I've been coming here for years. I work across the street and I like their strong coffee. However, today I found a STAPLE in my flat-everything bagel with butter. Luckily I separated the halves as I took a bite and noticed it! I politely pulled the manager aside and showed him the bagel and he immediately said it must be the bakery's fault and he'll be sure to speak with them. I explained that it was cut open, toasted and then smeared with butter, with the staple laying on top. (Highly unlikely to have been baked in) He offered me a new bagel and explained his normal staff was out sick. I'm not looking for a handout, just take responsibility, apologize and offer at least a refund! When I asked for a refund he said "Don't worry, I'll give you a new one tomorrow!" SMH... read more

Gotham Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

The woman behind the counter was incredibly rude when asked of their closing time wasn't updated on the website as she started closing down at 6 but it said on Google that closing time was at 8 It was a simple question to which she replied "I'm not the owner, if you want to talk to her come back tomorrow" After stating that was a rude statement she said that she hoped we would never come back It's unbelievable how rudely she reacted to a simple question, we were calmly eating when she started turning off the lights and that's the only reason we asked read more

Went to this cafe for the First time today! Great seating options and wifi for those working remotely. I got the Power Breakfast bagel - delicious! I want to try it again sometime but add BACON. The woman behind the counter up step - I know we all have days so I definitely want to give her the benefit of the doubt but it is important to have good customer service. Someone should feel like they're annoying an employee when they ask a question about the menu or what the wifi password is. All in all definitely wanting to come back again. read more

Gotham Cafe - Power Breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Breathtakingly expensive. It's convenient to work, so I would go in here regularly. The food isn't anything a deli couldn't make you just as well; alot of it's just from Costco, and it turns out the boss is basically a stingy, greedy, a**hole. Just go someplace else. read more

Great coffee and service. I'm a regular and it's a great place to pop into for a snack or coffee. No frills, classic vibe.

Avocado toast with a view! The food was so good. I struggled to find avocado toast in the area that isn't made with guacamole- so this is my new go to place! It's super filling too, next time I'll go with only one slice of toast. That employees were very nice as well. read more

Gotham Cafe - Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

This place is perfect because it is very close to my work place and they have suuuuch a wide variety of sandwiches and coffees to go. I had some time to sit in so I got a California Avocado sandwich and a chai latte which were both really good. You pick up the drink at the counter yourself and sit down and then when your sandwich is ready, one of the staff members brings it out to you. They get a little busy in the morning as I think it is a popular place but definitely worth a try ! read more

Gotham Cafe - California Avocado Breakfast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I was so happy when some coworkers introduced me to this place. It is spacious, there is plenty of seating, and the coffee is fairly priced! What a gem to have a coffee shop with room to breathe on the Upper East Side read more

I once described Gotham as the "anti-Starbucks"; it is one of only two cafes in our neighborhood on the UES that remained open through the entirety of the absurd COVID lockdown. With rare exceptions, I have always found the food at Gotham to be very high-quality; my standard lunch order, which I enjoy a couple of times a week, is a very healthy California turkey sandwich on whole grain (or gluten-free) bread, lightly toasted, with extra honey mustard, accompanied by complimentary chips, a Kombucha and a sugarless berry scone. Recently, they have had a chocolate cream cheese muffin of a type I haven't seen for many years, since the demise of My Favorite Muffin, which is quite welcome as an alternative. Gotham is an excellent place to work on creative projects; I often go there to write my essays; they play classic rock and roll, which is always welcome, and usually, by about 4 pm, it's fairly empty, which I quite like. The Internet is speedy and reliable, which is helpful for Internet researches. Even during the insanity of the past 21 months, I have always felt welcome there, and I appreciate the friendship and loyalty of the proprietor. Perhaps there are better "coffee" shops (I don't really drink coffee much these days), but Gotham is fairly exceptional, and I often have lunch there with friends. Highly recommended ... read more

Gotham Cafe is fair. The sandwiches and wraps are good to grab on the go to eat lunch.

A pretty busy cafe in UES where the prices are typical Manhattan prices. The food is delicious though. The space is larger than your typical NYC coffee shop. The cafe also has wifi, but it was kind of slow at times. There are a lot of menu items, but I can speak for the avocado & boiled egg toast. I requested for my avocado & boiled egg to be on a croissant instead of toast. Salt & pepper was lightly sprinkled over my croissant, which was the little touch that it needed to be delicious! My only con is that the boiled egg was cold [I'm sure it was refrigerated] & since it's cold in NYC, I would have preferred the eggs to also be warm - maybe they can add this as an option since the croissant is already warm as well. Either way, I'll give this place 5 stars. read more

Gotham Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Never thought a tuna sandwich with cheese would cost $13.50 and an iced tea $7.00. I'm surprised that they didn't charge extra for the Splenda and napkin. Never again. My cat could make a better tuna sandwich. No lettuce, no tomato, no flavor and I asked for toasted rye bread. How hard is that?? read more

Gotham Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I come here all the time for breakfast and generally have a good experience! Gotham fits a need in the neighborhood for basic breakfast spot with a broad menu. They also have an extensive lunch menu, but I don't go often for lunch. I tend to get the the avocado breakfast sandwich with egg whites. I like it because it's exactly as you expect and doesn't come with any unnecessary sides. My husband often gets various breakfast sandwiches and likes it too. Gotham has coffee but it's not the best so I tend to skip getting it from there. There's a nice seating area that you can utilize after you order at the counter. They bring you your food and it's usually pretty quick. Many of the seats have outlets near them so you will see people working sometimes. The prices are what you would expect. Overall it's a great spot for to go breakfast or to stay and have a casual meal. read more

This is a local place and they come in and settle in. Go for it. The bagels are stacked, so don't be surprised if your plain bagel tastes something like an everything bagel. It is small, but I heard it is much larger than the original which was really more of just a coffee shop. Service was okay, water was only room temperature in a miniscule cup. It really was just okay, nothing special. read more

Well... I don't really like to be like this but this review is coming from a twisted mix of love and frustration. This place really has potential, not only because the Upper East Side is completely devoid of cafés, but also because not many cafés in New York have the massive space that Gotham does. With that, here are the fatal issues with this place: A) First and foremost, this place is often filthy. The tables are NEVER wiped down and the little monster children from all the UES parents destroy the plethora of pastries this place has. I don't really mind cleaning my table, but it's just kind of gross to look around and see bits of food surrounding me on every possible surface. B) The music. Why why why why why why does it have to play Top 40 radio? From what I read this place used to play Jazz. I'm sorry but I really just do not want to listen to Katy Perry while I'm trying to chill out with a coffee and a book. I would seriously prefer a looping Enya CD over the garbage music and advertisements playing in this place. C) The staff doesn't communicate with each other. When I say I want my cappuccino to stay, that means I want the scone to stay too. D) The outlets along the south wall don't work at all. I really enjoyed trying everyone of them, moving from table to table. With that said, there ARE some outlets that do work. To balance this out a bit I should say: The coffee isn't too bad, the cakes and scones ect. are pretty cheap and there's a lot of sandwiches and things to choose from which is great. Gotham, I really really really want you to be my home base. I really want to spend a lot of time (and $$$!) at your café. But you really really just have to get your shit together. read more

Gotham Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Solid coffee and espresso drinks, good chai, and a nice assortment of blended cold drinks and even ice cream floats. I was less impressed by their tea options - all by the bag, and not the highest quality - but at least the prices are reasonable ($2 for a large). Their selection of baked goods, on the other hand, did appeal - very tasty looking, and all from quality local places, such as Donut Plant. I look forward to my meyer lemon donut. I'd love to try their carrot cake and macaroons, too. They also have a fair deal of sandwich and soup type food, quite fresh and good, though some is prepackaged, and cold bottled drinks to choose from. My friend enjoyed her skinny pumpernickel baguette with cream cheese and lox. The tables are a bit small and dirty (all were covered with some degree of residue and/or crumbs), and I don't like the chairs which fail to provide adequate back support. If you can get the window seat with cushions, do. The decor makes up for these flaws; old-fashioned, with cream-coloured walls and cute brass lamps attached to the walls, the old school coat hook with Javier noted, and a clean and well stocked bathroom. Decent music, too, and not excessively loud. As noted, excellent friendly service, and while this place wasn't empty mid-afternoon on a Sunday, it wasn't packed either. It felt populated but not crowded. In an area rather bereft of independent, laid back cafes, this place is a find. Great hours to boot - open every day till 11 pm or later, even on Sundays! read more

Gotham Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I like this place. it's not terrible and it's pretty cheap! it's not exactly deserving of 4 stars just because I think the food can still improve. the frontega chicken panini was pretty flavorful but lacked a bit of moisture. the chicken was a little on the drier side but it was still tasty and it was a big portion. they cut it in 4 pieces so it looks like it's piled on the plate. it had it's high moments with the pesto spread and the mozzarella cheese though. my brother had the special of the day which was a philly cheesesteak which didn't look like a cheesesteak by any means. it really just looked like meat in between bread but it smelled good and my brother liked it. this is definitely a meeting spot for new moms though because at lunch time the strollers PACK the restaurant. which is a little annoying but that's the upper east side for you. entitled new moms who think their double strollers deserve a place in the middle of the cafe where it's most inconvenient. the actual cafe was cute and just a good meeting spot in general to grab lunch and chill. I'd probably come back here again to try the rest of their sandwiches. read more

Gotham Cafe - Philly cheesesteak...? not really - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Not a good experience here. The coffee wasn't that good. And the cashier was really rude. The attitude of the staff is what killed my experience here. read more

The owner is not only miserable and nasty but the most unkind person I have ever encountered in NYC (and maybe even ever). The arrogance and disrespect he displayed to a paying customer is both sad and scary. Truthfully, I feel the most bad for the employees. I couldn't imagine being around that negative energy daily. Easily the worst cafe on the Upper East Side. read more

I asked for a cortado, and it was just one shot of espresso and some milk foam for like $4, which seems overpriced. I asked other baristas in NYC, and they said that I got skimped. A cortado should be 2 shots of espresso or 2 ounces of espresso with 2 or 2.5 ounces of steamed milk for average around $4-5. I get that it's a cafe where you can sit, and have a conversation while you chat, but one can do that anywhere. I'd rather go to coffee shop that doesn't try to rip you by counting pennies with their coffee beans. read more

First time coming here and glad I did had an appointment so glad I came here first had the fresh lox with scallion cream cheese capers tomatoes and red onions on a toasted sesame seed bagel with a large cup of coffee very fresh and delicious i definitely would recommend this place to all my friends and fellow yelpers and I definitely would come back again and sometime soon I hope read more

We could me here almost every morning--or used to. Will never be back again. Wrong cheese on bagel, to which I am allergic. Made us bring back the bagel and then argued with my fiancé that it was the correct cheese and made him stand there and try the cheese. Then then replaced the bagel AGAIN with the wrong order completely. Ordered a scooped roasted everything bagel with egg whites and American cheese. The first time I got cheddar. The second time the "replacement" was a plain bagel, not scooped out, with regular eggs and tomato. Horrible and rude customer service. Total jerks working here. read more

Great hazelnut coffee.My morning hang out. Place is cozy and bagels are always fresh. Love this local place.

Still on the hunt for the best coffee and café in NYC and in the UES. Gotham Café is a very spacious and relaxing coffee shop on 2nd Ave and 68th St. My first step inside of this place and I already knew that this was one of those 'regulars' frequented by the locals here. To be honest, I can't think of anything terrible to say about this place. But I can't think of anything that blows me out of the water with this place either! The coffee is decent, better than Starbucks, and for a flat $2 there is no reason not to come here over the national green colored conglomerate across the street with their $2.01 price tag. They have multiple beans on display, and the service was fast. I get the feeling that most people here come for the coffee and for the very large selection of salads, wraps, and sandwiches. One thing I can say is that it's a great place to do work, free wifi, multiple wall outlets, 2-4 person tables, and ambient smooth jazz music (if that's your steeze). The lighting is brighter than other large scale coffee shops in the UES (DT-UT, Cafe Noi, Starbucks) and definitely more comfortable too. Wooden floors and chairs, but they look a little run down, the seats have been worn out (and maybe abused) and the art on the walls suffice to say nil... a typical NYC aerial view of the flat iron building, some mirrors, and acrylic vegetables!? But... The coffee is decent, well priced, the space is large and comfy, free wifi, and they take credit card. It certainly has all the good ingredients... Just no great ingredients. So, if I needed wifi and coffee, I'd come here over Starbucks, but that's about it! read more

Gotham Cafe - Spaciousness - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

ridiculously expensive. $14 for a small coffee and it's not even good. tasked like they placed coffee beans in hot tap water and added foam. not worth the visit, save your time, money and taste buds. read more

Mad disrespectful for what, my friend and I are such loyal costumer we orde the same shit everyday a small hot chocolatie that shit expensive tO but u know I got bread butt the one day the shitty ass manager came back he kicked us out read more

I looked up this place thinking it was so cute and had a great selection of food. I wanted to go there and study. When I arrive, I'm getting settled with my stuff and the rudest waitress approaches me and says "You need to order something. You can't just sit here and not order anything". Well excuse me! I just got here. I was planning on getting something. I understand I can't just sit and not order. I've worked in a restaurant my whole life. I understand customer service, I was literally born into it. Please do not assume if you do not know my intentions. It's very rude. read more

I can't give this place three stars but the kid today knows his way around an espresso machine and made a pretty good latte. This place looks like a coffee shop, dark, nice bench seating to just chill out and drink some java. However, the regular coffee didn't look fresh so I ordered a cappuccino which turned out to be a latte. :( I saw Donut Plant donuts, Crumbs muffins and was told some pastries from Balthazar? Nice!!! However, my biscotti wasn't fresh. I wont be back, there is too much going on in this neck of the woods of the UES. Smell ya later Gotham! read more

A pleasant enough place to grab a coffee with old friends. I had a vegetable soup which was warm, plentiful, and full of vegetables. They also feature some sort of special New York doughnut. Atmosphere: plain, simple, somewhat down-to-earth, which is important for UES to have! It's actually sort of hard to find a coffee place in this part of town. read more

This store is overly priced for the type of customer service you receive. The cashier's are rude and dismissive and the management here does not care about the service you receive. I used to purchase breakfast from this store for a very long time because it is conveniently located near my work but I no longer spend my hard earned money here due to this problem. read more

The coffee is good, though not great, but the baked stuff and the atmosphere keeps taking me back again and again. Such nice people, such fast service, such a sweet and charming place. Try the protein bar for breakfast. No sugar, no flour. read more

Gotham Cafe - Store - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Love this place. A centerpiece of the neighborhood. Let's all send them business now if they're open. Be safe!

Bad place! Rude staff.I ordered two eggs on the roll.Cold roll not toasted and eggs cold.Coffee was bitter.I asked for some more milk.The cashier was mad she had to go get more milk for me.I'm not going back there again.Small coffee and two eggs on the roll $10!!!! read more

The vibes were so different on either side but each was immaculately catered to the kind of food they provided. I loved it so much and would 100% go back. Also the eggplant parmesan sandwich was absolutely amazing please try it. read more

I ordered a latte but it was so hot that I couldn't drink it for 20 minutes. Beyond that, the space is really nice and I loved sitting down to read in the open area read more

This cafe is very important to the community on the upper East Side. Staff and management do everything they can to please it's customers. Very pleasant clerks serve you with a smile. They have a wide selection of food choices and catering to all tastes. Vegan, vegetarian or standard diets are sure to find a food choice they prefer. Very spacious seating is available and the music isn't intrusive. read more

I found the best sandwich. The Gouda Melt. I love it. I have come and gotten it several times. But the service I have received the last several times is appalling. The manager is aggressive and excessively overcharges for or any change in your order and will charge you for ice. A couple of the employees are rude and the others look afraid. I will not be retuening to this establishment ever. You would be better off at any other deli or coffe shop in the city. read more

Great place for coffee and yummy muffins and Balthazar pastry. Owner Sam is warm and friendly as is most of the staff. Avoid on weekends however as Berta who works there is rude, unhelpful and arrogant. read more

I order a veggie garden wrap and took a bite and wanted to throw up. A slime texture was stretching from the wrap onto what I have chewed. The smell was the stench of old food. This is awful and can cause food poisoning. I am pregnant at that. This restaurant needs to be more aware on how they safely store produce and when to discard waste. read more

I don't like to write reviews like this, but the food is mediocre and overpriced, and the manager's got a mean attitude towards customers. I have been coming here for YEARS even though the food's not great--it's right next to a client of mine so I often stop by for breakfast anyways when I'm on the go. I'm usually happy to support a neighborhood cafe, even if their food is less than spectacular. The other day they took 20 minutes to prepare an $11 bagel sandwich. (Fine, it was a busy day...it happens...though they're often slow even when it's not busy.) When I took out the sandwich to eat it later, it wasn't even the right bagel and it wasn't prepared as I had ordered. For $11 I wasn't having that, but I didn't have time to go back at all let alone wait another 20. When I went back the next day it was much quieter, but they said I should have brought a receipt (which they hadn't even offered me when I got my sandwich, but I didn't think anything of it at the time) and they couldn't do anything. I said "after my years of coming here, you must recognize my face as a regular supporter of your business? I'd just like to get what I paid for." The manager's response was "I see 1200 customers, I don't know you and I can't do anything for you." This is a neighborhood place that I'm guessing relies on its regulars, but I'd rather go out of my way to eat better tasting and more sanely priced food without attitude. (Honestly, if he'd even been polite in declining to take responsibility for his employees' f*ckup I would have been frustrated but gotten over it.) TLDR: The bagels are dry and only good if you get something on them that distracts you from the subpar taste, but worse still I believe you can taste the manager's attitude in your food. You'll get better vibes, better food, better prices, and better service at any of the many other nearby options. read more