Duo Cafe

"Duo Cafe in the East Village is a perfect spot to drink Chinese tea on a lazy rainy afternoon. In the cement-gray space, pick from around 15 tea options by sniffing canisters of leaves while French jazz plays over the sound of students gossiping. The handwritten dessert menu consists mainly of matcha cookies and creamy, tea-and-fruit-infused cheesecakes and mousses. Make the perfect pairing: like black tea basque cheesecake with a milky oolong, or smoky lapsang souchong with a caramelized sweet potato and vanilla ice cream." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja

"Ordering anxiety is real, but not at Duo Cafe, a Chinese teahouse and dessert cafe in the East Village, where you choose what to get, one sniff at a time. They’ll place a caddy of around 15 loose leaf teas on your table, so you can uncap and smell each container before deciding whether you want to pair your black tea basque cheesecake with a milky oolong, or double down on the charred flavors of your caramelized sweet potato with a smoky lapsang souchong. It’s around $13-15 for a small slice of cake, but the desserts are plenty creamy, and the flavors are interesting, with versions like green tea and apricot mousse. They also offer an afternoon tea set with a small selection of sweets and a pour of tea for $39. The cement-gray spot plays smooth French jazz, and is a slightly pricey, but very pleasant option for a booze-free, rainy afternoon tea date. photo credit: Duo Cafe photo credit: Will Hartman photo credit: Will Hartman" - Will Hartman

"Duo Cafe in the East Village is a small tea and Asian dessert bar with a few wooden tables and a minimalist aesthetic. For anyone that’s looking for their forever boo this winter, Duo could be a great option for a quiet date, where you can find out if they have any pets or siblings over oolong tea and caramelized sweet potatoes. " - Will Hartman, Willa Moore