NYC folks: quiet cafe in mid-Village?

April 27, 2024 9:09 AM

Nice, relaxed place to have tea and conversation (that is, not noisy) in the Village (Greenwich V., NYC)? Preferred around University Place --- Sixth Avenue, above Washington Square. Tables outside preferred (even more preferred would be heat lamps).
posted by DMelanogaster to Food & Drink (7 answers total)

On weekends when the weather is nice I’m not sure anything in the village is quiet and guaranteed to have seating, but if there’s space, Té Company is quiet, cute, and has an exceptionally good selection of Taiwanese Oolongs and some really lovely pineapple cookies. All seating is indoors in a postage stamp sized room that seats about 10 people.
posted by A Blue Moon at 10:30 AM on April 27 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: thanks -- not going on a weekend.
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:37 AM on April 27

Just below Washington Square (just to the sw)— La Lanterna. Garden space in the back, with heat lamps. The garden has been my favorite place for quiet conversation. Good that you aren’t going on a weekend.
posted by profreader at 10:55 AM on April 27 [3 favorites]

On University, Maman has outdoor tables and it's usually not crowded, but there are no heat lamps. Grey Dog and Jack's Wife Frieda both have similar set-ups, but they can be much busier. There's also Sorso, which is a wine bar that shares a sidewalk shed with Madman coffee, so one of those might also do, depending on how their hours line up with your schedule.

If vegan is ok, Peacefood is on 11th just off University and is usually pretty chill and has a decent-looking outdoor set up (I can't recall if I've seen heat lamps in it or not, but it looks pretty well-built, so it's not impossible).
posted by snaw at 8:23 AM on April 28 [1 favorite]

Was also coming here to say La Lanterna. A true oasis and reliably fairly calm especially on a weekday. Note though if the reason you want outside is air circulation that the rear patio is fully covered i.e. more of a greenhouse than an outside space. I think they may have the ability to open the ceiling panes up and may do so when it's nice out, but I can't swear to it and would check with them first if that's your aim.
posted by babelfish at 6:30 PM on April 28

Good recs from snaw; the problem with Maman and Jack's Wife Frieda just now is that construction is in full swing on the new building in the middle of that block, so it can get real loud at any moment.

Madman's shed has heat lamps; they close it at 6 PM.

It's not outside, but depending on the time of day, the lobby lounge of the Marlton Hotel on 8th Street just west of 5th can be quiet and cozy – there's even a fireplace – and they serve tea and chai in small pots. It gets busy after work.
posted by nicwolff at 6:47 PM on April 29

Response by poster: Note: a few years ago I tried to order a cup of hot chocolate at the Marlton and the wait-person wouldn't let me because i was not a guest at the hotel!

Another Note: I found Ariston Cafe -- part of Ariston Florist -- on Fifth AVenue between 13th and 14th. It's a cafe full of flowers! and there are a few tables outside. (no heat lamps, but maybe I won't even need them if my cafe engagement is delayed any more)

Thanks for all recomendations
posted by DMelanogaster at 2:39 PM on May 3