I'm a spoiled, yet jovial New Yorker who is definitely a Consumer first. I love and embrace convenience, great convo with strangers and love approaching tourists, asking if they need help with directions; but most importantly to dispel the negative beliefs that New Yorkers are rude!? WE find this hilarious because New Yorkers are the kindest, most compassionate and friendly people you'll ever meet. Truth be told, absolutely. Yes, we're always rushy, rushy, but our surroundings does matter; especially our restaurants, their food, service & atmosphere must be top notch. Effy's Cafe is in my neighborhood (900 Ft from my residence) and proud of it. It's a place away from home, with great hours. Including many omelettes to choose from, breakfast sandwiches, amazing pancakes, bagels with lox & cream cheese and more to satisfy your appetite. If you're on the UWS of Manhattan (104 West 96th Street) I highly recommend the Effy's Cafe to you. read more

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Effy's Cafe is ALWAYS delicious! No matter what you order you cannot go wrong! I usually dine in person for brunch and get the amazing challah french toast (always yummy fresh berries atop) or the tuna melt and the service is next level. You feel like you're no longer in the city. It is warm and attentive but not overbearing and you are not rushed. I had a grubhub voucher from work so we ordered delivery. I am happy to say it was just as tasty when delivered. The fries were still crispy and pita that came with my bf's falafel plate was hot and steamy (and delicious) as was the labneh! My bf really loved the falafel bowl plate dish and said the falafel was crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. I had some of his pita with the labneh which was divine! Really tasty olive oil. Tuna melt was just as delicious and satisfying as in person. I was surprised the toasted bread was still crispy and not soggy at all like it often can get from take out. I also appreciate that Effys always uses only perfectly ripe avocados it is so noticeable! Also their fried pickles are dangerously good, and their prices are very reasonable. They have a $15 dine in lunch special 11 am -2 pm on weekdays read more

Effy's Cafe - Labneh Egg Sandwich $9 (delivered) - SO delcious ! - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Adorable cafe and it's kosher! They have really big and diverse menu. Sadly I was only here for a coffee meeting but the food looked very good. I had a hot oat milk matcha and it was great so I ended up ordering a second one. Inside is small but if you come early enough there is plenty of seating. read more

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My friend and I came here for dinner. I loved the cute, colorful decor, along with the cozy and welcoming ambiance. I ordered the Grilled Chermoula Branzino with roasted potatoes and carrots. The Chermoula sauce consisted of fresh herbs and spices, included cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, and coriander. This made for bold, aromatic flavors. The fish itself was wonderfully tender, flaky, and well seasoned. The potatoes and carrots were perfectly cooked in a savory, flavorful sauce. Service was solid and prices were pretty reasonable. I would like to return at some point to try the Moroccan Paprika Fish made with Tilapia. read more

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Hit or miss food and service. Can't handle a busy crowd. Make sure to specify options when listed otherwise they assume.

Review: Effy's Cafe - A Cozy Ritual on the Way to the Park Effy's Cafe isn't trying to reinvent the wheel--and thank goodness for that. It's charming, dependable, and refreshingly unfussy, which is exactly why it's become my go-to stop before a stroll through Central Park. Think of it as your neighborhood's warm hug disguised as a café. I keep it simple here: a coffee (always solid, never burnt or dramatic) and a classic cream cheese bagel. No gimmicks, no sourdough experiments--just the familiar comfort of a well-toasted bagel with a generous, unapologetic schmear. If that sounds boring to you, you're clearly not in your breakfast era. The outdoor seating is non-negotiable for me. It's where I get to enjoy the real luxury of New York mornings: sipping my coffee slowly while my dog does their highly scientific sniff-review of the sidewalk. There's something grounding about it--the clink of silverware, the occasional pigeon drama, the steady stream of regulars who also seem to love this little corner of calm. Effy's doesn't try too hard to impress you. That's its charm. The vibe is consistent, the service is friendly, and the whole place feels like it's on a first-name basis with your routine. In short: if you're looking for a dependable, quietly delightful café to anchor your morning--and perhaps reflect on your life choices over a bagel--Effy's is the one. read more

Effy's Cafe - Bagel with Cream Cheese - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

Quintessential UWS place, exposed brick wall, tiny little place, cozy vibes, and noise levels on the average end. Ours was a walk-in, but Charm gave us a table within 10 mins as we placed our order while waiting outside on a rain Saturday afternoon. Unlimited $3 drip coffee refills kept coming, while we waited for a Vegetarian Shawarma Wrap ($13.95), Green Shakshuka ($14.95), and Blueberry Pancakes ($13.95) which were relatively tasty. Their spicy green sauce though, was packed with flavor! The place was busy when we arrived at 1:15, but got slow by 2:30-ish. Will definitely be our go-to place for a quick brunch and their good service. read more

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Beautiful presentation. Cozy. Good service. Shakshuka and healthy green omelette were tasty. Decaf capuccino vey good. Reasonable prices.

Came across this cafe after a long and tiring Saturday. It was quiet when I visited, not many patrons dining in. There's a decent amount of seating both inside and outside. I would consider the indoor tables a bit cramped, especially if it's a busy day. I ordered a hot tea and the Salmon Burger with a side salad instead of fries. Salad was dressed well and had nice flavor. Salmon burger was also good, flavorful and juicy. I was surprised at how well made it was, but happy all the same. My tea was very hot, which is a plus for me. I really despise hot tea served lukewarm. All in all it was a good experience. My only complaint is that I was given the wrong tab and I foolishly did go over it before paying. I realized once I was back home that I was more charged for the meals for another table. I called the restaurant and they reversed the charge. Not really a big inconvenience, but if I didn't check, I would have overpaid. They do have a good selection of healthy options and the food quality was a plus. Staff were also polite and courteous. read more

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Everything was so tasty I ordered a cappuccino and the Effy's Breakfast. As soon as i walked in staff greeted me so enthusiastically and everyone was so sweet during my time dining. Such a cute cafe too bad they dont have more space inside! It was my first time there and I will be back read more

Effy's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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No! The salmon burger was rated very high here so I decided to give it a try for takeout. Waste of $20. It was very dry. I'm disappointed because I live close and wanted to eat here more. read more

Effy's Cafe - Salmon Burger - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

I live in the neighborhood and frequent Effy's for its consistently tasty, high-quality menu. I usually order the grilled fish sandwich or the Greek salad. Today felt like the first day of spring, so I opted for the Greek salad--but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The menu has changed, and the portion and composition of the salad have noticeably declined. It arrived with very small cubes of feta (less in both size and quantity), and there were no olives included. When I mentioned this to the waiter, olives were brought to the table (note: they are not pitted). The grape leaves that were previously part of the salad are also no longer included or listed on the menu. I ended up bringing the salad home and adding more feta myself. While prices have increased, and the overall quality remains acceptable, the portion size and value have clearly diminished. read more

Hello World! Effy's Cafe is one of my favorite places. I love coming here especially for my iced mocha coffee which is absolutely delicious and the food is also very good. But today I wanted to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and decided to have my iced coffee. Everyone is very friendly and they give you great service. if you haven't been to Effy come and give them a try. Especially my favorite waitress she knows who she is makes the perfect iced mocha coffee. If you haven't been to Effy come and give them a try. read more

Effy's Cafe - Iced Mocha Coffee - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

The food and drinks here were excellent, and they have many interesting healthy, and vegetarian, choices on the menu in addition to classics. I had a felafel platter with hummus, babaganoush, labneh, beet salad, red cabbage, guacamole, whole wheat pita, and a cappuccino. My friend had a wrap and tea. It is unpretentious and a nice place to sit and they have outdoor tables. The only negative was that the waitress did not refill water unless I asked her but she was pleasant and fast. I would definitely come back. Wheelchair accessible. read more

I come to this place every time I have someone visit me in the city. I always get the Salmon Omelette, and on occasion if I also want something sweet, I'll get the blueberry pancakes. Service is nice, fast, and straight to the point! Also love the vibes inside. Plenty of intimate seating, and when the weather is nice they open their rolling doors read more

Effy's Cafe - Smoked Salmon Omelette - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Adorable little cafe, friendly staff. The avocado toast was not great as the avocado was clearly off; I wish staff would just say that the avocado was bad & ask me to order something else rather than trying to pass off a gross old avocado. But, the latkes were delicious and my husband's challah French toast was delicious, so overall all was well. We would give them a second chance and just order something other than avocado. read more

Effy's cafe is an amazing hole in the wall! I am so happy we happened upon this adorable cafe. There was an extensive breakfast menu that was truly soup to nuts. From savory to sweet, there were endless options. We ordered the middle eastern breakfast as well as an egg and cheese sandwich with a side of fries. Everything was cooked to order and tasted delicious. I especially loved the pita and labne that came with the middle eastern. Their coffee was great as well. Service was nice and quick. Highly recommend coming here to dine! read more

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06-02-24 Everything was piping hot. Cucumber salad was refreshing and perfectly seasoned. Like the fact that the staff took our order while we waited for our table. Ordered: 4/5 -Power Wrap $14.95- I ordered mine with mozzarella instead of cheddar cheese. They accommodated me without any hesitation. -Smoked Salmon $15.95 -Bagel w Tuna $11 -Brioche Egg $10 -Oatmeal $6 -the best I ever had. Drinks: -Hot Coffee (2) $6 -Ice Coffee $4 We enjoyed our dining experience here and hope y'all will too! read more

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The food was fresh and delicious. There were plenty of options for fulfilling healthy breakfast. I had the middle eastern breakfast with fried egg. I will be going back for it. The smoothie was ok, the hot chocolate was good. The service was friendly and quick. The ambiance was calm and casual. I enjoyed Effy's cafe. read more

Not bad for an early breakfast at the community. The quality of the food was decent (8/10), service was good (8/10), and the atmosphere was great (9/10). You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

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I've been coming to Effy's Café for a while now, and it never disappoints. The quality is always consistent, and the staff make you feel like family. Definitely a neighborhood favorite! read more

I came to Effy's Cafe with my fiancé for a late brunch on a Sunday afternoon. When we arrived around 2:45pm, there was no wait time at all and plenty of tables available inside and outside although there were more people than we expected for the time. This place does not take reservations so it is a nice place to just spontaneously walk into on a nice summer day since it is so close to Central Park. The first table we got was kind of uncomfortable since the booth chair was out of proportion high compared to the shorter tables they have so we ended up switching to a table with regular chairs by the window. The ambiance here is very chill, cozy, and cafe like which I enjoyed. Sitting by the window made it a perfect spot for people watching. Service was very good and our waitress was very attentive of our table the whole time. For food we ordered: - Effy's salad: I was craving something lighter but nourishing and I am so happy I ordered this. The salad was amazing and one of the best I have had at a restaurant in a long time. This came with kale, roasted sweet potatoes, beets, slivered toasted almonds, avocado, and this super light and perfectly balanced honey balsamic vinaigrette. First of all, the tilapia was beautifully grilled and came in a generous portion. The seasoning was perfect and the meat was super buttery and flaky. The other elements of the salad were amazing too: the earthiness of the beets, the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, the hearty kale, the crunchy but delicate almonds, and the creamy avocado. The dressing was also very good which is surprising since I tend to find restaurant dressings either too salty or too sweet but this was just right. Would come back just for this! - Tunisian tuna sandwich: my fiancé got this and I tried a few bites. I really liked this! The bread was of very good quality, the tuna had a nice seasoning, and everything was tied together beautifully by the tangy flavor of the pickles and the richness of the hardboiled eggs. The fries that came on the side were actually some of the best fries I have had in the UWS. They were so crispy, light, and a little moist on the inside. Literally perfect. Liked these better than the sandwich itself. - Chocolate mousse cake: This was very good! The dessert portion was generous and came with layers of chocolate sponge cake, as well as some layers in the middle of milk chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse (?) which really added a nice moisture and texture gradient to the cake. A little on the sweeter side but pretty good. - Cheesecake: Another very good dessert! Surprisingly light and not too sweet. Really liked this. Overall, this is a great spot for brunch/lunch/dinner! It is near Central Park, the service is good, and they have a very diverse menu with options for everyone. Seating in the booths is a little uncomfortable which would be my only comment but I will definitely come back again. read more

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Walking along Broadway on the Upper West Side, we decided to come into Effy's Cafe for lunch. This is a very comfortable eating place with wonderful staff, a comfortable vibe and very good food. It is both vegetarian and kosher which is a major plus for those for whom this is important. There are tables both inside and outside and there were tables to choose from though we did not have a reservation. We chose the vegetarian sharwama wrap and grilled salmon salad for our dishes. I was still a bit hungry and so I ordered the very berry smoothy. Everything was freshly made and very satisfying. The smoothy was very fruity and not sweet at all. Overall, a very satisfying meal at a very reasonable price. I highly recommend it. read more

Had one of the most disturbing experiences I've ever had at any restaurant today. Arrived around 1:53pm, 7 minutes before the "lunch special" ended. The special comes with today's soup which was vegetable barley, one of my favorites. The server arrived at my table a tad after 2pm. When I inquired about the soup, I was told it was out, so I went ahead and ordered falafel with a side salad instead of with soup, off the regular menu. Shortly after my lunch arrived (~2:15p), I see the next table receives the same soup that I was told they were out of. When I asked the waitress what was up with that, she told me that the soup was out and they started cooking another batch. I told her she should have offered this to me, and was told since it was after 2pm, it wasn't available as a lunch special. The worst customer service I have ever received at any restaurant, bar none read more

Bad service, poor seating, hefty prices, small servings, avg quality? Welcome to Effy's! I recently ordered takeout from Effys. While I was waiting for my order to be prepared, I was told to wait outside in the freezing cold. Talk about customer service ! Mark would shudder. I understand the restaurant industry is difficult, but it doesn't excuse behavior like this. 2/5 read more

Fairly lame service, bad seating (what the hell is the story with the benches along the eastern wall?). Food was below par. I was so looking forward to eating at this place having passed it for about two years and finally having a dining companion willing to eat there. Just disappointing. Those of you who know my account know that I rarely if ever write a bad review unless I think the place truly deserves it, sadly, I feel one needs to be warned to stay away from this place. It gets one star for being kosher. read more

The walls have art all over them. There's a diner feel with a bit of personal touch. The service was really awesome. Our waitress was kind and approachable. We literally walked at 8:05 and know it was going to close early like 9 PM, but we only wanted a small bite and a place to chat for a bit...so it was perfect to stop in and some hot tea. read more

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Open on a couple ordering at Effy's. Cashier turns to address a mixed-race couple. Cashier: What can I get you? Husband: One black coffee ... Sfx: phone ring Cashier picks up phone and takes order. Cashier packs phone order. Cashier: What I get you? Husband: Black coff... Cashier (to cook) : With potatoes Cashier: Sorry, what was that? Husband: Black coffee. Cashier disappears for two minutes. Husband (to wife): If she comes back and asks me again, I'm going to.... Cashier: Yes? What was that? Cut to Husband in toolshed building a death ray. read more

Bumped into this cafe, after a doctors appointment. The place is small but the food was great. Was there for breakfast and they had some gluten-free options, natural juices which is a plus for me. read more

Nice quaint kosher cafe. Several delicious options from salads to sandwiches to burgers and more. Really enjoyed the falafel platter but wish there was more falafel or pita to enjoy with the large portion of side salads. read more

Effy's Cafe - Falafel Platter - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorite places to go get coffee or light breakfast. :) The ambiance is super cute, friendly staff and the food is delicious! I love the avocado toast with egg on top, perfect with a hot latte. If the weather is nice sit outside! read more

Challah French toast is perfect and the roasted butter salmon with mashed sweet potatoes and kale is a fantastic mix of flavors and always perfectly cooked. They let you order before being seated so food comes quickly. It's a cozy and cute cafe. read more

Cute spot for a casual but indulging brunch! My order: Schnitzel and cheesy pancakes. Israeli breakfast platter. So delicious! Unique take on a chicken and waffles type breakfast. Israeli breakfast was also a classic favorite. Service was pretty quick. Small place with very casual vibes. Would definitely come back! read more

Effy's Cafe - Schnitzel and cheesy pancakes. Effy's breakfast platter. - Cafes Near Me - New York, New York

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Delicious!!!! Great atmosphere. the salmon was fantastic. The falafel and pita great. Highly recommend it. We will be back

This place has become our neighborhood staple, its super casual and pretty tight seating but great food and the best value. A full brunch with great coffee will run to $50 its the best value for the money. Great ingredients. Big selection of items. Israeli breakfast platter is a crowd pleaser, amazing omelettes, great sandwiches and fresh juice, really good coffee, smoothies and teas. Just a lovely little spot, again, nothing fancy but a perfect bite and truly affordable. Also great for kids. read more

I needed a kosher meal tonight and my friend wanted Effys. It hit the spot. I love any place that does breakfast all day. I ordered the egg white wrap and it was amazing!! Yum! read more

great service - and awesome food. The israeli salad is my fave. love the people and the spirit of the place. share this gem w your loved ones. read more

I think I gave my order to somebody else the table next to me ordered it the same time I got up, thinking it was coming any minute. They gave away my seat at my table and made me pay and I had to wait probably 20 minutes. I'm not real happy with that. You serve somebody you don't give the food away to somebody else because I swear my meal went out to somebody else right in front of me. I saw the meal. read more

Very crowded during brunch time on weekends. But we decided to wait, and food and service were good.

The salmon filet in the Moroccan fish dish was ample and perfectly cooked. Regrettably, it and the vegetables were overwhelmed by the heavily SALTED sauce in which they floated. Almost inedible. Service was prompt and staff were very nice. read more