Esperanto Cafe
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village114 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012 (212) 475-5400
- Nearest Transit:
W 4th St (A, C, E, B, D, F, V)
Houston St (1)
9th Street (PATH)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
- Good for: Late Night
- Alcohol: None
31 Reviews for Esperanto Cafe
Good spot to people watch West-Villagers. + free wifi. Just don't get the iced cappuccinno. *thumbs down*
My fav coffee shop to read, work, or meet with a long lost friend..
The Good:
- The rustic decor
- People watching sitting in the sofa
- The soft rock playlist in the background
- The cider
The Bad:
- Honestly, the coffee is not as good as it should be
- No AC on a hot summer day
The Ugly:
Each time I go, I envy the people hanging out in the sports bar across the street. My next stop is usually a bar!
I stumbled on this place in search of wireless for the Internets until Time Warner gets their act together and arrive sometime between next week and the next century during the hours of 8:00am and 11:50pm. They don't have free wifi, but they do have plenty of reliable wifi around that you can borrow. There's also plenty of seating, and the staff will leave you alone while you work. I always feel bad staying for hours without ordering anything, so I tried the Turkish coffee and tuna melt. Ixnay on the Turkish coffee but the tuna melt was pretty good. Their lemonade is also fresh and tasty, but at something like $4, it's hardly worth it. 24 hours too in case you're trying to meet a deadline and know you'll only procrastinate if you're at home.
Update as of 4.8.08: Within a span of a few days, they've already gone down the drain. The service went from reasonably good to downright fucked up.
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I was looking for a place to study on Monday night and found this place on Yelp. Unfortunately I picked the wrong night because they have live music on Mondays, LOL.
The singer was great, she had a good voice. The place was chill, and it was too bad I couldn't stick around.
I didn't oder coffee just a house salad- which tasted great! specially because it has avocados - and a sprite.
I would definitely go back.
I like this place, but I don't love it. It's true that there is plenty of seating, but I only consider half of it to be ideal, namely, the bench seating along the wall and/or the tables by the large front window. Otherwise, I feel like it can get quite dark, especially when the sun is in hiding. The dark red paint and brick on alternating walls, coupled with well-worn dark wood furniture don't help to brighten up the place either. (If you've read my other reviews, you'd know that good lighting is a key factor for judging a cafe as a writing spot.)
On the plus side, it generally doesn't get too crowded in here, and they really don't seem to mind if you spend several hours occupying their tables. The outlet situation is a bit iffy, but doable. The menu is surprisingly extensive, and I had a hearty grilled chicken panini with small side salad for lunch (between 11a-4pm, add a drink for only $.50). They also seem to serve breakfast all day long and have a large display case full of tempting baked goodies.
Oh, and the biggest plus of all is the fact that it's open 24 hours. So all you insomniac writers out there, take heart in knowing that you have some place nice to go.
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I love this place, used to come here to study or chill with a friend when I was at NYU and still try to stop by whenever I can. It's dark and cozy, great low-key place to go when you need a break from the rest of the area. It's pretty whimsical - a piano in one corner and a phone booth in the other. Sandwiches and desserts are good, decent coffee. The waitresses are really cool, you can order a tea and stay for hours, and they won't ever give you a hard time. Last star for being so awesomely priced and open 24/7.
I hate to give such an awful review, but after going here enough to verify that it wasn't a one-time experience, my final take on the place is it's a great cozy place that's all you ever dreamed of for a cafe, it's open 24/7, but it can't do drinks.
I sat down once next to a girl who looked like she had a mint tea with mint leaves. Thinking that it looked nice, I asked her what she had, hoping maybe it was some sort of Morroccan mint tea. She told me, "mint tea, but don't get it. It's so weak, and awful, that I just played with it the whole night after one sip."
Taking her advise, I took coffee instead. I asked for a cafe au lait with a bit of caramel. It's really not too hard-- coffee, steamed milk, a bit of caramel. I ended up getting a coffee with milk (no foam) and way too much caramel that I couldn't drink it. It tasted like the coffee at Burger King, really. My cousin told me it was a better that way because the coffee (he had the Turkish) wasn't too great either. After coming again, I do agree with him.
It's a great place to lounge around, but not to enjoy your drinks, unless you have some sort of penchant for bad coffee.
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Israeli run (and I think owned), this slightly dark cafe is great as well as accommodating. They have free wifi (its not super strong, but it does the trick if you're trying to distract yourself from endless Constitutional Law reading by chatting with cuties online) and a pretty good selection of snacks and drinks. The hot water with mint is exceptional.
Like a good foreign-feel cafe, they will never bring you the check unless you ask for it, so if you're in for an all-nighter (they are 24 hours), you don't have to feel guilty for only buying two coffees over 5 hours.
On a side note, the waitress (who I am pretty sure was from Israel), noticed my kippah and very informedly (i swear this is a word but my computer says it is not... I'm keeping it in anyway) asked if I wanted a fruit salad with a plastic fork (which would be kosher). I was very impressed.
This is the home of the lounging New Yorker, the relaxer, the loiterer.
I come to Esperanto to study, because the atmosphere begs me to. The staff is slow, but in the good way that makes you feel as if time has slowed as well. You could really spend a whole day here reading, studying, munching, doing nothing. Don't come here if you are in a rush, you will only be dissappointed.
Try the egg meal. Oldstyle and cheap, it never fails.
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I know a review where I say "Ditto Kristine R" is hardly useful, but there you go. Esperanto is a cozy place with fair to middling drinks and food. The big pluses are that they have free wifi and are open 24 hours. Troublesome aspects are the shady outlet situation and the dark corners. This place is too small for group writing, but perfect if you're just meeting a friend or two or going alone.
The guy behind the counter told me that Sunday mornings are very busy, and, not surprisingly, so are Saturday nights. So if you want to get your writing on, avoid those times.
A friend of mine recently spent several hours there writing. She reported that the wifi worked fine and the food was okay, but the crowd that shows up between 11:30PM and 2AM is distracting and kinda sketchy. This is when the comedy clubs let out and people drop in for coffee and to decide what bar they will hit next. This phenomenon is probably at its worse on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Other nights it's less likely for a lot of people to be out at that time unless they are writing, like I will be!
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One thing I love about New York is that one is never in short supply of New Favorite Places. Like, every week I find myself saying "[Establishment X] is my new favorite [Type of establishment]!" That said, Esperanto is my new favorite late-night Village coffee shop! And not just because the name kind of makes me laugh!
I like the coffee drinks and the staff is detached enough that I don't feel guilty lounging in the corner for three hours with all of four dollars on my check. It took an especially strident group of heterosexuals to finally drive me out around one o'clock in the morning. Also, the seats along the windows and wall could also use some pillows. But! I had a nice time and will definitely go back. There is a ton of seating. And Turkish coffee! The music comprised exactly the kind of Stereolab-y music I want to hear in cafe, too. The best part is that they're open 24 hours, obvs, so it's a nice place for a late-night whatever with friends. For a date, though, I'd go to the more intimate Caffe Reggio across-ish the street.
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There is nothing like esperanto anywhere else on the planet for the following reasons:
A) There are always incredibly hot women inside.
B) And men.
C) The chai lates are the best on earth.
D) Shmulik.
E) Free random vegan dessert tastings at 3:40am.
F) People will loan you their lap tops.
G) Scandinavian friendly.
H) The people working there will literally kiss you on the lips in front of everyone.
I) Free Hebrew lessons.
I will keep adding to this list when I am not about to pass the fuck out.
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The place was just dark enough, kitschy enough, and devoid enough of NYU students to have just the right vibe.
My friend and I both got paninis which were larger than standard and so, so fresh. Unfortunately the lettuce in the sandwich was wilty but the salad lettuce was crispy and perfect.
Really almost everything was perfect, except we had to make a scene every time we needed service. I'm all about taking it slow and leisurely, but more a leisure at your own pace.
Esperanto is my home away from my home away from home. For any reviews that say this cafe is understaffed or that the staff is inattentive: embrace the fact that a restaurant isn't kicking you out after 45 minutes to make room for more customers. The atmosphere is laid-back and conducive to studying. Sit outside and you are bound to strike up conversation with one of the locals over cigarettes and espresso. Try the mozzarella panini with an iced chai if you're looking for a meal here.
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Villages and convenience are my two favorite concepts. But, because these two usually clash at the thought of changing two subways and a 40 minute trip to get to the village, I haven't explored this area as much as I should have.
To my luck, I was wheedled into making the trip here yesterday. And I'm glad I did. It's not really Esperanto Cafe that I fell in love with, but the neighborhood around it. Trees, tiny little coffee shops lining the sidewalks, little lights, foreign-looking people. And all glossed over with a low-key, small-community feel. I love it!! What a break from the rest of NYC.
As for Esperanto, any place that offers free wifi gets a good review from me. That, combined with its delicious turkish coffee earns it four stars.
Minus one for a dry brownie, because--to Esperanto's bad luck--delicious, heart-warming brownies is my third favorite concept.
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Always crowded and understaffed, therefore, waiting for 20 minutes to pay. Good coffee and internet by the way, and weekday afternoons, it's almost half full.
2 stars off because its bathrooms = yuck! even when it's not full. They should definitely clean it more regularly.
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Esperanto, which means Hope in Esperanto, gives to its patrons what its name stands for, and more. I love the place, it's cheap, cozy, has a select crowd of NYU freshmen/tourist bouquet, (sexist) cute waitresses (/sexist), and some wifi service that does not belong to the place which sometimes works. Since, I tend to hang out for working on projects, I rarely do order stuff to eat, but from what I understand (overheard from the nearby patrons) that the stuff is nice. I go for smoothies, they're good, but is there really any such thing like "bad smoothie"?
One note: During the Summer of 2007, some guys who should have been nurturing their inner-children elsewhere have manifested themselves in front of this joint, demonstrating their less-than-demonstrable skills in passing a football among themselves. This third world practice somehow allowed on the street by the neighboring bars, cafes and police (this, I believe has something to do with the guys looking a bit rough), resulted in hearing the sudden BANG of a football as you're sitting by the street side of the cafe. Esperanto cafe in this manner also required hope: good hope that the window will remain intact.
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I was in New York for a weekend and only had two nights to spare. Each night? Pecan Pie and a milk at Esperanto.
It was solely by chance that I stumbled across this place initially, but once I tried their fine Pecan Pie I knew I had to come back for more. Statue of Liberty? Times Square? Screw 'em. That's some fine pie.
Great pricing, killer staff. I'll be longing for this place.
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The one and only place where I'll walk in to actually have coffee or a latte or something that I don't usually get, its such a cozy place, great for people watching outside and inside, inflated prices but its tempered by great service and good shakes.
I went when I was at NYU and I still go there on occassion when I'm in the area.
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Bitch ass waitresses but it's a really pretty coffeeshop (that also serves food). Only thing is if you don't keep ordering stuff every half-hour they give you the death stare. There's free internet but you need an ethernet cable which is annoying and not all of the scattered outlets work.
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I love this little village hang-out spot. It's one of those places I can so happily go alone, order the usual mozzarella panini and a cup of tea, read a book or papers or surf the net (free wi-fi!), and just chill with my fab self... haha. I never feel rushed when I'm here. The food (simple menu, btw - paninis, salads, sandwiches, soups) is good AND cheap. The panini I get comes with a small side salad and only costs 5 bucks! Their desserts are great treats, too. I think last time I had the home-made tiramisu - totally delish and totally AFFORDABLE!
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I fell in love with Esperanto one saturday night when, after making my way around Panchitos, Mamouns, and Off the Wagon, I dropped by around 3am for a cup of coffee and saw a girl sitting by herself in the corner, completely engrossed in her copy of the Fountainhead. It's that kind of place.
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1- this place is great if you on macdougal and need to pee. the waitstaff doesn't really ever pay attention to what's going on on the floor so they won't hassle you.
2- it's ok if you want a coffee (the lattes are pretty good), or want to meet up with friends to catch up on life. the menu is ok. i've had the chicken salad and a panini and both were passable. the music is pretty good too and maintains a cool atmosphere. they played a fair share of jamiroquai the last time i was there.
3- based on the fact that the waitstaff is totally aloof to people wandering in off the street to use the bathroom, friends catching up over food, and that you may want to sing along to the good music, this place suuuucks for student meetings, interviews and work-related meetings.
i have to meet up with a classmate on saturday. i'm gonna check out Cafe Collage. i'll let u know how that is...
UPDATE: i tried to go to Cafe Collage, but i think it closed =( either that, or i'm in dire need of getting my NYC-inner-nav-tool fixed.
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Great place to hang for an afternoon with a laptop, novel, or sketch pad. I'm a sucker for distressed wooden tables and chairs. The bright red sofa is brilliant. Oh, there's actually a computer in that phone booth. Expresso and Chai are decent, although a bit on the pricey side compared to Cafe Collage at the corner. The servers here definitely have an attitude, especially the waitress. Although I still find myself coming here to look for a free table first before I venture down the street.
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One of my favorites. Great ambiance, wood tables, indoor and outdoor seating. Friendly service. Come for coffee, a meal, to work, to converse, to eavesdrop. Open 24 hours!
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Great little spot. I ordered a spinach and mushroom pizza. This is a tasty pizza. The coffee is quality as well. I have good word that the paninis are to die for.
The servers are very personable. They make you really just feel good while you are there.
Esperanto Cafe is a great place to overhear interesting conversations while obliviously and foolishly believing that nobody can hear or see you. The clientele is painfully hip and all seem to be working on novels or screenplays. The downside of this is that a trip to Esperanto can be slightly demoralizing if you yourself are somewhat hip and are working on a novel or a screenplay. The upside is that the waitress won't hassle you to leave if you show up with a laptop. The coffee is alright, but be prepared to pay a few dollars extra for the atmosphere.
Esperanto is open all day and night, which is a major plus.
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This is what a coffee house should be. Starbucks, take notes.
Thank God for Esperanto - it's the only 24/7 coffee shop in the area. Great for reading and hanging out by yourself, or catching up with friends. Plus the best damn tiramisu in the city.
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it's raining outside and i'm trying to find cafe collage. I fail. so i turn back and walk into this quiet little place filled with people... and silence; not completely silent, tapping sounds of fingers hitting keyboards. oh yea, the laptop paradise (note, another cafe down mcdougal... not sure if it is cafe dante, has "no laptops allowed" posted on its door).
i sit down and the smiley waitress quickly comes to me.
i order a double espresso in a regular cup filled with milk.
i look around and i see the nice woody decor with a warm tone throughout that soothes and pleases me.
then, i see the disco ball, amongst the antique-y lamps. i am but confused, though soon enough the arrival of my coffee takes over my attention.
the coffee is okay, i've had better.
the price was about the same as starbucks.
what brought me in, in the first place, was the "always open".
will i come back? hm... meah, if i'm in the mood and craving for its special atmosphere. and if it's raining and i can't find cafe collage, again.
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great place for those 3am coffee dates. the service sucks though
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