The heights cafe Introduce
In a city that never stops, having a reliable and accessible place for a quick and varied meal is a true necessity. The Heights Cafe, a cafeteria-style eatery, fills this role perfectly for those in the Washington Heights area. Tucked away on the second floor of the Milstein Hospital building, this spot is a refreshing alternative to the standard coffee chains and restaurants. It offers a unique and convenient dining experience, catering to the diverse needs of hospital visitors, staff, and the general public. While it may be "hidden," as a customer review notes, its value lies in its extensive menu and efficient service, making it a go-to for those who know about it.
The Heights Cafe operates as a classic cafeteria, providing a wide array of ready-to-eat and made-to-order options. This setup is designed for speed and variety, which are two of the most critical factors for people in a busy, high-traffic environment. Unlike many specialized eateries that focus on a single type of cuisine, this cafeteria offers a little bit of everything. This makes it an ideal choice for groups with different tastes or individuals who want a break from their usual dining routine. The atmosphere is casual and straightforward, focused on functionality and providing a space for a much-needed break. It serves as a practical, no-fuss option for anyone in the massive healthcare complex and the surrounding neighborhood.
While customer reviews mention some concerns about food quality and pricing, the core value of The Heights Cafe remains its sheer variety and convenience. The ability to choose from a large selection of foods, from baked goods to pizza, salads, and more, is a significant advantage. It provides a flexible solution for a wide range of dietary preferences and hunger levels, whether you need a full meal or just a small snack. This adaptability is what keeps the cafe as a viable and "refreshing option" for those who work and visit the hospital, showcasing its importance within its specific niche.
The Heights Cafe is situated at a very specific and accessible location: 177 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA. It is located on the second floor of the Milstein Hospital building, part of the extensive Columbia University Irving Medical Center. This placement is key to understanding its target audience and accessibility. The hospital complex is a major hub of activity, with thousands of people passing through daily, including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, patients, and their families. For all of these individuals, the cafe serves as a crucial resource.
As a public cafeteria within a private building, its location offers a unique convenience. It is not just for hospital-affiliated individuals; it is "open for everyone," as one reviewer points out. The cafe is easily reachable for those in the Washington Heights neighborhood who might be looking for a new place to eat. Furthermore, the establishment is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating. This ensures that the cafe can serve all members of the community, including those with mobility challenges. The option to sit at the scattered tables on the second floor or even "outside in the green courtyard across the street" adds a nice touch of flexibility to the dining experience, allowing patrons to find a comfortable spot to relax.
The Heights Cafe provides essential and convenient services to its customers.
- Takeout: For those in a hurry or who prefer to eat elsewhere, the takeout option is quick and easy. This service is particularly useful for hospital staff on a short break or visitors who want to grab food and head back to a patient's room.
- Dine-in: The cafe offers seating, allowing for a more relaxed experience. This gives patrons a chance to sit down, enjoy their meal, and take a moment to unwind from the fast-paced hospital environment.
In addition to these core services, the cafe also supports modern payment methods, making transactions seamless. It accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, catering to the digital-savvy New Yorker who values quick and convenient transactions.
The Heights Cafe has several notable features that make it a compelling choice for a quick meal.
- Extensive Variety: A major highlight of this cafeteria is the "large variety of foods and drinks." The menu includes baked goods, pizza, sushi, salads, and sandwiches. This diverse selection means there is an option for almost any preference or dietary need, offering a refreshing break from more limited menus.
- Convenience and Accessibility: As a cafe "hidden" on the second floor of a major hospital building, it serves as an excellent resource for a captive audience. Its existence provides a welcome alternative to the more well-known coffee giants and food carts in the area. The wheelchair accessible entrance and seating are also key features that make it an inclusive spot for everyone.
- Grab and Go Options: The cafe is well-suited for a "grab and go" approach, which is crucial for the clientele it serves. This fast service is a significant advantage for those who need to eat quickly and get back to their day.
- Outdoor Seating Option: The mention of seating "outside in the green courtyard across the street" is a unique and appealing feature, providing a pleasant environment to enjoy a meal, especially on a nice day.
These features highlight the cafe's practical and customer-centric approach, focusing on convenience, variety, and accessibility.
For those looking to get in touch with The Heights Cafe, the contact information is as follows:
Address: 177 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
Phone: (212) 305-4527
Mobile Phone: +1 212-305-4527
This information makes it easy for customers to contact the cafe with any questions or to inquire about their offerings.
While customer reviews point to potential issues with food quality and pricing, The Heights Cafe is still worth choosing for its unmatched convenience and variety within its specific location. Its position on the second floor of the Milstein Hospital building makes it an invaluable resource for anyone within that complex. For hospital staff, it provides a break from the stressful work environment and offers a wide range of food choices, a luxury not always afforded by a limited lunch break. For visitors, it's a place to grab a quick, easy meal without having to leave the building, which can be a significant help during a difficult time. The sheer variety of food options—from baked goods and sushi to salads and sandwiches—is its strongest asset. This ensures that even if one dish doesn’t meet expectations, there are countless other choices to explore.
The cafe’s commitment to accessibility and modern payment methods also makes it a practical and user-friendly choice. It is a no-frills establishment focused on meeting a specific need: providing a wide variety of food in a convenient and accessible setting. While some may find the quality to be lacking, the sheer convenience and breadth of the menu make it a reliable option for a quick bite. Ultimately, The Heights Cafe is a pragmatic solution for a very specific, high-traffic location. It offers a much-needed service to a diverse clientele and for that reason, it remains a valuable part of the community.
The heights cafe Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
The heights cafe Photos






The heights cafe Location
The heights cafe
177 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
The heights cafe Reviews
pizzaprice
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Hidden on the second floor of the Milestein hospital building this cafeteria is open for everyone. While it is not open around the clock like the better known coffee giant on the ground floor, this place offers a large variety of foods and drinks at a reasonable price. Baked goods, pizza, sushi, salads, sandwiches, coffee and more. Grab and go, sit at the few scattered tables on the second floor or outside in the green courtyard across the street. Definitely a refreshing option for visitors and clients of this huge healthcare complex.
June 02 · Dvir KoenigsteinSteep prices for completely low quality food. It’s unfortunate.The variety is great, but the quality is completely lacking. Tater tots are rock solid, chicken tenders are completely devoid of flavor, processed chicken, and flavorless chicken parmigiana with lack of sauce/cheese and wet spongy bread. They can’t seem to get anything right over here. Those cooks must be living miserable lives.
October 16 · Rayan MurtadaI really enjoyed the self service options, especially the variety of pizza.
December 13 · Steve McGarrettThe food is so bland and flavorless that I thought I had COVID
October 24 · John SticklerMoney pit!
November 06 · lou m
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