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    Café Calaca

    4.6 (34 reviews)
    InexpensiveCoffee & Tea, Cafes
    Closed 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    CAFÉ CALACA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Café Calaca

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    Vegan Empanada to go, finger for size reference
    Sydny F.

    Lattes were good, barista super nice, outdoor seating looks nice. Although no tables available at 11am on Tuesday. They ran out of beef empanadas so I tried the vegan one. Good but overpriced for the size, would not recommend or get again.

    Chilaquiles verdes
    Alan S.

    I had been deeply saddened when Calaca closed its main restaurant during COVID - their huitlacoche was my favorite Mexican dish in NYC. The good news is Cafe Calaca is great, and the better news is their full-service restaurant is scheduled to reopen later this year on Nostrand! If you don't feel like waiting on line for brunch at some of the neighborhood competitors, Cafe Calaca offers an enticing backyard perfect in good weather. Paired with a refreshing iced rosewater latte and a plate of scrumptious (and perfectly tender) chilaquiles verdes, it's enough to transport you back to the brunch vibes of Roma and Condessa. The vegetarian empanada was also very flavorful and is a good option if you're looking for a lighter bite.

    Vegan Empanada Vegan Butterscotch Latte
    Neha G.

    The best part about this place is the friendly staff! Smiling, helpful with selections, and gives that 'neighborhood' vibe. Seems like they have some regulars who stop by often since the staff recognized them. I had THE BEST vegan butterscotch latte. House-made butterscotch, espresso, steamed milk, topped with nutmeg....yes please! You can taste the difference from other coffee shops that use artificial syrups for flavoring. I highly suggest getting this if you're on the fence about a drink. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet. Just right! I selected the vegan empanada and once again this place knocks it out of the park! What's nice is they bake (not fry) them and the spinach and corn really work well together. The dipping sauce is perfectly paired with the empanada. They have indoor seating (4-5 tables for two) and also a small outdoor seating area in the back. Bonus - there is a restroom too! Located in a busier area of town and close to subways. About a 30 minute walk to Fort Greene Park. Grab coffee and an empanada to go as you walk in the park. Great local spot!

    Vegan Empanada
    Esther C.

    OMG im in love with this place!! This is my first time here and I'm so happy to have discovered it. it's the cutest local coffee shop with an amazing menu, fresh food, and a lovely staff. I could see they make everything in house and with love :) It's one of those places where you walk in and immediately feel warm and safe!! You know?! I got the.. butterscotch latte - delicious. perfect for my sweet tooth and you can actually taste the flavor! Vegan empanada: - i'm not vegan at all but this one sounded really good and it was delicious. a really generous size too! They have the cutest interior with exposed brick and lots of natural light and a lovely backyard as well. Looking at the menu, i cant wait to try everything else! A lovely local cafe to support, with affordable prices and a great staff.

    Backyard
    Aiman S.

    One of the warmest/kindest staffs in any cafe in the city! An otherwise solid cafe with a more thematic menu. Cafe Calaca recently re-opened its doors on the border of Clinton Hill & Bed Stuy. It's right near my gym so I've popped in a couple times to grab a morning coffee. Their drinks are made with quality strong espresso & their special drinks are thoughtfully created. In addition to a typical cafe bar menu, Cafe Calaca has a food menu with Mexican and other Latin American foods like empanadas, chilaqueles, and toasts. My favorite thing about CC (as it shall hence be known) is the sense of community the employees and owners foster. They always chat with their regulars, welcome in furry friends, and really seem like they care. Always a plus in the crazy whirlwind that is NYC. It's a small place so come early enough or be prepared to take your order to go-- just a heads up if you like to work in cafes like I do!

    Avocado Toast-ada
    Yobiel K.

    This is my first time coming here and it certainly won't be the last. I was a little nervous ordering the avocado toast(ada) because it had seaweed on it, but after that first bite, all my worries vanished. They absolutely know what they're doing here. I think what really has impressed me is that as I've seen customers come in, the staff have an incredible rapport and friendliness with almost every customer. Even though they're new on the block, they've seemingly built some loyal customers already with their delicious food and friendly service. I can't wait to make this a regular spot of mine!

    Chilaquiles, frijol toast, Coconut Maple Latte

    THE BEST BREAKFAST PLACE TO EAT IN NYC! I truly never review, and have such a high standard for what is considered good food. The food here is unbelievably good, SO vegetarian friendly and the meat is incredible. The owner/chef takes such care and time to only cook fresh, tasty, home-cooked styled meals. The beans are slow roasted for hours, as well as the fresh corn tortillas in yummy salsa verde sauce. The coffee and lattes are inventive and fresh. Of course, the staff is so incredibly friendly and able to accommodate anyone, even the pickiest eater. The vibe is great, and they have an outdoor space. Make the commute, come check this place out, you truly won't regret it.

    Menu 3/26/22
    Jade S.

    Super Friendly and very patient. Definitely good place to check out if your in the neighborhood

    Avocado Toast w/ egg
    Charisse S.

    I've been 3x in the past month or so and have not been disappointed yet. It's a great spot for remote work with reliable wifi, conveniently located steps away from the Franklin Ave station, and a lot of great food options to pair with the drinks.

    Frijol toast

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Tbh seems pretty pricey for what it is. Nothing in particular stood out and the waiter got half our order fully wrong.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The kindest team, really great vegan options and a very cute neighborhood gem. I just love how they make me feel so welcome when I come by!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cute local coffee shop. Their coffee is consistently delicious and I love their frijole toast!!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Awesome small cafe. The butifarra sandwich was absolutely delicious and is the perfect light bite for a hungover Sunday

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great coffee and small bites! An outdoor patio space is coming soon - will definitely check it out.

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    Hide & Seek - Cold brew with Oat milk. Amazing place to hangout and work

    Hide & Seek

    4.5(49 reviews)
    2.9 miGreenpoint

    I had such a great experience at this café! I ordered a burger with tater tots and everything was…read moreabsolutely on point. The burger was fresh, juicy, and not greasy at all just really well made. The tater tots were crispy and delicious without feeling oily, which I really appreciated. The atmosphere was just as good as the food comfy, relaxed, and full of a really nice vibe that makes you want to stay and enjoy your time. On top of that, the service was amazing. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Definitely a spot I'd go back to!

    I love all the art the walls. And there's so many places to sit, you can find your own little…read morecorner to do work. There's two bathrooms which is nice. And I gotta say, the bartender is doing work. He's the only one working and the whole place is filled up and he manages it very well. They have food and drinks, mocktails included. I love it here. It's very cozy and homey. But just remember to be courteous, that this is a business so it's okay to do work here but if you're gonna be chilling for a while make sure you're getting some drinks every hour or tipping the 'tender. Also careful with some of the hot drinks they can be really.... hot. I burnt the roof of my tongue on my hot cider drink.

    Photos
    Hide & Seek - In the neighborhood

    In the neighborhood

    Hide & Seek - Table for two but only I am here to drink a glass of wine

    Table for two but only I am here to drink a glass of wine

    Hide & Seek - The breakfast menu and the lunch menu but make sure you order it before 4 PM or the kitchen were closed

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    The breakfast menu and the lunch menu but make sure you order it before 4 PM or the kitchen were closed

    Rule of Thirds - Karage fried chicken

    Rule of Thirds

    4.1(882 reviews)
    3.0 miGreenpoint
    $$$

    Got brunch here on a Sunday with a friend. We split the Hot Honey Gem Salad and Hottokeki (Japanese…read moresoufflé pancake). The pancake is gigantic and is absolutely meant to be shared. It was really fluffy and smelled soooo good (reminiscent of the HK street cart waffles). But because it's so big, by the time we ate half of it, we were getting a little tired of the same taste. The salad was good but nothing to rave about. For drinks, we tried the Lebowski-San and Kettl Hojicha Kombucha. It was my first time trying a clarified cocktail and it was really unique. I thought there would be more ice cream honestly but I still loved it. The kombucha though was shockingly tasty. I loved it so much that I bought a bottle online once I got home (they're from Kettl, a local distillery in Brooklyn). The venue is really spacious and I actually planned a wedding here in the past. They host a lot of events and there was even a birthday party happening when I ate there. The only downside is the location. The only train that goes there is the G so it's a bit hard to get to. Food: Hot Honey Gem Salad (radish, buckwheat, fennel, yuzu vinaigrette) 9/10 Hottokeki / Japanese Soufflé Pancake (fluffy hotcake, honey maple butter, sesame) 9/10 Add Mini White Sesame Soft Serve (soy milk, sesame oil) 10/10 - I would recommend just getting this on its own instead of the Hottokeki if you're craving just a little dessert. Drinks: Lebowski-San (green tea shochu, pisco, sakura leaf, clarified matcha ice cream, cold brew coffee floater) 9/10 - This is a clarified cocktail which I didn't expect. I thought I was ordering a matcha ice cream-like drink so although the drink was good, all the ingredients are very subtle in flavor. Kettl x Unified Ferments 'Hojicha' Kombucha (jou yanagi hojicha) 10/10 - This is an absolute must-try!

    I've been here multiple times over the span of 5 years and Rule of Thirds is still keeping its…read morecharm. The place is always buzzing, so I recommend getting a reservation. Last I was here was for brunch and we sat in the outdoor patio area. We got a two things to share and a main each. Shared plates were the soufflé pancake and silken tofu. Both were a miss for me. The pancake had a baking soda aftertaste and also they brought it out right away instead of after we finished our mains so it sat around in the table for a while until we were ready to eat it. Silken tofu had a mediocre flavor palette. There was no variation in texture either, just one plate of mushy items. We didn't finish either one of those. For a main, I ordered a a Wagyu beef bowl. It was really good but on the smaller side. The service was attentive aside from a spillage when the order came. Then they started placing plates on top of the spill instead of wiping the table. Eventually they cleaned it but overall there was lack of training in this case. I am not dying to come back here but would consider if I'm in the area again. I really like the actual space but food/service can improve.

    Photos
    Rule of Thirds - Hall way to bathrooms

    Hall way to bathrooms

    Rule of Thirds - Karaage

    Karaage

    Rule of Thirds - Smashed potato- absolutely must order

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    Smashed potato- absolutely must order

    Rhythm Zero - Iced Coco Americana (~$8)

    Rhythm Zero

    4.2(87 reviews)
    3.4 miGreenpoint

    Ambiance: pretty good ambiance you could study here…read more Service: good! Food $$: I got their coffee and they are known to have special lattes Audience: Solo Trip [X] Family Friendly [ X] Friends [X] Date Spot [X] Recommendations/tips: there's sometimes a line

    Unfortunately, I've never hated a coffee shop more than this. Perfect for transplants in the sense…read morethat the place felt so cold, sterile, and unwelcoming. It's not giving community coffee shop, it's giving gtfo as quick as you can. The decor and vibe just felt so off. Giving coffee shop art studio museum but in the worst way possible? Went with a friend and we both immediately felt a bad energy. The person taking our order was just a little stand off ish. We just wanted to get our drinks and get out as quick as possible. We got the blackberry matcha and a latte. You're not going for the matcha, because the matcha flavor isn't really there ~ the blackberry was fine, super sweet though. Had 3 espresso shots in the latte yet it was still somehow so watered down and had an odd aftertaste. Big yikes overall, we could've dealt with the weird pretentious vibes if the coffee was actually good. Only upside is TakuSando is a block away. EDIT: For Bri Can totally understand if people have off days, maybe the baristas were having a bad day, it happens. Either way, the review reflects what we experienced. We had heard great things but unfortunately felt unwelcome from the moment we ordered, whether intentional or not ~ the energy felt cold to us and that changed the experience. & we just didn't love the drinks. You're def right, Rhythm Zero just isn't our cup of tea and that's totally fine. Hope yall continue to do your best and serve the fan base you have :) Love small businesses, don't love a weird Yelp guilt trip (which seems like a pattern for you across all 3 locations...)

    Photos
    Rhythm Zero - Iced Coco Americana (~$8)

    Iced Coco Americana (~$8)

    Rhythm Zero - Vibe

    Vibe

    Rhythm Zero - Vibe

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    Vibe

    Café Calaca - coffee - Updated May 2026

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