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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Middle Eastern, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
Neighborhood: East VillageAstor Place (6)
1st Ave-14th St (L)
8th St-Broadway (R, W)
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really enjoyed the decor and atmosphere here.
the line was only 15-20 minutes for one of the so-called "brunch spots" for manhatttan.
i had the eggs benedict, which was cooked perfectly, one of the better ones i've ever had. my companion had the salmon salad which looked huge.
prices are very reasonable, while service is about average i would say.
nice place for a date i find, and it's charming inside.
The review may have been colored by my hunger, but I'll let it slide. I had a delicious omelet feast for lunch today--eggs with feta, spinach, dotted with kalamata olives, with a little salad, two full slices worth of rye toast, and some tasty hash browns--for just $8! I washed it down with an apple flavored tea and enjoyed the decent amount of seating and nice lighting. My friend was very satisfied with her dishes.
Unfortunately, service was a little intermittent, but generally friendly. So probably not the place to go if you're in a rush, but I'll be back for another leisurely lunch.
steak and eggs steak and eggs!
this place is a lot larger than it looks from the outside. i stepped in and was amazing by the 3+ rooms.
the food here is inexpensive...i got steak and eggs for 11 bucks! unheard of in manhattan. the food isnt the best ive had for brunch, but definitely some of the best brunch ive had at this price point.
service was a bit odd, but ill be back!
Everything tasted good, but the service was just eh. They offered me bread with my soup, which I accepted, but didn't bring it, and there was a surprisingly long wait between the soup and the lunch main courses. It was also hard to get someone's attention for the check. That said, the spinach lentil soup was hearty, and the salmon in my wood-smoked salmon salad had great flavor.
It's constantly buzzing with energy and despite that, I haven't had slow or inattentive service. It's great for groups, but prepare to WAIT if you arrive after 11am on weekends. The menu has your standard breakfast fare with a middle eastern influence. Last time, I had the Diana breakfast, which was two eggs over easy with hummus and tabouli. My friends settled on the steak and eggs, which they both enjoyed. I'd feel comfortable taking most people here as they offer simple, yet varied meal selections, even for vegetarians.
Not that this place needs another positive review...but I had such a great time I just had to share!! I knew there would be a little bit of a wait so I made sure to arrive before my scheduled meeting time with my friend. To my surprise the wait time was only 15 minutes!! Not bad at all! We were seated as soon as my friend arrived.
I enjoyed a delicious bloody mary which I was surprised I ordered. They are not usually my favorite drink as I think I have been scarred for life with an exceptionally foul example only a year ago. Cafe Orlin's BM was amaaaazing. They are back on my list!
My friend enjoyed a HUGE plate of pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon yogurt. If it weren't for my Wheat Allergy I would have reached across the table and taken one off her plate!! She said they were amazing and were a nice addition to her mimosa.
I had the salmon omelet which also included fresh cucumber and veggies inside. The side salad and potatoes were also a nice touch to the meal.
Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and was a nice inexpensive non greasy breakfast. Neither one of us could finish our meals and we left stuffed! Highly enjoyable...will most certainly be back for more!
Tunisian Eggs, Tunisian Eggs, Tunisian Eggs! So yummy so delectable and made so well!
I've only ever been here for brunch and I always bring out of towners who love it. They have outside seating, and you can always get seated quickly (even when there's a, seemingly, massive line) inside since the place is quite large - there are 3 rooms. The menu is not too pricey and has the perfect amount of variety, so there are choices, but you're not overwhelmed.
The brunch special is a good deal with orange juice and coffee/tea for 12 bucks. My favorite (FAVORITE) thing are the Tunisian Eggs, which is a bit different than my usual brunch fare, but includes eggs I'm always craving at noon on a Sat/Sun. The spicy salty pepper stirfry and warm pita really make the whole thing special. I've also had the Eggs Norwegian, which is also perfect, filling and delicious.
OK, so I generally always order the same thing, but I definitely get food envy from the tables next to me. Which only means I need to go more often and try more things!
The service is usually good to not great. Since I'm usually there for a lazy brunch, I don't mind so much, but if I had a schedule at all, I'd pass.
Overall - a great local brunch spot! Definitely would recommend!
A cute spot where one can get yummy things like pumpkin spiced pancakes with cinnamon yogurt with a plate of bacon and coffee and it's all decently priced.
A cute spot where you can see old friends from years ago, and realize that even though time passed, the friendship is still there.
A cute spot to have your picture taken.
A cute spot for brunch, coffee, or whatever.
I miss this place, a lot.
We returned for the legendary brunch on a sunny fall day. I am happy to report that the pumpkin pancakes with the cinnamon yogurt meet their hype. In fact, they were a better possible pairing than I could have imagined. I would describe them as fluffy yet substantial - equal parts pan and cake. For a side, we tried the Mergues (lamb sausage) which was surprising in its soft texture and a very apt savory contrast to the sweet in the pancakes. Segafreddo coffee makes for a good eyeopener here. This meal will be repeated in the best possible sense. A very tasty, very reasonable and very appropriate start to a crisp Sunday in October (or any other kind of day in any other kind of month)
The gentleman on the phone was kind enough to let us know when they usually got a rush so we could beat it and he was spot on. It takes an effort to get to brunch on St. Marks Place when you consider the commute from Inwood. Cafe Orlin makes it worth the effort.
Cafe Orlin started out on the right foot with me. I had originally bookmarked them for their brunch… Read more »
The thing that gets me about going somewhere for brunch is that I always want to stay close to home. I'm a frequent weekend bruncher at any given location near my apartment. But when your meeting friends or friends of friends you have to venture outside of your comfort zone.
Enter Cafe Orlin and the two hundred yelpers before me. Everyones reviews were right on cue. The wait is reasonable 15-20 minutes for a table of four when I went. The service is great. The food is even better. Pumpkin pancakes in October? Yes, Please!
I have been to Café Orlin only for brunch, but look forward to returning for dinner. Food was great and the service very good. I have had the Malawach a few times and highly recommend it. It's especially good if you're feeling a bit hungover- a great comfort food and nice changeup from the eggs benedict you'd likely have otherwise. The pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon yogurt were very good as well and not over the top as you might expect.
Café Orlin does get pretty crowded and you'll likely have to wait a little while for a table for brunch on the weekends. The place is laid out better than the similar Mogador, though, so once you do get a table you will have a little bit of space to yourself. Also on a nice day that outdoor seating is a great place to relax and people watch.
This is my absolutely favorite cafe in the city. I've been coming here for about 9 years now and it never disappoints. The dishes are pretty simple but consistently good, especially the rosemary lemon chicken, sauteed salmon and spicy tomato soup.
The best thing about this place is the ambiance. You can sit at a table for hours and not feel rushed by the waiters, a rarity in the city.
Another plus, it's open 24 hours.
I discovered this gem a few years ago when a few others had brought me over. You wouldn't have known it was there with it's humble awning and matter of fact outdoor seating. Till this day, I haven't been able to make use of it. Indoors, however, gives you quite the brick wall loft feeling. I love the exposed brick walls but not a fan of the tighter seating for smaller parties. They do have the random spacious seating for the larger parties.
There is a high turnover in staff but it does not take away from the normally pleasant vibe as they serve you. I've heard the brunch is quite tasty but honestly I've only crawled in late nights or for a gathering dinner. The arugula and Caesar salads are good starters. The orders we usually go for are the burgers and of course the pasta. The herb mashed potatoes can serve as your special side. The chickens are also good ones to order when you have a moment to stop by.
My review is on their brunch only. They have yummy fresh oj (make sure you get the large size, otherwise small just comes out in a shotglass!). Take advantage of the nice patio seating when the weather permits. Reasonable prices. I'd definitely come back!
A regular favorite of our interns, I decided to 'tag along' one day and acquaint myself with what I'd been missing out on.
Not immediately evident from the road side vantage point, this place is deceptively spacious inside.
The meals are simple and well priced. Following a lovely lunch with my work team, I took my Australian family here while they were in town. My father almost fell off his chair when he spied the perceived bargain in the form of the poached eggs on toast and coffee combo. I didn't want to dampen his excitement by converting the 'bargain' to Aussie dollars - but it was still a good price nonetheless.
Overall, Cafe Orlin has a very casual feel and is a perfect respite for a relaxed brunch - provided you can get a seat!
I'm not sure why I never got a chance to dine at Cafe Orlin.... given that I've been going to neighboring places such as Mogador, Sushi Park, Pomme Frites, Taisho, Kenka for years and years. I've passed by time and time again... and just thought about "that place I always see but never walked into." Today was it. Managed to get my behind out after a long day at work with my coworker - Cafe Orlin it was.
Originally I thought it was Moroccan, but I was off - Middle Eastern. I was confused by the Asian inspired dishes, but knew from the Babaganoush and Hummus offerings that it must be somewhere in the Mediterranean region. Hungry and starving we ordered the babaganoush as a starter with warm pita. Delicious... the mixture of the olive oil and fresh tomatoes were perfection. Perfect cure to hunger. For my entree I had the rosemary lemon chicken. I usually forego the chicken option because it's so "plain jane" but boy, was I wrong. The chicken was so soft and tender and the sauce was delicious!! Topped with perfectly savory mashed potatoes and grilled veggies (eggplant, squash)... yum.
I demand to know who cooks such awesome food. The entrees were $15 each. To top off our hunger, we ordered the warm chocolate cake which was filled with fudge, topped with whipped cream and special sauce.
Total for all that food, plus my friend's chicken schnitzel entree $15 was $50 ($25/each).
Cute date place.... dark candle lit ambiance, and outdoor patio seating if you want. Great find. Love it.
Ehh. Of all the brunch spots in the East Village, this one was not so impressive. I believe that any cafe should serve coffee, not americanos, COFFEE.
Service was a little slow, but of course there were lots of people. Brunch specials were nothing special. Only 4 or 5 brunch specials included o.j. and a cappuccino. Flea Market Cafe is a much better deal and choice.
I'm agreeing with everyone that the pumpkin pancakes are delicious. The cauliflowers soup is also reallllly good (and I'm usually not a fan or cauliflower).
The Eggs Benedict (but w/ bacon and sauteed tomato...it's called something specific on their menu but I can't remember) was not that great. Wherever I go, I get some form of Eggs Benedict for brunch and theirs wasn't very good. But it wasn't bad either. (However, one of my bacon strips was partially cooked.)
Overall, my friend and I were pretty satisfied with our meals, but when our waitress told us that it was a $15 min on cards and that we couldn't split our $28.50 bill, we got pretty annoyed -- especially bc the table sitting an inch away from us had a bill under $30 as well and the same waitress told them that they could split it. So for anyone who goes, know that the minimum charge for a card MAY be $15.
Food: Staple cafe recipes while adding little new twists that does not alter the body of the dish but enhances the soul. You walk away knowing you ate something familiar however you wonder why is it better here.
Drinks: Poor beer selection. Good espresso.
Service: Not spectacular, but friendly and decent. Waitstaff will not try to kick you out to make room for new customers. Big plus.
Ambiance: Comfortable indoor seating with dim lighting and not much natural light. Personally I find the outdoor seats to be uncomfortable. Awning and cafe located on side street limits the amount of sunshine too.
Ask any East Villager where you can have a moderately priced good meal in the East Village and you'll mostly likely be directed to Cafe Orlin. Restaurant-wise, Cafe Orlin does everything right. It offers tasty food at a reasonable price; it has vegetarian options; its ambience is charming; it has outside seating; and it's located in an historically interesting spot on St. Mark's.
Service at Cafe Orlin -- something many Yelpers have complained about in the past -- has improved greatly over the last year. I believe that the management paid attention to service complaints (probably viewed here on Yelp). Bus service at the restaurant now is excellent. Water is refilled often, and dirty dishes are removed promptly. In the last year, I've experienced nothing but good wait service.
Cafe Orlin's breakfast special, which includes two organic eggs, home fries, toast, orange juice, and coffee, is incredible deal at $6. The breakfast special is my standard order. (It's available until 4 p.m.) My friend loves the spinach and feta omelet.
One thing that I find slightly annoying about Cafe Orlin is it doesn't offer sides of items. For example, if you'd like to have a single pancake with your breakfast order, you can't have it. You have to get a full order of pancakes. A girl likes to have eggs AND pancakes TOGETHER, dangit! I guess Cafe Orlin doesn't want me to get fat.
I do not recommend sitting outside during busy times, especially brunch. They pack 'em in like sardines! You'll spend the entire meal getting up to let people in the tables around you in and out.
Be warned: Cafe Orlin is an extremely popular brunch destination on the weekends. Be prepared to wait for a table.
Credit cards accepted.
Very good quality for the money, friendly East Village vibe, expect 30 minutes wait for brunch. Pumpkin Pancakes a MUST TRY. Other good items: penne with chicken, goat cheese salad, huevos rancheros...
I adore this cafe. It's the most relaxing place- paired with amazing tunisian eggs and the best middle eastern breakfast. The fresh israeli salad is so good along with the yogurt and fresh eggs.
Great staff. a winner.
Great Sunday brunch spot! I had eggs florentine (basically eggs benedict, but replace the Canadian bacon with sauted spinach) and it was delish! Ask for the homemade hot sauce for the homefries, lil local secret.
Friday morning, plan to go read and chill. Walked down to Cafe Orlin. The original plan was to sit outside, unfortunately I was a little warm from the walk down, so I went inside and found a table. AC was on (yay), but the space was a little dark for reading. I'm all about natural light.
Ordered the spinach and feta omelette and iced tea with mint. Came out in good time. Service was a little slow, but at least i got my food,
Omelette was a little salty, but the salad and potatoes were great. Not a big fan of rye bread, next time I'd ask for wheat. Felt a little like I was being rushed out of there in the end (I was eating slowly and reading), but overall a pleasant experience. It's not a bad place to go alone and just eat.
I've been to this place a few times and I love it how it is open late. It is a great place to grab a quick bite with friends after night of clubbing or just a good place to hangout. The desserts are good and the hummus plate!
This place is much larger than it seems but it fills up fast on Saturday's for brunch. Everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered and the fresh orange juice was excellent. I can't say anything was the best I've ever had but everything was really good and fresh.
cafe orlin = my absolute, without fail, go-to east village spot. given that the wait is less than 20 minutes. with the exception of saturday/sunday brunch, the wait never, ever poses a problem.
i feel like i'm somehow biased in reviewing this "cafe". no, i don't have any familial ties to the restaurant and no, i haven't been paid to say great things about it. but my 5-year love affair with it has made all other east village cafe experiences pale in comparison (namely, cafe mogador- which is pretty amazing in its own right).
it's the first restaurant i suggest to friends and visitors alike. and more often than not, i will find myself sitting in the middle room of orlin, poring over the familiar menu, conflicted with too many options (hah! as if i won't ever come back...).
less-than-savory things to expect: sub-standard service (i describe it as "truly european!"); um, they don't do coffee- only espresso variations i.e. americanos (kinda lame).
and since i want to end on a good note (give credit where it's deserved), here are all the awesome things to expect:
- a yummy array of daily specials - always try the soup!
- the babaganoush plate
- the smoked salmon salad
- being hungover at orlin is really great; why? because you leave post-brunch feeling wide-eyed and bushy tailed. delish.
- outdoor seating (it's not hard to snag a seat outside, seriously.)
- sometimes they offer grilled tilapia and i die. it's that good.
- oddly enough, i am obsessed with their strawberry jam. request it.
- frequent model-off-duty sightings (without a doubt, i will be gross and hungover- and jessica stam is sipping a coffee at the table next to me)
I got the Spinach Omelet - the seasoning was perfect, price was great, service was excellent, and the potatoes on the side - YYYYYYUUUUMMMM.
We stumbled upon Café Orlin while strolling through the East Village one Wednesday night and LOVED IT. We sat at a table outside, facing the busy sidewalk of St. Mark's Place. The ambience was lovely.
We started with the grilled calamari appetizer, which was nothing short of perfection. The calamari was tender and seasoned perfectly. I ordered the sesame salmon with Asian vegetables and my date ordered the linguine with sauteed shrimp. Both dishes were relatively simple, but I cannot say enough good things about the seasoning. My salmon was tender and delicious and came with a very interesting mix of sides. Most notably, the hijiki salad (kind of a seaweed type vegetable) was amazing!
The service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience at Cafe Orlin!
There's a reason why this place is always crowded: the food is tasty and reasonably priced. Where else can you find pumpkin pancakes in the middle of August topped with delicious cinnamon yogurt? For lunch or dinner, try their delicious falafel sandwich (hold the sauerkraut).
Yes, the servers are a bit crabby, but I would be too if I were serving over-privileged college kids all day.
I love the fact that this place is open super late, has great food, and is reasonably priced.
My girlfriend and I generally go there for breakfast during the week. They have a breakfast special that you can't really beat. For six dollars you get eggs, potatoes, toast, orange juice, and a cappuccino. Where else in NYC can you get such a great deal!? I have also had their pumpkin pancakes which where good but a little under done.
My boyfriend and I have gone there for late night dinners and the pasta dishes have been great! Believe it or not it is difficult to find decent food at 1am even in New York.
I am very grateful to Cafe Orlin being open so late. Many thanks!
I've been going to this place consistently for about 2 years now, and I've never had a meal I haven't liked. Everything is always cooked to perfection, especially their eggs.
The waitstaff is friendly and attentive, but intimidatingly attractive, which isn't really a complaint. It's one of my East Village favorites.
Great spot to meet up for a weekend brunch. Be prepared for a long wait, as this place seems to draw long lines. The brunch menu is excellent with lots to choose from. They've nailed the staples, e.g., french toast and eggs benedict, and have some seasonal treats as well like pumpkin pancakes and spiced cider.
The only downside of this place is the service. The staff can make you feel rushed to order and then take their time processing it and serving you.
Very cute cafe with a great brunch selection. They're all about the poached eggs, apparently. I got the hijiki salad, which was very flavorful and, well, "Asian." As for my friend who got the goat cheese sandwich - the goat cheese really overpowered the grilled veggies, and the bread was too tough. My latte was very good - one of the best I've had in the city. As much as I liked sitting outside under the awning, too many chairs were stuffed in the space; leaving the restaurant seemed to be a total inconvenience to the nearby diners.
My other beef: the bathroom stalls - two of them - face each other and share a sink, which is smushed against a wall. It's nearly impossible to use the bathroom without hitting someone with a door.
What a great great place. Went here for the first time this weekend, and it was just authentically solid brunch with some interesting items on the menu and GREAT brunch specials (no, not alcohol, you alcy) with various Eggs Benedict combos with juice, cappicino, and your brunch entree for $12, which all of my dining companions got and loved.
I got the avocado, tomato, and goat cheese omlet with lamb sausage, and it was killer. Delicious.
Perfect pick me up after a long night. And the walk home didn't hurt either.
Been here a couple times and it's been pretty consistently good. The food tastes very fresh -- pastas are reasonably priced and almost always a good choice. Garlic mashed potatoes are pretty bangin', too. My friend loved his lamb shank as well. Strangely, they offer free wifi -- but it's too much of a restaurant setting for me to feel comfortable whipping out my laptop.
I do have a bone to pick -- service can be shoddy at times. We had to flag down a busboy once because our waitress was just straight-up ignoring us. The second time was better, though. Also: points docked for their pinot grigio having a screw-off cap. Really? No restaurant should serve wine with a screw-off cap!
A great stumble upon find over the July 4th weekend. Excellent menu? Check! Outdoor seating in the sunshine after a solid month of rain? Check! We put our names on the list and then hung around the sidewalk with the folks in the starving queue. After about 20 minutes and no table changes, we decided to try and find another spot. We walked quite a few blocks finding nothing before deciding to head back. In spite of our 15min side trip, they still put our name back on the list and sat us quickly. Big score for that, even though our waitress was none too thrilled with the hostess overlooking our misdeeds and allowing us in after she had pointed out we were S.O.L. for exiting the scene.
Even with the punishment of very...slow...service, the food was excellent! No draft beer, bottles only...meh. Delicious, delicious calamari!
A disclaimer here is that we wanted to sit outside only, which is why the wait was so long. There is ample seating inside. If you don't mind sitting inside at basement level when it's sunny outside, then you will get a seat quickly.
I'll definitely go back for seconds!
I am gonna give you four stars Orlin. Lets pretend I wanted to give you three but had been drinking or something and for some reason I see another star, or I don't. I know it doesnt make sense. Neither does four stars. Why?
We went to Orlin...three of us. There were no seats. It was a nice day...we were speaking to the waiter host for ten minutes...we were waiting for one of the four seat tables to open...15 and then 20 minutes go by. A man is alone at a 4 and he is chillin and waitin for the check...Finally he gets it...and others come to wait...now the waiter has the nerve to ask us if we want to be put on the list? WHAT? what list? He says, I know you have been here a while but you never told me. He isn't joking. Seriously, my law degree has really allowed me to control my temper...in another life, I might have seriously smacked dude with the back of my hand without warning...there is no reason for such ridiculous behavior. At the very least, I would have spazzed out some...instead, my companions and I, two females, just stared blankly in unison, refusing to speak...he got the message.
Finally he put us in the back...in the shade...it wasn't a, put me in the shade day...when some others left, I took my menu and i walked to my preferred table and well, I sat there...waiting for him to tell me about a list. My companions joined me, hesitantly...
This place has way too many tables stacked up on each other...you really have to love your neighbor...my claustrophobia was really getting to me...
I ordered a breakfast special they have. It had eggs, home fries, toast, a baby baby shot of OJ and some cappuccino. I got exactly what I ordered. NO more, no less. The special is like $7 and it goes until 4pm.
I even got some water that had a green "leaf" in it. I wont blame them...its spring and i was outside. Who knows if it just randomly fell in.
If you want breakfast topped with the person next to you, this place is this spot. Food was ok. Truth is, sometimes, at a lot of local places, the food isnt ok. I'd return on a day when there is no "list".
Food: 4.5 stars
Service: 1 star
Its kinda funny because I've passed by this retaurant so many times on my way to Cafe Mogador and always thought Cafe Orlin was trying to imitate them because they both have the same yellow "Cafe" sign hanging outside. That and my friends always get lost and assume Cafe Orlin is Cafe Mogador. It is easy to get the two mixed up if you're not paying attention. I finally decided to eat here one day because I didn't want to walk down another avenue.
I've had the mushroom ravioli ($11.75) as well as the penne with chicken ($12.25). Both were one of the best pastas I've ever had, better than those from Italian restaurants. The mushroom ravioli: I LOVE basil so I suppose the entree was a hit from the start. I was a bit concerned that the mushroom ravioli was not made out of mushrooms because it tasted so darn good. I started thinking the ravioli was stuffed with some sort of mixed meat, but the waitress confirmed it was only mushroom, so I just kept on eating. I get paranoid about these things since I don't eat beef. I also tried to babaganush, but that was pretty standard.
I've sat both outside and inside. I recommend sitting outside if it is a nice summer night. However, both times our waiters seemed too busy for us. We had to chase them down to refill our water or give us an additional plate. The first time, our waiter was genuinely busy and he did "try". The second time, we sat inside and the restaurant wasn't even full. The waitress was just no where to be found all night. When we did find her, she tried to brush us off and made it seem like we were too needy. That bugged me so I'm deducting one star from them.
Overall, I am definitely coming back for the food if I have time to wait around for my waiter. I guess that makes me the wait-er then huh...
This is an UNBELIEVABLE place for brunch. I avoid St. Mark's because it's generally a tourist trap, but this place delivered a serious meal for a not-too-bad price. I had blueberry pancakes (awesome) with two eggs on the side and a baba ganouj plate with a couple glasses of orange juice and it was like $20 (after tip). I was pretty hungry.
This is one of the better brunches I've had in town, not that I've had that many (surprised?), and the meal was made that much better by the very friendly, very accommodating staff. I'll be back next time I have $20.
All You Can Eat Mussels!
Neighborhood: Fashion District
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Neighborhood: East Village
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Diners
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: East Village
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Neighborhood: Lower East Side
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