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A slight walk, further from Austin street, is totally worth it. Unique selections and a comfortable indoor space with books for reading. The line was fairly long for a Sunday afternoon! I got the pistachio hojiacha latte, while my friend got the black sesame latte. Personally, i would stick to a standard hojicha but I do enjoy a daring combo. Overall an enjoyable experience.
Cute cafe, however can get pretty crowded during midday. I got their pistachio latte with espresso base and asked them to make it less sweet which they did, it tasted great! They also have a selection of desserts like croffles and cookies. They do have a bathroom as well which is always good to know. The girl at the register recommended the pandan latte to me so that's what I'll be trying next.
Forest Cafe opened in late 2022 and instantly blew up, clearly filling a demand for a hip minimalist coffee shop in Forest Hills and appearing on many "Best Coffee Shops in NY" lists. But is it worth the hype? Eh. For one, it's very popular. No matter the time of day, expect to wait on a line just to order. Seats and tables are rarely available, so be prepared to hover until someone gets up. That's understandable given it's pretty much the only place of its kind in the neighborhood, but it doesn't exactly make for a relaxing experience. I've tried several of their lattes (ube, pandan, cherry blossom, hojicha) and while they've all been good, none have really stood out. The flavors have been extremely subtle, to the point where they're hard to taste. I'm not asking for overly sweet drinks or artificial flavors, but there are other coffee shops in Queens that make a much better ube latte, for example. I tried the food once, ordering the pistachio croffle. It sounded and looked good, but unfortunately tasted stale. I was excited when Forest Cafe first opened, but I've only been back a handful of times since. I just don't find myself craving or returning to their drinks the way I do with other coffee shops.
Forest cafe is a little hidden cafe and it is a bit out of the way but is worth it. The matcha latte is top notch, you can definitely taste the love that goes into it. The earl grey chocolate chip cookie is a nice treat and the taste of earl grey is mild so it's not overwhelming. There is a line of people usually waiting so try to get there before closing or early on. There is some seats if you want to sit down to eat or want to work remotely. They only allow you to sit with your laptop during the weekdays not on the weekend so keep that in mind.
My favorite indie cafe in the Forest Hills area. They make their matcha the traditional way with a whisk, and they offer an option of Kagoshima or Horii matcha, so you know it's legit. The only downside is maybe the lines can get pretty long over weekends and there might be a wait of 10-15 mins during peak times. They also charge extra for oat and plant milk, on top of already pricey matcha, so a matcha latte can easily be over $8 after tax.
Brown Butter Banana (Kago) Matcha Latte - 10/10! The banana flavor really complements the rest of the drink well and doesn't feel too sweet either. Line was almost to the door when I came in Sunday afternoon but they move fastttt - definitely looked more of a wait than it was! Looking forward to trying more specialty drinks
Seasonal drinks are fun. The fall menu has some great flavors, like a banana latte, biscoff latte, and biscoff cold foam top. What sets Forest Cafe apart is the versatility of what you use in your base for all lattes: matcha, espresso, or hojicha. Forest Cafe meets the common challenge of seasonal lattes, which is executing on the actual flavor. The ratios are prominent enough for the ships to come through. Be ready for long lines that go out the store on weekends.
This neighborhood cafe has excellent service and ample space to relax and enjoy a good cup of joe. My favorite beverage so far has been their Dirty Chai Latte, which was a great combination. Haven't had the chance to try any of their food, but the drinks are very good overall. Only thing better is the friendly and gracious service.
Was in the area doing some shopping and decided to pop in for a beverage to cool down. This place is very known in the area and it shows. There was people chilling on the benchs outside and people lounging inside as well. People had their laptops as well. They offer water at the napkin/utensils station which was nice to hydrate while I waited. They have a bunch of seasonal drinks that I stored in the back of my memory for next time. This time I just went with the matcha.
The brown butter banana latte is good! Everything was combined nicely and the drink itself was perfectly sweet. The banana taste came in more subtly. I felt I initially taste the brown butter before the banana aftertaste comes through. The cafe itself is really cute and there's some tables for seating. We also tried the carrot cake which was delicious and the cream cheese frosting was great.
Honestly my favorite cafe in the area because it's so girl coded and the drinks are amazing. This cafe is spacious and the seasonal menu always updates with new drinks. They have two different matcha grades to choose from and I always "forest it" so it comes with maple syrup and cinnamon. The matcha is strong and I love the overall vibe in this store. There is usually a line but the line moves quickly. They also have an adorable stamp card and I always visit whenever i'm in the area. read more
I loved the vibe of this spot, it is so cute with lots of natural light & the items on the menu all sound good. They have a list of year round items & a couple rotating seasonal lattes that you'll have to wait to see on their wall as well. However, It gets extremely busy there -- so if you're wanting to sit and chit chat with a friend, you might find yourself sitting outside or constantly checking for a chair because it gets busyyyyy in here on weekdays despite the abundant seating, while I do love a little coffee & study session, it really sucked that nearly all of the tables inside were taken by customers with laptops! Perhaps it's better on weekends as they have signs that implement no laptops on weekends. Anyways, onto the orders... My sister and I ordered off the seasonal menu and tried the Strawberry latte, Pistachio latte and a Pistachio Waffle. Unfortunately, I just felt like neither of the lattes were really lived up to the hype. The strawberry latte is literally just strawberry jam layered with milk and a shot of espresso & the pistachio drink was not very sweet or pistachio flavor forward, it had a bit of a nutty taste towards the end, but honestly just tasted a majority like milk. I definitely think it could benefit from more pistachio flavoring or some pistachio cream smeared on the side of the cup. Also, not sure if they use two different roasts for the drinks, but the strawberry tastes much more burnt than the other. The pistachio waffle was probably the best part, but even then, you cannot really mess up on a waffle that is smeared with pistachio butter. Not sure if it is house made though. I didn't like it, but my sister really likes this place, so it is definitely a matter of opinions. I would definitely recommend stopping by & trying it out yourself! read more
This cafe with floor to ceiling windows on a tree filled side street has my heart!! It's such an inviting space to meet with friends and they have a unique selection of food and drinks that has never let me down. Last time I tried their black sesame matcha which was so yummy. I always look forward to the new flavors they come up with which are really crafted with care. They're also one of the few cafes ive seen which offer hojicha- a tea which tastes more nutty and caramel-y. Forest cafe has definitely grown in popularity over the years, so the last few times ive been here it was packed to the brim. Still, the service hasn't suffered at all and they get through customers at a fast pace. I really admire the unwavering attention to detail and upkeep that is put into all aspects of this cafe, from the artful posters and signage, to the new flavors, to the space itself - these things make it such a wonderful gathering place for the community!! read more
Solid WFH cafe! The drinks were tasty I got the ube latte and it was a perfect balance of sweet and coffee. There are outlets and bathrooms. The ambiance is great and the service is very quick!! Great to get work done or chat with a friend. read more
A slight walk, further from Austin street, is totally worth it. Unique selections and a comfortable indoor space with books for reading. The line was fairly long for a Sunday afternoon! I got the pistachio hojiacha latte, while my friend got the black sesame latte. Personally, i would stick to a standard hojicha but I do enjoy a daring combo. Overall an enjoyable experience. read more
Cute cafe, however can get pretty crowded during midday. I got their pistachio latte with espresso base and asked them to make it less sweet which they did, it tasted great! They also have a selection of desserts like croffles and cookies. They do have a bathroom as well which is always good to know. The girl at the register recommended the pandan latte to me so that's what I'll be trying next. read more
7 months ago
Forest Cafe opened in late 2022 and instantly blew up, clearly filling a demand for a hip minimalist coffee shop in Forest Hills and appearing on many "Best Coffee Shops in NY" lists. But is it worth the hype? Eh. For one, it's very popular. No matter the time of day, expect to wait on a line just to order. Seats and tables are rarely available, so be prepared to hover until someone gets up. That's understandable given it's pretty much the only place of its kind in the neighborhood, but it doesn't exactly make for a relaxing experience. I've tried several of their lattes (ube, pandan, cherry blossom, hojicha) and while they've all been good, none have really stood out. The flavors have been extremely subtle, to the point where they're hard to taste. I'm not asking for overly sweet drinks or artificial flavors, but there are other coffee shops in Queens that make a much better ube latte, for example. I tried the food once, ordering the pistachio croffle. It sounded and looked good, but unfortunately tasted stale. I was excited when Forest Cafe first opened, but I've only been back a handful of times since. I just don't find myself craving or returning to their drinks the way I do with other coffee shops. read more
3 months ago
Forest cafe is a little hidden cafe and it is a bit out of the way but is worth it. The matcha latte is top notch, you can definitely taste the love that goes into it. The earl grey chocolate chip cookie is a nice treat and the taste of earl grey is mild so it's not overwhelming. There is a line of people usually waiting so try to get there before closing or early on. There is some seats if you want to sit down to eat or want to work remotely. They only allow you to sit with your laptop during the weekdays not on the weekend so keep that in mind. read more
My favorite indie cafe in the Forest Hills area. They make their matcha the traditional way with a whisk, and they offer an option of Kagoshima or Horii matcha, so you know it's legit. The only downside is maybe the lines can get pretty long over weekends and there might be a wait of 10-15 mins during peak times. They also charge extra for oat and plant milk, on top of already pricey matcha, so a matcha latte can easily be over $8 after tax. read more
Brown Butter Banana (Kago) Matcha Latte - 10/10! The banana flavor really complements the rest of the drink well and doesn't feel too sweet either. Line was almost to the door when I came in Sunday afternoon but they move fastttt - definitely looked more of a wait than it was! Looking forward to trying more specialty drinks read more
Today I met a friend and had the hojicha latte and it was so delicious! Was really crowded but thankfully we got some seats by window and enjoyed the space. read more
Business owner information
Julie F.
Sandy!! Thank you so much all these amazing reviews - we're always so…
Seasonal drinks are fun. The fall menu has some great flavors, like a banana latte, biscoff latte, and biscoff cold foam top. What sets Forest Cafe apart is the versatility of what you use in your base for all lattes: matcha, espresso, or hojicha. Forest Cafe meets the common challenge of seasonal lattes, which is executing on the actual flavor. The ratios are prominent enough for the ships to come through. Be ready for long lines that go out the store on weekends. read more
This neighborhood cafe has excellent service and ample space to relax and enjoy a good cup of joe. My favorite beverage so far has been their Dirty Chai Latte, which was a great combination. Haven't had the chance to try any of their food, but the drinks are very good overall. Only thing better is the friendly and gracious service. read more
Was in the area doing some shopping and decided to pop in for a beverage to cool down. This place is very known in the area and it shows. There was people chilling on the benchs outside and people lounging inside as well. People had their laptops as well. They offer water at the napkin/utensils station which was nice to hydrate while I waited. They have a bunch of seasonal drinks that I stored in the back of my memory for next time. This time I just went with the matcha. read more
26 days ago
7 months ago
The brown butter banana latte is good! Everything was combined nicely and the drink itself was perfectly sweet. The banana taste came in more subtly. I felt I initially taste the brown butter before the banana aftertaste comes through. The cafe itself is really cute and there's some tables for seating. We also tried the carrot cake which was delicious and the cream cheese frosting was great. read more
29 days ago
9 months ago
Business owner information
Julie F.
Thank you so much, Daniela! So glad to hear you enjoyed our signature…
This place is viral on TikTok with good reasons! I've been here a couple of times now and the coffee selection is great! I love that you can do a hojicha base. My boyfriend loves their pumpkin bread. Their Japanese sando was also delicious. Will be back! read more
I came back to try the spring menu. The Earl Grey Matcha Latte was creamy with just the perfect strength of matcha, and the earl grey flavor didn't overpower the matcha. The Coconut Ube Butter Mochi reminds me of the mochi at Chinese bakeries. My boyfriend said it was so good, he wanted to get in the long line for another. On a Saturday around noon, the line was long, lined up from one end of the cafe to the other, but it moved quickly. Despite all the seats being filled, the cafe wasn't too loud or crowded. read more
10 months ago
Best coffee shop in queens. The coffee flavors are incredible and high-quality. I loved checking out the fall menu. If you're here in the fall, definitely check out the Biscoff latte and Biscoff cream top. Can be busy here on weekends but lines go officially staff is great and has mentioned food and coffees are wonderful. read more
11 months ago
Cute cafe tucked in Forest Hills. Great for a neighborhood cafe stop by for any of their great coffee or matcha. Staff is friendly space is bright and clean. They don't really have food other than select refrigerated sandwiches. Great wfh spot and meet up spot. read more
love this locally Asian family owned business!!! Their drinks are innovative and delicious, I've tried a couple and they never miss!! Find all the classic and unique Asian inspired flavors here. They have food to go as well, which will surprise you by the new ones and flavors! The servers are always super patient and friendly. Whenever I stop by there is seating and if not, waiting 10 to 20 minutes will do the trick. read more
1 year ago
Ambiance Clean, warm decor, decent seating but fills up during peak times. Service Friendly and patient! Food Coffee drinks are superb Specialty seasonal drinks are creative and interesting! If you have a curious palate you'll find yourself coming back often. Pre made items are also good! read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
Had an incredibly delicious muffin that caught me at first glance. Love at first sight? Possibly. Especially if this is a consistent staple in their menu. Black coffee. That's my go to. It really varies everywhere and sucks at most places, but for early mornings almost anything will do. This black coffee here however does not disappoint and does not suck. It is actually excellent. Super friendly service in a super inviting atmosphere. Great for work or just chilling and reading. Beautiful aesthetic all over. Extra stars for a great music playlist too. read more
Cute neat space with variety of unique and classic drinks and baked goods. The ladies at the front including the owner took their time to explain the drinks when I asked about them. I was considering going for the elixir drink which had hojicha and plant based powders but didn't feel comfortable getting it so the owner suggested I get the hojicha latte. I didn't want too much caffeine so she reduced it from three scoops to two scoops of hojicha. I also asked for little sweetness and they adjusted my drink to my liking. Great service and drinks. They have a bathroom for customers only. I saw lots of people studying there on a weekday but the cafe actually has signs that show that they do not want people studying there on weekends. I'm not sure why, maybe it's to encourage people to take a break on the weekends. read more
I recently moved to the area and my side of the neighborhood is a little dry of cafes (and businesses in general) so this place was such a gem when I realized I no longer had to walk a little more on the incredibly long blocks on Austin to sit down and enjoy my coffee. The difference between Forest Cafe and the other coffee shops in Forest Hills is that this place is targeted at the younger demographic. But by far, it has the most space and seating, in comparison. Lots of laptops. And lots of occupants. I usually stick with their Cold Brew since it's fairly strong but try to stay away from their other drinks. Their Ube latte is probably one of the worst that I've had since they put way too much Ube flavoring that overpowered any semblance of coffee. I'm not a fan of them nickel-and-diming for small things like "less ice" and some of the staff in particular can be pretty unaccommodating. I pop in here once in a while but see myself walking the extra few blocks to frequent the cafes on Austin that fits my vibe more. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
I saw this girl's tiktok about this place and was very excited to try them out. I knew this place was good because there was a line out the door and all of the seats inside were occupied. The decor was very pretty and bright and I loved their cute sony angel collection. I just recently got into matcha so when I saw they had earl grey matcha I has to try it because I love earl grey. To be honest, I didn't taste the earl grey but the matcha itself was very good. It wasn't too powerful or bitter. I also tried their earl grey chocolate cookie and OMG!!! The cookie was soooo good. I will definitely come back and buy the cookie and try a new matcha latte. read more
I have not experienced such a friendly and helpful staff in a long time. This was my first time here and I asked for coffee and Croffle recommendations and it did not disappoint. I had the Nutella Croffle and it was 10/10. I purchased their seasonal Croffle : cherry blossom for later. Coffee: nice blend of strong flavor and strong in caffeine which is a must for me. They added maple syrup and cinnamon which was a great mix since it was my first time. It was one of the best experiences I had in awhile. read more
I love love LOVE coming here for a matcha latte with lavender syrup pump. They offer a variety of sweeteners for drinks. I love the vibes of this cafe. There's work station at the one side of the cafe and the other side might not be allowed to work depending on the days. The staff are quite friendly and do their jobs well. read more
3 years ago
Keepin it real out here in Forest Hills. Great cafe to go to, but for someone like me that just wants to sit there for couple of hours and get work done, it can be tough to get a seat with outlet but you will find one eventually. The cafe vibe is just right, and they really made sure the drinks are on point too cause it's a good 2 mins ordering process each time lol. Not much food option and the only meh time was finding out the wifi was down after I got the food. Overall solid cafe, amazing addition to the neighborhood! read more
2 years ago
Came in on a Friday afternoon mainly because I needed to charge my phone, but I'm so happy I found this gem! It was very busy, do I would take that into consideration if you're going with a group of friends. As a solo person, it wasn't bad finding a spot to sit. I ordered the forest spice latte and it was definitely yummy. The barista was so nice. The vibes of the cafe were so cute and immaculate. They did also have wifi, but I will say that it was pretty slow and that I ended up just having to use a hot spot. read more
A very cute cafe situated on the more residential side of Forest Hills. The location is only a short walk from Austin St, but just enough if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of it. Parking in the area is also relatively easier. I hardly come to Forest Hills, but decided I wanted to pop in because I've heard a lot of good things about Forest Cafe. Upon entering, there was something calming about the cafe even though they were busy. The interior space is simple, clean and won't deviate you from a pleasant cafe experience. I noticed that all the tables were taken with people doing work, so probably better to get there earlier if you want to snag a table. Despite it being busy, they were pretty fast and efficient with their service. I got my order almost in an instant! I'm pretty caffeine sensitive, so I try to avoid caffeine by noon. Luckily they had some caffeine-free beverages like the ube latte. You can always add a shot of espresso and make it "dirty" if you need that kick. I liked how they were thorough and detailed with your order to make sure it was tailored to your own preference. The ube latte honestly might be one of the best ube lattes I've ever had! Sometimes cafes are a little more stingy with the ube flavoring, but it was nutty, aromatic and really enjoyable for me. I heard their forest latte and hojicha latte is pretty good too. Maybe I'll get around to trying it another time! read more
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Forest Cafe - cafes - Updated August 2026
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