you have to be a regular to get a smile from the cashier and it isn't the least expensive place in the world, but it is tasty. I suggest you go there with a friend after a nice walk in the park ( either Morningside Park or Central Park). It is a great place to indulge in food that is not processed and share a fun moment with some good company. I can't wait to go back and try another yummy dish. read more

Great cafe bar on the corner of Central Park NW. A very friendly, very local place with a European cafe feel. Really nice Brunch selection on the weekends and they now also serve delicious Thin Crust Pizza. Gluten free is an option too. I am a biased local but who better to ask. Ok. "New Guy" needs to stop yelling orders and banging stuff like he's as angry as he looks. Creates bad vibe. Just sayin. read more

Was visiting a friend on 108th and went here for Sunday breakfast. Place was big but very bohemian. Looked like the kinda place where you could just chill there all day. Everyone seemed relaxed without a care in the world. Not sure if it was the place but I felt the same way as I sat there. I got their Blueberry pancakes and they were deliciouso!!! Really liked this place and an added bonus is that they have outdoor seating for people watching, my fav thing... read more

I've had good experiences and good service here on weekends during the late morning/early afternoon, but wow is this place a disaster on a weekday evening. They have literally one guy running the whole bar & counter. He's not doing a bad job but there is still a super slow line which is awkward to be in since the place is so crowded. Coffee is good and food I've had here is good, just be prepared to encounter a very long wait. read more

I came here with a large group for an event, so my review is limited to the food that was served. We had nachos, quesadillas, curly fries, chicken wings, and chips and guacamole. All standard bar snacks. I feel like these things are all such basic staples (that most of us can throw together at home pretty decently) that no restaurant should be out here serving lackluster hot fried foods. Given that these items make up the bulk of Cafe Amrita's appetizer menu, and they were all uniformly mediocre-to-bad, I have to rate the food just 2 stars. read more

Friendly staff and nice atmosphere . Close to the park with a small outdoor space very enjoyable when the sun is back in the city The quality of the coffee is good and I recommend the Brunch there , prices are pretty decent and waiting time is ok . Sandwiches are ok , but I especially love the bagels there Nice place to when you are passing by the area read more

Not clean, run-down, and overpriced. I don't know who owns this joint, but they don't seem to know much about the food and beverage industry. The cafe itself is run-down and not even clean. You can see where years ago its rough-around-the-edges appearance was quaint, but now it's just... sad and tired. Peeling paint and wall paper. The floor hasn't been mopped, let alone polished or touched up seemingly in weeks or months. The decor is pretty horrific, some kind melange of fake Americana (including a sign that refers to women as "heifers") and fake "Paris cafe". The whole thing is less low-lit and cozy than dark and uncomfortable like your grandparents' basement rec-room that was last spruced up during the Ford administration. And if you do decide to come here, bring your ear buds unless you're a fan of the over-the-top emotive pop ballad stylings of Adele, Maroon 5, Cold Play, Alannis Morissette, etc. On top of all this, the staff has the nerve to be rude. We approached the bar to place an order, and the woman behind the counter literally said to my friend "What!". Not, "Good morning, how can I help you?", Just a petulant "what!", like she was a barrista at Angola Prison, not West 110th Street. Like we were at the DMV and had no choice but to be there and kiss her ass if we ever wanted to legally drive a motor vehicle. We should've turned around right then, but didn't feel like looking for another place. Twenty minutes later we asked we could have the password to the wi-fi, and the same woman just glowered at us and said "No," punctuated by an eye-roll. Oh, and best part? Two signs on the front door, one informing you that you can't stay remain seated more than one hour (as though there's a line around the block to get into this dump), and another telling you that you cannot use the bathroom, even if you're a customer. There are so many better places in the area. Don't bother with this one. read more

Stumbled in here with a date after having a few drinks elsewhere. Cute atmosphere, but why did the football game need to be so loud? Cafe vibe, but with a big screen TV with the game on. Weird. That being said, a glass of decent cabernet was only $5, and there was plenty of comfy seating where I could actually hear my date and there was a fair amount of space between us and other couples. The bartender was a little spacey, but left us alone, which was nice. After the game, he put on his iPod and proceeded to play top 40 hits from six years ago. We were listening to Usher's "Yeah," which was hilarious and also a little bit sad. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back here, but it was pretty nice for what it was. My date told me that their brunch is pretty good too. read more

Pretty slick mix of pub and coffee shop. Flatscreens above the bar showing sports, but it doesn't feel like a sports bar. Espresso machine on one end, which was regrettably broken when I stopped in. Entire front wall opens up. Great on a sunny, breezy day. I will return. read more

Awesome cappuccino, breakfast is great. In the evening, the mango frozen margarita is on point.

Pretty nice and cozy place on the cirlce just off central park. Ordered a sandwich,chips, and four beers and it wasn't a bad price at all. Great place to relax with some friends or could even see it being good chill spot if you were alone and just wanted to get out of the house. read more

Pretty cute space with some nice vibes for sitting and reading, studying, or meeting friends. The staff could have been a bit kinder and they got my order partially wrong but the food was good. I'd go and give it another shot. read more

Overpriced but good. My order was made incorrectly but fixed. The place is a little run down but has it's charm.

Wish this place were a little closer to my apartment - would prove to be an ideal study-spot! Lots of space, very chill environment, and good selection of food at a reasonable price. I ordered the broccoli and cheddar quiche that comes with a side salad. It was quite yummy. At first I was afraid it would be a small slice and something they just popped in the microwave - but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was a good portion and, although I am sure they simply heated up one from earlier in the day, it had clearly been made fresh there. It also just felt nice there - seemed like everyone knew each other and were regulars. Who knows, perhaps since I will be at Columbia next year, I will become a regular... read more

I arrived here an hour before closing and thought the service was a tad rude. My overall experience was ok. The tea was affordable and there was free wifi (allowed only after 4pm on weekdays to prevent students from hogging tables) The lighting was a bit too dim for my liking and there was only one spot with an available outlet but it was cozy and I'd return again based on it's convenient location and price. 3 stars shall suffice. read more

Love Amrita. I have been going here for a long time and am never disappointed. My roommate used to work here so it really is my go to place. It is a place for locals so you get to know the names of those who frequent the cafe and the awesome staff. It is a bit French so during the day it is great to get a pastry or a bagel with smoked salmon and read the paper. And then In the evening, it is great to grab a glass of wine with a friend. I live right next door and love popping in and chatting with the people behind the counter. Seriously love this place. read more

Like the cafe/bar feel. It's a good place for a bite, a drink, an afternoon spot to read or write, or to watch a game. Not a fan of the long lines in the morning but usually worth the wait before jumping into the subway. read more

Stopped in today for brunch and it was delightful! The wait was a little long to order, but our food was prepared quickly. Great coffee/hot chocolate and food (mostly sandwiches, wraps and salads), and a full bar. For brunch, they have a special menu with pancakes, omelets, and cheap Bloody Marys. I felt like I had wandered into a little nook in Havana (maybe because of the salsa music playing and the signs promoting the homemade guac). Seems like it would be a great place to get work done (just the right amount of background bustle), if only there were outlets...the only one I could find didn't work so I had to take my laptop elsewhere. I'd love to see what the scene is like at Cafe Amrita at night -- could be a chill spot to get a drink. read more

Amrita is currently petitioning to get an outdoor patio for the cafe which would be wonderful! The only thing better then their paninis are paninis that I can eat outside. However during the week they have wireless so there are tons of people who decide to camp out with their Mac, take up a whole table, and work on excel spreadsheets for 3-4 hours which is really annoying. During the week if you walk in after 5pm you'll have to elbow a local teacher group out of the way to get a table. But I am happy that this place seems to be thriving and is always busy. I think its a unique place with its atmosphere, menu, diverse crowd, good music and liquor. The paninis are really good even though they're a bit pricey ($9), they come with a side salad and I always go for the Club and a $5 house wine. read more

At cafe Amrita your experience is hit or miss. They truly don't care if you have a good experience or not. If it was good, great; if it wasn't, then no skin off their nose. The lady behind the counter acts as though she's doing you a favor by taking your money. She rarely smiles; appears to hate her job; and looks like she can't wait for the work day to end. She should be exhibit A at an HR conference on how NOT to behave with customers. I often peek in before I go there. If someone other than her is behind the counter then I walk in. I'm sure they lose business this way but they appear not to care. read more

Coffee is alright at best. The cashier behind the coffee area is terrible, aside from the fact that she doesn't get the orders right, she moves with the speed of a snails, is rude and acts like she is doing you a favor by being there. I wouldn't go back. read more

I love this place and I don't really get why ppl don't think the staff is friendly. I love the daytime vibe and if you stay long enough, the evening vibe is great. Beer + coffee + lots of seating... what's not to love? read more

Cafe Amrita is a great place to hang out, drinks some coffee, grab a quick bite and get some work done. During the day the place is fairly quiet and many people come here with laptops and books. They serve inexpensive and decent soups, salads, and sandwiches. The added bonus to Cafe Amrita is that fact that they show futbol and have happy hour everyday from 4 to 8pm. Last time I visited I was able to get a nice large pitcher of Stella, and fresh homemade guac and chips for $20. I am pleased. Thank you!! read more

The food is good, there is a variety of sandwiches and different brunch options. Price is fair considering it's NYC. However, the customer service is not great. Food takes a while even when there are not many people. The cashier in particular is rude and snappy. It does not matter how kind you are, you will be treated with poor behavior. I have not wanted to go back because of the cashier and her bad attitude. Overall, food is good but is it really worth being talked to rudely? read more

Cafe Amrita has the soul of a coffeeshop! I love it that it's old, the wooden chairs smell coffee,... I've lived close to cafe Amrita for 6-7 years and this place has been like my outdoor kitchen all these years! Amazing food, cosy vibe and very kind staff. read more

I've been to Cafe Amrita many times and 9 times out of 10, it's great. It's a nice spot to meet up since it's accessible from a few subway and bus stops. While I haven't had a meal here, the coffee and wine have always been good. So much to offer, Cafe Amrita... So tell me why, why, why at 7 PM on a Wednesday the music sounded like a cheap club? To be fair, it didn't seem like the motivated laptop crowd minded (ear phones all around). But it was not going to work for a conversation. The music was so loud that the guy handling the kitchen was really screaming out people's orders and names. It had seemed strange that the guy at the register gave us our coffees in to go cups while everyone else had mugs. Maybe he was reading our minds... Coffee to go it was. read more

Cozy and nice! I went there after hours of walking in the Harlem and this is just the place i wanna go in a cold winter. The lemon ginger tea I ordered was so so, but the chai latte was great, way better than what they have in Starbucks. The location is nice, just northwest corner of Central Park. read more

Why is everyone hating on Amrita? Clearly you need to chill out and have a drink or something. Great staff that is always friendly. For not having a real kitchen, the food is pretty good! It has a coffeehouse vibe during the day and is more of a bar at night. They also have a community bookcase at the back where you can borrow a book or donate some. This is a great place in this neighborhood! read more

My favorite local spot!For the money you pay you get great food, very delicious. The only thing I would suggest that they clean table a little more often. Almost every time I come, it`s like ritual already, I take a napkin from a coffee station and clean the table from cramps or coffee stains. Other than this one issue, the place is good. read more

Astonishingly dude staff and very bad coffee. I like the neighborhood and private vibe and the location is excellent, but do not go to drink something potable and expect a high likelihood of very rude service, from one middle aged worker in particular with whom I had a couple very unpleasant interactions read more

I love this cafe. Very easy going. Great internet. Delicious food. Staff is fantastic. read more

First time here and lady at the front was talking about me loudly to other customers because I asked to switch an order, which hadn't been made yet, to a to-go order which I feel like is pretty normal of a thing to do especially if it hadn't been made yet. The cashier was asked by the guy who gave me my food why I had changed it to which she responded, "I don't know she just wanted to take it out I guess but you give the customer what they want right?!" As she addressed it to the other customer she was ringing up in a rude tone. read more

Stopped in after walking to the tippy top of Central Park West. It was well occupied and I got a bagel with butter and a latte to stay. The bagel was perfect. Chewy, warm and crisp on the outside and the butter tasted like real butter. The latte was so so but it wasn't atrocious. I rate it 2.5/5 but went up to 3 stars as a lady had a service dog and wasn't harassed about it and it was a good sit down spot. If the bagel is any indication, they pay attention to food at this place. read more

Came here for lunch with my mom and husband on a Saturday afternoon. My mom and I ordered sandwiches and my husband ordered pancakes with a side of bacon. My husband's pancakes came right away but it took forever for my mom and I to get our sandwiches. In fact, I eventually walked up to the bar to get them because I saw them sitting there and no one was bringing them even though there was table service. My husband's bacon came with the sandwiches nearly 15 minutes after his pancakes. The server said it was because it was busy but it was not really busy at all, there were lots of empty tables. Also, the bathroom was out of toilet paper. So the service was bad but (credit where credit is due) the pancakes were really good. read more

I've been here several times with a positive experience each time. However, today at lunch (1pm) the woman behind the counter short changed me by $10 and said I had given her a $10 rather than the $20 bill that actually exchanged hands (and was witnessed by several patrons in line with me). I immediately brought this to her attention and she became incredibly defensive and refused to even discuss it. There was a long line and I wasn't interested in making a scene so I clearly stated what happened (she stepped away in the middle of my transaction to give someone else a drink). After my lunch I approached her again at the counter and she accused me of lying about the $20. She was busy and overwhelmed- but this is still no excuse for poor customer service as she interrupted me every time I tried to speak. I told her that because of how she handled the situation, not to mention ripping me off $10, that I would no long be a patron. I hope she enjoys the extra $10 tip when she counts her drawer and is over. read more