Little Canal

This quaint cafe has a great selection of drinks and food items. We went for breakfast on the weekend and were lucky enough to snag a table. We got the breakfast sandwich, tofu sandwich (TLT) and matcha latte, all of which we thoroughly enjoyed! This will definitely become a regular spot for us!

Went around looking for coffee shops in China town and came across this. Before coming here, I went to several places, but all of them barely had any indoor seating. Glad I found this place on a freezing afternoon. The shop was so cozy and the best part was that they had enough seating considering the location

Best coffee, peach plum oat, and people. ✨💗✨💗✨ tried everything in the neighbourhood, still end up here every time.

Great coffee shop. Definitely visiting again. Its a small business with excellent customer service, and a pretty chill atmosphere. I had a business meeting here in the most nonchalant way possible. It was pretty cool.

Cute food. Cute people. Good music. Good vibes. Nice serving of potatoes.

I haven’t tried the food but the coffee and tea are lovely and so is the vibe. Very happy with every morning experience at Little Canal would 10/10 recommend. Updated to after going for breakfast, even more I. Love, the hangover wrap is unreal and the lattes are consistently the best lattes I’ve ever had.

This delightful café boasts a fantastic selection of drinks and meals. We stopped by for breakfast on the weekend and were lucky to snag a table. We enjoyed the breakfast sandwich, the tofu (TLT) sandwich, and a matcha latte, all of which were absolutely delicious! This spot is bound to become one of our go-to favorites!

The folks that work here are rude and have an attitude. A coffee shop that doesn’t offer wifi and yells at you the moment you open a laptop. The food and drinks are good but not worth the hassle. So many other coffee shops nearby that let you sit, eat and work.

I'm in this area often for pottery class, and it's always packed here, so I've generally avoided it. Finally, I made it really early before the morning rush, and wow. The egg sandwich is legit. The bread is pillowy on the inside with a soft outer crunch. It was so, so flavorful. Combined with a matcha latte and my book, it was the best ~40 minutes at a coffee shop. Without WiFi and banning laptops and tablets brings a different vibe I can definitely get used to!

Coffee was overpriced and customer service was very rude. Lady with the short blonde hair could not answer a simple yes or no question without attitude. Place was very cramped and seating is crowded. Would not recommend.

Love the vibes of this corner coffee shop in Chinatown. The environment is very chill (they play groovy funk music in the background) and while the line can be a bit long, the service is very quick and moves fast. I also love the cafe provides the option to use a reusable mug if you plan to drink your beverage inside. It's not clear where to place the used dish ware afterwards since there was no sign/no one had notified me (i.e. do I leave on the countertop, give it to someone, etc.). Plus, I found it hard to ask since the everyone was busy making orders. After a while, I managed to get a barista's attention and told me to put it in the bin by the food preparation window, but would be nice if they let me know the procedure once I got my beverage. One thing to note is they do not allow use of laptops and tablets here, so not the best place to do work or study.

My favorite coffee shop in nyc! Love their chai latte and egg/cheese sandwich. Becomes a cute bar at night and has the best espresso martini

This is one of my favorite coffee shops to stop by and grab a coffee. They provide a variety of breakfast options whether it's a quick to-go or a meal. I loved the welcoming space as you walked in. The windows and doors were open to allow sunlight and a light breeze. The place also has seating indoor and outdoor during the wonderful spring time.

Stopped in for a latte. Very quaint and adorable cafe. The baristas are great - really enjoyed my drink! The vibes were great, perfect spot to enjoy a drink/brunch with some friends. Not a ton of seating inside, so we weren't able to snag a table this time around!

Had a lovely solo brunch at Little Canal in the LES where everything is vegetarian or vegan! I ordered the Huevos Rancheros (just the right amount of spice! And jalapenos!) and a cappuccino with oat milk, and they were both exactly what I needed. It's a very popular, very tiny spot, so you may have to wait a bit for a table or take your food to go.

It smells good in here. Because it smells like coffee. It's cute in here. Because there are plants. Snake plant and cacti and hanging plants and a giant monstera to be specific. It's cozy in here. Because the bar stools are comfy and there's a vinyl collection, mellow tunes, art, and overall chill vibe. Little Canal has been here for four years and although I've frequented their neighbor Jajaja next door, I only noticed it today. And I'm glad. Because it made for a cozy, chill, stop-in with Other half selections on the menu on the way to meet a friend.

Super cute bar at night with delicious cocktails and selection of wines. Their small bites were also quite delicious and location is great. We sat at the bar and Finley took care of us. Service was excellent and vibes were on point.

Brunch & coffee spot by day and bar & dinner by night. Just got coffee today but will definitely come back to try their foods. I got iced americano and accidentally added too much milk. They have whole milk, half and half, and simple syrup on the side table so you can adjust to your taste.

Cute place with a great staff and great drinks.. coffee and bar. What a great place to hang with friends.

Wow another gentrified cafe in Chinatown! The workers here are rude, it's like they never learned customer service. Places like these is why I hate coming to Chinatown. Every new business opening here is just raising the rent for locals. Please do better

Came here out of curiosity because it looked like a cool place, the food was mid and lacked flavor. We ordered are food and waited for a table to get clean before sitting down, it wasn't busy for a Wednesday afternoon and unfortunately never cleaned the table so we sat down anyways. Probably won't be back here again

First time here since the pandemic. The coffees and lattes are just as good as I remember and the food menu has expanded. If you haven't given it a try I highly recommend that you do!!!

I'd say this place is more like 3.5 stars, not a 3, not a 4. I've been here twice over the weekend in the morning. I ordered the mocha the first time with a blueberry cheese danish and a hot coco with some other pastry that I forget the name of, but it starts with a K. Both drinks I asked for with oat milk. The space is tight but service is quick. I don't like how they serve the drinks tip top full but with no Koozie. I walked out paying almost $12 each time, which I was surprised with and didn't realize until the second time I went. You also need to add a lid yourself. I didn't expect to pay this price, but okay fine I paid this price but I can't help but feel like it wasn't worth my money. I used to go to Ming's caffe that closed down... I know I shouldn't be comparing because they're totally different, but I can't help it! You just get so much bang for your buck at Asian places nearby. If you want artisanal coffee then I guess this place is it. But a drink and a pastry at a local Asian bakery would probably cost you a quarter of that price. They also have a sign here that you can't be on your laptops here. It makes sense since it's such a small spot.

Cute little coffee shop with breakfast items and variety of coffees. The seating area is pretty limited (~4-5 tables and a bar/high top seating area). The staff was very friendly and they do check vaccine cards when you order. They have simple breakfast menu items, but nothing I was super impressed by. It was affordable (~$8-10) for a breakfast sandwich/meal. The egg and cheese sandwich was good, and large enough to fill me up. The side of potatoes were pretty standard, but nothing too special. FYI - they had a clear sign that said no WiFi, laptops, or pets allowed (only service animals). All in all it's a good place for a quick pick me up.

Great drinks. Always get their cold brew ($5 in person price) and a side dish. Love their potatoes, beet salad, and hangover wrap. Love the hot salsa sauce and jalapeño condiments on the side. Slightly pricey but amazing quality and great customer service from the two lady workers.

Cute little coffee shop. Came here to get a breakfast sandwich. Didn't get a chance to try the coffee but it looks like it has potential. They are a coffee shop during the day and a bar during the night time. They open up early and close late as well if you're looking for convenience.

this cute little spot in les opens from early morning until late night. the place is always packed all day long. not a good place to get work done bc they do not allow laptop. great coffee and various selection of pastry and food menu tho

Solid place to grab some breakfast and coffee at the same time in the area. If you want just coffee specifically, there are other great coffee shops in the area but Little Canal has them all beat on food. I've tried the egg sandwich on brioche bun, the hangover burrito, and the tuna sandwich. All of them are very good. Music can be a tad loud sometimes. Also the first time I went, there was a line towards the door (it is a small distance between register and door) and the cashier was having a long conversation with the people ordering (which I didn't mind) but she was ignoring the rest of the customers and then had the audacity to look me in the eyes and say step away from the door, you're blocking it, even though I literally had no place to go. Doesn't really bother me, just a bit annoying for a first impression.

You know I've never lied on the internet... which is why I'm going to tell you guys the truth. This place doesn't close at midnight. You'll be disappointed to come here at 10:27pm for a nice warm coffee, and now my trust issues are triggered. However, I'm sure it's a nice place (when it's open). Giving 4 stars cause I don't know it was closed nameen???

Stopped in here to kill some time while waiting for a table at Jajaja next door. Prices are a bit high but the cold brew that I had was excellent, and there's plenty of seating. Would return to try some of the food, the wraps looked good!

This coffee shop is cute and serves the gold standard of chai lattes -- Rishi chai concentrate! They use Oatly for their oat milk. Baristas are super nice.

Gotta quickly leave a 5 star for a constant neighborhood favorite. I've lived in this neighborhood for years now and the people here have been nothing but kind and helpful. The food and coffee always warm, delicious and consistent. It's a neighborhood staple that I'm lucky to have. The food is delightful and they have quite a few vegetarian options. I recommend the hangover wrap! I crave this thing and will always come back to get it. The coffee is great and the overall vibe/ aesthetic is *goals*.

They will yell at you the moment you take out your laptop or iPad. No wifi. Drinks and food are too expensive for the shitty service.

A very cozy place in Chinatown. The latte is definitely tasty. The egg brioche is cheesy. A little crowded in the morning though. Highly recommended!

Super cute little spot. The latte was crafted beautifully. The staff treated us more than customers. The breakfast brioche is cheesy. A bit crowded in the morning but it definitely worth it!

Moral of the story is... Looked nice, realized the menu was boring, ordered the breakfast plate and matcha. Matcha was watery and food didn't taste right, got food poisoning. Even gentrified places can't make eggs, sausage and toast right, no wonder they bombed at making a simple matcha. Call it white on white violence but this shit felt like it needed to be in some basic West Village street where the basic bitches go. As someone who dates a white girl, even she said this shit was awful. Threw up my guts after an hour. Wouldn't go again, even if you paid me. Chef must've just fucked up or the food wasn't fresh. Refund? Nah I doubt it.

Cute little corner cafe, thank you gentrification of East Broadway by Seward Park! Bright and welcoming. Self serve bar, thumbs up for having sugar-in-the-raw! While waiting for our lunch spot to open, I needed caffeine to wake up just a bit... I yelped, found Little Canal, saw some lovely cafe art, so here we are... Barista/Cashier - took our orders, "Americano" - probably the easiest thing to make... and somehow managed to eff'ed it up majorly. I'm not a coffee snob. But I love coffee. And what we got... was NOT in any way actual drinkable coffee. Americano is supposed to be dark & rich... this version took a long "water-bath" and stayed in the tub. Yes... it was so watered down, I seriously questioned if I accidentally took someone else's decaf?!?! Trying to salvage a too watered down coffee is like trying to get your "permed curls" to go straight. Impossible. IDK... maybe an off day? Maybe the food is better than their coffee? Whatever the reason may be... if you want to stay a boutique coffee place, serve up coffee that won't disappoint. $3 Americano - fancy tap water more like. Happy Java Hunting Yelpers! #willtravelforfood

This canal is certainly not a copy nor a small replica of the renowned Grand Canal, Jing-Hang Grand Canal 大運河. My favorite canal is (always will be) the Grand Canal of China 大運河 for its beauty and extensive long history dating back to Sui Dynasty (581-618). It is beautiful runs through small ancient villages and the longest functioning artificial river in the world. (source: https://www.britannica.com/place/China/Waterways#ref589628) A coffee shop that sits on the peripheral areas of Chinatown Manhattan. There are pastries, coffee, tea and beer and wine only. Following a delightful Sunday brunch I need something extra as a glass of Prosecco $9 finished my day. Seating is limited which means no facilities on site. No pet policy is noted visibily in signage. Business card also act as a loyalty program card is available for grabs. Customer service is attentive and the ordering line moves moderately. The clientele appears very sketchy and brusque, brazen and takes pleasure bullying Asian woman who patronize alone. Are you a freak like me who frequently dine alone? I was approached by a vulgar Lo Fan who take pleasure with joking comments "that's my table!" while his party were exiting. Another Lo Fan patron sitting with his female friend blurted out "he was being a asshole!" Indeed, egregiously vulgar dude with no respect.

I have been coming here for coffee a few times per week for the past few months. Many of the employees are friendly and even remember my order. However, I was treated very poorly this morning by an employee, so I don't plan to come back any time soon. I was taken aback by the employee at the counter not giving me my coffee and then saying he thought he already gave it to me. It would not have been that big of a deal, but after he finally gave me the coffee, he continued to eye me suspiciously. It was super uncomfortable and not a pleasant way to start the day.

Barbie has a massive gushing Amazon river, whereas I just have a Little Canal. And I like Little C-anal, but Big D-anal is easily my fave. As far as this place goes, it's my new favourite bar in Manhattan because I popped in here and ask to use the bathroom and she was really nice about it. It was so urgent and I totally exploded and then I cleaned myself up (TMIII) and cleaned the bathroom thoroughly (oops) and then I came out and gave her a dollar and she didn't want to take it but I insisted because nobody else in the damn entire portion of the island was going to let customers or myself use their bathroom. Bravo. Also lots of cute people in here. So next time I came to town, this is where I chose to bring a friend to grab a drink between eats and Boba! See, when you're lovely to me, I am lovely back. It's expensive but friendly, would get 4 stars, but because of the bathroom incident, it's 5.

Daytime: cafe. Nighttime: chillest, coziest bar you could want. Come for the vibes, stay for the vibes and also the drink prices that won't break the bank. I came here on a weeknight around 7 and the tables pretty steadily turned over while I was there so you don't have to wait too long for a seat. Highly recommend this spot for a date, intimate setting for a couple friends, and drinks before dinner, or drinks before your next round of drinks elsewhere. Love, love, love.

I always end up in here after I go to the Metrograph and don't want to spend $17 on a Spritz at their Commissary. Little Canal has a similarly chill and hip atmosphere but with less pretense-it's really more of a cafe and it's fine that way. By night this is mainly a wine bar, though they have a nice selection of beers and they even have a bootleg Spritz (re: not Aperol and therefore merely a lower-case "spritzer." I'm sure somebody somewhere will tut-tut me on the ancient usage and makeup of Cappelletti but I'll give it to you straight: flavor-wise it's a bootleg Aperol but with a more bubble-gum-ish and more bitter quality that tastes more complex and less refined in comparison to the perfection that is Aperol imo) that's a little funky but drinkable. Wine starts at around the $10 - $12 range, and the pours are generous, and the servers always nice. Get your unlimited water from a self-pour jug in the corner. I don't know, mostly this is just a quiet and chill place to hang. I've never seen it super crowded because it's small enough it discourages huge crowds. So while the prices aren't the lowest, it's really just the perfect wine-for-one or two-person hang joint that hits the step-above-a-dive and step-below-a-hipster-wine-bar spot. Personally, I prefer that middle ground. Also somebody below said this place has no bathrooms? There is definitely a bathroom -- another bonus for such a small place.

My tuna fish sandwich was exquisite! At first I got worried it was egg salad by accident but realized they use turmeric or something to add a yellow tint to it. Accompanied with mustard seeds, pickled red onions and arugula---it was ecstatic--on a perfectly toasted multi grain toast. It was so good I felt compelled to thank the chef---instead wrote a handwritten thank you note. My iced coffee had little black flecks in it --- vanilla bean!!!! Fascinating & new to me. The peanut butter cookie was yummy: firm on the outside, like a soft batch cookie on the inner core. Quite hefty in density, I suggest sharing it with a friend. I saved it for a later on in the day snack. All of the staff with very friendly and kind. I almost felt like I wasn't in nyc for a second, with the rush and rudeness of the daily grind. My server Indigo made my day extra special: they were kind and sweet. Thank you Indigo! I sat outside to the left and watched the non-stop flow of traffic and pedestrians. There's no WiFi or laptop use which I think aims at bringing people together. Fascinating.

Coffee 5/5 Oat milk Cappuccino was so frothy and delish. Might have fainted if it came a second later. Ordered it twice because it was so good Food 4/5 $4 Breakfast potatoes were salty, oily and crsipy. Chipotle mayo tangy and sweet. WORTH IT. Service 5/5 That one lady barista was so friendly and engaging. Made my morning!

I've never left a negative Yelp review before, but I had such an unpleasant experience at this coffee shop today (and I see that I'm not alone, after reading some of the previous reviews). A man working here was incredibly unpleasant and unprofessional. He ignored me, was rude to me for no reason, and rolled his eyes when I asked a question. I tried to be nice, since I understand that everyone has bad days, but he yelled at me when I put one foot in the door (I didn't see the 'do not enter' sign because it was on a door that was open, and I had to go back to ask the other woman working there for sugar since he kept ignoring me). I won't be back. There are plenty of coffeeshops in the area, so I recommend skipping this one and bringing your business elsewhere.

Just saw a guy order a drink and didn't want to provide a tip. The lady at the register then turned to the barista and announced quite loudly "people aren't tipping today." This made the guy feel incredibly awkward, since everyone around heard the passive aggressive comment as well. I understand that it sucks to not get tip, but is it really necessary to make such a comment? That's not a good look for the business unfortunately. Chin up, and learn to be more positive. Positivity can be contagious.

I usually love little canal as it's been my to go coffee shop in the area for years. I'm not sure what's happened recently but the staff has a horrible attitude. I asked what matcha they had and they had no clue where the matcha powder was from -- If you know your coffee beans you should know your matcha too. They made my matcha and it tasted like they just served me cold milk, when I asked them to remake it and said thank you all she said was "yeah." If I'm paying $8+ for a matcha, it better be a damn good matcha. I'm only giving two stars because it's nice inside but other than that, I'm probably never going back. There's better options around!

I was actually really impressed by this little corner shop. Needed somewhere to eat and hang out before my trip back home, so I stopped in here. The Hangover Wrap (I added avocado) was delicious and just the right amount. Cooked fresh and brought out to me. The service was really great, especially being in NY. lol (I was a teeny bit shocked when the guy at the counter even greeted me.) The atmosphere is refreshing and a good spot to hang out and read a book - which I did. Definitely recommend this place!

For a late night beer or a wine, this is the place to be! While not able to accommodate a lot of people, I think it's cozy atmosphere is one of its most endearing qualities. We enjoyed the music (from a turntable, how awesome!), a locally brewed beer, and a house wine. We had had a busy day of playing tourist and this was the perfect place to unwind and talk about our day. As we were there on Jan 2nd or 3rd we had the place almost to ourselves with only a few tables occupied. I can't speak for the food items but the people who did order certainly didn't send any food back on their plates! I would have liked to have eaten breakfast there as they had an excellent selection of coffees and breakfast items. Oh well, hopefully next time! I highly recommend Little Canal, we really enjoyed ourselves and thank the team for their hospitality! Appreciatively, Patrick Chicago, IL

Love supporting mom and pop shops... I'm so happy to see another trendy local shop opening in the area. Amy, I assume is the owner, is super nice and sweet. I ordered a regular cappuccino for $3.75 which is reasonably priced in the area. The set up is very welcoming. They have a few small tables and high stools for people to sit and hang out. I didn't try the breakfast bowl but saw the guy next to me having it. It looks delicious. I would come back and try that. They also serve beer if people want to come later in the afternoon.

We stumbled upon Little Canal purely by accident, after we were told that the wait for a table or bar seating at the neighboring Mexican restaurant, Jajaja, was about 45 minutes. We walked in and were amazed to discover that this cute corner cafe not only had coffee beverages, but also served beer, wine, and light bites. We grabbed seats at the quiet bar, happy to find a place to talk in peace. While my companion had the Cabernet Franc, I selected the Gruner Vetliner, which was fabulous! It was crisp and bright with a slight fruity finish. Their food menu sounded enjoyable, but I would have to try that another time. If you were in the area and wanted a relaxed place to grab a drink, caffeinated or alcoholic, Little Canal would be the perfect stop.

I was looking to have a quick bite for breakfast and this place was a perfect fit for that because the service was incredibly fast! They offer various burritos that are mainly vegetarian thus I got the chorizo wrap which is huge and so filling. Also the latte with almond milk was okay, nothing special to talk about. Overall, this is a great place to have a quick bite!

Back a few months ago during the pandemic, a man ahead of me in line placed his order and declined to give a tip when asked, this was met with an eye roll. I then observed him wait longer than a few of us that came after him to receive his order. He noticed this so he went to the window and had to remind the staff that his order had been missed. Alright, maybe it was a coincidence or maybe they were a bit angry, I mean who wasn't a little agitated the first few months of the pandemic? Especially those of us who were working through it. I returned to the cafe earlier today, payed with credit and was asked by the guy at the register if I'd like to leave a tip. I said no and before I could finish and say I'd rather leave tips in cash (I have friends who work in hospitality so I know cash is preferred), he asked again "would you like to leave a tip". Again, I said no but I waited to see what would happen. Low and behold he forgot my order and pretended like he made a mistake. Needless to say I kept my cash and walked away. Some of us are just getting back on our feet with the opening of the country and it's been over a year since the pandemic began. I tip because I have been continuously employed and believe those who can afford to give should. However, that level of entitlement is uncalled for.

Full disclosure, I've never sat in or ordered food at Little Canal; I've only had their coffee, and their coffee is amazing. AH. MAY. ZING. I know that in the city, where there are quality coffee shops seemingly on every block, you might wonder just how good Little Canal could be, but I'm telling you, it's really good. Go there just for their COLD BREW, regardless of the weather; it's so dark yet clean tasting, you get all of the chocolatey notes but without any of the harshness. As someone who does slow pours at home and has made his own cold brews, I give a ton of props to Little Canal for the quality of their coffee (they brew Madcap, which is a roaster from Detroit), as well as the quality of the finished product. Again, I know nothing about their food or eat-in experience, but their coffee is amazing.

A little slice of cozy. this place is a great outpost... to uuuh... post up at :) Drip

While Little Canal serves as my #2 coffee shop purely because of proximity to my apartment, there's no denying this is one of the best places for coffee, pastries, savory snacks, and even a wine or beer anywhere in the lower Lower East Side. A small shop, but they pack a punch. With paninis, doughnuts, craft beer and wine options, and all the coffee drinks you could hope for, it's what every neighborhood should have as a community gathering place. They seem to open 30-60 minutes earlier than other coffee shops in the area, so I find that to be particularly convenient when I have an early morning before hopping on the F train right outside.

Been coming here several times a week since I moved around the corner last October. Lovely atmosphere that gets me cheery for the day. Love the hangover wrap, and pairing it with a mocha. My go to order.