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Categories: Coffee & Tea, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Inwood215th St (1)
207th St-Washington Hts (A)
Mon-Thu. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Indian Road Cafe is on the verge of becoming a Public Utility.
Seriously.
As a resident of this little tucked-away, easily-missable corner of Inwood, I have shared the lamentations of my neighbors over the lack of good hangout spots. Then, one day - about a year and a half ago - construction seemed to be starting on the old, defunct deli/bodega/gamblingoperation site on the corner of 218th Street & Indian Road. It was a business that was applying for a license and was going to call itself, "Indian Road Cafe."
A brief frisson of excitement ran through the community. A coffee shop? Around the corner? Across from the park? Will they serve lunch? Dinner? Drinks? How big will it be? Will it be nice - the kind of place where you want to sit for hours & read & drink two or three great espressos or lattes?
Then the excitement was tempered with reality. We were treated to weekly postings on the progress of the license application, posted on the glass outside, with terrific updates full of wry humor and elaborate detail about the Byzantine process of trying to open a new business amidst New York bureaucracy. "Well, whoever this is - they've got a great sense of humor," we all reassured each otther, as we passed by the construction site, walking our dogs every morning...
Then - construction began & was soon finished. First, it was just coffee, later lunch & dinner, and along came the bar. What was a larger market area is now a smaller area for hard-to-find non-alcoolic beverages & snack foods.
So,
GREAT FRENCH-PRESS COFFEE IN THE MORNING: Check.
OPEN SPACIOUS ENVIRONMENT: Check.
DELICIOUS FOOD THROUGHOUT THE DAY: Check.
GREAT SERVICE: Check (a bit slow when they first opened, but they've got it all running very smoothly now).
So, they were good to go, right? Just leave it at that, right?
Not at all.
FABULOUS BAR TRUCKED DOWN FROM UPSTATE: Check.
INCREDIBLE UNIQUE AND FREQUENTLY CHANGING BEER SELECTION: Check
GREAT WINES, INCLUDING LOCAL VINEYARDS: Check
A MENU THAT KEEPS THE GOOD STUFF BUT STILL KEEPS CHANGING: Check.
Ok, now they were done, right? Nope - just getting warmed up...!
GREAT MUSICIANS PLAYING OLD DJANGO REINHARDT TUNES IN THE EVENING: Check.
COMMUNITY TABLE FOR LARGER GATHERINGS; Check.
WEEKLY KNITTING CIRCLE AT SAID COMMUNITY TABLE: Check.
MONTHLY INWOOD HISTORY NIGHT WITH COOL PRESENTATIONS BY LOCAL HISTORIANS: Check.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY-THEMED PRIX FIXE MENUS: Check.
So, in turn the community has stepped up.
REGULARS THAT GO FOR THE COMPANY AS MUCH AS THE RESTAURANT: Check.
MULTIPLE DOGS TIED UP OUTSIDE WHILE THEIR OWNERS ARE GETTING COFFEE & A ROLL INSIDE: Check.
INTERESTING & CREATIVE STAFFERS ALL WORKING THERE (MUSICIANS, SINGERS, INTERNATIONAL-TYPES): Check.
OWNERS WHO CIRCULATE AROUND & GREET THE CUSTOMERS: Check.
In sum - VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY: Immeasurable.
For those new to Inwood, it's a great base of operations. On a chilly Fall day, start out with a grilled sandwich. Then go for walk in Inwood Hill Park, feed the ducks & geese, hike through the woods, and then end up back at the cafe for a coffee. (And their coffee is seriously, off-the-hook, great. And I'm hardly a coffee-drinker...)
Or, if you're attending a Columbia football game, stock up on some warm beverages beforehand and then make plans for dinner afterwards.
I'm really not exaggerating. This place has only been around for a little over a year, and it's already the hub of a terrific community, the way a British pub is, or a local diner. But it's better, because it's all those things: a pub, a diner, a cafe, a restaurant. Throw in a community center and music venue, and you've got the irreplaceable, how'd-we-ever-get-along-without-it place that it is today.
Indian Road is certainly satisfactory.
It was pretty busy on a Saturday night, even as early as seven I still had to wait about 15 minutes for a table.
The beer selection is extensive, over half the menu just for beers!
The wait staff was courteous and not pushy. The atmosphere was calming.
I had the Vegetable Thai Curry (vegan). Not the best curry I have ever had, but certainly tastey. However, nothing about this place really WOW'd me. Somewhere enjoyable to visit before or after going on a walk in Inwood HIll Park.
We had dinner here Friday as we were mulling over whether to take an apartment right around the corner. We started out with a bottle of Montepulciano, that when brought to the table, was a syrah. I think Montepulciano sounded like the name of a syrah. We asked about it, and they gave us the bottle for the (cheaper) Montepulciano price. My husband ordered the cubano, I ordered the cellantani. The cubano was fine, but not substantial for $11, and my cellantani was really dry. I was hoping more for gloppy goodness that only mac n' cheese can provide. The shinning star was at least they threw in some panchetta. I want to like this place because we signed on the apartment!
After posting the original review, the owner wrote me a message on here, and was really nice. He said they are working out kinks, but from his message, we will definitely try it again.
I've become a big fan of this place. It took me a while. I love the festive carefree nature of the place. I have been to game nights, Holiday bashes, and this cool Monday night thing. It's such a cool neighborhood place! Now- the food...it's REALLY improved! The dishes are both filling and appealing...and get this!? Their prices went down too!
I'm so glad they came around. I really love going there now and hope they stick around for a long time...
UPDATE: I got an email from the owner who corrected me: the entree price range is $6-15...so I… Read more »
A lovely surprise. Having moved from the restaurant-abundant UWS, I constantly miss having good little places to dine out in the neighborhood. This place seems to be hidden WAAAYYY up on the tip of Manhattan (not a place you would stumble upon unless you live around here). Dark, sexy candlelight, a nice selection of beer, wine, coffee. I needed comfort food, GOOD comfort food. Their version of Mac N'Cheese, the Celantani with Asiago and truffled crumbs really hit the spot. Lloyd's carrot cake from Riverdale, NY was a moist, light treat. They had a gorgonzola stuffed fig and prosciutto appetizer that evening that also held some of my favorite flavors.
This place will be added to my regular rotation of Uptown eateries.
Had a breakfast burrito here. Pretty bland. Seems like a decent place for a cup of coffee but it wouldn't stand garner much attention if it were located in Manhattan. Atmosphere is non-descript.
We've taken the time to do a little local investigations and have been very happy with what we've found here.
The coffee is off the charts. Some of the best I've ever had. Steep statement...also true. We got a bag to go last time.
So far we've tried a sandwich or two from the menu. Egg sandwich was hearty and delicious (though I wish they had egg whites). The vegetarian sandwich was perfect in size, dimension and taste. Its nice to have a place that has live music and brunch and wine so close. It is quickly becoming a local go-to place for the Inwood area where I am concerned.
A great little place with lots to offer. I've been to IRC quite a lot this past year and a half or so since they've been open, and I've yet to have a bad experience. Their menu is quite unique with fresh ideas of old favorites. And the beer list, well, it's amazing. You won't find many places in the city with the types of beer they serve.
The coffee is excellent as well. They offer quite a nice variety of drinks, including sodas from around the world.
Two thumbs up and five stars. The icing on the top of an already great neighborhood.
We consider it an added bonus that we live down the block from this place.
Free Wifi, organic food, and live jazz all contribute to why it holds a warm place in my heart.
The Lobster Mac n' Cheese is my new close to home favorite food. Honestly I probably would eat it every night if my boyfriend was as enthusiastic about it as I am. It's made with 3 cheeses and fresh Maine Lobster that tastes so buttery and delicious I wish there were a few extra pieces thrown in.
The Prosciutto Panino is good enough to be served at Bagatelle or some other high end restaurant. I'd bet money that you haven't had one with Ciabatta toasted as crunchy and crisp like they make it at Indian Road Cafe.
The service is great (they will honor your order no matter how close to closing it is) and the calendar is always chock full of cool music and comedy performances. Plus it's close to home!
I think Jason Minter did Inwood a huge favor by adding this delightful cafe to the neighborhood.
Indian Road cafe is a cafe, wi-fi coffee shop, and bar facing Inwood park and they mean business in all three categories.
Cafe- The food is great with incredible ingredients. We're talking prosciutto panini's with fig jam and arugula, Lobster Mac and cheese, Cheese plates, and a Black Angus filet Mignon.
Coffee shop- All of their Coffee and Espresso's are made from Counter Culture Coffee which uses organic beans and is Fair Trade Certified.
Bar- No Coronas or Heineken's here, They have an extensive beer list. They carry Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA, Brooklyn Lager, Mother Milk (my favorite), Hoptimus Prime, and many other brews. They have bottomless mimosas for brunch as well.
This is a great option if you're in the neighborhood to watch a Columbia football game or finding some trails on Inwood park.
Very agreeable beer selection. Mother's Milk please!
Food is something of a shortfall for me. Limited menu done with more style than skill.
Nice place to have in the nabe, but a little to high end for my wallet for an every week kind of place.
We've been there twice now and the food has been delicious both times. The wait staff was very attentive both times. They would come by just often enough to check on drink status, if we needed anything, etc... but not so often that you felt it was too much. A nice menu and I hear they rotate items from time to time so we're looking forward to that. The baked mac & cheese is amazing! (I forget what it's called on the menu though.) The hummus/pita appetizer was very tasty and came with a nice amount of both hummus and pita. No running out of pita before the hummus was gone! Have yet to try the coffee but from the looks of the other reviews here we are missing out!
I agree with another reviewer, in that this place doesn't know what it wants to be. It tries for coffee bar, market, wine bar, restaurant, and... some sort of stage for live music and trivia. It is a meh of all trades, and awesome of none.
Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I were looking for a cafe, to sit at and do laptoppy things at. We were in the back room, where others were laptopping away alongside us. Which is strange, as the back room was entirely dim, and felt more like a restaurant than a cafe.
I hope it discovers what it wants to be in the future. In the meantime, I'll still be ISO a good cafe in Inwood.
The salads are outstanding. The blood orange dressing is perfect.
But I had the vegetable green curry tonight and it was all wrong. Way too much sugar.
My wife had the cuban sandwich which was thoroughly enjoyable.
Next time... Lobster Mac n'Cheese!
I vote Indian Road Cafe the best restaurant in Inwood and Washington Heights. I would… Read more »
I had such high hopes for this place! I agreed with the other positive posts here... finally, a fantastic restaurant / cafe had arrived. I went every morning, convinced others to go there to eat, and made it a point to eat at least one dinner a week there.
What has happened in the past three months is utterly disappointing. I think they've re-done a lot of their special touches in order to save money. As a business owner, I understand this... but cutting corners to make me turn into a baffled former fan means that you are cutting way too many corners.
For example, the dinner that I had there last month was $21 for my main course dish. I think all they did was take a stew and heat it up. The meat was dry, no bread was served, service sucked.
The other morning, I went to get a toasted bagel with cream cheese. There were no customers there. I had to ask for the bagel to be toasted two times since the lady was more interested in reading her newspaper than serving her customer.
I left with the warm bagel and cream cheese... or so I thought. As I walked to the subway, I took out my bagel only to find out that she didn't even put on the cream cheese. She included a PHILLY cream cheese (the kind you find in every bodega in NYC) with no knife.
I went back to ask if she could actually put on the cream cheese for me. I was curious why she didn't do it. She said that the owners told her not to in order to save time. I looked around. Still the only customer in there. So then I asked if I could at least have a knife.
In one more desperate attempt, I brought my father-in-law to the cafe for coffee. I mean, at least they would be able to do the coffee right, right? He ordered the espresso and practically spit it out. It was COLD. They didn't even warm up the espresso cup, which is just standard practice in the restaurant / cafe business.
What is happening to this joint that I once loved? Let's get back to the basics! Serve GOOD food. Serve GREAT customer service. Stock your market with things we can't find at C Town. Re-stock with your specialty items (that seem to have disappeared).
I almost moved out of Inwood because of the lack of a decent cafe - no joke - but fortunately my discovery of Indian Road Cafe has extended my stay in the neighborhood.
The setup is a bit confusing at first: there's a "market" (actually just a bunch of low shelves containing some random yuppie groceries) in the back, a restaurant in the middle, and a "communal table" (where the laptop-users dwell) behind the restaurant part. This means if you want to buy coffee at the front coffee bar and sit down with it, you have to carry your coffee through the restaurant, which is a bit awkward. You can also order from the restaurant menu at the communal table, further adding to the confusion.
Once you get over the weird setup, though, Indian Road Cafe has a lot to offer. Really, really amazing coffee, especially the vanilla lattes with their homemade vanilla syrup. Great breads, pastries, and a pretty decent menu, although some of the items are hit-or-miss - I've ordered the spinach and cheese omelet several times, and it ranged from perfect to inedibly undercooked (hence the 4 stars).
More importantly, this place has free wireless and big comfy chairs, two commodities that are in short order in the rest of Manhattan. I can also always get a seat, no matter how crowded it is. And I love the views of the park, and the funky little antique shop/bookstore next door. There's no better place in Inwood to spend a Saturday morning.
Thank goodness I have a car and can drive here because I do end up here quite often. It's true that it's not a torrid love affair, but a comfortable long-term relationship. This is my favorite cafe to spend time in Manhattan (albeit remote, really might as well be the Bronx, corner).
Yes, the food's a tad pricier than it should be... But it's right next to a park, there is usually street parking, their coffee is tasty, and - the real reason for this update - THEIR COOKIES ARE SOOO TASTY.
I tried to have just one and the barista recced the tri-color. Then the waitress said her favorite by far was the lemon drop. I have no willpower, I had both. They were both delicious. And I don't know if it was on purpose or an accident, but I found two tri-color cookies in my bag. I'm so happy, it's so funny, spring is near, and I am typing comfortably with some great coffee in a lovely cafe.
i love many things about this place. i love that the milk for their french press coffee is served… Read more »
I love the place (writing my review from Indian Road now). Great coffee, relaxed atmosphere, attentive staff, and free wi-fi. Haven't tried the food or anything yet, but there are always people here eating, and nights and weekends it's always packed. Must say something for the food.
The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because it's not completely my scene. I'd prefer a grungier/darker place to hang out, but from what I've found in the immediate area so far, that doesn't exist. Yeah, I'm not gonna find the East Village up here in Inwood, but it'd be nice.
Yes, it's great to have a cafe like this in the nabe. But don't get too excited, there are a few drawbacks. Still 4 stars, though!
So here's the thing about Indian Road Cafe -- the people it hopes to draw in are of a certain type. Affluent people used to the look and feel of downtown cafes who want their indy cafe chai lattes and espressos and free wifi and the semi-bohemian feel. This place is trying to attract the upper middle class white gentrification crowd that has claimed the west side of Broadway for its own the past decade or so. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, of course, but when I walk into a cafe in inwood I kind of expect a little personality from it. Something that reflects where I am. This place doesn't have that.
What I definitely do not expect is the Park Slope vibe -- giant strollers everywhere and toddlers insisting on chocolate milk and general un-calmness. It's not exactly pleasant.
I'm also a little confused about what this place wants to be. A wine bar, a restaurant, a corner market, a cafe? It's like doing most of these things in a half-assed way so as to just make me go 'meh'. BE what you are going to be, IRC. When you decide, we'll all be happy.
All that said, it is a clean, well-lighted place with good chai (yes, I am indeed the one in there looking for chai), decent pastries and good music playing. But there are times when I just want a button I can push to get rid of all noisy beings under the age of 8 in that place.
I was looking so forward to IRC that I guess I feel a little let down. I usually opt to go to deCafe a little ways up Broadway even though they have no bathroom and no plugs (which IRC *does* have) because they have the right idea. Cafe-type place that appeals to the cafe crowd but representing the spirit of the nabe with their food and staff. I guess IRC can't really do that, as the crowd they're looking to attract aren't really people OF the neighborhood but the ones trying to change it into a clone of Park Slope. Ugh.
Awesome coffee, tasty sandwiches, a very respectable wine list and the best beer selection in the neighborhood. I'm so happy to have a place like this so close to my apartment.
Some extra info I've gleaned since making this my second office: all the coffee is made via French press, and you can get a French press for 2 or 4 dropped off at your table; there's no minimum to use a card; they have a good pastry selection and have S&S cheesecake (hopefully good bagels soon?); they're doing table service for dinner and have got a limited but tasty menu.
Update (long delayed) Sept. 6th:
WiFi's been going for quite some time.
They're changing the beer list every Friday. Always something new to imbibe.
They're doing lunch and will be starting brunch pretty soon.
I'm spending way too much money in this place.
Probably the best coffee I've ever had - which I can't believe I'm actually saying, given that I hail from the land of coffee snobbery. But I'm in town briefly visiting my sister and wanted to see what was new and exciting in her 'hood. And people, this place has it going on!
I'm not sure if the slow coffee movement has quite made it to NYC, the way it has in San Francisco, but Indian Road Cafe serves up some amazing lattes. Totally worth the wait (yes, there will be quite a wait) and the price ($10.02 for two medium vanilla lattes). Oh, by the way, to show how seriously they take their coffee, they actually make their own vanilla syrup from scratch. Pretty darn nifty.
Other things that rock about this place: Farmers market apples, fresh chestnuts, tricolor cookies, and cannoli (yup, filled to order).
I think I'm in love. Might just have to work on becoming bi-coastal.
I have only eaten here for dinner but have always had a good time. The service, to me, has always been fast and friendly, and the food has been okay. For the price, the portions are a tad small. The wine my bf and I had was delicious, and the ambiance can't be beaten in that neighborhood. I can't comment on the coffee or anything other than wine, cheese, and my lobster mac N cheese, all of which were delicious.
We had the cuban sandwich (great) and the green curry veggies (tasty), Risesling, hummus and olive bowl with pita, and finished the evening with Gelato. All in all, everything was very enjoyable and the trivia game was fun fun fun to play since I am a nerd. Brobdingnagian beer selection. We are staying in a place just down the street so it's easy to get there and it's right next to the park. As a non-local, I don't know what the competition is in the area, but for us, it's a treat!
I've been back a few times since my first review and have been less enamored of the place. The service remains slow and unresponsive. The food seems to have declined--don't know if they changed kitchen people. That wonderful salad I loved no longer seems to be on the menu; the omelets I've ordered have been decidedly mediocre. When I have had to ask for butter and jelly for my toast, I was brought foil-wrapped butter and grape jelly in a little plastic rectangle--the kind you would get in the worst kind of diner. Really, they should be able to get better jam/jelly and butter than that! Last time I was in, the place was filled with smoke from the kitchen--when we asked the waitress, she reacted as if this were a normal occurrence. The physical location is still pleasant but I doubt I'll make a special trip up there again.
Really sweet cafe near a park--you don't feel like you're in Manhattan. San Francisco, maybe? I went… Read more »
Much anticipated local cafe, market and espresso/coffee and gelato cafe with a selection of "serious" wines.
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Love the ambiance here... this is a wonderful place to hang out with friends or solo with a computer. Free internet access and great coffee. The food is pretty good, but I really go because it's such a nice non-NYC experience! Think Vermont meets the city.
The pride of Inwood. The first place you take your out-of-town guests to show them what a wonderful community you live in, where neighbors relax while listening to eccentric talents at open-mic night, or debate the finer points of an obscure beer with their friends, or simply savor the pressed delight of a Cuban sandwich. Indispensable.
The coffee is really good here, they do a great job. Also all the food I have gotten has been really good to. The Quinoa salad was very delicious, if a bit small....
But the options are a bit limited for the vegetarians. If I don't want a salad, I am pretty much out of luck for lunch or dinner. I hope that they add some more things to their menu and I might go for lunch or dinner more often.
By far the best spot in the neighborhood. The tea list is extensive and fresh, the beer list is creative, the food is yummy and the crowd reminds you that there really is a community in Inwood. On a Sunday morning it is nice to see both families eating brunch, couples relaxing with coffee and the paper, and students working on their laptops.
I enjoy the concept of this place, and it is refreshing to have a locale of this nature in the neighborhood. The beer selection is great, i love the taste of the food, but the portions are a bit small. Also, I think the staff is very nice, but they need to be more attentive. With a revamped menu that focuses on both vegetarian needs and better portions, this place is destined for greatness.
pick from their extensive list of craft beers, nibble on their crab cakes and a plate of lobster mac and cheese, and lean back in the chairs once used by tony soprano... all of the cafe's furniture is from nuovo vesuvio, the restaurant in the sopranos.
For Inwood, this place is a real gem. Great to go for a glass of wine, sit with your laptop and a cup of coffee, or a nice dinner out. The lobster mac n cheese to my favorite (though they go a bit light on the lobster). Staff is very nice - the place just has a really good vibe
This place is amazing. San Francisco coffee shop vibe, right in Inwood. It is a beautiful establishment with a friendly staff. They have a wine list, a beer list and an artisanal cheese plate! The French Press coffee is fantastic and they haven't let me down yet with their Lattes and Cappucino. Plastic is welcomed with no minimum. Go see! You'll like the place.
i'd been aticipating the opening of the cafe for months,and now that it's here,i love http://it.it was hard at first to not think of the deli that was here,got a little confused that it was the same place.the cafe is quite lovely,feels almost like you're in a part of upper westchester,but in a good way.point is,it doesn't feel anything like the neighborhood i grew up in,and i couldn't be happier.once they open up the bar i'll definitely be there http://often.definitely a nice place to sit and read a book over a cappucino,which by the by,was delicious! my point of course being,if you can take the trip up here,definitely go to the cafe !
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