Effy's Cafe: A Cozy Kosher Spot for Mediterranean Cuisine in NYC

Effy's Cafe Introduce

In the heart of the Upper West Side, Effy's Cafe stands as a beloved culinary retreat, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere with a focus on fresh, flavorful Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. More than just a restaurant, it's a neighborhood staple where locals and visitors alike can find comfort and quality in every dish. Effy's has earned a reputation for being a go-to spot for any meal of the day, from a hearty breakfast to a satisfying dinner. The menu is a testament to the rich and diverse flavors of the region, featuring classic dishes like Shakshuka and a variety of delicious falafel and fish entrees. As a Kosher-certified establishment, it serves a wide community, providing a much-needed option for those seeking high-quality food that adheres to specific dietary laws. The vibe is both casual and cozy, making it a perfect destination for a quiet solo meal, a family brunch, or a relaxed get-together with friends. Its popularity is rooted in its consistent delivery of great-tasting, healthy food in a welcoming setting. In a city of endless dining options, Effy's Cafe offers a refreshingly authentic experience, combining traditional recipes with a modern sensibility to create a memorable meal every time you visit.

Location and Accessibility

Effy's Cafe is perfectly positioned at

104 W 96th St, New York, NY 10025

, in a bustling and convenient area of the Upper West Side. Its location on a well-trafficked street makes it easily reachable for both pedestrians and those traveling by public transportation. The restaurant is just a short walk from major subway lines, ensuring a quick and easy trip from anywhere in the city. For those arriving by car, paid street parking is available nearby, which is a valuable convenience in this part of Manhattan. The cafe is committed to being accessible to everyone, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring a comfortable experience for all diners. The presence of both indoor and outdoor seating offers flexibility, allowing guests to choose their preferred dining environment. This prime spot in a vibrant neighborhood adds to the overall appeal, making it a natural choice for college students, families, and tourists exploring the area.

Services Offered

Takeout, Delivery, and No-Contact Delivery: Effy's Cafe provides multiple convenient options for those who want to enjoy their food at home. The restaurant offers traditional takeout, as well as delivery and no-contact delivery services.
Dine-in and Outdoor Seating: Guests can choose to dine inside in the cafe's cozy and casual atmosphere, or enjoy their meal outside at the available outdoor seating.
Catering: Effy's offers catering services, making their delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes available for events and large gatherings.
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner: The extensive menu is available throughout the day, ensuring you can enjoy a great meal no matter the time.
Table Service: The cafe offers table service, providing a comfortable and full-service dining experience for its guests.

Features / Highlights

Kosher Certified: Effy's Cafe is a Kosher restaurant, offering a menu that meets Jewish dietary laws. This makes it a trusted and essential dining option for the local Jewish community.
Diverse and Healthy Menu: The menu is a major highlight, with a wide range of healthy and delicious options. From classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern starters like Hummus and Falafel to fresh fish entrees, salads, and vegetarian options, there’s something for every dietary need and preference.
All-Day Dining: With options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, Effy's is a versatile spot. Their breakfast platters, omelettes, and classic items like Challah French Toast and Shakshuka are particularly popular.
Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: The cafe is described as having a cozy and inviting vibe that is also trendy. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a meal, with amenities like Wi-Fi and restrooms for customer convenience.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options: The menu is packed with choices for those following a plant-based diet, including a Veggie Burger, Falafel, and Vegetarian Shawarma, ensuring everyone can find a satisfying meal.
Full Beverage Selection: In addition to coffee, tea, and fresh-pressed juices, the cafe also offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and a Mimosa.

Contact Information

Address: 104 W 96th St, New York, NY 10025

Phone: (212) 280-6200

What is worth choosing?

Effy's Cafe is a must-visit for New Yorkers and tourists alike, and its reputation is built on a few key factors that make it truly worth choosing. First and foremost is the exceptional quality and freshness of the food. The cafe offers a diverse menu that is consistently praised for being healthy, flavorful, and not overly greasy, a rare find in many fast-paced city eateries. The starters, like the homemade Hummus, Babaganoush, and the flavorful Chermoula Cauliflower, are perfect for sharing and are a great introduction to the cafe's culinary style. The breakfast and brunch options are particularly popular, with the **Shakshuka** and the **labneh egg brioche sandwich** receiving high praise for their taste and generous portions. The menu's wide range of options, from comforting dishes to healthy salads and delicious fish entrees, means you can visit Effy's for any meal and find something new and exciting to try. The availability of **vegan and vegetarian options**, including a Beyond Burger and a vegetarian shawarma, further broadens its appeal. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is a major draw. Reviewers consistently describe the space as **cozy and inviting**, a welcoming retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. The service is also highly regarded, with many customers noting the staff’s great attitude and efficiency. This combination of fantastic food and a pleasant environment creates a dining experience that feels both special and familiar. Finally, as a **Kosher-certified restaurant**, Effy's fills an important niche in the dining landscape, providing a trusted and reliable option for a significant portion of the community. This commitment to quality and service, from its healthy menu to its welcoming atmosphere, makes Effy's Cafe a standout choice for a satisfying and memorable meal in New York City.

Effy's Cafe Menu

STARTERS
Hummus $8.00
Labneh $8.00
Babaganoush $8.00
Spicy Eggplant $8.00
Guacamole $8.00
Beet Salad $8.00
Falafel and Tahini $8.00
Fried Pickles $8.00
Mesemen Bread and Honey $8.00
Grilled Halloumi and Tahini $9.00
Fried Halloumi and Avocado dip $9.00
Fish Taco $8.00
Cod Fillet, Tomato, Cucumber, Onions, Guacamole, Chipotle Mayo on a Corn Tortilla (GF)
Vegetarian Taco $8.00
Fried Cauliflower, Tomato, Cucumber, Onions, Guacamole, Chipotle Mayo on a Corn Tortilla (GF)
Shawarma Taco $8.00
Seitan, Tomato, Cucumber, Onions, Guacamole, Chipotle Mayo on a Corn Tortilla (GF)
Chermoula Cauliflower $8.00
Flash-fried Cauliflower tossed in Chermoula sauce with almonds and cranberries

ENTREES
Grilled Chermoula Fish - Salmon $22.00
Your choice of fish. Oven-roasted with Chermoula Sauce Served with Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Chermoula Fish - Branzino Fillet $27.00
Your choice of fish. Oven-roasted with Chermoula Sauce Served with Grilled Vegetables
Roasted Butter Lemon Salmon $22.00
With Sauteed Kale and Mashed Sweet Potato Or Mashed Potato.
Moroccan Paprika Fish - Tilapia $19.00
Served with Roasted Potato and Carrot
Moroccan Paprika Fish - Salmon $22.00
Served with Roasted Potato and Carrot
Moroccan Paprika Fish - Branzino Fillet $27.00
Served with Roasted Potato and Carrot
Fish and Chips $18.00
Beer Battered Cod Fillet and French Fries
Taco Platter $17.00
Two Fish or Vegetarian or Shawarma Tacos Served with French Fries
Vegetarian Shawarma Entree $17.00
Seitan, Hummus, Beet Salad, French Fries and Whole Wheat Pita

BURGERS
Veggie Burger $15.00
On Brioche Bun with Romaine, Tomato, Onions, Pickle, Garlic Aioli and French Fries
Salmon Burger $17.00
On Brioche Bun with Romaine, Tomato, Onions, Pickle, Garlic Aioli and French Fries
Beyond Burger $18.00
On Brioche Bun with Romaine, Tomato, Onions, Pickle, Garlic Aioli and French Fries

SIDES
Sauteed Spinach $5.00
Sauteed Kale $5.00
French Fries $5.00
Sweet Potato Fries $5.00
Grilled Vegetables $5.00
Mashed Sweet Potato $5.00
Mashed Potato $5.00

HOT DRINKS
Hot Drip Coffee $3.00
Hot Organic Tea $3.00
Hot Chocolate $4.00
Americano $4.00
Latte $5.00
Cappuccino $5.00
Vanilla Chai $5.00
Mocha $5.50

COLD DRINKS
Iced Coffee $4.00
Iced Latte $6.00
Iced Americano $4.00
Iced Vanilla Chai $5.50
Iced Mocha $6.50
Iced Tea (unsweetened) $4.00
Lemonade $5.00

PRESSED JUICES
Daily Detox $8.00
Carrot, Ginger and Celery
Super Green $8.00
Spinach, Kale, Apple, Cucumber and Celery
Pure Energy $8.00
Carrot and Apple
Kale Whale $8.00
Spinach, Kale, Cucumber, Lemon and Ginger
Very Veggie $8.00
Carrot, Spinach, Cucumber and Kale
Celery Juice $8.00
Pure Celery
Apple Juice $8.00
Pure Green Apple

WHITE WINES
Baron Herzog Pinot Grigio $9.00
California, USA
Segal's Chardonnay $9.00
Israel

RED WINES
Alfasi Merlot $10.00
Chile
Vina Encina Tempranillo $10.00
Argentina

ROSE
Apellation Rose $9.00
Israel

SPARKLING
Ma Maison Champagne $9.00
Italy
Mimosa $9.00

BEERS
Corona $7.00
Heineken $7.00
Bluemoon $7.00
Goldstar $7.00
Coney Island Pilsner $7.00
Brooklyn East IPA $7.00

DESSERT
Cheesecake $8.00
Chocolate Mousse Cake $8.00
Seasonal Cake of the Month $8.00

LUNCH SPECIAL
Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich $15.00
Homemade Pesto, Tomato, Roasted Pepper and Balsamic Vinegar on a Baguette. Served with the soup of the day. Dining Only.
Falafel Wrap $15.00
Hummus, Pickle, Israeli Salad, Tahini on Whole Wheat Wrap. Served with the soup of the day. Dining Only.
Veggie Burger $15.00
Carrot, Zucchini, Potato and Spinach. Served with the soup of the day. Dining Only.

SMOOTHIES
Very Berry $8.00
Blueberry, Strawberry and Banana
Smooth Strawberry $8.00
Banana and Strawberry
Tropical Breeze $8.00
Pineapple Mango and Orange
Pineapple Breeze $8.00
Pineapple and Banana
Mucho Mango $8.00
Mango and Strawberry
Supercharged $8.00
Peanut Butter and Banana

BREAKFAST PLATTERS
Shakshuka $15.00
Two Eggs Cooked in Stewed Tomato Sauce - Served With Hummus and Whole Wheat Pita
Green Shashuka with Spinach Feta $16.00
Two Eggs Cooked in Stewed Tomato Sauce - Served With Hummus and Whole Wheat Pita
Vegan Sausage Shashuka $18.00
Two Eggs Cooked in Stewed Tomato Sauce - Served With Hummus and Whole Wheat Pita
Avocado Toast Platter $15.00
Avocado Salad on Toasted Pita with Two Eggs Sunny Side Up - Served With Side Salad
Middle Eastern Breakfast $16.00
Two Eggs any style- Served with Hummus, Cabbage Salad, Beet Salad, Labneh, Feta. Israeli Salad and Whole Wheat Pita
Smoked Fish Platter $19.00
Two Eggs any style- Served with Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, White Fish Salad, Baked Salmon Salad, Olive, Red Onion, Tomato, Capers With Everything Bagel
Effy's Breakfast $18.00
Two Eggs any style- Served with Hummus, Eggplant Salad, Tuna Salad, Cream Cheese, Feta, Green Salad and Whole Wheat Pita
Yoga Breakfast $12.00
Greek Yogurt - Served with Seasonal Fruit Salad, Granola, Berries and Honey
Challah French Toast $13.00
Served with Seasonal Berries and Banana
Buttermilk Pancakes $13.00
Served with Seasonal Berries and Banana
Blueberry Pancakes $14.00
Served with Seasonal Berries and Banana

OMELETTES
California Omelette $16.00
With Tomato, Avocado and Cheddar Cheese. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Greek Omelette $16.00
With Spinach, Olive and Feta. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Italian Omelette $16.00
With Pesto, Tomato and Mozzarella. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Goat Cheese Omelette $16.00
With Spinach and Tomato. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Veggie Omelette $17.00
Spinach, Kale, Tomato, Olive, Onion and Avocado. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Healthy Green Omelette $17.00
Egg Whites, Kale, Spinach, and Avocado. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1
Smoked Salmon Omelette $18.00
With Smoked Salmon, Red Onion and Cream Cheese. Includes choice of two side dishes: Wheat Toast, Baguette or Green Salad. Gluten Free Bread + $4 / 7g Toast or Home fries is extra $1

SANDWICHES
Falafel Wrap $14.00
Hummus, Pickle, Tomato, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Pickle Cabbage, Tahini on Whole Wheat Wrap or Pita. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich $14.00
Homemade Pesto, Tomato, Roasted Peppers, Balsamic Vinegar on a Baguette. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Sabich Sandwich $14.00
Fried Eggplant, Boiled Egg, Tomato, Cucumber, Onions, Pickle, Amba and Tahini on a Baguette or Pita. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Tunisian Tuna Sandwich $16.00
Boiled Egg, Stewed Tomato, Pickle, Olive on a Baguette. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Tuna Melt $16.00
With Cheddar and Avocado on 7 Grain Bread. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Vegetarian Shawarma Wrap $16.00
Seitan, Hummus, Pickle, Tomato, Cucumber, Onions, Beet Salad, Tahini, Amba on Whole Wheat Wrap or Pita. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Grilled Fish Sandwich $17.00
Grilled Tilapia, Garlic Mayo, Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato on a Baguette. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Spicy Fish Sandwich $17.00
Tilapia, Chipotle Mayo, Pickles, Red Onions, Romaine, Tomato and Homemade Spicy Sauce on Brioche Bun. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Beyond Chicken Sandwich $17.00
Avocado, Romaine. Tomato and Garlic Aioli on Baguette. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Vegan Spicy Chicken Wrap $17.00
Hummus, Tomato, Cucumbers, Onions, Pickle, Tahini, Homemade Hot Sauce on Whole Wheat Wrap. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries
Smoked Salmon Sandwich $18.00
Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, White Fish Salad, Baked Salmon Salad, Tomato, Cucumber, Olive, Onion, Capers on a Everything Bagel. Served with Side Salad, French Fries or add $2 for Sweet Potato Fries

SMALL PLATES
Eggs, Toast & Home Fries $10.00
Brioche Egg Sandwich $6.00
Add Cheddar OR Mozzarella + $1
Vegan Sausage +$4 / Avocado +$2 $6.00
Add Cheddar OR Mozzarella + $1
Labneh Egg Sandwich $7.00
Eggs, Labneh, Scallions, Tomato on a Brioche Bun

BREAKFAST SIDES
Two Eggs $4.00
Home Fries $5.00
French Fries $5.00
Sweet Potato Fries $6.00
Breakfast Sausage $6.00
Plant based. 3 small patties
Oatmeal $7.00
Almond Milk- Served with Berries and Banana, or add $1 for Home Fries
Fruit Salad $6.00

2 oz Grade B Maple Syrup
$3

BREAKFAST WRAPS
Rise and Shine $14.00
Eggwhites, Mozzarella, Tomato and Avocado. On Whole Wheat Wrap - Served With Side Salad
Healthy Italian Wrap $14.00
Two Eggs, Stewed Tomato Sauce, Kale and Mozzarella. On Whole Wheat Wrap - Served With Side Salad
Energy Wrap $14.00
Two Eggs, Hummus, Spinach and Avocado. On Whole Wheat Wrap - Served With Side Salad
Power Wrap $16.00
Two Eggs, Cheddar, Beyond Breakfast Sausage, Avocado. On Whole Wheat Wrap - Served With Side Salad
Smoked Salmon Wrap $17.00
Two Eggs, Romaine, Tomato, Red Onion, Caper and Cream Cheese. On Whole Wheat Wrap - Served With Side Salad

AVOCADO TOAST
Classic $7.00
Served on 7 Grain Bread-Sub Sweet Potato Steak $3
Italian $8.00
With Tomato and Mozzarella. Served on 7 Grain Bread-Sub Sweet Potato Steak $3
Egg With Sunny Side Up Egg $8.00
Served on 7 Grain Bread-Sub Sweet Potato Steak $3
Greek Feta and Sunny Side Up Egg $8.50
Served on 7 Grain Bread-Sub Sweet Potato Steak $3

BAGELS
Cream Cheese $4.00
Plain, Everything, Sesame or Wheat. Served with house salad.
White Fish Salad $11.00
Plain, Everything, Sesame or Wheat. Served with house salad.
Baked Salmon Salad $11.00
Plain, Everything, Sesame or Wheat. Served with house salad.
Tuna Salad $11.00
Plain, Everything, Sesame or Wheat. Served with house salad.
Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon $13.00
Plain, Everything, Sesame or Wheat. Served with house salad.

GRILLED CHEESE
Grilled Cheddar $9.00
Served on 7G bread or add $2 for Challah Bread. ADD SOUP or FRENCH FRIES FOR $3
Spinach and Roasted Pepper $9.00
Served on 7G bread or add $2 for Challah Bread. ADD SOUP or FRENCH FRIES FOR $3
Grilled Mozzarella $9.00
Homemade Pesto and Tomato. Served on 7G bread or add $2 for Challah Bread. ADD SOUP or FRENCH FRIES FOR $3
Plain Grilled Mozarella $5.00
No salad.
Plain Grilled Cheddar $5.00
No salad.

SALADS
Israeli Salad $14.00
Romaine, Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Parsley, With Lemon Juice, Olive Oil & Tahini
Greek Salad $14.00
Romaine, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, Feta and Grape Leaves With Virgin Olive Oil & Lemon Juice
Grilled Vegetable Salad $15.00
Romaine, Roasted Sweet Potato, Grilled Red Pepper, Grilled Zucchini, Cauliflower With Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and Tahini
Effy's Salad $15.00
Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato, Almonds, Avocado, Beet Salad With Balsamic Honey Dressing
Tel Aviv Salad $16.00
Spinach, Tomato, Cucumber, Roasted Red Pepper, Boiled Egg, Grilled Portobello Mushroom With Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and Tahini
Goat Cheese Salad $16.00
Arugula, Goatcheese, Tomato, Cucumber, Sunflower Seeds, Beet Salad, Cranberry with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
Tuna Salad $17.00
Spinach, Tomato, Cucumber, Chickpea, Pesto With Lemon Juice and Virgin Olive Oil
Falafel Platter $17.00
Falafel, Israeli Salad, Spicy Eggplant Salad, Hummus, Spicy Avocado Salad, Babaganoush, Cabbage Salad, Beet Salad, and Falafel Served With Whole Wheat Pita
Vegetarian Shawarma Platter $17.00
Seitan, Hummus, Labneh, Israeli Salad, Beet Salad, Cabbage Salad, and Whole Wheat Pita
Halumi Caesar Salad $17.00
Homemade Crouton, Romain Lettuce, and Parmesan.
Grilled Salmon Asian Sesame Salad $20.00
Spinach, Tomato, Cucumber, Olive, Feta, Sesame Seeds With Asian Sesame Dressing

Salad Add On
Avocado $2.00
Grilled Salmon $10.00
Falafel $4.00
Grilled Tilapia $6.00
Tuna Salad $5.00
Vegan Chicken Tender $8.00

Soup of the Day
$6

Effy's Cafe Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great tea selection

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Tourists

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Effy's Cafe Photos

Effy's Cafe Location

Effy's Cafe

New York New York County New York West 96th Street

104 W 96th St, New York, NY 10025, USA

Effy's Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 622 user reviews.

brunchshakshukawrapbagelpancakeshealthyvegetarianwifiavocado toastsaturday

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Nice cozy space. Good options on the menu.Got the shakshuka, it was really tasty and came in good quantity. Also got the labneh egg brioche sandwich. It was simple and good. Overall a nice brunch spot.Only issue would be the sofa seating plus table area, it is too high to dine at the table.
March 20 · Bhakti Dalvi
Not bad for an early breakfast at the community. The quality of the food was decent (8/10), service was good (8/10), and the atmosphere was great (9/10).You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
May 17 · Kenken
Quintessential UWS place, exposed brick wall, tiny little place, cozy vibes, and noise levels on the average end.Ours was a walk-in, but Charm gave us a table within 10 mins as we placed our order while waiting outside on a rain Saturday afternoon. Unlimited $3 drip coffee refills kept coming, while we waited for a Vegetarian Shawarma Wrap ($13.95), Green Shakshuka ($14.95), and Blueberry Pancakes ($13.95) which were relatively tasty. Their spicy green sauce though, was packed with flavor! The place was busy when we arrived at 1:15, but got slow by 2:30-ish.Will definitely be our go-to place for a quick brunch and their good service.
April 06 · Ameya Bhakay
went here on a Saturday morning to grab a quick breakfast. Ordered an over easy eggs and got myself some well done eggs. that my friend is a first world problem for sure. there was even pieces of veggies in my eggs.
July 18 · J. Gurung
Effy's is a nice little tucked-away cafe with great food. For my first time going it did not disappoint. The salmon burger was great. The French fries were cooked to perfection. The service was nice and friendly. The salmon tasted very fresh. This restaurant will be on my favorite list.
July 24 · Nicky S