Store was closed and web site was not updated, very disappointing!!! Supposed to be the best cupcakes in NYC ... could have at least taken the website off of the internet :( read more

The most beautiful cakes and most perfect buttercream you will ever find anywhere. Classic buttercream but in colors you've never seen before. They are true artists here. read more

Food is great, service great and cakes are beautiful . They have been around for a very long time, we purchase all our birthday and special cakes from them and they are excellent every time . read more

A friend brought one of their walnut beautifully iced cakes to a birthday party and it was beyond delicious. I wish it were possible to buy the icing by itself. It was so outstanding. read more

There's no real location. You can call the number but man was rude. I didn't end up try asking any questions afterwards

After decades of standout work, the Cupcake Cafe continues to live up to its image as an institution here in New York. The art is nonpareil, the cake delicious. Take note: there is no better buttercream in the City. There is no better buttercream in the world. I dare you to find a better buttercream. It is the stuff of dreams. Buttercream like this reminds me: "THIS is why I live in New York." Jason (the baker) was also a pleasure to work with, and took care to hand deliver my birthday cake safely and in one piece. read more

Cupcake Cafe - A jellyfish birthday cake fit for a Snicklebeast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

This cupcake cafe is located near Port Authority. Atmosphere is weird and eclectic. Cupcakes were meh. Lots of butter. Ordered a maple/walnut cupcake and a chocolate/vanilla cupcake. If you look at the picture below, one of the cupcakes was a larger cupcake and was just right in terms of moistness. The smaller cupcake was a bit dry. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jBDF6otR5f9mBjhzP1uv3Q?select=bAAYZcjYyvQJ8tEIo19DXA Agreed with the other Yelpers that the texture is dense and the frosting wasn't too sweet. Liked the cupcakes but didn't personally love it. I'm not the biggest fan of butter... read more

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

This cafe looks funky and is a nice refuge from the business of the Port Authority area. It has its quirks: figurines, random framed photo graphs, mismatched tables and chairs. It looked like the type of place I'd been looking for. However, this place didn't do it for me. First, my latte was bitter and flavorless - probably one of the worst lattes I've ever had. Then, around the room is this ledge where framed paintings lean, but it's just at the level where if I leaned back, my head would be gouged by this unnecessary ledge. The chairs are uncomfortable, and there are three separate counters, which I thought was strange. (Who uses the back counter?) I can't vouch for the cupcakes or anything else being sold in glass jars, but I would not necessarily recommend this place. I hate to say it, but I probably would have preferred a bland, loud Starbucks to this. read more

Cupcake Cafe - back of Cupcake Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I love,love,love the Cupcake Cafe. My family has been buying their cakes and cupcakes from the Cupcake Cafe for over 20 years. I don't live in NY anymore, but any time I am in the area I head straight to the Cafe. They were creating buttercream masterpieces long before cakes had bosses or cupcakes went to war. I was heartbroken earlier this year when I thought they had closed for good. I was so happy to hear they just moved uptown to 49th Street ( which was a good thing because the 39th street location was a bit dodgy tbh). I'll be back in NY this weekend and can't wait to stop by. read more

We had a small wedding dinner with family. My sister-in-law ordered our cake from this place. It was perfect! It was so beautiful, I cried just looking at it! Usually I am not a big frosting person. But one bite, and the buttercream frosting literally melted in my mouth and coated my entire mouth with creamy goodness. The cake was light, fluffy, and so moist. I have been meaning to come back here to order a small replica of our cake for our anniversary. It's so delicious and I am forever grateful it was a part of our special day. read more

3 1/2 stars Upon entering the place, it was, at first, confusing. There is a counter where one can order coffee and there are no cupcakes in sight. In fact, after I entered, I went back outside to double-check the sign to see if I was in the right place. Anyway...the cupcakes are located around the corner and to the right of the coffee counter. When I found the right counter, there was no one there. I waited a minute or two and a clerk appeared. The cupcake selection was limited but that was OK. I wanted one that was all vanilla and one that was all chocolate and they had both. So...I gave the clerk my order and he asked "small or large?" Oh, heck! Why does it have to be so tempting to supersize LOL? Yet, supersize, I did. After all, I rationalized, we were on vacation so why not splurge. The cupcakes are beautifully decorated---almost too pretty to eat! When we did eat them later that day, we found that the cake is on the dense side. Yet it was moist. The problem with dense cakes is that if they sit too long, they tend to dry out. Thus I could tell that the cupcakes were indeed fresh. I ate the all vanilla one and found that it had good flavor and wasn't overly sweet. My husband liked the all chocolate one and found that it wasn't too rich. Note: If you've ever been in the DC Metro area and tried a cupcake from Cakelove, the cake consistency is similar to that. Cakelove is generally good but they do have their off days and you end up with a dried out cupcake. With that in mind, I wonder if Cupcake Cafe is like that... read more

Cupcake Cafe - All Vanilla Cupcake and all chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

So happy that this NYC institution has found a new home. still one of the best bakery for special occasions. read more

Cupcake Cafe - birthday cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

After a random person hit my parked car and ran away, a friendly Samaritan raced in an attempt to take a picture of the evil doer. She left me a note. After a phone call, she said I could meet her at the cupcake cafe for the photo. And so, shortly after 5pm on a Monday, I arrived at this hell's kitchen cafe to get a picture secretly snapped by an agent of good. When I arrived, I saw a huge cappuccino machine in what seemed like a cozy place with a decent little seating area. I knew who my contact was immediately as she was sitting with her camera with a lens bigger than any other lens I had seen before. It was the type of big amazing lens that make even the most comfortable paparazzo (Singular for Paparazzi) grab his wife. She was drinking cappuccino among the other patrons, some of whom were working on laptops, one plugged into a wall. I saw that this place was huge as I walked in, with lots of space in the back, almost like a huge railroad loft. There were not only cupcake displays but also another serving bar in the back, in addition to more seating. I had a hot chocolate with whipped cream. Coffee not only does things to my stomach, it makes me paranoid, a quality that could be detrimental to an agent on a secret rendezvous during an investigation. After some information was exchanged, I took the package and settled my tab with the cappuccino server, who seemed more bartender than cashier. I noticed nutmeg and cocoa for shaving on the bar. At first, being quite Forest Gump like, I thought to myself, this place is so great they give away truffles instead of those pastel breath mints. The I realized, this was hell's kitchen, not Michael Bloomberg's. The cupcake cafe is a quiet and big but cozy place that you can meet people at. I think its great for a blind date. Its big, its got some people but not too many, and if u need to bail, port authority is across the street. If you can't lose a loser in the crowds of Port Authority, you deserve to be caught..real story cupcake.... read more

If I were simply rating the cupcakes, this place would get 10 stars. They are so sinfully delicious but you won't care...you'll just repent at the gym later. Their maple walnut is my favorite and downfall. I've been consuming CC cupcakes for almost 20 years, using my children as an excuse to drop by their original location (39th st) for an after school snack back, in the 90's. I even found myself taking my kids to the bookshop that just so happened to house the Cupcake Cafe in Chelsea. All our family celebration cakes were CC cakes. Obsessed. A little change in lifestyle kept me away from the CC for a few years...until last month when I thought I'd buy cupcakes to share with my close family and friends. I entered their current location, very close to the original one in the Port Authority area...my hood. So much happy anticipation only to be thwarted by an unhappy ambiance with an even unhappier staff. In all fairness, the original spot was nothing to write home about but it certainly had better energy...a happy one that matched the cupcakes they were so famous for. The guy at the front was so rude, and looked like he was in need of resuscitation. I think I interrupted his morning snack time since he threw my credit card back at me. Yes. Threw. God forbid, he leaned 5 degrees over to hand the card back to me. Why would I ever expect a "thank you" after spending $60 on cupcakes from this rude lump on a log? Ugh. Get your act together CC, and clean up a little...you've got a good product here and some pretty loyal customers who want to see you around for another 20...you can start with nixing the bad attitude. Have one of your cupcakes that ought to cheer you up. read more

Cupcake Cafe - My kinda bouquet! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Such a strange, awkward place. Their cupcakes look cute. And it seemed busy. With newspapers stacked atop their iPad computer terminal, and a funky Santa Claus-esque cashier, this place really turned me off. With an espresso machine that "doesn't serve lattes" and a selection of teas that doesn't have a menu, it can be a challenge to order anything in the front section of the "cafe." When I asked what teas they had, the cashier didn't really seem like he wanted to serve me or tell me what they had. At least in the back where they keep the cupcakes, you can see what you are considering ordering. While they have plenty of seating and free wifi, the wifi is painfully slow and there wasn't an electrical outlet in sight. If you can avoid this place, avoid it. For other coffeeshops in the neighborhood: FIKA is around the corner at 41st and 10th - you'll have a better experience there. Kahve, another local coffeeshop, is on 52nd and 9th. Cupcakes I can't speak for, although they look pretty. Needless to say, there are many better cupcake bakeries in NYC...Billy's Bakery is just down the block in Chelsea near 21st and 9th. Worth making the short trip to avoid this place. read more

I had the most interesting conversation with the man at the counter... I was in the area for another reason and needed to check my emails and whatnot. So, I stopped in here to see if they have WIFI. I enter into the cafe and from the feel of it, you know it has been around for some time. Odd ended tables, chairs and couches, but all so comfy and homey. This place has character for sure, and the guy at the counter contributes to the ambiance. Here is our strange conversation. I ask him if he could make me a cup of coffee. He stares at me blankly. He's like yea we can make you coffee. Then I asked if he could make it with soy milk. He said yea ok. Then I asked if there was WIFI. And then he says to me yea sure we can make you a cup of WIFI. He was spaced out and of course, I am kind of spacey too. So, we just stand there staring at each other. He then reaches his hand into a small cup on the counter and then slips me a small slip of paper. On it, is the WIFI password. He did make me a good cup of coffee and it was pretty cheap, only $2.50. He definitely was weird, but I like that. I definitely will remember him. They have two counters, which is weird. The front counter is where the guy sits and the back counter is to order cupcakes. I did take a look at the cupcakes, but the icing colors were just too weird for me to consume one. I didn't know if I would glow in the dark after that... Anyhow, this place has character, makes a decent cup of joe and has free WIFI! read more

I don't know if I should slam this place or hold it up to the gods!??!! Their buttercup is the best frosting I have every tasted in my life, the actually cupcake is a little dry but they buttercream makes up for it. And the beautiful little flowers makes you want to take pictures over and over again. The little cafe has a homey cafe feel with free wifi, I guess it would be a good place to study or get a cup of coffee and chat with a friend but they owner is so not welcoming. And his hands were dirty looking, maybe chocolate frosting??? he handled the cupcake without gloves and then handled my cash, where's the hand washing?? That can't be clean! One cupcake was $3... a little high for a small cupcake but I'll do it just for the buttercream! Buttercream: 5 Cupcake Part: 3.75 Overall cupcake: 4.375 Service: 1 Owner: 1 Baker Girl: 4 (sweet girl, she looked embrassed by her boss' behavior) read more

Cupcake Cafe - Beautiful Cupcakes for me!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

The cupcake cafe was doing their thing way before the trend to open cupcake shops began! When I worked at 9th (in the 30th street area) I passed it everyday on the bus. I had to go in for a sample. The secret of their longevity is specialization. They know what they do well and stick with their one specialty. If you want a cake for a special occasion this is the place to go. Your cake will be a one of a kind made to order special treat. It will also be delicious. If you just want a sample of what a cake would taste like, you should go in for a small cup cake. I go in for the small cup cake when I'm in the neighborhood. Be aware they are very sweet! read more

I grew up with Cupcake Cafe cakes for my birthday, and now they're my cake standard. I'm not a frosting person at all but I LOVE their frosting. The buttercream is sweet and creamy. My favorite is the walnut with maple buttercream. I picked up a couple cupcakes for my birthday this year & the guy filling the box was sweet enough to throw in an extra cup to prevent the cupcakes from moving and ruining the gorgeous buttercream flowers. I took the bus from Port Authority to Paramus and all the cupcakes stayed in tact. The employees are super nice and you can't go wrong with their maple walnut cake. YUM. read more

Cupcake Cafe - Maple Walnut (L) and Vanilla (R) cupcakes. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Love this little hidden spot. Its so easy to miss when passing by, but after stepping in Im always welcomed by the familiarity of its cozy interior (the gruffy lumberjack santa ish barista helps too). He's super nice btw. Their coffee is yummy (La Colombe) and most importantly, their cupcakes are fucking amazing. The only reason I trek out to Bumfuck, 9th avenue is for these holy cupcakes. Beautiful frosting artwork + sweet but not too sweet just the riiight amount of sweet cupcakes = shut up and take my money/caloric input. read more

Cupcake Cafe - Chocolate chocolate. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

I have to give it to their heart and art to decorate such lovely cupcakes. They don't have many flavors. They are mostly vanilla or chocolate cake with chocolate, vanilla, maple and mocha frostings. The service was friendly and the cafe was kind of old but welcoming. I personally think the cupcakes are decent; they are not the best in the city though. The cake isn't too sweet and is not as moist as I like it to be. The frosting is alright; I think the flavor could be stronger. But in the dessert desert of Hell's Kitchen, it is all we have got! read more

Very disappointed. I wish I would've seen my friend's (Nina R.) review of this place before heading into this store :( I Yelp'd and found the Cupcake Cafe and with 3 stars I decided to try it out. The restaurant itself is a little dingy and looked pretty run down. I headed to the back counter area to peruse their cupcake selection. I stood there for a short bit then was greeted by very nice worker. Then to my utter surprise, he asked me if it was ok that he goes and washes his hands first. Umm...let me think about that...YES, PLEASE!! Seriously, need you ask? Yikes. Well, on the upside, I guess he did ask :) The frosting, while pretty, was oily and basically tasted like pure butter, not butter cream. I'm not clear on why others seem to rave about their buttercream...perhaps I got a bad (very bad) batch? I am glad it wasn't mounded in abundance since it wasn't very good and made it easier to scrape off. The cake, not a winner either, was dry, crumbly and had such a mild flavor to them. If I had eaten them blind I'm not sure I could clearly distinguish the vanilla and chocolate flavors. Unfortunately, the frosting was a such a huge turn off, the cake was dry and lacked flavor so I ended up eating about 2 bites of each and tossed them out. Such a waste considering they were overpriced at $3 for a small cupcake. read more

Cupcake Cafe - Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes- Pretty decor! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Not only are the cupcakes a beautiful delight to the eyes they are so so good. Well worth the cost. Love it.

I think everyone who has reviewed this site is crazy. Let me say one thing though, a cake from Cupcake Cafe is not the same as a cupcake from Cupcake Cafe. I will give the bakery 4 stars instead of 5 because of that. The cakes are NOT crumbly, they do not break apart and they are moist all at the same time. It also helps that the cakes are layered so you get frosting in between the cake if it seems "dry". The frosting is a delicious butter cream that is more butter and cream than sugar which is how it's supposed to be. I'd rather a butter aftertaste then a sugar aftertaste if there was an after aste at all, which there is not. The cakes are beautiful and I posted pictures from the last two birthdays I attended where the cakes were huge hits. I will never have a Crumbs cupcake after having Cupcake Cafe..the thought of that mound of sugary frosting makes me gag. read more

Cupcake Cafe - friend barbra's birthday - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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I remember seeing the front of the Cupcake Cafe while being driven around in circles by a cab as he was "trying" to find my hotel. The cab driver was trying to say that he would have to turn the meter on (there is a flat rate in place from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan) and I wasn't having any of it. Luckily the discussion I was having didn't distract me from noticing the front window adorned with "CUPCAKE CAFE". My interest was piqued mostly because I have a friend with cupcake tattoos on her belly and I thought it would be great to get a picture of the front for her. Later in my visit to Manhattan a friend and I were trying to find a place to escape from the bitter cold. It was below freezing my entire visit. So I mentioned the Cupcake Cafe and we jumped in a cab and headed over. The cupcakes in the display case were very pretty and I wanted to buy them all regardless of how they tasted. I don't really know what the locals think of this place but if it has any success a large part has to be a result of just how pretty these cupcakes are. My friend Mokee and I made our cupcake selections, got some water, and headed to the back to enjoy our treats. The interior of this place has a lot of character. The exposed brick walls and exclectic mixture of chairs/tables gave me the feeling of being in some cupcake speakeasy, though this probably isn't the place to get your sugar rush and act wild. The frosting was very much on the sweet side, but I guess that is what you should be in the mood for when you are eating cupcakes. I can't comment on their coffee selections because I am not a coffee drinker and didn't partake. If I was a coffee drinker though I could see myself sneaking in to the Cupcake Cafe on occasion to look at the pretty cupcake in front of me while sipping on a hot cup of joe. read more

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We stop in here every time we're in the city. Yes, $3 seems a bit steep when talking cupcakes; however the decoration alone is worth it. By far the prettiest flowers I've ever seen pipped. The icing is smooth and silky, definitely not overly sweet. Cake part is always super moist. Not to mention they have a ton of flavors. read more

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You can find me here in the morning by the front window, having my Americano and pumpkin donut. With a free w-ifi and such quiet space, I do most of my productive work here. Get your coffee from the big guy "Mike" get a cupcake if you like but I must suggest the donut, if there's any left. Then, park your self by the big slab of marble in the front. On the weekend, ask for the most delicious waffle with fruits. To Die For. Get a King Curtis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3JuiGrTAdo or get Americano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDIt8hdr2oU read more

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Love this place! Cake isn't overly sweet and beautiful. Bought a cake for my friend, ordered a few days ahead and was absolutely gorgeous. Looks like a wedding cake! read more

The first star is for: the décor. There was this great collection of old fashioned stoves. I loved the alcove-y feeling of the place, the mismatched furniture, and even the unintentionally exposed brick on one wall. But there was one problem. It stunk. It downright STUNK of mildew. The air conditioning unit above the entrance door was leaking water on to the incoming guests, maybe that's where the smell was coming from. The other star is for: the flower decoration on top. I got the maple walnut. We didn't buy more than one because they were $4 each, and I wasn't about to pay that for a refrigerated cupcake. (I'll say it again, people. Never refrigerate your cupcakes!) The frosting was so buttery that it left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. And the cake was so incredibly dry. It tasted like they had frozen the cupcakes the night before and sold them the next day. Yuck! One bite and I handed the rest to my mom. Trust your instincts about this place... If you want a cupcake in Hell's Kitchen, walk 6 blocks to Burgers & Cupcakes. read more

Cupcake Cafe - Maple walnut - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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Love them! Been having their cakes and cupcakes since high school. If you love buttercream this is the place to go! Thanks cupcake cafe for continuously putting out amazing cakes! read more

Frankly I don't know what I was thinking giving this place four stars. I guess I was a young, naive little yelper back in 2006, desperate to give my neighborhood some love. But now I join the chorus of people who recommend you give this place a miss. I really wish it could overcome it's location like HK or Empire do, but unfortunately it doesn't. Add to that this unfortunate incident: "Hi, could i have an iced coffee?" "Um, we don't have any ice." "Oh, you don't have iced coffee? Well, I don't mind if you pour hot coffee over ice." "No, no, we don't have any ice." "At all?" "Nope." Now, it seems to me that ice would be a necessary and not too difficult thing to find in any food service establishment, but apparently i stand corrected. And to top it all off, even the hot coffee was bland and weak. For coffee around here, go to Empire. For Cupcakes, go to Billy's. Sorry Cupcake Cafe, but i just can't get behind what you're putting out there. read more

The cupcakes are cute and I realize they require a lot of handiwork. You don't want that shit to melt. But, Cupcake Cafe, you do know that when you refrigerate cupcakes, that pretty much renders them AWFUL. So I ask you, Cupcake Cafe, and I will spell it out: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? read more

OMFG WHINY NEW YORKERS! I was motivated to write this review out of pure spite for the multitude of idiots who have given this wonderful haven of brilliance 1 or 2 stars. Also, where are the tons of Cupcake Cafe loyal fans that I know exist? Let's unite and up this rating! I've been going to the Cupcake Cafe for years, ever since I started working with my violin teacher who lives a couple blocks away. My step-mom, who worked as an architect in the area, also used to bring these babies home and honestly it was the highlight of my awkward middle school years. They simply are the best cupcakes ever. Hands down. No way can Magnolia even compete. Side note to whiners: Many of the complaints stem from the cupcakes being cold and/or the cake being dry. When you buy the cupcake, and get it put in a box to bring home, the guy literally tells you to your face that the cupcake must be refrigerated and then taken out a good 10 minutes before you eat it. I think this tiny instruction is a small price to pay for having the world's most perfect cupcake. This place doesn't only make a mean cupcake. Cupcake Cafe makes the most beautiful and delicious cakes ever, and I used to get them for my birthday parties of yore. I vividly remember my 15th birthday cake which I asked to be decorated with sunflowers, and I swear, that cake looked like a Van Gogh painting. My party was at the oh so fabulous Lips restaurant run by drag queens, and they all agreed that the cake was the most beautiful thing they'd ever seen. Naturally, it tasted just as spectacular as it looked. I've been getting coffee here and eating the cupcakes forever, and while I admit the decor is a little shabby chic, it IS in the middle of Hell's Kitchen. Plus, you can get a cup of coffee and literally sit there for three hours reading and the staff won't bat an eyelash. So stop being so whiny all you crybaby whiners! read more

Cupcake Café is the only place around this part of midtown where you can sit and think about all the things you've done wrong in your life. The espresso is nostalgic. Not fantastic, but damnit it could put a clean sheen on your dirty past. The cupcakes ARE dry. This is no au-natural Duncan Hines remix, it's more a European style cake and it needs all that buttery frosting to create the moisture. I like 'em better than most because they're not all sugary. These are Pilgrim cupcakes, not Beverly Hills cupcakes. Cupcakes for people who've sailed through hell. But the service, oh the service there has been god's way of telling me "get yr ass on yelp and write, mutha f***a." I'd love to pour some espresso on the crab-faced red-head who typically works the espresso bar. Jeese! What happened to her? Has she been evicted? Did a cab run over her pedicure? She's got a helluva a face--she's a gorgeous, well-put-together human being--with nothing but needles in her eyes. You smile, or you say please, or you say thank you and she just ignores you. All she wants is to know what you're having to drink and to let you know how annoyed she is that she's gotta get up and make it for you. Usually I get in there she grunts at me "cupcakes are in the back." F-you, I don't want a cupcake, I come in here at least once a week--pay attention! The owner on the other hand is quirky, witty--I like his style: dry but caring. Lucille Ballbuster on the other hand is the worse thing to happen to this place. Lousy service loses the Cupcake Café three stars in my review. When I'm itemizing my life's regrets, I wanna feel like I'm in a safe haven, not like I'm stuck in bed with nothin but Kathy Bates and a dull axe. Get some staff that matches the sanctuary's, second-hand décor and healing espresso. read more

If you like hanging out in a quirky place, drinking coffee made by a crabby barista, and eating beautiful but dry, brick-like cupcakes served by equally crabby purveyors who would spit on you if they could, this is the place for you! Here's an actual conversation I witnessed between a slovenly bearded barista and a woman. Woman: "Hi, I'm wondering if you do children's parties here?" Crusty dude: (silence, while he looks at her like she's nuts). "Uh....no." Woman: "Oh, I saw a sign out front with kids on it for this place, so I thought you did." Crusty: "Huh." (crazy bitch) "Where did you see that sign?" (i can't believe you're asking me stupid questions like this) Woman: "Um...right out front, in the window." Crusty: SIGH "well...we don't do that." Me, seeing a way to stir up trouble: "you know who DOES do children's parties? Buttercup bakery!" Woman (excited): "oh really??" Me: "oh yeah! the kids get to frost their own cupcakes and everything!" Crusty: "Oh, but OUR cupcakes have REAL BUTTECREAM in the frosting, not crisco." Me: "oh, too bad the frosting is on top of cupcake-shaped bricks though." Ok so I didn't really say that last sentence. But everything up until that point was true. I only gave it two stars because the coffee was pretty good, and I like the decor. read more

Definitely the prettiest and most artistic cupcakes in the city - and certainly far from the best. Even though they've moved from the earlier "dodgy" location, it's all of one block! The cakes I've had are generally dry, dense, with a minimalist layer of frosting and topped with a flower made of buttercream - the flower is not only pretty, it also adds to the enjoyment of the cake. But, it's butter and so let's not raise our expectations too much! My favorite is the chocolate cupcake with mocha frosting - I've tried many cupcakes here including walnut with maple frosting (verry dry cake) and vanilla with chocolate (quite blah). If you must come here to weigh in on the cupcake wars, do so only once - try the chocolate with mocha, enjoy it with Cappuccino. Also, let your cupcake come to terms with room temperature for a few minutes before you sample it. The Cappuccino was fabulous - but what else can one expect from La Colombe coffee! If I were to summarize my experience of the visually appealing cupcakes, it would be: "presentation over substance". read more

Don't let the Martha Stewart-esque food styled confections fool you...these cupcakes are awful. Poorly made buttercream is a scourge on New York similar to that awful smell that permeates the city streets in the early summer mornings before garbage is collected. A former friend of mine once ordered a cake from here for her family's Thanksgiving and the cake was raw inside. It doesn't get much grosser than that. read more

Positives: Good cappuccino and I like the rustic feel inside. Negatives: The maple walnut cupcake I had (chosen on their recommendation), adorned with a little flower, was pretty.....pretty stale! Not awful if a colleague baked them and brought them in the office but you expect more from a place that calls itself Cupcake Cafe. read more

Confession: I tell people that I'd put Cupcake Cafe as one of my favorite spots in the city... but not because of the cupcake. *insert serious face here* I've go here for the coffee-- I've learned after the first two times that the cupcakes are rather awful. Cupcake: They'd make great gifts for that anorexic bitch you don't really like but for some reason is obliged to get her something. It's perfect for that occasion, really. It's beautiful! I mean, the first time I got there, I was staring at the selection for 5 minutes, just taking it all in. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. And she's not going to taste it right? And if she does, hey, it's not like you like her. Because the cake on the cupcake tastes like paper mache with less glue, and the icing tastes strangely like if it was made of Crisco, corn syrup, and lots of sugar. I've had the mocha and the chocolate so far. The mocha is bearable, but the chocolate is such a let-down. So what do I come her for? They have amazing coffee. I'd place Cupcake cafe as contenders for the top 5 spots on my list of best coffee somewhere after 9th Street Espresso and Cafe Grumpy. It's strong, but not bitter. The crema holds beautifully. And for such rude people that look like they don't really care about your drink, they foam really well. Not sudsy, but gorgeous creamy foam. It's also the mood. It has that run down "Little House on the Prairie " feel to it. It's cute, it's quiet and it's charming in the rustic way. The area right outside the cafe is really dirty and grungy, and not dirty and grungy in the hip sort of way. Bring a book and sip some coffee. And look at the cupcakes, because that's all they're really good for. read more

In my search of finding a comfortable study spot, I came across Cupcake Cafe, and will venture to say it does offer a surprisingly good cupcake. They have three varieties- chocolate, vanilla and maple walnut. The chocolate was a buttery delight- dense, yet uber moist and just sweet enough. I could live without the maple, but the chocolate was something to write home about. The icing looks almost plastic-y at first glance but melts rather well in your mouth. Their coffee is also worth trying. Now back to this study spot business- the space has the look of a cute, mom and pop ish antique shop that has fallen under disrepair. The giant marble table in the middle would be a glorious spot to sit and do some work, but if you're 5'4 like me, the super low chairs keep you just at about eye level with your laptop's keyboard. Not so comfortable. The rotting street benches on the sides of the cafe don't do too much either. Now, these mismatched furniture pieces could look pretty cute if the space had a bit more TLC... but it doesn't. read more