I went on a walk along the waterfront with my good friend Jane L. after brunch at Little Chef Little Cafe. Later, she recommended Santa Chiara Caffe, where the ambiance was perfect for an elegant dessert experience. I mentioned my food allergies to the cashier, placed my order, and signed up for their rewards. Bakery Me - Apricot Croissant I chose the Apricot Croissant since my eyes were fixated on it. The croissant was flaky with a sweet, delicious apricot filling. Sweet Crepe Jane L. - Crema di pistachio Bookmark this spot to try! read more

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Santa Chiara is my go-to for an iced cappuccino. I love sitting in their outdoor seating area, which has a beautiful view of the city. The customer service is exceptional; the staff is attentive yet never rushes you, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy your meal. They make the space feel homely and familiar. I love that they have options for any time of day, delicious pastries (their pistachio croissant is my fav!), fresh sandwiches with freshly baked ciabatta, gelato, coffee, teas, wine, and beer. Santa Chiara is definitely one of my favorites in the neighborhood. read more

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Came across this spot thanks to a @yelpnyc reel and I'm obsessed!! It's across the street Hunters Point South and has a bit of outdoor seating available. Inside is the cutest array of desserts like casamigos bonbons and pistachio tiramisu in one case, and croissants in another. Their menu has a decent amount of breakfast and lunch items. I got the prosciutto and mozz panini and added balsamic. Delicious is an understatement! It was $12 and such a good value for the money because I was only able to finish half before packing it up. Their matcha is good quality and wasn't sweetened so the foam on top did throw me off a bit lol. They offer gelato of course but also have a boozy gelato freezer available! I went with a glass of wine Pinot Grigio which was perfectly crisp. The service was very friendly! I wish I caught the cashier's name but he was super sweet and patient. read more

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The Orange Ricotta Cream Sfogliatella was possibly the best pastry I've ever had. The flavor was creamy but not too rich. The pastry was also perfectly flaky. The staff was welcoming as I entered. The cafe was clean and photogenic. read more

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If you are by the waterfront and need a treat, snack, or a drink, this is the place to be. Came here for the gelato (legit because the containers are covered). Ended up with an Italian Style Milkshake- pistachio flavor croissant that was supposed to be for breakfast though I ate it for dinner. I came on a Monday afternoon after work and the store had 2 customers deciding on which gelato flavor. The employee was really sweet. There were so many options so it took a while to pick one thing. I decided on the milkshake and crossiant. There is plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. Go check it out. read more

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This was the cutest little cafe!! I was on a walk with a friend along the waterfront and it was getting chilly, so decided to stop in for a hot chocolate. The inside is so cute and had a decent amount of seating. The barista was very helpful and even gave me options and recommendations for what kind of hot chocolate I wanted. He recommended the white hot chocolate so I ended up getting that! He brought it out super fast and it was so rich and velvety and not too sweet (which I always worry about with white chocolate). My friend and I had a great time warming up in this cafe and can't recommend enough! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - White Hot Chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

An elegant place with a great view, delicious and the best gelato. I'll be back for those delicious croissants

I have a friend who lives a block from here but when I visited last time this place wasn't open yet. Well, it is now, and it's amazing! The Italian treats are legit and the gelato flavours are authentic. The pastries look good too, but one thing at a time! I tried the pistachio and gianduia gelato upon the recommendation of the staff, and both were amazing! So smooth and the sweetness was just right. read more

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Nice and bright inside this cafe by the waterfront park, great service! I frequent this joint for morning coffee and this past weekend I finally got around to try lunch for the first time! I came in with a friend and we both ordered the Avocado & Salmon Salad. It was delicious and good portion. We really enjoyed the vibe at their outdoor on that mild summer day! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Avocado & Salmon Salad - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Really good gelato. Almost like what I had in Perugia. Cool location, with both indoor/outdoor seating read more

Coffee was mid for the price. I had to ask for them to remake the mocha latte because it tasted burnt.

If they gave 6 stars on Yelp, this place would get it. There is literally nothing bad on the menu, the prices are fair, the coffee is delicious, and the decor is beautiful. The owner Christiano is also a plus, he exudes warmth and is so welcoming. He is passionate about his craft, and even makes the neighborhood better! Coffee: imported espresso from Italy, balanced coffee drinks, and even some wine and beer for sale! You can't go wrong, all the coffee options are delicious. Food: also imported, the best stuff is the brunch items (loved the salmon crepe) and the pastries. The pasta is also good, but I would stick with the panini and charcuterie if you are eating there in the evening hours. Ambiance: it's like a trendy boutique or modern art museum. The wall paper has gold leaf and soft blue hues, helping you relax or work remote. The seating area is small but cozy, and if the weather is nice, try sitting outside for an amazing view of the East River and Manhattan. Value: the food and drinks are all fairly priced but since they are imported, you are getting a deal! It would be much more expensive flying to Italy, so be glad you found this cafe and try to absorb all the Italian goodness. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - The most delicious and elegant pastries in queens! This was the pistachio croissant - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Good coffee, excellent Tiramisu, cute little spot, and a slightly expensive menu is how I'd describe this place. On a rather windy Sunday afternoon, we decided to walk to this place and all throughout the wind kept us company trying its best to push us away from this place (and making temperatures even worse for us). All that hard work though was rewarded by getting an excellent house drip coffee and an Americano, along with a very tasty Pistachio Tiramisu! It's all self-serve, however the staff brings your order to your table if you are seated inside. Excellent desserts/pastries for sweet tooth! read more

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Came with a friend and got a gelato. Gelato was delicious and really hit the spot. They have quite a bit of seating both indoors and outdoors, which is a nice break when you want to get away from the park next to it. Service is quick and fast. read more

I really liked this cafe when I walked in. Clean, smelled very good and saw they had alot of pastores that looked delicious. I was waisting some time so I stopped here to get some breakfast. I got some eggs scrambled and an iced latte. Not sure if the guy helping me was just having an off day but I placed my latte order and he got it wrong/ did not hear me two times. But the Iced latte was good. The eggs on the other hand seemed a bit mushy. They were sort of tasty but I just could not seem to get over the mushyness. But I was pretty hungry so I ate them. It came with some arugula and tomatoes and two pieces of some sort of bread. I did not taste the bread though. The Outdoor little seating are was nice. I am not sure I would stop back in here for food but I would try another coffee drink or have another iced latte here. read more

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A cute new coffee / lunch spot in LIC! We came in and ordered 2 coffees, 4 sandwiches, and 2 tiramisus. They have several different timarusu flavors, which was really cool. We got the rum one and the original tiramisu ($9 each which is a bit pricy). The rum one was a tad too sweet but the original was AMAZING! The avocado toast with a sunny side up was good but the egg was over cooked and did not leak. The yolk was hard. The paninis were $9 each and came on warm focaccia bread and a side of Arugula salad with olive oil. The sandwiches were so yummy. I loved the mortadella, Burrata, and pistachio one. We also got the prosciutto mozzarella one which was fresh and tasty, and the salami formaggio. It took a while for the coffee to come out (I had to remind the staff...), but other than this we'd come here again and try a glass of wine / their gelatos! read more

Really nice cafe near the waterfront that serves gelato, pastries, and chocolates. I tried the dark chocolate and hazelnut gelato, which made for an amazing combo. Definitely recommended for a treat if you're in the area! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Dark chocolate and hazelnut gelato - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

So glad this place opened. The LIC Waterfront is in need of dessert places and cafes. The gelato and pastries are great here and the service is amazing. Small space and can get crowded at times though. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Dessert was calling. Tiramisu was enjoyed. The delight of the layers fit in a plastic teacup. The presentation was perfection. The shot of coffee to squeeze over was an added delight to the chocolate on top. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Opted to sit inside to be tempted by the aromas. - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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I came here for iced coffee during my morning walk. The place looked nice and modern but the iced coffee was ok... It was about $4 for an iced coffee I think this place is just convenient for people who live in the building. read more

This place is so cute and delicious!! There are so many great options on the menu. We went for brunch so I got a Latte with Oat Milk and the Salmon + Avocado Toast with Sunny-Side Egg. They did a great job with both and I love all the outdoor seating options. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Salmon & Avocado Toast with Sunny Side Up Egg - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Was on a walk around the water and stopped by to grab some ice coffee. The coffee is strong and has just the kick you need to jumpstart your morning. The service was fast. The space is a little cramped inside as it's such a popular place. They have a bunch of chocolates, truffles and baked goods. Will be back! read more

The people are truly amazing here. I frequent this place with my 3 yr old and they are always so sweet to him and me!

The layout makes an awkward skinny bottle neck by the door and the poor flow is instantly off putting. However, the tasty gelato does makes that better. Helps if you know what you want so you can get in and out without people bumping into you. A baby cone is included in your gelato cup. $6 for a small (+tax). The space is cute and cramped. I'd take advantage of the outdoor seating space. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Menu - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Had the chance to come here for lunch and had a great experience. This spot is located near the waterfront and close to the seven train stop at vernon. The spot is the quaint and has a limited menu but extensive gelato options. When it came time to order I went with the ham and fromaggio panini with a glass of white wine. Overall great spot for a quick and nice bite and servers were really great. Good spot for casual lunch or dessert! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Ham and Formaggio Panini - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

I have been to Santa Chiara a number of times. It is along the waterfront in LIC, near the Hunters Point South ferry stop. I was excited for this place to open, given the dearth of ice cream places in the neighbodhood. The space is very small, narrow, with some small tables. There's also a good amount of outdoor seating. It's decorated very cutely, and has good vibes. I've tried the gelato there a few times, and it's very hit or miss. Some of the flavors are great, while others are a bit watery / runny. I have not had the pastries or drinks there, but am open to trying. Overall, I think that Santa Chiara is a decent spot. Very cute, would be great to sit and chat with a friend on a nice day! read more

Cool little spot in LIC w/ a Great Lemon Lime Gelato next the water with a beautiful view. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Lemon/Lime Gelato - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

No need to take a trip to Italy to experience authentic paninis, gelato, pastries, and coffee -- Santa Chiara is a slice of deliciousness right in the heart of LIC! The staff is incredibly friendly, the ambiance is charming, and they even have treats for dogs. A true neighborhood gem! read more

I regularly go to Santa Chiara and had commissioned them to do a custom order for my coworkers birthday. The macarons were as delicious as they are cute! 10/10 would recommend to everyone! Make sure to try their savory pastries too! The staff is lovely, the quality is impeccable and you cannot beat the ambiance over looking the water. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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$20 for ice latte and eggs dish. Need i say more? Took me less time to eat it then for them to make it. Guess I'll go get 2nd breakfast now. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Eggs and Mozzarella - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

I've absolutely love this place! Great gelato and resort like feel in the outdoor seating during the Summer has been great. I continue to bring my friends because there seems to always be a new gelato flavor or sorbet on the menu. My absolute favorite was the orange basil sorbet. I've had the food here which is pretty good. And they will bring the food to you at your table. read more

Much needed cafe/bakery in this part of LIC. My husband and I stopped by on a Sunday for a gelato. They were nice enough to let us sample a few, but we decided to stick with the peanut Carmel. The gelato was good, it reminded me of a snickers bar. They had cookies and pastries, they all looked very good. read more

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Delicious pastries. Fresh and decadent. The croissants were fabulous. The biscotti crunchy and baked to perfection. Great selection of teas. The service was quick. Love the dog bakery area. NY is so dog friendly. We took ours to go, but beautifully decorated. read more

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Nice spot, the gelato was high quality and the pastries terrific. People were really nice.

PS. Yelp tried to take this review down because it was negative and Yelp is biased on what businesses they support. So price surcharge scam alert here. I ordered a Mocha, only to find out I was charged for a fake item that was not on the menu and it was of a higher price. This made up costly "Mocaccino" was not on the menu and more expensive then what I ordered from the menu. Screenshots below show what I was charged and the price, compared to the menu at their store at the time. Beware of them charging you a fake food or beverage and charging you more for what you ordered. Just don't like the dishonest ethics, that's all. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Price incorrect and surcharged - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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The owner constantly double parks his car outside the establishment leaving it there for hours with no care in the world who it inconveniences. The employees are super awkward as soon as you walk in. Its like if you have to interact with anyone involved in this place, its a bad experience. Its a shame cause the place looks good and the products are good but sucks to suck i guess. read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Peers car being double parked - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

They no longer include the side salad and increased the burrata panini price by $1 even though the menu doesn't reflect that. Still a great cafe though! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Mortadella and burrata panini - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Definitely a much needed addition to the neighborhood. Stopped by for some coffee and the staff were sweet. Makes me feel at home! read more

Santa Chiara Caffe - Cafes Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Excellent hot chocolate and croissant. Excellent service, the staff is kind and warm. Very cute inside and tables outside for when it's warm. Will definitely be back. read more

I've only had the gelato, but it was good enough for me to give a full 5 star review. There are very few options in the neighborhood for ice cream so this is a very welcome addition to the waterfront. I hope they do well! read more