El Barrista cafe

The owner was very personable, the cafe inside was inviting, and there was a nice ambiance, it also had a back area with tables and chairs. Love the paintings and how the owner wants to support the community by having various events. I had 2 rum punch and the avocado toast, which was delicious. I would definitely visit again. Nice addition to East harlem.

Emmanuel was incredibly welcoming to a new face - warm, rustic, jazzy, relaxing environment. Great coffee, delish avocado toast, amazing croissant, great jazz-vibe music!! Was so nice to just chill in the back in cozy chairs. Very clean. Highly recommend!

Walked in and was immediately greeted with a smile from the hardest working person I had ever seen. Turns out owner operator was doing all the work and not holding back on customer service.Coffee was great and so was the food!

It was a nice spot to hold the private screening. The Cafe has a mean RUM PUNCH, but the only issue was theres no A.C. It was pretty hot in the back where the event was held. Otherwise, it was pretty cool.

Emmanuel is super welcoming and kind. Come for the best matcha martini made by Emmanuel on your night out or whenever. The chef made great food as well. Blew me away and will now be a stable guest of this shop 💋

This spot is such a gem!! It’s so cute and aesthetic! The food and drinks are perfect! The matcha martini is ahead of its time!

I was walking up the street and almost turned away because I didnt see the sign for El Barrista, but Im glad I decided to try my luck. If youre looking for a great coffee shop to chill at in East Harlem, El Barrista wont let you down! Theyve got a great menu of pastries and cooked food, top quality coffee, and super comfortable interiors. The large flat screen TVs are a bonus if you want to catch a football (European or American) or basketball game. Shout-out to the new owner, Emmanuel, whos manning the counter and providing excellent customer service along with his staff. Ignore the bad old reviews, this now under new management although they kept the name of the old establishment.

The ambiance is cool…other than that the quality of ice coffee I received was watered down for a price of $5.50 for a medium. Plus I was charged $.99 for a drop of soy milk when better places charge $.50. Then the bagel was another $5.50 and I peeped the cook getting from a bag of bagels that probably cost $2.99 at the super market. They didn’t have any cream cheese so butter and jelly it was. It was decent but not for no $5.50. I rather go to Zucker’s or New York Bagel where the bagels are made in house and better quality of coffee and food hands down. Very unsatisfying experience. Too many great coffee spots in NYC to go to a mediocre over priced est.

I ordered online and went to pick up my order, but the store was closed. The store shows as open on Google. It says my order was received and that I even picked it up. I called the store, but no one answered. Just be careful. I wasted my time and will never use this store again. I hope I can get a refund.

Nice place to drink cappuccino, enjoy with friends or alone, good music, I really like their decoration, they have board games and a variety of desserts, even a library and space to work from the PC, I loved the cappuccino,

Really great place. First time there and Josh was very welcoming/made a sensational latte. I will definitely be back!

Such a cool spot to chill, unwind, and get away. A Cafe mixed with alcoholic beverages is honestly dope lol. The lounge is beautifully decorated. I saw board games next to some free water, just below a television screen that played the olympic games. I ordred a strawberry Marg and took notes on my phone. It put me into a mood of relaxation. To top it off, Emmanuel, who I think is the owner, was so kind and gracious and let me stay past close to finish my second margarita. Id travel anywhere from wherever I lived in the city to come here as a regular.

Great cafe with great food! My only suggestion is to spray cleaning chemicals into rags instead of on tables so it doesnt get into food/drink etc. Otherwise a lovely place!

The perfect spot for a warm coffee on a cold day. The vibe is perfect at this spot, with a bar-top setup in the front room and a more quiet space in the back. The furniture is unique and the chairs at some of tables in the back room are so incredibly comfy, it’s the perfect spot to get some work done or just relax with a coffee and good conversation.I got a caramel latte and it was the perfect amount of syrup, so that it wasn’t too sweet and didn’t overwhelm the drink. The staff was friendly and welcoming and I love that it’s Black owned. It’s truly a unique spot and is a gem for the neighborhood

Lovely place, with delicious treats and great service. A real oasis

A gem of a coffee spot tucked away in East Harlem. Great drink selection, extensive pastry choices, friendly staff, and amazing sandwiches. Perfect ambiance to read a book or study and weekly events to provide a switch up to anyones schedule. I love starting off my day with a drink from El Barrista.

I love this cafe. Emmanuel has created a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. Good coffee, food, drinks, and lots of events that aim to build community.On a personal level, he is also very involved - Ive seen that he has spoken at several schools in the neighborhood, encouraging that same entrepreneurial spirit in our communitys youth.

The vibe here is pretty cool. Owner is extremely friendly. He made us this prosciutto croissant, which is absolutely delicious.

Dope spot! Cool vibes hear they have a great schedule of events. Definitely a hidden gem!

Very cosy place with chillax music. The team is very welcoming. Food was great. We loved it !!

Really pretty and comfortable place in the heart of East Harlem, the best sandwich and coffee place in the area! 😃

This place has delicious drinks and pastries. It has amazing ambiance as well! Clean, air conditioned, cool art on walls, both natural and calming yellow light, and WiFi. Staff is friendly and efficient. I just moved in a block away and go almost every day now.

Emmanuel and his team are wonderful local business people to support :) the vibe is always warm and welcoming, and I love the little social events he has and the people and the space to hang out or study in. The food & drink are quite expensive (and there aren’t always prices clearly on the menu either) so I can’t really afford to come very often but wish I could because I love the people and the place!

First time this morning but it won’t be the last! Delicious coffee, chill vibe. Harlem breakfast sandwich was delicious. My queen had the avocado toast and loved it. Topped it off with a cranberry scone and I was set. Great place for a quiet date, mid-morning getaway or just to get something to eat and dash.

Way overpriced and inconsistent freshness of pastries. Room for improvement for sure. Read the neighborhood and the audience. 🙏🏾

The best in all of uptown. Best customer service, fantastic staff. Owner is fabulous. Drinks and pastries wonderful. Im never disappointed

Prices charged are high and 1.5 time that listed on Google - and none are listed anywhere in store.Service was good and food was decent.

Beautiful, peaceful oasis in east harlem. the owner of the business was my barista during my visit. they were helpful in identifying my coffee order and very pleasant with all of the other patrons. the music was calming and still engaging, a mix of lofi and indie music. the mojito was wonderful. plenty of seating. books to read. and i believe they have open mic night and happy hour. i’m very excited to come back with my friends to share the borderline meditative vibes with.

Excellent coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and service!!! So grateful to have a place like this in the neighborhood!!!! Keep up with the good work, guys!!!

This space is my new favorite spot to come to concentrate in New York. I am a huge fan of the back room space, the energy, the lighting, the art, music and atmosphere brings me such peace. Very excited to bring future events here. Not to mention, one of the best egg sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies Ive had in quite some time. Emmanuels signature Redeye coffee drink is also a MUST.El Barrista has earned a very loyal customer. THANK YOU!

Amazing cafe! The owner is down-to-earth and nice. The atmosphere is like a small Paradise in El Barrio, the music will have you dancing 🙌

Owner is very chill and a fun chat. Food is awesome; just a good enough size to satisfy cravings, and also a nice chill place to hang and study.

Amazing place! Everything was amazing from the food, to the coffee, to the service and atmosphere. It is worth it to go out of your way to come here!!! Next time we visit NYC, my wife and I will be making a trip no matter how far we have to go to get there.

Great place! Very clean and welcoming and great environment.

This place is amazing. The staff was incredibly helpful. I went in to buy a box of coffee for home brews and I had some questions. The owner came over to assist and even called his supplier to get more details on the coffee I was buying. Then he went out of his way to grind the beans (because the primary grinder was out of service). You just dont find quality customer service like that very often.I will absolutely be going back for the full experience of coffee and food. The pastries look outrageously good and Ive passed people eating the breakfast outside which also looked fantastic. Oh and the ambiance inside is stellar. Easily the best new coffee shop in upper Manhattan.

I almost dont want to rate this place because its a Gem! It is East Harlems best Cafe. Hand down. The quality of the coffee, the pastries, food, and Old Fashion drink top notch! Oh, and might I add Black owned business. Free wifi, nice tables and just a blessing. I work from home so its wonderful to get out socialize, support the neighborhood, and work.

I adore this spot. The atmosphere is really warm and inviting, the perfect place for a chill coffee date or just to sit and read.

This coffee shop is AMAZING! LOVE everything about it. Theyll go out of their way to make sure youre satisfied. Without a doubt one of the BEST coffee shop in NYC. My family and I love coming to this place. The atmosphere its extremely pleasant, youll feel like youre at home.

As a fellow Ghanaian, I was elated to see a 🇬🇭 flag outside the shop and pop in to wait for my friend who actually recommended this spot. Unfortunately my excitement was short lived and I will never go back. When my friend arrived, I decided I would wait to get something else as I wasn’t in the mood for anything on the menu, however, my friend decided to order a chai latte (which I agreed to pay for). The owner literally told me I cannot sit in his shop if I don’t order anything from the menu as well. I stated I wanted to sit and then decide if I wanted a pastry down the line but he insisted I buy something upfront or I won’t be able to sit. I was appalled to say the least. One of the worst services I’ve received. To add, my friend came by with her newborn -and basically recommended this spot so she wouldn’t have to travel far.He seemed on edge perhaps because I asked if the meats on the menu were kosher/halal or because I came in with a drink from outside (which I threw away). Whatever the case is, I wish his establishment the best as the aesthetics are a vibe, but I am so disappointed.EDIT: as I said VERY disappointed and his response proves my point. I already threw away my drink and did not take a single sip while in the store. Anyways, customer service is a skill that some owners are losing sight of. As a fellow business owner, I still wish him the best.

This place is a vibe! Excellent customer service and chill ambiance. We stayed for 4 hours and no one bothered us to leave. I will definitely go back.

Bad customer service, I asked for barefoot cabernet sauvignon, and the owner gave me what was already open, which was yellow tail Cabernet. He was thinking I didnt know the difference (and he repeated it) and poured it anyway. Stools have one leg, which are on uncomfortable. Food is good though.

Friendly staff, great coffee, and trendy decor. Overall this place has the neighborhood nice people coffee vibes on point. Hope this helps!

Went here via the app TooGoodToGo and it has become on of my fav cafe since then ! Small but comfy cafe great for the winter time. Pastry are always delicious ! Definitely recommend

.....its a great spot in East harlem. The coffee the people and the atmosphere. What a great way to start my day. Love this place

Very nice cafe! Good coffee and sandwiches and also pet friendly!

Cute coffee shop! Food and coffee are great. The place is also super spacious and big - great for getting work done.

I feel they took alot just to serve a sandwich but it was good anyways

We love this place. Amazing coffee,delicious sandwiches,super friendly stuff.This place is must visit.

Lovely black owned cafe, I felt so welcome here! Its so cozy here too. The customer service here is great. I got an apple turnover and a medium caramel latte with oatmilk. It was delicious and I will be coming back here!

Omg I stop here by curiosity and they were about to close ant they was so ni he They was like we still get you something and then the manager came out and was so cool make delicious coffee and said if you want I open this cute set up they have outside just for us. I fell in love with the place because the excellent of the customer service for this place I would recommend and I definitely come back again.

One of the best coffee shops in NYC.The owner Emmanuel is so welcoming and always smiling.I am a first responder and its always great to start a day with a nice cup of coffee and good pastries or breakfast sandwiches from this warm cozy place in Harlem 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

This place was lovely. Traveling in NY today and figured I’d visit a black owned cafe before my flight. I ordered a hazelnut latte, the Harlem club sandwich, and a slice of vegan cake. Everything was good. The place was clean. I came in on an early Friday afternoon so it was not too busy and quiet enough for me to read my book. A very nice gem in East Harlem!

Great bagels and super friend staff. Their espresso is super strong, I love it for days when you need that extra push. Ambiance is very calm, lighting inside is retro like a library.

Such a great spot to chill & get work done. A little pricey though. I spent $4 on a tea but again the atmosphere made it worth it…. & it is a black owned establishment!

Bravo! Excellent spot for proper coffee drinks and breakfast. Wide assortment of drinks, pastries and sandwiches. Had the Buddha breakfast sandwich - top notch. Perfectly cooked eggs, avocado and fresh veggies on a toasted croissant. Well done!

I would like to request a refund for an unfortunate incident that occurred at El Barrista Café on Monday, June 26, 2023, around 3:40 pm. My friend and I had a disappointing customer experience due to safety concerns and poor service.Upon entering the café, we noticed that there was no one at the counter initially. However, after a few minutes, a staff member, who appeared disinterested in her work, arrived to take our order. It was evident from her attitude and behavior that she was not motivated to provide good customer service. She was preoccupied with her nails and made incoherent complaints about us or something else unrelated.When my friend attempted to place his drink order from the menu, the staff member responded rudely, stating that they dont offer that particular drink. He then decided to order a Frappe instead, to which she reluctantly agreed but continued to display a negative attitude. Subsequently, I placed an order for an iced coffee, and her demeanor seemed to worsen.As I proceeded to pay for both orders, I noticed the staff member acting suspiciously, as if she had ill intentions towards our drinks. She insisted that we go sit down and wait, instead of waiting at the counter. Due to our growing distrust, we chose to remain at the counter. To my astonishment, she poured my coffee and milk onto the counter, displaying a complete lack of professionalism. She then started preparing the Frappe in a disorganized manner and proceeded to leave the counter area with the half-filled blender container, heading towards the bathroom. This confirmed our suspicions that she might have been tampering with our drinks.Feeling alarmed and concerned for our safety, I decided not to consume my coffee and immediately left it on the counter. Consequently, my friend and I chose to leave El Barrista Café without receiving either the coffee or the Frappe. This experience has left us deeply dissatisfied and apprehensive about the establishments overall quality and safety standards.I strongly urge El Barrista Café to improve their training programs and hire more competent and customer-oriented individuals. It is essential for the establishment to prioritize customer safety and ensure that all staff members adhere to professional standards of conduct. I hope that this feedback will contribute to positive changes within the café and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Spacious cafe with many options for seating. Drinks were fresh and the barista was polite. Definitely a good environment to study or get some work done. I love the energy here, I will be back.

We had a large group gathering here and everything was amazing! The owner & staff were so warm and patient, and the coffee is really really good. Really great space too! Cant wait to return again!

Just good coffee, good food and very cozy place. Cant wait till open for dine in.

Barista is super nice. Had a hazelnut breve latte and the feta with spinach quiche, both were delicious! 🤤

This place is youthful and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. Theres game nights, karaoke and other fun activities. The cocktails are amazing 😍. They also have fresh pastries, quiche, avo toast and sandwiches. Plus frozen margaritas and beers. Come have a good time you wont regret it. This is a picture of the lavender matcha martini. Delightful and smooth 💚🍸🪻

Awesome place, love the coffee, the vibe and the pastries !! ❤❤ I had really good time with my friend this Saturday morning!! Thank you for your hospitality.

Food delicious / manager very polite with class.service was good

I LOVE EL BARRISTA. ☕ Ive been visiting this coffee shop at least 2-3 times a week for the past six months and Ive never been disappointed. All the staff are very friendly AND the owner is the kindest one Ive ever seen. Their coffee is nice, pastries are just amazing. Looking small from outside, they have a lot more seatings inside. Nice and cozy ambience, always kept clean. Good music and strong wifi. What more do we want?!?! This is sort of business we want to support. ❤️

Fresh. Tasty. Friendly. Cool coffee house!!!

Super nice local spot for the neighborhood with community events etc.

I came here to reunite with a friend who visits this cafe often. Emmanuel was so kind. I appreciated his juice recommendation. The hibiscus and ginger juice was delicious. I had my cat in a carrier with me when I visited on this hot day and Emmanuel put water in a bowl for my cat too. It’s a lovely place to be.

WOW!! El barrista caffee is great . The caffee is bold and strong. The great thing is you add your milk and sugar to your taste . Sarah and staff are always nice, friendly and eager to help . The ambius is always nice with music in the background . Music is not to loud ,its very pleasant and comfortable. The place got your usual suspects of donuts and other treats . So stop by and get your caffeine fix , OoooooooOH and try the monkey bread (WOW!) Delicious!!

Had a great iced chai latte and the owner barrista was so warm and welcoming! Definitely coming back here next time I’m on the area!

The pearl of Harlem. Very nice 😊

E’s House, one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while ❤️

This place is under new management. The owner and staff are very polite and organized. The coffee is always perfect. This Cafe is cozy and cute. ALWAYS clean. The vegan pastries are delicious.

The ambience of the spot is Kick back and chill from the music to the variety of seating both indoor and outdoor; the food is delicious the drinks are satisfying and you can tell that the owner cares about their spot. Today I had the Buddha of Harlem (egg, roasted pepper, avocado, arrugala, tomatoes and cheese on a toasted croissant) with a summer breeze to drink. Definitely be back again!

Only got the iced matcha latte and it was pretty good. A little pricey but youre paying for the good service and atmosphere. The barista was super nice and the inside has spaces to work

They bond with community and passers through very nicely. Its one of the more established artisanal mom and pops in East Harlem, and in these times, during this absurd pandemic, they are coming through like troopers for the people of East Harlem. They know what to do & how to do it well and everybody around here knows it. And it is also prudent not to underestimate their egg cheese & prosciutto sandwiches.☕👏😁

We loved the space and it was absolutely beautiful and tranquil. Wasnt able to give it five stars because the food menu is limited after a certain time so we were not able to eat there as planned.

Emmanuel was great, excellent customer service.

This is my favorite cafe. Its cozy, its serene, and its a space where you can get your work done. The owner is so personably and welcoming. The atmosphere is inviting and clean. The food options are good and I notice that the menu has been expanding. Highly recommend this cafe.

Love love this place , great food and coffee … the staff are very kind and helpful. Customer service on point. Is my 2nd time here and this will be my new spot , ill be coming back often. Thank you. :)

Excellent neighborhood spot, good vibes for dine in/hanging out/studying. Customer service and food are on point.

The A/C in the back room was too cold. The food and service were great. Good morning wrap and great coffee.

This is NOT good coffee. Bitter burnt and bad. Don’t know what beans they use but they need to change them. *addendum - since owner responded - my cup was full when I left as I got take away! - no shade - jus facts

Need a day where I can sit in there for happy hour staff is great I get stuff to go everything taste great

Omggg... the rum punch was Punching n I had this cheese Danish type thing , amazing n my cuz had the almond croissant...that was so good n fresh.

This is a hidden gem on the east side of Harlem (Spanish Harlem).Great food, great friendly service, very welcoming and warm environment.The lounge/work area is also a good vibe with good wifi lol!

Great vibe, loved the back room for space to chill.

Great service, great food, BUT expensive. Breakfast was a chai, fresh squeezed oj, and two sandwiches totaling $40+ dollars.

Boss wasnt there. Untrained. Didnt have supplies, sugar, napkins and other basic necessities to serve menu items. Burnt the milk. Easy to fix and would give 5 stars. Great vibe.

Great place for the atmosphere. It is a little oasis in a hectic area of NYC. Has sandwiches, wifi, vegan and vegetarian options, etc. I wish the food was a bit more locally sourced for the vibe of their location. But it has great customer service and yummy options. The latte was probably the best Ive ever had

Awesome atmosphere and the baked goods are so yummy.

Very friendly staff, delicious pastries, close to the 6 train, and such a spacious and quiet lounge area in the rear full of books and a flat screen... Ive came here a few times and go out of my way to do it.

Really good breakfast and awesome juice with pineapple and ginger. Loved it.

Great place to get some studying completed! The owner and staff were very accommodating.

The owner Emmanuel is super kind and was happy to recommend a coffee for me. A really cozy spot to enjoy a drink or snack and chat with a friend.

Awesome handmade pastries and bagels. Delicious coffee and tea options! We found this as a 15 minute walk from our Airbnb and thought we would try it out. So glad we did! We have gone back here twice so far and possibly again tomorrow! If your in the area worth a stop in. Only negative thing I have to say is it is extremely hot in there. But the food and drinks are worth the heat!

The staff is great and I love that they have outdoor seating. I like hanging out here when I’m doing laundry across the street :)

Upbeat, friendly service. Outstanding, delicious, and creative food. Delicious coffee and tea options. Comfortable place to eat alone or with friends. Highly recommend!

Fantastic spot in Spanish Harlem. The Morning Wrap and Ham Croissant sandwich is AMAZING. Great vibe, too.

I love this cafe, every time I come here I feel welcomed and greatly served. The Owner Emmanuel is amazing, I always get the croissant sandwiches and at times the pastries, I’m not a coffee person but Emmanuel always gives me great alternatives that I can drink, like the matcha iced latte with oat or almond milk and the freshly squeezed orange juice. You can definitely tell Emmanuel loves what he do.Very clean and cozy environment his staff are always great to me as well, it’s great for those who needs to study or do work, even a great place to catch up and eat with some friends. El barista also host great Events from time to time. Great spot to eat outside when the weather is nice too.Definitely one of favorite place to be at.❤️

Good coffee and nice atmosphere

I had a coffee and a wrap. No complaints here. Nice place to get some work done and have decent food. I will definitely be coming back.

Coffee was very good and so was breakfast sandwiches but for this area and over 12 bucks for both was very pricey. Hip interior and nice barrista

Amazing café, nice vibe, friendly people!

I personally don’t think their regular and almond croissants should be $5+ & $6+ if they are not freshly made the same day. The croissant looks like a Costco brand. The staff is always nice though.

Please, please come here in droves. One of the best coffee spots in the city. Phenomenal vibes and folk

Great place to eat, the coffee and bagel tasted amazing. Mr. Emanuel is very friendly I can’t ask for any better service.

The coffee is excellent! The staff was very friendly and gave us samples of their flavourful experimental crepes!

Staff was extremely friendly and the place looked very cute. Definitely going back to try their coffee and other sweets.

Great looking place, and very friendly staff that gives you a wonderful vibe to start your day!Ps. Coffee tastes AMAZING

Went in for an iced matcha and it took 23 minutes for them to ring me up because their system wasn’t working. They also don’t make the matcha correctly - they don’t whisk up the matcha and they just mix it straight with milk instead of dissolving it first then adding milk and ice. I asked them to remake it because the first time there was no matcha in the drink - it was literally just soy milk. The second time wasn’t any better so I just left. Also they didn’t have AC when I went so it’s blazing hot. Really nice people and I like the way the place looks but their pastries tasted stale and the drinks aren’t made well. Maybe it was just the barista I had today but not a good experience this time. Probably won’t go again.

Very comforting and relaxing cafe..

This place is great! Coffee and espresso really good, the quiche is awesome, but best of all - the staff is super friendly and nice! They really like what they do and they really want your business. No wonder this place is so popular among locals!

Smoothie was decent but if you want sandwiches its hit or miss depending on if the cook decides to show up or not on a given day

I can’t say enough good things about this place. The best drinks, the best food, the best atmosphere in East Harlem. It’s truly a gem. The owner and the employees are so sweet and learn your order very quickly when you’re a regular. Their drinks are so full of flavor and are the tastiest around! You really can’t beat the service. It’s truly the best!

I got a large iced latte with oatmilk and a bagel with cream cheese from here and somehow paid $15. I couldnt even tell what for because the receipt was printed on the wrong size paper and cut off all the prices🤦‍♀️ The coffee is good but holy moly that is expensive! The bagel was horrible, they only had whole wheat first of all, tasted like it came straight from the freezer, and I paid extra for cream cheese even though they put hardly any at all on the bagel!Coffees good but bagels are bad, and none of its really worth the crazy prices.

I just like the vibe!! The interior design/decor has so much character. And the food was very tasty.

One of a kind!

Cute coffee shop in East Harlem, with yummy pastries, delicious coffee and great service from friendly staff. Great for working or studying, as they have a nice back room with comfy chairs, a wall full of books and wi-fi. I would recommend bringing a light sweater if you get cold easily, as it got quite chilly while i was there; however, i overheard when the woman in the next table mentioned that she actually liked that it was cold in there, and not hot as her home. Its all about perspective! :)

Fantastic spot for coffee, remote work, hookah, happy hours, cant recommend it enough.

Great space, good coffee, awesome dessert and they have open mic and game nights!

Food is great. There are vegan options and the atmosphere is warm. Love it!!!

Great coffee! Very friendly staff! Great ambiance! A bit pricey though.

I honestly love the environment of this cafe and it’s always a great place to read a good book

This place is great! I love that we have a cozy and versatile spot in the neighborhood with good food and drinks (coffee during the day, happy hour in the evening). Will definitely be visiting more. The only very minor suggestion I have is that they find a way to heat up the back area a bit more. It’s cold back there in the winter! Folks didn’t even take their hats and coats off😂. That aside, I’m happy I went and will be back!

A hidden gem in Harlem, El Barrio. The owner is such a great guy and the service is excellent. The coffee and food are excellent. The place is as cozy as welcoming. Visit it, you will love it.

Great spot to meet friends, do work. Sandwich was yummy. Coffee delicious yet a bit pricey ($8.50 for a medium mocha with oat milk - more than I pay in Manhattan). Sobolo taste amazing like I’ve had in Ghana while a Peace Corps Volunteer. I will visit again.

They have amazing customer service and is such a sweet location the owner is super sweet

My fav coffee shop!! A great space with great food and great vibes.

Good coffee, well made custard filled Croissant, quiet chill atmosphere with ambient lighting, with scholarly decor.

Great sandwiches and coffee, chill space with great music. Outdoor seating also available.

Love the atmosphere... great place to come have coffee and work and relax.

Great place to drink dark roast or a strong cocktail, socialize, eat a light brunch/lunch, work, study or chill. Dedicated owner (and his family), diverse mix of customers from East Harlem and wider Harlem. Open till 6, 8 or 10 depending on day.Wifi can be weak - blame Spectrum.

Guava croissant, great coffee, and great staff

Really good banana & peanut frappe. I live on the Westside but I’m definitely coming back soon for more. 😚

This is a lovely place to hang out and/or work. It has great vibes and the entire staff is really friendly. Thank you!

Amazing experience here at el barista. Coffe was great, staff is very friendly and the inside looks great. Keep it up guys!

Wow my husband and I took a walk aimlessly and found this cozy wonderful spot. It was so cold we want to warm up with coffee, cappuccino and pastries. Croissant was delicious - fluffy and buttery. My husband had an El Barrista sandwich. It was equally delicious. We are already planning to come back for a breakfast 👏👏👏

Solid coffee and excellent pastries. very large space with workspace, outlets, wifi, couches, and some books. on the pricier side but worth it.

Amazing place. Loved the vibe and the best chai latte in the neighborhood. Def coming back

Really nice laid back place I forgot to leave a review last time I went. Yet Im on the way now and I cant wait.

Nice staff, good vibes, excellent pastries and coffee

Amazing food, great ambiance, friendly folks and a chill place for a hangout, date or to get some work done. Love everything about this place :-)

Sandwiches and salads so fresh and tasty, very good customer service, coffee is great , price too !!!!!

First time here. Off the bat, the atmosphere is nice, clean and a good place to talk, chill or do some work. They have card and board games. The workers are nice and friendly. I got a banana muffin to eat and it was alright. I would give it a 4/5. Drink wise, I got a banana peanut butter frappe and it was good. I would also give it a 4/5. I do not drink frappe/coffee often so I dont really know how to rate the prices for food or drinks here but I would come again.

Atmospheric cafe with fantastic coffee and friendly staff. Place is right by the Silberman School of Social Work. Perfect space with WIFI and lots of outlets, suitable for studying and getting some work done.

Best coffee shop in NYC!

This is my favorite cafe - the coffee and the food are great, everyone who works here is so kind, and the ambiance is cozy and perfect. It’s a great place to study/read/get some work done, and there’s enough outlets that you don’t have to ration the charge on your laptop while you work.

These guys run a tight ship! Great service from Emmanuel! Wow he made me feel welcome and attended to all my needs!I will keep coming back and supporting! East Harlem needs more businesses with this quality of service!

Food is way too overpriced, short staffed, and dirty! Don’t come here if you want good food and coffee!!!

The banana bread pudding was so delicious, dense and not overly sweet, just perfect. The Buddha of Harlem egg sandwich on a croissant was fresh and tasty with the pickles adding a little extra flavor. And then there is the atmosphere. They have such a great space with lovely artwork, a library area, and even have a cute childrens book (Puffy, by Kelechi Onyejiaka and Natasha Pollard, Illustrated by Ros Webb) for display and sale. Love this spot!

Such a great spot. Incredible service and the coffee is very good.

Very nice place, good vibe. Pastry are on top!

The lady serving was very friendly, the spacious interior was wonderfully cool and air conditioned on the very hot day we visited, and the drinks were delicious. They had oat milk to make the drinks vegan which is always appreciated.

Great find on my first night in New York!!! Service, coffee, space?! All amazing.

I just popped in here 5 mins ago and had the best coffee and donuts in YEARS. reminded me of underwest donuts r.i.p.

Great little hole in the wall. Love it Expensive but once in a while splurge.

Very nice cafe with good coffee and very hospitable barrista

Love this place. Not sure why people are complaining about the price. When they would pay much more for far less in places like Starbucks, etc. The food is great. This place is definitely worth coming to. The atmosphere is amazing and relaxing. Free wifi is always a plus!

Cold brew and breakfast sandwiches are delicious. Great spot!

2 stars for the nice interiors, service and decor. But if you’re looking for good coffee, look elsewhere. Very typical NY coffee shop.. they don’t have a real barista, just part time employees doing whatever. 6 bucks for a cappuccino and the milk was boiling. I bet if I asked them a couple of things of making coffee, they wouldn’t know the basics (yield, temp for the espresso versus milk, etc). Well, in a place where Starbucks is crowded all the time and is considered good coffee, I shouldn’t be surprised. Disappointed!

My to go spot when i want to work! Love this place!

We just helped our daughter move into an apartment in East Harlem and stumbled on this place. They have great ambiance and even better food and coffee! I really wanted a breakfast sandwich at 1:30 in the afternoon and they came through! We had a bagel sandwich, avocado toast with egg, and croissant sandwich as well as a hot latte and an iced latte. All excellent with excellent service. Thanks El Barrista! Now we have a go to coffee shop when we visit NYC😁

Love love love this place. It’s a great addition to East Harlem.Love their espresso martinis

Really great staff and nice location but lord I only got a dirty chai and a crossiant and that was like 20 bucks 🫠

This place is such a good Vibe! And TT was definitely the best, so kind and friendly.

I like the space, you can come have a sandwich and a coffee while checking your emails and writing some stuff.Do ask for the Nutella Cookies! Its the best cookie ever!!!

Cool cafe place, good coffee, very spacious and comfortable.

Finally, great Chai Latte!Avocado Toast- yuummii too!

Love this coffee shop and the staff is so friendly!!

Top notch all around. Baked goods and coffee are incredible..ask them about how everything is sourced. Great vibe at night too. Hidden gem in upper Manhattan.

Loved the atmosphere! The bartender guy was super friendly and made the visit worth coming back again. The place was a bit messy specially the bar area but overall its a nice place to stop for a cappuccino.

One of the best mochas I’ve ever had. The chocolate chip cookies are also amazing.

Food and coffee better than a Starbucks. Small biz and black owned and great for the neighborhood. Seating and back lounge area is quiet and cozy. Great to work on laptop. Only negative, the AC is on 1000, so always freezing.

Nice small place. Fresh squeezed juice was amazing.

This place is awesome! Not given enough credit, it”s very hidden with all the excitement on third avenue. If you are looking for an awesome ice cup of coffee please give the spot a chance! it’s been along time since I’ve had a cup of ice coffee that’s this damn good. Great prices , friendly staff, warm atmosphere kid friendly as well which is a super plus plus.

Discovered a super cute coffee cafe in East Harlem. The breakfast pastries are amazing. My personal favorite is the Babka with lemon custard; however, today tried the banana bread pudding, which was yummy! 😋 ☕️ 🥐 Add El Barrista Cafe to your list! Shout out to the super friendly team behind the counter! 😍

One of the best coffee shops in Harlem, maybe on the east side. Plenty of seating, very good vibes for working and studying. You should get a coffee here, its absolutely wonderful. Very nice book shelf.Support your local business!

I have held off on this review as long as possible, but it must be said: the coffee is not good, and they are always out of standard items on their own menu. I have visited on 4 separate occasions (all on a Saturday or Sunday morning), and each time I haven’t been able to order from the food menu - twice they were not making any breakfast sandwiches at all. Most recently, they were out of cold brew (rather odd for a coffee shop in the middle of summer), and both the regular coffee and espresso were extremely bitter. This was not a matter of taste; I drink black coffee all the time. The drinks tasted like the coffee must have been leftover from the day before or brewed incorrectly. Based on the incredibly sour coffee I had on another occasion, I’m inclined to think it was the latter. As I said, I’ve returned several times, hoping to give this place a chance. Unfortunately, this is just not going to be my go-to coffee shop.

Truly a great spot with consistently friendly staff and delicious espresso drinks. A great place to grab a bite to eat and catch up with a friend or to get some work done. Personally, I wish there were more options for different drip coffee roasts, but what they do have is delicious and always on point.

Very good food. Furnishings are very nice. Friendly staff. There is even German beer :)

My favorite place to spend the morning slowly drinking a latte while reading and listening to great music.

Good ambience. Great breakfast sandwich, very tasty. Coffee was sub par. They do not have cream. Flaky pastry was delicious. Very expensive gentified breakfast. I would go again just not anytime soon.

Neighborhood gem. Much needed.

I love this place. Great snacks and pastries, the decor is wonderful and theres a large seating area in the back. These features make the place inviting and theoretically, its a great cafe. What isnt so great is the pricing and wifi.To start, they are way overpriced. The pricing doesnt reflect the average income of the neighborhood. I paid around $14 for two cortados. To specify, a cortado is a double shot of espresso and a little bit of milk. Not even a full coffee. I noticed that their cookies are $4. My wife ended paying $6 for one bread pudding. I understand that inflation is rule of the land currently, but these prices are outrageously high. A nearby cafe has $2 cookies.The second issue mentioned is the internet. The only place that has decent internet is the barista counter with bar stools near the front. In the back area with the most seating, its impossible to get good internet. I once moved around everywhere in the back and couldnt get signal. If the seating is occupied in the front, then working here is pointless if you need to access internet. I would suggest installing a wireless extender so patrons can use the space for remote work.I would suggest fixing these two issues. For pricing, maybe do some competitive analysis against other cafes in the area and price your items accordingly. For wifi issues, thats an easy fix. A wireless router extender can be purchased anywhere from $20-$150. This is a relatively cheap solution for piece of mind that you wont be driving customers away.

Really delicious sandwiches. The banana bread was delicious. Relaxing atmosphere. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday!!.Emmanuel was at the counter. The perfect host. He may be the owner? My coworker and I had a relaxing time.

Stopped in while heading uptown and got an Americano with oat milk - was really great - barista was really friendly too.Nice atmosphere inside to chill and talk with a friend or laptop it.

I gave it five stars because the employee was very pleasant. The coffee couldve been a lot better for the cost. Also the atmosphere is comfortable.

Super chill spot in Harlem

Bummer sandwiches werent being made today. However, the shop itself was relaxing and very comfortable AC wise. Do being a sweater for the back room. Barista was pleasant. Red eye was ok.

I wish they close more late.Its very Cozy

Amazing food and service coming back many times

Really good coffee and friendly service! The interior is spacious and beautiful, there is also outdoor seating. Will definitely be back

This place was desperately needed in the area. Large space to do work or connect with others, delicious coffee and food, wonderfully kind staff, and general cool vibes. This will definitely be my new study spot.

Greeted with an ice cold sample of lemonade. Amazing vibes, delicious coffee and great attitude by staff. Will def by back! And it’s black owned ✊🏽

Had a very nice decaf cappuccino. Espresso is strong! Good atmosphere.

I found a little gem in East Harlem. Very friendly staff and owner, great working environment and great espresso: just right for my taste, not too sour, not too bitter, just smooth.The decor was very tastefully thought-through. Its more spacious than it looks - check out the back room.

A fantastic place and staff and very much needed in the area.

Nice place, good staff. A lot of options of cold and hot coffee, food seemed nice too. I had a cold cappuccino with almond milk and didnt like the coffee.

Great place! Delicious coffee and pastries. Friendly staff. I had a chocolate croissant and a spinach quiche. Social distance is possible.