Cafe Here

- Unit 3a, 499 Van Brunt St, Red Hook, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Welcome to Cafe Here, an authentic Brooklyn gem nestled in the vibrant and historic waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook. For New Yorkers seeking a cozy retreat with exceptional beverages and delightful baked goods, this cafe provides a perfect, welcoming escape. Cafe Here is more than just a coffee shop; it is a true community hub where the atmosphere is as warm as the freshly brewed coffee and the staff is noted for their genuine kindness and politeness. Whether you are a local resident, a visitor exploring the unique charm of Red Hook, or simply looking for a new spot to settle in with a delicious treat and a smooth drink, Cafe Here promises a memorable experience.

What sets this cafe apart is its successful blending of classic cafe staples with a selection of exciting, unique specialty drinks that have quickly made it a beloved fixture in the local scene. From a perfectly executed espresso to a refreshing Calamansi Matcha, the menu is designed to cater to every craving. Customers frequently praise the cafe's commitment to quality, describing the coffee as "smooth," the pastries as "fresh," and the overall experience as feeling "made with love." If you are in the 11231 zip code and searching for a cafe that excels in both traditional excellence and inventive flavor, you have found your spot right here.

The highly positive customer feedback consistently highlights the cafe's cozy vibe, kind staff, and the flavorful nature of their offerings. One review raves about the "coziest vibe and the kindest staff," calling it a "new happy place," while another highly recommends the spot for its "amazing view" and drinks that are "super refreshing and flavorful." This dedication to hospitality and high-quality products establishes Cafe Here as a must-visit destination in this corner of Brooklyn.

Location and Accessibility

Cafe Here is conveniently located in the heart of the Red Hook area in Brooklyn, a neighborhood famous for its industrial-chic aesthetic, charming cobblestone streets, and stunning waterfront views. The precise address is:

Unit 3a, 499 Van Brunt St, Red Hook, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

While Red Hook is a unique Brooklyn enclave with limited direct subway access, it is highly accessible for those traveling by car, bus, or ferry—a classic New York journey.

By Car and Parking: For drivers, a significant advantage of visiting Cafe Here is the availability of on-site parking. This feature is particularly valuable in a busy borough like Brooklyn and eliminates the typical struggle of searching for street parking. The location's presence in the Red Hook area, off Van Brunt Street, also offers generally easier street parking than more central Brooklyn neighborhoods, though the dedicated on-site parking at 499 Van Brunt St is a guaranteed convenience.

By Public Transit: Getting to Red Hook often involves a transfer, connecting the neighborhood to the wider New York City transit system. The B61 bus is the primary method of public transit directly serving Red Hook, and can be caught after taking the subway to stations like Jay Street/Borough Hall (A, C, F, R trains) or Smith-9th Street (F and G trains). The NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route also stops at Red Hook/Atlantic Basin, providing a scenic and enjoyable alternative way to arrive, especially during warmer months.

The cafe’s location on Van Brunt Street, the main thoroughfare of Red Hook, places it within walking distance of many of the neighborhood’s beloved attractions, making it an ideal first stop or refreshment break during an afternoon of exploring the waterfront, local art spaces, or other independent shops.

Services Offered

Cafe Here provides a range of services designed for maximum customer convenience and comfort, whether you are planning to dine in or grab something on the go.

• Dine-in: Enjoy the "cozy vibe" and friendly atmosphere by taking a seat and relaxing within the cafe.
• Takeout: Perfect for a quick stop to fuel your day or grab your favorite drink and pastry to enjoy while exploring Red Hook.
• Curbside Pickup: An excellent option for fast service, allowing customers to easily pick up their order without having to fully leave their vehicle.
• On-site Parking: Provides hassle-free access, a rare and welcome convenience in a New York City cafe.
• Coffee and Specialty Beverages: A core offering that includes a full range of expertly crafted espresso, coffee, and unique signature drinks.
• Fresh Pastries and Baked Goods: A selection of cookies, croissants, and danishes available to complement your drink.

Features / Highlights

Cafe Here distinguishes itself with several key features that appeal directly to the discerning tastes of New York's coffee and cafe enthusiasts.

• Specialty Flavor Focus (Ube and Calamansi): Cafe Here is known for its inventive and flavorful specialty drinks that go beyond the typical coffee shop menu. The Ube Latte ($6.25) and the Calamansi Matcha ($6.50) are standout offerings, providing unique, refreshing, and delicious flavor profiles that draw customers from across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Calamansi, a highly aromatic citrus fruit, and Ube, the popular purple yam from the Philippines, offer an exciting twist on classic cafe beverages.
• Comprehensive Menu Options: While specializing in unique flavors, the cafe also masterfully executes all the essential coffee preparations, including Espresso ($3.50), Americano ($4.75), Latte ($5.75), and Signature Cold Brew ($5.75), ensuring a perfect drink for every preference.
• High-Quality Baked Goods: The cafe offers a variety of fresh pastries, including a Plain Croissant ($3.75), Spinach & Feta Danish ($5.25), and a selection of cookies like Chocolate Chip ($4.75) and specialty cookies such as Ube ($5.00) and White Chocolate & Ube ($5.25), providing the perfect pairing for any drink.
• Exceptional Customer Service: As noted in customer reviews, the staff is exceptionally kind, polite, and welcoming, creating a genuinely pleasant and "cozy vibe" that makes every visit feel personal and inviting.
• Hassle-Free Accessibility: The provision of on-site parking is a major highlight, offering a level of convenience that is highly prized by New Yorkers navigating the city with a vehicle.
• Neighborhood Anchor: Situated in a prime location on Van Brunt Street, the cafe contributes positively to the Red Hook community, serving as an excellent spot for connection, work, or simple relaxation.

Contact Information

For your convenience in planning your visit, here is the essential contact information for Cafe Here:

Address: Unit 3a, 499 Van Brunt St, Red Hook, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

Phone: The public data provided does not include a phone number, so please plan to visit in person or check an official business listing for immediate contact.

We recommend checking the current hours of operation before your visit to ensure a smooth experience.

What Is Worth Choosing

If you are visiting Cafe Here for the first time, or are looking to sample what makes this spot truly special in the vast New York cafe landscape, there are a few menu items and aspects of the cafe that stand out as "must-try" choices.

The clear choice for an exciting and unique flavor experience is to sample one of the Filipino-inspired beverages. The Ube Latte ($6.25) is an excellent way to experience the subtly sweet, nutty, and vanilla-like notes of ube, presented in a beautifully colored latte that is perfect for Instagram and delicious to sip. Similarly, the Calamansi Matcha ($6.50) offers a bright, tart, and deeply refreshing twist on a traditional matcha latte, making it an ideal choice for a hot day or when you need a vibrant, flavorful pick-me-up. For a more direct citrus burst, the Calamansi Juice ($6.00) is also a fantastic, simple, and refreshing option.

Pairing your drink is simple with their fresh selection of baked goods. The Ube Cookies, whether the standard Ube ($5.00) or the White Chocolate & Ube ($5.25), are a perfect accompaniment to the specialty drinks, maintaining the unique flavor theme. For a more traditional choice, customers find that the Plain Croissant ($3.75) is reliably fresh and flaky, a testament to the cafe's dedication to quality across the board. The rave reviews all confirm that every item, from the simplest coffee to the most inventive specialty drink, is crafted with care and delivers on flavor, providing compelling reasons to choose Cafe Here over other options in Brooklyn. In a neighborhood known for its local flavor, Cafe Here stands out as a charming, friendly, and truly delicious destination.

Cafe Here

Unit 3a, 499 Van Brunt St, Red Hook, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA