Textbook Cafe

People have left some odd reviews of this place, including a one-star review for the restaurant apparently being highly politicized—a vibe I neither felt nor could visually identify within or without the establishment. I ordered a single burger and a Sudan spiced peanut butter latte, for ~$15! That’s pretty inexpensive for New York City. I note this as some consider it overpriced. I suppose the food is fairly inexpensive, the lattes slightly higher than average. The “burger” comes wrapped in a homemade pita with diced cucumber, onion, and tomato, plus a few crispy, thick-cut fries and a yummy house sauce. It was a cool twist of the traditional burger and had a nice flavor. The sauce was like a slightly Mediterranean version of Big Mac sauce. The girl working as the barista and cashier was very nice and friendly. She had a nice presence and warm smile, made suggestions, and even gave a stranger free utensils when they popped on to ask. I think it’s definitely worth checking out, and it’s a good place for a cheap & simple meal that’s still quirky and fun.

Loved the food and environment! Just about everything on the menu had a vegan version available so I had lots of options. Heads up, the menu has changed since past google reviews! I had the burger, spicy fries and pistachio latte and all were super flavorful and delicious

It looks beautiful from the outside, it pulls you in. Inside is cozy, only 3 tables. The girls who work there are super nice. The coffee was delicious but the food, I have to say, looked better than what it tasted. Online, the menu looked larger, but in there, they had fewer options

Everything I’ve tried here has been absolute PERFECTION. The vegan breakfast sandwich was delicious - so fresh and made to order with scrambled mung bean, vegan cheddar, fake bacon and tomatoes. My absolutely favorite is the lunch. I came in two days in a row just to get the truffle tuna sandwich. It’s like nothing I’ve ever had before. So tasty, fresh and the flavors do so well together. My friend got the fried chicken sandwich and he was saying it’s the best he’s ever had. Love the guys running things. Super friendly and lifelong New Yorkers building a lovely spot in the community. My new favorite place.

Had such a great dinner here. I ordered the fried fish sandwich (it was to die for!, very juicy and flavorful; came with delicious spicy fries) and a glass of rose (on tap), which paired very well. There were many other things on the menu that I look forward to trying, including an extensive wine list. Their outdoor seating is wonderful, I came with a laptop and I felt super comfortable working while eating.

Textbook Cafe is a delightful lil gem in the neighborhood. If you’re looking for food, the merguez sandwich was pretty divine. The bread was fresh and crusty, there’s lots of eggs and melted cheese, and the sausage and hot sauce just brought everything together.

Finally a cool neighborhood spot where I can get amazing coffee, a tasty sandwich and a refreshing beer! This place truly has it all. My favorite sandwich was the prosciutto one but the merguez is equally as good. What stuck out the most is how friendly and involved the owners were. From the second I ordered I was greeted by them and they made sure I had everything I needed. I have been back many times and have recommend it to a lot of friends!

Had a great latte the first time I came. Second time it was the lightest matcha I’d ever gotten in my life and they didn’t have lids which I didn’t mind but once I got a cup of milk with a splash of matcha I was annoyed

Pricey. This is one of those cafes you see on Instagram. I ordered a chicken sandwich for $15, pricey. There was only one other person who ordered but still, my food didn't come for about another 20-30 minutes. Not the biggest fan of the sandwich, it was okay, but the chicken was very dry and I feel like it was not worth $15.

Really great spot for seasonal coffees / iced teas, as well as sandwiches! I came here for coffee with a friend on Saturday and thought there was plenty of seating (though it was drizzling while we were there, so not the best indicator of busyness/ability to grab a seat). Note, there's both indoor and outdoor seating but there isn't AC indoors so it can get stuffy! Service is so friendly and kind. I really love how creative their drinks menu is, and includes summer items like a slushie tahini cold brew, passion fruit lemonade, rose latte, miso brown sugar latte, and fresh squeezed watermelon juice. I got the passion fruit lemonade (a bit of a secret menu item), and it was very fruity and refreshing! Drinks run a bit expensive but the menu was so creative and special that I thought it was fine. I'd definitely come back to try out their sandwiches and more of their drinks!

What a cute coffee shop! First time here and the coffee was good I had my very first miso latte! I have to admit I was a little scared at first but it actually pretty tasty, we got an egg and bacon sandwich and didn't realize the food we got was vegan but it was very yummy as a none vegan I approve! The prices are pretty pricey but it was nice to try the spot! If you are vegan and looking for some yummy breakfast this is your spot! Or if your a coffee lover this is your spot! :)

I really want to like this place since it's a neighborhood spot but it's just consistently not impressive. The coffee is not great (Coffee Project around the corner is better) the food is meh and overpriced (Saraghina, Petite Paulette are both better), the ambience is lacking (Baba Cool down the street is a vibe though). The owners are super nice so I feel guilty not going. I really want this place to thrive but they've got to do something about it. Lowering prices could help, but cheap, subpar food won't get me back. Get better coffee, make better food, then I'll definitely be back.

I passed by yesterday afternoon. Even though I live in the neighborhood, I have never walked by before. I was intrigued by the selection of drinks on the menu and I knew I wanted to come back. Plus, the sandwiches. I was walking our 4 1/2 month puppy and stopped by. The staff was incredibly kind and sweet. I ordered an iced oat milk lavender latte. It's one of the few places that serve lavender coffee drinks which, is one of my favorites. The staff helping me saw that I had a young puppy with me. She asked if she wanted a pup-cup and I was so pleasantly surprised and of course said yes. I told her it was Bella's very first pup cake. After our order was ready I attempted to sit down in the out door seating area with our puppy who, is also new to city life. I felt awful. Bella somehow, immediately tangled herself with her leash and the out door chairs started falling. I had a frightened puppy and felt awful for causing such chaos. Again, they were very nice. Thank you for your understanding and patience. Next time I come, I think I'll be leaving Bella at home. Still, I will surely be back!

My mom is admitted at Brooklyn hospital center (literally across the street) so I've been passing this place every day for a week. Finally went in and was disappointed. The restaurant's Interior needs work. There are flies everywhere, they have equipment everywhere in a disorganized manner, and worst of all had food out in the open for flies to get to it. I had the fried cod sandwich with fries.... Mediocre... the fries were over cooked.

This is listed as "dogs allowed" but yesterday i was turned away as soon as walked in with my pup.

Textbook is a really fun cafe/coffee shop right across from the Brooklyn hospital. Right now their outside seating is insulated but I'm sure during the summer when you can walk right up to the window to place an order this place is booming. The exterior art and their website are super fun. Everything about this place is visually satisfying and child-like. Here's how my visit recently went: Fried chicken sandwich w/ fries (14 for sandwich, 3 for fries I think) * fried chicken was juicy, very crispy too. * the bread was not my favorite at all. It's on regular toast with a very thick and crunchy crust. Crunchy to the point where you might cut your gums lol. I wish that they used a softer bread to go with this. * fries well seasoned *homemade hot sauce was good The IPA I had (forgot the name) * delicious, they had a great assortment of beers to choose from and even a to-go section Customer service * The team is super friendly * The vibes were great inside. They were playing new SZA and a whole bunch of other artists I love. * Food came out quick and space was very clean *wifi is booming if you're here getting work done and they have a good amount of plugs. Thanks Textbook staff, hope to see you all soon for another IPA :)

Super cute spot to have a quick meal or snack or drink right across from the Brooklyn Hospital. Ideal if it's nice out, because the outdoor seating in front is great. Not as much space inside. Order at the window. Friendly staff. My egg & cheese (w/ added tempeh bacon) sandwich came in a fantastic wrap. It's insulated inside and tightly wrapped. Kudos! Not crazy about the frozen tahini cold brew - ice is too chunky for my taste, but I could imagine why others love it. Lots of funky cool drinks (hot & cold) here.

Lovely person could not have been more friendly or helpful. She answered all my questions. Food is just delicious and the menu has offerings that you don't see anywhere else. Outdoor seating is great, I can't speak for inside. You can also grab stuff to go at the counter. Really great neighborhood spot that always seems busy and now I know why.

This place is the new Hot Spot! You will not be disappointed. You will only be disappointed that you didn't get here sooner, ha! The staff is super friendly and the location is perfect. Plenty of seating inside and out. Huge window to just walk up to and place your order. Upon reviewing the menu I noticed how unique it was. My husband and I each had a beer. Great beer list by the way! He had the chicken sandwich and I had the Persian breakfast. The bread to the Persian breakfast was a great thickness and nothing was tearing. You know what I mean when the bread tears and everything falls out. Not the case here. The cucumbers were crisp and the feta ratio was perfect. This was a very light and refreshing breakfast. The chicken sandwich had a really nice soft and toasted bread. The chicken was not heavy at all for being fried. These both had great flavor and very fresh. I can't wait to come back and try more things on the menu!

We split a merguez breakfast sandwich, a fish sandwich, and some fries. The breakfast sandwich was solid though I think it could have been even better if the merguez patty was broken up into little chunks and the cooked with the eggs in sort of a scramble to better distribute it. Some bites were just sausage and nothing else and I think it would be tastier all mixed up. The fish sando was pretty good and compared to many similar sandwiches, it was huge. Almost too much bread? But that's a better problem than a puny sandwich. The fries had this Tunisian seasoning that didn't really do it for me. It smelled good but tasted a little bitter and was caked on pretty unevenly so some fries were smothered and some were untouched.

Came here for some breakfast before frisbee in Fort Greene park. The place looks really cute on the outside, but seating indoors is very limited. If you're lucky you'll get to sit inside the main space with the bar. However since it only has like 4 tables, you'll more likely end up in the outer hallway or just outdoors. We got lucky and got to sit inside, and after ordering at a little booth, our food quickly arrived. The food overall is very average. Sandwiches are small and nothing stood out as very flavorful or unique. They are kind of pricy for the size as well. I was quite hungry as this was early in the morning too for brunch, so I was surprised at how meh I felt about the taste. Not a place I would recommend for the food, but it does have a unique look and feel. That being said the lack of seating is also hampering it as it's only nice if you manage to get seating in the innermost part. Really not sure why the place is built like a castle with multiple layers of wall. Overall, I'd say it's maybe worth a peek inside to see if good seats are available, but otherwise skip.

The chicken sandwich and the shaken frozen tahini cold brew were both delicious. I'd go back to try more sandwiches, but I'll probably stick with the drink. It's hard to beat.

A super cute spot - right next to fort Greene park and perfect for photos. I got the frozen tahini cold brew and it was yummy. I would come back to try their other offerings

Relatively new spot in the Fort Greene area, but it's already big on character. The cafe and staff are great, drinks are on point, and the food is solid as well. If you're hungry look no further than the Steak and Gruyere sandwich. It's my personal favorite dish so far, and honestly one of the best sandwiches I've had in the neighborhood. I can also recommend the espresso pork belly sandwich if you're in the mood for a breakfast sandwich.

Stumbled across this cute little shop while strolling through Brooklyn's Forte Greene area. It has cute outdoor and indoor seating, the inside is very cute, but small. I am not a coffee drinker, tea is my vice lol but I decided to be optimistic and tried a lavender latte but I tweaked it so Idk if it's still a latte lol. I don't do dairy so I opted for oatmilk, decaffeinated coffee, and of course lavender, no espresso lol. (I told you I tweaked it) I tried it warm, then decided I needed ice. So I made it an iced drink. It was delicious!! Just the right amount of lavender! The staff was very friendly and was nice enough to explain to me how a coffee bean becomes a decaffeinated bean, lol. Overall good experience, would recommend if your in the Brooklyn area

I LOVE working out of this spot! Starting with the food, it's been cool to watch this menu be fine-tuned since it opened. I had their salads in the beginning and now they have a delicious burger that you can pair with equally delicious Tunisian fries. The drinks range from cold brew to rosé on tap and you can easily end up cycling through said range because they stay open much later than a regular "cafe". This spot has been fantastic since it opened and I'm glad to see it in the area.

Great spot to grab a sandwich and coffee to take to Fort Greene park. We like their peanut butter and pork jelly sandwich - weird combo but it works. They also don't charge extra for oat milk which is amazing. Their juice/lemonades were pretty overpriced and mediocre but coffee was decent. The workers are always super friendly as well!

Stopped by after seeing their flyer for frozen tahini cold brew. I bought a cup, and I gotta tell you it was pretty good. But for $10 including tip? Not what I expected. Way too pricy to be a consistent spot for me.

I'm so happy this place opened up in the neighborhood and such a great location close to the park. They haven't opened indoors yet but there's plenty of seats outside for now. They said inside will open in a few weeks and I cannot wait. Menu is small but amazing. Vegan breakfast sandwich is the best. Staff are very friendly and no extra charge for non dairy milk! How good is that?! I absolutely love the branding and look of this place. Such a unique concept and fun look

BEST SIGNS TO PASS BY, HIGHLY HUMOROUS Very dog friendly and outdoor friendly space! I highly recommend this place if you're stopping by for a fun drink, tea, matcha, or coffee. If you're here for food, they have a sign that says all food is made fresh to order so expect a bit of a wait. Everyone was extremely nice. You can sit outside and enjoy their curated playlist. *to explain my 4 star* though the food was fresh, the sandwiches are a little pricey ($15 or $16 for a chicken sammich) for what you get aka bread and a well fried chicken breast, but pls correct me if that's what chicken sandos are going for nowadays?!! I also got the espresso pork belly sandwich, which was incredible. I felt like this was super worth it and would get it again. Overall really enjoyed my stop by!

Man, these cups are cute and this coffee is delicious. Didn't try their food on this trip, but their seasonal Rose Bouquet Cappuccino was absolutely fantastic. Delicious espresso, well made and just too adorable. Love the vibe, the aesthetic, the MERCH. The staff was so, so friendly too! The food menu looks extensive and they also serve craft beer - I can't wait to come back!

This really small cafe only had a few seats just outside. The branding is really cute but the cold brew wasn't great and there were no vegan options on the menu during lunch. The vegan breakfast sandwich is only served in the AM. There is some indoor seating that is not being used, but seems like it is just storage right now so you'll be stuck in the direct sun.

Beer on tap is sooo overpriced! I paid 14$ with tip. Got the dark beer - it was totally flat and did not taste right. Left it there. Apparently it is all bad beer as someone saw me leave and said they also had same experience with the IPA. I did mot feel good after even though I only drunk a small amount.

Plenty of outdoor seating and multiple vegan food options. I came here with a group and folks could sit inside or outside (and the covered outside is dog friendly). I'm excited to try the food the next time I'm here.

So many of my favorite things all in one place; coffee, great food, local Brooklyn beers, check check and check. Went here for lunch and got the fried chicken sandwich, fries and a beer. Was a little on the pricey side but the portions were huge and everything was delicious. Chicken was a giant perfectly seasoned chicken breast, juicy on the inside crunchy on the outside. Sauces were great and fries cooked perfectly. Will definitely be back to try more food and more beer!

THE FROZEN TAHINI COLD BREW...DAMN!! I tried it today and I'm hooked. Cold brew, oat milk + tahini - the combination sounds weird, but I'm telling you it works. This is my new summer drink. Definitely worth trying!! You'll thank me later.

Lobster roll is amazing. Great vibes inside the location. Kind of small, but I love that. Nice staff. Clean. Hope to try other things on the menu.

Doughnuts were absolutely delicious and now that I'm writing this a week later I feel for one

Cool street side coffee shop near LIU campus. Beautiful people serve up on tap coffees, bubble tea, small sandwiches & snacks. Order & pay at at the counter. Enjoy outdoor seating, belly up to the bar or relax on of the few tables inside. Fun graffiti doodles wallpaper adorn this hip little spot. Non-dairy milks are no extra charge and sturdy cups have a supper lid that eliminates the need for a straw. Super fat boba straw was brightly colored and they did not skimp on the spicy chia. Highly recommended.

I had to come and give this review ..1. Because if the service was bad I'd on here spilling all the tea... and 2. great experiences need to be highlighted just as loudly as complaints are...So its only fair that I keep the same energy on the flipside... Not to turn this into a novel, but I stopped by for the 1st time about 2 weeks ago to get my fave..a Iced mocha and it was sooooo freaking good...Long story short, now I walk up to the window without having to say a word because the lovely young lady Rachel knows what I am there for lol. She nailed it the 1st time and I had to commend her on perfecting the drink...Its to the point where I went on Monday for my regular (Rachel wasn't there) and another staff member fulfilled my order...I was sooooo disappointed because it tasted like milk with a shot of chocolate (I was specific when I told her heavy on the chocolate) ....I loathe milky drinks...Although this staff member didn't nail the flavor as well as Rachel, she was still really nice which goes a long way in my book. So overall staff is amazing; as I've had interactions with 3 staff members thus far (Im big on customer service) and the coffee is A1! I have yet to try the food but I'm sure its delish...If ur in the area def stop by...you will not be disappointed!

TLDR: I *love* this place. I seldom write reviews, so that should be a testament in and of itself. The staff and owners are all wonderful. I recommend it to everyone, especially if they have a dog, as they're super dog-friendly. Mine won't stop pulling when we walk anywhere close to the location, thanks to their generous pup-cups. They keep a large window open to the sidewalk, perfect for anyone looking to grab and go while indispensable for dog owners like me. The food is exceptional, with my go-to's being the Textbook Burger and the Banana Nut Muffin, depending on the time of day. I'm not a huge coffee drinker. I've enjoyed the coffee I've had and have heard great things about the other options. Per their beer options, check out anything by Back Home Beer, especially if it's the Sumac Gose. I'm a sour beer drinker myself, and it was terrific. I later learned it was one of the owner's wives' breweries.

Nice vibe. Tahini cold brew drink was good but the sandwiches were extremely dry and flavorless. Way more a place for a casual conversation over a drink than a place to eat.

Great iced lavender latte and super cool people. Walk up window, had a breakfast sandwich too.

I really wanted to love this place. It is adorable and the staff are super friendly. But after waiting for over 45 min for my food (with 3 small kids and a puppy) I was over it. The fries were good, my avocado toast was mostly inedible as half the avocado was unripe and I couldn't even bite into it. I like the vibe and location but would not risk another very long wait for sub par food.

Very happy to find this place. Cool vibe. Went for dinner and had the best steak sandwich. Amazing beer selection too.

Found myself in an unfamiliar neighborhood for work this afternoon, searched for nearby restaurants. Textbook looked fun and tasty. I swung past and grabbed a spicy grilled chicken sandwich, it was DELICIOUS! The staff was very sweet and the decor is fun. I know where I'll be having breakfast/lunch if I end up on this side of town again.

Great place!! love the watermelon juice with soda water, espresso and their matcha lemonade !

If you love good coffee,great beer selection,excellent customer service and some delicious food then this is the place

I love this place! Finally a cool neighborhood spot with great food and friendly staff. Everyone truly goes out of their way to make sure you're happy. I highly recommended the tuna sandwich, it's amazing. Check it out asap!

Such a cute new restaurant! I had a really lovely conversation with the owner, David, and thought the overall brand/vibes of the interior (and exterior) were awesome and very inviting. The waitstaff was also super accommodating and friendly (special shoutout to the chef, who literally made me the best sandwich ever). I ordered the vegan fried chick'n sandwich and was truly blown away at how delicious and flavorful it was. The chick'n is soy-based and not only did it have an incredibly crunchy and savory coating but it was also a pretty big portion, so it was well worth the cost. It also included slaw, pickles, and vegan chipotle mayo, and the sourdough (I think?) bread really wrapped up the sandwich nicely. You can order fries on the side, but I opted out...I'm sure they're delicious, though. They have plenty of tables outside, and it looked like their indoor seating will be open soon as well. Sad that I don't live closer, but I will absolutely be coming back and making the trek from Manhattan!

OMFG the Apple cider with caramel tastes like my grandma asking "how was your day baby" such a nice and pleasant staff! Love this spot !

I tried the beer at textbook and what a great selection that it took me by surprise. Great selection of beer and so many you don't see too often. Awesome beer and I'll definitely be heading back.

Co-Owner reached out to me and offer me another coffee to try. Went back today and the coffee tastes wonderful. Thank you!

Stopped by this new neighborhood joint the other day with a friend. Holy heck the fried chicken sandwich was incredible and at $12 a very reasonable price. Will be back soon!

I got a very nice reach-out from the owners with a kind offer to try them out again, on the house. Didn't want to put us all through that, but did have another --much better-- beverage that day --matcha lemonade. Hmmm-- end also found out they don't upcharge for oat milk...so, two additional stars. :)

Textbook Coffee DeKalb Ave Bklyn, Starbucks prices minus the quality. $4.08 cold, weak "hot" tea, the owner/bouncer said he could "heat it up in a pan."Starbucks, replaces to customer's satisfaction. Woman who made the tea, repeatedly had her hand inside the cup searching for the tea bag. Gross! Wasted money, left it untouched!

Excellent neighborhood spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Outstanding beer selection too.