El Barrista cafe

Yum yum yum! We were on a search to find a good coffee / bakery shop and this little hidden treasure hit the spot! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful when we were deciding and the pastries and coffee were fresh and delicious. The area to eat our breakfast was nice and tastefully decorated. We loved this find!

Such a beautiful and chill relaxed coffee spot. Went on a saturday morning not too many people. Great and friendly Barista. I love the decor and lighting, very calming,(hopefully the pictures attached do it justice) music is soft jazz perfect for studying. I had the tomato and cheese quiche which was pretty good. Plenty of plugs available to plug in. The best thing honestly was the whole grain/oat hero bread toasted with butter. Very Tasty. The only reason i gave a 4 and not a 5 is just the espresso base used for the drink. I got a capuccino. It's a more burnt and bitter italian roast with no real depth in flavor. Everything else though was excellent. Would definitely return.

El Barista is an absolute gem. This coffee shop consistently exceeds expectations in every way service, food quality, and atmosphere. The moment you walk in, you feel the care and passion behind everything they do. A special shout‑out to Emmanuel, the owner. His great personality, work ethic, and incredible attention to detail shine through in every cup and every interaction. You can tell he truly loves what he does, and it elevates the entire experience. If you’re looking for a place that gets everything right from the warm welcome to the last sip El Barista is it. Highly recommended.

Don’t waste your money. I paid $8.69 for an iced latte that tasted like water. I’m really disappointed because I had high expectations for this place. It looks fancy, but the coffee is definitely not it

It's always a treat discovering a new cafe to work remotely from. Solid neighborhood coffee shop with good amount of seating with tasteful, interesting fixtures and and great music in the background. The coffee is good but the freshly made food stands out.

I order the Harlem club sandwich and let me tell you it’s was DELICIOUS 😋 highly recommend 👍🏽. And ofc my latte hot coffee was just how I like it

The owner was very personable, the cafe inside was inviting, and there was a nice ambiance, it also had a back area with tables and chairs. Love the paintings and how the owner wants to support the community by having various events. I had 2 rum punch and the avocado toast, which was delicious. I would definitely visit again. Nice addition to East harlem.

Stumbled upon this spot after hitting my gym down the street Axis Projects, and man oh man what a gem it is. You automatically feel the homey, neighborhood vibe with the bar up front and the well lit open space in the back. When I stoped by on a Friday afternoon the place was almost filled with people working away on their laptops enjoying the ambiance and soothing jazz music. The owner Emanuel is extremely friendly and personally takes care of everyone who comes in. Will definitely be back!

Food/Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Do not let the name El Barrista or El Barrista Cafe fool you. This place has its own smooth, cool kind of energy that stands out in the neighborhood. It has been open for a little while and I have visited a few times. Honestly, I wish I lived closer. It is a social spot without being overwhelming. You can go in, get something to eat or drink, sit quietly, work on your laptop, or just relax without feeling rushed. The interior design is exceptional, especially for that neighborhood. You can tell everything was well thought out. The space is elongated, with a front area by the bar and a back section that feels extra cozy. The design elevates your mood the moment you walk in. It is comfortable, stylish, and intentional. Whoever planned it deserves a handshake and a plate of food. In the summertime they sometimes use a little of the outside space for events. They do not set up outdoor seating, but I have seen photos of special food setups out front that draw people in or are part of a special event that day. I often check their social media because they host trivia nights, social nights, and other community events. The owner clearly works hard to create a fun, safe, welcoming atmosphere. Now, just to be clear, this is not a Ghanaian food spot. It is your normal all American style coffee shop, just with the owner's twist added in. And his twist is excellent. I believe the owner is Ghanaian, and once upon a time they hosted an event with Ghanaian food, which caught my attention. I am still waiting for the day they bring back the jollof. When that happens, I am showing up with five people and an empty stomach. Overall, the prices are excellent, the quality of the food is good, the staff is friendly, and the vibe is always positive. El Barrista Cafe is a great addition to the neighborhood, and I am giving them a solid five. Cheers.

You want to like it, but you just can't bring yourself too on account of the food being way overpriced and way undersized, and the coffee just not tasting good. I'm sorry. I wish them them luck.

Truly a gem of a neighborhood shop. Small business staffed by the owner. Great coffee, excellent food, lovely staff, and wonderful seating with really lovely clientele. Together, everything makes for the perfect atmosphere. Great work space or place to get together with friends.

So I must say, the bathrooms are clean! The space is clean and comfortable. They play jazz bistro music so it's very peaceful. My friend ordered the chai latte and she loved it. The place was a bit hot but I think it's because it was cool outside. I ordered the chocolate chip cookie which wasn't bad but not the best in town. The guava croissant tasted stale so they gave me a blueberry muffin instead and it was blah. This may be a spot just good for the vibe and maybe the drink. Definitely would come back though!

Wasn't busy and I felt rushed I ordered a cortado and got some mystery item. wouldn't recommend if your looking for really authentic coffee the place looked good that's all there is to it

This is one of my new go to cafes in Harlem. The owner is friendly and they have these amazing fresh ginger based juices that I try to get at-least twice a week. This is a great spot for doing work, because it is laptop friendly. They also have good food with reasonable prices.

I just moved to NYC & it's been rough but this has became a nice spot for me to just feel comfortable. This is literally my favorite coffee shop. The owner is amazing and very nice. The almond cookie is 10/10. The coffee is great! You can tell that the owner really enjoys and loves what he does. Also, the ambience is amazing. It's a GREAT (if not the BEST) place to study and get work done. The ambience is nice and the jazz music is a great touch. Only thing I would suggest is during the day to lower the music a TAD BIT but honestly if you have headphones or don't mind jazz then you're good! It didn't bother me. GOOD WIFI & PLUGS TOO!!!

Review: EL BARRISTA Café If you're looking for a cozy little gem that feels like it came straight out of a coffeehouse movie scene, EL BARRISTA is it. The environment is super clean, inviting, and honestly just cute--it has that perfect laid-back vibe that makes you want to sit and stay awhile. The customer service was a highlight. I was greeted by a charming barista whose warm, innocent smile made the experience that much more pleasant. Friendly, attentive, and just the kind of energy you want when you're grabbing your caffeine fix. I ordered the Harlem Club, and let me tell you--it was hands down the best club sandwich I've had in a long time. Meaty, savory, layered perfectly... just packed with flavor. Seriously, it was the kind of sandwich you think about later and want again. I also got a simple iced latte--not anything fancy, but solid. Good balance, not too bitter, and refreshing. The drink itself was just okay, but the great service and the overall vibe definitely made it a satisfying experience. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to--good food, great energy, and that warm, movie-scene charm.

Convenient cafe located near Silberman school of social work--- where there aren't any other small cafes or coffee shops around. & it's black owned! Service is always friendly and the cafe has a calming and charming vibe to it. This visit I got a chai latte and a blueberry scone. Both were delicious. A little overpriced but I'll be back either way. I see they have a happy hour so I'll have to stop by for that.

Can we say more than coffee and muffins? More like a vibe . More like you have arrived. Black excellence? Yes ! The service was great Mr Alex was attentive. I asked for a Latino cafe with a French roll. I saw the owner pass by and greet me as we knew each other for years. Definitely going to be a regular. The place makes you wanna cosy up with a good book. Rainy,cold days a plus . Can't wait to the owner adds a fire place

I've only had 5/5 experiences with this place after order after order. I've ordered atleast 6 egg veggies sandwiches at this point for delivery and every single time it comes nice and warm, the egg is cooked perfectly and the seasoning is spot on . Croissant nice and buttery and a nice portion. Very happy with these breakfasts. There is so many ways you can mess up an egg sandwich , but these guys know what the are doing man. Delicious. Don't change anything :) I got two cappuccino's today and they came over piping hot , wrapped nice and neat and feeling nice and strong. Very happy once again. Now, here's my favorite part of the review. A couple of times I ordered something that they were out of stock of. Now instead of sending what they have and suggesting a refund from Uber eats like many restaurants lazily do these days, they personally called me both times and worked through potential replacements for the items. Both times I was very satisfied with what I got instead. Yesterday I placed an order for my usual sandwiches and coffee and ordered a bureka . I didn't receive it, and called to see if they may have forgotten it, it happens. The owner answered and immediately knew why I was calling , and we both agreed that when I order next they could send it with it. Not only did he send the bureka as promised, but he sent an extra Quiche for me to try as well! And wowww it's yummy. I found one of my new favorite spots! 5/5 food. 5/5 delivery. 5/5 customer service

The vibes are nice and chill. They have fresh homemade juices. I got a beat, ginger pineapple juice, I believe, and it was very refreshing. I sat in the front area and there was continuous people coming in and going to the back, which had more seating. The place was still calming and good to do work and eat at the same time. The service was good and the owner was courteous.

this spot is my go to for a coffee and baked good and it never disappoints. it's so cozy inside with plenty of seating and jazz playing. i also love that's it's a cafe by day and bar by night. it's also a great place to study or do some work if that's what you're looking for. the service is always so quick and helpful and makes sure you're happy and content with what you ordered.

I am so surprised that I haven't written this review sooner because I have been coming to this cafe since September 2019. I am in no way a regular, just someone who works in the neighborhood and enjoys a relaxing atmosphere, good vibes, and good coffee or matcha in her spare time. Every time I have walked into El Barrista Cafe I have always been greeted and if the server was occupied attending to another customer , they've politely informed me that they will attend to me shortly. Truthfully if I were closer to the cafe I would make this place my daily lunch spot.

I spent over $20 for a small sandwich and a watered down juice in this place that looked pretty nice inside. The sandwich was small for the price, and I had the namesake El Barrista which came with a homemade prosciutto. The prosciutto had a good flavor but it was too tough to chew as the fatty edges were not trimmed off, and this made for an unpleasant eating experience. At the end, my plate ended up having a lot of inedible fatty bits, which for a sandwich of this size and pricing is unacceptable. The orange juice was fresh squeezed but they also cut corners here - filling the cup all the way with ice, and then orange juice 2/3 up (totaling one whole orange), and topping it with tap water (despite it being already over the top with ice), the orange juice ended up tasting watered down and for it being over the $7 mark, it is also unacceptable. When visiting the restroom, there were no soap. When eating at the counter, the napkin dispensers were all emptied out. Sadly, I don't think I'll be coming back until they're better managed and improve on not cutting corners.

I found this spot after looking for places that offer frozen drinks and was surprised that this cafe popped up. I swung by and noticed that they have quite an extensive list of alcoholic drinks for a cafe. I got the frozen lemonade with passion fruit flavor and tequila. The drink was sweet and I initially thought had very little liquor. By the time I got up, I realized that the drink was pretty strong. I noticed that the cafe also offers cafe and had plenty of outlets-imagine hookah and work?! I'm definitely coming back.

Cold Brew delivers a bold, clean coffee flavor with a slightly bitter finish. No sugar or milk, just pure and satisfying for those who enjoy a strong, straightforward brew.

I met up with my girlfriend on a weekday morning. There are definitely people hanging out here a while as well as some people taking things to go. I appreciate the variety of food and beverage options. I got the Harlem Breakfast Sandwich and cappuccino and was satisfied. I didn't find the person working in the front to be very warm, but that's ok. Mornings are hard. It also took a bit of time to get the food, but a good conversation kept us going while we waited. Love the decor and homage to Harlem. Lots of seating options.

The coffee and breakfast sandwiches always hit. People working at the register are welcoming and a great spot to work at if you need a place outside of the office.

I love this place! This has become my go to cafe since it's utterly impossible for me to write at home (I always end up falling asleep - lol). Nonetheless, the staff is friendly, the food & beverages are always delicious, and the space is extremely cozy. I absolutely love it!

This restaurant is so beautiful ever since the first day i stopped in i been back twice a week and the service it just keep getting better. The food always 5 stars its pet friendly and i have 2 small dogs that's a bonus they have hookah and the best hot drinks. It's really a perfect spot and they have happy hour just run now

Prices aren't listed for most items. I understand that they're more expensive than grab-and-go spots, given the spacious interior for chatting, working, reading, and general relaxation. That said, paying $8.50 for a large mocha with oatmilk and $10+ for each sandwich still took me a minute to get over. In this rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, it signals who the spot is "for" and would be an unwelcome surprise if someone ordered assuming standard East Harlem prices. Coffee and sandwiches were solid, but nothing special. I don't necessarily mind paying more if I'm going to be there awhile nursing a drink (or working on a laptop), but it shouldn't be a surprise. The back room is dark during the day, which I guess is helpful for laptop work (no glare). The front area is a bit nicer for daytime coffee + snacks; the book nook with the big round table is my vibe.

Oh, my goodness! I knew their scones and pastries here were good, but the other day, I tried this babka custard pastry that was croissant meets dan tah / pastilles de nata. It has light sugar glaze, pull-apart buttery layers, and a perfectly smooth custard in the middle. I also met the owner, Emmanuel, who employs folks from Exodus Transitional community. It's great to eat delicious food and support East Harlem at the same time!

This is a lovely little gem. I went there to get some work done. Enjoyed a lovely quiche and glass of wine, but there's the option obviously of coffee and tea. I worked in their little room at the back and comfy chairs with lovely book themed wallpaper. The staff are super friendly and super helpful. They also have game nights so if you sign up for their club, you'll get notifications.

I got a Groupon for El Barrista Cafe for $3 to be used anytime toward $6 anything. I decided to get a Dirty Chai. The Dirty Chai was delicious and was a good size. El Barrista is located in Harlem. The barrista here was super nice and friendly. The atmosphere of El Barrista is really nice and trendy. The bronze color gives it a nice touch/décor. They have sandwiches and pies here. Unfortunately, I ate before coming here. I am not a coffee fan but I am sure there coffee must be awesome. I see the fancy coffee/espresso machine here. If you are in Harlem, I suggest coming here.

This cafe is such a cozy space. The seating is super comfortable and there's a lot of it. A room in the front and in the back. Both rooms have a ton of outlets and beautiful wood tables. The back room has lovely photography of the neighborhood. There's even a "fireplace". Only thing is that I wish the menu had prices listed. But other than that it's a wonderful space.

It was going to be my first time; beautiful ambiance . However, the barista had her headphones in and was VERY rude. No hospitality what so ever. I asked where can I view the menu she said ugh right up here. I just walked out. Simple questions. Difficult answers. Hopefully i go back and she will not be there.

Overpriced, weird vibe, kind of pretentious. It's like wickedly overpriced. A coffee and pastry was 13 dollars! The pastries aren't the highest quality. Both times they were dry, seemingly left out for a few days. Skip the pastries, the coffee is alright. They do a dark roast only. The atmosphere here is very ugly to me. I'm not sure what they want to do. They're like half bar, half cafe, half study hall, half nonsense??? And now they're a no cash place which is illegal in NYC. This place is two stars because I kind of just feel bad for the staff. They are alright, this place is just a mess. Edit: LOL, the owner of this place is a real treat. Really brilliant customer service. One star is truly deserved. Do better instead of insulting your customers, mate.

This review is long overdue, as this is one of my favorite coffee shops/places in the city, if not THE best cafe in the city (Manhattan). Food here is incredible, the best sandwiches I have had in a long time. Service too - Titi is so sweet and fun, always takes so much care every time I am there. And she makes a amazing flavored latte too. Warm, intimate, yet inviting - reminds me coffee shops that used to dominate in the 90s (and it's sitcoms lol) before Starbucks took over. There is nothing quite like it left, and this place gives all the nostalgia feels.

The food here is delicious, and the staff was friendly. I order a Harlem breakfast sandwich and an iced coffee. The coffee was delicious; it had the perfect balance of coffee and milk- typically when I order ice coffee from other places, its mostly milk and some coffee. The sandwich took longer than expected to prepare, so by the time I sat down to eat it I was ravenous. It was delightful! The two things I enjoyed most about the sandwich were that the bread was perfectly toasted, and that the cheese was actually melted (other places barely melt the cheese). I went back later for a pastry (pictured). I forgot the name of it, but it's a croissant filled with a lemon custard. I'll definitely be returning here!

A few things I appreciate about this coffee shop. One: they always open on time. I love that, nothing says more "we are professional" than being ready at the time of their listed business hours on the door. Two: they always have pastries no matter of the time of the day. As someone who loves baked goods I can say that is a fully earned star. Restroom is a really big deal at places where you eat/drink. Theirs is clean and the whole shop is well kept. The only negative is their prices I would say. I like a mocha and it will cost whopping 8.50? So it's not my every day stop before work I'd say. They also sell alcohol so I'd take into account that a license+ rent runs a pretty bill to this business owner. All the best!

Great place to drink dark roast or a strong cocktail, socialize, eat a light brunch/lunch, work, study or chill. Dedicated owner (and his family), diverse mix of customers from East Harlem and wider Harlem. Open till 6, 8 or 10 depending on day. Wifi can be weak - blame Spectrum.

This place is adorable! I did not expect to find something like this in East Harlem. The storefront is distinctly noticeable from the rest on the block. They have a variety of cute pastries and sandwiches, and they also have a liquor license so they can whip you up some cocktails. The vibe is immaculate, and so is the decor! I love the little "urban library" theme they got going on. With REAL BOOKS TOO. There's a front section and then go in the back and there's more relaxed seating with comfy chairs too. And I believe 3 bathrooms, which is pretty unheard of haha. Note, they crank the AC in the back if you're into that sort of thing. The owner is also mad down to earth and friendly. This would be an awesome little spot to bring your laptop to and get some work done, as it's quiet and chill. Stop by!

My go to cafe! I work out of here a few times a week. Lots of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drink options; great hours (open till 8 p.m.), friendly service. Fridays are a vibe: Open Mic, Game Night and more starting at 7:30p.m. Follow on Instagram @elbarristanyc to keep up with the event schedule.

Got tea and a breakfast sandwich and was very happy with both. I'm very excited to have found a place I can get some work done in some air conditioning in the neighborhood so close to me! The happy hour looks good and I saw they had an open mic night which I will totally check out if they have it again.

You have to check out EL Barrista uptown Harlem on 3rd ave and 118th. I was just scrolling through my IG and this place popped up. The staff and the ambiance is amazing . I just had a coffee that was so good, they let me smoke my cigar on the outside patio area. So if you fine yourself in Harlem check them out. You won't be disappointed. I will be back up there for there brunch real soon.

diff Drink: 4/5 Latte Food: 5/5 Almond Croissant Vibes: 4/5 clean Study: 5/5 seating, wifi, outlets, vibes Total: $12.47 before tip I loved the seating space in the back that also had skylight windows. It gave dark, reading room vibes while also having a colorful wall of artworks. It was fairly empty when I went so I felt excited to be there. The coffee was tasty, I could tell the beans were good quality and roasted well. The almond croissant was heated up for me and it was so delicious. The buttery, crispy croissant with the almond slices that weren't overly dried out? yummm

Great place to enjoy a lovely cup of coffee and get some work done. I highly recommend this place to anyone living near by.

The barista Emanuel, was extremely nice and personable, the babka and hot chocolate was perfect for warming me up from the cold weather. And of course! The books! I was visiting from Connecticut but I will be sure to come again!

El Barrista Cafe is a definite Five Stars. Five Stars for atmosphere, Five Stars for customer service, Five Stars for delicious coffee, Five Stars for clean restroom, Five Stars for delicious food and Five Stars for cleanliness. And if that's not enough, the prices are reasonable! I just wish it wasn't so far from my apartment. Read my photo captions for more details.

Hi I'm Manny and I drop by the El Barrista Cafe for the first time and I had coffee and egg and toast and loved it and very Comfy place.

The drinks and pastries are fine, but please, why are you charging gentrification prices in this neighborhood? I can go to several places nearby and get delicious pastries for 1/3 the price. And for that price I'll drink regular coffee. It's not worth it. I won't be seen coming out of there again.

Drink on the left is a dirty chai (AMAZING) and the drink on the right is a Late with caramel (AMAZING). This place is definitely a gem. We're visiting from Los Angeles and were just walking around East Harlem when we saw this place. So happy we came in. Great customer service, tasty food and pastries, and an incredible dine-in area in the front and the back of the store. Don't leave the store without checking out the back. Can't wait to come back!

Love everything about this uniquely decorated, amazing gem with outstanding service and interesting menu options developed by the owner Emmanuel who really cares about creating a welcoming vibe and fresh, evolving menu items. I was searching for a special tea location and accidentally found El Barrista Cafe; I am so glad I did. When I asked for something interesting, owner Emmanuel said he knew just the beverage: Sun Kiss is new, with Ethiopian coffee, pomegranate juice and tonic water, a delicious cross between a mocktail and delicious coffee. So good. Amazing ambiance with so many interesting details, and artwork in the back room featuring East Harlem street scenes. With many nooks in their front and back seating areas, as well as an outside seating space, this is a perfect spot to meet friends, or get some work done over coffee, pastries or sandwiches. Definitely recommend.

I'm telling you after moving to Harlem, NY a month ago, this is exactly what I was looking for out of a barista shop. You have to try one of the wraps or get the Buddah of Harlem sandwich. Also the Match Latte is just as smooth as silk. Don't just take my works for it take a short walk or short train ride down to this wonderful treasure and tell them I sent ya! If it's real chill cafe vibes your looking for go to the back take a seat among the wonderful decor and pictures on the wall, it's peaceful and cozy.

Love this this cafe! My wife and I are here on a weekly basis to work, study or just have a quick coffee (or drink) and we never leave unsatisfied. The atmosphere is very nice, can be quiet during the day and a little more busy during happy hour but a great time either way. The owner is also very nice and always greeting those in the space. This has to be the number 1 coffee spot in Harlem!

What a beautiful little oasis in Harlem. I completely forgot where I was while sitting at the bar up front. The service was efficient and friendly. Nice, chill vibe mid-morning on a weekday with plenty of folks working in the back room. The guava croissant was wonderful with my oat milk lavender latte. It is clear that the owner takes pride in the space and made a successful effort with the decor. I was visiting from out of town and pleasantly surprised with this place. My brother lives nearby and is a frequent customer. Now I know why!

This is very cute coffee nestled in East Harlem. The interior design is spectacular and there is no lack of distanced seating. They had a cool (temp & design) and quiet backroom, bar seating in the front, and protected outdoor seating. I got a small cold brew with a splash of milk and an almond croissant. The cold brew was smooth and not too bitter. The almond croissant was pretty big and it was delicious. The cashier/ barista was young and new so he wasn't familiar with the lingo but he got everything correct. It was nice seeing young kids working in the community.

The person who made our food and drinks was very amiable and attentive. The food was great, fresh, and well made. I got the avocado caprese salad and it was really good. Coffee was also excellent. Lovely music and great space for working or a lunch with friends. Thank you!