Philip Zalon
Decent diner. Outdoor seating available. We were seated indoors (our preference) fairly quickly but served fairly slowly. I like coffee right away, not ten minutes after being seated. Food and coffee were pretty good. Typical diner choices. Tiny bathrooms. Probably worthy of three stars, but it gets one extra because it’s a dying breed but still hanging in there.
EE Grimshaw
Cafe 82 was the first food stop my chum and I made on Saturday morning during our hike up Manhattan (which means we were pretty hungry when we showed up). We didn't have a giant, elaborate meal here, but like any respectable diner it had the food we needed it to have, and kept us chugging up the island.
We showed up around 10:30am on an incredibly humid day. The plan was to get a little sustenance in lieu of a "real" lunch we intended to have further uptown. The place was bustling, with both the outdoor and indoor seating pretty packed, though we were seated right by the entrance inside quickly. Unlike the prior 100 blocks or so, this was clearly a locals spot, with a lot of older patrons who clearly have lived in the area for years. Good vibe. Both of us ordered two eggs and toast, and my chum also got a side of potatoes for good measure. Everything came out fairly quickly (a diner like this is a well-oiled machine) and drama-free.
It's pretty hard to mess up eggs and toast. Coupled with a huge appetite, this was always going to be a tasty snack. Was it the best eggs and toast ever? Eh, probably not. (I like my scrambled eggs a little fluffier, and both of us were mildly saddened that the toast wasn't pre-cut into triangles, which I promise you I did not actually take points off for - I'm high maintenance but not THAT high maintenance). But everything was devoured, as it should have been.
The service was solid. This is the kind of place that has an army of people roaming around so even in the chaos it's easy to hail someone down for assistance. It didn't take long to grab the check and continue our trek. And the added bonus of a legit diner safely tucked away from the tourist traps? We got a meal that was less than $15 per person - I'll take that every time.
Judy Webb
EXCELLENT egg white omelet, which included fresh fruit and a bagel. 2 eggs over easy with hash browns and perfectly prepared sausage and also included toast! Great neighborhood gem. Reasonable prices.
David Delgadillo
I like the atmosphere. At lunch around noon mid-week. I was seated immediately and the food came out in short order.
The service was a tad slow but I chalk it up to it being lunch rush. I would recommend this restaurant for a nice, low key lunch.
Edelyn Martinez
I enjoyed their food, however, their customer service could definitely improve.
S
We had a delicious, stress-free, Thanksgiving from Café 82 (carryout - brought it home)
We first had their Thanksgiving meal in 2020 when our regular plans were cancelled.
Been ordering every Thanksgiving since - even if we had somewhere to go - just so we'd have leftovers the next day.
This year we ordered even more.
Everything was wonderful - from soup to dessert and in between.
And I love that they let you get all dark/or all white meat.
I don't think a fancy restaurant could have made it any tastier. (Maybe lose the maraschino cherry garnish tho)
And the service was great. I had bought reusable shopping bags. They packed the food in them, - moving around some groceries "for balance"
I stopped in yesterday to tsay how great the food was. I think the woman was bracing for a complaint...
(the only time they got something wrong was that first order back in 2020. They gave us spinach instead of whatever vegetable we'd ordered. What a happy mistake! We've been eating their spinach ever since (and not just on Thanksgiving)
Carol Henry
The food is consistently good, wait staff is attentive. Typical diner setting but my opinion is that it is one of the best area diners. Had a excellent lunch with a visiting friend.
Andres Gomez
Wonderful environment and amazing food. The staff was very attentive!
J
Good lunch. Good coffee. Good service. One of our regular stops when we travel to NYC.
T'nia
My significant other and I stopped in to have a little breakfast before starting our day. My order was very simple coffee, bacon and Belgian waffle with fresh fruit. The waffle came out burned with fresh food on top of it.
I was offended that I was still served The waffle so I notified the waiter immediately he returned it. And bought me out the correct order. Which I had no complaints about after the fact. So in my opinion maybe this was just my experience because that was my first time eating at that establishment. When you order be a little more aware of what's being bought to you.
Daniel
I have Celiac so I have to find gluten free options. They have an amazing gluten free menu. I got a GF pancake, bacon, potatoes, and eggs, and a GF English muffin!!!! It was my first time in New York. If I would have gone to this place first, it would have been the only place I would have visited. Sadly we went there the morning before our flight back home.
Todd NYCity
Best Diner on the UWS, no doubt about it! Great breakfast especially! Many healthful options including egg white omelets and fresh fruits. Try the fresh muffins! Comfy booths inside with a counter too, if you like. Outdoor sidewalk seating is available year round, too! Take-out is available. Plus they have their own delivery staff. Good fresh coffee! A popular lunch and dinner spot too for everything from burgers to grilled cheese. Greek specialties too. Multi-national staff is always highly efficient and courteous!
Assaf Rutenberg
Consistent, cozy and comfortable. Cafe 82 can always be relied on for comfort food. Both in the restaurant and at home. They are one of the few remaining restaurants that use their own delivery people. The delivery times are are always quick.
Martine Lackey
I have just the best time here! The service is so courteous and on the ball. The waiters work together to make sure all of the diners' needs are taken care of. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great, very comfortable for solo diners like me who can either dine left alone or make new friends, whatever strikes our moods for the day. A diverse and entertaining population of local residents who visit multiple times a week can always be relied upon to be there.
The food is fantastic. It is perfect. If I ask for eggs over medium, those eggs will for damn sure be OVER MEDIUM. This means the world to me. A couple days ago I went and tried the chicken parmesan. It was legit enough food for three people! I could not believe my good fortune when that feast was laid before me. It was a thing of effing beauty. Upon realizing what was happening to me, I literally rubbed my hands together and then took photos so I could cherish the memory, lol. The quality of that chicken parmesan could not have been better! Gaaahhhh!
Jim Ronemus
One of my favorite places in NYC! Great breakfasts. The servers are all business, no slacking or insincerity here - they're very attentive and quick. And the food is amazing, with generous portions. The French toast made with challah bread was some of the best I've had, anywhere. We got lox with a bagel and mistakenly figured it'd be the usual - thinly sliced and not quite enough lox, but as seen in the attached picture, it was a pretty significant cutlet of salmon. Can't wait to eat here again!
top cat west
The staff is always hustling. Food portions surpass other places. Good menu variety.
Food Lover
I am surprised this place has the reviews below. Definitely a low quality place. Waffle was cold, toast was cold and an omelette was undercooked. Not recommended. Go somewhere else
Jen Camelone
Amazing. Cafe Eighty Two is the best diner I have been to in years. I now made it my regular stop before I head to work for breakfast. Their lox sandwiches are amazing and their gluten free menu is perfect, considering my husband is allergic. The service is always fast and the employees are very friendly.
Rebecca
Fantastic!. My favorite diner in the whole city. Sit back and relax as the extremely hardworking and friendly staff serve you your wonderful food, and be sure to try the grilled cheese! Go soon! You won't be disappointed!
CMW
Packed with active seniors and a busy staff. Great coffee and the matzoh ball soup was good, too. Try it, you'll like it!
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