"I will go the distance for excellent coffee and pastries and Rita & Maria has both!! I’ve been coming to this quaint cafe for the past 2 years or more. The cafe is a 20 min walk from my place and it’s well worth the trek. I would typically walk over with my dog, so it gave him a chance to sniff along the way. Each of the many visits have been a good experience. The staff is always welcoming and friendly, no matter how busy they are and there is typically a bit of a line. I’ve had my fair share of delicious pastries—maybe to my own detriment (working on discipline)! Rita & Maria’s never fails to impress, always offering a unique twist on their pastries and changing them for the seasons. Their baker creates some wonderful creations. The most recent tasty, perfect pastry was their citrus olive oil fennel cake. Soo soo good and moist. The fennel gave it a nice twist. The sizable piece was perfect and once I finished I wanted to have another! Of course, it’s all about moderation. I’ll be back for a slice another day!"

"Ultra cute coffee shop, great baristas, best coffee shop around here to bring your laptop and focus on work work work. Love this place. Or get a book and read it. Baristas are fun and would open a conversation with you and keep at it without becoming bothered, which is rare these days. So aesthetically pleasing & mellow. Love this place."

"The coolest and really great quaint coffee shop in my neighborhood of Stuyvesant Heights with a retro feel. GREAT iced oat milk matcha, cardamom buns and oatmeal cookies-everything looks good. Reasonably priced, cool and laid back atmosphere, nice staff and patrons. Wish it was open longer but I get it!!!"

"I don’t think I’ve ever visited a single other establishment with as much devotion as this one. It always feels like visiting your friend’s on a cozy morning - the food is delicious and made with care. I never knew how good it is to start your morning with a hard boiled egg and giardiniera but now I’m a believer. There’s nothing on the menu I wouldn’t recommend. The staff feels like the cast to a cute & artsy 90’s sitcom. They make me feel lucky to live in my neighborhood. 🧡"

"First be aware that many of the photos are of events. So many of the menu options not available. The place is not bright at all, so don’t imagine a sunny morning experience. The don’t heat food like frittatas unless you ask and then have to heat in another building so it take a while. The coffees are small. The staff is apathetic and uninterested. Almost snide if you mention problems or ask about your order. Not coming back"