Kaffe 1668
Kaffe 1668
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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Kaffe 1668
I've walked past this teeny café many times and finally decided to stop inside.
This location is in a office building but walk to the back and it's not too hard to spot. There is seating, but it's in a lobby so you can decide if you want to stay or go.
The coffee here is strong and crafted with care. Not to mention, the barista makes a cute heart with the milk! Similar prices to Starbucks but they actually get your order correct! Also, the biscuits with raspberry jam are delicious.
Wednesday's are my favorite because the barista is chipper and accommodating. Going to work on 3 hours of sleep is hard – but the barista had the perfect remedy. I feel bad I don't remember her name!
Friday's are ok…the guy here is pretty adorable but lacks in the personality range. I'll still throw a dollar in the tip jar but he really needs to learn that his looks only got him so far with me.
I'll stick to Wednesdays.
Why are all great coffee places tiny and hidden in a building somewhere?! Thank goodness for Google Maps. This place must be the smallest coffee location I've been to but it didn't disappoint. They have great coffee and pastries selections. I was having a rough day so I opted for the espresso shot. It was very dark and bitter but I loved it. I spilled some on my jacket and I smelled like greatness all day. Coffee should be a perfume scent. I want to go back and try the pastries and cold brew. Can't wait!
Ok I'm back to update my review as eventually I was able to test this place out after trying many times despite the fact that they were closed during the holiday season.
Everything was good and consistent with its FiDi sister; except that they don't carry many sheep inside the shop due to the limited space, so sad. Besides the regular choices of coffee, they also provide ice tea with variety of flavors and pastries that look delicious.
One thing: when I ordered americano, they poured the milk for you instead of leaving yourself doing it – so considerate.
With this sleek little place along with Hole in the Wall Coffee suddenly on the scene, midtown is no longer such an abysmal place for espresso. What these two new awesome coffee shops have in common in that they are both hidden away in the lobbies of 5th avenue office buildings.
This means they are hard to find, have a small space, and you get a somewhat cold and unwelcome feeling when you first enter. There is also often a bit of a wait since both have like 1 or 2 baristas. However, with all this stacked up against Kaffe 1668 and Hole in the Wall, they still manage to rock just on sheer quality and the absurd awesomeness of their products.
Both have baked goods that are top notch. Kaffe 1668 actually makes all their own pastry and while I was there people were going HAM over the blueberry scones. Kaffe 1668 also has outstanding espresso served in cool dishware and, gasp, actually has a good amount of seating! (It's lobby seating but it's pretty much full of people drinking coffee.)
But of all the things I love about this nutty little spot helmed by a single hard-working barrista, was that they have perhaps NYC's best cold brewed iced tea. I will simply say that this is the best cold brewed tea I have ever had in my life hands down and some of the best tea I have had generally and leave it at that. Please try this if you go here.
And if you do go here, just enter 520 5th Ave and walk straight ahead. You will see a line and, at the end of it, one brave barrista.
Kaffe "Lite" // "Good Coffee"
The Abbreviated Midtown Version
This location is the minime version of the original downtown spot.
Great strong well crafted coffee, excellent cold brew, without the lounge or additional food.
Kaffe's first location in Tribeca was a favorite many years ago, consistent, great coffee and over time juices and food. The second location just north of the first had great juices, and delicious healthy things to eat (love this spot).
Hopefully this location will offer more than just coffee and scones…
The Scene: Quality Coffee, To-go
Destination Rating: 4
Date Rating: 1
Hob Nob Potential: 1
Note: Not a Cafe for lounging. And yes, their signature sheep are available for purchase.
Who knew 530 5th Avenue hides Kaffe 1668! If it wasn't for the 'Good Coffee' signage outside, I would not be able to guess there's a coffee shop in there. You are to go through the revolving doors, past through the spacious lobby, and the tiny left corner is where you will be greeted by the barista. Daily fresh selection of pastries like cookies and scones are available. Also, you can also buy yesterday's pasties for a discounted price which they do label (we appreciate the honesty!).
Blueberry-Lemon Glazed Scone was deliciously sweet. To me, the texture is quite different since it is soft even on the outside. It is not dry like it is supposed to be but very tasty. Hints of blueberry are evenly spaced out with a lemony, tarty finish. Interesting!
Cold Brew has a very upfront, in your face dark taste than what I am used to. A terrific wake-me-up choice!
Alright, I dig it!
Wasn't sure where to find this… you have to go into the building, it's in the corner of the lobby all the way down the hall.
The coffee is very strong and flavorful– definitely a better choice than Starbucks or Dunkin. Skip the sweets; not crazy about the muffins. Coffee is a go for sure!
Excellent coffee, but the real star of the show here is the Pour-Over Coffee with three or four fabulous options that change regularly.
They usually have South American and African coffee bean options, which is pretty amazing considering how small the location is. I really enjoyed a Burundi one, which is unusual as I normally prefer South American over African coffees and chocolates. Probably speaks to the quality of the beans they source.
My favorite pour-over coffee spot is still Cafe Grumpy in Chelsea, but to be able to have this option in Midtown, is truly unique. Plus, as the owners are Swedish, they offer tasty and real (meaning, not processed) pastry options. My personal favorites are the Swedish Raspberry Biscuit and the Swedish Chocolate Ball (which amazingly does not have any sugar added, but tastes great).
And, on top of all that, the lobby of the office building that the coffee stand is in, is beautiful and has several couch benches and tables that you can sit at and enjoy your coffee.
Really unique space, location and coffee, and beats going to a run-of-the-mill Starbucks.