Officially raised it to 4 stars. I love: the location, the ability to sit and drink my coffee and study for hours on end, the friendliness of the workers, the amount of variety they have for Japanese goodies and drinks. What pushed me over the edge? The strawberry cake and their cafe mocha. Both were what I had hoped they'd be. The cake was super light, had fresh strawberries, and not too sweet (like a real japanese cake). HOWEVER. Roll cake is still NOT good. I wouldn't get it. My friend gave it one more shot and it was awful like last time. We think they freeze them because the cream gets hard and chalky, despite the cake part being fluffy and good. Sad, because I wish I could get a yummy roll cake here :( read more

Tried going to a different location around the corner across from the New York Public Library- but it got closed down for health issues... So I came here. I waited awhile for a table since it is just a small indoor cafe, sharing the bookstore's space. The otaku's would not leave, so I had to wait awhile. Luckily, I enjoyed the basement floor a lot! I didn't realize that the food they offered weren't fresh nor cooked. It was just refrigerated, pre-made food, ready for you to grab to go. I was a little disappointed at this, but since it was a bookstore, it could not be helped. I chose the Sandwich Mix (which was delicious and great for the price actually). But what I really came to try was their Green Tea Latte and Japanese desserts. The desserts all looked so yummy! I went with the Strawberry Shortcake and a Soy Green Tea Latte. I was hoping the latte would be more sweet- it wasn't. So I had to add sugar in there myself. The cake was very good though. Very soft and light. The cream wasn't too sweet either. All in all, I myself would not personally come back here time after time. Maybe just to grab a quick bite if I am nearby. I would much rather try the big Cafe Zaiya, where I don't have to squeeze in with people and enjoy my food and latte with ease. read more

This branch of the Japanese cafe Zaiya is located on the second level of Kinokuniya bookstore, with window views overlooking 6th Ave and Bryant Park. Casual and sparely decorated, it looks the part of a bookstore cafe. Seats at tables clustered about, plus bar stools at the window. A large display in the center holds prepared foods pre-packaged to go. Pastries are in the glass counter, where they can be ordered, along with drinks, mostly tea or coffee-based. The type of food they carry are as expected in a Japanese cafe and take-out place, such as bento boxes, sandwiches, and salads. There are breads, along with the pretty pastries, mostly Western-style. The cafe has microwaves in the dining areas to reheat packaged foods for consumption onsite. The quality of Cafe Zaiya's foods is consistent with what might be expected from a Starbucks, ver. Japan. No made-to-order foods nor ingredients with pedigree. But for their intended purpose, the food is decent and a good option for snacking while shopping at Kinokuniya, or if in the area. For those working nearby, the lunch foods are perfect for an occasional take-out. read more

Ooooh, boy, I bet you didn't know that the newish Kinokunya store has a cafe upstairs. Turns out you're in for a treat. Kinokunya is a bookstore chain in Japan, but there seems to be only one in nyc. Used to be located in Rockefeller Center and a couple years ago moved to face Bryant Park. If you're around the area, and you like healthy and/or japanese food, check out this place. Upstairs, you'll find a small selection of Zaiya specialties, sushi, sandwiches, and really phenomenal tea. You'll feel great after eating lunch here, and there are big windows to view the park, and watch whats happening on the street downstairs. You'll find mostly japanese people here. Just walking by the store, you'd never know there was a cafe upstairs. Which makes it kinda special. You get there, and feel like you've found another hidden little corner of new york... read more

Cafeteria style random Japanese cafe near Grand Central They have real food like Udon, Curry, Chicken Katsu and bakery items. I don't think the baked goods are as yummy or fresh as a Korean Bakery or a Chinese bakery but I did really enjoy the Green Tea cake. The coffee is refillable..Seattle's Best. Even at a strange time on Sunday afternoon it was pretty busy. There is a bathroom downstairs. It is an okay place to drop by for a snack or if you have a particular Japanese food craving read more

The onigiri with fish eggs was absolutely inedible. The eggs had a weird taste to it. I would stick with katagari near grand central.

It's an expanded version of the one above kinokuniya bookstore. It's a great place for a low-key date or hanging out since they have dessert pastries or pre-packaged sushi/bento boxes. I'm a fan of their red bean buns. And yes, it is a price relief in the area. read more

I looked to my fellow Yelpers to find a place near Bryant Park where I could bring my date along for a quick bite and drink after work, because we were both on a time crunch. Ended up finding this really nice and cute spot that was semi-hidden; it was located in the corner on the second floor of Kinokuniya. We actually had a bit of trouble finding the front of the bookstore since we both had poor vision, but I let my intuition AKA inner foodie guide us - success! So we got: [] ham & cheese pastry [] tiramisu slice [] "new" cake slice item at the time, which I forgot the name of, but it contained a custardy orange creme with some shaved chocolate on top [] apple-flavoured tea The pastry was totally not what we expected. They put a big chunk of cream cheese inside with a couple slices of ham - the kind you may find in some Asian breads. It wasn't bad, but my brain couldn't fully comprehend what my taste buds were experiencing from this...interesting combination. The tiramisu was nothing special; probably not enough coffee liqueur, though it was nice not to choke/cough on the cocoa powder. The "new" item was ordered at the register so they presented it on a custom plate with an assortment of Asian crackers & cookies. I enjoyed the gratis munchies more than this cake. Lastly, the tea was a quick substitute for another beverage because they ran out and it reminded me a lot of Snapple Apple, but not as sugary. The service at the counter was good. Return your tray through the cubbyhole type thing on the side. Bookstore is also worthwhile of checking out. read more

I've come here for matcha latte and desserts. I was also attempted to try its bento boxes, but I didn't really get to try it until yesterday before meeting up a friend in the Bryant Park. The bento boxes all looked appealing, but the biggest turn-off was that they were cold, even if I went there at 12 noon. However, I was so hungry yesterday and needed a quick lunch, so I bought a Kakuni Don (soy sauce-stewed pork over rice). I put this bento box in the microwave to heat it up a bit (though I knew it was not the healthiest option). The food was very delicious and filling-- it came with a few big chunks of flavorful pork, an egg, a couple pieces of daikon etc., and the rice was mixed with soy sauce. The food itself deserves 4 stars, but sorry that I have to deduct 1 star because it is cold and I don't want to eat too much microwaved food. read more

literally, if you blink, you might miss the place right outside of Bryant Park. Right on the top floor of the Kinokuniya Bookstore, and it's a quaint little nook with taste! usually on my menu picks of choice? The three-cheese panini with a fresh salad and of course, an ItoEn green white tea. A nice place to sit, chat, eat, and then take a stroll through the store back downstairs. Love coming here, hopefully you will do. read more

Worst sushi I have ever had, which is pretty embarrassing for a Japanese cafe. Sweets are good though. read more

The cafe could use a little TLC or small remodel especially being housed in a large chain bookstore. Regardless, it was full of delightful treats and Japanese comfort food. Don't go here if you are thinking "cafe" in a Nordstrom's with glassware and table service. It's counter service, quick bites, with some fancy sweets tossed in. If you're someone who's missing Japanese quick grab food and don't live near a Sunrise Mart, you can get your fix here. read more

Great place to drop by for a snack, or for lunch if you work in the area. I came by during lunch and grabbed a fried chicken bento (comes with white or brown rice, ~$9) and a mochi donut. Food was delicious, especially as a convenient meal. I'd rather have a regular donut over a mochi one, but it was definitely interesting to try. They also have a good amount of other lunch foods (chicken katsu curry, etc.) and snacks (onigiri, breads, etc.). Seating may be limited, but I was actually able to grab a table for myself during lunch hour. read more

This is a fun place to grab a coffee. This Café Zaiya is located on the top floor of the Kinokuniya bookstore, right next to all of the manga and anime stuff. There is a bar that overlooks Bryant Park, which is really nice. They also have a selection of pre made food if you're hungry. The best part is wandering around Kinokuniya after you're done. read more

Cafe Zaiya - Cafe latte overlooking bryant park. - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

Very small cafe in the bookstore. Limited choices of items compared to the other location. Seats are limited as well. The pastries were good and the staff was really friendly. All in all, it's a good place for a quick bite. read more

I've passed by this cafe on numerous occasions that I've visited the bookstore until one day I was really really hungry and Cafe Zaiya was just calling to me. The employees were very friendly and handled our food graciously. I chose a green tea mousse cake from the display case and they decorated it with raspberry sauce and berries. Soo nice. I was starving and didn't see anything particularly "meaty" on the menu, so I looked through their ready-made foods on display in the middle of the cafe. I had a chicken sandwich with spicy mayo. It was good. I wish there was more spicy mayo however. My boyfriend had a ready-made curry dish which he had to microwave. I didn't even notice that they had that available to customers. He enjoyed it. The seating was sort of sparse.. almost like eating in your fancy school cafeteria. It's a compact area and the cafe can get busy. I didn't understand why the furniture was so bulky. If they had smaller tables and smaller chairs (this is possible, I've seen this function well in other eateries), I think they would have more space for seating. In spite of the seating issue, I would definitely come back here for more food. It's pretty inexpensive. We got a lot of food for about $20 altogether. Compared to say, Shake Shack, so that's pretty awesome. read more

I just discovered this "secret" Cafe Zaiya yesterday. It occupies a small back section on the second level of a cool Japanese bookstore on 6th Ave and 41st. This Cafe Zayia is trendier than the main one on 41st and Madison, but the food selection is slimmer and the service is surprisingly grumpier. Maybe because people tend to lounge around (despite the uncomfortable chairs!) and not order a lot to eat. In any case, the prices are pretty pricey. The cafe is brightly lit, and the tables are set close together. If you decide to come here on a study date, it's probably not going to be very productive, as the chatter from the other tables will invade your ears. It's a nice central location to meet up with people, but if you are loooking for a COMFORTABLE place to lounge around, I wouldn't come here :) read more

Smaller than 41st street location near the library. Seating area was packed with Japanese wives and kids during the day, I'd stay away between 09:00-12;00. Selection included bento box price range from$4.99 and up. Also cakes, tea, small snacks. Could be a cheap lunch take out option if you work in the are, I can see potential here. read more

I'm a fan of Zaiya's food, and even though this has an abbreviated collection of items compared to 41st St it's never disappointed me. I usually stick with the onigiri, the fried fish or spicy chicken sandwiches, or the tuna in bread thingys. The tea and coffee are good and when I want something sweet there are plenty of options. Whenever I meet people here to eat I enjoy the open feel and views of the park. I try to get here early though, otherwise the line can get pretty overwhelming. The fun and crazy toys in the bookstore are always tempting and add fun to the trip to grab a bite. read more

I have been to all the other locations of Cafe Zaiya and this location by far my favorite. Not only because of the location, but also because the quality of food is simply better. I've tried many of their dishes here and they're all tasty. Not mind blasting, but tasty. So why does this place garnish a 4 stars? the GREEN TEA FRAPPE is great! It's a nice combination of frothy and refreshing, especially in the summer. Tip: If you do come here for the dessert, try to get it to stay. They plate it for you beautifully and usually garnishes it with some sauce and berries! read more

This review is for the location on the second floor of Kinokuniya. Location is small, with a very narrow wedge of tables, so anticipate sharing with a stranger. Views are pretty amazing, looking down on picturesque Bryant Park. They have air conditioning. They have Ramune and Melon Creamy Soda, chilled green tea and Coke products. They offer a decent amount of hot coffee products and hot chocolate, and have a delightful little glass case of cold pastries. The boxed lunches are not the best, particularly the sandwiches. My egg sandwich was flavourless but benign. The bread rolls they sell in little bags are buttery and incredible, a true treat. I wasn't a big fan of the an pan or macha treats, but those aren't my favourite flavours, and I tried them for the novelty. My key treat would be the pudding, in its neat little plastic cup. Dear Lord, what a pudding. The exact density and flavour profile is so good, and it's just enough to be sated without over-filling or becoming disappointed with it. I try something different every time, and I'll be sure to offer more recommendations as I come back! read more

Good atmosphere, semi-hilarious people watching. B+ onigiri. Good pastries if you like the fluffy, not too sweet Japanese style. I'm kind of addicted to their cod roe roll -- I get that's just butter, mayo, and cod roe but somehow it hits all the right spots. Cute teapots. Bonus: A kid that looked like Jay-Z in full-on Hello Kitty gear. read more

They have many choices like sandwich, ramen or bakery products and also provide microwave for us to reheat food from fridge. If they can use reusable containers for ramen or other hot food, it would be much better. read more

Cafe Zaiya - 2tuna, 2egg salad and 2fried pork sandwich box - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

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Zaiya is so consistent... which is a huge plus when it comes to these chains. This location is on the second floor of Kinokuniya, which is a cute little Japanese stationery/bookstore that has all kinds of fascinating things. My favorite has to be the ReMent collection but they've dwindled down on the offerings as of late :( This Zaiya location is very, very small... towards the corner of the 2nd floor. They have all the food that's offered at the 41st Street location, but I'm sure it's not as freshly made since they pump out all the items at 41st straight from the kitchen. What I usually get are the rice balls... and my favorite flavor is the spicy shrimp tempura. At $2.25 each, they are filling and oh-so-delicious! I can usually eat 2 in one sitting and be full. I am also a huge fan of Japanese bread, so I will usually buy a loaf when I am here. The seating is very sparse, so if you want to sit here you may have to wait. read more

4 stars for the onigiri (mentaiko is the best - spicy cod eggs, spicy salmon was alright) and the coffee is mediocre (slightly burnt but waaaaay better than Starbucks and better price). But the view, the new decor, and the manga and little collectibles all around the cafe! Cafe is on the second floor of Kinokuniya bookstore and brilliant idea because now I can't leave without buying a ton of stuff. My tummy is happy and my eyes are pleased with this view. read more

Cafe Zaiya - The view of Bryant Park from this cafe ! - Desserts Near Me - New York, New York

O how I love this place! I feel like a kid in a candy shop! Seem to have many of these Japanese bakeries/lunch to-go places where you can just pick up a bento box, a melon pan, and a green tea frap munch down and go. There's actually a lot more seating than other similar bakeries but hard to find a spot during lunch time. Prices are very reasonable and there is a wide variety of bentos to choose from. I'm absolutely in love with their green tea cake roll and their tofu bread (thick and fluffy). Many types of Onigiri to choose from as well. But then again what do I know, I just moved here from Miami where authentic asian food was pretty much non-existent. -_-" read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I work near Bryant Park/Times Square and if you do too, then you know that there is NOWHERE to eat around here (besides Chopt? everyone loves that place for some reason...). Anywho, this cafe is on the second floor of the Kinokuniya bookstore and it's refreshed by the Cafe Zaiya that's across Bryant Park. It's a get-your-own and seat -yourself kind of place and it's a great place to run in and get something fast. All the food is already prepared and the prices are actually very good. Needless to say, it's japanese style, but it's not all japanese food. They do have your typical sushi/rice ball kinds of things, but they also have a good selection of little sandwiches and desserts. Their sandwiches are small, but they end up being just the right size for me. I'm also a huge fan of their iced coffee and custard pudding (which is essentially a creme caramel). There are a couple downsides though: 1) It, what you want ca is that it can get busy during lunch and since their lunch selection is small and what you want can get picked up by someone else if you're not decisive! 2) the line to pay can get really long because sometimes the cashiers are slow. Though slow, they are always SUPER polite and apologetic for the wait. Great spot! read more

I have been coming here for a while. Great place to go by yourself or with a friend to grab a snack/drink and chat/read there. The price is reasonable and the food is decent. Their onigiri is very fresh and yummy. The green tea pudding is rich and delicious. The tiramisu and strawberry creme cake does not disappoint either. The service is overall friendly, no one tries to kick you out or make you uncomfortable read more

I like sitting in cafe Zaiya and order a light snack after work. They have different assortment of baked goods, chessecakes, drinks etc. I particularly like the earl grey pound cake and the green tea chai latte. Service is always great. Cashier is friendly and welcoming. Overall a nice place to sit and just relax. Might be a bit noisy but its a very chill environment. read more

Black sesame soft serve. I could have ended the review right there, but I'm going to expand just a touch. Had both the soft serve green tea soft serve and the black sesame soft serve. Thought the green tea wasn't my cup of tea (haha get it?!), the black sesame was like ambrosia - nectar of the gods. Sure I spent the day roaming around NYC in below freezing temperatures, but that did not deter me from consuming the frozen goodness. Limited seating and a pretty popular spot, so stalk out some chairs before you order. Also try the mochi donut for your other sweet tooth and the sandwiches (a combo of egg salad, tuna salad, chicken sandwiches) to share. read more

In the kinokunya bookstore, it's a great place for authentic Japanese snacks. The green tea frappe is absolutely delicious and I always enjoy the onigiri and melonpan. However, the plastic white chairs are noticeably damaged and the entire dining area needs a quick refresh. However, being on the third floor, it's a great place to hang out, chat with friends, and people watch. read more

This is kind of a café for students, the kind I would frequent a lot in my secondary school years in Singapore. Cheap prices, sweet Asian treats, and plenty of tables at which to do homework and escape. The mulberry tea was very unique, like a decaffeinated green tea. The green tea Swiss roll was just okay. I also got the mochi bun and that was absolutely delicious for breakfast the next day. read more

Love this Cafe Zaiya. It is in perfect location next to my favourite Bryant Park and inside Kinokuniya Bookstore. They have nice treat deserts, one being mango flavour.. yumm. And ordinary looking bentos, but wow they really know how to pack them. They really put in an assortment. I feel happy eating their bentos just knowing that someone put in effort to put it together. read more

I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars, because the drink I got wasn't very good, the cake was okay, but I love the location. I ordered a green tea latte, and I didnt really like it. I prefer the ones at starbucks. However, this little cafe offers an ambiance that blows starbucks out of the water. Cafe Zaiya is located in a Japanese bookstore and has little bento boxes and onigiri. I got the green tea cake, and it was slightly sweet and alright, but not that great. Apparently they have a larger location on 41st between 5th and madison. This location is pretty small, but they have a few small tables to sit at. read more

Momma needs her cup o' chai tea latte to stop the twitch! Momma needs it now! The chai latte just taste like sweet heavenly goodness. Dive into a cup of it. Chai Latte doesn't do it for you? That's ok. They have other drink options. They have a bottled drinks and a nice select made to order drinks. Like enjoy some hot tea in your personal teapot, while you enjoy your sit down. I wasn't a fan of the green tea latte, unless your into that stuff (hey...i love my matcha...my whole room is matcha pimped...no, not really, but i do love it). Eventhough I usually there for my drink, they have food options there too. The sandwiches aren't bad and they offer a variety of other snacks/meals. How about sweets? They have that too: cakes, cookies, custards. There's also a microwave to bring your selected entree back up to nice tummy warming temperatures. Bright and white with light wood. I love the atmosphere and the fact it's connected to the bookstore and overlooks Bryant Park. read more

A "hidden gem" in the city. The food selection is definitely smaller than main Zaiya [which is on 41st], but it's a great option for lunch or just a relaxing sit-down tea/coffee trip. They have a discounted lunch option [beef bowls and such], but I opt for the "Jumbo Sandwich" - which is a semi-fried chicken sandwich with small bits of lettuce and light BBQ sauce. For the price... I think ~3.95 last I checked? It's an amazing bargain. I've stepped in after work a number of times to get one, but it's almost always sold out (would probably have to show up promptly at lunch, or visit on a weekend). The tea / coffee selection is also phenomenal. Everything is served in a glass coffee cup [not paper cups], and the proprietors bring it to you on a tray. Sit down sometime with tea and their green tea dessert roll and gaze at the wonderful Bryant Park view. Unlike most coffee chains around the city, it just seems care is taken into the preparation of the drinks and foods. The only caveat is the lack of WI-FI in the premise. But hey, if you're a fan of Japanese comics at all, a whole library of them is only a few feet away! read more

We found out that there was a Japanese bakery about one block away from our hotel, so we decided to go check it out. We found another take-out sushi place which looked pretty good, and cafe zaiya reminded me of Japan and the "conbini"s there, complete with katsu sandwiches, onigiri, and small bentos. I bought some croquettes to take on the plane with me and make all the other passengers jealous. Everything was good, if only I lived near one of these, I would eat here everyday. read more

Such a cute place to sit down and read. Too bad, I work in the area, don't have time to sit and eat. As a lover of rice balls aka onigiri's I had to try it. I had the salmon with spicy mayo. Lots of rice and okay amount of (cooked) salmon. I liked the spicy mayo a lot. I also tried the green tea bun. Okay. I call it a green tea bun. Its a green bun the size of a fist, you kinda can't miss it. It is very fluffy and has red bean paste in the bottom. I liked it a lot. I couldn't finish it and left half of it overnight and it was still fluffy! read more

One of my favorite Japanese food cafes! I love coming here for lunch or snack after perusing the bookshelves and the basement. The food is pretty good, reminds me of home! I love their lunch boxes, specifically the omuraisu and their rice balls (onigiri) are delicious as well. For breads, I like the milk baguette or the chocolate cornet, I used to eat them all the time as a kid. It's great because it's close to my workplace so I can go here for a quick bite and especially during the summer and winter it has a great view of people watching over Bryant park! read more

Been going here for over a decade now? It's my childhood memory with my bestfriends. (Their original location on top of the japanese bookstore next to bryant.) Beyond excited when the full shop was open- and so much selection. For a japanese bakery, the prices for the quality don't get any better than this place. read more