Sawada Coffee

I know why they say coffee is cheaper than therapy- because it is. might be better too, should you frequent this place. Tucked in the alleyway near Canal is this gorgeous coffee shop. Coffee is nice and strong and made with care by the loveliest people. I’m probably spelling the name wrong, (sorry dear!) Esti made a hojicha coffee that was absolutely wonderful and recommended the blueberry muffin, (made on site!) It’s now my go-to brekkie in the area. A beautiful respite from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. I went back for the mocha and Juan made it extra lovely with fresh grated orange zest. What a gorgeous boost to my coffee, made my whole day.

I recently visited Sawada Coffee in Tribeca, NY looking for Starbucks, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped in, the atmosphere was chic and hip but welcoming. I have to give a special shoutout to Daniel V., who was incredibly courteous and helpful throughout my visit. His attentiveness made the experience even better compelling me to share this. The cappuccino was absolutely fantastic – rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced. It truly hit the spot! And the blueberry muffin was a standout – large, fresh, and bursting with berries and flavor. It was the perfect pairing with my coffee. Whether you're in the mood for a great cup of coffee or a delicious treat, this place seems to have it all. Highly recommend stopping by for a wonderful experience!

So, after reading great reviews of this place, I tried it out today. Wow! I had the military latte and it was incredible! So full of flavor yet smooth. I loved the taste and I will return here for sure. The atmosphere is wonderful too and the staff are very friendly.

Inside Au Cheval. Military latte is delicious. Have seating section dedicated for the cafe

Super comfy spot with warm lighting and a great playlist—easy place to linger. Coffee was a touch over-roasted for my taste; a lighter roast would make it perfect.

Inside AuCheval, to the right. Service was great. The cortado was delicious. Definitely a go-to coffee spot.

Amazing coffee, friendly staff. Great place, entrance from the side street. The muffins and cookies were incredible.

Chill little coffee spot - connected to Au Cheval which opens up around noon. Vibe was very cozy and the black camo latte was spectacular. Restrooms downstairs were super clean and seats were comfy. Outlets were a bit hard to find. Baristas were super friendly!

A cozy stop for anyone needing their caffeine fix while exploring Chinatown or Little Italy. I tried the Military Latte and it was a delicious combo of matcha and vanilla. The service was fast and friendly and the ambiance was top notch.

Black camo coffee was a little too on the bitter side for more of a dessert coffee enjoyer like me, but you could definitely taste the toastiness of the coffee in a pleasant way. On the weekend we came by there was a long line of customers and only two staff members who were putting their everything into running the machine. Because of that, the coffee took quite a while to come out, but the quality was not sacrificed--their latte art is divine! The manager here should consider hiring more staff to accommodate for the bustling nature of weekend mornings! The cookie here was outstanding--I believe it was some sort of berry oatmeal variety. It was humongous, filling, not to sweet, and addicting to munch on while we waited for our caffeine. There is some counter stools on either side of the bar but not much as they share the space with Au Cheval. If you're considering eating at it's neighbor, it might be a good idea for you to just put your name down at the restaurant and have your coffee with your food (they offer it as an option on the menu). Overall if I wanted a more authentic, simple, yet bold coffee I would return if in the area.

(Overall: D) - Sawada Coffee offers a Japanese take on coffee, where I tried the Hojicha Vanilla Latte. While I was quite excited about the flavor profile and the distinctive earthiness of the drink, I was rather disappointed with how my drink was served. The latte art looked beautiful online, but not only did I not get that, the cup overfilled and spilled on the side, and the barista was rather absent-minded to notice this. While I am hopeful that this was an experience that was at least a standard deviation below the mean and a return visit would be better, this experience definitely left a negative first impression from wanting to do that. Food: +1 Presentation: -2 Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: -1 Menu: +1 Overall: -1 D Insta/Yelp/Beli/TikTok: @amei_eats

Super tasty and presentation was great! The atmosphere is super cozy and a great break during a cold day! Only wish drinks were a little bit hotter.

My favorite Japanese cafe in the states. Ambience is amazing - located inside one of my favorite burger joints in city, . This place has its own section where you can enjoy your coffee. Latte art is second to none, and the flavor is just as amazing as the Chicago location in west loop. Always will make a stop fr the amazing service here at sawada.

First, let me start by saying that my drink (military coffee) was good. I did enjoy the taste of the matcha and it didn't have too much of an earthy taste which personally I don't like. Service was fine but nothing spectacular. Reason I'm giving it a 3/5 is because there is limited seating and not the best place to come and read since it gets so loud due to the restaurant that's right next door. I wish there were half stars because I'd give it a 3.5/5. I really did like their drink and would want to try some of the others on the menu. Overall recommendation: I'd come back to get a coffee to go. If you're looking for a place to sit, relax and read probably not the best place for it.

Super chill with vibes. Inside NYC Chinatown's Au Cheval. Fresh brew with nice staff.

Just based on the iced oat milk latte I had there: 10/10. The oat milk they use is so smooth! There was no line on a Sunday afternoon (around 12). Not too many places to sit but there are a couple of tables. The entrance is kind of confusing bc they are in the same space as au cheval. Overall great coffee and the pastries looked amazing too!

Hidden Coffee, Matcha, and Pastry spot in Chinatown!! The staff here are super knowledgeable and friendly about their coffee and do great latte art! I always forget about this place because it's soo hidden. But I love their coffee and chocolate chip cookie!!!

I ordered a hot black camo latte and it was tasty! I thought the coffee tasted very dark in terms of roast and I would probably like to try their matcha latte next. If you like your coffee a bit lighter tasting, I would not recommend this latte. Sawada Coffee is located inside a restaurant, if you're ordering just coffee you can make a right as you enter and place/pick up your order. Super warm and cozy inside and the bathrooms were clean. They were pretty quick with my latte too, not more than a 5 minute wait.

All for hidden coffee spots in what is really become a sketchy neighborhood. The fact that it is attached to Au Cheval makes for a convenient grab and go after a juicy burger! Cold brew is the easy and reliable choice for this patron.

DRINKS: Absolutely loved the Black Camo Latte. It was delicious with oat milk and the espresso tasted perfect with the hojicha. I tried the Military Latte too and it was smooth. For those who don't like matcha being too strong, this is perfect. It's the complete opposite of you love your matcha strong though. SERVICE: Line can get long, but the baristas are efficient at getting your order. AMBIANCE: Totally a hole in the wall. Shares a room with the restaurant, but has their own bar top seats and small tables. The lighting is low and the vibe was chill. Probably a bit too busy if you want to study or get work done there.

Hard to believe they charge $8 for a drink here after tax for the quality that I received. There's no customer service - baristas seem preoccupied and more interested in restocking a bunch of items instead of taking an order from the only person standing at the counter waiting to order. There was a baby carriage left right in front of the ordering counter and seemed to belong to no one and we had to move it ourselves to stand in front of the tablet. Got my favorite black camo that I used to get all the time in Chicago and it was a huge disappointment at first sip - no espresso flavor, no vanilla flavor, entirely bitter and watery. Clearly baristas don't know how to whisk hojicha here and aren't familiar with the ratios of the amazing drink it was supposed to be. Plenty of other great coffee shops with espresso, hojicha and matcha options in NYC.

Finally got to try their specialty latte. The hōjicha with espresso was pretty smooth and mild, less strong in caffeine than I had imagined which is good. I had it without the vanilla so it's sugar free and can better taste the roasted tea. We also had the cold brew jasmine tea which was super floral and refreshing.

Military matcha is absolutely delicious! The space is quite tight as it is just kind of an entrance/waiting area for Au Cheval, but I decided to come here on a day where I didn't need Wifi to accomplish what I needed to. (Note: No WiFi). The coffee is a bit on the pricier side at $7 pre-tip/tax, but it is delicious! Look how beautiful it looks! I was able to focus in and enjoy a couple hours here as people came and went. Kind of a hidden gem in the area coffee-wise, I'll say!

Really different from other coffee's I have had but really good and so glad we went! Located in soho/tribeca area, they have the restaurant and coffee shop but we grabbed the coffee to go

I was in the area for an appointment and needed a coffee fix. Yelp led me to Sawada, which is located inside of Au Cheval. Barista was fairly standoffish and didn't greet or really acknowledge me. I had to ask for my order to be taken. I had a cold brew and it was just OK. It was kind of too acidic for my tastes. It didn't really feel like it was worth the basically $6 that I had paid. Almond milk, oat milk, and whole milk available at the counter. Wish they had some kind of creamer or half & half.

I'm surprised Sawada has such high reviews. I was baited by the yelp pictures of impeccable latte art, which is usually a testament to the care put into curating the coffee selection and drinks. I ordered the black camo latte (hojicha latte with espresso). I knew something was off when they poured the shot in AFTER pouring the latte art. And the art was not even close to what the pictures indicate. The space itself is super dark and reminiscent of a ski lodge. There's very little seating and the trash can bar is in the middle of the space. Service was nice though. Unfortunately I won't be coming back to try anything else.

This cafe is to the right of the entrance when you walk into Au Cheval. I ordered a cappuccino with oat milk and I was thoroughly disappointed. It did not seem like the barista put ANY care into making it. All the art that you see is false advertising. Not only did I not get latte art, the drink was so bitter. It was disgusting. I was looking forward to a cool rosetta or something since Hiroshi Sawada was the first Asian to win the latte art world championship. They use a dark roast that tasted burnt. They have two specialty macha espresso lattes, but I don't like macha so I didn't order it.

Very unique beverage items. I really loved the military drink. It can be hard to find seats in this low light cafe (which is connected to a restaurant) and not to mention it was hard to find the place at first too. However, it's definitely worth going back to.

Such an easy cafe to miss since it's located in a small alley and inside of a restaurant. The signage isn't very prominent either. The matcha latte was amazing. The foam on top was perfectly frothy yet had a great matcha taste. The matcha itself was very fragrant. It was only slightly grainy at the end, but other than that, it was whisked finely. Definitely want to come back to try their other matcha offerings.

I love Sawada Coffee and its presence in Chicago - I'm so happy I found one on the east coast! This location is inside Au Cheval and is just a wall compared to the Chitown location, but there are places to sit if you choose to order in instead of takeout. My favorite is the Black Camo and it was consistent with what I know the flavor to be. I did notice that I got an almond milk version which looked darker than my friend who got a whole milk latte, which was interesting, but it was just as yummy a mix between matcha and coffee as always! Not too bitter and super creamy - it's a must try if you love matcha :) Highly recommend trying Sawada if you haven't yet - you won't regret it!

The man that was at the register should not be serving. Not really friendly and little rude. Seems like he didn't want to work. Forgot half of my order, breathed strongly when mentioning it. (Didn't tip considering it wasn't a great experience The stars are only for the coffee)

Sawada coffee is a cool spot to grab a cup and hang out. It's in the restaurant AuCheval and has a sleek easy downstairs. Staff were nice and service was good. Definitely recommend

Nestled inside of Au Cheval, this coffee shop has a variety of options to choose from. I tried the gingerbread latte and enjoyed it. There's some seating inside for the cafe, too.

I love Sawada and was so happy when I found out that they had reopened. My favorite drinks are the military latte and camo latte. Their latte art is beautiful, too. If you're coming for the first time, you'll have to walk up the alley and go inside Au Cheval. The coffeeshop is right in the 'lobby' of the restaurant. It's a pretty cool setup in my opinion. The coffeeshop has its own set of tables - 3 of them I believe and a small bar area. Definitely check it out if you haven't already!

Went to Sawada at the gracious request by the owner and went for their specialty drinks, the military and black camo lattes. These were quite good, though be prepared for a major caffeine rush. Though we'd have preferred it less sweet, we preferred the military a little more than the black camo. It's worth the flavor experience to try these.

The barista was bit uninterested in the transaction. She also didn't have cash so keep in mind in case you're trying to pay in cash (I always try to for small businesses). The latte with hojicha (I forget the name) was a bit mid--way sweeter than I was expecting.

This falls under my top 3 coffee shops of all time worldwide category!! I would strongly recommend the hot military latte (matcha latte with espresso), but I'm excited to come back and try more of the menu. I was initially drawn to visit after hearing about Sawada's history and founder, Hiroshi Sawada, and I'm so glad I did. Everything about the matcha and espresso flavors was perfect, and the quality is incredibly consistent. I've only been to the NYC location, but I recommended this to my friend when she was near their Chicago location and she ended up coming back several times throughout the week, so I feel really validated.

When I saw the photos of the latte drinks from other people's reviews, I knew I had to make a visit. Someone in the reviews wrote that the location was tricky to find. It is located inside of a restaurant called Au Cheval. But on the windows of the restaurant, there are arrows guiding you to the entrance, so I had no trouble getting here. The coffee bar is located on the right side when you enter, and the rest of the restaurant operates on the left side. I had the black camo latte, which is mix of espresso and hōjicha (roasted green tea), which is my favourite type of green tea. The baristas here are very skilled, and they craft beautiful latte art! The drink wasn't too sweet, and I liked tasting the tea flavour in the coffee. The price is really up there though--$7.50 + tax (April 2023 price). But I think it was definitely worth the hype.

i got a hot dirty matcha it's pretty earthy it was like $9 but it's pretty big like soup bowl vibes, i like the vibes, the workers are nice

Very cool aesthetic since it's located in the same building as Au Cheval. The black camo latte tasted very cool, loved the light hojicha flavor mixed with a strong espresso. Would def come back!

Was the latte art on my drink the best? No, but the dirty matcha I ordered tasted good! I typically order my drinks with almond milk or skim milk, and this time I got 2%. This possibly weakened the strong flavor I was looking for, that people don't typically like, with the matcha and espresso. At the same time though, I'm not sure what roast and quality of Matcha that Sawada is using because their beans for sale don't come with a description of them. Sawada is connected to Au Cheval which is convenient if you want to walk in for brunch on the weekend or access their well-maintained bathroom downstairs. Sawada is small, so the sound travels easily and isn't the best for working, but there's wifi. It's a lowkey vibe and good for just chilling out or making a quick stop to plan what's next for you in the city. I don't often do numerical ratings but Sawada gets a 7.5/10 for me. I plan to come back again and try a strict espresso drink. The pastries looked so good as well. Average price for NYC ($7-8). Dim ambiance and sweeteners/napkins available.

my favorite lattes anywhere. love that they opened up in NYC, and in the same building as au cheval of course. black camo latte (with hojicha) is my favorite, the military (matcha) is also great

They are OPEN. And the military latte is still utterly brilliant. As said in other comments, quite hidden and no signs from outside. In the back space of Au Cheval. Easier way is to enter through the side entrance in the alley.

This is a hip coffee shop located inside a famous burger restaurant. The restaurant entrance might be hard to find because it's on a street that looks like a back alley, but you'll appreciate the exclusive vibe once you find it. Once you find yourself inside the restaurant, you'll see the Sawada Coffee area, sectioned off separately with a small seating area. If you order the military latte, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the military colors and caffeine boost that follows - would highly recommend if you appreciate sweet lattes. It's a flavorful drink with espresso and matcha combined. I've ordered both the ice and hot military lattes. Both tasted equally good but the aesthetics of the hot latte is a bit more impressive.

Try this place out! Was in dire need of a cold drink and snack -- got the cold brew jasmine tea and blueberry muffin and both were great. Might check out the coffees next time, other people seem to like them! Cool vibes, though a bit difficult to find (go down the alley / in the same place as a restaurant and there are signs pointing you the correct way). All in all, a nice find

The black camo latte is my favorite coffee drink from literally ahywhere, it's so good. Not much seating and can get pretty crowded and loud as it's inside another restaurant.

i was excited to come here since i LOVE the Chicago location. I get there and only one person working, seems flustered or busy or hungover don't know. Order a latte, ok, order a pour over, she looks at the cone and kettle and says " mmmm, we're out of filters" i mean really??? come'on And then offers a drip which is "essentially the same but stronger" so i order that in an 8oz. What i wasn't ready is for a Sawada's drip coffe to taste worse than 7eleven's coffee. Strong? yeah, but burned. It is clearly a dark roast brewed and left forgotten for i don't know how long.

Sawada is from Chicago, if I am not insane. I tried to stop by their Chicago place but never make it. Now, somehow they are here and I know that it's time for me to get militaries... I had their military latte. To be honest, it's expensive but it's a good creation as there seems to be a limit of how coffee and tea can work together. I love their latte art- must be very seasoned barista.

What a cool spot... Its down an unassuming alley which i imagine can been interesting at night. However stumbled upon this place looking for a cafe.. the ambience is really cool, the coffee drinks while expensive are sizable and very good quality.. yeah the people who work here seem a bit douchey but it seems to fit the vibe and clientele.. worth checking out

This gem is hidden in an alley near Chinatown and is situated in a restaurant. You can order at the cafe and bring your drink with you to the table. Wooden, sophisticated, dim interior. There's a few tables but you may find yourself waiting. They're known for their matcha & espresso drinks! Military Latte: Matcha & Espresso Black Camo Latte: Espresso & Charcoal-Roasted Matcha The difference? Black Camo has more of a chocolately taste while military latte is much more latte like. So all up to your personal preference. As matcha and espresso are both bitter, they add vanilla syrup to sweeten it. We choose to remove it. The balance between the matcha and espresso is perfect. One does not overpower the other. Flavors are great and it is not diluted at all. Your wallet will take a hit as it will set you back over $6. Understandable as you are getting matcha and espresso. As someone who loves both matcha and espresso, this is perfect for me. Too bad it can't be a daily thing.

A Chicago gem in NYC ! The iced military latte is so good and I love the fun warehouse-y ambiance. The cafe is located in Au Cheval, and i think if you're dining at Au Cheval you can even order Sawada to your table? Coffee + burgers sounds like a fun combo to try next time !

This coffee shop is what I call finding a needle in a haystack. Sawada coffee is actually located inside a restaurant. The location was a little hard to find but well worth the effort. I tried both the military and camo lattes and both drinks were splendid. It's wuite magical how Sawada coffee nailed the recipe for a drink combining coffee and matcha or coffee and hoijicha. The drinks did have distinct flavors of both coffee and tea but the flavors were balanced. Sweetness was minimal. I had both drinks in hot and cold versions and they were both excellent.

Pricey, but delicious. I got the iced military latte ($6.75+tax). It is basically Japanese green tea mixed with vanilla syrup, cocoa powder, and espresso. An occasional treat for me. Will come back occasionally. Open 8AM-4PM: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I would check their website in case hours change.

A amazing coffee shop hidden in a little alley and inside a restaurant. I got a military latte. Perfect balance between matcha and espresso. Taste very smoothly with little sweet. And the latte art was amazing!

When I first heard of news of Sawada Coffee, it was due to the fact that Au Cheval Diner was opening and I'm so glad the team brought this awesome coffee shop to New York City! I was impressed with the space of the Chicago location and they keep the same dark wood aesthetic to the space they share with Au Cheval. It is darker inside so not the best place for pictures. The military latte is where its at with the cool green, white, and brown color scheme that's just really picture worthy and delicious too! Their other cups of coffee such as the cortado, black camo latte (also Insta-worth), etc are high quality and the baristas know their stuff. There aren't any pastries as of yet but they coming including doughnuts. Can't wait for that! Happy drinking and remember: Don't deny, satisfy!

Sawada Coffee shop is a unique hidden cafe located in a sketchy alleyway in Chinatown. That being said, when entering, you may be confused why you are in a restaurant rather than a coffee shop but that's because Sawada shares space with Au Cheval Diner. Its dark, dimly lit, wood interior and loud ambience makes this place such a different experience. Not only is there a diner on the left side of the entrance but there's a cocktail bar and bathroom located downstairs. In the Sawada Coffee sectional, there are several tables and benches as well as wall seating across the room. One barista usually works behind the counter serving beautiful latte art (and quality coffee too). I've tried the special military latte which happens to be a latte with matcha flavor mixed with vanilla and cocoa. Although quite pricey, this drink is truly special. Maybe try it once or twice, but you will definitely appreciate the quality and work behind it. I also enjoy coming here for the work space, although there is no wifi or outlets. Overall a nice place to sit and hangout while waiting in Chinatown. It gets loud because of the diner. They do sell some pastries now! The matcha brownies they sell are rich in flavor but has a good consistency and form. I wasn't able to taste much of the matcha. Accepts cash and credit. No apple pay. Bathroom downstairs. Drink up!

Oh man, I really hope they open back up! Just in case they do: --military & black camo lattes: MUST-ORDERS from this place Great staff, efficient service, areas for indoor seating available ENTRANCE: Near an alley, a little inconspicuous