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- Neighborhoods:
- Downtown, East Village
At a Glance
?
100% ambiance
“The atmosphere is nice and it's open and we were sat right away.”
33% drinks
“The spread was great - good coffee, fruit, big portions - and we were not rushed at all.”
12% food quality
“One meal failed to arrive until well after the rest of us had finished.”
16% service
“recently came here with my boyfriend and his family and experienced the worst food and service in all of NYC.”
100% value
“The spread was great - good coffee, fruit, big portions - and we were not rushed at all.”
0% wait time
“The service is ridiculously slow, the food is always cold and tastes terrible, and when I complained they gave me MAJOR attitude.”
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The Cloister Cafe
From The Owner of The Cloister Cafe
Tips for The Cloister Cafe
April 26, 2013
I love this place! Especially on summer
nights in the garden.. it's super cute and relaxing, and one of the better places around to smoke hookah and just talk. Though the waiters aren't constantly checking up on you, they are very responsive when you need them and always make sure to change the coal at least once.
Food: I've only tried the zucchini fries - those were okay. Green tea ice cream is listed on the menu, but they never have it. All they have are vanilla and chocolate.
Drinks: Alcoholic drinks are really strong, it's like taking a shot per sip! They have girly names for their drinks, but they definitely don't taste girly. Their cappuccinos are really bland. And their teas are just.. well, teas. Also, a little ridiculous they charge for water.
Hookah: I'm always mixing mint with something fruity. I love the apple & mint, and peach & mint.
0
Heart
April 18, 2013
probably the most amazing environment
you will find in nyc, the most beautiful garden setting perfect for a date or just friends coming to hang out and on top of that they have hookah making it that much better... if you go make sure you try to get Marc for your server, he is absolutely the best server there and he will take care of your every need also make sure you say hello and meet the manager Jerry he is the man and will take care of your future visits.. we've started making this an every night place to start the night if we're getting crazy or to end the night if it's a relaxing night
also... at first we didn't know but the food is unbelievable and completely reasonably priced everything we've had is just insane and leaves you craving for another bite for weeks!
if you're going to go anywhere for hookah you must go here, other places are smokey and gross but with this beautiful outdoor garden you just can't beat it
0
Heart
April 11, 2013
I have been coming here for an
eternity, at first mainly for the mojitos, but once they changed their chef, I started coming back for lunch and mojitos.
I don't know what magician pours the drinks, but you always leave with a "buzz". The Cloister cafe is the best during the warmer months, so you can enjoy many cocktails, under the grapevines and lush foliage, with hookah and friends.
The last time I went, was with a friend, on a rainy day, to celebrate her graduation from Parson's.
We were seated "inside-outside" area, which is a tented area, but still not deprived of many trees and plants. We ordered mojitos, a brie quesadellia appetizer, and two salads: the duck and the salmon,
I'm not a big salad person, but I like the way they make theirs. Big portions of duck and salmon, well seasoned, fresh and filling. I love their fried potatoes too, with sea salt, time and pepper.
To end our meal we ordered a hookah and dessert, and oddly enough it ended up being on a bit over 40$ a person(with out tip), which I think is beyond reasonable for the location, quality of food, and magical cocktails.
I would recommend this place 100% for a first date, since they never rush you or take forever to bring your food.
I would also recommend this place for sitting alone on a sunny afternoon, with friends at night, or whenever. It's a winner.
It got a perfect rating from me, because it deserves it. You get the exact bang for your buck!
0
Heart
March 28, 2013
*This review is for my first hookah
experience in NYC only, not for the restaurant portion of this place.Oh hookah, how I missed you so!
I haven't been to a hookah lounge in so long, but am glad to have found Cloister Cafe! Actually, my friend & I were looking for this sake place when we stumbled upon this place. Decided to check it out since it was actually affordable ($20 per pipe plus one drink minimum per person).
The Ukrainian bouncer wasn't all that intimidating, I've seen worse, but I did notice he didn't allow guys in easily (he told a random guy to call out his friend to meet him at the entrance instead). My friend and I, on the other hand, walked in just fine.
The ambiance of this place is awesome; the outdoor garden is covered by trees and grapevines above you, and the music is loud enough to enjoy but still able to hear the other person across the table. Luckily the weather was perfect, it would've sucked if it rained.
We got the rose & mint hookah (delicious!) and each got an iced tea (lemon was included, without us asking.. even better!) We must've spent about three hours here, and the server never pressured us to leave. I'm definitely coming back here!
0
Heart
March 22, 2013
I found the Cloister Cafe as I was walking around the city with some friends during the summer and I decided to go back last weekend. I love the ambiance here, its a little garden in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the city. The hookah is good and I have to admit I liked their drinks.. Their zuchinni chips are are very tasty and their tiramisu is to die for. I will most deff. be coming back.
0
Heart
August 08, 2011
perfect rating.
"I have been coming here for an eternity, at first mainly for the mojitos, but once they changed their chef, I started coming back for lunch and mojitos.
I don't know what magician pours the drinks, but you always leave with a ""buzz"". The Cloister cafe is the best during the warmer months, so you can enjoy many cocktails, under the grapevines and lush foliage, with hookah and friends.
The last time I went, was with a friend, on a rainy day, to celebrate her graduation from Parson's.
We were seated ""inside-outside"" area, which is a tented area, but still not deprived of many trees and plants. We ordered mojitos, a brie quesadellia appetizer, and two salads: the duck and the salmon,
I'm not a big salad person, but I like the way they make theirs. Big portions of duck and salmon, well seasoned, fresh and filling. I love their fried potatoes too, with sea salt, time and pepper.
To end our meal we ordered a hookah and dessert, and oddly enough it ended up being on a bit over 40$ a person(with out tip), which I think is beyond reasonable for the location, quality of food, and magical cocktails.
I would recommend this place 100% for a first date, since they never rush you or take forever to bring your food.
I would also recommend this place for sitting alone on a sunny afternoon, with friends at night, or whenever. It's a winner.
It got a perfect rating from me, because it deserves it. You get the exact bang for your buck!"
0
Heart
August 02, 2011
Best place for conversation.. Best place for conversation. I ALWAYS enjoy the conversations I have there...there's really something about Cloister. It always leaves me happy! Haha.
0
Heart
July 28, 2011
This is a great place. This is a great place to go for brunch when there's nice weather. Unlike so many places where you have to wait for an hour or two to sit outside for brunch, there is tons of outdoor seating in the cloister garden. The garden is such a nice atmosphere and relaxing since it is removed from the street.
0
Heart
July 25, 2011
Adorable spot.
Adorable spot. Love it!!!!
Smoking hookah at a cloister. What a genius idea.
0
Heart
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The Cloister Cafe
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