Buunni Coffee - Pinehurst

Great coffee and I love that outside they have a bookshelf with children's books. Like a little free library.

What a darling little coffee shop with its own roasted beans and views to enthrall! One tiny block away from gorgeous river views on a perfect autumn afternoon had me reevaluating my plans. I canceled those plans to stay longer in this wonderful part of New York, so unlike the rest of city- quaint calm with Dutch architecture, river and GWB views and just an overall niceness, sipping my chai and just enjoying these outdoor moments. It was worth it. As November, outside moments like these, free of coats and boots and gloves will be rare. I am thrilled to have discovered Buuni, which encouraged me to stay uptown and enjoy the tastes, sounds and sights of Washington Heights. Thank you for these moments of love and gratitude 🍂☕️🗽💜

Love this coffee shop! The coffee is consistently amazing (seriously some of the best I’ve had). Super chill vibe, great music, and friendly staff :) Great place to meet up with friends, or just grab a quick cup, it never disappoints. Definitely my go-to spot!

Lovely coffee shop in Hudson Heights. The first sip I took from my latte really hit the spot and it was one of the more memorable coffees I have had in a while. Im not sure if they bake their own good or if they get it from somewhere else, but the pastry that I also got was delicious. Plenty of seating inside as there is a big sprawling table near the entrance but there’s also seating outside in one of those street-side sheds that we now see everywhere. Look forward to going back for another cup when I’m back in the neighborhood.

Came here on an early Saturday afternoon and enjoyed an Ethiopian macchiato as well as a coconut chai that was iced. They have a nice outdoor seating area with about 3 to 4 tables where you can relax and enjoy your drinks. The Ethiopian macchiato was very strong and a bit sweet, with a little bit of nice coffee art on the top with the foam. I loved the iced coconut Chai, as it was a lot creamier and more coconutty than I expected. It was lightly spiced and quite sweet. I would definitely love to come back and try their other coffee drinks and even purchase some of their beans. I love that they partner directly with Ethiopian coffee farmers, as it’s obviously closer to the source!

Wonderful neighborhood spot where people and dogs meet up. Although extremely small and tight, people will make room for you at the table or spread out to one of the benches or chairs outside. The coffee? EXCELLENT!!!

Our favorite local coffee that has a married couple as the owners. They are those rare people with hearts of gold trying to improve their community. The coffee is phenomenal- the Sidamo is my favorite and even when we moved away, we get it auto delivered from their website.

Buunni Coffee, located on Pinehurst Avenue, is so adorable! I recently came to visit to grab an afternoon coffee and stayed to do some work on my laptop. The staff are really kind & efficient, my vanilla latte came out quickly and tasted delicious! The store patrons I ran into were really nice as well - we all did some shuffling at the one large table they have inside so everyone who came in groups could sit by one another. For a small shop, the place is pretty accommodating for people to be able to work inside while having their coffee + bite to eat. My only complaint is that it can get a little chilly inside when it's cold out because a rush of icy air busts in each time someone opens the door to enter/exit. Just something to be aware of when you come visit, particularly if you plan to stay & enjoy your coffee. I'm sure during the warmer months, the breeze is welcome. Regardless of this tiny con, this place is 100% worth a visit with all of the pros in mind. :-) Quickly, on a final note: if the cold air is something you're worried about during the winter months, they also have a little covered patio out front, which I believe is heated! There is a cute book exchange located out front as well. Enjoy!

Love this tiny gem of a coffee shop--and it's run by locals who really care about coffee and people! If you want to try Ethiopian or Dominican coffee, this is the place to go!

Drop in to get a quick afternoon coffee/tea. There wasn't a line and service were quick. The place is very quaint and chill for people who want to have a coffee and do some work on their laptop/reading. They have a outdoor sitting area too which opens up more space. We got regular coffee and iced matcha. Both are good but nothing extraordinary. I do have to mention the matcha is nice that they didn't make it sweet/ actually didn't add any sugar etc. They sell the cffee beans too in case if you want to try making some at home. The bakery didn't look great but to be fair, we are also there when they are closing soon. Would drop by again if I'm in the neighborhood!

Always very tasty coffee. I've been coming here for coffee almost every day for over a year!

Cute spot. Good drinks. Nice space to sit and do some work on your computer too, if needed.

Great neighborhood coffee shop. Attentive service, delicious Ethiopian coffee, customized orders. Happy they accommodated my request for a "steamer" (frothed milk) for my grandson and gave separate milk for me to add later. Will def be back !!

This place is really cute! Quaint little coffee shop tucked away in Washington Heights. They have one large communal table for people sit at as well as some bar stools and counters. I have not tried their pastries but they always look so temptings it's hard to resist. The baristas are really helpful and very knowledgeable about coffee and tea. They have several different types of milk, my personal favorite oat milk which just makes all the lattes and other coffee drinks just taste so much better. It is a great little study spot if you can find a seat. The only downside is that because the shop is so small it fills up quite quickly and sometimes it can be a little challenging to find a seat. I come here all the time during my lunch break at work and I almost always can find a seat but its a little squished.

The scone was delicious, I was uncomfortable with one of the staff members and our interaction. This may be important for staffers to review: https://www.yourrestaurantbusiness.com/can-a-restaurant-ask-for-proof-of-a-service-dog/

My favorite coffee shop in the neighborhood! Great service and drinks. Love the variety of drink options and their coffee/beans

In the passage of my travels in Washington Heights/ Inwood to meet a friend I was enticed to visit this coffee shop after many previous Yelpers hyped their almond croissants and chocolate chip cookies. Disappointedly I arrived too late into the evening to learn that all are sold out by 1 pm due to their highly coveted status from the popularity. I am truly enamored of almond croissants and chocolate chip cookies (no nuts). Staff is very friendly, personable and welcoming indeed. The personalization, welcoming, empathy for the lack of croissants which is shows good morals and good conscience in a stolid, callous, apathetic non-conscience world. There is a good tea selection which I opt for a small Camomile tea $2.00. Vegan baked goodies are available. Despite of the small size of this coffee shop it fends a cozy environment. Cafe Buunni is great for first dates, blind dates, meeting a friend, reading a book without the loud background music blasting, clicking away at the laptops or tech gadgets, or post-dinner gatherings. No restroom facility is located on site due to the limited seating. Business cards is available for keepsake.

Pumpkin Chai and caramel latte is to die for! Pumpkin chai actually taste like you're drinking a pastry. I also had the walnut brownie... delicious soft and warm. Inside space like most coffee shops is quite intimate. Lots of people come in there was no inside seats available but there is a lovely bench outside! Perfect way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

This could have been the first time I've had whole milk since I was 11 but when you make a moca out of it, it comes out amazing. I love this spot and will be ordering many coffees here.

This is a review for Ethiopian platter delivery from the Inwood location. We have ordered their vegan platter a number of times & it's delicious comfort food. We always get extra injura so that it is enough for 2 people. You have to order at least the day before & it is delivered cold, so pop it on the microwave or maybe an oven?? It's definitely one of the better healthy take out options we have & I highly recommend. Extra stars for using compostable packaging & not plastic. Wish all restaurants would start doing that!

I love their sugar free vanilla and hazelnut iced coffee. The staff are very helpful and friendly. I love their coffee. It's also a great place to sit outdoors with friends or sit and read a book. I definitely recommend anyone to visit.

Walking around the Washington Heights area brought us to this little café. It has that boho/eclectic décor going on that makes you feel at home. It's got that down home feeling about it. Not pretentious at all. I ordered an ice coffee while my friends had coffee/lattes and some pastries. Everyone was satisfied with their service/drinks/food. It's small inside so I don't think this is the lounge around all day inside while doing work on my laptop kinda café. And that's perfectly ok.

There are not many coffee shops around this area, so it seems to be popular. Inside is rather small, has just one big table for people to share, and a small bench by the window, and counter with seating on the wall. The cashier was not friendly at all, but the coffee was good and so was the baked goods. Coffee size was a bit small for the price, but quality cup.

Very good customer service. Quiet and convenient location. Good variety of coffee drinks with alternate substitutes for cow milk. Neighborhood feeling.

Dear Staff, please do not continue with your text thread when engaging with customers. You are working. Poorly managed coffee spot, so rude

This was one of my favorite places to sit and do work pre-COVID. They're still serving up delicious coffee and tasty pastries. They support local artists, and they're a true Upper Manhattan fixture. Please support Buunni!

The Ethiopian Macchiato was amazing!! I didn't read the other reviews until now who agree as well. It's one of the best coffee I've ever had and that says a lot with all the coffee shops in NYC alone. The barista prepared it really well with a sense of artistry. Coffee in general is overpriced in the city so I wish it wasn't so expensive to buy this on a daily basis. The vibe is pretty chill and not pretentious. It seems like older folks who are professors come and grade class papers here.

I like the option of a truly small cup of coffee. Art installations are interesting, and the pastries are exceptionally good. The orange-ginger scone, when heated, is memorable.

Eh. Weird attitude from the staff. Asked which beans they use for espresso because they have a sign up describing rotating blends and single origin beans. The answer I got back was "The same as always..." Matcha is pretty low grade, lots of astringency. Coffee was just ok.

Cafe Buunni you are absolutely remarkable, I had an incredible experience here today. It's kind of the place to go in this area. Everything was fresh, flavorsome, and really delicious. The people who work there are incredibly pleasant and welcoming. You will not be disappointed with Cafe Buunni.

Lovely small coffee shop we visited after spending a good 3 hours at the MET Cloisters. I ordered a Ethiopian Macchiato that was not a typical Macchiato you would get at a mainstream coffee place. Mine was a 6 ounce drink that was lightly sweetened with a robust coffee flavor. I also ordered a chocolate walnut scone that tasted more like a cookie but even still it was delicious.

Stop by this hole-in-the wall coffee shop if you want to grab a quick cup or scone to go, because that's all the place seems to have room for. It was nice and quiet when we went (1pm on a Friday) but soon filled up with joggers and the like who were stopping in. There IS a nice nook to sit, but will probably feel a little cramped if there is anyone else camping out there. The coffee is super good though, and their scones serve to complement the flavor of their beans.

Five stars for the coffee, zero stars for the sandwiches. There's no excuse for stale bread and cheese whose edges are dried and crusty with age.

Order from the Ethiopian food menu (GLUTEN-FREE)! (Order ahead and pick up, certain days of the week.) It's delicious, healthful, filling, comforting food that puts me in the best mood. I like to get extra and draw out the leftovers. Also, whenever you walk into Buunni, there's beautiful art on the walls, lovely mugs and books and more for sale. It is a special place. The owners truly care about their business and their community.

Very cute little neighborhood place in the cafe deprived Washington Heights/Hudson Heights area - my housemate recommended it to me. The inside is small with bohemian decor and a good vibe. The staff are pretty chill. There is one communal table and time limited WiFi so it is a place to stop in rather than to hang out and work. Pinehurst Street is tree-lined and really nice to walk along to admire the quintessential New York architecture. There is also a park nearby so there are plenty of other places to enjoy your beverage if seating is full. I ordered an almond milk latte and a spinach and cheese croissant type pastry. They offered to heat it up. My friends got drip coffee and scones. I was really pleased with both my pastry and my latte, and my friends enjoyed theirs. This is the place I bring people to for morning coffee if they are staying with me in New York. It is definitely popular with locals and I wish there were more cafes like this in the neighborhood.

I really wanted to like this place. Tiny, tiny place with a sweet vibe. So it's just an espresso shop with a few pastries, not a place where you could get a breakfast, lunch, etc. But if it's an espresso shop, then the espresso had better be good. I am surprised at how many people give very positive reviews. My latte had no flavor whatsoever, and certainly no coffee aroma. I have to presume they're using some very light roast coffee beans. Well, if this kind of flavor is what you want, you can get a $1 coffee at a gas station. But a 16 oz latte here costs $5.65. Ouch. For something that gives no pleasure in drinking, that is a very serious tariff! Even one block away, Ozzie's will give you a mild, undistinguished latte that does not cost anything close to $5.65. So I see no reason to go to Buunni whatsoever. Dear owners: If you're going to charge a top price, you need to serve espresso with a noteworthy flavor and aroma!

I used to live right by this cafe, and it's super cute. It is quite small with only a few seats, but the coffee and tea selection was good. The staff was always friendly and I would recommend this place if looking for a neighborhood cafe in the area

Cafe Buuni is a fine coffee shop. Very good beans (I grind at home) and excellent coffee drinks. Small but very tasty selection of sweet edibles (I LOVE the almond croissants). Small space, so I generally purchase beans and get a coffee to go, but be assured, the quality is superb. I'm moving to Riverdale soon and I am happy to say that Cafe Buuni now has a shop there as well, at 3702 Riverdale Avenue. Same excellent quality, larger space and more seating. You cannot go wrong with either shop.

Didn't realize I'd already reviewed Buunni nearly 2 years ago, but they've remained consistently great, so more recent, updated review is below: My favorite coffee shop! The space is small but it has a homey, community feel. You'll often see people chatting with each other, working at the communal table, or sitting on the benches outside sipping their coffee. It's a really special place with different artwork featured each month, writing nights, and community supper clubs. Their coffee is top notch (I recommend the iced latte) and their salted chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip scones are YUM!

Love it!!!! Amazing coffee, great treats, customer service on point!!!! What's not to like.

Coffee has a strange nutty taste; I've been here a few times and it always has this aftertaste. Maybe it's because it's "Ethiopian" but I can't seem to find any good coffee here and have ordered a few things so far. My boyfriend and I got a scallion scone which was great, and their pastries have always been good. They have good WiFi and plugs if you want to get some work done, but if you come on the weekend there always tends to be fancy moms with screaming children who somehow end up on my lap.

Good coffee and I love their pastries. My wife and I just moved into the neighborhood and was glad to discover this great find. We will be sure to come back here again soon.

Some of the Best coffee drinks I've had in NYC. Owned by established coffee roasters originally from Eithiopia that live in this neighborhood. Great ham and cheese croissant also. Family owned and operated. Would be 5 stars but its Slightly pricey for wash heights and they don't take Amex

The coffee here is really great and the pastries have all been tasty, buttery, and flaky. I remember getting a strawberry shortcake pastry and originally thinking that it was really small but it was really filling and hearty! Overall really love this place and worth the trip to Washington heights

Cute neighborhood coffee shop. Quality coffee, pretty good prices. Not Starbucks. I like that the business is very focused on not only supporting sustainable practices, but also local businesses. They sell people's pops (NYC-based popsicles), and they are yummy! Too small for me to really linger in though, and I feel like I'm disturbing people at work on the large single table every time I come in to grab a coffee.

Looking for a place to sit down and get some work done? Well this might not be the spot. This place is nice to read a book and drink coffee for a bit, but not to get some work done. There is not much room, and you are limited to one hour worth of wifi so use it well! Their is no restroom, so if coffee gives you the runs, well you might want to avoid this place. The chocolate cookie was very good though! I would recommend if you are craving something sweet

What a gem for this neighborhood!! I love this tiny coffee shop!! Very friendly service, fresh and tasty snacks and one of the best cappuccinos and hot chocolates in the city! Family-friendly. The employees are very understanding wt families who have strollers. Free wifi wt any purchase. Stools, a big rectangular table wt chairs and outside benches available. Definitely stop by to grab a snack or a cup of coffee, if you are in the neighborhood!

I still love this little cafe but I do have teenie weenie pet peeve. :) They don't take cards AND their prices are not easy to deal with. IE: i think it was $4.09 for a small iced latte. Unless i remember to carry around change specifically, I ended getting back a bunch of change which I have to carry around the rest of the day. :( I would say Trump is a bigger problem but this one comes in as a close second!

A neighborhood mainstay, even club house, with good coffee, fun art, but tiny space...

Great little coffee shop! The staff were really friendly and sweet, the coffee is the best in the area, and they have a good selection of sweet and savory pastries. Also, they have Oatly oat milk, which is my favorite coffee accoutrement. I will definitely be going back!

Good coffee blends. Interesting selection of syrups if you'd like a try a new way of flavoring your coffee. I particularly enjoyed their ice coffee. The pastries/scones are good but nothing notable. The store is small with a window ledge, 1 large table, and 2 outdoor benchs that are often occupied with people studying/doing computer work. Relatively busy food traffice. Nice staple in the neigberhood and has a good community following

Easily my favorite place in the neighborhood for a cup of coffee. Wish it was a little larger, it's tough to take my 4 year old and 18 month old with me because of the space. I'm excited for their location at the GWB bus terminal to open - seems like it will be more family friendly. Great baristas and I am in LOVE with the strawberry latte.

Wish the place was huge, coffee is of course amazing, it's is all Ethiopian and service is great. Wish they have seats to enjoy the coffee.

Cute atmosphere, a nice little local spot. Pretty expensive, though, and definitely not your "stop on your way to work" joint unless you like being 20 minutes late. Also, this will sound like a strange criticism, but since we're on the topic...they have the WORST quality cups and straws. It might not seem important, but it's a bummer knowing you're going to have to surgically remove your straw from its wrapper so it doesn't splinter into a million pieces. First world problems, I know, but I'm getting it all out here.

The best coffee in the neighborhood. The baristas are friendly and the coffee and pastries are yuuuuum yum.

There are probably 20k people who live on Pinehurst between 187th and 181st, so it's nice to have a single coffee shop that isn't the one Starbucks. And Buuni has good tasting coffee--whether drip or espresso. As other reviewers say, the staff is not always so friendly, but oh well. Why should people who earn near poverty wages act like our best friends? Sure, friendly people are great, but grumpy people deserve work too. This is a small space, and that can be a problem. The people who want to work struggle to do so despite the talking, and those who socialize do their best to cram in around those who are working. This place is a microcosm of life on Manhattan: Do your own thing, elbow to elbow with tons of other people, and try to stay out of their business while they stay out of yours. And it mostly works, aside from the occasional poorly groomed polygamous activist who wants to make sure all the senior citizens in the room can hear her proclaim the f-word at least once every 60 seconds. Also, she's a polygamist. Most people don't get that. Seriously. What the f**k. I'm f**king serious. So yeah, aside from the occasional attention magnet, it mostly works. Except for the photographer. This is my complaint. Owner(s) of Buuni, if you read this, why do you allow this douche photographer into your cafe, with an assistant, to conduct photo shoots for the price of a coffee? Every day he is there, mid-afternoon, with all his equipment. Keep in mind this is a 10x10 space. He takes the place over, conducting shoots that can last over an hour. He will stand in the entryway, blocking customers; if the cafe is too full, he gets snotty, because he has "no room." Seriously, who the f**k is this guy? Is he a part owner? Is he entitled to your space for his business? Honestly this situation epitomizes everything I cannot stand about New York: The sense of entitlement. And this guy's sense of entitlement is stunning. Buuni people, do your customers a favor and ask this dude to rent a bigger studio. It's lame that you allow him to strong-arm such a tiny space. Or, maybe you can tell me where his living room is, so I can go drink coffee there while he works. In sum, get your coffee here but don't visit for the ambiance or friendly down home atmosphere. Unless you need some head shots. Then you're in business.

I've said this multiple times: Washington Heights / Hudson Heights needs a real cafe! I can not diss the beloved Starbucks next to my apartment, for it is convenient and I have personal affection for all of the fantastic baristas there. However, it terms of a kitschy, home down, cozy coffee spot, we've have been lacking...until now. I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of this spot since I saw the signs for it back in the summer. I love my little haunts in Inwood (Indian Road Cafe and Darling Coffee), but I'm not always up for the small commute north just for a relaxing cup of something warm and frothy. I was curious how well such an establishment would fit (literally) into a tiny and narrow old shoe repair shop. However, they've managed to pull it off flawlessly! The shop boasts a small but comprehensive drink menu: coffees, teas, chai, cocoa, milk steamers, smoothies and frappes, and apple cider. Done. There are various pastries, both sweet and savory. Done. There are arts and crafts for sale from local artists. Done. There is WiFi. Done. They accept credit / debit cards (over $5). Done. There is lovely staff. Done. They've even manage to squeeze a 6 person long table in the small space, and about 3 people can sit in the sun-dappled window ledge. For me, the most important thing thing about a cafe is one, if they have chai, and two, how good IS their chai. If they don't have chai, I am sad. If they have chai and they use a powdered mix that sinks to the bottom of the cup, I am even sadder than if they didn't have chai at all. Not only do they have good chai, but it's made with whole milk and the foam on top is so thick...I can't even come up with a cogent simile. Ha! It's just delicious overall. Mmmmm. I am absolutely overjoyed this spot is finally opened, and I am looking forward to being a consistent patron. I sincerely hope this place thrives! Welcome to WaHi, Buunni! You are more than very welcomed here.