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71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
71 Irving Pl(between 18th St & 19th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighborhoods: Gramercy, Flatiron
(212) 995-5252
- Nearest Transit:
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14 St - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
23 St (4, 6, 6X)
14 St - Union Sq (4, 5, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
238 reviews for 71 Irving Place Coffee & Tea Bar
Review Highlights
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"10 Stars for the Sinful Delight Iced Coffee." In 8 reviews -
"fews blocks away from busy Union Square." In 17 reviews -
"Still love the baked goods and coffee." In 17 reviews
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238 reviews in English
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Review from Nina L.
5/24/2012
Although a tad overpriced, Irving Place coffee fits perfectly with the charm of the neighborhood and knows how to deliver a mean cup of coffee.
I came in with a friend who frequents here and ordered a big smokey panino, a small hot chocolate and a salted chocolate chip cookie. As noted by some others, apparently the baked goods come from Balthazar Bakery and subsequently the cookie was out of this world tasty. I would recommend any baked goods or breads sold out of Irving; the smokey panino was particularly delicious because of how great the bread was. The hot chocolate was nothing special, I'd certainly skip it and stick with a cup of coffee, it did come lukewarm which didn't help it's cause.
Overall, worth a shot once to see if it's your type of coffee shop atmosphere. It's certainly a good fit if you enjoy some eats with your mud. -
Review from Jess C.
Manhattan, NY
4/25/2012
I used to come here every day i.e. 4-5 times a week but the service is getting ridiculous. Yelp reviewer Marlene M described it perfectly, but yeah, I understand if the curly haired blonde/brunette girl is having one bad day - everyone has those - but every day? It makes me sad to think she's ALWAYS in a nasty mood and has to take it out on her customers. (She needs to find some love!)
And honestly, the coffee isn't that good that I can tolerate my change being thrown at me EVERY time, thanks. -
Review from Unzip F.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 3/21/2012
I see I am not the only person who has recently returned to give an updated, negative review. Address this downward trend in your ratings, Irving Place!
This afternoon, I received the worst customer service imaginable from a surly counter crew. The cashier was the most unfriendly hospitality employee I have ever run into in New York (a superlative that could certainly win her some sort of award). For purposes of description, she was a 40ish, heavyset gal with curly brunette hair who chatted with her friends about being from Portland.
This woman shouted and rolled her eyes at customers, berated them for being "slow," picked at her hair and skin while she poured drinks, and seemed entirely under-qualified for the pace and pressure of working in a busy coffee shop. At one point, she stopped the line (of 8+ customers) so she could count down her drawer.
My friend were immediately put off by the cashier, but decided to stick around to watch other customers deal with her antics. Other things that happened while we were there:
- the iced coffee was incredibly sour, and we were told "ooops, that batch is really old."
- another customer berated my friend for taking too long in the bathroom of "his coffee shop."
No thanks, Irving Place.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2011
The atmosphere here is very apartment-like. It is a long, narrow room with cafe tables and a single… Read more »
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Review from Renee E.
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Met a girlfriend for coffee before exploring the city. As I walked past the packed-to-the- rafters restaurant next door on a lovely, sunny Sunday morning, I was worried 71 Irving would be equally crowded. Alas, it wasn't and I was able to sit down and enjoy my coffee before my friend arrived. The guy behind the counter was really nice, the coffee was good and the baked goodies behind the case looked scrumptious. If I lived in NY, I imagine 71 Irving would be my neighborhood go-to coffee joint.
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Review from Gazawia G.
Manhattan, NY
5/13/2012
This is probably the coffee shop I visit the most (on my travel route between home and school). The coffee is pretty good; the pastries are hit-or-miss; the place is often PACKED and very dark. I'm glad the place exists, but i wish it didn't feel like a dungeon.
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Review from Abby B.
East Meadow, NY
Updated - 3/14/2012
What happened, 71? Each time I've been here recently, the service has been ruder than the last.
On one occasion my friend's order came out wrong and the prep staff insisted it wasn't hers. After waiting 15 minutes with her correct order nowhere in sight and with no one claiming the order that "wasn't hers", they finally conceded to prepare her original order.
This weekend a friend asked what kind (veggie, scallion, etc.) of cream cheese they had to offer and the counterperson hissed, "I don't know what brand!". First of all, eeew. Second of all, that wasn't the question. Third of all, If someone really wanted to know what brand of cream cheese you use, I'm pretty sure that finding out wouldn't be the equivalent of scaling Mt. Kilamanjaro!
To add injury to insult, some of us received a stingy amount of cream cheese/some way too much, they charged $1.40 for a couple of slices of fresh tomato, and the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies were stale.
I'm really over this place; they can keep the 'ttude.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2010
This is the kind of authentic place that some folks pretend they're at while wiling away the hours… Read more »
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Review from Lee M.
3/19/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I'm somwhat torn over 71 Iriving. I like the space - a couple of steps down from the street. I haven't gone there when it hasn't been crowded but I never felt that the space was too loud.
For a coffee roaster, I expect more, like when the coffee was roasted.
I've ordered pourovers each time I visited. Hit and miss with the coffee, IMHO. Sometimes spot on and sometimes too strong. I'm not sure that I would say that the service is rude, as other reviewers have mentioned, but I would say the baristas are not overly friendly or helpful with choosing a coffee.
With that being said, it's a nice place to have a cup of coffee. -
Review from Jessica M.
Astoria, Queens, NY
2/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
No more sinful delight!
That was really the only thing I liked about this place, and when I went to a few days ago to satisfy my craving for the slightly-hazelnut-tinged iced coffee that they're famous for, they told me they are "phasing out" the flavored coffees. Ummm...what?! That's the only good thing about this place!
The barista then told me that they are phasing them out because they had some weird chemicals in them that aren't good for you...cool. Good to know. Glad they aren't selling poison anymore...? Then he said that they take a lot of extra space to make, and they'd have to use a whole different factory or something, so it was costing them too much. Hmm.
Anyway, I've never liked anything here, including the atmosphere (stuffy, crowded, not welcoming), but I did come back over and over for that Sinful Delight. Now that they don't have it, I don't have a reason to return. -
Review from Jamie K.
Brooklyn, NY
2/20/2012
My tiny overpriced coffee was lukewarm + no wireless (wtf).
Also, one time I got a tuna sandwich here for like nine dollars and it sucked. -
Review from Sam W.
ASTORIA, NY
5/4/2012
I'm torn because I love the lox deluxe here so I'll probably keep coming back...call it a Soup Nazi Complex...the curly-haired barista always frowns at me no matter how polite I am and this morning she virtually threw my credit card at me. I assumed this was her general demeanor (and I know I'm not the only one because of the other complaints on here), but when I looked back over at her while waiting for my order she was grinning from ear to ear at a few customers in a row. I guess she doesn't like my unhip face. Given the many positive reviews on here I guess she's only nice to the fashionable.
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Review from candice l.
New York, NY
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
So I came here last year for the first time and immediately fell in love... The beans they use are so spot on- fresh, smooth and just vibrant. But the more I came here to enjoy the delicious drinks and desserts/treats they have, the more I hated it. The cafe is always LOUD. And I couldn't handle the incredibly steep price tag any longer for a cafe experience that was so bland. So I stopped going and supported other coffee places instead.
UNTIL I went last week out of the blue and ordered a soy latte + croissant (5$ minimum for credit/debit). I had it in the cafe because it wasn't too crowded and WOW- my taste buds were blown away. I forgot how smooth the taste was, and how perfect my drink was made. Even my croissant was so BOMB with a slight hint of butter. So anyways, I realized that even though the drinks here are pricey and the people that crowd here are unnecessarily loud + dramatic, it's worth it for a deliciously made drink. -
Review from Amanda G.
Manhattan, NY
3/9/2012
I love this place. They have really great coffee in the cafe desert that Gramercy Park appears to be. This (or City Bakery) is where we get brunch on low-key weekend days when we don't feel like chefing it up or hopping in a taxi or playing the waiting game for a brunch spot that's in vogue.
The coffee is just really good. I don't order anything but black coffee, so I can tell when coffee is lackluster. The coffee comes very hot, it has complexity, you can taste that yummy good coffee strength and you get the texture of it as well. I half expect to see the coffee grit (the coffee fines) at the bottom of my cup when I'm done. I never have, I suppose not everybody is as enamored with fines as I am!
I'm not a sweet things in the morning person, but the bagels they have are a quite sufficient alternative. I had my first California bagel here, and that's the only thing I've ordered since. I also tried the quiche, which was unimpressive, but I also don't like pre-made quiche very much, so don't judge based on my dislikes!
I've had bites of most of the dessert breakfast options via my boyfriend's order; scones, muffins, croissants, etc. They were all tasty but they didn't make my socks fly off!
The staff has never been anything but courteous to me.
This is a very nice little neighborhood coffee shop (yes, I know it's a chain). -
Review from Grace C.
1/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great service. AMAZING coffee. Ample seating. Good variety of drinks. I love to bring good friends here to catch up. I love it even more to go by myself to people watch, get work done, and even read. My only thing is the noise level at this place during after-work hours (5-8pm). I don't mind getting work done when there's chatter and background noise, but it's a bit too much.
From 9-10pm on weekdays it's nice. Saturday mornings are alright too. -
Review from Kate A.
Manhattan, NY
2/1/2012
A friend turned me on to this cozy place last year, and I've been coming ever since! Perfect place to sit back and relax, enjoy some coffee and a croissant and unwind. I've also spent many an afternoon typing up papers and getting work done in between people watching.
It can get a bit cramped and loud after work/school gets out...so be prepared to stand and enjoy your drinks from time to time. I like to get there early on weekend mornings. And if coffee isn't quite your thing, their hot chocolate is great too! -
Review from Nelson W.
10/11/2011 9 Check-ins Here
This is not a review. It is an opportunity for me to sing the praises of my favorite coffee place.
It is difficult for me to write about 71 Irving for I selfishly want to keep this hidden gem all to myself...and to the rest of the 200+ Yelp reviewers. All over the city, there is no other coffee spot that oozes comfort and ambiance as this quaint little place near by Union Square. Instead of crowding into the likes of Starbucks and Pret a Manger for a cup of coffee/tea and croissant, I rather come here and wait for a seat here. Once you sit down, you might be there for hours (maybe to the chagrin of others waiting for a table).
The sandwiches and pastries are delicious even if they are a bit on the pricey side. The coffee is flavorful, and it does an adequate job of satisfying most cravings. That being said, the allure of 71 Irving is not the food or coffee. It is about the luxury of being able to sit in the cozy confines of a place that allows one to relax after a stressful day of work without being disturbed. Distractions are kept to a minimum as most patrons are mindful and considerate of each other's personal space. It is truly an ideal place to sip coffee and read the papers on a quiet Sunday morning/afternoon.Listed in: Just Coffee
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Review from Pete J.
2/13/2012
This place has soul. Unpretentious, take it or leave it, an attitude of "we have great stuff here, what do you want?" I love it. There is a great feel to the place. Not only is the espresso superb, but there are lots of good cookies, pastries, croissants. The seating is tight, but people are ok here. Imagine Starbucks, and do a 180 degree from Starbucks, and you have 71 Irving Place. Sooo good. Even the lentil soup was superb. Great, great feel. I was sad to have to return to Milwaukee.
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Review from Nancy N.
New York, NY
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really enjoy stopping by here for coffee! (When they aren't packed)
Recently, I stopped by on a weekday around 2 pm and there was room for me to get a small 2-seat table by myself & I waited in line only about 2-3 minutes.
I got a large coffee with a green tea cookie - the coffee was very good and the cookie was moist, large, and yummy! (It might be a tiny bit overpriced - but I didn't really mind for coffee/cookie, however the other food items were WAY overpriced)
I love the ambience of Irving Place and really can relax here and enjoy my coffee! One of my fav places in the city to sit and enjoy my coffee.
However, I've walked by at least 3 other times and there was a line out the door. Which was disappointing and a little annoying.
So if you time it right - it's a very nice place to have your coffee/tea. -
Review from Kathryn Y.
New York, NY
10/26/2011
I love this place when it's not crowded because it's cozy and dark and the coffee is perfectly strong, but not too bitter. It's one of my go-to evening cafes if I'm meeting someone to catch up and have conversation because there's something very comfortable about the place and it's busy enough that everyone is wrapped up in their own conversations. The service has always been friendly and quick to make your drinks, which is a plus.
On the down side, 50% of the time I stop by here, I have to walk straight back out. It's so crowded that there are no tables left to sit at(the place is small and crammed with a bunch of 2 seaters). They also don't have wifi, which sucks but may be understandable since they're so busy. If they had wifi, people would camp out at those tables longer than they already do and you'd actually never be able to get a seat! -
Review from Christian R.
Woodside, Queens, NY
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Downstairs at 71 Irving you'll find a hive of swarming young filmmakers- the annoying NYU kind. The warmth is comforting although there has been a seat scarcity during each of my visits- the crowds and cramped set up can get irritating fast. I'm a fan of Irving Farms Coffee nonetheless- do yourself a favor and buy it in bulk from The City Bakery around the corner because it's mad expensive here. I settled for a small tea and textured but dense peanut butter cookie- for a little over $5. I could do without punk blasting over the speakers or the plaid wearing crowd.
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Review from Antonia D.
New York, NY
10/8/2011
This place is adorable. A rare gem in the bustling Union Square area, this place truly serves quality coffee. One sip of their cappuccino and you'll want another one before you've finished it, one bite of their peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and you'll swear you've just died and gone to heaven.
Aside from their incredible pastries and coffee, they offer tea, wine, salads, and sandwiches.
Because of its proximity to NYU, this place is often packed with students working on their laptops, so depending on what time of day/night it is it may be hard to find a seat. That being said, it's a great place to get work done or read a book- cozy, warm, nicely lit. -
Review from Ben G.
Sharon, MA
7/25/2011
I really like this place. The coffee is good, but I don't drink a lot of coffee, so I may not be the best judge. My favorite thing here is their Chai tea, which is excellent and just a little bit spicy, which is how it should be. Also, service is very fast. I usually have my drink in hand before I finish paying.
It's usually a bit crowded to sit down, but it's great for grabbing something on your way to work. -
Review from Amal D.
5/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty cool place. Met a friend here randomly on a Wednesday afternoon. It's a very small cafe and the crowd is very mixed. An overall very welcoming atmosphere and delicious baked goods. We both ordered a glass of merlot and it was very cheap tasting. We weren't surprised though, it was a tiny cafe after all.
Staff was friendly, crowd was pleasant and the cafe was very quaint. Chill place to go if you're in the area. It does get pretty packed here very quickly so make sure you put your coat or whatever at your table so no one takes your seat. -
Review from Melinda M.
Manhattan, NY
2/3/2012
I visited this place for the first time today and I really like the atmosphere. This is a true cafe for you coffee connoisseurs. Lively, genuine, and friendly. The only concern you may have is scoring a table!
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Review from Chandra F.
New York, NY
7/13/2011 10 Check-ins Here
This place is usually always crowed, but i always manage to grab a seat.
It has some of the best coffee, and the most yummy lemon green tea cookies. A good place to go writing or studying. Come in the after noon, about 4 and you'll get a nice low crowd situation.
One of my favorite spots in the city. -
Review from Brian L.
New York, NY
9/12/2011
My absolute go to cafe for a cup of Joe or simply grabbing a table to catch up with friends, or readings. I've been here quite often that I would believe to be considered as a regular. But it always appears to be crowded no matter the time, whether it is in the afternoon, early evening, or into the later hours.
Service is very efficient. The lighting is dim, but it gives off a cooling atmosphere to go along with its wooden and traditional appeal. -
Review from Dave H.
Updated - 2/12/2011 10 photos
Still a dependable standby, though it's gotten way too popular for its own good. Seating is a rare commodity. Get here early. Or something. Computer use is still not permitted during busy hours, but they didn't yell at me for using my BlackBerry.
Wicked fast coffee preparation, but then again, I drink the stuff black.
Their bagel lox and cream cheese ($7.25) is tasty and comes with a liberal amount of salmon, and it's always easy to make friends with cinnamon raisin bagels.Listed in: NYC Favorites, Coffee and Tea, in NYC
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2009
The Irving Place Coffee and Tea Bar is a gem.
This cozy spot has a positive vibe, smelling of… Read more »
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Review from Erez H.
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY
1/17/2012
Its a great place. Good snacks, coffee, and cider.
It does suffer from being a bit too well known. There was enough turnover to get a table quickly but it's very loud for a small coffee place. -
Review from elaine l.
4/19/2011 65 Check-ins Here
I used to want to be one of the people sitting at a table on a weekday morning while others are standing in line to grab coffee and go. I wanted to be that person who's having an early coffee meeting or just reading a book. (minus the book).
I was always the one getting the same medium black coffee to go and sometimes the whole wheat bagel with cream cheese (tastes best toasted) if i had 5 extra minutes to spare. They're quick with the coffee usually. The brew changes often, so you'll be having a different coffee almost every week.
It's a good overall coffeeshop with really good bagels and decent coffee (strong, not watery, good flavor).
They have a decent amount of seating, but still hard to grab a seat over the weekend. -
Review from Meg H.
Manhattan, NY
8/16/2011
Recently placed a very simple order here for approximately 4 sandwiches for a business lunch for my company. Upon arrival to pick up the order, the manager or woman who took my order yells "Oh Shit I forgot about your order!" Keep in mind I called the day before to confirm the order would be ready by a specific time for this business meeting and I was told that they would be yet when I arrived that was the response I got.
Because my order was not ready, the sandwiches I ordered were thrown together very, very sloppily to the point that when I removed them from the packaging, not only were they not cut completely, but they fell apart with most of the ingredients falling out and ending up all over the guests' fingers. To be honest these sandwiches looked like something a 4-year old put together and for over $70? You have got to be kidding. Will not frequent this place again- way overpriced and unprofessional. -
Review from Diana Y.
12/7/2011 6 Check-ins Here
this coffee joint is the place to be. the problem is that too many people like it.
pros:
+workers are nice
+decent cup of joe
+location
cons:
-not a good place to study
-too crowded/lots of people in your personal space [if that's important to u]
-not a good place for post-date coffee -
Review from Emma L.
10/1/2011
Great neighborhood-y coffee. If only they had a starbucks iphone app, the circle would be complete.
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Review from Isabel L.
2/10/2011 4 Check-ins Here
For study/laptop heads, this place is so cute that it will set u the mood for a lazy saturday.
I love how it has that cozy farmhouse kitchen vibe with everything wood ( from tables to chairs to ceilings.
Staff seem really sweet and and down to earth. They seem to be a lot less snooty then the cashiers or baristas at think coffee or Mud.
Now on to the coffee. Yelpers were right. I'm not that picky w coffee but they are close to Starbucks at best, which is not very good. I do recommend the soy lattes as it tastes a hell lot better than their regular lattes.
they also have a galore of desserts. I tried the cranberry banana bread it was good.
But overall I'm a fan. This is a local neighborhood spot for me so i'll be coming back alot !! -
Review from Holly M.
New York, NY
1/3/2012
There are few places in the city that blend a comfy cafe vibe with adequate space, a volume level that isn't so loud you can't hear your name called when your coffee is ready (which is also a big + as their coffee is very good) and yet isn't too quite that your typing on your keyboard makes you self-conscious, good background music, and that feeling that you don't have to leave the minute you finish your croissant. Wish they had WiFi but c'est la vie. If you're in the area go see for yourself. You already know what the Starbucks will be like...
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Review from Joe M.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2011
If you care how your tea is brewed, you may need to tell the counter staff how you like it. I ordered a very strong black tea. I was asked if I liked milk. In a minute I was handed a mug in which the tea bag and milk were already in the water. Black tea brewing basics (e.g Assam, or the ubiquitous English Breakfast) - BOILING water should be added to the loose leaf tea, or tea bag in a covered vessel, and left to steep for 4-5 minutes. Milk should be added only after the steeping period. Adding milk prior, affects the steeping process. It's good they use Harney and Sons tea, but at the price it should be loose leaf tea, and the staff needs to be trained on tea preparation
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Review from Jessica J.
New York, NY
12/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Pumpkin Lattes are back. There is a good amount of seating at this location. They also have a decent selection of treats at this location. They feature some of the pastry items, from The Balthazar Bakery (Nice), Pies and Thighs (Nice) and it looks like their cupcakes are fro Crumbs (yuck). I tried an almond croissant, it was good, but I'm sure it was not fresh. I prefer the barista's from the 7th Ave location. On
7th Ave, they all seem genuine and very sweet. Not exactly the case, at this location. -
Review from Kevin H.
Cabin John, MD
12/17/2011
Best latte ever! I watched as they examined and then remade my latte twice after the first shot of espresso didn't meet their self-imposed standards. The end result was simply perfection!
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Review from Alyvia M.
4/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sinful delight was a bit toasted and coconut-like, but a definite treat! The place couldn't be more adorable and warm. Their sandwich list looked scrumptious.
I think I may have found my new favorite coffee shop in the hood. -
Review from Shiri Y.
Manhattan, NY
10/16/2011
Great place, one of the best coffees I've had in the city. As for the food, I've only had a panini (great) and a pumpkin donut (amazing). Really nice place to sit, but no wi-fi which is downer
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Review from Leonard J.
New York, NY
12/9/2011
A little pricey, but absolutely worth it for the vibe. Quiet, warm, and dark coffee spot with consistently excellent coffee no matter how you take it. Want to spend all day clicking away on your laptop, there's a Starbucks a few blocks away. Want a quiet spot to chill or catch up with a friend, then this its the place for you.
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Review from Marc B.
Sunnyside, NY
2/9/2011
Going to Baruch college a few blocks north of this is tough. I need a coffee more than anything else in between classes, and when I'm in the city, I stay away from Starbucks if I can avoid it (mediocre coffee, ridiculous lines). If theres no other option, I usually go the way of the 'bucks.
Lo and behold, yesterday while taking a walk around the neighborhood, I ran into 71 Irving. Oh my goodness, i thought, an independently run coffee shop right next to my school! Of course I tried it.
I had a small Red Eye, which was excellently made, with just the right amount of bite to it, and that provided a much needed kick to my day. I will update this as I try more drinks (this will definitely be a daily spot).
What really makes this place (as with most independent coffee shops, such as Gray Dog around NYU, and Atlas Cafe in Williamsburg) is the atmosphere. Educated people, enjoying a cup of excellently made coffee or tea, in a beautiful location. What struck me most about this place is that it really looked like some old lounge from 19th century New York. They kept all the architectural elements of the Gramercy/Irving Place area, and that's what makes the place most amazing.
So, in summation, thanks, 71 Irving. I'll be back. A lot.
