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Really friendly service, convenient location right by the MTA stop, and plenty of seating indoors to get work done! The cortado was perfectly toasty and frothy. The egg wrap was smaller than I expected and a bit bland, but I'm interested in returning to try some of their other menu items.
I like this place. The owners are nice and the staff. I'm typically in and out but there are rare times when I can actually take a seat and enjoy the ambiance and thought put into the space. I've only really had breakfast items here. I'm usually rushing to get the banana muffin it doesn't do it justice but it's compact and filling with a chai latte. I also had the monkey bread and that's amazing too. There's a bathroom, lots of seating and it's right off 125th metro north stop and close to the 4,5,6 train. Looking forward to trying more items on the menu. Thanks for feeding me throughout the year and being so nice! It's really the little things as we start our days.
I stopped by on my way home since I had about 20 minutes before my train. I ordered a hot chocolate and an apple pastry that I asked to be heated, totaling $11.45. There were three staff members behind the counter; one took my order while the other two were conversing. As my order was being prepared, another customer accidentally spilled his drink. The staff member who had been handling my order stopped to clean up the spill, and during that time two additional customers were served and left. The customer who spilled his drink was also given a replacement--while my order was still pending. When I finally received my items, the hot chocolate was underwhelming, and although the pastry was good, it was not warm as requested. By then, I only had about five minutes to catch my train, so I couldn't address it. The café has a great atmosphere and vibe, but service execution needs improvement, especially during busy moments. Ratings: Atmosphere 10/10 | Service 2/10 | Hot chocolate 1/10 | Pastry 7/10 (likely 10/10 if heated properly)
Beautifully made Guinean food and drink. Sleek surrounds. Wonderful, warm staff. A moving creation story. (See: https://ginjanbros.com/blogs/posts/humansofnewyork) I usually don't like to write reviews after only one visit and after sampling such a small portion of the menu, but I feel compelled to spread the word in this case. Ginjan Cafe is a soothing, plant-filled oasis of calm on busy 125th St. in Harlem, nestled right underneath the Metro North station. Read: It's a perfect place to grab a bite to go if you're catching a train somewhere -- or a cup of coffee in winter and the namesake ginjan ginger drink in the summer, sheltered from the elements, while you wait for your train. On a recent visit, we tried the jollof rice bowl with legumes, and an apple pastry. (My nine-year old refused to go all in with me on the seafood soup or tiga peanut stew, sadly.) I'm not familiar with Guinean food specifically, but have enjoyed a fair share of jollof rice, prepared by expats from neighboring Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and other west African countries like Nigeria. The vegan Guinean version we tried at Ginjan Cafe was pleasantly umami even without the fish typically found in thieboudienne, the Senegalese version of jollof rice. It came with separate piles of sauteed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, onion); sweet potato; sweet plantains; stewed tomatoes; and flavorful, stewed, small red beans all arranged over fragrant, flavorful rice. A nice balance of complete proteins and vegetables, this bowl would satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. The rice, I should mention, is perfection: tender, moist, almost silky, and complexly spiced. I don't remember seeing palm oil in the ingredients for this dish, but whatever the kitchen uses to achieve that silkiness... it works. The dish as a whole packs a non-wimpy amount of heat, which grows on you as you eat. I found it a pleasant bane against the cold; the nine year old (who was fed kimchi in the womb, weened on Indian food, and can tolerate a fair amount of heat) was spiced out after a few bites. Note that there seems to be at least one component that's made to order since we were quoted a 20 minute wait for the bowl. The staff were super kind and accommodating, though, when we checked in at the 15 minute mark and let them know we had a train to catch! The apple pastry... The staff kindly offered to reheat it. Sadly, we wasted their efforts because we didn't get to the pastry for another half hour. But suffice it to say that it would've been very good fresh out of the oven. Flavors were clear and pure, not overly sweet, though we could've used more apple filling. The vibes at this place are so good. This food is made with care and kindness; it permeates the air. I'm coming back for the tiga, the signature ginjan, and hopefully everything else, too.
Ginjan Cafe has some great food and drinks- absolutely no complaints here. I love the ginger drink hot on a cold day- just feels right! I also had the jollof rice with chicken- it was pretty good but I didn't like that they kept the skin of the chicken intact. I did like that the rice was the correct amount of moist as well (for a lack of better terms). All in all, I can see why this place is so busy and would definitely return again.
I go to Ginjan a few days a week and my favorite drink is the Africano, it's an Americano with condensed milk. I also really enjoy the Chicken Yassa wrap for lunch, and if I want something heartier, I go for the Chicken Jollof bowl.
Located just across the street from Harlem-125th Metro North station so went to check it out and get a snack. Small tables and a large wood one in the middle. I liked the decor. I looked up this place online before then I remembered, and one of the owners confirmed that their story was on Humans of New York. Cool! Very friendly and always smiling. First saw the display of pastries and not as enticing. I tried to remember what they were featured for..their juices so had to try one. The ginger juice has other ingredients like pineapple, lemon, vanilla and anise but strong in ginger taste. Labeled as having health benefits which is good. Make sure to check their menu. Would have liked to try jollof but needed something for the train ride. Picked their chicken yassa wrap with olives. Easy to eat. My palate usually looks for some spiciness like from a sauce and I wonder if there were options.
Super spacious and beautiful cafe! Definitely seems like a great place to meet with friends or study! The signature ginger drink 4.5/5 It was super gingery which would be so good if you are feeling a little sick! Not too sweet. I had the hot version but could imagine the cold version would be super refreshing in the summer Almond cheese croissant 5/5 The inside was so creamy, almost lemony. I heated it up when I got home which made it super nice and flaky. I'd definitely recommend warming it up prior to eating
I knew I wanted to check out Ginjan Cafe, as I had read about their story on HONY - they were right off the 125th, so getting there was super easy. We ordered the bottles of: +Ginger - made with pineapple, lemon, vanilla, and anise +Bissap - made with hibiscus, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and mint Both were refreshing, but I did prefer the Bissap more, as it was more tart. I don't think I was a fan of the vanilla note in the Ginger drink. They were definitely served cold, but I wished that they had the option of these serving them with a cup of ice? I think it's just a matter of convenience, and the fact that the drinks wouldn't be diluted. The cafe itself is bright, sophisticated, and clean, and such a nice little gem in the Harlem area. There were handful of people having get-togethers, meetings, and doing some work. A communal table, chairs, tables, and a couch were all available. Service was very friendly! Just note that they don't accept the Yelp check-in discount; they stated that they never signed up for any type of promotion, so just be aware. +bottled drinks +friendly service +right off the 125th stop
If you're in search of a local cafe to get both your coffee fix and study on in Harlem, this is the place to check out! I used to frequent a spot on 116th but it unfortunately closed down, and have been on a search to find one ever since and stumbled upon this place. I believe they source their coffee beans from Africa which is great and responsive to the community. I appreciated that they had their own unique drinks to over that are branded as the shop name but also offer a decent selection of coffee flavors with milk alternatives. They did have a food menu and what looked like a pasty selection but it was empty. I assume given the hour that I showed up that maybe the daily selection was all gone. But otherwise this space offered a few options in terms of foo to be purchased like empanadas, as well as some cookies that a customer raved about as they bought them. The ambiance itself feels like a spot you could become a regular if you frequent. I'd definitely check this place out again!
When I come back to Harlem, this will be part of my journey because I want to try more items. I was passing time and needed something to eat for breakfast. I searched the area for food and this came up. When I got off the train it was conveniently right across the street and very inviting. I was greeted warmly and ordered the hot veggie wrap and theor bottled Ginger juice. They have a very intimate yet spacious space. I sat amd waiting for my order. They do have a small pastry/muffin section, coffee options as well as very good looking lunch amd dinner options. The wrap was smaller than expected but it was so good. The ginger juice was delicious and very gingery. Next time, I will order cassava fries also, should I choose the wrap again if pressed for time. It's a really great vibe. I look forward to returning over and over again. read more
10 months ago
I love this place to grab a coffee or a quick bite and do some work! There is plenty of places to work, I would just make sure you completely charge your devices in case you cannot find an area with an outlet. I've had the chicken yassa and it was so so delicious. I don't drink coffee too often, but when I need a pick me up, this coffee offered me a smooth energy, so I appreciated that. Some coffees make me jittery and feel on edge. The Moroccan mint tea is also great. The staff are very kind and accommodating. I love the atmosphere, and this is a safe place to visit again and again. read more
I came in this place just for a quick drink and something sweet. That monkey bread lived in my mind. It was not too sweet and had a big of crunch. I would go back regularly if I lived in this area. Also, the bissap hit the spot on a cold day ( I ordered it warm). The service was nice and patient while I asked a ton of questions. The space is wide and clean, a lot of room to sit and do work or read a book. read more
9 months ago
Really friendly service, convenient location right by the MTA stop, and plenty of seating indoors to get work done! The cortado was perfectly toasty and frothy. The egg wrap was smaller than I expected and a bit bland, but I'm interested in returning to try some of their other menu items. read more
11 months ago
9 months ago
I like this place. The owners are nice and the staff. I'm typically in and out but there are rare times when I can actually take a seat and enjoy the ambiance and thought put into the space. I've only really had breakfast items here. I'm usually rushing to get the banana muffin it doesn't do it justice but it's compact and filling with a chai latte. I also had the monkey bread and that's amazing too. There's a bathroom, lots of seating and it's right off 125th metro north stop and close to the 4,5,6 train. Looking forward to trying more items on the menu. Thanks for feeding me throughout the year and being so nice! It's really the little things as we start our days. read more
9 months ago
I stopped by on my way home since I had about 20 minutes before my train. I ordered a hot chocolate and an apple pastry that I asked to be heated, totaling $11.45. There were three staff members behind the counter; one took my order while the other two were conversing. As my order was being prepared, another customer accidentally spilled his drink. The staff member who had been handling my order stopped to clean up the spill, and during that time two additional customers were served and left. The customer who spilled his drink was also given a replacement--while my order was still pending. When I finally received my items, the hot chocolate was underwhelming, and although the pastry was good, it was not warm as requested. By then, I only had about five minutes to catch my train, so I couldn't address it. The café has a great atmosphere and vibe, but service execution needs improvement, especially during busy moments. Ratings: Atmosphere 10/10 | Service 2/10 | Hot chocolate 1/10 | Pastry 7/10 (likely 10/10 if heated properly) read more
2 years ago
Beautifully made Guinean food and drink. Sleek surrounds. Wonderful, warm staff. A moving creation story. (See: https://ginjanbros.com/blogs/posts/humansofnewyork) I usually don't like to write reviews after only one visit and after sampling such a small portion of the menu, but I feel compelled to spread the word in this case. Ginjan Cafe is a soothing, plant-filled oasis of calm on busy 125th St. in Harlem, nestled right underneath the Metro North station. Read: It's a perfect place to grab a bite to go if you're catching a train somewhere -- or a cup of coffee in winter and the namesake ginjan ginger drink in the summer, sheltered from the elements, while you wait for your train. On a recent visit, we tried the jollof rice bowl with legumes, and an apple pastry. (My nine-year old refused to go all in with me on the seafood soup or tiga peanut stew, sadly.) I'm not familiar with Guinean food specifically, but have enjoyed a fair share of jollof rice, prepared by expats from neighboring Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and other west African countries like Nigeria. The vegan Guinean version we tried at Ginjan Cafe was pleasantly umami even without the fish typically found in thieboudienne, the Senegalese version of jollof rice. It came with separate piles of sauteed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, onion); sweet potato; sweet plantains; stewed tomatoes; and flavorful, stewed, small red beans all arranged over fragrant, flavorful rice. A nice balance of complete proteins and vegetables, this bowl would satisfy vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. The rice, I should mention, is perfection: tender, moist, almost silky, and complexly spiced. I don't remember seeing palm oil in the ingredients for this dish, but whatever the kitchen uses to achieve that silkiness... it works. The dish as a whole packs a non-wimpy amount of heat, which grows on you as you eat. I found it a pleasant bane against the cold; the nine year old (who was fed kimchi in the womb, weened on Indian food, and can tolerate a fair amount of heat) was spiced out after a few bites. Note that there seems to be at least one component that's made to order since we were quoted a 20 minute wait for the bowl. The staff were super kind and accommodating, though, when we checked in at the 15 minute mark and let them know we had a train to catch! The apple pastry... The staff kindly offered to reheat it. Sadly, we wasted their efforts because we didn't get to the pastry for another half hour. But suffice it to say that it would've been very good fresh out of the oven. Flavors were clear and pure, not overly sweet, though we could've used more apple filling. The vibes at this place are so good. This food is made with care and kindness; it permeates the air. I'm coming back for the tiga, the signature ginjan, and hopefully everything else, too. read more
5 months ago
Ginjan Cafe has some great food and drinks- absolutely no complaints here. I love the ginger drink hot on a cold day- just feels right! I also had the jollof rice with chicken- it was pretty good but I didn't like that they kept the skin of the chicken intact. I did like that the rice was the correct amount of moist as well (for a lack of better terms). All in all, I can see why this place is so busy and would definitely return again. read more
1 year ago
I go to Ginjan a few days a week and my favorite drink is the Africano, it's an Americano with condensed milk. I also really enjoy the Chicken Yassa wrap for lunch, and if I want something heartier, I go for the Chicken Jollof bowl. read more
3 years ago
Located just across the street from Harlem-125th Metro North station so went to check it out and get a snack. Small tables and a large wood one in the middle. I liked the decor. I looked up this place online before then I remembered, and one of the owners confirmed that their story was on Humans of New York. Cool! Very friendly and always smiling. First saw the display of pastries and not as enticing. I tried to remember what they were featured for..their juices so had to try one. The ginger juice has other ingredients like pineapple, lemon, vanilla and anise but strong in ginger taste. Labeled as having health benefits which is good. Make sure to check their menu. Would have liked to try jollof but needed something for the train ride. Picked their chicken yassa wrap with olives. Easy to eat. My palate usually looks for some spiciness like from a sauce and I wonder if there were options. read more
8 months ago
Super spacious and beautiful cafe! Definitely seems like a great place to meet with friends or study! The signature ginger drink 4.5/5 It was super gingery which would be so good if you are feeling a little sick! Not too sweet. I had the hot version but could imagine the cold version would be super refreshing in the summer Almond cheese croissant 5/5 The inside was so creamy, almost lemony. I heated it up when I got home which made it super nice and flaky. I'd definitely recommend warming it up prior to eating read more
I knew I wanted to check out Ginjan Cafe, as I had read about their story on HONY - they were right off the 125th, so getting there was super easy. We ordered the bottles of: +Ginger - made with pineapple, lemon, vanilla, and anise +Bissap - made with hibiscus, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and mint Both were refreshing, but I did prefer the Bissap more, as it was more tart. I don't think I was a fan of the vanilla note in the Ginger drink. They were definitely served cold, but I wished that they had the option of these serving them with a cup of ice? I think it's just a matter of convenience, and the fact that the drinks wouldn't be diluted. The cafe itself is bright, sophisticated, and clean, and such a nice little gem in the Harlem area. There were handful of people having get-togethers, meetings, and doing some work. A communal table, chairs, tables, and a couch were all available. Service was very friendly! Just note that they don't accept the Yelp check-in discount; they stated that they never signed up for any type of promotion, so just be aware. +bottled drinks +friendly service +right off the 125th stop read more
10 months ago
If you're in search of a local cafe to get both your coffee fix and study on in Harlem, this is the place to check out! I used to frequent a spot on 116th but it unfortunately closed down, and have been on a search to find one ever since and stumbled upon this place. I believe they source their coffee beans from Africa which is great and responsive to the community. I appreciated that they had their own unique drinks to over that are branded as the shop name but also offer a decent selection of coffee flavors with milk alternatives. They did have a food menu and what looked like a pasty selection but it was empty. I assume given the hour that I showed up that maybe the daily selection was all gone. But otherwise this space offered a few options in terms of foo to be purchased like empanadas, as well as some cookies that a customer raved about as they bought them. The ambiance itself feels like a spot you could become a regular if you frequent. I'd definitely check this place out again! read more
4 years ago
Where have so been!! I'm so mad nobody told me about this place sooner!! Had a work meeting here and only had the ginger juice in an oat milk latte ooh hit it was delish! Had to buy two of the traditional juices to-go! So happy to discover there's a Brooklyn location. Chill vibe an great menu. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Very good ambiance and nice staff. I went after 3pm and there was no wait line and there was plenty of seating. The jallop rice with chicken was delicious and the ice tea drink was also good but I did add sugar to it. Highly recommend. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
This is a very spacious café right by the 125 St station in Harlem. I went on a Saturday noon, and it was super quiet and not many people--I felt like I could breathe. I always get stressed out finding seats and some peace in Manhattan cafés, but this was not one of them. The space is super clean and has good amount of seating and outlets by each of the seats by a wall. I had the bissap tea and the chicken jollof bowl. Bissap tea was very refreshing to have, and it wasn't too sweet, just perfect for my tongue. I wasn't blown away by the chicken jollof bowl, and tbh, I think the portions were kind of small for the price ($17). The mixture of spices, veggies, plantains, and the meat was overall satisfactory. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
I always wanted to come to this location because it promoted African culture. The pictures and other reviews definitely encouraged that curiosity. Now that I've finally made it, I can agree with other reviews that it is a nice place to visit. The dining area is wide and is arranged in a way that offers plenty of space. You need to have a voice to ask someone to move their bag or make space. The barista today was so kind. She was pleasant and offers a solid recommendation on the cafe's popular drinks and preferred methods of how it's served. Today I got an iced Bissap tea and the banana cream pudding muffin. It is delicious! It's like a dense, sweet, buttery croissant muffin. I wasn't able to finish mine because it's literally so dense, but I'm curious to try out their other pastries. read more
3 years ago
So I was walking in the DMV and came across this cafe, I had stumbled across their IG a few years back when they first opened and I believe were actually selling sticks in the cafe (bummed I missed out on that). I got excited when I saw the cafe and went right in (after getting ice cream from mr softee!)The best ginger ever. I drink a lot of ginger, like a lot. I have tried it from many of the African restaurants in Harlem. I've also tried most of the commercial brands sold in African and Caribbean markets- I am Sierra Leonean with Guinean roots so I also make it when I get desperate a lot and drink it at almost every family function or Sierra Leonean event. I will say that this ginger is better than mine, and the best that I have had from a cafe/restaurant. I love the fact that it's not too sweet, you can tell it's fresh because it does not have a ton of sediment on the bottom. I love the fact that calories and ingredients are clearly helped so you know what's going in your body, important to me also. I got one for my sister and sister in law and they Immediately wanted more. About the cafe, nice, airy, and good vibes. Greeted by a bright eyed friendly African woman (this is important to me! I love seeing representation in all parts of a business). Please open a shop in New Jersey! Low key don't wanna tell anybody else about this spot- don't take all my Ginjan! Lol JK read more
2 years ago
The Chicken Yassa is very flavorful, the vibe is always welcoming, and the iced latte is the best around. The cashier is always friendly and patient. I love coming here. read more
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85 E 125th St
New York, NY 10035
East Harlem
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https://ginjanbros.com
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