Café Diem is a bright, airy cafe in Chinatown. I spent a few hours here doing work on my laptop…read more(free wifi) and got a pumpkin spice latte. It was well made with a nice amount of spice. There were also lots of other drinks on the menu, including a strawberry matcha that I almost got instead. The restroom is clean and there is a good amount of seating. A few seats were by outlets. If I'm in the area again and need a spot to sit for awhile, I'd come here. The barista was very nice and was able to customize my drink when I asked for less espresso.

While in Chinatown, Manhattan, NYC during my professional duties all day which my desiderium was…read morebubble tea, but precious time prevented me to travel beyond the vicinity range. Yelp mobile application takes me to Cafe Diem that is adjacent to Confucius Plaza and the outskirt peripherals of Chinatown. While scanning the menu, I could not decide but inquired if any drinks were offered cold or chilled rather than hot beverage. My goal is to battle NYC's summer plaguing heat and humidity to stay hydrated with the added stress of carrying a large heavy bag all day for my professional duties. Further adding implication to the situation, NYC became victim of Canada's wildfire smoke impacting air quality which I was also battling amid wearing a face mask. Customer service is average. I did inquire if there were any teas served cold or chilled. Background music was boisterously loud that I was befuddled unable to hear the server/cashier for clarity of a better understanding. A small selection of breakfast pastries are available. There were no chocolate chip cookie, unfortunately to no avail. There is a condiment station where milk, sweetener, sugar and cup sleeve holders are available self-serve. Napkins are abundantly available for grabs. The cup sleeve holders are pretty decorated with a blue floral pattern. There is indoor seating with small tables with small white flowers are available of high chairs. I admire how the tables contain a small white flower as decoration which does not occupy the entire table. For a fleeting moment of phlegmatic disposition I did achieve equanimity state in a air conditioning atmospheric environment. Sustainable paper straws are available which tasted disgusting for an undesirable cardboard-like flavor totally impair enjoyment of my drink. Oolong cold tea, small $4.00 The ice was very minimal of minuscule pieces which melted entirely during my professional duties return. As a consequence the tea became room temperature and tasted awful. The tea was mediocre. Price is realistic and reasonable especially for small size. It foot the budget for my wallet. Nota Bene: Cafe Diem offers 9% cash discount for payment. Yes, cash is still widely accepted as a valid form of legal tender payment.

Unexpected special treat was a stop for a cup of Cinnamon Pineapple Tea! Such a surprising…read morecombination that is highly recommended.

At first glance, the concept, name, location, and overall symbolism of this place suggest something…read moremeaningful; an effort to connect cultures through trade, exploration, and shared experiences. It creates an impression of depth and intention, which initially drew us in. The location itself is excellent, and on Sundays it attracts a lively, diverse crowd. The atmosphere felt welcoming, with people from many different backgrounds enjoying the space. My friend and I each ordered a drink and stayed for a while, as many others were doing. As this is a café, it seemed reasonable to assume that purchasing an item allows you to sit and enjoy the space. Most tables around us were occupied by customers with a single drink - some even shared between two or more people...while they chatted and relaxed. Toward the end of our stay, however, the manager approached us and told us that we "could not do this again." We were genuinely confused (and appalled) and asked for clarification. He explained that it was very busy and crowded and that we had stayed too long with only a drink each. This was surprising, especially since many other patrons appeared to be doing the same. To be fair, it is certainly understandable that businesses, particularly in busy locations- face all-around pressures such as turnover and capacity. I always try to approach businesses and to review with empathy for the challenges that owners and staff deal with on a daily basis. However, in this specific case, the interaction felt unnecessary and poorly handled. There were no visible signs, policies, or guidance indicating time limits or minimum orders. Had such expectations been clearly communicated, we would have respected them without question. Instead, being singled out in this way felt unfair and somewhat disrespectful. This is a disappointing experience to reflect on. I've tried to find a more balanced perspective - perhaps it was an unusually busy day, or external pressures played a role...but it was veryyyyy difficult to overlook how the situation was handled in how we were treated. It is unacceptable and reprehensible. We left feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, which ultimately overshadowed the otherwise appealing atmosphere. Unfortunately, based on this experience, we will not be returning.

Amazing staff and drinks!…read more The Iced Black Sesame Expresso is my favorite. I've been trying to incorporate more black sesame into my diet given the health benefits. The combination of black sesame and the espresso hit just seemed like the best of both worlds in one drink. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The recommendation hit and I've been back a few times already. I also lost an item recently in the shop and was able to retrieve it with care and convenience. For sure I'll keep coming back!

Pretty good coffee and friendly staff in the middle of Chinatown. Worth a stop if you are in the…read morearea. Some home made pastries that I didn't try looked good. They also had a clean bathroom which is important for a coffee shop. You have to walk up a small flight of stairs to get in and it's easy to miss.

Great smoked salmon toast and matcha! Would like a little more dill on toast but the ration of…read moresalmon to cream cheese is great and you get a good bit of salmon! Prices were reasonable, place is very clean and vibey, and baristas were really nice. Didn't want to wait over an hour for golden diner and are so glad we came here!

A lovely place that has matcha and coffee options…read more DESIGN: The entire space is gorgeously designed, embraces open space, manages to fit quite a number of seats while preserving flow. I was particularly drawn to the bathroom, with a beautiful deep red. SEATING: After 10:30, it starts to pack up, even on a Monday. There is a half of the place that is laptop-free, which is great for reserving spaces for people who want to chat, read or do anything analog. The half closer to the door has a communal table for anyone who wants to do work on their laptops. DRINKS: I got the guava matcha with coconut water. I wanted to like it more than I did because it left this sugary feeling in the mouth.

Super cute coffee shop on the LES with great and friendly service. It's not super huge, but it's…read morecozy and welcoming

Very cute coffee shop in the lower east side, with limited seating and cozy ambiance. There were…read morequite a few coffee and tea options, and I opted for the sweet vanilla cold foam cold brew. It was good, but there was something a little different about it that I couldn't put my finger on. But it was great for a hot summer day pick-me-up! Service is pretty speedy, and the staff are very friendly!

This place smells like spa due to its location. They offer vast variety of bake goods and drinks…read morefrom rose latte to dirty chai and pistachio latte. They also sell handmade potteries. The space itself is quite small, so it's more of a grab-and-go spot than a sit-down café. I ordered the matcha latte with almond milk, and it was just okay. The almond flavor overpowered the matcha, which could be improved with better quality matcha. Overall, it's a decent spot... maybe some of the other drinks are better.

MCM is my favorite place in FiDi to get a high-quality matcha. I love that they offer pistachio…read moremilk - something that very few coffee shops seem to offer. It just adds a fantastic flavor without even needing extra sweeteners. Jae, the barista, is an absolute gem and I enjoy our conversations every time I come in for my matcha - Jae really takes time to speak to customers, crack jokes, and makes us smile - and it just adds volumes to the experience. Happy to say I'm officially a regular!

I think this place is awesome. There's a wide variety of drinks, pastries and sandwiches/snacks…read more Everything tastes so fresh and so yummy. The staff is nice, though a line can build up as there's just one person taking the orders. There's a few comfortable seats so you can enjoy your food there without having to take it to go. I find the vibe very chill and relaxed in here, and I almost always get a seat. Arnold Palmer was great and filled to the brim. The baguette with butter was delightful. This is a hidden gem amongst many overrated coffee shops in the area.

We stopped by after soccer practice, which is right across the street!…read more Lots of stuff looked good, but we went with fairly standard choices for us - a cinnamon roll and a chocolate chip cookie. You know, we enjoyed both, but didn't get that "blown away" feeling. As far as the food goes, it was good, and we will likely try it again before finish soccer in that area. Service was very friendly and helpful, and the joint is cool! Neat swag if you're in the market. Very Lower East Side vibe. If you're in the area, give it a shot!

I got the white mocha latte which was one of the drink…read morespecials and I loved it ,it was just perfect ,it wasn't overly sweet and I would love to go back!

Delicious drinks and pastries!! The matcha was smooth and creamy, which paired perfectly with the…read moresweet strawberry puree. And the staff are so kind, they made me feel welcomed in the establishment rather than rushed, which was much appreciated.