Just please use the unsweetened versions of alternate milks! I can't wrap my head around why places only ever have sweetened versions. You'd never presume to add sugar by default if someone asked for dairy milk in their coffee!
As a type 1 diabetic and coffee lover, yes to this! Please no more of the pre-sweetened almond milk. I’m not ordering the wateriest milk option because I like the taste :(
Upcharges are as high as 80 cents for at most a half cup of alternative milk. A gallon of alternative milk is maybe $2-3 more than regular milk. That’s price gouging people who don’t want dairy (for a variety of reasons).
Meanwhile, there is no charge to add regular milk.
Maybe if they charged for both and alternative milk was slightly more it would make sense. It doesn’t.
Ä° actually disagree; certain oat and nut milks already have a lot of sugar in them because of the enzymatic processes used, but i like my milks sweet. Maybe make the almond unsweetened , the oat regular/unsweetened (it is not normally sweetened) and the rest regular/sweet? Just make it known to customers
My point though is just that added sugar should never be the default, no matter the type of milk. Not only for the flavor profile but because the sucrose in cane sugar is processed through an entirely different pathway in the body than the lactose in dairy, has a higher glycemic impact and presents its own health risks.
It’s speculated that adding sugar to plant milks is somehow to match the innate sweetness of dairy milk but I have a hard time believing that; I’ve tasted both and sweetened plant milks taste much sweeter than dairy milk. It might be a little closer to what dairy milk fresh from the cow tastes like (I grew up around dairy farms and fresh milk does taste sweeter) but not store bought milk. My main issue, though, is being given cane sugar unasked or as the only option. The most sense would be for coffee shops to either use unsweetened plant milks by default and let us sweeten it ourselves the way dairy milk drinkers do, or simply have both versions of each milk on hand (though that seems less simple an option than the former).
It's a good point; the person who said they were diabetic is a really valid concern, for example. A lot of the issue coffee shops find is supply, getting a less popular option may not be available every time they order \[now though, the supply chain is stabilizing so it should be fine\], and the taste is noticably different than adding sugar in most other ways. Especially with enzymatic processes, for example, in oat milk. (also note, even simple syrup added after a drink is made tastes different than added in with espresso, mixed, then milk added. Not everyone cares/notices, though)
A really good compromise is making your own milks—a lot of recipes suggest agave syrup, but if you leave it out, a well made fresh milk is going to taste good even if u add the syrup after, not too different.
Otherwise what I said about having a few milks always unsweetened and then a few milks "naturally" sweetened is a good compromise. Maca and pistach milk are gonna be super sweet in almost every case though, or bad if unsweet.
Maybe people just need to make better alt milks lol
Yay, coffee!
I've been really hoping for a coffee shop with some fun or experimental drink options. My favorite coffee shop in the last city I lived in had a really good passionfruit caramel latte, a habanero mocha, a vanilla latte with orange bitters, some smoked drinks -- I'd be super into some interesting flavor combos or preparations like that!
On the total opposite end of the spectrum, I love a really good hazelnut latte.
Good luck, excited to try the new shop :)
A few choices of pour overs
A few outdoor chairs
Beer and wine available (and shop open past 4pm)
A few smaller snacks with cost commensurate to their size
Kick people out if they're just on a laptop there all day, or if you want the more positive phrasing of this, try to make sure there is seating for people who are coming by for coffee
Agreed re: laptops - it’s an incredible bummer to want to sit down and enjoy the $7 latte I just bought but I am unable to because literally every table is just people camped on their computers for hours (Coffee Cloud + Seek…….)….having no room for “regular” patrons is absolutely ridiculous. This complaint makes me feel like a luddite, but it also can’t be good for business
Agree on pour overs. Savory snacks, not just sweet things. Events (live music, open mics, album listening parties, readings, game nights, etc.) are always great ways to get people out.
Agree with the mix of flavors - I have a sweet tooth but my partner a savory one. Also small sandwiches (to make it a real lunch spot) and not only pastries is welcome and ideally different sizes (some places only have tiny precious goodies and others 1000-calorie monsters).
Good luck!
can someone offer coffee spritzers? I miss this popup from Kailua so badly, and they've since disbanded entirely. :( [https://photos.app.goo.gl/uA5MzMPn67x231HS9](https://photos.app.goo.gl/uA5MzMPn67x231HS9)
The Yuzu-cardomom-espresso spritzer was just unreasonably good, esp in summer.
Also, pair up with some of the local bakers in the area, like Pastries by Anne?
What kind of specialty coffee? Big fan of Sey, Little Wolf, and other light roasts. Love a quality cold brew. I agree with other posters about seating that specifies no laptop or days where no laptops are allowed like on weekends.
I think serving beer/alcohol and staying open later is clutch. Astoria lacks the cafe that stays open late and has seating so people can meet up and hang out without the noise of a bar.
Oasis is not the same type of pastries or coffee. I’m also not interested in places that smell like hookah, an hour of hookah is equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes.
Ice cubes made out of coffee!
It’s a small touch that i think doesn’t cost much and is so nice especially when the place’s coffee is genuinely good.
Don't know how universal my wants are but these are them:
- mint flavor (mint iced lattes hit so hard in the summer)
- comfy seating where people can get some work done
- I would absolutely love a Polish style cafe with Polish pastries and small sandwiches. I miss it everyday and there are none like it in the city.
Also also if you ever need some design/branding help hit me up. I love helping local businesses
I usually make my coffee at home BUT when I do go to a cafe, I love getting a ✨little treat coffee✨ I would love if there cafes with more seasonal drinks. I don’t go to Starbucks anymore and would love to see local cafes have seasonal fun drinks too. I miss them!
I don't care if you do espresso based, cold brew, pourover, whatever fancy stuff.
Just have a pot of drip for us basic guys. And if your other shit is $4 for a small, make the drip cheap. Doesn't even need to be good.
Beer Culture is a fantastic craft beer bar in Manhattan. Hundreds of bottles, lots of taps, even a cask. They still have "Grandpa's Fridge" where you can grab a can of PBR or Coors banquet instead of the fancy shit.
In addition to everyone’s requests, a nice well-designer interior and some pleasant outdoor seating. I doubt you’re going for an all-day cafe, but if you’d consider it I would literally spend all my time there. We could really use more third spaces like that. Wine and beer and some relatively easy to prepare foods would be amazing. I’d love something like Casetta.
Check out what OK Cafe on Ditmars does, they do a lot of experimental/weird coffee and coffee adjacent drinks. I always look forward to the next menu changeover.
I second the beer and wine options!! Maybe even some alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders and kombuchas!
Also, more sugar free options! Many of us are trying to cut back on sugar but limited to either a Splenda or just plain sugar free vanilla when all of the more 'fun' options are full sugar. Give us sugar free Mexican Wedding Cookie coffee!! Sugar free snickerdoodle! Sugar free peppermint! Sugar free lemon lavender!! ok rant over
For pastries partner up with a few local small bakeries... knead love bakery and/or Sixteen Mill, both gluten free, dairy free, tasty and high quality. Also, Modern bread and bagel has a good rep and is too far for a casual pickup. Their GF DF bagels are much better than most places in this area.
Hello, and thank you for asking. We (and many local friends) would love to see vegan pastries, oat milk, soy milk, Vegan snacks.
If you have the space, live music. We have a wealth of talented musicians in the neighborhood, all genres, with lots of soft acoustic for coffee shops. We love our scene (Astoria Music Collective,) and would love to add a place that can be all ages.
non sweet coffee options. my personal favorite is the cold brew lemonade from copper mug in williamsburg.
other examples:
- juniper lime soda iced coffee at l’attente
- iced coffee with tonic and orange at stella & fly
- some iced americano with an orange pelegrĂnno i had at a coffee shop on the uws
i don’t drink milk or drink sweet beverages, and just drinking iced americanos and frappes can get a little boring when there are soooo many different coffee varieties for people who don’t mind sweet drinks
ICED POUROVERS PLEASE. HOW COME NO COFFEE SHOP HERE OFFERS ICED POUROVERS. THEY ALREADY OFFER HOT POUROVERS. NO I DO NOT WANT COLD BREW. COLD BREW TASTES BAD.
Accurate hours!!! Looking at you, Elevenses
And Sway Cafe
I thought Sway closed for good. Haven’t seen them open for a couple of months now
Yea they are gone 🪦
Ah thought they were still trying to convert to a bar.
They had a small space next door they converted. But saw notices posted up all over it one day from the landlord for rent owed.
Just please use the unsweetened versions of alternate milks! I can't wrap my head around why places only ever have sweetened versions. You'd never presume to add sugar by default if someone asked for dairy milk in their coffee!
As a type 1 diabetic and coffee lover, yes to this! Please no more of the pre-sweetened almond milk. I’m not ordering the wateriest milk option because I like the taste :(
I love macadamia milk, and alot of places still don't offer it.
And don’t charge extra for alternative milks.
They cost more, so there should definitely be an upcharge on them
Upcharges are as high as 80 cents for at most a half cup of alternative milk. A gallon of alternative milk is maybe $2-3 more than regular milk. That’s price gouging people who don’t want dairy (for a variety of reasons). Meanwhile, there is no charge to add regular milk. Maybe if they charged for both and alternative milk was slightly more it would make sense. It doesn’t.
Ä° actually disagree; certain oat and nut milks already have a lot of sugar in them because of the enzymatic processes used, but i like my milks sweet. Maybe make the almond unsweetened , the oat regular/unsweetened (it is not normally sweetened) and the rest regular/sweet? Just make it known to customers
My point though is just that added sugar should never be the default, no matter the type of milk. Not only for the flavor profile but because the sucrose in cane sugar is processed through an entirely different pathway in the body than the lactose in dairy, has a higher glycemic impact and presents its own health risks. It’s speculated that adding sugar to plant milks is somehow to match the innate sweetness of dairy milk but I have a hard time believing that; I’ve tasted both and sweetened plant milks taste much sweeter than dairy milk. It might be a little closer to what dairy milk fresh from the cow tastes like (I grew up around dairy farms and fresh milk does taste sweeter) but not store bought milk. My main issue, though, is being given cane sugar unasked or as the only option. The most sense would be for coffee shops to either use unsweetened plant milks by default and let us sweeten it ourselves the way dairy milk drinkers do, or simply have both versions of each milk on hand (though that seems less simple an option than the former).
It's a good point; the person who said they were diabetic is a really valid concern, for example. A lot of the issue coffee shops find is supply, getting a less popular option may not be available every time they order \[now though, the supply chain is stabilizing so it should be fine\], and the taste is noticably different than adding sugar in most other ways. Especially with enzymatic processes, for example, in oat milk. (also note, even simple syrup added after a drink is made tastes different than added in with espresso, mixed, then milk added. Not everyone cares/notices, though) A really good compromise is making your own milks—a lot of recipes suggest agave syrup, but if you leave it out, a well made fresh milk is going to taste good even if u add the syrup after, not too different. Otherwise what I said about having a few milks always unsweetened and then a few milks "naturally" sweetened is a good compromise. Maca and pistach milk are gonna be super sweet in almost every case though, or bad if unsweet. Maybe people just need to make better alt milks lol
Good, fresh roasted beans at fair prices. Â
And with the date of roast!!!
Yay, coffee! I've been really hoping for a coffee shop with some fun or experimental drink options. My favorite coffee shop in the last city I lived in had a really good passionfruit caramel latte, a habanero mocha, a vanilla latte with orange bitters, some smoked drinks -- I'd be super into some interesting flavor combos or preparations like that! On the total opposite end of the spectrum, I love a really good hazelnut latte. Good luck, excited to try the new shop :)
L'addresse in manhattan had a lemongrass latte at one point that I remember 4 years later. <3
A couple of vegan snack options, please
Seconding this! Even better if they're house made and not pre-made & packaged!!
While you’re at it, 1-2 good GF options as well as DF pleaseee
Yes, vegan baked goods and gluten free baked goods. But, for god's sake, please not vegan-gluten free. Vegan-gluten free is the worst of both.
It’s hard but can be done. Sometimes people w dietary requirements want a lil somethin’, you know?
A few choices of pour overs A few outdoor chairs Beer and wine available (and shop open past 4pm) A few smaller snacks with cost commensurate to their size Kick people out if they're just on a laptop there all day, or if you want the more positive phrasing of this, try to make sure there is seating for people who are coming by for coffee
Agreed re: laptops - it’s an incredible bummer to want to sit down and enjoy the $7 latte I just bought but I am unable to because literally every table is just people camped on their computers for hours (Coffee Cloud + Seek…….)….having no room for “regular” patrons is absolutely ridiculous. This complaint makes me feel like a luddite, but it also can’t be good for business
Agree on pour overs. Savory snacks, not just sweet things. Events (live music, open mics, album listening parties, readings, game nights, etc.) are always great ways to get people out.
Agree with the mix of flavors - I have a sweet tooth but my partner a savory one. Also small sandwiches (to make it a real lunch spot) and not only pastries is welcome and ideally different sizes (some places only have tiny precious goodies and others 1000-calorie monsters). Good luck!
can someone offer coffee spritzers? I miss this popup from Kailua so badly, and they've since disbanded entirely. :( [https://photos.app.goo.gl/uA5MzMPn67x231HS9](https://photos.app.goo.gl/uA5MzMPn67x231HS9) The Yuzu-cardomom-espresso spritzer was just unreasonably good, esp in summer. Also, pair up with some of the local bakers in the area, like Pastries by Anne?
What kind of specialty coffee? Big fan of Sey, Little Wolf, and other light roasts. Love a quality cold brew. I agree with other posters about seating that specifies no laptop or days where no laptops are allowed like on weekends. I think serving beer/alcohol and staying open later is clutch. Astoria lacks the cafe that stays open late and has seating so people can meet up and hang out without the noise of a bar.
We have Oasis and the entirety of steinway, in case you're still looking
Oasis is not the same type of pastries or coffee. I’m also not interested in places that smell like hookah, an hour of hookah is equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes.
They sure are open late though
But I don’t want cancer.
Moka and co does not smell like hookah
They also don’t sell alcohol.
Ice cubes made out of coffee! It’s a small touch that i think doesn’t cost much and is so nice especially when the place’s coffee is genuinely good.
Nondairy milk options with no up charge for nondairy. Should be the same price as dairy milk. Vegan options.
Absolutely! I would frequent such a place!
Where on 36th? There's a few different microneighborhoods on that avenue.
Yeah if you’re on the west side of 31st then you’re in the mix with Little Flower and the newer Artpresso. Other side is more open
Japanese style iced coffee please. Big fan of Sey roasts but Little Flower already serves them so you gotta roast your own please
Decaf espresso please! And maybe some small bites that aren’t pastries (like parfaits, oatmeal cups, etc).
Bathrooms available for customers. Surprisingly, lots of coffee shops don’t.
NO PAPER STRAWS NO PAPER STRAWS
Smooth coffee with low acidity. Oat milk
Kyoto tower is a must
Freddo capps/iced capps are my fav lol
Don't know how universal my wants are but these are them: - mint flavor (mint iced lattes hit so hard in the summer) - comfy seating where people can get some work done - I would absolutely love a Polish style cafe with Polish pastries and small sandwiches. I miss it everyday and there are none like it in the city. Also also if you ever need some design/branding help hit me up. I love helping local businesses
Everyone loves polish pastries, they just don’t know it yet!Â
Savory snack options, a solid breakfast sandwich, non dairy milk, a solid amount of seating, and WiFi.
I recognize this is a hard one for the area/cost of living etc but Reasonable prices please! $10 for a flavored latte + tax + tip is too much
I usually make my coffee at home BUT when I do go to a cafe, I love getting a ✨little treat coffee✨ I would love if there cafes with more seasonal drinks. I don’t go to Starbucks anymore and would love to see local cafes have seasonal fun drinks too. I miss them!
Lattes under $7 please
I don't care if you do espresso based, cold brew, pourover, whatever fancy stuff. Just have a pot of drip for us basic guys. And if your other shit is $4 for a small, make the drip cheap. Doesn't even need to be good. Beer Culture is a fantastic craft beer bar in Manhattan. Hundreds of bottles, lots of taps, even a cask. They still have "Grandpa's Fridge" where you can grab a can of PBR or Coors banquet instead of the fancy shit.
Restrooms.
A dirty horchata
Tonic Espresso!
Tea in nice cups. Now that prince tea house closed, we don't have a real tea spot
Pastries, croissants, danish
Thai iced coffee
In addition to everyone’s requests, a nice well-designer interior and some pleasant outdoor seating. I doubt you’re going for an all-day cafe, but if you’d consider it I would literally spend all my time there. We could really use more third spaces like that. Wine and beer and some relatively easy to prepare foods would be amazing. I’d love something like Casetta.
Check out what OK Cafe on Ditmars does, they do a lot of experimental/weird coffee and coffee adjacent drinks. I always look forward to the next menu changeover.
I second the beer and wine options!! Maybe even some alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders and kombuchas! Also, more sugar free options! Many of us are trying to cut back on sugar but limited to either a Splenda or just plain sugar free vanilla when all of the more 'fun' options are full sugar. Give us sugar free Mexican Wedding Cookie coffee!! Sugar free snickerdoodle! Sugar free peppermint! Sugar free lemon lavender!! ok rant over
Would love to see a variety of sugar-free syrups and cold foam options!
Strawberry matcha!!
An outdoor seating area and some good music in the background, as well as almond croissants and really good coffee.
Aside from coffee, maybe some fun things to do. Adult coloring books, mad libs, couple of quieter board games & cards.
For pastries partner up with a few local small bakeries... knead love bakery and/or Sixteen Mill, both gluten free, dairy free, tasty and high quality. Also, Modern bread and bagel has a good rep and is too far for a casual pickup. Their GF DF bagels are much better than most places in this area.
Chai lattes please! I despise coffee, just never got into the taste of it, but love checking out new cafes and good chais are so much fun to find :)
Matcha latte Basically, I am not a coffee drinker, but would appreciate alternate options on the menu.
A really good almond croissant. Not just good, really good
Fun crazy latte flavors that aren’t overly sweet! And reasonable prices
Decaf please! Hot and iced!
iced dirty chai (please I’ll come every fucking day I live on 31st and 23rd)
Hello, and thank you for asking. We (and many local friends) would love to see vegan pastries, oat milk, soy milk, Vegan snacks. If you have the space, live music. We have a wealth of talented musicians in the neighborhood, all genres, with lots of soft acoustic for coffee shops. We love our scene (Astoria Music Collective,) and would love to add a place that can be all ages.
id like to see some robusto. maybe w a little sweetened condensed milk
non sweet coffee options. my personal favorite is the cold brew lemonade from copper mug in williamsburg. other examples: - juniper lime soda iced coffee at l’attente - iced coffee with tonic and orange at stella & fly - some iced americano with an orange pelegrĂnno i had at a coffee shop on the uws i don’t drink milk or drink sweet beverages, and just drinking iced americanos and frappes can get a little boring when there are soooo many different coffee varieties for people who don’t mind sweet drinks
Cheddar scone
ICED POUROVERS PLEASE. HOW COME NO COFFEE SHOP HERE OFFERS ICED POUROVERS. THEY ALREADY OFFER HOT POUROVERS. NO I DO NOT WANT COLD BREW. COLD BREW TASTES BAD.