Food Bazaar Café

- 500 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

## Introduction / Overview

In the vibrant, hard-to-reach corner of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the Food Bazaar Café offers a dining experience unique even by New York standards. More than a simple coffee shop, this space is the dedicated prepared foods and seating area nestled within the massive Food Bazaar Supermarket on Van Brunt Street, a facility known for its extensive gourmet, international, and fresh offerings. For locals and those venturing into this waterfront neighborhood, the Café serves as an invaluable, casual hub for a high-quality quick bite or a substantial meal.

The core identity of the Food Bazaar Café is defined by its convenience and quality. It is widely Popular for Breakfast, offering that essential New York staple: Great coffee. However, its appeal stretches well beyond a morning caffeine fix. The atmosphere is resolutely Casual, focusing on serving fresh, diverse, ready-to-eat meals, making it the perfect pit stop for those shopping, working, or simply enjoying the unique Red Hook waterfront.

The Café’s offerings are expansive, transforming a supermarket seating area into a true food hall experience. Patrons praise the variety, from exceptional salads and sushi to a substantial hot food section and even unique features like specialized Ramen stations. The ability to grab food and immediately enjoy it in a dedicated, comfortable dining space—complete with stunning views—is what makes this particular "coffee shop" a cherished Red Hook perk.

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## Location and Accessibility

The Food Bazaar Café is strategically situated within the massive supermarket at the end of Van Brunt Street, occupying a location with significant historical and visual appeal in Brooklyn:

500 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA

This address corresponds to the former Fairway Market building, a large, block-long red brick warehouse that has long been a centerpiece of the Red Hook waterfront. Red Hook itself is famous for its relative geographic isolation—a feature that contributes to its distinct character. Since the area lacks a direct subway stop, visitors often rely on buses, bikes, or driving (the Food Bazaar facility often features a rare New York amenity: a free parking lot, a massive convenience for shoppers).

The Café's location within the larger supermarket complex means it's accessible during the store's full operational hours (generally 7 days a week, 7:00 am to 10:30 pm for the store itself), providing flexible options for early risers and late-day visitors. The prime feature of its location, however, is the Outdoor seating area—often described as a covered veranda or back patio. This area provides phenomenal waterfront views of the New York Bay, the surrounding industrial-chic neighborhood, and, spectacularly, the Statue of Liberty in the distance. This unique blend of practical convenience and breathtaking views is a massive draw for New Yorkers who appreciate a scenic moment with their meal.

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## Services Offered

The Food Bazaar Café is designed to provide maximum flexibility and variety, functioning as a high-end food counter for immediate consumption. The services focus on convenience and comfort, especially within the context of a supermarket.

Service and Dining Options:

• Outdoor seating: A highly popular feature, often covered, providing waterfront views.
• Takeout: All prepared foods are readily available for New Yorkers on the go.
• Dine-in: Dedicated tables and chairs are available for enjoying purchases immediately.
• Dining options: Focused on Breakfast and other quick meals throughout the day, providing Seating for customers.

Culinary Offerings (Quick Bites & Prepared Meals):

• Coffee: Highly touted as Great coffee, forming the backbone of the café's morning offerings.
• Hot Food & Savory Meals: The hot food counter offers an extensive selection, including great salads, sushi, and hot food. Note that the full hot food bar often closes earlier in the afternoon, around 4:00 PM, meaning early visitors have the greatest selection of freshly prepared meals.
• Specialty Stations: Patrons can access two dedicated Ramen stations to prepare their own warm meals, adding a unique, customizable dining feature.
• Ready-Made Essentials: For maximum convenience, Pizza and sandwiches are ready and pre-made, providing instant lunch or dinner solutions. The market’s kitchen and bakery also serve up delightful quick bites and pastries, including onion bread and bagels.
• Weekend Barbecue: A highly social and enjoyable feature, Barbecue on premises for beers is offered on the weekends, allowing customers to enjoy fresh, hot grilled food alongside a drink in the outdoor seating area.

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## Features / Highlights

The Food Bazaar Café experience is defined by several standout features that distinguish it from standard coffee shops and supermarket dining areas:

• Spectacular Waterfront Views: The most significant highlight is the Outdoor seating area overlooking the NY Bay, offering direct Views of the Statue of Liberty and the local waterfront scene, especially captivating at sunset.
• Exceptional Coffee Program: The café is noted for its focus on Great coffee, complemented by an impressive selection of teas, often sourced from a dedicated roastery area within the supermarket.
• Dedicated Customer Service: While operating within a fast-paced environment, customer reviews highlight instances of great, dedicated service, such as a counter clerk making fresh, hot French fries upon request, demonstrating a commitment to personalized satisfaction.
• Instant Food Diversity: The breadth of food—from fresh sushi and salads to hot food, pizza, and two Ramen stations—ensures there is a high-quality, culturally diverse quick meal available for any taste or craving.
• Atmosphere and Convenience: The setting is Casual, accessible, and popular for Breakfast. Furthermore, the café accepts all modern forms of payment, including Credit cards and Debit cards, streamlining the transaction process.

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## Contact Information

For inquiries regarding the prepared foods, café offerings, or general store information, please contact the Red Hook Food Bazaar location:

Address:

500 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, USA (located within the Food Bazaar Supermarket at 480-500 Van Brunt St)

Phone:

(718) 254-0923

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## What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in the Red Hook area, the Food Bazaar Café is well worth choosing because it perfectly blends exceptional value, culinary variety, and a priceless New York view into one highly accessible package. You are not just going for a coffee; you are opting for a full, self-directed dining experience.

The ability to select from a tremendous variety of freshly prepared options—including hot meals, specialized sushi, and the novelty of the two Ramen stations—means this is far more than a typical supermarket cafeteria. For a quick, high-quality meal, one can easily grab a pre-made sandwich or pizza, or enjoy one of the praised salads. The quality of the Great coffee is an ideal start to any day in Brooklyn.

However, the key selling point that makes it a must-visit is the environment. Choosing to dine in, especially utilizing the outdoor seating area, provides an unparalleled, serene experience in a typically bustling city. There are few places in New York where you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon eating a freshly made dish, complemented by a cold drink from the adjacent bar area, while taking in the magnificent, unobstructed views of the New York Bay and the Statue of Liberty. This unique combination of convenience, quality food, excellent customer service, and an unforgettable waterfront setting confirms the Food Bazaar Café as a true Red Hook destination.