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El Rey Coffee Bar & Luncheonette

(Now Closed)

Coffee Shop and Café$$$$

Lower East Side, New York

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The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine and Eater recommend this place

171 Tips and reviews

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EaterAugust 29, 2014
A strong choice is deconstructed falafel with chickpeas and avocado, raw cauliflower, shaved fennel, mint, watercress, rice vinegar-pickled peaches, pickled red cabbage & sesame served on pita. Read more
EpicuriousOctober 7, 2014
Top slightly sweet and perfectly moist sweet potato bread with caramel and aleppo-spiced pecans and you've got the most addicting slice of breakfast loaf on the planet. Read more
The New YorkerApril 27, 2015
“The world’s best kale salad, tossed in a chunky dressing made from ground almonds, almond milk, garlic, and lemon zest, and even better adorned with avocado ‘del sur.’” Read more
EllieFebruary 6, 2017
Relaxed, friendly, delightful neighborhood cafe with a small but well-executed menu of healthy comfort foods, along with excellent coffee. Perfect for idling with a newspaper on a weekend afternoon.
Chad HornerJuly 11, 2015
in addition to the avocado del sur and mexican mocha (spicy!), this brownie, with sea salt and cacao nibs, was one of the tastiest I've ever had - perfect gooey texture
Bon Appetit MagazineMay 31, 2016
Ask if they have any collaboration dinners coming up: They’ve done great ones with Jessica Koslow of Sqirl, David Tanis, and others. It’s where the kitchen really gets to stretch and shine. Read more
Will BertelsenAugust 19, 2015
Been here 10+ times
The Iced Mexican Mocha belongs in the pantheon of great creamy flavored ice coffees along with Philz' Mint Mojito and Blue Bottle's New Orleans.
Dan DurkinAugust 7, 2014
Excellent cold brew coffee. Try the "lost bread" egg frittata with crushed avocado! No dinner menu yet, just lunch. Love the bar seats facing the small open kitchen.
Ranu RajkarnikarJanuary 14, 2016
Chicharrones ftw. I would literally come here just for them. Get them! Also loved the sardines. Super cute spot with incredibly friendly service. Need to come back for coffee next time.
Meredith BlechmanJanuary 9, 2017
Been here 5+ times
If you come to eat in, there are only two tables and counter seating, with no air in the summer or (strong) heat in the winter. Menu changes regularly but everything is fresh and delicious!
Amanda TheilerFebruary 26, 2015
Mexican iced mocha on draft is alone worth a pop-in. Spiced with chili flakes and cinnamon, Counter Culture black coffee is topped with sweetened condensed milk, w Mexican chocolate and fresh mint.
HashtagNYUAugust 29, 2014
Pair your espresso (also by Counter Culture) with some of their tasty sandwiches and maybe finish it off with some of their seasonal beers on tap. Well, if you’re of age, of course. Read more
Staff PicksDecember 9, 2014
This downtown cafe has a great vibe even at 8 in the morning. The coffee and pastries are truly special but definitely try the grits bowl with braised pork, and frittata with fennel salad. Read more
César PérezSeptember 30, 2013
Been here 5+ times
This instantly became one of my favorite new NYC cafés! Counter Culture coffee done right, interesting and delicious pastries, beautiful space, and a really sweet staff. Vietnamese IC = EVERYTHING!
Noah WeissAugust 3, 2015
Great healthy food cozy dinner spot. Mole with burrata and the kale salad were both very good. Great value, too.
LukeJuly 15, 2017
The coffee is good. The food is well thought out and well made, if you're not in a rush. A great cafe, and you'll wish there were more like it. They even have beer on tap
Nikki BogopolskayaFebruary 12, 2016
Been here 10+ times
Great cappuccinos and iced coffee to go, or grab some of the delicious baked goods + the NYTimes they always have on hand and stay for LES people-watching in the giant windows.
ChristinaDecember 10, 2015
The kale salad (+ egg & avocado) is the best I've ever had. The almond vinaigrette & lemon zest push it to the next level...
Shawn BusteedMarch 1, 2014
Best coffee in LES, great atmosphere, and the staff is always friendly. They just added hot food, and the little treats are all fantastic. A gem!
Emily SchildtNovember 19, 2013
Been here 25+ times
my au lait was made with local almond milk and served in a hugh jass mug, the counter ladies couldn't be any more adorable, and we listened to barry white on vinyl- safe to say, love at first visit.
IrinaAugust 7, 2014
Get your coffee fix. Have a cortado w/ almond milk. The kitchen is only open for lunch right now but the food is so well prepared! Try the grains & crudité salad - with egg on top.
Felix AbarcaNovember 12, 2015
Try the Papas Bravas, the Vegan Chicharrones and the kale Salad, everything is delicious at this tiny and very cool spot.
Wade VAugust 24, 2016
Has a good vibe. Healthy and interesting breakfast options. Also love the sweet potato bread. Oh yeah, and good coffee. I recommend getting the large size for iced.
Caroline ChungApril 11, 2015
Trendy neighborhood cafe with tasty bites to go with your coffee or healthy lunch menu. Tried the chia bowl for breakfast which was delish and hit the spot!
Max KesslerAugust 10, 2014
Amazing branding. Either some dude is crushing Acai berries or a model is taking your order and is more polite than mother Teresa. Kind of want to live here, and the iced coffee is next level.
PureWowAugust 4, 2016
What do you get when you combine condensed milk, mint, cocoa, espresso and Aleppo pepper? The tastiest Mexican iced mocha in NYC, that’s what. Read more
Heather VelezAugust 24, 2014
Been here 10+ times
The crudité salad is exceptional and I don't know if I'll ever try anything else on the menu. Cold brew also tasty & the shandy is a satisfying beverage on a warm afternoon.
Louis BitskoMay 5, 2016
This is the best coffee spot in the city. Been going there regularly since opening. High Quality everything & excellent service no every time.
A GAugust 31, 2014
The coolest, laid-back staff. Gerardo is a wizard when it comes to creating alternative food/drink options. The elderberry lemonade/seltzer is a personal favorite.
Project Latte: a NYC cafe culture guideOctober 17, 2013
El Rey occupies the old d'Espresso space but offers coffee that's at least an order of magnitude better in both sourcing (Counter Culture) and preparation. Try the Vietnamese coffee and baked goods.
C RJanuary 3, 2016
Simple as it is, the kale salad is really delicious. Vegan chicharrones are good, the octopus and hominy dish is the pro move. Coffee is great too. Recommended.
MarcMay 29, 2014
Tasting Table Top 10 Iced Coffee: "strong, not-too-sweet Vietnamese iced coffee on tap. If you have some time, grab a bowl of grits here as well--they're awesome."
A GFebruary 14, 2014
the people here radiate amazingness and definitely beat the snooty types at caffe vita. also, their new menu selection here is to die for. 😁 for the grits and kale salad
Charlotte DunneNovember 23, 2017
Delicious coffee. Lovely, friendly staff who make a point of getting to know their regulars. Small but perfectly formed!
NickApril 15, 2015
Little taste of modern California. Get the Mexican Iced Mocha its out of this world and avocado with fresh, perfectly poached eggs
Anastasia EnotAugust 31, 2015
The best cortado in NYC! Sesame banana bread is very tasty. The place itself is cool and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Santi AmayaDecember 12, 2015
Don't be deterred by the crowd, it moves quickly and is well worth the wait. great coffee and amazing kale salad and avocado toast
Kevin ShahbaziMarch 21, 2017
On warm days they open up the windows. Have an espresso, read the newspaper, and enjoy the sun.
Evan BartlettOctober 12, 2015
Loved the avocado flat bread with poached egg. The gluten free brownie and sesame banana bread where also very solid
Kayleigh HarringtonFebruary 3, 2017
Cute coffee shop in a great neighborhood, but don't expect a full Café. Definitely more of a coffee bar.
Lizzy SaxeFebruary 9, 2016
Definitely try the "Everything Bagel"- a perfect mix of ricotta, zaatar, red onion, capers, seeds, and dill.
Shawn BusteedJanuary 19, 2014
Best coffee in the les, and super friendly people that work there. Try one of the turnovers, sweet or savory, both are good.
yuna leeApril 14, 2015
Been here 10+ times
great coffee and lovely staffs. space is little too small but i would say that it's intimate!
Lori LuoJuly 24, 2015
Good luck finding a seat at this pint-sized coffee bar and luncheonette. The food is superb, though; fresh, healthy, and delicious.
ben mSeptember 6, 2014
Cold press on tap is nice. Be like me and bring a stroller to the tiny space and be the most annoying guy in the place. Sorry everyone!
IrmaZandl ZandlSlantMay 7, 2015
FANTASTIC little spot. Kale salad, octopus, mole with burrata were my faves.
DoubleDeuceJune 25, 2015
Tons of sunlight, a tasty americano and an open & airy Lower East Side vibe that everyone should enjoy.
Julia MJanuary 11, 2015
Mexican mocha - hot, frothy, heart-warming mug of spices, cinnamon, chocolate and condensed milk. Yum! Can't wait to try it iced in the summer.
LaurenMay 25, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Great spot & good espresso drinks, but they don't do Vietnamese iced coffee anymore. Hope they bring it back!
Chloe ZhaoFebruary 16, 2016
Very comfy place. Food here makes you happy. One of my fav places in New York.

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El Rey Coffee Bar & Luncheonette

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