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Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Flatiron, Gramercy23rd St-Park Ave S (6)
Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
Mon-Wed. 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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Definitely one of the most quaint escapes of NYC, as anticipated from an Irving Place venue, providing a relaxing atmosphere to read or catch up with a long time friend.
But the waffles weren't anything spectacular, and the quiche was not made fresh (poorly microwaved as well since parts of it wasn't warm). A slight premium on the foods, not worth paying for, money better spent on the drinks.
meh.
There actually is no wifi offered from 71 Irving, despite there being a locked access point named "71 Irving Place" - its actually the folks who live upstairs. You can snatch wifi from some schmuck that didnt password protect their interwebz, though how long this lasts, I dont know.
71 offers good value and a large number of seats, though many of the tables are sized for one.
It just doesnt seem inviting & welcoming like Mojo. It seems more like a sitting room, with a runner, multiple mirrors & faux-fireplace. Wont prevent me from camping here for a few more hours though.
This place is packed and can get a bit cramped. I had their hot chocolate and then stayed to do some work on my laptop. I gave them the 3rd star for having plenty of electrical outlets and being able to hang out for a long time without question. This place is basically a hang out joint.
If you got work to do and can handle the noise, this is a great place to hang out. Next time I want to try more of their foods, like their sandwiches, that looked tasty.
Ambiance is perfect for those of us who crave-or need-a constant blend of music, human voices and random kitchen noises to concentrate on work,studies, writing, etc.
The espresso is good quality and the pastres and such are very tasty as well. The service is so-so and the counter-girl with the heart tattoo's on her right shoulder was less than pleasant.
Crowded and bustling - its a nice place to hang out for coffee. Had their fauxtess cake which was sweet & rich :D
I love Irving Place - its so quaint and cute.
This is totally Felicity's coffee shop, and it's expensive as hell, AND the staff is invariably grouchy.
However, they have OK coffee and decent pastries.
What I really like is that it's a nice distraction to walk here from the office and one can not deny that the decor is awesome. It's about the coolest place in the area to enjoy a hot drink on a cold day. However, in the summer, it can get a bit warm (cheapo air conditioning).
I'm also a huge fan of the salads and sandwiches. They do a great job with any of the freshly prepared food. The stuff behind the glass is another story: I once had a quiche that turned me off to the dish. Having been burned, I'll now only get quiche on a recommendation. It was a cruel thing that happened to me, but I can forgive.
Don't get the cookies unless they're fresh. They have much better chocolate chip cookies next door at Friend of a Farmer. Just walk in and buy one. At $2.50, they are also cheaper.
I remember getting coffee from the old location near the corner of 16th and Irving - it was a bit of the East Village creeping into Gramercy - all good. The coffee was excellent, the feel was bohemian (think Cafe Pick-Me-Up) and the price was right. Three blocks north and it's a different animal.
To their credit, 71 Irving is a warm, inviting and comfortable cafe on one of my favorite streets in New York. Sunk down a couple of steps and set back slightly the vibe is relaxed and the wood floors sooth that much more. Since I am mostly a take out kind of guy for my coffee and nibble this experience is short lived for me but you can tell the clientele is well-healed and not very East Village at all.
What I get is probably the most expensive take out coffee in the neighborhood (my 12 oz. cup was $2.25 today). Muffins, scones and the like are very tasty the handful of times I've purchased but those are all in the $3.50-$4.00 range and the servings are medium to small in size. It's fine once in a while but I couldn't make this my daily breakfast spot - at least not without a guilty conscience*. The payout just doesn't equal the return.
*If you are well-healed then this probably isn't a concern of yours.
I'd like to give this place 4 stars but it would ruin my curve and I can't give it 3.5, so 3 it is.
Irving Place Coffee made me my new favorite sandwich, my comfort food when I am away from the comforts of my home: tomato and cheese panino. Sigh. It's not a complicated concept and I'm sure other places could make it just as well as Irving does, but they don't make it so I love Irving for it. I come here mostly for this sandwich and though good quality coffee is very important to me, that seems secondary and in the shadow of my panino.
The coffee IS very good...good enough to have without the sandwich. They have a really awesome selection of pastries and sweets which look great and quite a varied menu. That varied menu may be the cause of my one complaint about this place: slow service. When I have been there I have usually seen someone at the register and the barista; it might be too much work for just the two of them. All the food is made in the kitchen and it seems to take a while; it's not frighteningly slow but noticeable.
Perhaps it is its proximity to NYU but this place is always crowded and the rule about no laptops on weekends is not enforced. Finding a seat usually involves moving piles of books and climbing over artfully arranged chair piles. The layout of the space is not designed to manage the crowds that inhabit it. I think that the busyness of all these cafes is evidence that we need more cafes like these in NYC.
3.5 stars.
Based on a first visit? Good sized tables, good music, good coffee. Kind of a loud buzz of other customers' conversation - in a good way. On a gorgeous street hop skip away from Union Sq. Will probably be back shortly.
This is a really cool little coffee house. The coffee drinks are excellent and it is worth coming here for lunch as they have a ton of good salads and sandwiches on their menu. They make the sandwiches to order and there are also huge amounts of baked goods too with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. This place can get packed even in the middle of the day during the week so it may be a wait for your food and coffee to arrive. The tables are packed in tight and there is no wi-fi but this is way better than a Starbucks shop.
I'm totally obsessed with this place. It's on my favorite street (Irving, duh) and it's really cozy. The food is delicious, particularly the dessert. They order from an amazing company that has the best cupcakes and cakes ever. Their blackout cake is to die for. Their brownies are fudgey and perfection. And their cupcakes.. well, there was licking of the wrapper involved.
They also have a great selection of coffees, teas, and juices. Lots of people come here to study and it's a pretty hidden gem in the busy city. I used to come here to change for job interviews since it's so discreet.
Wow, 7 of us headed over with very little hopes of finding a table but the place was 80% empty.
We grabbed some tables and chairs and ordered a variety of iced and hot coffees and desserts. I will say that everything was good. The best part of it was that they had simple syrup for the iced coffee, which is rare to find.
We all enjoyed the dessert and the ecclectic collection of music ranging from depeche mode to rap to heavy metal.
Can't wait to go back.
Really enjoy going to 71 Irving Place whenever I'm in NYC. Coffee is good, and the vegan desserts are delectable. Great place to enjoy a cup of joe and after dinner conversation.
***10 Stars for the Sinful Delight Iced Coffee!***
It really was spectacular. "Sinful Delight" is a hand-blended signature coffee at 71 Irving, and it has flavors of dark chocolate and a hint of hazelnut. The coffee was sooooo good....not bitter at all. They asked if I wanted milk in it, and I replied that I'd add my own cream. When the iced coffee was ready, they handed me the creamer to do it myself. Perfect.
I only tried the coffee there...but I strongly recommend an iced Sinful Delight in the summer. 's Wonderful.
If I lived in Manhattan, this would be my home away from home. The coffee is among the best. The atmosphere is exactly perfect for a coffee house including a great mix of good music. A wide selection of food from oatmeal to quiche to sandwiches are served all hours.
What is wrong with 71 Irving Place? Nothing I can think of, frankly, though it would be nice if the rest of you would stop coming so often that getting a table is an effort! But then that would defeat one of the charms: the crowd is as fascinating as one can hope for in this city. All types. All ages. And for those of us who like hot men, well, you'll be more than pleased.
Best of all, laptop users, they don't make you feel unwelcome. None of those rules posted that give the impression you and your laptop aren't really wanted here. Just keep spending money and I'm sure they'll keep smiling at you. OK, maybe that is a tad bit silly because people rarely smile at you in this city for no obvious reason, but you get my point.
Located a few blocks north of Union Square, this cafe is situated in the perfect location. Despite it's close proximity to tourist central, you won't find many people in here that are of the out-of-town type. This place looks like a miniature house and walking down the few steps to get to the into the cafe grants one with an out of the way 'snug and warm' feeling. Although at times it can be extremely crowded, this is such a cute place to have your afternoon or evening latte. Even better...with a small group of friends as this is a great place for conversation. The espresso is great, but even better than the taste of their drinks and the gorgeous pastries, is the ambiance of the cafe. I have yet to be in a more comfy setting. The decor and the small size, in addition to the staircase the leads to nowhere, make you feel as if you're at a good friends home sitting by a crackling fireplace. Also, if the weather is nice, grab one of their two outdoor tables that offer a great street view! This place is a charm indeed in the busy city!
**Addition** I went here last weekend with my boyfriend and since we had overloaded ourselves on espresso throughout the day, we decided to get chai...he got hot, I got iced....HORRIFIC!! It's called 'homemade' chai but should be replaced with MEXICAN SPICY PEPPER CHAI! It was horrible...I had to take it back up it made my stomach hurt...the lady behind the counter was like, "Yeah it's really spicy...we put cayenne pepper in it" WHAT!!? I definitely think they should let you know that it's spicy...this is not normal chai :) Everything else was good tho!! :)
I'd go to 4.5 Stars on this one. Coffee, espresso, Bagels, Waffles, Cup Cakes are all excellent. I love that they also offer a few wine and beer selections. Service is friendly and affable. Great location right near Gramercy Park. Worth stopping by if you're in the neighborhood.
I only had a sparking water here (Saratoga Springs, if you need to know) and it was as good as sparking water usually is. But good God the other customers were hot.
I'm impressed. I went late one night as they were closing up and it was pretty empty. It's usually hopping which i think is a detraction. My friend tried to convince me that it's called 71 irving because they use 71 beans in their blend, I think he's wrong and it's because of the shop's address. Their website is really educational. The baked goods look awesome, but i can only vouch for the chewy chocolate chip cookie-great! I'll stick to my EV coffee shops, but if ever in the Gramercy hood, this is your best option.
is there anything more unlucky than tapping a dead black cat, lying on the sidewalk on the way to a cafe on your lunch break, with your shoe to make sure it's really a dead black cat?
i never have much luck when i come here, for some reason. but i come here a lot.
some things overheard while i am here today:
a girl and her chubby friend singing chanukah's songs.
two guys making fun of Gerri from The Facts Of Life. they're impersonating her, and they do it well, but i feel bad thinking so.
a teenage boy in a mini skirt offers to show me how to curtsy.
i come here way more often than i care to admit. i am a fly on the wall here, always, because i eat alone. i got a chicken salad sandwich here 23 days in a row recently. they have really good chicken salad. trust me. i know. no, seriously.
they also make a mean arnold palmer. i was all about the french vanilla café au lait too, but i have switched over to iced coffees. it's been sticky outside.
getting a table is a process. more often that not i can't get a table. this annoys me when i bring my laptop. i hate lugging my laptop all over town.
if i see a free table, i bolt over to it. even if i am waiting in line, i sacrifice my place and grab that table. i see others making a beeline for it, but if i am on my way, i always get it.
today i almost got a black forest ham, brie, and dijon mayo on a croissant. i thought that sounded delectable.
but then instead i got cream cheese, tomatoes, red onion sliced, and cucumbers on a toasted everything bagel. it was called a california bagel. i was feeling homesick. it was amazing. i have a new food obsession. i can't stop thinking about that bagel.
i'm still here you know. as I type this. i may go get a second. i won't...but i want to.
i came here yesterday.
i'll be back tomorrow.
Worth a stop if you're anywhere in the area and want to relax with your coffee.
71 Irving Place is a welcoming place bubbling with personality. It an eclectic place that could not be turned into a chain - no doubt a big part of its appeal. I've been twice and felt comfortable both times. They can handle odd orders and have a good selection of pastries, sandwiches, and desserts. It's well-known, so can be busy. But we last went on a Sunday morning at 11am, and had no problem getting a table.
I LOVE, love LOVE this place. I've been a regular here since I first moved to NYC and even when I come back to the big apple, it's a MUST STOP in for a latte! The people are always courteous, seating is SCARCE in this place b/c it is so busy, but it's quite easy to share a table with someone! You know how space is LIMITED in NYC and that includes "personal space" too.
Location is great, right in union square and by Gramercy Park. It's such a cute, quaint place.
I do believe unless they really screw things up with the quality of their coffee or their employees become completely rude, I will be a fan for LIFE! See you again soon 71 Irving:)
The Irving Place Coffee and Tea Bar is a gem.
This cozy spot has a positive vibe, smelling of intelligent discourse, familiar conversation, and romance. It attracts a varied clientele, including the after-work crowd, students[1], and couples. Charming date spot? Yes!
Depending on the time of week, the cafe can feel claustrophobic. While close quarters may be intimidating for some, the din affords a measure of privacy, ensuring some protection against eavesdropping.
Irving's diverse offerings differentiate itself against the usual corner Starbucks - they even sell wine. On a whim, I got their dreamy Creamsicle ($4.75), an orange cream soda mixed with vanilla frozen yogurt which left me with a smile (and a brain freeze).
I enjoyed meeting up with friends here, and can't wait to return to try their ice cream.
[1] Looking to study? Laptop use isn't permitted during busy hours, but if the crowd is light, you're in the clear.
awesome place to get yr coffee and a bite great quality cool staff just the best atmosphere over there love it love it
Like everybody else, I'm a fair-weather fan about rules, and as such, I can't get over why the staff and patrons at 71 don't enforce / respect the one that politely prohibits computer use during busy hours. Maybe because busy hours = always, but I seldom see free WiFi inviting the Tragedy of the Commons the way it does at 71 Irving, where it's seriously asses to elbows 24/7.
Still, I prefer its sort of generic, comfy food and bev menu and Christmas Carol coze to the snootier sweets and scene of its neighbor, Amai (which you should totally defer to if you like a little leg room with your latte).
a place to be seen more so than a place to read a book... its loud, its hip, its got tons of tables to sit around... reminds me of Friends series cuz its so bustling all the time even at 11 oclock on a friday nite... but supposedly thats when they close?
friendly service, tons of snacks to choose from including pastries and cupcakes, pretty wide selection of well made coffees as well...
but yeah if u can't concentrate... this is not the place to be... the music is a lil on the louder side and the place itself echoes with tons of conversations!
right next to the super busy and popular friend of a farmer, is 71 irving, the chill and yummy coffee shop (and waffle house!)
my sis took me here and told me we HAD to get the made to order in a waffle griddle waffles. i got the cinnamon sugar waffle, which was DEEEELISH. and warm and fresh.
the ice coffee was yummy and strong, and i wished i had more room in my stomach (and funds) to try every single one of the enticing made on premises baked goods. mmmm.
its a super hip cafe with out being...hipster. mommy likey!
The coffee here is heavenly. When I moved to DC I feverishly looked for a 71 Irving Place substitute, but I never found one that came close. I used to stop by every morning and guess what the flavor of the day would be. The bakery items are great too.
It's often pretty crowded (read: no place to turn around with your steaming cup of coffee...) but when you can find a place to sit for a bit, the people watching can be amazing: the shop is right nestled in among Union Square, Grammercy Square Park, and Stuyvesant Town, so you have a lot more New Yorkers than tourists... And the dark wood and brick walls inside give it a warm, cozy feeling that's eomforting even on the most humid of Manhattan summer days.
In my opinion it's the best coffee shop in town!
good cozy stepped-down place to get coffee with lower ceiling. Can see that they are trying to be cute & great cafe. But, details are not enough to be...
The bread pudding was good. But, I use to have great one in San Francisco...So, can't say "great."
I find with cafes there are two kinds. There are those that look cute, but have crappy food + coffee, and those that taste phenomenal, but look kinda austere. This place is the former. It looks very inviting, and there are usually cute girls (and guys for those of you who care!!) chatting or reading here. But the coffee is around 1 1/2 stars, on par with Starbucks.
This place is no Joe or Everyman espresso. Usually if I go here I'll get tea or even, god forbid, drip coffee.
love/hate relationship:
definitely over priced.
great coffee and expresso.
staff can be rude.
great atmosphere; great music.
:/
I work near this place; hence I come here, all-the-time. I just can't stop myself!
My favorite coffee here is their Sinful Delight blend. Favorite sandwich is the turkey special. But more important than the food, something about the atmosphere just makes you want to stick around. It's usually crowded, but that doesn't seem to bother anybody. It's a really nice crowd. There usually are a few people writing away in their notebooks.
However, I never did try their dessert because it's a bit pricey and I can't justify spending $3.5 on one cookie when I can get three out of this world oatmeal raisin cookies at the farm in Union Square (but that is for another review...)
Here's a suggestion: you can purchase a gift card and they give you 5% off. I always have one because I seriously spend way too much money here, and any savings is good!
71 Irving Place reminds me of the old adage from Yogi Bera: "No one goes there any more, it's too crowded."
The fact is that this is one of the best places I've found in my quest for the ultimate New York coffee house. It's just that everyone else seems to have found it too. A slight swing of your arm and the humus sandwich of the person squeezed next to you while waiting for a table will end up all over the good looking woman (or man) you were trying to make eye contact with.
But this place is worth the wait for a table. It has a lot going for it, including a great cozy below-grade atmosphere, interesting people to watch, good sandwiches made to order, and the best damn sticky cranberry granola bar that has ever passed through my lips (it's more of a dessert to have with tea or coffee that a traditional granola bar). The only knocks are no wifi and the aforementioned crowd. So four stars it is. My coffee house quest will continue...
I could live here. The wide range of snacks, desserts, and actually meal worthy foods plus the ever flowing espresso and coffee makes it more appealing than my kitchen and apartment. Who needs to sleep [or shower] when you have caffeine?
But seriously, this is one of the 'i will site here until I've reached my $50 limit or written one chapter in my novel, which ever comes last' coffee shops. people squat for days here. But you just need to get into that seat and hold on for an equally outrageous amount of time.
For my latest visit with two friends we had two mochas and a soy chai latte with a fauxstes cupcake. Love the chocolate. The lattes were exceptional which is difficult to pull off. The chai was also amazing.
So yeah, pretty perfect. The space is also very homey and cute and always warm.
I've stop by a few times for a drink or a sandwich to go.
This morning, we arrived to the busy cafe. The atmosphere is very cozy. I ordered a panini, skim milk, and a chocolate croissant. My boyfriend ordered a honey nut waffle, and iced chai. According to the bf he really likes the iced chai. Personally, I'm not into chai at all. We both split the panini because it was Huuuge! I had to rush out of there so I took my half of the panini and ate it 45 min. later. It was still so good! I had the croissant for a snack a few hours later and it was still very buttery, flaky, soft, and delicious.
Definitely recommend this little cafe.
This place is cozy and warm, but not exceptional. It's about 80% atmosphere and 20% quality. I went when it wasn't terribly crowded, about 11 a.m. on a Monday.
I had a perfectly good latte and banana nut muffin. Nothing I couldn't have gotten at Au Bon Pain or Starbucks, but the experience was much, much better. My friend had a spinach quiche and she seemed to enjoy it.
The service was quick and friendly, though, and we had an enjoyable hour catching up at a table tucked away in the corner.
Besides the fact that it was crowded and we had to hustle some people out of their table (look, they were clearly long finished with their drinks and pastries and were just taking up space! I was standing there, coffee and pie in hand and needed a seat! It was the least they could do!) the overall atmosphere is warm and cozy.
It was a nice evening treat with a friend, but it would also be a great place for a date (just don't hog a table all night).
I had their pumpkin pie (it needed whipped cream) and a cafe au lait and neither were overpriced or disgusting. In fact, I will go so far as to say that they were quite tasty!
I feel spoiled having both 71 Irving and Amai cafes both a stone's throw from my current apartment. This place is fabulous. Lots of tables, lots of tempting desserts and also a sizeable lunch/sandwich menu that I haven't yet explored. Since, as others have said, it can get very crowded, I say the best time to go is late night (after 9pm) for some good coffee and an indulgent dessert. They make a delicious cappuccino con molto schiuma (with lots of foam)!
good coffee. good wine. what else are you lookin for??
seating is spotty, esp. in large groups-- and it's not comfortable enough for a coffee shop, so there goes the 5th star. otherwise, a-ok. outdoor seating is great on a beautiful night but there are only 2 tables so you'll be waiting for awhile
baked goods are expensive but delicious
If it were easier to find a seat in this place I probably would have given it five stars, but the frustration is just too much sometimes! Nowadays finding a seat can be an epic challenge in this tiny little café. Unfortunately free wireless brings everyone to coffee shops. A great cup of coffee and decent lunch-type food. Even better small desserts are an excellent coffee companion. The good news is that despite the close quarters being completely filled, the place never gets unmanageably loud and you can always feel cozy and chat.
WiFi and 10% Student Discount!
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