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Monkey Cup

4.2 (141 reviews)
ModerateCoffee & Tea
Open • 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Monkey Cup Photos

Business Info

MONKEY CUP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for working

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Recommended Reviews - Monkey Cup

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Reviews With Photos

Danielle Elaine M.

This coffee shop felt like a nice ambiance change of the busy and bright street nearby. There was an overall cozy and toddler tone, with light chatter but not overwhelming despite being packed. There is a large menu with multiple options for both tea and coffee. Impressively the offer the Kyoto Brewing method which is a slow drip with ice water, employee stated it takes 8 hours. Unfortunately I was unable to try as they didn't have enough for a full cup. Ordered an ice spanish latte, nothing particularly special but it did the job. My friend ordered an Iced Chai and we found the cinnamon flavoring overpowering and did not finish. Much like slow sipping a fireball candy. The employees were sweet, ambiance was great. I would try again for the Kyoto method but stay away from the chai.

A corto.
Abbe K.

A fab place to work with good music and excellent coffee. The food is also delicious although the croissant with spinach and feta a little disappointing as the filling didn't reach the final quarter. On its own, the dough lacked sweetness to be enjoyable. Service is fast and friendly. No WiFi.

Alan S.

I'd been hearing about this Venezuelan coffee shop in Harlem for quite some time, and finally had the opportunity to visit it on a weekend morning when they serve arepas. Ever since Caracas Arepa Bar's Williamsburg and East Village locations closed, the city has been lacking for quality Venezuelan arepa options. The coffee was good, and the arepa itself was excellent, with a wonderful soft texture. My main gripe was with the filling of my arepa con queso, which was advertised simply as cheese. I was expecting a pleasant Guyanese cheese as is typical, but instead was met with an off-puttingly large serving of lukewarm cheddar that would not have been out of place in your typical Ahmedabad street food video. I will be back to try the black bean arepa variety, which I suspect actually comes with queso guayanes.

Angel P.

A great coffee shop in the neighborhood. I got the bombon iced with oat milk and it was good: strong, and on the sweeter side. Service was friendly. The inside was clean and great decor. There's indoor and outdoor seating. They also sell tea and pastries.

Arabic tea
Tinesi P.

This place has my heart y'all! They use to have a location on Amsterdam Ave but had to close. That was a very dark day in history. They are at this location (7th Ave aka Adam Clayton Powell) which unfortunately it's not close to me. My favorite drink is their Arabic Ice Tea; you can't find it no where else and the recipe is top secret. The service is awesome; the owners are a sweet Venezuelan couple. And the wife's brother Leo works there from time to time. Very chill spot to work or study. Pastries are good too! Don't sleep on their Kyoto Cold Brew

Alisa J.

A hidden gem and such a cute place in Harlem. People were so nice. I got the matcha latte. It was sweetens so I didn't like it that much. The feta cheese spinach croissant was stuffed and was really good. Would definitely recommend the pastries.

Front entrance area with dog water bowl
Simone S.

Harlem has a lot of gems and this coffee house is definitely on the list. I Don't even want to share this spot with anyone now. The moment I walked in I was greeted with kindness from the baristas. This seemed very normal for them because everyone who walked in was equally greeted. You could also tell they are liked by the community by the amount of walk in traffic and the quick conversations that weren't awkward. There is plenty of seating, from the windows, a couple of tables, independent chaise chairs in the back, and then bar seating in the back. I grabbed a seat at a table, got comfortable and then went to order. I started out with a croissant with turkey and cheese and a Spanish latte made with oatmilk. Both were amazing. The latte was generously sized especially for the cost. I also later got an arepa that was filled with chicken smashed with avocado and mayo. It was delicious. I think about getting another. And the best part was watching it being made right there in front me. The great part.... But not for some.... They have no WiFi. They encourage you to read out play a game.

Ed D.

Food/Drinks: 4.8/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Cost: 5/5 Monkey Cup is such a cool mellow and laid back spot to catch some good vibes - whether you're there for a quick minute sipping on coffee. Or, if you're lounging, you can appreciate the homely, yet creative and modern feel of the coffee shop. It's never loud, so if you're into reading books or working on your laptop, you can still focus. Yet, it's still conducive to people chatting away. The establishment may seem small from outdoors. But, to me, it is spacious - there seems to be always seating to be found either at tables. Or at a few barstools next to the entrance that allows you to pleasantly people watch. Prices are standard and the quality of drinks/food is really excellent! The staff is really welcoming which is refreshing. This coffee shop is a great addition to the neighborhood. Would I recommend? Oh, yes!

Iced chai latte
Kiara H.

Probably the worst chai I've ever had. Super watered down, could barely taste the coffee or the chai. The barista was very kind and efficient. It's really saddening to walk into a restaurant in your neighborhood and physically feel transported. This cafe feels catered toward a certain clientele. The book art on the wall is gorgeous, which is why I came.

Monkeyccino
Evan N.

Absolutely loved this place and the vibes that came with it. It felt very much a neighborhood gem with the baristas knowing many of the people coming in and out of the coffee shop. It was a perfect place to come and read a book. If you wanted more of a bright natural sunlight feel, sit in the front at a big communal table. If you want a moodier feel then you could sit towards the back! I loved the decorations and creativity of the book tree and the lights hanging down, it made it very cosy. They were playing music that worked perfectly for the vibe. They had a ton of different options to choose from in the sense that no matter what your coffee preferences were, you 100% would be able to get what you want. The Cappucino was a little heavy on the milk but it worked in this scenario, and the art was a lot of fun and definitely on brand. The staff were so nice and friendly and I will 100% be making an effort to come back!

Water bowl out front for your furry family member
Brenda C.

I can't speak on the food since the two items I was interested in trying were not available :( but no worries I was able to get a cup of java. So firstly they don't have decaf so if you have an intolerance speak to Michael who was ultra helpful along with his coworker (a woman) suggested a milder blend and to lower the shots in the drink. I was scared but accepted their suggestion and was abundantly surprised at how spot on the drink was and I didn't get the jitters that non decaf coffee normally gives me. It was one of the best lattes I have had. Michael at the register was so patient while I tossed around deciding which drink to select. Decorated in rustic browns, comfy chairs and some windows seats....a popular spot of your lucky enough you can snag a table.

Dining area
Sarah A.

This place was cute! The chef was out so we didn't get to try any of the actual food (arepas, etc) but the coffee and the pastries were pretty good, nothing crazy. There was quite a bit of room to sit down and do work, and there were outlets on the walls (they were loose so be prepared to push them in). There isn't any WiFi so be prepared to use your hotspot. Overall it was nice, clean, and very beautiful on the inside.

The hot latte with the monkey design and the delicious pastry.
Fleance F.

I love coming here while my son has his after-school program. It feels like you are in a rainforest when you are inside. I especially love the book tree with books you can borrow. They have a nice music selection. The only thing there is no wifi available. There are lots of people working on their laptops, though. It can get busy at times so there may not be inside seats and other times it can be empty. I love their pastry, especially their savory ham and cheese croissant and their sweet chocolate almond one. However, usually by the time I get there after my sons school around 3:30 pm, they are mostly sold out since they are so good. The batista is wonderful. My favorite is their caramel latte, both cold and hot. When I get the hot, I love the monkey design she makes on top.

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5 years ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

Really good place. A gem. Great food great coffee nice people. Music is nice too. Open on thanksgiving.

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7 years ago

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6 years ago

I had high hopes for my first time visit but unfortunately my caramel latte was extremely bland and served lukewarm. Wasted my money.

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Page 4 of 4

Ask the Community - Monkey Cup

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Service is consistently one of the slowest here when dining in. I think it's because there's only…read moreone server. The breakfast burrito here is great, but my favorite is their club sandwich. I love how crispy the bread is. Sometimes the bacon is a little too salty for me, but I still love it. The sandwich is huge so it's good to split with someone. I wish the pickle was a half or full pickle instead of the quarter. I get this with their spicy espresso sauce and that's really good, too. The ceasar salad was overdressed. Their burger is good and so are their fries. Portions are large. I also like their spicy latte and they have an iced oat milk rooibos tea that's very good. Their espresso martini is also very good. I like to drink my coffee black, but the coffee here wasn't hot enough for me. Their pastries are solid, but not something I would buy again. I've tried both their sweet and salty pastries.

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Monkey Cup - coffee - Updated November 2026

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