- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Café Nijasol - CLOSED
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
173 Montrose Ave(between Graham Ave & Humboldt St)
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Neighborhood: East Williamsburg
(718) 599-1612
- Nearest Transit:
-
Montrose Av (L)
Grand St (L)
Lorimer St (J, M)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
37 reviews for Café Nijasol
Review Highlights
-
"...stopping by for my egg & cheese croissant before heading..." In 6 reviews -
"best french toast with nutella." In 5 reviews -
"I need your yummy coffee and iced tea past sundown." In 10 reviews
Loading...
37 reviews in English
-
Review from Jessica B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/11/2011
I have to say this place is a little slice of home for me and my partner.
Almost every weekend we order pickup from here, or we'll take our friends from out of town out for breakfast and take a seat at a table.
The girl who is there most of the time is at first a tough shell to crack, but if you are nice to her habitually she will eventually warm up to you. She now knows us by our orders and always offers me sweet iced tea with my chicken caesar wrap, bbq sauce on the side. The chicken caesar wrap with bbq sauce was her creation and suggested it to me when we went in to sit down for lunch one day. How happy my mouth was!
My boyfriend always orders chicken fingers and fries and says that their fries are some of the best.
I would definitely recommend Nijasol to anybody who likes good coffee and smoothies also.
It is so nice to have a place like this in the neighborhood. -
Review from Travis D.
Brooklyn, NY
12/1/2010
Short and sweet:
Good: I will continue to come here and order the western omelet on a bagel because it's wonderful for the price and close enough to my apartment that I can roll out of bed on a Saturday morning and make it there in one piece.
Bad: This is not a place I would sit inside and hangout, even though they definitely tried to give it the "coffee shop feel." The few times I've been here over the last couple of weeks there's been a crazy guy hanging out (I think he's friends with the woman that works there?) screaming obscenities usually over the blaring TV. Also, the woman that works there isn't the warmest--I'm trying to support your business, yo. (There was a younger guy who helped me the first time I went there and he was a sweetheart. I wish he ran the place.)
Good/Bad: They have free WiFi. YAY!!....but you can't plug in your computer. Forreal? It's like staying in a hotel room but you can't use the bathroom.
FYI- Be very specific about what you order if you have food allergies or don't like things (butter, oil) added to your food. The food tastes good for a reason.
Would try: A drink on the patio in the summer. There aren't many places in this area that have outdoor spaces. -
Review from tiffany m.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 2/1/2011
ok, so nearly 2 years later and I have completely changed my mind on this place. Not gonna lie, the honeymoon wore off rather quickly but i was willing to give them another chance. The egg and cheese on a bagel are still good (i like em greasy and super trashy) but the rest of the food just kinda sucks. The french toast isn't very french toasty.
And then there's the incredibly rude staff. They used to be so friendly and now when i call up for a take out order they seem to treat me as an inconvenience. Half the time you don't know if the transaction is done cause they are speaking to someone else in the room(in spanish) while you're left hanging on the other line.
There aren't any other "brunch" spots on my stop but i'm willing to walk a few blocks to a place with better food and service. From the looks of it the place is always empty and i'm just hoping something better opens up there soon.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/14/2009
This is the best spot on the Montrose L in my opinion. Staff is friendly and conveniently located… Read more »
-
-
Review from yo sub k.
9/6/2010
I really really really wanted to like this place because it's a block away from my apartment.
Ugh.
Talk about disappointment. I went there primarily for WiFi because we don't get internet until this Wednesday! Damnnn youuu Time Warner!
You can't plug your computer in. No plugs of any kind.
What?
What happens when your battery life sucks? What happens then? Why would I even bother coming here?
I ordered chicken tenders and fries. Both very good. I'm happy about that.
No plugs? Ugh. -
Review from Rosalin L.
Brooklyn, NY
5/12/2008
I had no idea other people came here for breakfast sandwiches, too! I love stopping by for my egg & cheese croissant before heading out on a weekend excursion. The croissants are huge, making the sandwiches a perfect quickie breakfast on the go.
There is definitely something special about the coffee. An old lover and I would always stop by so he could get his java fix in the morning -- you know, 'cause he was up all night and all *wink wink* -- and he really liked the way they would steam the milk in his coffee. Not one for coffee myself, I'd order the iced tea. I don't usually like unsweetened iced tea, but theirs is delicious!
Locavores and vegetarians can feel welcome here. There are a number of menu options that use local produce and/or exclude meat. My roommates approve of the brunch here and I can't wait to check it out myself. Until then, you can spot me on the L train munching on my egg & cheese croissant on the way to work.Listed in: Workin It Out in East…
-
Review from Melissa A.
Los Angeles, CA
11/9/2010
So my review for this place is way, way, waaaaay over due!
This is my Sunday place. When the boyfriend and I roll out of bed in the middle of the afternoon and wonder where the day went, we know there is one friendly cozy place waiting for us with our breakfastbutreallymorelikelunchcouldbealmostdinner meal. The portions are generous to say the least, and lets not forget a super gold star for cheapness. The food is good, its tasty, its amazing considering you can get a monster egg sandwich for $5 or a super platter of french toast, eggs, beacon and home fries for $7 -ish.
We have our usual meal, two coffees, a huge french toast platter, a monster egg sandwich, and a mimosa for around $20. Brunch for two has never been so good.
***Begin rant***
I'm honestly in shock to see some of the naive reviews on here for this place. This isn't the Russian Tea Room, or Petrossian, we're not in the UWS here, you can call it East Williamsburg, but its Bushwick, and its not freaking gourmet eggs, but they're good eggs, great eggs for the price.
I also don't comprehend how people think this is someplace to sit with your laptop for a long period of time. I just don't get that vibe. Its some place to sit and eat with a friend, bf/ gf whatever. Use your common sense, if there aren't plugs there to plug in your laptop maybe thats because thats not exactly what they're going for. Cafe Boulevard and Cafe Orwell give that vibe straight up, they're coffee houses, not brunch/ lunch destinations with an actual server.
***End rant***
I also like the service here. We always get this one waitress on Sundays who is really awesome with us and gives us our space to chat but knows when to check back on us.
So basically, yeah, come here. You get way more then what you pay for, so much more I feel almost wrong after paying the bill. -
Review from Brandon K.
Brooklyn, NY
3/31/2008
The first time I walked by this place I was hurrying on my way to the Mckibben lofts for a soiree and thought the sign said Cafe ninjasoul. My reaction was exactly that of Eddie Murphy's in Beverly Hills Cop when he sees the dude in a Michael Jackson jacket. You gotta marvel at these things.
But anyway, I was totally wrong. Returned one early morning to check it out and was amazed at the under $5 total for egg and swiss croissant, fries and double espresso. Upon another visit I realized that the person just neglected to ring up the fries and espresso, but you still come out ahead, if you don't mind pre-packaged croissants.
Thank Nijasol for being there off the Montrose stop, it is much needed, but don't go out of your way.Listed in: My Neighborhood
-
Review from Danielle O.
Brooklyn, NY
3/15/2009
Oh I how I love it here!
Brunch is amazing - veggie omelets are fluffy and delicious, the iced latte is to die for, banana smoothie (with milk) tastes like fresh creamy yumminess, french toast is cinnamon flavored heaven, and the turkey bacon wrap is fresh, filling and served with a hearty helping of perfectly crisped french fries.
It's cozy and sweetly decorated, although I do wish it was bigger. I have yet to sit on the patio but am looking forward to doing so when the weather gets better.
The staff is friendly and recognizes the regulars. On our first visit the waitress offered us to use the jukebox and play a little board game they have to pass the time.
As people have mentioned their egg and cheese sandwiches look AMAZING and so do the burgers - I think those will be the next things I try. Also, try out their iced tea - the waitress called it "Puerto Rican Iced Tea" and while it may be too sweet for some, I thought it was refreshing and delicious. My friend was given it for free when she won a promotional game they have on the counter.
I really adore Cafe Nijasol and think it's great for the neighborhood. I hope it stays around for a long time! -
Review from Jillian L.
Stratford, CT
12/27/2010
No matter what, I will always come here for the blackberry smoothies - the best smoothie I've ever had, full stop. Get it with milk, not water. You'll be amazed. The coffee has been great in my experience as well.
I spent a lot of my summer in here - friendly service, nice atmosphere, relaxing place all together. I've had mostly good experiences with the food - I'm a big fan of their turkey BLT wrap. Less luck with the burgers, but only marginally. For the prices, it's an awesome place.
The service is super friendly - during the World Cup I had many a conversation with the waitress about the games.
Lots of complaints about not having places to plug in a laptop....it's not really that kind of place. It's a relaxing breakfast joint, not a workspace. Lots of other places for that in the neighborhood.
Overall, it's a great place to spend a hungover, sunny Sunday afternoon. -
Review from Salvo C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/4/2009
this place was horrible. i had the driest steak sandwich ever. It came with small pieces of onions and peppers with no cheese and the bread was dry as well. This was the worse sandwich I've had in a while.
On top of that the waitress was not interested at all and they had some kid spraying Windex on the windows. There's nothing like smelling Windex while you're eating a dry steak sandwich. -
Review from Chris J.
Brooklyn, NY
2/7/2009
I really like this place. Inexpensive, friendly, nearby.
I've only ever had breakfast food here, although I have had a couple beers in the afternoon. $4 for Brooklyns and free wireless. Can't complain. The burgers look good, too. Their coffee is some crazy nutmeg cinnamon stuff that is real tasty, but takes some getting used to.
I took one star off because the tables and chairs are too small for me. Can't get my knees under them. They could use some more comfortable seating, but I guess that would take up too much space. Also, free/discounted coffee refills? -
Review from BC C.
New York, NY
3/30/2008
We used to live around the corner from Nijasol and it was definitely one of our favorite spots. The cofee and cappuccino was excellent and the egg sandwiches are amongst the best in NY. Extra delicious on a croissant.
They have free wifi, so I was able to use this cafe as a place to work from on occasion. Great overall ambiance, service and people.
Nijasol is a great neighborhood cafe. Vegetarian friendly. -
Review from Branson L.
Brooklyn, NY
11/15/2009
Uhm, the Cafe Ninja is a cute place... Small and cafe like... I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese on a crossaint with home fries trying to cure a bit of a hangover...
When they sat down the plate, in my head I was like "whoa this looks good..." How deceiving. The potatoes were too oily, with no flavor, and undercooked (some were even hard in the middle!) The sandwich was just okay... Crossaint was soft and fluffy delish, but both the sausage and cheese didn't pack the punch I expected.
Service was fine, the girl was sort of nice, might be a good place to chill with a coffee and book or something. 2 stars? Ok... It's a block from my apt (which doesn't factor in to my review nor concern you) - food wasn't horrible, it was fairly cheap... but Meh. I've experienced better... maybe i'll upgrade one day if I decide to stop in again. I say they call themselves cafe so-so, because I saw no ninjas here, or Nigerians, but i did feel a little scammed. -
Review from K Z.
Brooklyn, NY
11/7/2009
I had such high hopes for this place when it moved into the neighborhood. The area was just itching for a bistro of sorts.
Out of desperation, for mostly brunch I ate many omelets, home-fries, and egg sandwiches when it first moved in. I soon realized that parsley was there only way of seasoning anything and beyond the parsley everything was incredibly bland.
My other undying annoyance with Nijasol is the jukebox. I have never been in a cafe where the music is so loud. Good luck talking to anyone over your pile of parsley.
I still occasionally run by for a cup of coffee but have branched out to the Big Apple Doughnut on Broadway and Jessi's Bakery on Bushwick. -
Review from Patricia S.
New York, NY
7/18/2009
I live right next door soooo ... 1 star SIMPLY for convenience. (that one's a freebie, cafe)
For all you suckers who don't have the luxury of living next door to Cafe Nijasol, here are some highlights and what makes up the other 4 stars:
-iced coffee. 'nuff said.
-pretty garnishes (parsley parsley parsley!)
-outdoor seating (woot!)
-now serving beer and wine! (double woot!)
-affordable!
-frequent coffee buyer card (I used mine today!)
AND ... if that wasn't enough, they now occasionally have live music (which my bf sometimes plays). So while I'm being the ever supportive girlfriend, I get to sit back and drink a Brooklyn ale. Also, I've cured many a hangover with their brunch platters. How sweet it is! -
Review from Steph D.
12/19/2009
No lie, I visit Brooklyn about once a month for a weekend. I drink about 72 cups of Nijasol coffee (hot or iced) a year. You do the math.
It is literally, that's not figuratively, literally the best coffee I have ever had and I've drunk A LOT of coffee in Italy, Spain and the North End.
Everything else is a detail. The breakfast was pretty good. But truth, it could have been bad and I wouldn't have cared.
THE COFFEE IS TOO MUCH AMAZING FOR ONE CUP. -
Review from Jaime D.
New York, NY
8/13/2009
I have been here five times so far. My brother works in the area and occasionally stops by on a break. It's best described as cozy. Kind of like pulling up to a counter with a bonus of several chairs and tables around. There's a juke box where you can play some music of your choice and during warmer weather, dine al fresco in their outdoor patio.
The menu is is well organized and serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, quick bites, an extensive coffee menu as well as a large selection of wine, beer and healthy drinks. The prices are reasonable for the area and the portions are very satisfying.
I've much enjoyed there the pastellitos. I totally prefer the guava and cheese. Also their tostones are such great nibblers. At $2, you can't beat that. I've also had their chicken wrap and boy it was huge. Washing it down with the owner's amazing sangria is a bonus treat. Overall, it makes for an excellent romantic spot for a simple bite.
Pluses include: free wi fi, convenient location off the train, up and coming neighborhood, great coffee, lots of locals dine there, alfresco dining and mini events at random. -
Review from Cassandra P.
Brooklyn, NY
3/23/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Been there once, great iced coffee. They had soy milk! Yummy :) I will be going back.
Update: Iced coffee continues to be good, their breakfast sandwiches are also yummy although the wait can be kind of long on a sunday morning when everyone's eating brunch. Overall, really liking this place on my block. -
Review from Ashley M.
Brooklyn, NY
10/8/2009
Eh... It's alright.
-
Review from Nadia g.
Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
11/20/2010
i went here today for brunch with my boyfriend after looking it up on yelp. So the place is pretty cute, I thought it seemed like the perfect marriage of hipster coffee shop and puerto rican diner. Its definitely on the small side, but it wasnt too busy at all at around noon on a saturday - great alternative to any hyped up brunch place where you'd have to wait around forever. I will say the food took like 20 minutes longer than I would have liked but once it came it was very generously proportioned, delicious and a great deal! probably the best homefries ive had in recent brunch memory, very cinnamony french toast, super crispy fresh bacon, and eggs too! Great little place.
-
Review from Jade M.
New York, NY
1/8/2009
I'm usually here with the bf for breakfast/brunch. It's nice because it's convenient to the neighborhood, and the food is solid and filling. The wait staff is good too. They really know their regulars. Their chai is spiked with crack, or a ton of sugar. Watch out!
-
Review from Aimee A.
Stamford, CT
Updated - 8/23/2008
They now serve about 6 different beers and are open later! Not sure what the new hours are, but there was a sign in there today that said "We now serve beer & are open later". I hope they're open til at least 9pm, because I get off work at 7pm and as of now they're only open til 6pm... I would totally get coffee like every night after work if they were open til 9pm or later! Please Cafe Nijasol, stay open at least that late! I need your yummy coffee and iced tea past sundown. And I will update my review with 5 stars if this happens!
Listed in: The Veggie Guide to Brooklyn…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/9/2008
Really good veggie quesadillas with fresh onion, spinach, and mushroom inside. I really like the… Read more »
-
-
Review from Y.H W.
Richmond, VA
10/8/2007
A small cafe with a delicious vegetation menu (items locally grown) and of course coffee served in every way. There are a stack of books to read while your food is being prepared, the chef sometimes would personally serve it to you.
-
Review from Dani W.
Brooklyn, NY
7/27/2008
The bagels here are pretty good if you get cream cheese on them, but MUCH better if you get them with egg and cheese. The iced coffee is very good. The breakfast potatoes are f'ing AMAZING. I love coming here for Sunday morning brunch and hanging out with a book and some coffee. Very, very good. Glad I live right around the block.
-
Review from Samantha R.
Brooklyn, NY
6/28/2008
Nijasol has great breakfast, ok coffee and is one of few cafes in my neighborhood but always has seats open. It is the only cafe with wireless that I have been asked to leave because I was taking my time with my drink while I used my computer (after 40 minutes, ten of which were spent waiting for my food and drink to arrive).
-
Review from Stuart M.
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2008
An excellent, comfortable and clean place to have a egg and cheese bagel with a decaf soy latte, which is what I had.
-
Review from Colleen L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/3/2010
My friend lives around the corner, so we came to cure some serious hang overs. It is a small cafe, but we were able to grab a table pretty quickly. The service was fast and mostly friendly. I had chicken fingers and french fries, a known hangover cure, and an iced tea. The fingers had a nice super-crunchy coating, and the fries were crispy and just greasy enough. The breakfast foods that were ordered by others at my table looked good, but weren't anything special. I would definitely eat here again, but only if I didn't have to wait for a table.
-
Review from nicole b.
Brooklyn, NY
3/8/2010
I like this place. Good french fries. Good Chai. Mimosas! The staff are a bit odd but in a charming way once you get to know them. The music choices are always interesting. The food isn't perfect but it hits the spot. Like diner food. A little raggedy around the edges but comforting and soothing to the soul. Oh and I LIKE the unexplained overuse of parsley flakes, man. relax.
-
Review from Jason S.
Brooklyn, NY
5/10/2009
I noticed Cafe Nijasol advertising free Wifi so I stopped by to get some work done. I sat down to plug in when the waitress told me I wasn't allowed to plug in my computer. I told her I was going to have cancel my order and leave if I couldn't plug in, and she said that was fine with her. Apparently saving on electricity is preferable to loosing a customer.
-
Review from Mike N.
Queens, NY
7/14/2010
So, the Pros first: Great coffee, above-average food (including homemade onion rings) at a good price, a good jukebox (especially rare at cafes, I think) and a generally cool atmosphere.
Now, the Cons (or, one big Con): Remarkably awful service. The waitress was nasty to me when I called to ask about their hours, was rude throughout the meal, and then proceeded to overcharge us. When I (politely) pointed out that we had been overcharged, she huffed and puffed and acted like I had done something wrong (while grudgingly fixing the bill)-my friends and I were all pretty impressed at the level of rudeness.
So, I don't know-I'm sure that not all the employees here are so nasty, and I'd like to go back since it seems like basically a good place, but that was an awful lot of BS to go through for a coffee and a sandwich. -
Review from Peter B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2010
The neighborhood needs it, so I'm giving it four stars. Nice waitress, cool porch. Milkshakes aren't very good, but the coffee gets it done.
-
Review from Cory D.
Brooklyn, NY
4/12/2010
The food is 'ok'. They have wifi, but they don't let you plug in your computer. It's kind of pointless and they should take the sign down if they aren't going to let you use it for very long. The staff is very nice though, and the prices are cheap.
-
Review from Rim V.
Brooklyn, NY
11/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
love the patio on a sunday morning. best french toast with nutella
-
Review from Ted O.
Queens, NY
Updated - 10/27/2010
This place is constantly getting better and better, its meat lover's egg special is to die for. The service is always friendly and coffee's are great
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/9/2009
This is the gem of Williamsburg, in the last six months I have frequented the place many times.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Blake S.
Santa Ana, CA
2/16/2008
love this place. great espresso and coffee, friendly service, and good cheap food. i love their egg salad sammich on roll with lettuce. I just wish they were open later.
-
Review from dailey c.
Brooklyn, NY
7/2/2009
i ate the philadelphian. on the patio. i recommend both.
-
Review from Big M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/15/2008
This place is great in the summer -- Love the outdoor seating and their menu! They have good quesadillas, and lovely fried things like plantains. Its clean, cheap, and hipster friendly.
