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Southside Coffee
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
652 6th Ave(between 18th St & 17th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Neighborhood: Windsor Terrace
(347) 599-0887
- Nearest Transit:
-
Prospect Av (D, N, R)
25 St (D, N, R)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Cassava B. said: "In a little rough looking neighborhood, (it looks very much like Crenshaw south of 10 FWY in LA), this lady has a beautiful little cafe that's very quint and cute. We enjoyed talking to the nice proprietress there and enjoyed her…" read more »
93 reviews for Southside Coffee
Review Highlights
"It has the right amount of espresso and steamed milk."
(in 22 reviews)
"Chocolate financier + latte = all you will ever need."
(in 11 reviews)
"3) Peaceful, bright environment with free wi-fi."
(in 3 reviews)
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93 reviews in English
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Review from Wendy H.
Brooklyn, NY
1/4/2012
Southside serves really excellent Americanos without the hipster-trappings of some of Brooklyn's more centrally-located coffee shops. I am a huge fan of the owners, who are here most days, either working or chatting with the regulars. I once watched one of them carefully wrangle a confused bird that had flapped its way through the open door, and escort it back to 6th avenue. Which is to say that their skills are multifarious, and apart from their coffee, which speaks for itself, they've created a space with a really friendly feel. It hosts a cast of locals that includes freelancers, of course, and a fair share of baby-stroller pilots, but also the neighborhood U.S. Postal worker and various delivery people who seem happy to stop in and pay more for their coffee than they would at the selection of nearby bodegas. Also, it's a great place to bring your laptop and get some writing done, and if I ever finish, I will owe some part of my PhD to Southside.
One more thing: though it verges on scorching in the summertime, the slant of the afternoon light in this place makes it an unexpectedly pretty spot. -
Review from Lynn B.
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY
10/11/2011
This place is incredible. It's expensive, but it's not overpriced -- it's just really, really good stuff.
I love that the people who run it know a lot about coffee but aren't at all coffee snobs -- it's a really tough balance, having great coffee and knowing your stuff without being pretentious. But these guys are great. I'm generally pretty grouchy going INTO a coffee shop (it's sort of why I'm there in the first place), but these guys always put me in a great mood.
The best part by far are the pastries. They're always super fresh, and there isn't much of a selection -- but that's part of the fun. They always have something different, and it's always awesome. They run out, so it's an incentive to get moving on a lazy Saturday morning. Their Sundays-only cinnamon rolls are something we look forward to all week! Seriously, I'm not much of a pastries person and this place is SO SO good.
There are usually people sitting around taking advantage of the wireless, although I'm usually just getting mine to go. It seems like nice place to camp out or meet a friend, although it's pretty small.
I don't live near here anymore, but will go far out of my way to come back. This place is seriously the best. -
Review from Scott D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Friendly, chill atmosphere. Awesome espresso. Cool Baristas. Tasty Pastries baked by an amazing baker. All around kick-ass cafe.
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Review from Colleen C.
Brooklyn, NY
5/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Real conversation overheard at Southside Coffee:
Guy 1: Apartments are just so expensive, I'm not sure where I'll move after my lease is up.
Guy 2: Yeah, dude. I think if things keep going well with Annica...I'll move into her house. Would be a real great situation.
Guy 1: Oh yeah, that's right. How long have you two been together?
Guy 2: 6 weeks.
Guy 1: Oh yeah? Hmm. Well, cool. Hope it works out, my best relationship was with a girl that I moved in with quickly.
(sounds like they are NOT still together, however)
Guy 2: Good news.
--
From this conversation I realized 2 things:
1. People move in together very quickly in New York because the housing is so damn expensive. 6 weeks in NYC = 1 year in real life. Totally acceptable, I suppose.
2. If people stopped paying $3.50 for coffee (regular!) in places such as Southside, they'd likely have more freedom in their relationships/apartments.
--
Regardless, Southside was a pleasant stop...as I waited for my dog to get done at The Pawlour down the street I popped in, got myself that $3.50 iced coffee, chit chatted with the friendly barrista, sat outside for a bit, enjoyed the patrons and their conversations, and remarked that Brooklyn, indeed, has wonderful coffee. And expensive apartments.
--
*I beg to differ with the single "$" denoted above for "price range." $3.50 for an iced coffee, though fairly big...is still dangerously close to a "WTF" moment. Plain coffee. Ice. Not $3.50, I assure you. Then again, I could start making the stuff myself, but let's face it...I won't do that, so I'll continue to cough up the moula for iced joe, and I'll just give myself a dose of "get over it" before I walk in.
*Cash only.
*No cellphones inside.Listed in: Coffee Brooklyn, Windsor Terrace!
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Review from Alice I.
New York, NY
8/4/2011
A friend and I waited for a friend here one day while she said goodbye to a friend who was moving out of the neighborhood. She got an iced coffee and I got an iced black tea. The barista was nice and the atmosphere was low-key and laid back. I loved the exterior of Southside and wish I lived closer so this could be my local coffee shop.
The iced tea was $2, which I thought was very reasonable for its size. If I'm back in this neighborhood, I'll definitely stop in -
Review from Caroline K.
Astoria, Queens, NY
8/10/2011
This place is a little far from my place, but I do like trying new places. I was pleasantly surprised with the cozy yet spacious sitting area.
Enjoyed the free WIFI for a good few hours. Ordered their iced tea for $2.50 - a little pricey for tea but it was worth it because I was SUPER productive. The music selection was good - by the time I left, I left like I was in a tribe called Quest. -
Review from Zach H.
Brooklyn, NY
4/19/2011
Best coffee in south slope, bar none. The baristas are friendly and although the space itself is not large, I am usually able to get a seat.
They used to sell Intelligensia coffee - I believe they recently made a change and are now serving a different brand but I wasn't able to tell a difference. Great place to read a book and people watch -
Review from Tom W.
Brooklyn, NY
11/9/2011
Fantastic neighborhood coffee shop. The staff is friendly and they make a good cup of coffee or cap or latte or whatever. The limited baked goods are great, too. They have free wifi and let you use their outlets. It's a place to grab a cup to go, sit and chat with friends, or bring a book or laptop and read or work. If you want something a little off the beaten path of 5th, try this place just over on 6th.
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Review from David C.
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cozy little coffee shop which was packed out by the usual wifi users, laptop keys being furiously punched left and right, almost seemed like an apple store. Sat at the window and was entertained by the neighborhood while sipping my joe, there was a park across the way where something was going down, the feds were involved and everything. Cool place, if I'm in the area again, I would certainly rekindle matters.
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Review from Holly O.
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
12/17/2011
GREAT little coffee place. Such an awesome place to relax and enjoy a delicious beverage. They are so chill and the vibe in there is great. I LOVE the "no talking on cellphones" rule. When you're in a quiet, laid back place like that it's extremely annoying when someone comes in on their cell-phone. It's obnoxious and disrespectful. If you MUST take a call, go outside. The espresso here is fantastic. I always get espresso over ice although I've had almost everything on the menu and everything is great. They also have little treats and baked goods made fresh every day- everything is always delicious and they change it up. The people that work there are really friendly and they play great music. It's a tiny place, very plain but there's something so appealing about that. No frills, just coffee and some music. LOVE this place- it's right around the corner and they have free wi-fi! I've used this place many times for when I really need to focus on editing photos and It's crunch time- something about this place helps you be creative and focus.
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Review from Jaime N.
Brooklyn, NY
5/15/2011
Cold-brew iced coffee, amazing. Sundays only cinnamon rolls, fantastic.
I haven't had a single thing here that I don't love- they serve good stuff, and they do it well.
I kind of wish they had more of a pastry/sweet selection so I could come by in the evening and satisfy my dessert cravings... but maybe that will come with time!
Support this joint, it's one of the best things about this neighborhood! -
Review from Christopher R.
Philadelphia, PA
3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
After a day filled barbecue, bourbon & beer, I spent an evening attempting to sleep on my friend's couch. I did okay, but due to the lingering effects of the aforementioned three B's, I was not really feeling great. Faced with the prospect of a long bus trip back hope, I needed coffee to fortify myself. My friend suggested Southside Coffee; I now owe that friend an enormous debt as his suggestion was spot on.
Walking inside, I was immediately experienced a strong sense of familiarity: Southside bears a striking resemblance to my favorite Philly coffee shop, South Street Espresso (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). They even brew the same Counter Culture beans! (Plus Intellegentsia espresso, a departure from SSE's m.o.)
It was a pretty dope cup of coffee. Go here, for sure.Listed in: On the Subject of Coffee
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Review from Jin Y.
You'll find me here every morning at 7am if they're walking distance from me, unfortunately they are not. Looking at a cup of latte with a heart beautifully formed really makes my day. It has the right amount of espresso and steamed milk. Not bitter even to the last sip. I usually add one pack of sugar, gently stir, and slowly sip.
Small coffee shop, not much decor but gives off a calm vibe, indoor/outdoor seating, free WIFI, reasonable prices with tax included (average $3 for drinks and $1.50 for pastries), tipping is optional, and a friendly staff. After you come here, you'll never want to go to Starbucks. -
Review from Allison F.
Portland, OR
9/18/2010
As a native Portlander (which means born and bred, for the record), moving to NYC for grad school has meant a distinct void in my life where coffeeshops and excellent coffee used to be. However, this place satisfies all my desires--they play good music, the baristas are really friendly and brew excellent coffee, the roasts they use are delicious and there is free wi-fi. The clientele, apart from a lot of small children and their parents which I find utterly torturous (no fault of Southside), are normal coffee appreciators who, like me, are often there to study, or talk quietly, or just hang out. In other words, it's not obnoxious like some of the coffeeshops I've encountered in Manhattan.
Prices are really quite reasonable, and not much more expensive than they are in PDX. I haven't tried any of their pastries but they look pretty delish. In the interest of full disclosure I know the owner by association, but I had never met him before my second trip to the place and have to say that he is a genuinely warm and inviting person, which probably explains why his staff is equally so.
If you're around the area or you can easily access this place, I highly recommend it. It's relaxing and laid back in a way that a lot of this city is not, or in other words, it's a respite for me from the big, bad city. -
Review from Martin W.
Brooklyn, NY
11/12/2010
After having my nose opened up by the Vietnamese coffee I have been drinking lately. I decided to explore other barista's or how normal people would say a good cup of Joe.
This place is small with a lot of people doing nothing but staring at computer screens, taking up precious table space and sucking on some caffeine. Why would you go to a coffee shop to stare at a laptop? Is this what society is becoming? Oh well, had the cappuchino which comes with a double shot. Much better than that major chain.
I like the intimacy of this place nothing fancy and the staff is real friendly. So I give you a 5 star coffee bean rating and a 4 star yelp. -
Review from Peter D.
5/16/2009
I was in Windsor Terrace (or whatever the kids are calling this area nowadays), and I was frightfully early for a meeting. By frightfully early, I mean I didn't take into account the hour and a half it usually takes my associate to get out of bed.
If you are ever naive enough to believe people will be where they say, Southside is a delightful place to sit around and wait for them. In the middle of a Thursday afternoon, there were more than enough seats around, despite the steady traffic in and out.
The guy behind the counter was engaged in an intense discussion with a couple, but immediately served me quickly and efficiently. A little girl and her mother were enjoying one of the cookies (which looked fantastic), a student was taking advantage of the free wi-fi on her laptop, and a couple ladies were lounging on the comfy couches by the back wall. Everyone but me had the familiarity of a regular, and I can understand why.
If I lived in the area, you would grow sick of seeing me in Southside, sipping a cup of tea ($2 even), reading a book or exploring the interwebs.Listed in: the slope., coffee shops.
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Review from Zufishan A.
Brooklyn, NY
7/5/2010
There are dogs everywhere. I do not drink coffee. The people are nice. They really understand me. When I talk I feel that I am heard.
I would have a pizza party with them.
Zufishan -
Review from kathleen c.
New York, NY
5/26/2009
I have been searching high and low for a coffee shop like this in New York and am slightly sad that I have to travel more than an hour from Manhattan to get here. Worth it? Most definitely.
The interior of the shop is bright yellow, cheery wood counters and simple black leather chairs. Enough plugs and seats on a weekday afternoon, for sure.
The espresso is nutty and doesn't require sugar (huge plus, since their pastries come from Balthazar and their cookies come from Baked) and apparently their iced coffee is something to write home about although today they didn't have any brewed.
Owners/workers are super laid back. They make your coffee before they take your money and are super fast and efficient at it. The coffee art is also beautiful. I am still not sure how they do that pretty leaf thingie.
Other big bonuses: fun and eclectic Brooklyn crowd (how do they manage to look so different from Manhattanites?), bathroom, free unlimited wifi, and HOT guy working behind the bar.
This place makes me want to move to Brooklyn. -
Review from Erin S.
New York, NY
6/5/2008
I have wanted to write a review for a while now but wasn't sure where to start. Now that I have been to Southside Coffee, I decided that it was time.
I have been going to a local coffee shop (that is decent) since I moved here. There are always those days where I just long for that 5 star cup of coffee but know that I can't travel at the moment to have it.
My room mate mentioned Southside Coffee a few weeks ago to me and I just now got around to going there. Must I say: WOW. I am so glad I was told about this place and better yet, that it is literally a few houses away from me! I feel like the luckiest coffee lover in the World now!
The atmosphere was friendly, the barista made one of the best iced lattes I've ever had and once I sipped it, I was blown away. I don't know why I underestimated this place without even trying it but I will never do that again! This place is golddddddd! Thank you, Southside Coffee!
- Your new #1 fan (: -
Review from lee v.
Portland, OR
3/15/2009
When I moved to New York from Seattle, I scoured the city looking for a good latte like I enjoyed every morning before I moved. New York has a far different concept of coffee that -- as best I can tell -- is "the hotter the better".
It seems like drip coffee is served at some tongue-searing temperature at or near 200 degrees. It's so hot that New Yorkers are in the habit of getting paper bags to carry their coffee on the three block walk to the office. Of course, you have to cram about half a pack of napkins in the back with the coffee because -- let's face it -- you just put a cup of liquid in a bag. That's a recipe for disaster no matter how tight the lid. Bizarre.
Right. Back to the point.
I had all but given up on getting a good cup of coffee in New York. Then Southside opened and starting pouring coffee that is actually better than most places in Seattle. Southside ranks among the best coffee I've ever tasted.
On top of that, the staff is genuinely friendly, and they clearly care about their craft. The cafe itself is neat and comfortable. The pastries are awesome. The wifi is free. The power outlets are sparse -- but I don't even care. I just can't say enough good things about this place.
The location may be out of the way, but it's definitely worth the trip. -
Review from jen l.
Brooklyn, NY
1/29/2009
These boys know their stuff. I appreciate the foamy leaves they make on my macchiatos and breves. I'd give them 5 stars merely for their funny chalkboard signs outside.
Love the macchiatos, the cold brew coffees, the music, and the guys who run the place. I could sit outside Southside at their sidewalk tables all summer long if I didn't think they'd charge me rent. -
Review from Glenn F.
Brooklyn, NY
8/12/2009
Seriously amazingly good espresso, best I've had in Brooklyn and in the running for the best in NYC.
It was a bit crowded with the hipster (read: Macbook) crowd when I went in, but if that's all I have to deal with for coffee this good, I'm there. As a former Portland (Oregon) resident, I had given up on great coffee in NY, but I'm glad to be proven wrong and given new hope for humanity...Listed in: Park Slope
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Review from Ryan N.
Brooklyn, NY
12/16/2009
Yelp led me to this place just yesterday, and as usual, I wasn't disappointed. Being Kensingtonian, I have no coffee shops with wi-fi. I work from home, so I try to get out of the house at least once a day so I don't forget how to interact with people. I usually travel up to Tea Lounge every afternoon. Tea Lounge still has some benefits (ex. large space and wine), but it's so nice to know there's someplace much closer that has great reasons to stop in:
1) Intelligentsia coffee - and beans to go no less!
2) Very nice staff with good musical taste.
3) Peaceful, bright environment with free wi-fi.
I will definitely be back and (according to other reviews) I'll need to try their cortado. -
Review from Kevin M.
Brooklyn, NY
11/10/2008
Now that's coffee!
I might have to move a few blocks closer. -
Review from Delilah B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/6/2008
I'm stoked. Not crazy about the ambiance (the yellow walls are too shrill), but they serve Intelligenzia coffee rendered by a barrista who actually knows how to rock a la marzocco!!! Prices are higher than at Red Horse which makes no sense at all since the neighborhood is more 'transitional' at 19th than at 12th (sorry about the problematic adjective, but I don't have the imagination or sensitivity to figure out the less scummy way of representing this state). Why gouge a less wealthy clientele is what I'm getting at.
Still, the takeaway of the experience was the beautifully articulated, velvety, oozing latte with chimes of caramel and womb. Just a lovely cup of I dig it! Living at the nexus of some kind of south Brooklyn espresso movement, I like having good options within shitting distance of my bathroom.
Just got to add that those owners are the loveliest, wittiest, and most discerning guys. I really enjoy the repartee while waiting for my drink. Also, I realize they use organic milk, while I think Red Horse uses regular. This, to me, makes the price differential more palatable. -
Review from Will Z.
Brooklyn, NY
9/5/2009
I'm a coffee freak.
this is where i get my beans.
what else can I say? -
Review from Abigail S.
Miami, FL
2/2/2009
Southside sold me one of the best lattes I've ever had, ever. The barista was friendly and the decor was cool. I wish we could have stayed longer instead of getting our drinks to go, because the vibe was really laid back and there was good music playing. The crowd was mostly attractive and youngish, though I did spy some older neighborhood weirdos there too. My kind of place.
Also, those huge homemade marshmallows look amazing. I am definitely going back to check them out.
Recommended. -
Review from D. Robert W.
Brooklyn, NY
3/27/2009
Easily one of the best places to get espresso I've come across in Brooklyn. I've never had to deal with burnt or watery drinks. Prices are on par with any other place that they actually think about the process of making your coffee.
Cozy inside. Not a ton of room, so there's a chance you'll be SOL for a seat on the weekends. But they have a decent number of tables and chairs (plus some plush seating in the back). And yea, some accessible power outlets for the coffee shop workers. There are a couple of tables and a bench outside as well, which is handy when the weather's nice.
Friendly staff that have a sense of humor and who still recognize me even though I don't live near the place. It's the thing I miss the most since I moved out of the neighborhood. I'll go out of my way just to stop in from time to time.
That's all fine and dandy, but what really sold me was the googly eyes on the soap dispenser in the bathroom. -
Review from Brian G.
Brooklyn, NY
7/22/2009
The barista was extremely welcoming and the coffee was above average and strong. Loved the raisin cookie, the texture was amazing. I really enjoyed the highly strong black american coffee, the other coffee I had which I forget what it is called (he said it at about 2 shots of espresso in it) was good as well but I preferred their American coffee.
Very off the beaten bath, but charming spot. I sat outside and watched the happy people go by. Everyone seemed SO happy here compared to the nasty people in every other Brooklyn neighborhood! -
Review from caitlin o.
Brooklyn, NY
5/18/2009
I liked it.
Not quite as rustic as my old Pittsburgh favorite coffee junt, but it has a pleasant locals vibe and lacks the SUV strollers which clog up the various cafés above Prospect.
I liked my chai, my coffeeing partner liked his cappuccino (which had some tasteful art, too, I must say!)
I didn't much like the fact that the pastry offerings in the middle of the afternoon were so slim as that spells disaster for the next time I visit, exhausted and craving a cookie after work, but... I'll be back.Listed in: South Slope
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Review from Christopher A.
Brooklyn, NY
7/18/2009
Probably the best cup of coffee in New York. Southside is gleefully simple: a handful of espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and a small assortment of freshly baked goods. That's it. No panninis. No wacky drink-like concoctions drizzled in synthetic sugar. Nothing to mar the concept of a simple cafe.
Their espresso is rich, aromatic, never burnt, and is made with care by the three or four dudes who work there (I think they're all owners too, but I'm not sure).
The physical space itself is small, but lends itself more to a cozy, lazy Sunday with a crossword puzzle and cup of coffee vibe rather than packed rush that you feel in undersized Manhattan cafes. There're a few outside tables and a bench which are fantastic lounging spots in the spring/summertime, but they fill up quickly, so you generally have to bide your time at the outward facing bar counter inside until one frees up. -
Review from Megan C.
Brooklyn, NY
8/15/2009
Truly great coffee. Representing the 312 (Chicago, Intelligentsia) rather than the common-in-these-parts 503 (Stumptown, Portland, OR). The menu's short, but they'll serve you more than what they have listed - just chat with the guy or gal rocking the espresso machine!
It's great to have a coffee place around that's just far enough out of the way that you have to really want to go there - cut some of the more obnoxious sorts out of the picture. -
Review from Fiona T.
Brooklyn, NY
8/11/2009
The coffee is great and the staff is super funny!
It's better then Starbucks! -
Review from Kirsten K.
Manhattan, NY
12/2/2009
Seriously - best coffee I've found in the city. I really love this place. The espresso is so amazing. Wow! I also think the staff is super kind and cool (a little too cool, sometimes).
I wish they still served Colson baked goods. I think they get their pastries from Baked now. The cookies are good, but the croissants aren't up to par. Luckily, Colson is just down the block. -
Review from Psycho-ologist P.
Brooklyn, NY
5/31/2010
This is a clean, bright, and quiet cafe. The coffee is a nice mellow blend with a smooth finish, and the barrista that serves you is a friendly and helpful person. They have a relaxing mix of folk tunes played at a non intrusive volume, and a small but appetizing selection of pastries.
THE AMBIANCE IS TOPS!!!!
The crying babies/stroller moms, and the "too hip for you" scenesters, are conspicuously absent. So are the pick up artists, and the folks who come to coffee shops to be "seen".
Its refreshing to have a coffee shop that is a perfect place to while away hours over a coffee and write long winded entries in your journal, without worrying about the folks mentioned above, who have become the typical cafe dwellers in Park Slope. -
Review from John L.
Brooklyn, NY
8/2/2008
This place is real treat, I prefer it to Starbucksy mass production.There's an authentic flare to this place that words just can't quite describe.
Some people think that South Slope is dead, I firmly disagree. The problem is lack of great places like this. (Hopefully we'll get some more soon)
Good Coffee, Great Service, and Awesome feel. -
Review from huong n.
Brooklyn, NY
12/20/2009
This is a nice chill cafe that I have been to twice. The teas are aromatic and good. The best thing about this place is the view. Last time we saw a guy in a muscle shirt with a dead fox (head to tail) around his neck and a guy on a skateboard pushing a stroller.
I love the uniqueness that is park slope! -
Review from Scott B.
New York, NY
12/21/2010
One of the best shops in Brooklyn. Excellent coffee, exquisitely pulled espresso, and friendly baristas. Tasteful, subdued decore lets you concentrate on your friends or your work. A neighborhood gem.
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Review from oraia r.
Brooklyn, NY
3/24/2010
yep, yep, yep! I do love me some Southside Coffee! They serve Intelligentsia, a refreshing break from the Stumptown Blitz-of-Meh this City has been hooked on recently.
The staff is always friendly here, the coffee (french pressed!) and espresso is always damn good and strong and the wi-fi is a great perk. Word to the wise, it's packed in there most of the time if you're sluggin your laptop about - it may be tough to grab a seat during peak laptop hours. The Stroller Set has been seen here, though no Stroller Mafia yet (whew). If you do grab a seat, you're in luck, as you're joined by all your awesome neighbors! Always surprised who I run into and meet at Southside.
I *would* like some equally awesome art or even something by way of a bit more decor, but hey, the bright bare yellow walls have their charm. And who's got time to curate coffee house art shows when you've got a million other things going on? :)
Simply put: if you need some rockin coffee and you're in the hood, this is your no-frills kinda place. -
Review from City K.
Manhattan, NY
4/24/2011
Latte beautiful and taste, people neat bunch very Brooklyn hip, owner-s fun loving. Definitely would come back again.
