Sugar Hill Cafe — Restaurant in New York

A GOOD FIND ! On the first full day of our 2 week vacation in New York, NY we walked to this cafe in Sugar Hill...hence the name. It was a brisk 10 minute stroll from our brownstone apartment in Upper Manhattan. WHY ! Well we found they had baristas who knew how to make a good cappuccino, they used a highly regarded local coffee bean roaster and we could get a fresh cooked wholesome breakfast. Given it was situated in an almost cramped space in a basement the staff did their best to put on a happy face. NOTE ! They had a couple of quirky rules....poached eggs available only on weekends and the kitchen did not open until 8am on Sundays. So on Fri, Sept 6th we arrived here around 8.20am for a hearty breakfast. We met Isabella the manager for the first time who took our breakfast order for 2 x double shot cappuccinos with half & half milk and hazelnut syrup ( they used a brand we were not familiar with..Routin 1883 Hazelnut Syrup ) and 2 x Sugar Hill Classics ( 2 eggs any style, buttered toast, home fries, house salad )...I asked for poached ( hello the board said any style ) but was told only on weekends so we both chose scrambled ). We paid upfront and grabbed a table. POPULAR ! There was a steady stream of customers grabbing mostly take-out coffees while we waited. Isabella did a nice job making our 2 cappuccinos and placed them on the service counter. JUST AS GOOD ! And they tasted just as good as yesterday...it goes to show if you train everybody to be a competent barista you can't go wrong. They tasted rich, strong and invigorating...a good wake-up call ! Soon after Isabella brought out our breakfast dishes. IT'S ALL GOOD ! Our scrambled eggs were yellow and fluffy, the home fries tasted nice and the house salad was as fresh as a daisy. Sadly no jam on the plate for our toast. Nothing is perfect but a good breakfast place like this that serves very good coffee is hard to find anywhere....

TOP BREAKFAST SPOT ! When my wife booked our Airbnb brownstone apartment in Upper Manhattan, NY for our recent 2 week vacation we could see on Google Maps there were a few cafes pretty close by...handy for breakfast. On our first morning...a Thursday at our new digs we headed out around 7.45am to grab cappuccinos and maybe something to eat....we had 2 places in mind. The first one turned out to be a dud so we kept walking to here..quite a bit further but in the end well worth it. KINDA CUTE ! We walked down the stairs at 8am to enter the cafe in it's basement location...like a speakeasy. Not big not small but it had a good vibe. We checked out the drinks / food menu displayed on boards along the long wall......gee whiz we could have a full sit down breakfast here. A cashier / barista named Michael took our order for 2 x double shot Cappuccinos with 2% milk & hazelnut syrup, 1 x Cali Omelette ( organic spinach, and feta cheese omelette, buttered toast, home fries, house salad ) and 1 x Italian Omelette ( Heirloom tomato and basil, egg whites omelette, buttered toast, home fries, house salad ). I asked Michael the barista what coffee they were using.....Plowshares Coffee Roasters was his reply. We later found out that this was a highly regarded local coffee roaster. THERE'S MORE ! And we had a lovely chat with Eduardo and Leonor a married couple originally from Portugal at the next table...both molecular biologists. RICH AND SATISFYING ! Our double shot cappuccinos in small size cups were ready fast, looked great and tasted fabulous. Not long after Michael brought out our breakfast order. EXCELLENT ! Our huge serves of fluffy omelettes, yummy home fries, buttered toast, fresh made house salads were more than adequate for a hearty breakfast. Good cafes like this are very hard to find so we knew we...

Sugarhill Cafe has truly become my go-to spot in New York, and for good reason! First and foremost, their coffee is fantastic – consistently rich, flavorful, and expertly brewed. Whether I'm grabbing a quick espresso or lingering over a perfectly crafted cappuccino with its velvety smooth microfoam, I'm never disappointed. And speaking of treats, you absolutely must try their blueberry cheesecake. The creamy texture, the bursts of sweet and tart blueberries, and that buttery crust create a truly divine experience. It pairs perfectly with their cappuccino, making for an ideal little indulgence. But what elevates Sugarhill Cafe from just a good coffee shop to a truly exceptional one is their excellent customer service. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine warmth and a smile. The baristas are not only efficient but also incredibly friendly and attentive. They remember your order, offer helpful suggestions, and create a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like a valued regular. Even during the hustle and bustle of the city, they maintain a sense of calm and care. You leave Sugarhill Cafe not just with a delicious coffee and perhaps a slice of that incredible blueberry danish, but also with a feeling of having been genuinely looked after. It's a delightful neighborhood gem that offers both quality and exceptional service – highly, highly...