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    Cafe Zaiya

    3.6 (200 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Cafe Zaiya Photos

    CAFE ZAIYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Zaiya

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    Chicken katsu bento box - came out to less than $12 (including tax)
    Michelle F.

    I stopped by during my lunch break to pick up a meal to eat. My aunt had told me about this place and mentioned how affordable and filling the meals here were. She also mentioned the desserts and quick snacks you can order here. She was not wrong. Cafe Zaiya is located upstairs on the 2nd floor of Kinokuniya book store so it's hard to find if you were simply walking around midtown. I would've never known about it if my aunt did not suggest it. The seating is decent, but not a ton of seating. The staff was friendly. There is an assortment of snacks (onigiri (rice ball), pastries, mixed fruit/strawberry sandwiches, pudding), bento boxes, coffee, latte, and many other drinks. The prices are very reasonable. It was such a bargain. I ended up choosing the chicken katsu bento box. It came out to less than $12 (including tax). The bento box had well-seasoned, fresh, and filling food. The chicken katsu was crispy, well-seasoned, and very well battered. Some katsu spots have chicken katsu that fall apart easily or are not seasoned/fried well. That was not the case here. The potato salad was perfect in texture and temperature. The pickled radish -- very well pickled. The rice was fluffy and the vegetables were well portioned and fresh. I will be back!!

    Green Tea Latte
    Hayward L.

    Neat little bookstore cafe, nice place to hang out and catch up with a friend over a matcha or green tea latte. The actual coffee isn't as good though. Seating can be limited during peak times and some people hang out at the tables for a fairly long time.

    Beef Bowl
    Martha K.

    I always stop by here for lunch because it's a quick grab-and-go style small Japanese bakery in a store. I love how quick it is to choose my food and pay when I'm on the run. I got the beef bowl today and heated it up afterwards. Considering the price, I thought it was pretty good. They have a wide selection of onigiris and baked goods that are extremely cheap. I love stopping by here, especially when I'm craving Asian food. Not really any service going on besides the fact that the cashier is really nice. Will be back to try their other items. Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5

    $5.50 Japanese egg salad, ham & tuna sandwich combo. Ito En unsweetened matcha tea
    Joyce C.

    Cafe Zaiya is my peaceful, homey go-to spot when I'm near Bryant Park, Grand Central, after my Eye Doctor appointment, meeting a friend centrally who lives on the UWS. I guess it can feel like a little cafeteria, but I think that it's a simple casual cafe, with dependable, healthy lunch options, snacks, pastries, and drinks. Bonus points that it's a Japanese Cafe tucked away on the 2nd floor of a gorgeous Japanese Bookstore. There's a steady stream of students, small families, Midtown workers, and shoppers that stop in (maybe more than half non-Japanese). I've seen some individual study sessions there, with Japanese tutors. You can't go wrong with the food! There's vegetarian options, sweet, savory, and some gluten free. The SECRET and I might have to say - one of the tastiest cookies in NYC - are up near the counter... when you're waiting in line... there's plastic containers of fresh cookies... keep looking...for the super thin, black sesame crispy cookies. They are not-too-sweet, with a lovely sesame flavor, great crumpled on top of ice cream, and TOTALLY addicting. They are worth the price, maybe around $4-6. My other go-to, are the Rice Balls ($2-3 each). Go early for the best selection of hot foods by the company TOMIZ. I like the Salmon Rice Balls, two are a good meal. SO much good stuff there. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming: -3-Pack Japanese Sandwiches (egg salad, ham, Turkey) about $10-12. It's deceivingly simple looking! And actually I don't care for sandwiches that remind me of High School lunch, but these are lovely fresh light tea sandwiches. -May have picked up a fried chicken or beef rice bowl for dinner once, under $15. NOTE: The only way to heat up food and dine-in there is at their self-serve microwave. -Croquettes look great, but I wasn't too impressed. It's something that probably should be eaten fresh. Wouldn't mind heating one up in my air fryer, -The pastries are fresh and tasty. I usually go for a custard-filled one. Things that are matcha bread & red bean flavor fall a little flat, like the Matcha & Red Bean Swiss Roll. Not a lot of matcha flavor, Red bean usually overpowers everything. -The other SECRET is the Strawberry Bread. WHAT is this? Why did was I seeing this recipe by so many people, like little CrunchBro Jordan on Instagram, making this bread. It's a sandwich...with Japanese milk bread...mascarpone...giant HALVES of strawberries. Literally cake in sandwich format. It was better than cake! I mulled over it because it was pricey for a 1/2 sandwich, maybe $9? But it was WORTH it, and I had to remind myself to not eat the whole thing, after 2 rice balls, probably equaling 1.5 cups of rice. - I don't know if they still have matcha soft serve, but have always wanted to try it. Sometimes the machine is broken when I've gone. - Probably had a Matcha Latte from there, which I probably enjoyed, but somehow can't remember it. - Love Ito En plain green tea drinks. Refreshing, without sugar, and simple. There's about 6-8 small tables (not sure if there's less because of pandemic spacing). And a larger communal table, that probably has 6 chairs. There's a small counter that over looks Bryant Park, but I think it's out of use these days/ used for storage. Turnover isn't too bad for a seat, but I'd probably avoid busy hours. The foods sell out quickly by mid-afternoon. The cash wrap area is so futuristic. The workers are hidden behind this giant wall of menus and display of case of sweets and pastries. I imagine them back there rolling Swiss rolls. Stop by this hidden gem!

    Almond cookies
    Katherine D.

    I stopped here to het some onigiri's and saw on their online menu that they served them in midtown. I went after work around 4:45pm. I was a little upset to come by and see that they had nothing of their warm menu items. I saw that they had some almond crisp cookies so i went ahead and bought it. Upon biting into one of the cookies it wasn't as crispy. It was a bit stale not so much that i didnt est the whole box but enough not to purchase their from here again. Hoping to return when they have onigiris again.

    Chicken Kaarage Bento Box
    Thomas M.

    Bento master of midtown, thy name is Cafe Zaiya. Located on the second floor of Kinokuniya book store, this is a little refuge with drinks, pastries, onigiri and of course bento boxes. The chicken karaage bento box cannot be beaten in terms of quality/value. Huge chunks of well fried chicken. Rice is perfectly cooked. You get the usual bento box sides which has been mac and cheese and potato salad from what I can tell. It is an absolute full portion of a meal for $12 (before tax) and I think it would be hard for you to find better food with better portions at that price in this area of Manhattan.

    Crystale Y.

    Didn't expect to find sesame and matcha soft serve in this area but here we are! When you walk in, it may not look like much but you can get the most affordable meals here. They have rice balls, bento boxes and much more. Although everything looked really good, we ended up just getting ice cream because we were having a sweet tooth. The sesame flavor is strong and definitely overpowered the matcha but it was still delicious. I would definitely come back here as the portion size is huge and it is essy on the wallet!

    a person holding a container of ice cream
    Raya K.

    This review is just for their ice cream, which they're serving in frozen cups right now. The black sesame is rich and full of black sesame flavor! The purchase experience was easy and fast, picking your flavor in the freezer, bring over to the cash register, and done. I was glad to find Tomis ice cream here because the standalone Tomis down the corner didn't have it.

    Cold brew matcha, matcha melon pan, hot chawanmushi
    Lisa R.

    This is the only place I have ever seen a grab-and-go hot chawanmushi so that in itself is thrilling. This Cafe Zaiya outpost is on the top floor of the Kinokuniya bookstore. When I first went upstairs to check it out, it seemed like a Taiwanese bakery as there were shelves of unique pastries and breads and trays to pile on what one wanted. However, upon closer inspection, I saw bentos, bowls, side dishes, chawanmushi cold and hot, onigiri, and Japanese pastries. The drink menu included bubble tea and other teas and coffees. I first grabbed the cold chawanmushi but then saw a hot shelf. This reminded me so much of Japan. I had cold chawanmushi in a grocery store in Kutchan over winter break, and the heated shelves reminded me of Japanese convenience stores (like 7-11) which have hot and cold beverages depending on the case. I immediately switched to the hot chawanmushi, though both would be delicious. I also grabbed the one remaining bag of green tea melon pan. I had not seen melon pan like that before. I also went to the ito en case and found yet another type of ito en tea bottle I had ever seen, a cold brew matcha! I paid and sat at a table, enjoying first the chawanmushi and then one of the melon pan. Right when I was leaving, carts full of new breads and pastries showed up. I was a bit bummed, since I could have purchased a single green tea melon pan rather than a bag of them. However, as I carried them in my hand/backpack on flights to Chicago and then back home, it smelled comforting like sugar cookies, and I am now able to enjoy them at home. Itadakimasu!

    Pork Cutlet Sandwich and Milk Tea with boba
    Mito I.

    Quick Summary: - Don't eat here if you're in the process of purchasing books, or carrying books around (It's located within a bookstore) - Once you enter and eat here, you can't leave the cafe until you finish eating everything (It's located within a bookstore) - Lots of different breads and sandwiches to choose from - Tables are full during lunchtime hour, but dissipated after 1:30pm - Recommended to wait near the cashier area to receive drinks (tea, coffee, etc.) - Past experience with ordering milk tea, this cafe took the longest to prepare I entered solely because I wanted to visit the bookstore, but when I climbed to the second floor, I discovered there was a cafe. Just in time because I didn't have anything in my stomach this morning other than coffee. There were open display cases where it was lined up with different kinds of bread, sandwiches, and desserts. I ordered my tea and a sandwich at the cashier and managed to find a seat in the corner of the cafe. I entered at lunchtime, so majority of the seats were occupied. I did needed to leave my stuff at my desk because I wasn't sure how my drink was going to be delivered (I didn't leave them my name). However, the cafe is small enough that I can glance over my stuff as I waited near the checkout area. The milk tea took a really long time to arrive. I can say I have ordered over a dozen milk teas, but this cafe took the longest to prepare and receive. Other than that, the sandwich and the tea were very good and helped calm the hunger.

    Garima G.

    My search for the perfect matcha ice cream continues. I tried the black sesame flavor for the first time and absolutely loved it with matcha . Both were creamy and rich in flavor. If you're hanging out by Bryant park, then definitely stop by this bakery!!

    Black sesame frappe and the view of Bryant Park from Cafe Zaiya
    Brendalynne F.

    Café Zaiya is conveniently located across the street from Bryant Park on the second floor of Kinokuniya Bookstore, a Japanese book and novelty store. Prices are fair, but there's a $10 credit card minimum. I ordered the black sesame frappe, and my boyfriend ordered the green tea frappe and a green tea crème puff. I wanted to add tapioca ("bubbles", they call them), but they ran out even though I visited earlier in the day around 12:30 pm. My black sesame frappe tasted extremely overwhelming and strong - almost as if the black sesame was burnt. The taste gradually improved, but I've tried many delicious black sesame products (ice cream, shakes, hot tea, and bubble teas) and none of them have tasted burnt like this frappe initially did. However, my boyfriend's green tea frappe was much better with a potent matcha taste but without the bitterness. The green tea crème in the cream puff tasted very good, but the pastry dough tasted a bit stale - like it's been sitting in the display for a day or two. If I come back to Bryant Park, I may return to Café Zaiya and try something else on the menu, but my first experience didn't seem too promising.

    black sesame frappe
    Jenny S.

    BLACK SESAME FRAPPE along w/ a little bit of studying in this cafe hidden on the 2nd floor of the Kinokuniya Bookstore? wonderful combo!! the OTHER Cafe Zaiya is known for their black sesame ice cream & green tea soft serve, plus the other location has more food/baked goods, BUT THIS KIOSK/cafe is convenient too!! they've got breads, cakes, premade sushi & katsu lunches, sandwiches, tea & coffee drinks, great for a quick snack! NOT TO MENTION that black sesame frappe which had a really good subtle black sesame flavor that paired well with a hint of coffee taste!! ----one thing, the frappe is made w/ half & half and they don't allow substitutions, so indulge!!

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    7 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Ate in 2022: I got their onigiri but I don't remember what filling I got. All I remember was that it was dry and barely had any filling.

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    6 years ago

    Got a regular green tea matcha latte. Tastes like grass. Really, really, ~really~ don't recommend.

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    This cafe supposed open 11am but they always kept customer outside and open around 11:10 -11:15am. It's so annoying.

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    Tensai

    Tensai

    4.3
    (59 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I had stopped by this little hole in the wall a handful of times before stopping in several months…read moreago during a cold winter day. The place was pretty quiet, and the staff was friendly. To drink, I had a Hot Organic Super Matcha Tea for 4.95. It was alright tea, and I wish teas were included in the price point, as otherwise, this place feels pretty traditional. In terms of food, I only ordered from the seasonal menu, so I'm not sure how the rest of the dishes are, but from what I had, I would go back for a light traditional meal. My appetizer was the Dashimaki Tamago/だし巻まき卵たま, or sweet savory omelet with daikon for $6.98. This came with three pieces along with a little dollop of grated radish. The pieces had a light sweetness to them along with a bit of savoriness. They were juicy and a bit bouncy while maintaining some softness. This was standard and good. My main dish was the $19.98 Beef Tan Tan Udon, or ground sirloin beef, spicy broth, baby bok choy, kikurage mushroom, scallions, and sesame seeds. While I have preferred udon from spots like Raku, the udon had a mild chew to it, and they were still good. The broth had a mix of sweetness and spiciness with a nice depth of flavor. The vegetables inside tasted fresh, and the meat added some richness. This was good as well. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here, but the food was good. If you're in the area and looking for no frills Japanese dining in a more comfortable atmosphere at pretty decent Midtown East prices, I would recommend this place.

    I recently tried Tensai for dinner during the weekday and enjoyed a nice authentic Japanese udon…read more The restaurant is nestled in Midtown East NY and has several two-seater tables, but only one or two larger tables that can seat a party of 4. Very cozy restaurant and the staff were attentive and friendly. Luckily their service is very fast so my family and I didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes for a table in the back. I really enjoyed their niku udon. The broth was flavorful but not too salty. The menu offered a variety of options, all reasonably priced between $10-20, ensuring great value for the quality provided. I would come back to Tensai for some comforting Japanese udon noodles!

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    Tensai
    Karaage
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    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)

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    Sakagura

    Sakagura

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$$

    This is one of the best izakaya restaurants in Manhattan, and it keeps bringing me back time after…read moretime. The moment you walk in, you're instantly transported to Japan. The décor features light natural wood and bamboo, creating a warm, authentic atmosphere, with an impressive collection of sake lining the wall. The food is outstanding. We started with the seasonal soft-shell crab, which was incredibly fresh and fried to perfection. The daily sashimi special was exceptionally fresh, and the salad was light and refreshing. The must-order Wagyu beef, served on a hot stone, simply melted in our mouths and was unforgettable. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and I enjoyed every single bite. The impeccable service was the icing on the cake. The staff was attentive throughout our meal, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. I absolutely loved the entire dining experience and can't wait to come back again!

    We had a really delicious dinner at Sakagura. Some of the real highlights were:…read more- the cucumber salad - the eggplant, which was absolutely to die for - the black cod The Otoro sashimi was also really good. Definitely melt-in-your-mouth quality. The hot udon soup was fine but nothing too special. The hamachi was very good but be aware that it is the hamachi shoulder on the bone, not hamachi sashimi. I tried a sake that is made from red rice, which was really delicious, and my wife had a sauvignon blanc, which was also really good. This is a fun place to try a bunch of Japanese small plates in a nice setting where the tables are not too crowded and the noise level is very reasonable.

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    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
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    Izakaya Futago

    Izakaya Futago

    4.3
    (15 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Food: Average Service: Hurried…read more Ambiance: too dim The price of green tea at $8 each! I don't think this restaurant deserves a standing at this location which offers many authentic Japanese restaurant choices.

    Visited Izakaya Futago on a weekday evening with a friend after a nearby event. It's pretty far…read moreeast (between 2nd and 3rd off Lexington), so it is easy to miss if you are not specifically looking for it. We walked in around 7pm and there were plenty of tables available, but we decided to sit in the separate bar room near the entrance. That space was more intimate, with a couple of larger high-top tables, a small bar (about 4-5 seats), and additional seating along the wall, and there was also a TV. They have a good happy hour with both drink and food options. We both ordered margaritas, which needed a slight adjustment as they were made too sour, and I also tried some sake, which was a good selection. For food, I ordered the fried chicken, which was very good, crispy, flavorful, and a generous portion, served with tartar sauce ($20). We also shared edamame and a couple of yakitori skewers: the shiitake mushrooms ($6) and pork belly ($8). The mushrooms were quite bland and I did not finish them, but the pork belly looked great and my friend enjoyed it. Overall, this is a good Midtown East spot for happy hour or a casual lunch and I would return.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Age Dashi Tofu and marinated quail eggs
    Age Dashi Tofu and marinated quail eggs
    Sushi Spoons

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    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3
    (170 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    On our very first day in New York, we had some time before taking the Statue of Liberty cruise…read more We originally had another restaurant in mind, but the timing did not work out, so we searched on Google and found Sozai Japanese Restaurant, which was supposed to be close to our hotel. Google said it was a 10-minute walk. But honestly... was that 10 minutes measured by someone running? It was an extremely hot day in New York, and my family and I were walking there, sweating like we were on a small survival mission. It felt more like 20 minutes or more. By the time we arrived, we were hot, tired, and very hungry. But the moment we opened the door, everything changed. The manager welcomed us with such a bright and warm smile. We told him we did not have a reservation, and he kindly said it was okay and seated us right away. That alone made us feel so much better. As soon as we sat down, we ordered cold beer and highballs. After walking in that heat, that first sip felt like pure happiness. It was exactly what we needed. My sister, my mom, and I each ordered different kinds of donburi, and my daughter ordered tonkatsu. When the food came out, I almost fainted -- in the best way possible. The rice was absolutely amazing. It was perfectly sticky, nutty, soft, and full of flavor. I know this may sound dramatic, but every grain of rice felt like it was dancing gently in my mouth. That was the moment I thought, "This is what good rice should taste like." A good donburi is not only about the toppings. The rice has to be right, and here, it was perfect. The sashimi was incredibly fresh. The texture, the flavor, the quality -- everything was excellent. Every bite made me think, "This place really knows what they are doing." My daughter's tonkatsu was also wonderful. She is a very picky eater, but she kept saying how soft, juicy, and delicious it was, especially with the sauce. When a picky child finishes everything quietly, that is the most honest review you can get. In the end, all four of us completely finished our bowls. Not a little bit. Completely. Clean. Empty. Happy. We told the manager how much we enjoyed the food, and our server was also very kind and explained everything so nicely. The food was excellent, but the warm service made the experience even more memorable. At first, we came here simply because the timing was awkward and it was near our hotel. But by the time we left, we knew we had found a place we would want to visit again. The long, hot walk was absolutely worth it. Sozai Japanese Restaurant gave our family a delicious and happy memory on our first day in New York. If I visit New York again, I will definitely come back.

    This has been on my bookmark list for a while, so I'm glad I finally got to check it out…read more The restaurant is long, dimly lit, and has plenty of seating. I ordered the Sukiyaki Udon and the Okinawa No Kaze cocktail. Both were great! The staff was friendly and attentive throughout the meal.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sake Clam Miso
    Sake Clam Miso
    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean
    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    4.8
    (166 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Never even knew this place existed. As soon as we walked in, to my surprise, we were greeted with…read morecute decor, cozy atmosphere, and even live jazz band. For appetizer, We went adventurous and got the monkfish liver salad - first thought the portion is very small. But to my shock, the sauce is so delicious-- strong, vinegar-y, and spicy - my favorite flavors. Monkfish liver is fishy but very good. I ended up drinking the sauce Entrees: Braised rib massaman, as everyone recommends - best massaman I've ever had so far. Roti is crispy, perfect to go with the curry. seasonal mango branzino - fillets come off of the spine. surprisingly delicious! A little but not too sweet and also savory; again, strong flavor but it works. Better than I expected. E-san hotpot - light in consistency but flavorful dashi. Soup is very nice. Pad thai with salmon - only OK. Service was helpful too: constantly filling our waters, timely clearing dishes, even cooking the hotpot for us. Excellent thai restaurant. Will be back for sure.

    The food quality is OK, but the dining space is quite compact. As for service, it's seemingly…read moretypical of New York's local hospitality standard--yet I found the staff unwelcoming and off-putting. As a tourist traveling with my young child, my kid was severely jet-lagged and briefly closed his eyes to rest mid-meal. Unexpectedly, a server approached to tell us sleeping was not permitted inside the restaurant. I was confused by this remark, though I chose not to engage in any debate or explanation; as a Japanese visitor, I preferred to avoid confrontation. Another point of contention: the restaurant automatically adds a 20% service surcharge to every check, regardless of the quality of service received. This may simply be standard practice for dining establishments in New York, yet I personally cannot accept or agree with this policy.

    Photos
    Decorations
    Decorations
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pat Thai Yezo

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    Pat Thai Yezo

    Cafe Zaiya - desserts - Updated July 2026

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