Life Cafe
(212) 477-8791
343 E 10th St
New York,
NY
10009
40.7271
-73.98
Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, Downtown, East Village
Reviews & Ratings for Life Cafe
17 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 17 reviews
Worth the trip by Davis V. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 10, 2008
Not only is the atmosphere inviting but the service is pretty good. If you're ever in East Village I would definitely stop by Life Cafe. The food and drinks are reasonably priced and it is not too crowded which makes it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal.
Terrible Delivery
by redballoon747
February 24, 2008
We have been ordering delivery from Life Cafe for a long time, primarilly because it is the only place that delivers (that isn't pizza) to where we live in East Williamsburg, but the delivery service has become SO bad that we can no longer be costumers. I can't tell you how many times our food has shown up cold, late (we're talking 30 minutes longer than we were TOLD it would take) and more times than not we are brought food that is NOT what we ordered or completely sub-standard. Its really dissapointing because we actually used to enjoy the food but its no longer worth the frustration.
- Pros: healthy food
- Cons: terrible delivery service.
To Think it Was Originally a Antique Shop.
by tampamainstay
February 10, 2008
It was originally an antique shop. Then a coffee house. Now, Life Cafe. Originally made for the artists of Thompkins Square, it's become an over priced, vegan friendly spot known for the $2.50 side of tofu sour cream. You can argue their hearts were in the right place in 1981, but now it's all about draining your wallet and firing their loyal staff a week before Christmas due to "changing for a different direction". Kathy Kirkpatrick wants your feedback, as long as it's positive. If it's not, the comment will go directly to the trash can, or worse, land you in the Unemployment Line.
- Pros: Good Servers, if they stay long enough to make a impression.
- Cons: Horrible Management. The do not take negative feedback too well, "you are crazy". They, apparently, are not.
My Favorite Sunday Brunch
by noak11
August 12, 2007
Two words: Free Cocktails!
and free coffee with any Sunday Brunch order. I don't get hyped up over the fact that this is the cafe from RENT. This LES institution entices me with the succulent breakfast selection and the free mimosa or bloody mary that comes with your meal. I recommend their Eggs Blackstone (Benedict with bacon) and any of their Southwestern egg specialties. If you are a fan of specialty Bloody M's or 'mosas, then you must come here, prices on cocktails can't be beat.
Also, each time I've come, it has been with a group of 7 or 8 and we were seated within 10 minutes each time. Servers are fun but a little inexperienced. However I highly recommend. Also, if it's not too hot out, try the garden seating in the back.
- Pros: Free Drinks, Fast Seating, Friendly Atmosphere
- Cons: Avg. Service, Garden has only one fan (not for dog days of summer)
Hoorah for LIFE CAFE! by Damion S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
July 23, 2007
I always have a great time when coming to LIFE CAFE. I've been here several times on plenty of occasions and enjoyed it everytime. They have really good margaritas, the ambience is perfect, the food is delicious. It is reasonably priced, and the wait staff is friendly, for the most part. I haven't had a bad experience, and I don't think I ever will at LIFE CAFE. The music is actually good too, Its a great place to check out when in the village, its worth the time. I highly recommend to.
good times by miller b. at InsiderPages
Contributor
July 06, 2007
Even though the food was really good and I had a good time, the service wasn't all that great, but I would probably still go back because its not really crowded and the area is nice. The price isnt too bad either, I had an O.K time here.
Service bringing the place down
by evwanderlust
June 02, 2007
Even though I have lived in the neighborhood for awhile I just recently started going to Life. I went for a friend's birthday dinner and had an all-around great experience.
I've been back twice for brunch and the service was pretty awful both times. The wait time for menus, drinks, food, etc was ridiculous. This would be understandable if the place was packed, but it wasn't on either occasion. Both times we also experienced mixed up orders, the food going to all of the wrong people and basically just servers who may as well have been invisible. That being said, the food was good and the prices are right. If the service improved this place could go back to being a neighborhood gem.
- Pros: excellent Japanese bloody marys, good prices
- Cons: sloooow service
East Village vibe no longer compensates for terrible service.
by rt13
May 13, 2007
I used to be able tolerate the bad service at Life Cafe. I used to think of it as a fun place to hang out with a friend and soak in the vibe but after the service I got there the last time I went, I will probably never go back.
The waitress plunked a lukewarm coffee down on the table and then took off before I could ask her for milk. Finally I had to ask the bus boy to bring me some milk and by then the coffee was practically cold. When my breakfast finally came it wasn't what I ordered so I had to wait for them to make what I ordered while my friend ate.
My friend's bacon was undercooked and almost all fat and we were sitting under a malfuntioning speaker that was vibrating so loud we had to shout at each other across the table. The staff was so unattentive except for one nice bus boy and the brunch is ridiculously overpriced for the quality of food you get.
- Pros: Ambience
- Cons: Terrible service, completely unattentive waiting staff.
real rock 'n' roll
by jimbeam007
December 08, 2006
The best thing about Life Cafe is the food... that's why I get delivery from there on an almost daily basis (I don't have time to cook). But the reason my friend Aiden and I go there at least twice a week is the vibe. It's known for being part of the story RENT, somehow... but I've never seen the play or movie. Alls I know is they've got the most welcoming and kewl, kewl staff that I've ever met in any place I've ever been in the whole WORLD. And that's saying a LOT, 'cuz I've been around. The staff (they claim) choose the music that's played there, so you can catch some pretty obscure stuff on their speakers... And they'd prolly shoot me for saying so, but there's a breakfast special that's not even on the menu... it's only for folks who've been going there for like 20 years and have always gone for it... it's 2 eggs, a side of bread, a side of like home fries or rice and beans, for $3.40... AND that includes unlimited coffee for free... It's so ridiculous I just thought that the public might like to know. Oh yea, and try one of the Blueberry frozen Margaritas. They're the best.
- Pros: food is freshly made, fantastic, service rocks, place is relaxing, yet stimulating!
- Cons: not open 24-7!
Not Vegetarian
by phonohohno
November 21, 2006
I found Life Cafe on a list of New York vegetarian restaurants. I think the place must have changed hands since that came out, because there are few vegetarian options left on the menu. The food was pretty good though, and the drinks were great (and strong)! We had a blueberry margarita that made my night.
- Pros: good drinks, ok food
