Wonderful, cozy place with great coffee and lattes. The outdoor area is so great with the weather is nice. I will definitely be going back! read more

ELK Cafe - Vanilla latte and outdoor seating. - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I generally really like Elk, especially the nice garden space in the back, but like other reviews have mentioned, some of the people that work there are not very pleasant. Recently, seeing that they closed at 6:00 PM, we headed over there about an hour before that. When we tried to order a latte, the person behind the counter took great delight in smugly informing us that the espresso machine was closed. It was way before their closing time... if you're a coffee shop, maybe keep the espresso machine open until you close? It's not like a restaurant closing their espresso machine after brunch; the entire point of Elk is to serve coffees! And she was SO rude when she turned us away. The women had also cleaned up all of the baked goods already, and it seemed like she was getting ready to put them away. She clearly just wanted to go home early, but it was extremely inappropriate behavior. If her manager had been there, I'm sure she would have been instructed to stay open until 6:00PM. We were about to spend over $20, so it's even more shocking to me that the employee thought it was okay to just close up shop an hour early. This was just one terrible experience with the employees at Elk, but in general, it has a lot less of neighborhood feel than other spots in Windsor Terrace. However, there are some really great employees here as well, and like I mentioned, I love the garden space, and I think the coffee is great! read more

I stopped by Elk this afternoon for a cold drink after a beautiful walk in Prospect Park. What a lovely, inviting place! The people behind the counter were warm and friendly. The cold brewed coffee was great. And there were home made poptarts! Finally, there is a small but nice indoor sitting area and an awesome backyard (with a kids' playroom.) I will be back soon! read more

ELK Cafe - Indoor sitting area. - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Cute cafe located on the edge of Prospect Park. I got an iced americano that was excellent. They have great pastries, such as the blueberry pop-tarts--yum! The owner was extremely nice and easy to talk to! I loved the outdoor seating and found it to be a great place to bring kids, if you have them, since some of the outdoor spaced looked to be very kid-oriented/friendly. Great spot! read more

Really great coffee shop and sandwhich joint. I wouldn't come here with a big group but if you need to grab some food and coffee it's an awesome stop! read more

ELK Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Went here on a Saturday morning and spent over $40 on breakfast. 2 donuts we bought (which we have had many times before) were totally stale. When we told the staff they said it wasn't their problem and refused to take them back. Bad for business. We won't be back. read more

really cute place with real coffee- stump town coffee (my FAVORITE!!). I had the ice mocha and it was perfect. There's indoor seating as well as outdoor backyard seating. It's quiet and quaint place. I heard there's a children's event there, but I must have missed it because it was pretty quiet. But there is a ton of space in the back for kids to play in if you're a parent on a play date. There's also nice space inside for you to study and enjoy a sandwich if you're looking for some downtime to do work on your laptop. Did I mention... I heard there's wifi. But I wasn't there long enough to explore how great the connection was or whether you need a password or anything. Will definitely come back to check it out. read more

Location across from Vanderbilt playground can't be beat. Coffee and treats are all fantastic. The fireplace is cozy in the colder months and the backyard with play shed is brilliant. A great place to let your little one play while you have a coffee chat with a friend. Or get your coffee and treats to go before hitting the swings. I really appreciate what these guys do to give kids and their parents a needed oasis in a city that is far too often not very kid friendly. Thank you and keep at it! read more

Just dropped into this cafe while exploring Prospect Park, and the first thing that charmed me was the staff. They were sassy and humorous, exactly how you expect Brooklynite baristas to be. They made me a great cold brew, which I enjoyed in their indoor area. The cafe seemed to be pretty good for getting some work done - I saw several people on their laptops or reading books/newspapers. There is also an outdoor section that was reserved for a family/children event that day, but seems like it would be a great place to hang out on other days. read more

I really want to like this place. I live close by and it'd be great to have an awesome coffee shop down the block. I've given this place probably 50 chances but I'm done! The service is the pits. There is one guy in particular who has taken my order dozens of times and has never as much as smiled or echoed my "hello." When I've ordered their special maple iced coffee I got an eye roll for the $6 drink I was paying for. We're not in Williamsburg or Bushwick guys, you're not too cool for your own customers. You've permanently lost my business. read more

A great, peaceful cafe. With a tent area for toys for the kids. So parents can have a semi-peaceful way to drink their coffee and tea, while their kids are playing, and adults w/o kids enjoy a quiet spot inside the cafe proper. A wonderful solution for all. read more

I come here way too much. As a parent, it's great because of the huge entry and kid-friendly backyard and play area. But it's also great when I come here by myself on my way to work for coffee and a pastry (the fancy pop tarts are really good). The place is always clean and organized. The staff are friendly and helpful. It's a great location right next to the park across the street from the playground. I just wish they had more of what they already have! Sometimes they close earlier than what is posted on the website and door, so if you're planning on coming here around closing time, call ahead to make sure that they're still open. read more

Elk Cafe is back! I've been coming here for several years and was dismayed when it closed last fall. But the new owners have cleaned it up and it's great to have it back in neighborhood. This is a terrific place for the neighborhood to gather, get a coffee, a pastry or a sandwich, and do some work or just meet with friends. They have a nice yard, too, with a tent full of toys for the kids. And I loved winters here when they had the fireplace going. The new owners are off to a great start - hope they keep it up! read more

This place is great! I was looking for a cafe in my neighborhood to do some work, and I found this gem! The sunny location right by the park, the cute outdoor seating in the back, friendly service, good coffee (got a skim latte), AND good music! Any cafe that plays Radiohead is ok by me.. :) awesome! Would love to come back soon and try a sandwich! read more

Ordered the steak sandwich. First of all it is premade and kept in the fridge for who knows how long. They grill it on a panini press when you order. It wasn't steak. It's shredded meat slathered in barbecue sauce and sweet onions. It's awful. read more

Here's the problem with the turkey sandwich: it's not worth $8. It's made with regular deli turkey, deli yellow cheddar cheese, yellow mustard (what?), an apple, and ice berg lettuce. It's worth MAYBE $4. Here's how you make it worth $8: get more artisanal, baked bread (ciabatta, sourdough, something more gourmet), get turkey that at least has a flavor (maple, honey, smoked), get brown or Dijon mustard, get better cheese, and use some more flavorful lettuce (red leaf, arugula, frisée, again, more gourmet). read more

Oh no, I hope it reopens! Good coffee, resident bodega cat, it was basically my office when "working from home."

Elk management, please clean up your act and reopen! The neighborhood needs a good coffee shop. The place was looking pretty ragged, the staffing uneven, and I would never order food there, but those elements are all addressable. Hope that you can resolve them. Thanks! read more

The space let's a lot of natural light in. Good for settling in to read a book for a few hours. Girl behind the counter was polite and happy to provide recommendations for their baked goods. She suggested the Brown Sugar Pop Tart and I was not disappointed. Flakey crust and not sickly sweet like the ones you buy at the store. Americano was good too. There's a back yard seating area with what looks like a children's play section. It's December and someone was out there reading but I'd wait to try that when it's not 30 degrees out lol. I'll come back next time I'm around Prospect needing a coffee fix read more

It makes me so sad that so many people in this neighborhood complain about the "noise" that comes from Elk Cafe. My apartment directly overlooks the backyard and I hear the music regularly. Children's music that lasts for 45 minutes is hardly a major nuisance, especially considering it doesn't start until late morning! I don't have kids, but I feel that the music and children's voices genuinely contribute to a warm feeling of community that we should want from all of our Brooklyn neighborhoods. Elk is great, and I truly hope that the "noise" haters don't win and deprive our kids and families of the music or the use of the awesome backyard. read more

I normally love this place but sadly experienced the breakfast sandwich for the first time this morning. It's pre-made, so they heat it up in a toaster. Mine was not fully heated when I got it. I'm sad to say that it was indeed the worst breakfast sandwich I've ever had. $8 is expensive even for a quality sandwich, but for a half frozen bacon, egg and cheese. No thanks. I'd recommend that you figure this out Elk Cafe, cause you've got a lot going for you. Or alternatively just lose the sandwiches altogether. read more

Very disappointed. The coffee is very good, and I really love the space, but I got a $9 "chicken pesto" sandwich that was a nice roll with some pesto, and literally two tiny scraps of chicken. I know they get the food from Brancaccio's, but I feel pretty darn certain Brancaccio's didn't send a sandwich pre-made like that. Seriously unacceptable. I'm sure I will stop in for coffee again, but no way I will ever buy any food there again. read more

Amazing pastries (locally made pie! donuts! pop tarts!), sandwiches, some of the best coffee in the neighborhood, and a big backyard. Good on your own, and especially appreciated for a family with kids. There are regularly scheduled sing-a-longs for kids in the backyard, and a playhouse with toys. Picnic tables and a lawn are perfect for hanging out with a baby, and the cafe can accommodate groups outside when the weather is nice. The indoor area with tables is generally quiet and more adult-oriented. read more

I had a chicken sandwich. It's a bit small for the price but OMG THE FLAVOR IS AMAZING!! Well worth it!nice vibe and the taste of the coffee is great!! read more

Really happy to call ELK my neighborhood cafe! The staff is consistently great, and the new ambience of the location (inside and backyard) has a great feel! Oh yea, DOUGH donuts on the weekends are also a plus. Thanks for the countless coffees ELK! read more

One of our favorite places to go with the baby. They have this terrific backyard with a tent and lots of toys, and lovely singalongs on Saturdays, and you hang out and chat with other parents you know, because pretty much all of them are there, and it's like this idyllic scene. And they have pie from the mighty Four and Twenty Blackbirds, so you definitely get pie. read more

Slow neighborhood spot. Stumptown hairbender as house, and shots are single. Every other half decent cafe in NYC pulls doubles as standard, these guys are doing us all a favor by lowering our caffeine and flavor intake while charging the same. Badly pulled shot to boot, into an unwashed measuring shot glass. Poured into a latte cup and called it a Cortado. Yankee Doodle Dandy. read more

Wanted to like this place...just moved into the neighborhood and needed a good place to grab coffee. Decor was great, food and drink selection was great, although I've had much better lattes at other places. The staff however were very bad. The woman who took my order forgot to give my drink to the barista. The barista spent her time antagonizing customers and her fellow employee. At one point she argued with the other employee about the right way to clean some kitchen equipment. She didn't bother lowering her voice so you could hear the entire conversation. Made the atmosphere of the place very uncomfortable. Prob won't go back. read more

Fortunately, the music has stopped. I hope for good. I work from home and cannot have my windows open when the kiddie music is so loud. Mary had a little lamb in the background of a professional meeting doesn't work well. The park would be a much better venue to offer the singalongs so others can have peace. read more

It would be extremely great place if only owners would care to clean playhouse and toys at least once a week. Toys are half broken and never have working batteries inside, never get cleaned from dust and dirt. Glass in the window in the playhouse is broken and hopefully no kid ever will get to that. Pastry is delicious but quite often I get yesterday made scones and this is in the morning. read more

Terrible service!!! Small play area for kids but most toys are dirty and broken. I only come for sing alongs once in a while since my son was born but I absolutely dread ordering from the MISERABLE baristas. Unfriendly, unpleasant and unknowledgeable! read more

One of my go-to cafes when I'm walking around Prospect Park! It's so cute and the owners are wonderful.

It's a welcoming place , however the prices are high plus the lattes we got were pretty bitter.

A favorite local coffee shop, they have Stumptown, good wifi, and a huge back yard with shade, never crowded. On nice-weather days when I work from home, this has always been a top choice. read more

Four dollars for a small ice coffee that tastes like acid. I was literally unable to finish it. Yuck!

I'm going to be extremely careful in what I say and note that I am giving a three-star review before I say the following. I am really glad that Elk opened. I am really glad there's another coffee spot in Windsor Terrace. I am elated they serve magpies and have that awesome tie in for food from Joe Brancaccio's shop. However, having read the reviews here, I am utterly and entirely shocked by the manager's replies to some of the lower starred reviews. I am shocked to see replies that teeter on rude to the people who have spoken their minds in ways which might have been unappealing. I cannot know if these reviewers who gave lower starred reviews are trolls or speaking the truth. But, I will share my own experience regarding the customer service here. I will share an experience that really wasn't THAT bad, but which I believe bears sharing if for no other reason than to see if I draw the same sort of rude reply or at least lend credence to the belief that ELK like any business establishment has flaws. Flaws are human, and natural. It is not the end of the world for a flaw to be shared. Flaws help us grow. I will first admit that my slightly flawed experience at ELK occurred some weeks ago. I thought to comment on here on Yelp but didn't bother. But once I read the reviews here which were not 100% positive and saw how they were replied to, I felt motivated to share. I ordered a large iced tea at ELK a few weeks ago. The salesperson poured my iced tea into a small cup and handed it to me. I politely reminded her I ordered a large. She paused, and then replied that they used up the last of the iced tea in that pour. I then had to ask her to refund the price difference I paid for a large to me. She did not at all offer of her own volition. Had I not realized that the cup she gave me was actually for a small, I'd have gone off into the world accepting her dishonesty as the truth, none the wiser. That's not how customers should be treated. I don't know if she still works at ELK. I don't know if this was a one time way to handle a stressful situation on a crowded day. I've worked in food service before in a busy counter service environment. I know I cut corners and was dishonest some times. I know what it's like to cave into stress. I regret the things I did as a counter server in those moments. All this is to say- that iced tea was delicious. I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it with a magpie or a Joe Brancaccio entrée. But ELK, like any business, is not free of imperfection. And that's ok. I will continue to patronize nonetheless and support a neighborhood business doing things to elevate the café culture here and provide quality drinks and food. read more

I love Elk café. They have a really nice variety of pastries. The quiches are SO delicious and the staff is really friendly.

Terrible coffee, cheap and possibly the worst Latte I've had. We all love to complain about Starbucks but truth be told, it's crap places like this that makes Starbucks profitable. read more

Great space right by Prospect Park- we passed by this place on the way back from the Pet Store two doors down. Menu and the glass case goodies looked enticing but the employees were all aloof and they stare you down as you order. It was a bit unnerving and made us feel unwelcome. Garden area looked pleasant and relaxing. Pro tip: opt to sit in the garden as the employees won't be able to burn a hole into your face by staring if you stay there. read more

Love this addition to our hood! So fun great for families and people like me who work from home! Food=YUM! The huge back yard and the little shack for the little ones is fantastic, keeps them busy, while you can sip on your ice coffee! Plus is right by the park, so if you are heading to the park, you can pick up breakfast and enjoy! Love the staff, the service, and the programs they provide for kids! read more