Cafe Amrita

Amrita has become my local and I love hanging out there. The regulars are an eclectic group, always ready to talk. The bartenders are friendly and the TV is HUGE!!

I'm giving the food a 3.5 ONLY because the coffee is excellent. The food itself, for what it is, is overpriced and mediocre. There are much better places for sandwiches etc. within a few blocks--like SIP at 109 & Amsterdam. However, I do like the atmosphere, which is relaxed and only crowded for weekend brunch, when it seems to be all families. Some people have complained that it doesn't seem to know whether it wants to be a bar or coffee shop--I think it's just somewhere in between, which is perfect. It is one of the few places where I know that I can have a drink with friends and actually hear the conversation. I've also found all the staff to range from extremely friendly to pleasantly neutral (which is also good: I don't need to be gushed over at a coffee shop). Overall, I'd recommend it.

The weekend brunch menu that they offer is what I wait for all week. The fresh squeezed orange juice is so good...a bit expensive but, well worth it. Weekdays they offer great items that you can pick up or sit in and take your time with. Never disappointed with the food. Service is good. Once in awhile the new staff is just a bit inexperienced. Nothing to get mad about. It's my favorite place around here.

Great for morning coffee, or evening drinks. Decent sandwiches, great guacomole, great staff (at least in the evening)... Haven't had the brunch but its so busy it must be good. Looking forward to a wider selection of food- tapas and the like would be very welcome.

I haven't been nearly as displeased as some of the reviewers here, but there have been some problems lately. 1. Really inconsistent friendliness of staff. There's a really nice girl whose music selection I like. There's a surly, cranky guy who doesn't seem to care whether you're there or not, whose music selection I do not like. And there's an idiotic older woman who once took my drink away while I was in the bathroom and claimed it was empty when it wasn't. 2. I've never had to pay for wireless--I don't know how that happened to some people here, because it *is* free, but the turning off of the wireless on weekends is completely stupid. Seriously, if you're advertising free wireless, it's not okay to not have it on weekends. 3. Overall, though, I like the atmosphere. It's open, sunny, and comfortable. The drink prices are very reasonable. I just wish fewer people brought their toddlers.

Wow, was not expecting these negatives reviews here. I have been here a few times, never knew this place in its former incarnation, but I very much enjoy coming here & will do so in the future! This is a chill café that’s comfortable & excellent to visit on a nice day for a bite or beverage before heading a block away to Central Park. (I imagine it’s nice & cozy to drink a hot beverage here on a cold day but haven't done it yet). The prices are inexpensive & the food’s pretty delicious – I’ve been pleased w/ the sandwiches & pastries (really great cookies!). Service has always been friendly. The owner especially (w/ whom we’ve chatted w/) is quite nice & pleasant though he’s usually very very busy. I imagine those who complained in their reviews here must have had reasons to do so, but we have never experienced anything bad. The only downside I guess is, on a weekend at brunch time, it might be a struggle to find a table, because it’s just the kind of place that people get comfy at, so depending on the day, it might not have the fastest table turnover.

The first and foremost thing to note about this place is that the staff are astonishingly unfriendly. They seem not to really care whether you stay or go, spend money or never walk in the door again. The food is mediocre. And you have to pay for internet connection. I thought that stopped back in the '90's.