Elysian Cafe — Restaurant in New York

I was pleasantly surprised by this particular coffee venue. Given its proximity to Astoria Blvd and 278, I was expecting more of a gritty, quintessentially NYC deli vibe. But it is clean, peaceful and has artfully-constructed, high ceilings. Even the bathroom was impeccable, and that’s kind of my “gold standard,” so to speak. There was even an olive tree in the seating area, whose branches were fluttering delightfully in the trajectory of a very powerful ceiling fan! (I’m pretty sure there’s central air, too). There’s also a nice ebb and flow of customers, mostly discrete, god-fearing individuals who are in and out for a coffee and/or a meaningful bite to eat. I appreciate that demographic because I would love to come back here and crack open a book or, better yet, work from home. Maria, the owner, is also very sincere in her way of connecting with people. Though her own story is nothing short of inspiring, she still took an inquiry-based approach to try and get to know me. So, not a shocker that I left with a genuine desire to continue the conversation! I guess I should report on the drinks, lol: I ordered a “Frappe,” which brought me back to my first (but hopefully not last) trip to Greece back in 2009 ;-) Very authentic ingredients (Nescafe), and I was touched by how much love and care she put into preparing the drink – no cursory preparation here! I will certainly be returning for the coffee, and maybe...

🌟 I just have to share how much I love Elysian Café! From the moment I walked in, Maria greeted me with the warmest smile. The spanakopita and tiropita are to die for – the crust is so flaky and buttery, and the fillings are just perfect. I tried the traditional Greek coffee and it was amazing – strong, aromatic, and served in the cutest little cup. Definitely ask Maria about the day’s specials; she always has something delightful up her sleeve! If you’re craving a taste of Greece, you have to check out Elysian Café. Trust me, you won’t be...

My friends and I went here spontaneously to grab something quick to eat and we had a great experience. The bagels and sandwiches were very filling and delicious. I highly recommend trying their cold pressed juices. My friend got an orange juice and it was sooo fresh. I got their orange, apple, and carrot and it was also good! Their chai latte is sweet and probably one of the best ones I’ve had. Definitely worth visiting! I will come back in the future. The environment is very clean...