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    Café Calaca

    4.6 (34 reviews)
    InexpensiveCoffee & Tea, Cafes
    Open 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    CAFÉ CALACA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Café Calaca

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    Vegan Empanada to go, finger for size reference
    Sydny F.

    Lattes were good, barista super nice, outdoor seating looks nice. Although no tables available at 11am on Tuesday. They ran out of beef empanadas so I tried the vegan one. Good but overpriced for the size, would not recommend or get again.

    Chilaquiles verdes
    Alan S.

    I had been deeply saddened when Calaca closed its main restaurant during COVID - their huitlacoche was my favorite Mexican dish in NYC. The good news is Cafe Calaca is great, and the better news is their full-service restaurant is scheduled to reopen later this year on Nostrand! If you don't feel like waiting on line for brunch at some of the neighborhood competitors, Cafe Calaca offers an enticing backyard perfect in good weather. Paired with a refreshing iced rosewater latte and a plate of scrumptious (and perfectly tender) chilaquiles verdes, it's enough to transport you back to the brunch vibes of Roma and Condessa. The vegetarian empanada was also very flavorful and is a good option if you're looking for a lighter bite.

    Vegan Empanada Vegan Butterscotch Latte
    Neha G.

    The best part about this place is the friendly staff! Smiling, helpful with selections, and gives that 'neighborhood' vibe. Seems like they have some regulars who stop by often since the staff recognized them. I had THE BEST vegan butterscotch latte. House-made butterscotch, espresso, steamed milk, topped with nutmeg....yes please! You can taste the difference from other coffee shops that use artificial syrups for flavoring. I highly suggest getting this if you're on the fence about a drink. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet. Just right! I selected the vegan empanada and once again this place knocks it out of the park! What's nice is they bake (not fry) them and the spinach and corn really work well together. The dipping sauce is perfectly paired with the empanada. They have indoor seating (4-5 tables for two) and also a small outdoor seating area in the back. Bonus - there is a restroom too! Located in a busier area of town and close to subways. About a 30 minute walk to Fort Greene Park. Grab coffee and an empanada to go as you walk in the park. Great local spot!

    Vegan Empanada
    Esther C.

    OMG im in love with this place!! This is my first time here and I'm so happy to have discovered it. it's the cutest local coffee shop with an amazing menu, fresh food, and a lovely staff. I could see they make everything in house and with love :) It's one of those places where you walk in and immediately feel warm and safe!! You know?! I got the.. butterscotch latte - delicious. perfect for my sweet tooth and you can actually taste the flavor! Vegan empanada: - i'm not vegan at all but this one sounded really good and it was delicious. a really generous size too! They have the cutest interior with exposed brick and lots of natural light and a lovely backyard as well. Looking at the menu, i cant wait to try everything else! A lovely local cafe to support, with affordable prices and a great staff.

    Backyard
    Aiman S.

    One of the warmest/kindest staffs in any cafe in the city! An otherwise solid cafe with a more thematic menu. Cafe Calaca recently re-opened its doors on the border of Clinton Hill & Bed Stuy. It's right near my gym so I've popped in a couple times to grab a morning coffee. Their drinks are made with quality strong espresso & their special drinks are thoughtfully created. In addition to a typical cafe bar menu, Cafe Calaca has a food menu with Mexican and other Latin American foods like empanadas, chilaqueles, and toasts. My favorite thing about CC (as it shall hence be known) is the sense of community the employees and owners foster. They always chat with their regulars, welcome in furry friends, and really seem like they care. Always a plus in the crazy whirlwind that is NYC. It's a small place so come early enough or be prepared to take your order to go-- just a heads up if you like to work in cafes like I do!

    Avocado Toast-ada
    Yobiel K.

    This is my first time coming here and it certainly won't be the last. I was a little nervous ordering the avocado toast(ada) because it had seaweed on it, but after that first bite, all my worries vanished. They absolutely know what they're doing here. I think what really has impressed me is that as I've seen customers come in, the staff have an incredible rapport and friendliness with almost every customer. Even though they're new on the block, they've seemingly built some loyal customers already with their delicious food and friendly service. I can't wait to make this a regular spot of mine!

    Chilaquiles, frijol toast, Coconut Maple Latte

    THE BEST BREAKFAST PLACE TO EAT IN NYC! I truly never review, and have such a high standard for what is considered good food. The food here is unbelievably good, SO vegetarian friendly and the meat is incredible. The owner/chef takes such care and time to only cook fresh, tasty, home-cooked styled meals. The beans are slow roasted for hours, as well as the fresh corn tortillas in yummy salsa verde sauce. The coffee and lattes are inventive and fresh. Of course, the staff is so incredibly friendly and able to accommodate anyone, even the pickiest eater. The vibe is great, and they have an outdoor space. Make the commute, come check this place out, you truly won't regret it.

    Menu 3/26/22
    Jade S.

    Super Friendly and very patient. Definitely good place to check out if your in the neighborhood

    Avocado Toast w/ egg
    Charisse S.

    I've been 3x in the past month or so and have not been disappointed yet. It's a great spot for remote work with reliable wifi, conveniently located steps away from the Franklin Ave station, and a lot of great food options to pair with the drinks.

    Frijol toast

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Tbh seems pretty pricey for what it is. Nothing in particular stood out and the waiter got half our order fully wrong.

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    2 years ago

    The kindest team, really great vegan options and a very cute neighborhood gem. I just love how they make me feel so welcome when I come by!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Cute local coffee shop. Their coffee is consistently delicious and I love their frijole toast!!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Awesome small cafe. The butifarra sandwich was absolutely delicious and is the perfect light bite for a hungover Sunday

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great coffee and small bites! An outdoor patio space is coming soon - will definitely check it out.

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    Devoción

    Devoción

    4.2
    (224 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $

    So let me tell yall this!!!!!! My daughter went to this quaint shop to buy a pastry . The name of…read morethis pastry is the Kouign-amann ( pronunciation: Queen Armand) She was like Ma this is it........... it taste so dang on goood I was like yeah right. I tasted a piece from her and I was hooooooooked!!!!!! Every time I went here to get it(Kouign-amann), it was sold out!!!!!!! It is buttery and sweet and delightful!!!!! They have other great delights here but my focus is this particular pastry!!!!! The customer service here is very polite and sweet ....like the pastryThe pastry ( Kouign-Amann) is stuff with caramel my absolute favvvvvvv!!! Usually they are not stuffed, the pastry..... Also they sell out of the (Kouign-Amann) by mid morning ( like around 11am GET THERE EARLY.....so I think the best time would be early morning..... This place gets lightly crowded so seats may be scarce... This place is great to have a sip of coffee and a snack and great conversation. The space is sweet and looks like a great workspace. Very comfortable and alluring. I give this place a 100/10!!! Absolutely a very kool vibe for sure Recommend highly

    I came here Tuesday mid morning because I was absolutely starving and needed a breakfast pastry and…read morea place to do some work. This is a really cute café that has gorgeous leather furniture, lighting fixtures, and cool plants everywhere, very modern looking. The music they play here is great too. I was a little disappointed to see that their food menu was quite limited, and by that time of day, there was really only one savory option that stood out to me, the Parmesan and leek pastry. I ordered this and had the barista heated up for me, as well as print out a receipt because this is how you access the Wi-Fi. I sat in the corner along the wall on a wooden bench and attempted to do work on one of the small metal tables. The tables are quite low, so this really isn't a great place to get a ton of work done in my opinion, as well as the fact that the Wi-Fi only works for 30 minutes and after that, you need to go back up and get another receipt for a code. I was also a little disappointed in the pastry itself, as it wasn't fully heated and was a little too greasy for me. I can't speak on the coffee here, but it did look like they provide high-quality options. Vibes and aesthetic are high but I can't say I'd come here again.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Devoción
    Decaf latte

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    Decaf latte
    Polly’s Cafe

    Polly’s Cafe

    4.6
    (36 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    'Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, located steps away from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, our cozy…read morecafe offers a warm and inviting atmosphere paired with exceptional coffee and delicious bites. With a focus on community and comfort, we provide a haven for locals and visitors alike to relax, recharge' As my curiosity leads me to explore new coffee places, the one common thread I see is the focus on community. The cafes, coffee bars and eateries who recognize the need to connect are the real entrepreneurs. Polly's Cafe patrons are sipping coffee drinks made with La Colombe and devouring Balthazar pastries. As I waited to order my cold brew, the conversations ran the gamut from school, work, summer travel plans, catching up. I know I sound like a broken record, but today it is so much more than just grabbing a cup of coffee. It is unwinding, savoring each sip and bite with a friend or partner and just enjoying the connection. Polly's Cafe reminds me of a cafe one would find in the Hudson Valley: small, quaint and offering high end food. The interior is cozy, a few tables and a backyard garden. The menu packs a small punch: hot/cold beverages, breakfast burritos, BLT, salads and so much more. I waited around 10 minutes to order a cold brew, the pastries (croissants: chocolate, everything, goat cheese and herb, ham and cheese, butter, sticky toffee banana bread, chocolate babka crumb cake, brownies)were sold out and only olive oil cake remained. ( I arrived @2pm) I made a mental note to revisit to pack a few goodies to go for a future BBG visit. Polly's Cafe 766 Classon Avenue 10 minute walk from Brooklyn Botanic Garden 2nd location: 241 Rogers Avenue

    Polly's cafe is one of the few places that gets it right. They serve really great stuff. Their…read more"Polly's brownie is my fave's thing they make, theres big chocolate chips in them, they're addictive, and if you're chocolate lover like me you'd love this. Just about all their baked goods are GOOD! The coffees great, the chai latte, their rosemary biscuits and scones hit the spot. The service here is just as good, very warm, very welcoming and so nice, it depends who's in the front...the place is clean, wish they had a ramp though.

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    Seating
    Smoked salmon, chive and cream cheese sandwich
    Smoked salmon, chive and cream cheese sandwich
    Polly’s Cafe

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    Villager

    Villager

    4.5
    (48 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    After a run at Prospect Park this past Saturday morning, we stopped by Villager for coffee. I…read morewasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised upon walking in since I saw their wall of beans for sale. They carry beans from DAK Coffee Roasters, which is one of my favorite roasters from Amsterdam, along with Sey Coffee and other roasters known for their high-quality beans. I grabbed a bag of DAK beans, which came with a free single-origin drip. It was honestly great for drip -- clean, not watery, and nicely fruity and juicy. It was pretty busy, so I skipped the pour-over this time, but I'd definitely come back to try it on a calmer time of the week. If I'm looking to stock up on good beans, I know I'll be back at Villager.

    I don't go to coffee shops, and I was reminded why…read more Drinks: 1/5 We ordered the Espresso Shot 1 and the Chai Latte. The Espresso Shot 1 was unexpectedly sour like the kind of sour you expect from expired coffee. There are special notes including rhubarb, so maybe that was on us to order this shot, but we didn't expect a beef jerky-like aftertaste. My friend could not finish it, so I asked for a replacement shot--the Expresso Shot 2--and the staff were kind enough to offer it to us free of charge. This shot was also just as sour, with notes of passion fruit. There are no other espresso shot options, and both shots are $5-6 each. The Chai Latte tasted just like the concentrates I would get from supermarkets. When I finished my cup and peered at the bottom for any spice residue, I found the grainy texture you'd find in said supermarket concentrates. Service: 4/5 The people were incredibly friendly and welcoming. For a busy coffee shop, they were prompt in fulfilling any special request, such as an expresso shot replacement. Atmosphere: 2/5 This is a cute coffee shop with a warm interior! It has a modern and cozy aesthetic, and it was very pleasant to sit here for half an hour. We were fortunate to even have seating, though, because there was a line out the door and not enough tables for all patrons. The tables were low to the ground and close to other tables. I would recommend this place to people who need a quick shelter from the cold. I wouldn't recommend the drinks to anyone, and the line is not worth it. Final rating: 2.33/5 (rounded down to 2 on Yelp)

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    Interior
    Interior
    Jairo Arcila coffee
    Jairo Arcila coffee
    Espresso #1 (Arcadia)

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    Espresso #1 (Arcadia)

    Café Calaca - coffee - Updated June 2026

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