It looks like PROOF Coffee Roasters has been closed by the NYC Department of Health since August 26, 2026, due to sanitary and hygiene issues. We really enjoyed visiting this coffee shop with Bobbi. The coffee had a deep, rich flavor, and the hot pastries were excellent. The interior had a natural, simple atmosphere and always seemed tidy rather than dirty to us. Unfortunately, the city inspectors made the decision to close the shop. We hope they can address the issues and reopen soon. read more

They get 0 stars . They were SHUT DOWN and officially closed by the Department of health for the most disgusting violations racking up an astonishing 120 points. What the hell? Take a look at the violations below that I took from the website. 1) Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation. 2) Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations. 3) Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste. 4) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment's food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. 5) Live animal other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility's food or non-food area. 6) Sewage disposal system is not provided, improper, inadequate or unapproved. 7) Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer's refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor. 8) Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. 9) Garbage receptacle not pest or water resistant, with tight-fitting lids, and covered except while in active use. Garbage receptacle and cover not cleaned after emptying and prior to reuse. Garbage, refuse and other solid and liquid waste not collected, stored, removed and disposed of so as to prevent a nuisance. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I don't care if they NEVER open again I will never and I mean NEVERRRRRR ,,,step FOOT in that disgusting establishment again. I know damn well the employees knew how disgusting that place was and yet they served us every day with a smile on their face. I am pissed. and to think I left a tip with every cup I bought. read more

Naadirah!! Naadirah!! The service here is absolutely amazing! I came to Proof to pick up a TooGoodTooGo bag, and as always, their pastries were on point. While I was there, I accidentally spilled my bland Dunkin' Donuts cold brew on the floor. I felt terrible, but Naadirah was so reassuring and kind. She told me not to worry about it and handled the situation with such a chill and positive attitude; it truly made my day! I also tried their vanilla iced latte, and it was smooth, not overly sweet, and made with a delicious mix of oat milk and macadamia nut milk. The place is small but has chill vibes. I've seen some of the other reviews, and while I haven't been to the cafe in the morning, I've always come in the afternoon. Even a few weeks ago, when I picked up a TooGoodTooGo bag, the barista was pleasant. Yes, I'll definitely be back! read more

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This is the cutest little spot. I was looking for a spot to join a zoom call. I did a google search and Proof popped up. I didn't expect much but was glad that it wasn't a Starbucks. When I got there, I was a little confused on how to get in but someone walking by, saw my confusion and directed me. You have to go through the building to get inside. I had a delicious tea, a nice toasted bagel. There are power cord strips where you can charge your devices. I absolutely would go back if I'm ever in the area. Maybe they will come to Bed Stuy. read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

PROOF Coffee Roasters is either a hit or miss depending on what you get. For instance, the espresso shot was perfect but the latte basically tasted like water. I do like and appreciate the fact that it is close to work and opens quite early though. read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Cute interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

the cafe is okay, the espresso is good but when I ordered a latte the milk was pretty disappointing. It's also incredibly expensive for the low quality, and store bought syrups. I would love for this to be a space I can visit for good coffee (and housemade syrups) and get work done, but the coffee is very expensive and pretty mid for the price. My friends dirty chai was $11 lol. The service is hit or miss depending on who the barista is read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Very nice layout it feels very home like. The baristas are nice and friendly. And the coffee is amazing. read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Yummy chocolate almond croissant that helped me out with a hangover. Great iced americano as well. Everyone in the shop was friendly and gave us a chance to draw stuff for the wall and I had a blast! read more

I have tried with this location - I really have. It's literally around the corner from my apartment & really should be my "go-to" coffee shop. I even got a loyalty card & used it halfway up. But...I'm over it. The coffee is mid - I would be willing to deal with that because it's sooo close to home. It's the staff y'all. There is ONE friendly barista. The other 2 staff (at least morning staff) don't greet you when you walk in. I actually greeted THEM this morning! That's terrible. Poor customer service will lose me every time - I'd rather walk over to Edgecombe where the coffee is delicious and the staff are happy to see their customers walk through the door. read more

Excellent coffee, service, and I love the decoration in their little space. It was worth the trip up to Harlem for this coffee shop. I'll return. read more

On a mission to try out all the coffee spots in the area, and tried PROOF for the first time the other day. There's a nice amount of space in the back to post up and read or enjoy a coffee with friends, and local art up on the walls. The coffee to me was okay but unremarkable -- just didn't get a ton of flavor coming through from the espresso. Sizes were generous, though, and service was quick and friendly. read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - a sign for proof coffee roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Needed a pick-me-up prior to the Harlem 5K, and this was *more* than that! Got one of the specialty lattes iced-- did the trick, but also tasted *amazing*. I was so pleasantly surprised by the ambiance. Minimalist/Boho vibe, with quite a bit of seating in the back. I also loved that they sell local art on the walls as part of their decor. Out of my price range--but, amazing work. I'm coming back this week for a coffee date, so they're doing something right :) read more

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Met a friend here over the weekend and had a cortado with oat milk. Really good coffee! They also serve Oatly which is my favorite oat milk. Also tried the cold brew. Very strong taste that stands up well to milk. I'd you like your iced coffee strong, this is the place to go. I also bought some Ethiopian beans since my cortado was so good. The service was great. They were very knowledgeable and recommended some great stuff. The place was quiet when we came by seeing as closing was soon. One thing I'd suggest is to update the closing time. It's a cute gem of a place that you should check out! read more

support small local businesses! I lived in the neighborhood and loved coming here for my daily coffee or tea. They have a great space in the back for working. Their staff are all very friendly and great with all of their customers. There is an older lady who comes in with her walker and usually sits by the door on a low bench. She comes in with her dog and the staff greets them both. I always look for the savory cheese biscuit. That's a popular pastry. read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Saturday morning - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Cute coffee shop and friendly staff but unfortunately our drinks (two different lattes) wasn't served hot and they aren't able to warm up pastries. There was a small selection of pastry and drink options. Very simple offerings. Come here if you want regular coffee maybe. I would recommend going to NBHD. Their ambiance, coffee and food is great! read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Sitting area in the back. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Good coffee! Barista seemed very organized and she made sure we all got the right drinks. There is a bigger seating area in the back that fits about 6-7 people max and there is a counter and a bench in the front that fits 4 people comfortably. It's a small coffee shop but I think they make a good use of space. There is a bathroom in the back. They offer various kinds of pastries to choose from. Price is on par with other coffee shops in NYC. We hung out in the front of the coffee shop (group of six) for about an hour - we were able to do that because there weren't that many additional customers after us. The store was slow for a weekend morning. read more

Great neighborhood spot, there's plenty of space to work at tables. I've never been unable to get a seat. I get along well with the baristas as well. I love the local art on the walls which switches out every month or so to showcase different talent. I gravitate towards the cold brew now after trying a few menu items. To me it is by far the best drink offered, and one of my favorites in the city. Full body, chocolatey, smooth, and sweet. I also love the Dank bread when it is in stock. read more

Here at 10:00 on a Saturday, 12/9, this place does not appear to be in business or the hours on Yelp are innacurate. :-(

I've been to ACP a few times, and it just does not sit right with me. More than anything about the coffee or products, which are average, ACP just doesn't feel like part of the neighborhood fabric -- it seems to exist solely for gentrifiers. Each time I've visited, the counter staff and nearly all of the patrons were white or Asian. Prices are uniformly about a dollar higher than other spots in the neighborhood, and cash is only accepted until 2pm. Service is hit or miss, it feels judgy rather than welcoming. This is unusual for Central Harlem, where even staff at bodegas and take out spots will greet you, ask how you're doing, joke with you, etc. Unstable tables are a pet peeve, and both of the back tables are majorly wobbly and not fixable with napkins. The chairs are uncomfortably narrow and metal. Working at a table at ACP for an hour was infuriating, despite the solid wifi connection. My double espresso was weak and seemed more like a single than a double size-wise. My friend's special flavored latte was good, but we were perplexed by the glass it was served it. (What's wrong with a mug? What does ACP have against handles?) Skip ACP. Walk to The Edge, Morningside Coffee, or Lenox Coffee for caffeine and snacks at a place that does it right. read more

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Highlights : + pros: great ambiance and decor, mesmerizing art from local artists, diverse menu -cons : expensive and health grade pending. Boyfriend and I both experienced gastrointestinal distress after having breakfast here. I wanted to love Proof but unfortunately, my body felt poisoned, wish I had looked at the healthgrade and past violations before dining here We ordered a macadamia nut latte, a black drip coffee and a doughnut. The doughnut looked beautiful but was kinda stale. The macadamia nut latte was delicious, but our prime suspect in the stomach problems we had after. Its a cute coffee shop with lots of places to sit and work or talk. The bathroom was nice and they have meyer's hand soap. But i wouldn't go back and risk being chained to the toilet for the next 2 hours I want my $12 back lol read more

Lived in the area for 5 years and this spot was always my go to for coffee, breakfast, or meeting up with a friend. Love the taste of the coffee and the food options. Not the fastest cup of coffee when busy, but well worth it. I also appreciated the art they featured in the walls that was for sale, great to see local artists supported. read more

Delicious coffee! To the batista thank you for being a sweetheart. Will definitely come back.

Randomly strolled in here on a Saturday afternoon. Cozy ambiance, friendly service, and relatively fair prices. Seemingly good place to do some work too. The chocolate almond croissant changed my life! Highly recommend if you stop by. The flat white was just okay, though I did enjoy the cute art. Looking forward to returning. read more

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Really great coffee and friendly staff. Unfortunately they don't have raspberry filled doughnuts during the week, only on weekends according to barista I spoke with this morning. I saw a pic of someone posted and I really wanted try, I'll just have come back weekend :-) read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

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I was looking for a coffee shop near the hospital and was particularly impressed by the comments made on Yelp by the owner. I figured the issues other customers made would have been addressed. We were disappointed. There was trash on the table, the matcha was weak, the drip coffee was just OK, and the walls were bare. The barista appeared to be happy to see us go. We won't be back. read more

I went to Proof Coffee Roasters for an iced latte. While waiting for my order, the barista got on the phone (presumably with a manager or the owner of the establishment) complaining that two Black men were sitting at a table outside of the cafe. I had walked past the men when entering the cafe, and they were simply sitting and chatting, not bothering anyone. After the barista got off the phone, she proceeded to harass the men outside, saying that they would have to leave or she would call the police. They offered to buy a coffee, but she refused to serve them. She then came back inside and called the police. One of the men came in and said that how she spoke to them was unacceptable (which was valid because she was very rude). She then proceeded to tell the officer on the phone that he was yelling at her (which was not true) and that she didn't feel safe. The men then peacefully left and she ran outside after them. At this point, it became very clear that the barista had no intention of making the latte THAT I ALREADY PAID FOR because she was too busy harassing two innocent Black men to do her job. So I ended up leaving without coffee before the police showed up to potentially further escalate this unnecessary situation. Would definitely never come back! read more

I had an urge to treat myself to a mocha at the PROOF cafe on this unusually cold pre-Spring day in NYC. At this iconic location in Harlem, the PROOF cafe is a cozy spot tucked in behind the former 'Smalls Paradise" now converted into a high school. The cafe's quiet ambiance draws folks who seek out much-needed respite in these COVID times. Most of all though it is the cafe personnel/baristas who make the seasons go 'round and 'round à la the Joni Mitchell classic Circle Game. That is no doubt a result of hiring folks with the requisite skill set, and natural sunny disposition that makes for a warm invite. I've taken to naming the mocha espresso "Mocha-Lina" after Lina the barista since I am reminded of the dark chocolate-tinged offerings found at Parisian bistros. I will continue to enjoy sipping on my fave beverages at this go to cafe! read more

Friendly staff. Fresh and strong coffee. Amazing hours of operation. It is a local coffee shop so if you're in a rush go elsewhere. Good things take time. The vegan loafs are a little dry but great if heated with some butter or oil. Either way I recommend. Enjoy! read more

PROOF Coffee Roasters - 2 americanos one with less water than the other to make it stronger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - New York, New York

Great atmosphere! The vibes are great. The pastries and matcha are so good! Very friendly staff.

Good speciality coffee beans that they roast on their own! Outdoor seatings and Grubhub deliveries. Many alternative milk options with vegan and gluten-free muffins! read more

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This is what a coffee shop should be! Ordering from the coffee baristas are akin to speaking to a longtime friend. The staff here are so easy to talk to and frequently give me recommendations based on what I like. So 5 stars for the coffee conversations and service. I've had numerous drinks here that I have never had before such as the café Olay. All of the coffee drinks are top notch. I LOVE this coffee shop!! read more

Cool vibe, good coffee, very nice barista. Small but comfortable. Worth your time. I'll be back.

So I wanted to give this place 5-stars, but couldn't because I came on a weekday afternoon and they were out of Chai, Matcha, Almond Milk, and they didn't have oat milk. The barista was SUPER kind tho. She was willing to make me something similar to what I originally wanted using the ingredients she did have. Another reason I couldn't give this place more stars is because the food I saw pictured on Yelp...they did not have. All I saw was a few wrapped bagels and sandwiches in a display fridge at the counter, which did not look appetizing. However, cute coffee shop in Harlem. Clean, cozy and friendly staff. Also, fun artwork. read more

I have been a customer to this coffee shop (ACP to Proof Coffee Roasters) for over 6 years and I will sadly not return after my experience today. Dolly, my service animal, and I always make a pit stop to Proof half way through after our walks. The staff has always been so kind and aware that she was a service animal. I've even made friends at this establishment over the years. Today, I guess one of their newest baristas to start working there, was so incredibly rude to me while asking if my dog was a service animal. A short white woman, with short hair that seems to really dislike working in the service industry. She is always frazzled and overwhelmed while working and not friendly at all. She has served me for several weeks and has never been friendly, and now I know why. And the most annoying part about all of this is my dog was in her dog backpack. We were going to the vet. She wasn't on the ground. If you have a service animal, Manhattanville Coffee is very welcoming and are so kind. I will take my business there from now on. Proof Coffee Roasters just lost a 6 year long neighborhood customer. read more

I just spent almost half an hour waiting for the baristas to make avocado smash. While I was waiting, no one came into the building. They weren't even paying attention to me until I got up from the benches to show them that I was still there. One of the guys went to the toaster and said "this has one minute left." They began to help a few customers that came in and never acknowledged that I had been waiting for 20 minutes at that point. 20 minutes for some TOAST! The service has always been lackluster here, but I come back for the coffee because it is good. I'll never return unless I have half a day to wait for them to serve me. Disappointing. On top of this. One barista with long hair was putting his hands in his hair behind the bar. I hope this is addressed. read more

Chill Vibe & the Playlist keeps it true to the neighborhood. This is my third time here and it's now my new spot. I'm not a fan of the mass marketed coffee shops (you know the one I'm talkin bout), so finding Proof ACP was a true treat. The baristas are local so they know the area, provide service with a smile and add to the welcoming atmosphere. The space is intelligently laid out with seating out front, indoors by the large street facing window, smaller tables towards the back, and even a larger communal one (making it easier to meet others while slowly sipping your beverage of choice). Shout outs to the staff: Cheryl, for her smiles and reminding me how hot Harlem is. To Asia, for letting me know they do offer a points program (holla :-)) ), and finally to Walter, for not looking at me like I'm cray cray when I brought my own coffee mug. Oh wait, did I mention the music selection? Currently playing Runnin' by The Pharcyde. Before I forget, my lattes are always hot enough, but not too much to burn my tongue and very tasty (of course, with the little "heart" on top). read more

I cannot say enough great things about Poof on ACP. Not only is the coffee great, but without Damian and Lena, I would've really been going crazy during Quarantine. They're two great people who really love the community and the coffee shop! The coffees are delicious and I buy their whole bean occasionally as well-- the bear hug blend is reallllly fantastic. Thanks to them and for staying open, being great people, and keeping Harlem caffeinated through all phases and beyond! read more

* got the Matcha Latte * Stopped by this café to pick up a drink while waiting for a friend nearby and their matcha latte wasn't up to my expectations. I tasted more milk than matcha, which was disappointing since I spent a bit more than $5 for it - they charge additional 50 cents or 75 cents I believe if you want a drink iced. The café is cute, but with my one time experience I probably would not return. I didn't feel that I got what I paid for. read more

Cozy setting with big bright windows and good coffee. I was excited for doughnuts, but they're only served on the weekend! read more

This place has ambience for days, and their coffee will make your knees weak. Walking into the shop is like being transported to the place you'd go if you closed your eyes and imagined the coziest coffee shop you could think of, something you might see on TV or in a youtube video. The atmosphere is like a warm embrace, the smell of freshly ground coffee taking you by the hand and leading you to the counter... Where you'll be taken care of by genuinely friendly staff, who obviously care about the quality of their work... fast service, DELICIOUS coffee. The food is pretty dang good too, but I'm the type who prefers to drink their coffee by itself more often that not. If you're a croissant or pastry person, you won't be disappointed (to put it mildly). PROOF Coffee gets a strong 9/10 and easy 5 stars. Easy to recommend. read more