After a cross country flight and landing in snowy New York. I wanted to get food that would re energize me. And caffeine me up! This place hit both. I ordered seasoned fries, chicken sandwich, and a coffee. It hit the spot! Portions were large and the service was fast. The staff is also warm especially because it is snowing outside! read more

Emma's Torch - Big basket of seasoned fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Emma's Torch in Carroll Gardens is a neighborhood cafe serving coffee, breakfast and lunch fare while providing impact to the refugee community in the form of culinary training aimed to help refugees secure jobs in the food industry. We went for brunch and enjoyed a brown sugar latte and hawaij mocha alongside a omelette sandwich made with caramelized onions, potato and spicy mayo as well as the waffle breakfast sandwich topped with egg, candied bacon, cheese and seasonal preserve. This is one of our favorite neighborhood cafes we have added to our rotation and we appreciate the mission Emma's Torch just as much as the food read more

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We had breakfast sandwiches here. They were great, I had the sausage egg cheese biscuit. It was pleasingly hearty, the biscuit was delicious. The coffee was good. The outdoor seating on a nice day is enjoyable. The service was better here than most places of this type. read more

It's a wonderful place! I recommend it %1000, And the best thing is to teach classes for displaced immigrants...

A great cafe with an honorable mission. I enjoyed the cafe, spacious space, and overall ambiance.

Honestly, I so wanted to like this spot. Service was super friendly and love the mission. But disposable plates and utensils make the whole meal feel cheep and super wasteful for a mission driven place. Food for the whole family group was universally disappointing. Will not be back for food. Maybe just a coffee. read more

Loved this coffee shop in Cobble Hill! The prices were incredibly reasonable, and the drinks were delicious. I was also really impressed by the organization's mission to use proceeds to help train refugees in the culinary arts. I came on a Sunday, and it was busy but still had seating available. They also served desserts and small bites. The interior was also comfy and clean. We got a lemonade, hibiscus mint, and arnold palmer to-go. The hibiscus mint was absolutely amazing - it is lightly sweetened and so perfect on a warm day. read more

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Lovely spot for a coffee or a bite! I happened to walk by on a Sunday afternoon and had to go in because the courtyard looked so inviting. The hawaij spiced hot cocoa was served in the cutest mug. Hawaij is a spice blend used across Yemeni cuisine in dishes like soups/curries/coffee, and I loved the extra dimension it added to the hot cocoa. I actually ordered a second cup for the road. The staff were pleasant and happy to answer questions about the menu. Quick shout out also to the culinary training program Emma's Torch has for refugees - such a great cause and makes me feel good to patronize this business! This would be a great spot to get some work/reading done in the daytime, since there is plenty of seating both inside and outside as well as wifi and a restroom. I didn't try any food but plan to on my next visit. If it's nice out, definitely sit in the courtyard and enjoy the view of the Carroll Gardens brownstones stretching down the block. read more

Emma's Torch - Hawaij spice hot cocoa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I cannot say enough good things about Emma's Torch -- they helped me pull off a surprise proposal at their Carroll Gardens café, and it was absolute perfection from start to finish. From the moment I reached out with my proposal idea, the team jumped in with thoughtfulness, excitement, and an incredible level of coordination. Every single detail was handled with care -- from the timing of the surprise to the layout of the space, to the way they helped make the whole place feel intimate, cozy, and full of love. And the food? INCREDIBLE. Every guest -- and we had a lot of tough critics in the group -- said it was hands-down the best event they've ever attended. The menu was thoughtfully crafted to compliment mine and my partners taste, it was creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The warm, welcoming energy of the space only added to the magic. Having the Carroll Gardens café all to ourselves made the night feel deeply personal and special. It wasn't just a venue -- it felt like Emma's Torch was celebrating alongside us. I'm so grateful for their hospitality, their heart, and their commitment to creating meaningful experiences. If you're looking for a space to host an event that people will talk about for years to come, I highly recommend ET! read more

Support the mission, yummy pumpkin spice latte. Breakfast bowl was just okay but the steak and eggs looked really yummy :) such a cute spot and the outdoor seating was a nice experience !! Servers are so nice. Ambiance was chill and good vibes. read more

Wow great food and service. Kitchen is only open until 3pm but they have pastries and whatnot for after. It is a cozy little hidden gem for a good cause. I'm so happy I finally tried this spot ! Excellent cinnamon bun! read more

Emma's Torch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Some portions were definitely smaller than others, but Emma's Torch does have a strong mission to do good. I like that they have a simple and short menu. They were also very nice to accommodate me and my friends without a reservation during brunch hours. -1 star for the lack of portion size consistency My friend said the southern breakfast was too salty ($14). He didn't even finish his grits. I quite enjoyed my French toast ($13) but it became too sweet toward the end. Another friend ordered the mushroom tartine ($13) but the portion was so small that we went to another restaurant afterward. The seasoned fries ($7) were heavily seasoned which was a mixed bag. I don't know if I really tasted the garlic or fennel, because it seemed overwhelmingly like paprika. read more

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Was walking by and needed coffee, so decided to try Emma's torch and I'm glad i did! Love the mission. I got an iced vanilla latte and it was really good! The barista put it in a hot to go cup which i thought was interesting but honestly worked out better so my hand wasn't cold as i was walking! The courtyard outside was huge, next time i come i will definitely sit out there and order food as well. read more

Emma's Torch Mission: To empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. This alone should have everyone wanting to stop by and support this business! We made reservations for brunch and were immediately seated Sunday morning. The service was attentive throughout our time there but what really wow'd us was the flavors in all of the dishes. It's a tapa style - so the plates are smaller but it's a good idea to try a few. Plates: Black-eyed pea hummus with a homemade pita House pastrami hash w/ a sunny side egg Strawberries & Cream Pancake Don't forget to order a coffee & a mimosa :) I couldn't choose my favorite dish but after realizing what I saved for last I would have to go with the pancake. It's charred up for a little so it gives it a nice crunch but everything was delicious. Great food & great cause. I'm already eyeing their dinner menu and I can't wait to return! #EmmasTorch read more

Emma's Torch - Pancake, hummus + pita, and hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Emma's Torch is one of the most amazing businesses in NYC. They employ and train refugees so they can find work after their time at Emma's. Stopped in on a snowy day, and got a glass of white and a fried chicken sandwich. This restaurant space used to be one of my favorite fried chicken restaurants (Wilma Jean), and this one is a worthy replacement. Giant chunks of super crispy chicken. Lot of slaw. Pickled celery. Super messy. But SO GOOD. Came with a giant side salad. Service was great. Love everything about this place! read more

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The pancake from emma's torch is the best pancake I've ever had. It's shockingly good, you must try it. The staff are also very friendly it is definitely worth a visit, I will be coming back! read more

More so than when I review other businesses, I'm taking a very holistic approach to rating this restaurant. I definitely feel extra warm and positive towards Emma's Torch because of their programs providing refugees with culinary training, ESL classes and interview preparation. I wholeheartedly support their mission to empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. This is all to say that the food wasn't the only driving factor in my decision to dine here, but it was definitely the cherry on top. My table ordered a variety of dishes including the turkey meatballs, tamarind bbq wings, vegetable tagine, pumpkin cavatelli, and beet salad with goat cheese. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and so seasonally appropriate for this Fall season. The goat cheese in my beet salad was impeccably whipped and the beets were fresh and sweet. I stole a bite of my friend's vegetable tagine which was flavorful and hearty. The ambience was cozy and quiet the Sunday evening I dined here. I love that the menu rotates seasonally, so I'll gladly return to try future menu items. read more

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This is my second visit to Emma's Torch. The first time I kind of wandered in, but this visit was deliberate. What's not to love? It's chill and charming, the food and drinks are good, the prices are extremely reasonable, the staff is terrific - and the mission (to train refugees and asylees and trafficking survivors for careers in the food and beverage industry) is exemplary. How great is it to spend a bit of your restaurant budget in a place that is actively making our world a little bit better every day? IMO, pretty great. read more

We loved everything about this place! For those unfamiliar with Emma's Torch - this restaurant offers a 10-week paid apprenticeship program for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking as a pathway to a full-time career in the hospitality industry. It's no surprise that graduates of this program are in high demand, given our wonderful experience at this restaurant. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. We dined for brunch and ordered the black eyed-peas hummus (served with the most delicious, soft, house made pita), and two orders of the house made pastrami hash. So what?! We are that basic couple whose tastes have converged after years of nesting together *shrug* The black eyed-peas hummus is definitely unique - it's difficult to pinpoint the mix of spices, herbs used in this dish - but please do order this! The pastrami hash was perfection - a sunny side up egg, served over a potato hash with small bits of pastrami mixed in. This dish was a bit spicier than expected, but it was excellent! Also, their coffee is solid. So solid, that in fact, that I asked the waitress for the blend/origin and she came back to me with the name of the brand/supplier. Talk about attention to detail! I look forward to returning to this restaurant to support such a worthy cause (AND also, because their food is damn delicious!). Reservations highly recommended. read more

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My husband and I are more grab and go or delivery eaters, so I was very excited to see that Emma's Torch pivoted to take away lunches (though of course not excited for the need for the pivot with indoor dining closed). I didn't have a go to spot for lunch in my immediate area and the new set up quickly filled that gap. I love love love the shakshuka sandwich (pepper and egg on the menu). I never encountered it in sandwich form, and it's brilliant. I could eat one everyday and not feel bad about it because it's so delicious AND the money spent not only goes to a local business, but one that trains and employs people who are refugees. Win, win, win. When all goes back to normal I hope they still offer the grab and go foods during the day and are able to provide dinner service at night. read more

So amazing!! From their mission as a nonprofit restaurant to their meals!! I am telling all my friends to come and check it out with me because everything is delicious and the ambience is beautiful. I hope to get invited to their special events because the photos also look amazing from that. Honestly you can't go wrong choosing anything from the menu. We enjoyed every bite of our meal when we went. Definitely bringing everyone I know to this place at least Update: went for dinner and the dinner prices are a bit more expensive than the brunch menu but still had a great time enjoying the food! I come here once a month so I'm looking forward to their menu changing soon. read more

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Workers at Emma's torch were extremely friendly, from taking our order at the counter, to handing us our food and helping us clean up. This is an order at the counter and sit down kind of cafe. Their kitchen is opened until 3pm. Late afternoon on a Saturday, all their tables were full. We got an order of fries, crispy chicken sandwich, a waffle breakfast sandwich which is a weekend special, and a latte. Their latte had a dark espresso flavor that balanced well the amount of milk in a latte. The waffle breakfast sandwich is made with a sunny side up egg, Canadian bacon, cheese, blueberry compote? Sandwiched between two quarters of a Belgian waffle. I was thrown off by the blueberry but it actually was such a nice touch that balanced the saltiness of the Canadian bacon. Definitely more of a knife and fork job but I enjoyed every bite! Crispy chicken sandwich was made with a juicy crispy chicken thigh and refreshing slaw. The fries are dusted with some harissa seasoning I believe. Very crispy. We both enjoyed our meals a lot! Will definitely be back. Loved the mission of this place as well. read more

Emma's Torch - Waffle breakfast sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, fries and a latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Very limited choices and what they offer on the menu sometimes is not available (they run out of yogurt). Also, the muffins they sold me were as hard as a rock, clearly bad, and jave been sitting there for days. A food establishment that sells stale food and offer things they don't have certainly is not a place I'd recommend. There are much better coffee shops to go to in the area, I wouldn't go here again read more

I'm hoping that the reason menu prices were high is that it's part of the mission to give refugees and others coming in from very difficult lives a boost as they learn to cook wonderful dishes and English language skills and to eventually find jobs. The dishes were delicious. I just wished they were bigger portions. read more

This review is specific to their wedding catering services. Emma's Torch was extremely helpful and professional in planning and executing our wedding menu and beverage service. They hosted us for a really lovely tasting and offered a great selection of dishes. The food itself was excellent. The staff the day of were all top-notch. Celina took great care of us, answering all of the hundreds of questions we had leading up to the day. read more

Wonderful food, wonderful service, and a wonderful cause - to train aspiring chefs, who are also refugees. Black-eyed pea hummus and in-house pita: that pita bread was served piping hot, and it was delicious. It was soft and flavorful, and the hummus was a great spread for it. Preserved Tomato Tartine: The bread had some nice crispy bits and the tomatoes + ricotta were flavorful. Pea infused Ricotta zucchini lasagna: This is a nice spring-flavored dish that showcased some fresh flavors. Chilled shrimp with asparagus: I liked how the lemon mayo and the salsa verde added some acid to balance the shrimp Dessert: knafeh. This was a first for me, so I don't have much to go off of. I liked it, the cheese and the syrup balanced each other well! Service was attentive as far as water refills and we didn't have to wait long at all for food. I really liked how the plates were smaller, and the prices reflect that, so that you can try several things. You definitely want to do that because these chefs are great! read more

The refugee endeavor alone seems worthy of a 5 star review. Left a name and number during a wait, but was not called back. Luckily came back to check anyways, and tables were open. Tidy presentation and proportions were just right by NY standards-not stuffed, not hungry. Nothing out of this world, just solid good food. Southern Grits were tasty..perfect eggs, tasty biscuit, and plain grits with a dab of butter, all of which was much enjoyed. The Nutella stuffed pancake wasn't really stuffed so much as wrapped, but the light frying of the pancake made it all decadently delicious w light whipped cream. And lastly, the Knafeh was buttery and pleasing...not cheesy as I had expected in a Knafeh, but still it was savored and devoured. Looking forward to trying more dishes, and perhaps even getting tickets to a graduation night when the graduating apprentice cooks dishes from his/her home country. It's hard not to support this place, as evidenced by all the great reviews. read more

Emma's Torch - Nutella pancake and Knafeh - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My wife and I were looking for a new brunch spot in Gowanus and were delighted to find this place. They pride themselves In comfort food. I ordered a mimosa (they do not have a liquor license due to the school nearby, but have beer and wine), and had the Southern breakfast. My wife had the apple pancakes and a coffee. The food was absolutely delicious, and not too filling. To add to it we chatted with the program director and found out that the restaurant has an amazing program training refugees in culinary arts. Good food, good service, and good vision, that's a win in my book. We will be returning again for brunch and to try their dinner menu. read more

Emma's Torch - Southern breakfast and pancakes! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Emma's torch has some tasty food! The hash was excellent, and the pancake was also lovely. The only negative id mention was the hash was a bit heavy on the salt. I love salt, too much, and I still thought it was overly salty. The flavors in the hash are strong enough to stand on their own. It didn't need the massive salt crutch. I will definitely be returning to this restaurant :) read more

The service here is always exceptionally polite and attentive. That, of course, has something to do with the wonderful mission that underlies this restaurant's existence - to properly train recent refugees in the restaurant trade. The food menu is just long enough to have me always choosing between two things, either of which I'd be happy getting. This past time it was the crispy chicken sandwich and the southern breakfast platter. I got both. Everything was good, except the sausage which was hard like a rock, but overall my suggestion would be to stick with the chicken sandwich since I just didn't care for the sausage or the grits (nothing wrong with the grits / insert My Cousin Vinny reference / just not my taste) portions of the breakfast platter. Also, They've got a nice courtyard situated right on the corner for outdoor seating while the weather still allows for it. Previously, I'd eaten inside which was nice, bright and comfortable. read more

A friend and I came in on a Friday night around 6:45. We did have a reservation, it was fairly empty when we arrived, but by the time we left was completely filled. We decided to do an assortment of appetizers and small plates to share. First we had the preserved tomato tartine w/ herbed ricotta, which was absolutely delicious with fresh tomato, flavorful ricotta, and soft chewy bread. The zucchini lasagna with sweet pea ricotta was next, it was very fresh and was more of a raw lasagna than cooked. It's sweet pea ricotta tasted almost like a creamy avocado. I really enjoyed how fresh this was. We then had the lamb meatballs w/ tomato & pepper relish and yogurt sauce. They were perfectly cooked and the relish sauce they were in was excellent. Followed this up with the tamarind barbecue wings, which were sweet with a nice little kick. Finally we rounded out the meal with the hot baby carrots and the new potato salad. Two of my faves! For small plates and appetizers, this was enough food for two people to leave satisfied. Great food, great cause, great service! read more

Small changes would make a huge improvement: Bacon slab was well cooked but way too salty, overpowered even the eggs. Maybe more jam with biscuit. Pancake was an interesting, thick style but one pancake instead of two is underwhelming. read more

Cannot say enough good things about this place, absolutely love it. Cozy inside with very friendly staff. Everything we've had here is just next level fresh and high quality ingredients. The hummus is amazing, silky smooth with just enough flavor. The freshly made pita is comes with is great as well. I've had the chicken sandwich which was perfect. Juicy white meat with so much crunch and flavor. Bread strong enough to hold together even with all the coleslaw. Had the pulled pork sandwich before as well and remember it being equally as enjoyable. Gf has gotten the eggs shakshuka twice and loved it both times. Best part is the place is also a not for profit so you get the benefit of helping a good cause while you enjoy amazing food. Highly recommend. read more

Emma's Torch - Chicken sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great mission & great food! I loved the crispy chicken sandwich and the salad that was accompanied with it. It was perfectly crispy and juicy. The salad was very bright and had great acidity. I cleared my plate! Will definitely come again read more

Emma's Torch - Crispy chicken sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Awesome chicken sandwich! We had it after a 20 min ride home, and it was still delicious. Crispy, juicy chicken, and the bread was still nicely toasted. The butternut squash soup was also very subtly aromatic and comforting. Got it for restaurant week and it was a very yummy and filling lunch! read more

Emma's Torch - Restaurant week to go 2/18/21 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Listen, I love the concept of this spot and was very excited to finally come by for brunch with some of my girlfriends. I was under the impression, however, that not only do they help train refugees in the back of the house as kitchen staff, but also in the front as waitstaff. This is not the case. Not the end of the world. It's also the reason I feel I can say the service was underwhelming. And that's truly the most generous I can be. It took a full half hour before we could gain anyone's attention to order anything after being seated. When we did finally get someone's attention he was very sweet and friendly, and brought out complementary black eyed pea hummus for his oversight. Very nice gesture and I really enjoyed this dish. I really enjoyed what I ordered for brunch, a cup of coffee and the Turkish Breakfast Platter. The labne with za'atar and tomato jam were particularly good. Elsewhere around the table, one person had the shakshuka and seemed to enjoy it. However, two of my girlfriends ordered the pulled lamb on pita. I think for the most part they enjoyed it, except for a couple of hiccups along the way. One asked for hot sauce on three separate occasions. On the third instance, it came out of the kitchen two minutes later, and then ten minutes later she received another helping of hot sauce. Ok. Then, in the pita, my friend found some plastic. She let the waiter know, who then comped both pitas off the bill. I'd like to come back and try it on maybe a quieter day, while the restaurant didn't feel very crowded, the waitstaff seemed very overwhelmed. read more

Came here this morning for breakfast as a party of 4, because my friend saw the menu online and wanted to check it out. The restaurant was very cute inside, with a farm to table atmosphere, and after chatting with our waiter, we found out that the restaurant hires a couple of people every 3 months as party of a culinary school. Everyone hired is either a refuge, someone who is seeking asylum, or broke out of human trafficking. He said that everyone starts out in meal prep, working their way up, and then graduates from the program, and so far everyone has gone on to find a job in a restaurant afterwards. I love this, and I would 100% support a restaurant like this if there was one close to my home. It wasn't just because of all of that, that I'm leaving a 5 star review either. The waiter and the hostess were so friendly, and all of the food was so good and the fruit with the pancakes and waffles tasted so fresh. I wish I lived closer so I could come here again! read more

Emma's Torch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Went here for friend's birthday breakfast: so pleasantly surprised by everything! Coffee and food were exceptional, service was fast and super friendly. Interior is cute and clean. And best of all: this is a non-profit. We asked how we could tip the baristas and they let us know that since they're a non-profit, they don't accept tips. Amazing mission and I'm so glad this place exists. Perfect for to-go coffee or a slow sit-down brunch. Highly recommend! read more

Emma's torch is a non for profit restaurant with a social mission. They hire and train refugees as kitchen staff and then help them find positions with other businesses so that they can continue the cycle. I had the avocado toast while my girlfriend had the lamb pita sandwich. My dish was good but a bit pricy at $8. I understand they've got a lot of overhead being on smith street in Brooklyn. I tried my girlfriend's sandwich and I really liked it too. read more

AMAZING flavors! Wow. We got 3 apps and one main to share for two. The barbecue wings were the favorite (come with a tasty buttermilk sauce). We also really enjoyed the black eyed pea hummus and the tomato tartine. It was hard to choose a main, because they all sounded so good, but we went with the chicken with coconut rice and did not regret it. 10/10 recommend. Will be returning for the wonderful food and mission of this restaurant! read more