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10 of the coolest cafes in the Lower East Side, NYC

Sometimes known as Loisaida, or abbreviated as LES, the Lower East Side is a significant neighbourhood in New York. Located in the South Eastern section of the city, the Lower East Side was initially a working-class and immigrant neighbourhood. The area began transforming in the mid-2000s. This caused America’s Most Endangered Places to place the neighbourhood on the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2008.

This neighbourhood has a popular and vibrant nightlife. The LES streets are full of places where you can eat drink and enjoy wonderful music. The museums, synagogues and restaurants are a reminder of the area’s history. While here, you need to walk through the authentic public houses that the immigrants lived in. This will give you a clear picture of the living conditions they endured which gave the neighbourhood its spirited soul.

During the mid-1900s, the neighbourhood experienced a massive exodus. There was a high level of poverty, and crime and the market value of the property dipped significantly. This led to an increase in young artists who sort cheap accommodation. They gave rise to the revolution culture. This vibrant energy can still be felt in the neighbourhood music scene and thriving nightclubs. The rich immigrant history is a testament to the area’s dependable food scene.

Below are ten of the Lower East Side’s coolest cafés.

1. Round K by Sol Adds an Asian Twist to its menu Items

Blue coloured cocktail. Photo by Anil Sharma on

Located in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Round K by Sol is a hidden gem. At Round K by Sol, you will find your meal but with an Asian twist. Brunch dishes in the Korean-style coffee shop are all creatively prepared.

At night, they serve foods and drinks which are creatively prepared. In the evening you can sample a Korean BBQ soju cocktail. This has a taste of sesame oil, Soy sauce and ginger.

The menu items are a bit limited at the moment. The place is however nice and comfortable. The staff are also good and so is the owner. They prepare creative shots which they hand out as they walk around.

2. Good Café Thanks is your Lower East Side Instagram Worthy Cafe

Woman sitting at a window. Photo by Mikail Duran on

Good Café is a nice, cosy place for you and your friends to hang out. It’s a quiet, clean relaxing place with a small dining area. Good Café as they say is, without doubt, an Instagram-worthy café.

Some of the recommended menu items include eggs, bread and a side of greens. The food is delicious and the cold options are not too cold. They are cool enough but will not give you a brain freeze. This is a place that you will keep coming back to.

3. Davelle is known for its colourful toasts and curry bowls

This Japanese-style café is well known for its curry bowls and colourful toasts. It is a small place with limited space. You may have to wait about 30 minutes to get a seat on a Sunday.

Some of the recommended menu items include honey lemon toast. It’s usually perfectly toasted and comes with sweet and delicious lemon toppings. The curry bowl chicken katsu is also authentic and quite delicious. The curry is nice and creamy and the chicken is perfectly fried.

4. Pause Café has wonderful meals that give a homemade feel

Coffee beans and black coffee in a cup. Photo by Christina Rumpf on

The atmosphere at Pause Café is marvellous. The Moroccan carpets and small independent table compliment the wooden interior. The African-inspired rhythm in the background enhances the exterior.

The coffee is strong and really good for those who like it that way. There are other alternatives and sweet accompaniments. The smoothies at this café are nice and the food is delicious. It gives a homemade feel. The staff at the café are welcoming and nice.

5. Book Club is a café bookshop and bar rolled into one

Image of a bar with beverage and beer menus. Photo by Patrick Tomasso on

The Book Club is a nice cosy café. It has a front yard and a back yard. The backyard appears to be more comfortable as you can relax at one of the outdoor tables.

You can also sit and work as you enjoy the breeze. When it gets to 7 pm, you will not be allowed to continue working on your computer. This café is a nice place for you and your family to relax.

6. Café Grumpy is a simple café that will meet your coffee needs

Take away beverage cups. Photo by Ceyda Çiftci on

This cute location is tucked away in the basement of the Essex Market. It is a simple café but it will meet your coffee needs. If you want to get coffee to go with your food at the Essex Market, Café Grumpy is the place for you.

7. Sunday to Sunday is the café, hangout and brunch spot for you and your friends

Couple dining. Photo by Wiktor Karkocha on

This café is an all-day café, restaurant and bar. If you are looking for a place to work in the Lower East Side, Sunday to Sunday is your Monday to Wednesday work station.

You can go to this café for your date on Thursday and Friday. When the weekend rolls in, it becomes a nice weekend brunch destination. It has fantastic food, coffee and beverages that have been made just right.

8. Eleva Coffee is your cosy neighbourhood coffee shop

Cup with a tea bag. Photo by Olena Sergienko on

Eleva Coffee is a nice, small cosy neighbourhood café. The sitting space is a bit limited but the staff are friendly. They have nice chalkboard art and incredible tea and coffee options to choose from.

9. Usagi NY is an excellent bookshop and café with great beverage prices

Matcha beverage next to a phone and laptop. Photo by Jason Leung on

Usagi is a fabulous café with a nice ambience. This bookshop and café have good beverages offered at a great price.

One of the recommended menu items is the matcha drink. It is said to have a wonderful flavour with just the right amount of sweetness. Usagi has adequate sitting space but it closes at 4 pm.

10. Hekate Café and Elixir Lounge is a welcome new addition to the Lower East Side

Hekate Café and Elixir Lounge is a relatively new café. Located near Tompkins Square Park, this café with a bar-style set-up serves Brooklyn Roasting Company coffee. It is a welcome addition to the Lower East Side neighbourhood.