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Duo Cafe
- 223 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003

Tea house, Dessert shop ★4.0·$$

223 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003, USA

4.0
Great great spot for fun matchas. I loved both the peach matcha and the biscoff hojicha. The taro matcha was good but not a strong taro flavor.The biscoff matcha/ hojicha came highly recommended by the staff (surprisingly) and it was actually really delicious if you’re in the mood for a dessert/milkshake vibes.Morning is too sweet. Everything is just perfect.Inside I’m super cute and tranquil. I loveeee the seat near the window.The staff are super nice !!! - Cassia A
Duo Cafe Overview Intro Menu Detail Photos Location Reviews

Duo Cafe Introduce

For New Yorkers seeking a tranquil escape from the city’s relentless pace, Duo Cafe offers a peaceful and delightful retreat in the heart of the East Village. This charming tea house and dessert shop is a hidden gem that specializes in unique matcha creations, artisanal teas, and a variety of delicious sweets. Duo Cafe stands out by blending traditional flavors with creative twists, providing a sophisticated yet cozy experience that feels like a discovery. This article will guide you through the serene atmosphere, unique menu items, and exceptional service that make Duo Cafe a must-visit destination for anyone with a sweet tooth or a love for quality tea.

Duo Cafe is praised for its "super cute and tranquil" interior. It's an intimate space with a few tables and a special "super adorable window seat," perfect for solo dining or a quiet moment with a friend. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, a sharp contrast to the busy streets of New York, allowing customers to truly relax and savor their experience. The menu is a highlight, with a great tea selection that goes beyond the usual offerings. Customers rave about the "fun matchas," including the highly-recommended peach matcha and biscoff hojicha, which are noted for being a delicious "dessert/milkshake vibes." This creative approach to traditional drinks sets Duo Cafe apart from other spots in the city. The commitment to unique flavors and high quality is evident in their use of fresh ingredients, with the peach puree being described as "not too sweet and not artificial."

Beyond the unique beverages, Duo Cafe is also a destination for its desserts. Their menu features a variety of Basque cheesecakes with intriguing flavors like Salted Egg Yolk, Osmanthus Taro, and Pistachio. Customers have particularly praised the quality and flavor of these treats, with one review mentioning the food is "just perfect." The prices are considered "good" for the quality and volume, making it a solid and delicious choice. The friendly staff are a significant part of the positive experience, with multiple customers highlighting that they are "super nice" and helpful with recommendations. This combination of a beautiful, peaceful space, creative and delicious food and drinks, and excellent service creates a truly memorable visit.

Location and Accessibility

Duo Cafe is located at 223 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003, USA, in the vibrant East Village. This neighborhood is known for its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and unique shops, making Duo Cafe a perfect stop during a day of exploration. The location is easily accessible from various parts of Manhattan via public transportation. It is a short walk from the Astor Place subway station, which serves the 6 train, as well as the 8th Street - NYU station with the N, Q, R, and W trains. This central location makes it a convenient spot for college students, locals, and tourists to pop in for a quick treat or a leisurely break.

While the space is described as being cozy and intimate, its location on a quiet street provides a sense of seclusion from the urban hustle. The presence of a table outside that "gets some pretty perfect sunlight" offers another lovely option for enjoying your tea and dessert. The focus is on a high-quality in-store experience, but for those who are in a rush, a takeout option is also available. The ease of access and the charming street-level presence make Duo Cafe a delightful and stress-free destination in the East Village.

Services Offered
  • Dine-in: Enjoy your tea and dessert in the cafe’s tranquil and intimate setting. With a limited number of tables, it provides a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for a relaxing break.

  • Takeout: For those on the go, Duo Cafe offers a convenient takeout service. You can grab your favorite drinks and sweets to enjoy later or while exploring the neighborhood.

Features / Highlights
  • Great Tea Selection: Duo Cafe is celebrated for its diverse and unique tea menu. They offer classic hot teas like Milky Oolong and Pu'er, as well as cold brew options and popular, creative matcha drinks with twists like peach and biscoff.

  • Delicious and Unique Desserts: The dessert menu is a major draw, featuring a variety of Basque cheesecakes with unique flavors such as Salted Egg Yolk and Osmanthus Taro. The Duo Matcha Cake with Strawberry and other sweets are also highly praised.

  • Cozy and Tranquil Atmosphere: The cafe is known for its "super cute and tranquil" interior. The limited seating and peaceful ambiance make it an ideal spot for a quiet, relaxing moment away from the city's noise.

  • Friendly Staff: Customers consistently highlight the staff for being "super nice" and providing excellent service. Their helpful recommendations contribute to a very welcoming experience.

  • Fair Pricing: Many customers feel that the "prices are good" and the "volume is good" for the high-quality items on the menu, making it a valuable choice for a delicious treat.

Contact Information

Address: 223 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003, USA

Phone: (646) 454-0603

What is Worth Choosing

When you're looking for a tea house or dessert shop in New York, what makes Duo Cafe a standout choice? It’s the perfect blend of a peaceful atmosphere and a menu of exceptional quality. While many places offer sweets and tea, Duo Cafe distinguishes itself with its commitment to unique and delicious flavors. The peach matcha and biscoff hojicha are not just drinks; they are flavor experiences that go beyond the typical offerings you find elsewhere. The desserts, particularly the inventive Basque cheesecakes, are consistently praised for their quality and taste, offering something truly special and memorable.

The experience at Duo Cafe is also defined by the feeling of finding a tranquil spot in the midst of a bustling city. The intimate and cute interior, along with the friendly and hospitable staff, creates a welcoming environment that encourages you to slow down and savor the moment. The positive reviews highlighting the fresh ingredients, fair prices, and the pure deliciousness of the food and drinks are a testament to the cafe’s high standards. For any New Yorker who appreciates a well-crafted treat and a moment of peace, Duo Cafe is not just a place to visit—it's a place to return to again and again. It’s a solid, delightful spot that offers both unique flavors and a truly relaxing experience.

Duo Cafe Menu

  • Sweets

  • Duo Box $21.00

    This Duo Box features a green cookie, a choice of tea bag, dried hibiscus, and walnut cookies — a perfect blend of flavors to enjoy anytime.

  • Salted Egg Yolk Basque With Meat Floss $16.00

    Gluten-Free

  • Black Tea Basque $15.50

    gluten-free

  • Duo Matcha Cake With Strawberry $17.50

    gluten-free

  • Mini Pistachio Basque $19.00

    Gluten-Free

  • Ice Cream With Caramelized Sweet Potato $16.00

    Gluten-Free

  • Green Tea Cookie $7.50
  • Black Sesame Mousse $15.50
  • Sweet Potato Basque With Ice Cream $15.50
  • Osmanthus Taro Basque $16.50

    gluten-free

  • Pistachio Basque $15.50

    gluten-free

  • Hot Tea

  • Herbal Black $7.50

    Low-caffeine

  • BiLuoChun $7.50
  • Pu'er $7.50
  • White Tea $7.50

    Low-caffeine

  • Fruit Tea $7.50

    Decaf. It blends with rose, hibiscus, apple, orange peel, strawberry, and kiwi. This tea has a refreshing tartness.

  • Jujube And Wolfberry Tea $7.50

    Decaf

  • Milky Oolong $7.50
  • Lapsang Souchong $7.50
  • Jasmine Green $7.50
  • Chrysanthemum Tea $7.50

    Decaf

  • Rose Tea $7.50

    Decaf

  • Tie-Guanyin $7.50
  • White Peach Oolong $7.50

    Low-caffeine

  • All Day Happy Hour Meal (Exclusive with DoorDash)

  • Sweet Potato Basque With Ice Cream And Iced White Peach Oolong $19.95
  • Pistachio Basque And Iced White Peach Oolong $19.95

    gluten-free

  • Osmanthus Taro Basque And Iced White Peach Oolong $19.95

    gluten-free

  • Cold Brew Tea

  • Cold Brew Herbal Black Tea $8.00
  • Cold Brew White Peach Oolong $8.00
  • Cold Brew Jasmine Green $8.00

Duo Cafe Details

  • Service options

  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Highlights

  • Great tea selection
  • Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Duo Cafe Photos

Duo Cafe Picture 1Duo Cafe Picture 2Duo Cafe Picture 3Duo Cafe Picture 4Duo Cafe Picture 5Duo Cafe Picture 6Duo Cafe Picture 7Duo Cafe Picture 8Duo Cafe Picture 9Duo Cafe Picture 10

Duo Cafe Location

Duo Cafe

223 E 5th St, New York, NY 10003, USA

Duo Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 149 user reviews.

sweet potatotea setpeachmatchasmellbasque cheesecakevanilla ice creamservercookiepot of tea

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

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