FOOD4THOUGHT~ ALLLL DAY BABY!!!!
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Discarded resolutions and downtrodden spirits and are a dime a dozen this time of year.  As the optimism of the New Year fades out, a space for serious reflection starts to creep in. As I wandered into Food 4 Thought Cafe for a dense slice of cake to sit out the blizzard with (Vegan Red Velvet Cake, Vegan Carrot Cake, not-so-vegan Chocolate Cake; luckily for my taste buds we’ve had plenty of blizzards), I found just the sustenance I needed.
Up on the chalkboard by the back was a Nikki Giovanni quote:Â
“We write because we believe the human spirit cannot be tamed and should not be trained.”
As Giovanni’s words reminded me of the incredible solace that can be found through words, the funky vibe of Food 4 Thought reminded me why we still need neighborhood coffee shops in the age of Dunkin’ Donuts and bodega brews.Â
A real coffee shop provides more than just free wi-fi. Here, Mr. Will, the friendly proprietor, sharpens his chess skills and greets the neighbors. Last month, there was a networking event for local entrepreneurs. This Thursday, there will be an open-mic night for local poets. Show up at 7:30 if you want to spit some verse or take in some spoken word. These Third Places away from the drudgery of housework and the banality of work-work provide untamable, untrainable ideas with room to flourish.
Bed-Stuy may not be steeped in cafe culture, but the places that we do have are well-curated and deeply cherished. Below is a listing of local cafes to take you through the winter. If you’re planning on going on a Monday or past 8pm, call ahead to avoid being confronted with a grated facade.Â
Food for Thought
445 Marcus Garvey Blvd
(718) 443-4160
Kingston-Throop (A, C)
Utica (A)
Hand-painted decor, Vegan Red Velvet cake, Smoothies and Juice BarÂ
Bread Stuy
403 Lewis Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11233
(718) 771-0633
Utica (A)
Wholesome pastries, Vibrant feel, Fancy coffeeÂ
Tiny Cup
279 Nostrand Ave
(718) 399-9200
Bedford-Nostrand Aves (G)
Artsy/eclectic Feel, Pots of tea, Vegan baked goods
Common Grounds Cafe
376 Tompkins Ave (between Jefferson Ave & Putnam Ave)
(718) 484-4368Â
Colador Cafe
1000 Bedford Ave
(718) 399-1934
Bedford-Nostrand Aves (G)
Delivery, Crafty decor, San Pellegrino
Outpost Cafe
1014 Fulton St
(718) 636-1260
Clinton-Washington Aves (C)Â
Franklin Ave (C, S)
Garden, Veggie options, Laptop friendly
T-Cup Cafe
627 Throop Ave
(347) 240-8810
Kingston-Throop C
Bushbaby Cafe
1197 Fulton Street at Bedford Avenue
(718) 636-5336
Franklin Ave (C,S)
Sucre Coffee Jazz Lounge
520 De Kalb Ave (at Bedford)
twofiftyeight Cafe
199 Malcolm X Boulevard (between Jefferson and Putnam)
(718) 618-0432
you forgot 258 cafe on Malcolm X Blvd
OMG! You’re right tripp. Noted.
I really, really, really wish that T-Cup was open BEFORE 8 Am. I mean really – they would make a killing w/ us early people and the kids going to school…
Vettie, there’s nowhere (to my knowledge) in the entire neighborhood that opens up before 8am! If I don’t keep breakfast in the house, it’s corner deli for me. On weekends, we have to get in the car and leave the neighborhood if we want to pick up a decent breakfast. Don’t get me started!
I didn’t know that. I’m surprised because I see a lot of people heading to work between 7-8 am.
258 CAFE IS OPEN BY 7AM-6PM AS FAR AS I KNOW
Dunkin Donuts on Lafayette & Nostrand is open early, but that’s probably not what you meant.
I am always disappointed to see that T-Cup Cafe is not open when I go past. It’s RIGHT BY the subway! So perfect
There’s also Brown Betty over by Franklin & Fulton. Tiny but cute. Also not open early.
Oops, Brown Betty is on GRAND and thus not in Bed-Stuy, sorry.
Let’s suggest to Tanya to open Tiny Cup earlier!!! BTW I love the eclectic vibe at Food for Thought! Went by one day with my baby and saw teenagers playing chess, some Krammer type guy read my star chart and someone was painting. Had some good sweet potato fries and smoothie
Tiny Cup doesn’t seem to want to be in business. It opens too late and closes too early. On Sunday I went over there after getting the papers for pastries. It isn’t open on Sunday! I went in the first week it opened and someone asked for a latte. They didn’t have it. I hope tey have lattes ow.
Do you mean Tiny Cup on Nostrand or T-Cup on Throop? I haven’t been to T-Cup yet because it’s pretty far from my home, but Tiny Cup is open every Sunday. In fact, I just passed by the place today and it’s open. In fact, it’s usually very busy.
And by the way, we’ve omitted B-Boys Cafe on Tompkins. Has anyone been there yet?
Sorry….I meant T-Cup on Throop.
Hey, what about Victoria’s Tea Culture on Howard between McDonough and Decatur? It’s a sweet little place, has organic coffee and all kinds of good teas, she makes delish sandwiches, soups, and banana bread and desserts, and she’s the nicest woman ever. She also does poetry nights, etc….and she opens at 8 a.m. Try a visit!
Hey, thanks for mentioning it. I hadn’t heard about Victoria’s Tea Culture. We’ll have to add them to the Bed-Stuy Blog map.