Cafe Alula

This super cute and skinny cafe has the tastiest breakfast sandwich and delicious coffee. "Order in the front, Eat in the back" as the sign says. Cute, covered garden in the back with a nice summer breeze. Or get your food to go. Great place to chat with friends or chill with a book or laptop. Happy that I stumbled upon this place. Enjoy

The food was delicious, and the coffee tasted amazing as well. It was my first time coming here, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ingredients and the good vibes. I stayed to eat in the outdoor patio area. The service was excellent, and I enjoyed my breakfast. It's a very cute place, and I highly recommend it!

Got the egg & cheese and it was very bland. I do not recommend it. The avocado was slapped on the bread, no salt or pepper seasoning, no flavor at all. And the bread was burnt. I rarely post negative reviews but paying $50 for a breakfast like this is hard to justify. Please do better. Suggestions to add flavor: salt & pepper, an aioli or spicy sauce, onions or spinach, and for the cheese consider a sharper cheddar, Swiss, or cream cheese. On the positive side - my husband got the burrito and he enjoyed it, and the matcha was solid.

I got the crabcake sandwich to go the other day and it was SO GOOD. I love the bread they used; it’s a different take on other crab cake sandwiches I’ve had and honestly, one of the best.

Stopped by here while in the neighborhood. I ordered a delicious orange blossom hot chai with a tuna and gigante bean salad. The salad was okay. It was lacking in flavor. My friend ordered the falafel salad. I liked it better than my salad. I would definitely come back to try other items on the extensive menu.

Loved the coffee window, lots of outdoor seating available. The backyard garden is super cozy. Highly recommend!

Delicious halal brunch! Amazing ambiance & great service

Love this spot! Dog friendly - nice staff. Keto options. Was able to get the Halloumi and Egg in a bowl with greens. We also order an egg sandwich - liked the bread it came on. Just overall vibe, patio space and dog friendly ambiance will make me a returning customer.

I'm going to say it: Cafe Alula has one of the best breakfast burritos in the city. And some of the best food overall. What we all need is a Lebanese cafe with outdoor seating options and some of the most flavorful food in the city. Here's what you need to know: 1. That breakfast burrito. All the flavors work together in a way that is more refreshing than other burritos which can more quickly put you in a food coma. 2. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 3. Order at the window 4. The coffee and tea options are solid. Overall, Cafe Alula is a must try in Greenpoint.

Middle Eastern cafe with wine and beer. You order at the counter and then find a spot at their bar, the rear cafe, or their backyard. It's welcoming place that I could see folks lounging around at. We ordered the falafel sandwich, the mushroom sandwich, and a slice of pumpkin cake. Oddly, the cake slice came out first, but we reminded disciplined and saved it for the end. Soon after, our sandwiches were served. They were filled with tomato and cucumber salad along with a generous portion of tahini sauce. Topped with some pickled onion in a warm pressed pita. I preferred the mushroom over the pita. We ordered halloumi cheese with the mushroom sandwich. It was accidentally forgotten, but they provided us a side very quickly after we notified them. I think a halloumi cheese sandwich might have likely been my favorite option for a sandwich. The cake was the best item of the meal. Airy and muffin like with a dense moist center. Outside was just slightly crispy. I'd certainly return for cake. Service was polite and helpful. The food came out quickly. They had kombucha and cold brew on tap. There was only one single occupancy restroom which had accessibility bar; though, I believe there was one step in order to enter the business.

The food is so good here. Service is great even with a fairly minimal number of staff. Ambiance is lovely. Great backyard area.

The food is AMAZING!!!! And the atmosphere is heavenly, sitting outside in their covered area, yet surrounded by nature. I gobbled all the food up and forgot to take pics.‍ I had the fatoush salad w/ two slices of halloumi cheese. And before that, I had the egg, halloumi and sorrel greens on focaccia bread- all was super deliciouso!!!

Beautiful, fresh food that's served quickly by a friendly crew. I demolished their breakfast burrito which was so delicious! I loved the fact that they grilled the outside. The back patio is beautiful overlooking the beautiful greenery of the plant store next door. The iced ginger brew was perfect on a hot day and I love the bite of ginger I can feel in my throat. Lovely, lovely place. I we old come here regularly if I lived here!

We were excited to go to cafe Alula for lunch. When we saw the long line we believed it confirmed it will be good. But by the time the food came (30+ mins for two sandwiches) our excitement went down the drain. And although the food was really good I am not sure I would come back on a regular basis. While the food is good it's also overpriced - I paid $50 for two sandwiches and two non-alcoholic drinks - it should cost less than this, especially for lunch.

Grabbed brunch at Wenwen prior with a group and did a post meal coffee at Alula. Such a cute cafe! Pretty limited seating (maybe 3-4 tables) but they also seem to have some outdoor seating. The coffee was delicious but even better is that they serve in it in unique handmade ceramics which objectively makes the coffee taste better. Would try to see if I could pop in here on a day I'm working remotely as their food menu looks great as well!

The food was delicious, and the coffee tasted amazing as well. It was my first time coming here, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ingredients and the good vibes. I stayed to eat in the outdoor patio area. The service was excellent, and I enjoyed my breakfast. It's a very cute place, and I highly recommend it!

Have not tried the food but I got the Zatar croissant and it was delicious. The interior of this place looks so cute, and they have a patio in the back. A greenpoint hidden gem.

So many great options! Definitely would have to come back to try other items especially the za'atar croissant. The sandwiches can also be switched to bowls. We had the shiitake pesto sandwich, cauliflower shawarma, baked falafel salad and a side of fava beans. Favorite was the sandwich (crispy texture and large portion) and cauliflower (nice thick layer of tahini at the bottom). The falafel is baked and somehow tasted uncooked. The hummus in the salad was very creamy. Also tried the halva latte which didn't have strong tahini flavor. The backyard space is super lovely and quiet great for reading, working or catching up with friends. It's self service in which one orders up front. The guy made a couple mistakes of our orders but I still enjoyed the food and look forward to coming back.

Very surprised by how much I liked this. I went expecting much, having not been to many Lebanese restaurants because the food is generally just not my thing. But this menu looked interesting enough for breakfast so I figured what the heck. It's a small cafe but I didn't go inside as they have counter service outside. I ordered the breakfast burrito-eggs, avocado, gava beans, lettuce, tomato and harissa oil. I left off of the tomato. The burrito came out pressed and hot and was delicious. As someone who rarely eats beans for breakfast and never avocado, I scarfed this down faster than you can "yum yum breakfast burrito". Ton of flavor. Very happy I took the chance.

Delicious food, friendly staff, and plenty of seating. I visited Cafe Alula at the recommendation of my cousin during a recent trip back to NY. You order food at the window right by the entrance. There's menus to review while you wait your turn to order. The staff is very friendly and helpful if you have questions. After you order, they'll give you a number and you find yourself a seat. What I got: - Alula breakfast burrito: everything tasted so fresh. From the veggies to the egg. All the flavors balanced well together and eating it never felt heavy. - Orange blossom chai turmeric latte: DELICIOUS! You can taste the orange blossom without it being overpowering. The chai had a good spice to it. There's street seating in front of the restaurant, but if there's space in the back, I recommend going to eat there. There's plenty of seating with a canopy of plants that makes it feel for a second that you're not in NY.

Cute cafe in Greenpoint. Neighborhood favorite. But the service is not great. They tend to keep people waiting in line while chatting with guests who hold up the line. The staffs are generally flustered and lack focus. They tend to get the order wrong and lack skills to make proper espresso drinks. (Over steamed piping hot temperatures)

Loved this place. I had orange blossom chai with oat milk and the cauliflower shawarma. It did not disappoint. Orange blossom chai is a dirty chai with a nice citrusy kick to it. Definitely coming back for more before I leave to head home. In terms of seating, the front has a little covered area and there's a covered back patio as well. Service was fast and 10/10. Person who took my order at the window was super helpful as well. Highly recommend if you're looking for vegan food.

Ordered the halloumi harissa egg sandwich. Delicious and the only thing that would make this better would be if it had a type of meat like Turkey on it. Otherwise, a really good choice on the menu. It was big enough i could take half home to eat later for dinner. Very friendly staff who made sure to answer all our questions and give recommendations! We ate on the back patio which was like a lovely private alcove and because it had a covering the sun wasn't much of a bother.

Came to this area to meet a friend and this was conveniently nearby! This was exactly what I was looking for - a light healthy meal of all the good foods with a nice selection of coffee. They also have seating outdoors in the front, and a nice backyard. I got the fattoush and added halloumi. The mixed greens and veggies were tasty, and the flatbread was nice and warm, cut up neatly for your ease of eating. i wanted to try something beside the usual latte so I ordered my first halwa latte! Flavors of roasted sesame and espresso combined fluttered around, super tasty.

After viewing an exhibit nearby, my friend & I walked around Greenpoint to find a place that would fulfill our bellies. She mentioned that Alula was pretty good so I was down to try it out with her. I have to say, it's a very cute Middle Eastern cafe store front where you order at the window first before seating. Don't let the store front fool ya though - there's plenty of seating in the back! Both of us ordered the baked falafel bowl. I will admit because I'm a sucker for avo, of course I added it to my bowl. We got served piping hot bowls with fresh veggies. Each bowl was enough to satisfy our hunger, thank you very much! I did have to take off a star because I was a bit disappointed with my halwa latte. The tahini was all the way at the bottom and it didn't dissolve into the latte well enough to flavor it unfortunately. However, just because it wasn't the best latte of my life doesn't mean I wouldn't go back for a second chance!

My second time at this place and they nailed it again. Absolutely delicious food. Well cooked and well presented. Came for vegan options and they have plenty. Love the vibe at this place as well. I'll be keep coming back and bringing more friends.

I can't fathom giving this establishment anything less than five stars, the food is absolute amaze. fresh, unique and loaded with flavor, it's no wonder this place had a line halfway down the block. was certainly worth the wait!

PURCHASED: Smoked Salmon Sandwich ($17) + Egg & Cheese Sandwich ($10) + Tea ($2) + Coffee ($2) TOTAL: $36 (for b-fast for 2 peeps) Date visited: early Fall (10/06/19) PROS: + Ingredients: whoever made the menu deserves an award. The sandwiches were delivious--oh yeah, I definitely ate took a few bites from my gf's cheese-egg wich. The buns had a high density of sesame seeds. + Smoked Salmon Sandwich: It's like lox or sushi-grade salmon. It was garnished with dill, capers and some crème fraîche. All of this was piled nicely on 2 nicely toasted slices of some custom-like bread. Though, $17 bucks is quite pricey. Could've thrown on a few more slices of salmon. :D CONS: - nada: To be quite honest, I think we found my new breakfast-morning spot. The front is where you order and 2 small tables for 2 parties can be squeezed in. The interior kitchen and register is really narrow. The main seating is in the backyard. Entering to the seating area in the back is like walking into your own backyard. The screen door really makes you have that impression. IMPRESSION: Great outdoor space in the backyard during the Spring or Fall. If you're in Greenpoint on the weekend and want some breakfast, it's a great place to go. Note: I will always get breakfast on Saturdays/Sundays and there are 5 places that I have gone to, they include Bakeri (food-awesome, space-awesone), Esme (delicious, decent prices, relatively more crowded) and Franklin Corner Cafe (overpriced--food not good). These restaurants I have mentioned are within 5-8 blocks of each other and nearly encompass all the options for breakfast with exception of 3-4 that I haven't mentioned (Milk & Roses [north Greenpoint, pricey, prejudice french bartender making fun of a hispanic worker; he was french], Eagle Trading Company [low-key, british-dude owned, further north in Greenpoint]).

Sandwich | Coffee | Outdoor Space Sandwiches: Cafe Alula has a variety of sandwiches, from falafel to shawarma. I had the smoked salmon sandwich. It came with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled onions. It was significantly larger than I anticipated. I was more than full after I had the sandwich. Making it a great value at $14. Coffee: The second highlight of Cafe Alula is there a variety of coffee options. They have everything from cold brew, to espresso shots, to lattes, to mochas. I had an espresso shot which was spot on. Outdoor space: When there is a nice day, Alula has a great outdoor space in the back. It has room for about 30 people. There are a lot of plants and greenery around which definitely gives you a lift on your mood during your lunch. Pro Tip: Don't let the storefront fool you, it is good.

~Monica's T.A.S.T.E. Test~ Taste: I ordered the falafel pita which was stuffed with delicious falafel, pickled onions/cucumbers, hummus and more. The pita was firm and held up well to the stuffing inside. It was a very filling and satisfying sandwich. Atmosphere: Order and pay at the register, sit down and enjoy at the tables outside or inside. A little short on space but we were able to get a table for 3. Very cute inside and out. Service: The meals were delivered promptly and fresh. Usually you bus your own table and get your own water, but our waitress was kind enough to do it for us. Tab: $12-20 sandwiches/breakfasts which was cheaper than some of the surrounding areas in Brooklyn, especially for the quality that came out. Extra wow factor: I loved the options on the menu. Its hard to find vegetarian options and they had A BUNCH. Does it pass the T.A.S.T.E test? Yes! This place came recommended to use from a local friend and it was well worth the visit.

Cute little shop, but their turmeric latte was disappointing. It didn't have that nutty flavor and sweetness to it... I wish they knew how to make it Maybe their food is better?

I was looking for a light and healthy lunch, so stopped in for a falafel sandwich. Except for some fish, crab and egg dishes, and dishes with feta cheese, Cafe Alula has largely a vegetarian and vegan menu with lots of gluten free options. The falafels in my salad were baked, the hummus was creamy and salad dressing was a great acidic balance to all of it. Cappuccino was good too. Great vibe and music. Learned about a band while there... Bacao Rhythm and Steel Band. Want to try the cauliflower "shawarma" or tarragon & whitefish sandwich next time.

I received the wrong item in my to-go bag so I couldn't come back to get it replaced. They were not even busy at this time so not sure why they would get something so simple so wrong. the sandwich I received was very dry, bland, and not worth the $11 they charged me. Furthermore, the girl taking my order got a bit of a condescending tone with me for no reason. would never come back ‍

Good flavors (mostly) but overpriced. Falafel is not that great! Lol. Shawarma is good. Side of potatoes are ridiculously portioned.

Food was so delicious and the price was so fair for the food. great ambiance and very friendly staff!

Definitely a great option for a casual coffee/lunch in Greenpoint. It's expensive, but that's almost a given at these distinctly quaint backyard places. I'll be back!

I got a sandwich here and it was weirdly tiny for it's price. It also was impossible to keep together. I think this is a restaurant favored by people who aren't hungry.

Every time I go here I regret it. They are just so unpleasant. There are so many other places in the area with friendly and nice staff. And, I work in the service industry as well so it takes a lot for me to write a bad review. I know it doesn't matter but -ew gross be nicer to your customers.

Super cute place, enjoyed the food and vibes inside a lot. My friends and I ordered different items and though I didn't get to try their dishes, it surely looked yummy. I had the mushroom & egg toast and I really enjoyed it. Price wise - I would say it's standard brunch prices. I'd love to come back here to try other items on the menu next time :)

Enjoyed a delicious and chill lunch at Cafe Alula this weekend. We ate in the peaceful backyard garden. I loved my fattoush and side of labneh and za'atar pita. I highly recommend spreading the labneh on the freshly baked za'atar bread! The menu has many other tempting options (e.g., mushroom shwarma!) so looking forward to coming back to try more!

Used to be great. But came after covid and food was decidedly worse and people seem to care less :( sad

One of the worst place. Stay away. Very rude waitress. They have wifi and not sharing. The beverage is ok. Avoid this place. So many nicer places around. The morning lady is super super rude. Not respect for foreigners. Even going to the restroom, she's yelling at consumers.

This small cafe was very cute and the food was amazing. We came for lunch and it was a bit of a challenge to find a table. After we placed our order, we had to walk towards the back outdoor area which was pretty small but great atmosphere. We ordered the Za'atar Avocado toast and the eggplant sandwich. I wanted to try the halloumi crossiant; however, it was sold out. If you want to try the halloumi crossiant then the earlier you come the better. Please let me know how it is if anyone tried it. The presentation of the Za'atar Avocado toast was amazing and the taste was amazing as well. I believe that the toast is the most important part and it passed my expectations. I would recommend giving this a try. On the other hand, I did not like the eggplant sandwich. I felt the flavor was overpowering. I am not sure if this is just me but this is how I felt after a few bites.

Cafe Alula, a locally owned vegetarian cafe in the heart of Greenpoint. From the outside appearance it looks like your typical hipster establishment but when you go inside and see their in-depth Mediterranean menu and coffee selection, you'll soon realize that this is a foodie & coffee lovers dream cafe. Everything on the food menu is Lebanese inspired and vegetarian friendly! The attention to detail with their food gives this place 5 out of 5 stars! Since the menu is a genuine Lebanese - the items may be unfamiliar but I really encourage you to talk to the owner Tony (he's always wearing a beanie and has a mustache) and ask him what you should get. He'll ask some general questions about your preferences and he'll come up with something SPOT ON, Every time! Just trust him! But if you're shy - the schwarma is always a safe bet! I typically never write this long of a review but sometimes a find a place that really is worth sharing!!!

Love this spot. Just several blocks away from where we live. I always get the eggplant sandwich. It's packed full of hearty egg and other goodness. Every bite is just delicious and the ingredients taste so fresh. Decor-wise, I love the Moroccan touches, which make it feel welcoming and warm. Excited to try the other dishes soon!

Excellent spot in Greenpoint for coffee and food. Food is super clean and tasty at a really good price. Highly recommend the hummus avocado bowl and adding smoked salmon.

Food is great but unfortuntely I have to give them only 3 stars because of bad experiences I have had with deliveries. If you order within the 2 hour prior they close you must likely: a) not get your food b) get your food very late c) get an incomplete/ bad quality meal I really love this place but it is a shame that they stop paying attention to their quality at the end of the day. I would much rather prefer them to say they are 'closed for deliveries' intead of sending an incomplete/poor meal.

Super cute spot near the end of Franklin. I'm generally pretty indifferent to brunch or breakfast food, but they have some really great lebanese options here. I had the halloumi and egg, and the baked falafel bowl. The flavors were excellent, but the bread was especially fantastic. I've never actually been inside (Covid), but it looks cute and they're always crazy nice and smiley when I stop by. Sidenote: I made the mistake of ordering online thinking it would be easier for them, but you still need to wait in the line, and they probably lost money on the deal, so don't do that.

Love this neighborhood spot! The falafel salad is amazing as is their smoked salmon sandwich. If you're coming for a coffee make sure to try the halloumi croissant with it - perfect combo. There is usually a line around lunch time but haven't had any issues with finding a seat in the front seating on the street or the back garden. I love the rose lemonade and they've also got a solid cold brew. The bill can come with a bit of a sticker shock when you start adding drinks to items that run you between $12-15 dollars but I've found the quality of food to be worth it.

Great place great food, nice back yard and very good service! Avocado salad so good and also the egg&cheese

The most amazing, tastiest, healthy food I can find, and it all has so much flavor! I am a huge fan of their Rose Matcha Latte, they use high-quality ceremonial grade matcha and a homemade rose syrup! The halloumi egg sandwich is amazing and they offer gluten-free bread options too. The warm veg bowl is my go-to as well, and even their homemade croissants are incredible, especially the zaatar one. I love that the owners are often present and are so friendly and engaging. HIGHLY RECOMMEND everyone comes here! They have a takeout window during this virus outbreak and they are still offering delivery. XX

Response to the review from Neuraili M. I was in line behind this guy and he's flat-out lying about his encounter with the woman working at Alula. I'm the guy in the pink sweatshirt in his photo. I'm a daily regular, and the guy in front of me walked inside the cafe and was asked to order from the sidewalk like everyone else. He completely lost it, saying he wanted to talk with the owner who happened to be outside. He was directed to the owner and declined to go speak with him, instead saying he would leave a bad Yelp review. I just checked, and indeed he did. Really sad that someone would resort to calling an establishment prejudice just because you're asked to follow their COVID rules.

Halwa latte was super delicious . Around the corner from my place I'll be back to try more. Very inventive dishes here. Friendly service.

Hidden in the depths of hard-to-reach Greenpoint, Cafe Alula is a gem in the rough, with a lovely indoor space and gorgeous outdoor backyard patio. What's better than the space is the food. This was easily some of the best Mediterranean grub I've had in New York. It was hard deciding what to order because everything sounded amazing - they have a veg-friendly menu chocked full with salads, sandwiches/wraps, bowls, etc. - but I opted for the baked falafel bowl, complete with delicious roasted vegetables on a bed of rice, served with dolmas (my favorite). I also got the rose lemonade, which was less sweet than expected but refreshing nonetheless. It was a beautiful, wholesome meal that I would easily trek back out to Greenpoint for, especially to enjoy the outdoor seating area while it's still nice out.

Wow incredible food, beautiful atmosphere and back patio. Even the plates out food was served on were beautiful. Got the halloumi and egg as a bowl and it was soooo good

Hands down the best brunch spot in the NYC area. I've been here a couple of times and I always have such a hard time choosing 1-2 items-- I always end up picking a handful. There are so many options! The food is fresh, plated beautifully, and delicious. The coffee is also great. The space is cute and very cozy( probably not a great spot for a big group).

I'm so happy I tried this place out! The food is delicious. It kind of reminds me of Batata in Windsor Terrace, Bk. I look forward to returning.