(212) 334-9552

242 Mott St (at Prince St.)
New York, NY 10012 40.7231 -73.9946

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Neighborhoods: NoLita, Downtown

cafegitanenyc.com/

Hours:

Sun-Thu 9am-12am

Fri- Sat 9am-12:30am

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Other Personal Services

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast

Cuisine:

French

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cafe Gitane

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Charming and casual Parisian cafe draws a crowd of internationals and Soho types alike.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
They do not take reservations
ambiance
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “Cute, small, great ambience (candles, friendly, vintage look), great food.”
  2. “although the atmosphere is great, and the couscous is superb, i will never be able to actually like this place because of the waitresses.”
  3. “loved the food and the casual atmosphere.”
  4. “Cafe Gitane is not only the best coffee in NYC, its maintained its relaxed, "don't follow the crowd" atmosphere and if anything the food just gets better every time you go.”
  5. “The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, and the food is superb--I particularly love the cucumber/yogurt salad, the roast potatoes and the humus--and you can't find a better value anywhere in the city.”
  6. “Great location, atmosphere, and not expensive.”
  7. “Don't go expecting attentive service or roomy seating but do go and enjoy the hipster atmosphere.”
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. “The salmon was cooked to perfection and the pie wasn't overwhelmingly filling or hearty.”
drinks
80.0% positive
  1. “I'll happily sit at the bar next time I go alone, and I highly recommend this spot to others - single or not!”
  2. “Cafe Gitane is not only the best coffee in NYC, its maintained its relaxed, "don't follow the crowd" atmosphere and if anything the food just gets better every time you go.”
  3. “The food was excellent, the coffee was excellent, the service excellent!”
  4. “we sat at the counter that overlooks the cooks and had good german wheat beers, cant recall the name.”
  5. “Wines are really good, the rose wine is especially good.”
food quality
86.3599967956543% positive
  1. “loved the food and the casual atmosphere.”
  2. “The food at this place is probably the best Moroccan in the area (don't know of anything else) and I've always had nice service.”
  3. “Their smoked chicken sandwich with mango on raisin bread, plus a great little side salad is just 10 dollars.”
  4. “the chicken kabobs looked good too.”
  5. “The serving sizes are not large, but I still feel it's a good value because quality is solid and flavors are delicious.”
  6. “Cute, small, great ambience (candles, friendly, vintage look), great food.”
  7. “The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, and the food is superb--I particularly love the cucumber/yogurt salad, the roast potatoes and the humus--and you can't find a better value anywhere in the city.”
  8. “The salmon was cooked to perfection and the pie wasn't overwhelmingly filling or hearty.”
  9. “Thier dishes (esp, the cous cous) are so great.”
  10. “my roasted chicken sandwich as good.”
  11. “It was the perfect brunch dish.”
  12. “RAW egg could make someone sick and is extremely hazardous to pregnant women.”
  13. “Cafe Gitane is not only the best coffee in NYC, its maintained its relaxed, "don't follow the crowd" atmosphere and if anything the food just gets better every time you go.”
  14. “The food was excellent, the coffee was excellent, the service excellent!”
  15. “went here with a friend this weekend - the aroma of fresh herbs is hard to resist from the outside.”
  16. “But overall, the service, food, music and price were excellent.”
  17. “delicious food included the avocado on toast, Gorgonzola with honey and walnuts, and a chicken club sandwich along with an organic bottle of white that was excellent.”
  18. “If you're looking for good food - really flavorful, great tasting food - this is honestly THE place to go.”
  19. “The food is really good, interesting, and the presentation is nice.”
  20. “But previously, I've also tried their chicken and avocado sandwiches (which you can never go wrong with) and the cous cous dish and loved everything there!”
  21. “the service was friendly and the food came out very quickly.”
  22. “This has long been a favorite neighborhood haunt of mine, and lord knows they have gotten a lot of my cash--for the yummy lates and great chicken sandwiches and waffles (cash only).”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “although the atmosphere is great, and the couscous is superb, i will never be able to actually like this place because of the waitresses.”
  2. “If you're looking for good food - really flavorful, great tasting food - this is honestly THE place to go.”
service
75.0% positive
  1. “Cute, small, great ambience (candles, friendly, vintage look), great food.”
  2. “horrible manager”
  3. “the service was friendly and the food came out very quickly.”
  4. “But overall, the service, food, music and price were excellent.”
  5. “Prompt seating was the best service they provided, then downhill from there.”
  6. “Great place to have really good cappucinos, small plates and people watch.”
  7. “Don't go expecting attentive service or roomy seating but do go and enjoy the hipster atmosphere.”
  8. “The food at this place is probably the best Moroccan in the area (don't know of anything else) and I've always had nice service.”
  9. “although the atmosphere is great, and the couscous is superb, i will never be able to actually like this place because of the waitresses.”
  10. “Our waitress was wonderful, truly lovely.”
  11. “Worst service experienced in NYC”
  12. “It's true the restaurant is crowded, busy, and service can be slow.”
  13. “The service was polite and attentive.”
  14. “Like any nice, normal waitress, ours said not to worry and exchanged the plate with something to suit my friend.”
  15. “The waitresses are slow, but as long as you are relaxed, they eventually get it all to you and make sure you are taken care of.”
  16. “The portions are great (enough for lunch the next day) and the servers are really cool.”
  17. “Bottom line: service was just awful.”
  18. “The food was excellent, the coffee was excellent, the service excellent!”
  19. “The manager went on to explain she would deduct it from our waitress's salary, which we found incredibly unfair given how our waitress had accommodated us and made our evening enjoyable (a skill which should be praised).”
  20. “The waitstaff was so friendly, we'll definitely be coming back!”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Great location, atmosphere, and not expensive.”
  2. “Their smoked chicken sandwich with mango on raisin bread, plus a great little side salad is just 10 dollars.”
  3. “But overall, the service, food, music and price were excellent.”
  4. “The serving sizes are not large, but I still feel it's a good value because quality is solid and flavors are delicious.”
  5. “The portions are great (enough for lunch the next day) and the servers are really cool.”
  6. “The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant, and the food is superb--I particularly love the cucumber/yogurt salad, the roast potatoes and the humus--and you can't find a better value anywhere in the city.”
  7. “Everyone enjoyed their entrees and the price was very reasonable.”
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. “Service is a little slow which can be annoying at times.”
  2. “The waitresses are slow, but as long as you are relaxed, they eventually get it all to you and make sure you are taken care of.”
  3. “It's true the restaurant is crowded, busy, and service can be slow.”
  4. “This has long been a favorite neighborhood haunt of mine, and lord knows they have gotten a lot of my cash--for the yummy lates and great chicken sandwiches and waffles (cash only).”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/27/10

My Favorite Brunch Spot to Bring Visitors

by silverblue , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

When I have visitors in town, I love to take them to this French, Moroccan café in Nolita called Café Gitane. It is super charming with its green-striped umbrellas embellishing both corners of the striking café with true blue exterior, and waitresses clad in green apron dresses.

While I had been here many times, this was the first time I tried the Salmon pot pie, which was probably the best thing on the menu! The salmon was cooked to perfection and the pie wasn’t overwhelmingly filling or hearty. It was the perfect brunch dish. My friend got the Spicy Organic Meatballs in Tumeric Tomato Sauce with boiled egg, cucumber, yogurt and cilantro dish, which he liked a lot but I felt was a tad bit bland (had to add a bit of salt).

But previously, I’ve also tried their chicken and avocado sandwiches (which you can never go wrong with) and the cous cous dish and loved everything there! Even the cappuccino was really good. Only one catch – it’s cash only, so be prepared.

  • Pros: Every Single Dish There, Lovely Neighborhood
  • Cons: Cash Only Policy, No Reservations
2 Star Rating: Below Average

12/17/09

waitresses need to learn some respect

by saram88 at Citysearch

although the atmosphere is great, and the couscous is superb, i will never be able to actually like this place because of the waitresses. they are quick with orders and the food, but every time my husband and i come here, they pay complete attention to him, and almost flirt with him right in front of me. i am ignored, not even looked at by every woman that works there, and i don't understand why. being a waitress myself, i have learned to speak to couples equally instead of just the man. besides that, this place is nice. but god learn some respect. you never know which one is paying the bill and giving you your tip.

  • Pros: atmosphere, location
  • Cons: waitresses, no reservations
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/21/09

Great casual spot

by Mayke at Citysearch

I loved the food and the casual atmosphere. A special spot as a drop in for a quick delicious meal. I will be going back.

  • Pros: small, intimate, casual
  • Cons: was very busy when we were there
3 Star Rating: Average

10/12/09

Great Mid-Week Spot

by Jen Benson at Citysearch

I've been going here for the three years I've lived in the area and thoughts its prob time I post a review. Lve the food, Service . . . mid-week walkins my fav. I sat at bar the other night . . maybe a little bright but salds great

  • Pros: Take Walk - Ins
  • Cons: Bar lighting a little bright?
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/05/09

Singles TOTALLY Welcome

by bklyn1205 at Citysearch

I was actually at Cafe Gitane several days ago and know for a fact that they DO seat singles at tables, just not all the time. I went in alone for lunch (12:30); the host looked around the room and explained that normally they don't seat singles at tables during busy lunch hours, but she'd make an exception because there were so many tables available. Lucky me! Having worked in restaurants I completely understand, and anyone would too if they took a closer look inside - only 10 tables or so! Seems like the angry reviewer didn't want to hear what the host was saying, because she probably told her the exact same thing she told me...she just happened to catch them when they were busy. I'll happily sit at the bar next time I go alone, and I highly recommend this spot to others - single or not!

  • Pros: Nice staff, good food for good price
  • Cons: Long wait at busy times (weekends)

The Details on Cafe Gitane

Place Categories:

  • slow horrible service
  • great food
  • attentive service
  • great casual atmosphere
  • not best coffee
  • nice normal waitress
  • great casual spot
  • not overwhelmingly filling pie
  • overrated raw food
  • excellent price
  • very good couscous
  • really good wine
  • slow waitresses
  • enjoyed everyone
  • never bad eating experience
  • great esp
  • favorite restaurants
  • friendly waitstaff
  • usually decent wait
  • very reasonable entrees
  • friendly vintage look
  • great ambience
  • great portions
  • nice little place
  • good roasted chicken sandwich