Pause Cafe
“We returned recently for a breakfast, the hubs got a Very Berry acai bowl and I had a Matcha Green Tea acai bowl.”
“If you're planning on going to Clinton Baking Company, just skip that and go straight here instead.”
“The matcha bowl isn't green tea/japanese matcha so don't get that if that's what you're expecting.”
Pause Cafe
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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I stopped in with my boyfriend's roommate's girlfriend (try saying that 3 times fast) for a girly gossip session one morning. I don't have many friends who are into healthy food or are willing to trek all the way downtown for it, so she was a godsend. After a brief subway ride from Bryant and a brisk walk in the cold, we made it to the teeny tiny spot. Every table was occupied, but considering there were only three it doesn't say much. Accommodates 6 people comfortably, and 9 people MAX. The only seats open were at a tiny counter near the window, Not an ideal seating location for me considering I'm about 6 feet tall and this was clearly made for someone with half my leg length. We tried waiting around in the hopes of snagging a table, but we determined that wouldn't be in our best interests. Lord knows tourists can't look at the NYC Transit map on their phones. No, they need to examine a paper copy and take up an entire table, even if their coffees are finished and they have no other reason to be there. Ugh.
We both got chai lattes with almond milk and small acai bowls, the very berry for me and the mix nuts for her. The wait for our orders was pretty awful, but considering how many takeout orders were going out ahead of us I wasn't that surprised. I'd say 15 minutes for our lattes and 25 for our acai bowls. When it came to presentation the items were spectacular. Not only when it came to the food, but also when it came to the tableware. I love the silver platters the acai bowls arrived on. But they were way too big for the counter we were sitting at. That's right. Two lattes and two acai bowls couldn't fit where we were seated. Absurd! Get some more space guys.
We both adored our lattes, a great level of sweetness and was easily the best almond milk chai I've had in the city. My very berry acai bowl was a bit disappointing however. It was cold and slushy without much flavor. Not very filling either. I wound up going home and having a second breakfast with my boyfriend. The mix nuts acai bowl looked better and was an interesting cream color. Next time I'd go for that or the matcha green tea acai bowl.
While Pause was overpriced for the quality of my meal, I would probably go back. The atmosphere was spot-on (aside from the crowdedness). I'd recommend getting a latte, an acai bowl, and some kind of sandwich. Just an acai bowl will NOT satisfy you. Also, make sure you've set aside a good amount of time, you'll have a bit of a wait.
Love, love, loveeee this place!
My first experience here was about a year ago. I really wanted an egg sammy, so I decided to try this place. The sandwich was just okay, it took a long time to make, and it wasn't cheap. The coffee was good. I kind of avoided it for awhile after this.
Second/third experience here both happened in a 4 day period because, well, I'm obsessed with their acai bowls. $8 dollars buys you a small (not that small) bowl of delicious, fresh fruit. I love the berry one and would get it every day if I thought it was financially responsible or very healthy. I'm not saying it's not healthy, because it is loaded with fresh fruit / nuts / granola, but, I can't consume that much sugar on a daily basis. It is however a great dessert substitute, pick me up after a long night, and overall delicious treat. I'm sure I'll have at least one bowl a week until I move out of the LES. I want to try the matcha one, but don't want to ruin the great thing I have going. Will post an update if I do!
Here is how Moroccan and American cultures collide: While all customers look at their smartphones in silence and pick up their food/drink once in a while, there is a constant, vibrant conversation among the shop's staff. The staff's conversation in Arabic is surely louder than music. They laugh, they greet, they cook in the merriest way, despite the detestable winter of New York.
What distinguishes Pause Cafe from their coffee peers is probably acai bowls. Pause gives a lot of fruit toppings. Acai smoothie underneath is also delish and fresh. This place is Hearty certified!
Quaint little Moroccan style cafe. This hole in the wall seats approximately 8 people inside and two outside. The tables have a beautiful pattern and the bowls are really pretty!
Went on a Saturday afternoon and it was pretty crowded, but we were able to grab a table by the time our acai bowls were ready. They were delicious and not too slushy or watery, also had a lot of fruit on top!
I'm always looking for a fresh, and hearty acai bowl whenever I'm visiting NYC.
There's nothing more refreshing and healthy than feeling the cool acai smoothie and fresh fruits coursing through your soul (especially since I usually eat out a lot more than usual when I visit).
Pause Cafe is, by far, my favorite spot for acai bowls in the city. After having tried 4-5 places already, Pause Cafe is evidently superior to the rest. The acai smoothies are thick, filled with acai puree, FRESH fruits and hearty granola. I find that other acai spots in the city have thinner smoothies, muddled with almond butter/peanut butter, which add creaminess but is lackluster in carrying the signature acai berry flavor. Compared to other places, Pause Cafe is more generous with the amount of fruit in their acai bowls. The fruits they choose are also sweeter and more fresh than other spots. If you haven't had an acai bowl before, or looking for a nice refreshing breather/pause in your busy day, this is definitely the place to go.
Their pastries are alright, nothing that exciting. However, no fear! There's always Clinton Bakery across the street if you're looking for delicious breakfast pastries. The heart of Pause Cafe is their amazing acai bowls, which are the closest to what you'll find in California and Hawai'i. I also enjoyed their lox bagel, which is perfectly layered with the right ingredients in the center, surrounded by a warm, perfect New York bagel (way better than Russ & Daughters Appetizers, which carries cold cream cheese and unheated bagel–their lox is their star though).
I'll definitely be back the next time I'm around the city!
P.S. I'd like to add that I love their vibe. The acai bowls are served in round mosaic bowls, which are placed in a vintage metal tray. There's not a lot of room to sit down inside, but I love the chill atmosphere and smell of fresh fruits/produce aromas in the air. Moroccan music filling the area, altogether with the owner's tiny attentions to detail, bring a much needed "pause" to the daily bustle of city life.
Love this place! I came here to kill some time and fill my stomach for a bit after being told that the wait for Clinton St Baking Company would be 2 hours. If you're craving the famous brunch pancakes from across the street but can't go for 2 hours on an empty stomach, you should wait at Pause Cafe!! There are a bunch of relatively small food options that will leave you feeling satisfied but not too full.
I ordered the small matcha green acai bowl, and it was amazing. Sometimes, I can be a bit of a health nut, and this bowl of fruity deliciousness was the best combination of healthy, sweet, and refreshing that I could have asked for.
My friend ordered a breakfast sandwich, egg + avocado + tomato + onion on a baguette, and while it was good, it wasn't anything special.
The decor here is super cozy, despite being very cramped. I would not recommend coming in a group of more than 3.
This place is so great I'm here at least once a week!
The staff are all awesome; super nice and really care about the customer!
Everything on the breakfast menu is great- especially the Super BLT and Bagel with Lox. Super fresh and tasty! The smoothies, juices, and acai bowls are also always delicious and healthy! So many options, as well!
The place is tiny but beautifully decorated and a great atmosphere! Highly recommend!
Like many others, I stopped in Pause Cafe when the wait for Clinton Street Baking Company was two hours. Originally planning on ordering a coffee, I decided to get a strawberry banana smoothie ($4 w tax). The smoothie was super thick and delicious, although it was a bit short on the strawberries for my taste. The price was crazy reasonable considering they have a huge audience waiting for their pancakes across the street.
What I really loved was the patio outside. When its 65 degrees in December, you want to take advantage of the outdoors. The Pause Cafe sets up AstroTurf and cute porch chairs to sit on. This was super cute and smart.