Chris V.
Yelp
New year, pretty old cafe.
You may have known it differently back in the day as the source of the oddly compelling vegan Alien Burrito, but Sunrise Coffee is basically a full Mothership Coffee store #0 now. Located across from the northeast corner of Sunset Park and sharing a tiny parking area with younger-yet-still-long-lived neighbors Table Thai Bar & Bistro, they've apparently escaped my notice for over a decade. I was finally lured back in after Mothership selected me as an Instagram giveaway winner and requested that I pick up my prizes here.
If you don't want to deal with the parking or the loud atmosphere inside and outside, there's a drive-thru available. I chose to go inside to be sure, and the employee who helped me with my prize was also happy to talk about the new Hakuna Matata drink ($7.75 large) and to assure me that it was not too sweet. It's a rooibos latte with orange and vanilla, and I do agree that it wasn't too sweet. My choice of heavy cream wasn't too overpowering and didn't end up that creamy after significant ice meltage, but the distinctive rooibos flavor held up pretty well.
I also grabbed a Blueberry Lemon Scone (~$5.00, didn't get my printed receipt), which seemed like a safe choice due to my prior experience with Mothership. It's stored cold, although they'll warm it up for you if you'd like. I warmed it the next morning and it was just as delicious as ever. It has a thin crisp on the outside, a moist and blueberry-laden interior (not dry and crumbly as some might think), and a hint of lemon. It does feel dense enough that you'll want some milk or another relatively neutral accompaniment.
Sunrise Coffee is a great way to start the day - even if it's after dusk now that they've extended their hours - or refuel in the middle. It's just a few blocks from the OG Mothership Coffee, but if you want a livelier atmosphere, consider this alternative.