Jacqueline S.
Google
TL;DR: Cozy neighborhood café with kind staff, a great vibe, and an extensive drink menu (bubble tea, smoothies, coffee, tea). But food is frozen and prepackaged.
They have a lot of tea on their menu, with the option of a pot ($5) or a cup ($3.50). I specifically asked for a pot, but was told they don’t actually do pots, only cups. Instead of being charged for the cup I was given, I was still charged for the pot.
I arrived about 30 minutes after opening, but they didn’t seem ready for customers to get anything other than coffee. After seeing their food options, I understood why: as another review said, I wouldn’t describe them as a cakery. The food is frozen and brought in from elsewhere—bagels from Trader Joe’s, cakes that looked prepackaged. I ordered the roti, expecting something freshly made for the price, but it was pulled from the freezer still wrapped in plastic. $11 for a freezer meal, one chopped strawberry, and three blueberries felt steep. It also wasn’t served with utensils, and the first fork I grabbed had food crusted on it. Between the tea and roti, I spent $17 + tip, and honestly left wishing I’d gone somewhere else for breakfast.
People were also smoking right outside the door, and the smell came in every time it opened.
That said, the staff were kind and patient, and the café itself has a cozy, homey vibe, with cool art, pottery, and jewelry for sale. They also have an extensive drink menu, from bubble tea to smoothies, coffees, and a wide selection of teas, which seems to be the real draw. It feels like a true local spot, very neighborhood-oriented with a relaxed, lived-in atmosphere. It’s great that Morningside has a café serving the area, since there isn’t much nearby competition. For drinks and a place to sit with a local feel, it definitely has charm. Just don’t expect much from the food.
