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    Emma's Torch

    4.7 (137 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Emma's Torch Photos

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    EMMA'S TORCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Emma's Torch

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    Amy W.

    Loved this coffee shop in Cobble Hill! The prices were incredibly reasonable, and the drinks were delicious. I was also really impressed by the organization's mission to use proceeds to help train refugees in the culinary arts. I came on a Sunday, and it was busy but still had seating available. They also served desserts and small bites. The interior was also comfy and clean. We got a lemonade, hibiscus mint, and arnold palmer to-go. The hibiscus mint was absolutely amazing - it is lightly sweetened and so perfect on a warm day.

    Hawaij spice hot cocoa
    Margaret L.

    Lovely spot for a coffee or a bite! I happened to walk by on a Sunday afternoon and had to go in because the courtyard looked so inviting. The hawaij spiced hot cocoa was served in the cutest mug. Hawaij is a spice blend used across Yemeni cuisine in dishes like soups/curries/coffee, and I loved the extra dimension it added to the hot cocoa. I actually ordered a second cup for the road. The staff were pleasant and happy to answer questions about the menu. Quick shout out also to the culinary training program Emma's Torch has for refugees - such a great cause and makes me feel good to patronize this business! This would be a great spot to get some work/reading done in the daytime, since there is plenty of seating both inside and outside as well as wifi and a restroom. I didn't try any food but plan to on my next visit. If it's nice out, definitely sit in the courtyard and enjoy the view of the Carroll Gardens brownstones stretching down the block.

    Chrissy M.

    Wow great food and service. Kitchen is only open until 3pm but they have pastries and whatnot for after. It is a cozy little hidden gem for a good cause. I'm so happy I finally tried this spot ! Excellent cinnamon bun!

    Brunch menu.
    Fiona Z.

    Some portions were definitely smaller than others, but Emma's Torch does have a strong mission to do good. I like that they have a simple and short menu. They were also very nice to accommodate me and my friends without a reservation during brunch hours. -1 star for the lack of portion size consistency My friend said the southern breakfast was too salty ($14). He didn't even finish his grits. I quite enjoyed my French toast ($13) but it became too sweet toward the end. Another friend ordered the mushroom tartine ($13) but the portion was so small that we went to another restaurant afterward. The seasoned fries ($7) were heavily seasoned which was a mixed bag. I don't know if I really tasted the garlic or fennel, because it seemed overwhelmingly like paprika.

    Pancake, hummus + pita, and hash
    Yeraldine S.

    Emma's Torch Mission: To empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. This alone should have everyone wanting to stop by and support this business! We made reservations for brunch and were immediately seated Sunday morning. The service was attentive throughout our time there but what really wow'd us was the flavors in all of the dishes. It's a tapa style - so the plates are smaller but it's a good idea to try a few. Plates: Black-eyed pea hummus with a homemade pita House pastrami hash w/ a sunny side egg Strawberries & Cream Pancake Don't forget to order a coffee & a mimosa :) I couldn't choose my favorite dish but after realizing what I saved for last I would have to go with the pancake. It's charred up for a little so it gives it a nice crunch but everything was delicious. Great food & great cause. I'm already eyeing their dinner menu and I can't wait to return! #EmmasTorch

    Kenny C.

    Emma's Torch is one of the most amazing businesses in NYC. They employ and train refugees so they can find work after their time at Emma's. Stopped in on a snowy day, and got a glass of white and a fried chicken sandwich. This restaurant space used to be one of my favorite fried chicken restaurants (Wilma Jean), and this one is a worthy replacement. Giant chunks of super crispy chicken. Lot of slaw. Pickled celery. Super messy. But SO GOOD. Came with a giant side salad. Service was great. Love everything about this place!

    Turkey meatballs
    Morlene C.

    More so than when I review other businesses, I'm taking a very holistic approach to rating this restaurant. I definitely feel extra warm and positive towards Emma's Torch because of their programs providing refugees with culinary training, ESL classes and interview preparation. I wholeheartedly support their mission to empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education. This is all to say that the food wasn't the only driving factor in my decision to dine here, but it was definitely the cherry on top. My table ordered a variety of dishes including the turkey meatballs, tamarind bbq wings, vegetable tagine, pumpkin cavatelli, and beet salad with goat cheese. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and so seasonally appropriate for this Fall season. The goat cheese in my beet salad was impeccably whipped and the beets were fresh and sweet. I stole a bite of my friend's vegetable tagine which was flavorful and hearty. The ambience was cozy and quiet the Sunday evening I dined here. I love that the menu rotates seasonally, so I'll gladly return to try future menu items.

    Matt M.

    We loved everything about this place! For those unfamiliar with Emma's Torch - this restaurant offers a 10-week paid apprenticeship program for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking as a pathway to a full-time career in the hospitality industry. It's no surprise that graduates of this program are in high demand, given our wonderful experience at this restaurant. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. We dined for brunch and ordered the black eyed-peas hummus (served with the most delicious, soft, house made pita), and two orders of the house made pastrami hash. So what?! We are that basic couple whose tastes have converged after years of nesting together *shrug* The black eyed-peas hummus is definitely unique - it's difficult to pinpoint the mix of spices, herbs used in this dish - but please do order this! The pastrami hash was perfection - a sunny side up egg, served over a potato hash with small bits of pastrami mixed in. This dish was a bit spicier than expected, but it was excellent! Also, their coffee is solid. So solid, that in fact, that I asked the waitress for the blend/origin and she came back to me with the name of the brand/supplier. Talk about attention to detail! I look forward to returning to this restaurant to support such a worthy cause (AND also, because their food is damn delicious!). Reservations highly recommended.

    Waffle breakfast sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, fries and a latte
    Lolin L.

    Workers at Emma's torch were extremely friendly, from taking our order at the counter, to handing us our food and helping us clean up. This is an order at the counter and sit down kind of cafe. Their kitchen is opened until 3pm. Late afternoon on a Saturday, all their tables were full. We got an order of fries, crispy chicken sandwich, a waffle breakfast sandwich which is a weekend special, and a latte. Their latte had a dark espresso flavor that balanced well the amount of milk in a latte. The waffle breakfast sandwich is made with a sunny side up egg, Canadian bacon, cheese, blueberry compote? Sandwiched between two quarters of a Belgian waffle. I was thrown off by the blueberry but it actually was such a nice touch that balanced the saltiness of the Canadian bacon. Definitely more of a knife and fork job but I enjoyed every bite! Crispy chicken sandwich was made with a juicy crispy chicken thigh and refreshing slaw. The fries are dusted with some harissa seasoning I believe. Very crispy. We both enjoyed our meals a lot! Will definitely be back. Loved the mission of this place as well.

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    13 days ago

    A great cafe with an honorable mission. I enjoyed the cafe, spacious space, and overall ambiance.

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    Midwood Flats

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    Always a great time coming here. Grace and the rest of the staff kill it every time. In the past…read moreI've only gotten drinks. But yesterday, I did rhe Boozy Brunch (90min for $40). Definitely worth another trip. I got the Cajun club (w/o tomatoes) sandwich and the frozen margarita. Both were soooo good! The place might be small but it's big on the "home away from home"/chill atmosphere!

    I will never return to this establishment. What was supposed to be a brief, comforting brunch visit…read moreafter attending a funeral turned into an embarrassing and disappointing experience. I chose this place because I had visited a few times in the past and expected a positive environment. While there, I ran into an old friend who was accompanying individuals with special needs. They informed us about the R&B karaoke event, and we attempted to participate respectfully and supportively. Unfortunately, after participating, the DJ became rude and dismissive. My friends decided not to continue because each time they attempted to request a song, the DJ was unkind and impatient, seemingly unaware--or unconcerned--that they were individuals with special needs. The situation escalated when I attempted to calmly address the disrespect. Instead of listening, the bartender repeatedly accused me of being drunk simply because I was defending myself after a rude comment. I was not intoxicated; I was advocating for respectful treatment. Even the DJ's own companion appeared visibly shocked by the comment made toward me, as if anticipating a reaction. I remained composed and professional despite being deeply upset. What disappointed me most was the staff's decision to defend the DJ's behavior rather than acknowledge how inappropriate and disrespectful the interaction was. This reflects poorly on how this establishment treats people--especially those who deserve patience, understanding, and dignity. I came expecting an enjoyable brunch experience and left feeling ashamed for having trusted this place. It is clear that the venue prioritizes protecting mediocre DJs with minimal local popularity over treating customers with basic respect. Poor organization, lack of proper event management, and unprofessional staff behavior made this experience unacceptable. I have visited many establishments and have never felt so disrespected. I will not be returning.

    Ix Restaurant - Shrimp Sliders

    Ix Restaurant

    (253 reviews)

    $$

    Prospect Lefferts Gardens

    TL;DR version- Some high highs and some very low lows. Hot Figs was a fun app. By a mile, the soups…read morewere the favorites, so I would recommend the Pepián or Caldo Tlalpeño Rojo. Nice happy hour and a large chocolate drink selection I was at this unique Guatemalan (ish) restaurant a while back with one of my groups. I said "ish" because the menu has dishes from all over, ranging from sandwiches to BBQ ribs to Guatemalan and Mexican soups. It's out there, and even though not everything works that well, it's fun, and if you can't find something you want to order here, you probably shouldn't go out to restaurants. There was also live jazz music that night, which was loud but nice to listen to. Since it was happy hour, a bunch of us got drinks. I went with a maracuya margarita, which was decent; someone else had a jalapeño margarita, someone had a beer, and someone had a mojito. There were a few nice hot sauces on the table, with the red one reminding me of salsa macha as it had a smoky kick and a spicier green sauce reminiscent of ají verde. They gave us some complimentary blue corn chips and a very mild black bean dip, which was tasty enough and hard to complain about, as it was free. From the appetizers, we got the Hot Figs for $15.95, consisting of honey goat cheese, corn tortilla chips, and plum + pumpkin seeds. This was a unique and fun blend and reminded me more of something you would find in a wine bar. The mix of sweet and salty, with a bit of crunch from the seeds, was nice. This was good, and I would recommend it for a table rather than for a solo diner. There was also The Zingy Salad for $21.95, featuring zucchini spirals, yuzu, tomato, onion, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and a jalapeño infusion. $18.95. The salad was fine with a bit of crunch and a mild spiciness. It was fine, though a bit wet, for lack of a better word. The best dishes of the night were the soups, which each had its own distinct flavor profile. My sight presence went to the Pepián for $21.95, consisting of chicken, pumpkin/sesame seeds, green tomatillo, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, carrots, chili coban/pasta/guaque, and potato + rice. There was plenty of tender chicken inside, with the soup having a nice roasted flavor with some spice and a bit of sourness. The potatoes and rice on the bottom added more sustenance to this dish. Almost equally delicious was the Caldo Tlalpeño Rojo for a dollar more with shredded chicken, tomato, black pepper, garlic, onions, peas, chickpeas, corn, achiote, chipotle, Monterey jack cheese, and crunchy blue corn tortilla chips. By comparison, this was a bit heartier, with the melted cheese and shredded tortilla chips inside, similar to soups found in Mexican cuisine. While I also liked the mix of veggies a bit more in this one, as it added a bit more texture, I still slightly preferred the flavor of the other soup, as I usually prefer a bit more spice. The rest of the food was fine. The TPC sandwich for $19.95 with chicken, peanut butter, coconut cream, ginger, cilantro, pickled carrots, and lime was fine. For the number of ingredients, I found it a bit sweet, likely from the cream and the peanut butter mix. The bread was nice, but it also fell apart. It came with a nice side salad with a good vinaigrette. The most expensive at $24.95 were the Slow Cooked BBQ Ribs, consisting of baby back ribs with rice and beans. The ribs were almost a bit too tender as they lacked any bite, which was nice, but the sauce was a bit too generic tasting, reminding me of Sweet Baby Ray's or something similar. The rice and beans were standard. This was also OK. Next came some dessert. There was first the $12.95 Rosemary Churros served with dulce de leche & chocolate dips. While I'm not sure if it worked, the rosemary did add a unique smell and a bit of flavor, and at least it wasn't generic. The churros themselves were hot, and the sauces were standard, with my preference being the dulce de leche. I also ordered a Champurrado for $7.95, which was fine. It wasn't as thick as I expected, though perhaps the style is a bit different than the champurrados I rarely buy from Mexican street carts. The chocolate flavor was very nice, though, and I like that it wasn't too sweet. Another person got a $4 Alfajor, which I got a bite of, which was standard. This place is a bit hard to rate. The two soups were wonderful, I liked the appetizers, and I found a couple of the other dishes just OK. Overall, it was a good meal, but I'm not craving to go back. This would be the perfect 3.5, but I'll round up as that doesn't exist.

    This place is great! Food is excellent. Came here with a party of 6, had a few different meals. My…read morewife hade the Cuban sandwich, excellent but $20, a bit pricey. I had the half chicken with rice and beans, may have been the best chicken I've ever had. Portion was huge. Everyone in party thought their meal was excellent. $16 cocktails Really friendly service but sloooow. Also at checkout had to ask server if gratuity had been already added. It had been..... credit card reader still had 20% and above tipping options.

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    (70 reviews)

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    Quaint neighborhood spot that's perfect for brunch. Came here on a Saturday and while the wait was…read moreabout an hr, there was plenty to do in the area to keep us busy. Every table has a placemat with crayons which is such a fun way to keep kids and adults entertained. The food was delicious and tasted fresh, living up to their messaging on sourcing local food. We ordered the egg katsu sandwich and the eggs rothko. The sandwich was very well made with a nice crisp panko crusting that didnt feel heavy on the oil, and yet still managed to have a light airy egg inside. The eggs rothko was buttery and flavorful but still managed to not feel too heavy. The broiled tomatos on the side were a nice touch to contrast the egg and toast from the main dish. Overall I enjoyed this place and would love to come back to try more dishes. The vibe was friendly and welcoming, making it the perfect weekend brunch spot.

    Correctness/Taste (1-5): I thought the egg katsu alone was delicious, the sauce (yuzu mayo) made it…read moreeven better! I got it paired with the chicken sausage, which wasn't the best. If I were to do again, no sausage, I don't believe you need it for this sandwich. The chocolate milk is regular. - 4/5 Value (1-5): For what I got, I believe it is overpriced, even though it tasted really good, I don't know how many eggs are used to create the egg katsu, but $17 seems like a reach. There are other items on the menu that cost the same price but will make you feel more full. 3/5 Customer Service (1-5): The customer service was attentive and nice. 5/5

    Emma's Torch - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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