This has become a weekly stop for me! I coach in the neighborhood and got tired of going to…read moreStarbucks so I decided to checkout this place next door. They had a buy one get one 50% off which is truly what caught my attention. Theres limited seating outside and inside but enough for 20-30 people. The place is clean and well kept. The workers are truly so nice and welcoming. They introduced us to their app for more points and perks. They are also always willing to provide suggestions based on what I'm craving. At this point I've tried multiple bowls. The coconut and pitaya are my favorites. Their OG granola is amazing. I also really like the PB Cacao and Super Green smoothies. Prices are pretty typical NY prices. So happy I found this place and plan on coming back!

I wanted to love this acai bowl and smoothie spot, which is just a few blocks away from Central…read morePark, but it didn't feel like great value for the price. The kids-sized bowl is a light portion size for a midday snack, but cost $11 and was more than halfway filled with toppings rather than the smoothie base. It was basically a small fruit bowl with some granola and a thin layer of smoothie. Service was also super slow, even for pickup orders. It was nice that they kept all pickup orders refrigerated to keep items at a cold temperature, and the ingredients were all fresh and tasty, but I'd go somewhere else for a larger bowl at a better price.

I came in after seeing the menu and not knowing what to expect but I really wanted something…read morehealthy! I spoke to the women working and I really wanted the protein bowl but I had to do a lot of walking and couldn't sit and stay. She right away turned it into a smoothie for me and it was AMAZING omg like so yummy! I'll definitely be back

Yummy and friendly. Fair price for the neighborhood. Not many healthy to go breakfast options in…read morethe neighborhood so I love coming here.

The Avo & Eggs Panini was amazing!!! So much flavor in every bite--I loved it! So happy I found…read moreTAP, a gluten-free Brazilian café with seriously delicious food. Finding places like this makes traveling gluten-free so much more enjoyable. Definitely a highlight of my NYC trip!

The Progeny are little assassins. They're getting scary good at jiu jitsu, a Brazilian martial art…read morethat I consider one of the most effective marital arts for real world use, especially when it's taught in conjunction with aikido. As luck would have it, their dojo is a hop and a skip away from an excellent Brazilian cafe, Tap, where we often stop in for a snack before or after, in keeping with the Brazilian theme. Tap is a mini chain (or soon-to-be chain) with three locations in NYC and one in Miami, with additional locations planned in both cities. We are passionately fond of the pão de queijo, a gluten-free cheese bread made out of tapioca flour that has a consistency similar to mochi. I make excellent pão de queijo at home -- but.... as much as I hate to admit it, Tap's pão de queijo are better. They're toasted / reheated to order and served with a wonderfully crisp crust, but tender, chewy, mochi-like innards. They come in three flavors: classic (flavored with only cheese), pesto, and spicy. You can order them filled like sandwiches. (They call them paninis on the menu.) In any configuration, they are magnificent. The menu also includes acai bowls or cups, which of course are all the rage. (I think there are three or four acai bowl specialists within a few blocks of Tap.) We like the ones at Tap because they're a more manageable snacking size for the Progeny. Some competitors serve bowls that eat like two meals. We've never tried them, but there are beautiful tapioca flour sandwiches (that look like half moon omelettes), as well, and filled egg wraps that look like burritos -- all gluten free. Our only complaints: The Upper West Side location does not have a bathroom for patrons, though there is a little sink for handwashing. Service, while usually very nice, can be a little sluggish. And the matcha, while refreshing, is very wimpy on the matcha flavor. (No ceremonial grade stuff, here.)

It is a truly beautiful sunny day on the UES today and I figured I'd treat myself to a morning walk…read moreand a treat, and treated I was. I stopped by juice press to grab a chocolate smoothie ($12) and my god this was delectable. It surely is expensive, but it's the perfect healthy treat. The chocolate smoothie is quite rich, with chocolate chips, cacao, plant protein, pumpkin butter, hemp seeds, cinnamon, banana and almond milk. It is really good. The flavor profile is something unique and you can taste notes of all of the ingredients. I went at 10:30 am and it was a bit busy, but lots of props to the one guy behind the counter who was working hard to get everyone taken care of. Great place with lots of healthy options. You can even customize your smoothie if you'd like. Check it out!

BEWARE!!! Placed an order and only half of it arrived. No working number to call, and the food that…read morewas ordered tasted terrible! Now fighting with corporate to get my money back on what wasn't delivered.

Love Matto Espresso! It's where you can get an inexpensive drink or small bite! Recommend you get…read morethe app to order, where some items can cost as low as $3! Second time at this Upper West Side location, but also frequented their other spots and can't wait until a day when I'll live closer to one! This time, I had an excellent, refreshing, large Pistachio Cold Brew with the House-made Organic Oat Milk. It was ready when I arrived and delicious. This location is quite small, but I was able to take advantage of its one small outdoor table. Note - Matto was one of the first places I saw promoting trendy Dubai Chocolate and Pistachio items in general. Pistachio is the nut that is overtaking Hazelnut, the nut that emerged in the '90s as the big food trend in ingredients and flavorings. Dubai Chocolate is a big part of that. Pistachio is everywhere! Pistachio is the new Hazelnut! (You can quote me on that!) To discover more about this pistachio phenomenon, check out this article: https://bit.ly/4pKCirp Recommend you check Matto Espresso out! Looking forward to my next trip to one of their locations!

First & foremost the Matto Espresso tops all espresso shops on the UWS. Its deeply penetrating…read moreflavors, amazing staff, delicious danishes, and in demand espresso beans can't "FOOL" anyone; why a larger store is so not needed! It was also a message for me to see their sinage...my new beginnings after a job lost in 11/2025 (3 in 5 years). Yes it sucks, when you're a resident in CraCra NYC and not working? It's pure insanity. The great news is that I literally launched two (2) viable and needed service companies. But, what caught my attention, was Matto Espresso store sinage. Because, I have a Matto miniature metal charm from Birthdate Co. an online candle shop. And inside some of their candles are Tarot charms & I was shocked me when I received The FOOL ("0" number). Of course I did get defensive but checked myself. Mic drop for sure. If you are aware of Tarot Card symbols, "Matto (The Fool) is the "0" or unnumbered card in the Major Arcana, representing new beginnings, infinite potential, spontaneity, and a "leap of faith" into the unknown. It portrays a free spirit often on a journey, symbolizing innocence, taking risks, and navigating life's major archetypes." - Wikipedia Matto Espresso Shop, symbolizes NYC spontaneous energy, infinite potential of being great New Yorkers, definitely our FREE SPIRITS, and being one of the countless coffee, espresso & tea shops...check out Matto Espresso on the UWS (530 Columbus Ave), check out the sinage, smile & get that delectable morning espresso, danish and more...

72nd Street spot was closed so came here…read more Quick, kind service. Playa-esque inner decor. Spacious for an açaí bowl spot, seating for ~15 people. Densely packed bowl but with a proportionally steep price.

I went to Playa Bowls for the first time today. With the…read moreMixed Bowl, you can combine 2 bases so I chose Coconut + Mango Berry Bowl. It was a delicious bowl, except I'd expected mango chunks, not sweetened mango puree / sauce. It was overly sweet and I would have preferred natural mangos. I ended up eating the whole bowl except for the mango, but considering the price ($15.95+) and amount, I think it would be best shared as a snack. When I arrived, there was just one person in front of me, so there wasn't much of a wait. I took my bowl to go, but inside of the store was cute. There was a counter facing the street and a couple of tables for dining in, so it could be a good snack stop.

Had the vegan strawberry shortcake as part of a Kate spade event. Sounded more interesting than…read moreplain strawberry. For a vegan ice cream, it was still tasty, but less creamy than regular ice cream. The shortcake chunks helped enhance the flavor.

Van Leeuwen on the Upper West Side is always a solid choice when you're craving something…read moreindulgent. The shop has a bright, clean vibe and the staff is quick and friendly, even when there's a line out the door. Their ice cream is ultra-creamy and rich without feeling overly heavy, and the flavor selection balances classics with fun seasonal picks. The standout for me is the cookies and cream milkshake. It's thick, perfectly blended, and packed with generous chunks of chocolate cookie in every sip. It tastes like a nostalgic upgrade -- familiar and comforting, but made with noticeably high-quality ingredients. It's rich enough to feel like a treat, but smooth enough that you'll finish it faster than you expect. Whether you're grabbing a cone after a walk in the neighborhood or treating yourself to a milkshake, Van Leeuwen consistently delivers. Definitely worth the stop

Birch Coffee really hit the spot on a rainy day. The ambiance was exactly what I was hoping for,…read morewith plenty of cozy little nooks to settle into and get some work done. I went with the raspberry latte, and while it leaned on the sweeter side, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the flavor paired with the espresso. It is not often you see that balance done right. I would definitely come back.

The chai latte here was decent - nothing too crazy to talk about. They have good wfh vibes here and…read morea lot of seating for people and groups. Definitely also an easy grab and go spot.