Stopped in with my pup so excited to check this out. Exceeded my expectations. Elegant space, cool vibe, welcoming adorable owners and baristas. And btw I’d go for the perfect cappuccino and their almond croissant even if I didn’t have a dog. But I do. So basically now we may never go anywhere else.

I mean really, what more can a girl ask for than a coffee shop that also has an endless supply of dogs walking through the door? I love the outdoor space here at Black Lab Cafe, it's the perfect spot to both people *and* dog watch on the Upper West Side!

The food here is amazing! I highly recommend the Lemon Square. It’s not too sour, but you still taste the lemon.

My favorite coffee shop in NY. Definitely a go to place either to have a coffee or a matcha (puppy lavender matcha is very good) while you work, or have a nice lunch (their fish tacos are super good). Staff is SO nice and helpful. Great customer experience. Also there are always so many dogs to pet!!

We were running late for the coffee plans and ended up having dinner- so glad we did! Everything was delicious! We ordered several dishes and all exceeded expectations. I highly recommend both salmon options - the salad was perfect. Service was above and beyond with friendly welcoming staff and timely service. Canine companion rates this place 100 stars.

Max Moio

Awesome vibe. The cocktails were dialed in and the beers on draft offered a solid selection. Itzel took great care of us — we’ll be back!

Uggg Ghbv

The wait to finally eat here ended with complete satisfaction. The tastes are exceptional and the staff's service is superior. No doubt about it, the staff is excellent, notably kind, knowledgeable and instantly make you feel included. This restaurant doesn't disappoint on amount or taste. No wishes remain at this spot.

Juan King

This place makes me question my choices. The employees may favor some customers but never fail with orders. The options are clear and familiar. The meals are good, service is quick, and the staff is friendly. I can't recall any negatives.

Jennie Rivera

This restaurant creates food memories!! The team combines a friendly attitude with speed. Their meals are delicious without being expensive. The nice employees really add to the good food here. Stop by when possible – it's a good choice.

Ignace Manoury

Every meal here feels like a special treat. The staff showed good manners. The plating showed skill, but the seasoning showed excess. The price point fits the experience perfectly. I look forward to returning to try different selections.

Alon Grinshpoon

This place is a great upscale neighborhood bar! 🍻 Caledonia Bar on the UES serves am endless selection of whiskey 🥃, beer 🍺, and cocktails 🍸 - definitely get the High Priestess Cocktail!🍹 Staff 👨‍🍳 is super friendly and the service is quick! ⏲️ The place is nicely decorated 🛋️, and the ambience 🎶 is great! I wish I came here earlier!

+3

Lydia Barnard

I had always have an amazing time at Caledonia’s! The atmosphere is always pleasant, and the drinks are top-notch. Rachael and Ethan make the experience even better with their exceptional service. Rachael's recommendations were spot on, and she mixed the perfect cocktail (shout out to her whiskey sours) —her friendly energy always makes me feel welcomed. Ethan was equally impressive, quick with refills and super knowledgeable about the menu. It's clear they both love what they do, and it makes the place stand out. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for great drinks and even better company. Thanks, Rachael and Ethan!

phoebe k

Bartenders Rachael and Ethan never fail to offer excellent whiskey recommendations and mix up a fabulous cocktail. The atmosphere is dark and moody, perfect escape from the frigid weather outside. Vibe is cool, service is attentive, and selection is perfect for whiskey drinkers (seasoned or beginner) and cocktail lovers alike. Side note of the most comfortable bar stools you’ll ever sit on in your life

Billy Morgan

Love this place!! Def the best whiskey bars in Manhattan (there’s one on the upper west side too). Rachael is an encyclopedia! Her knowledge of whiskey is unlike anything I’ve seen! They have a really good happy hour, as well as a decent beer/wine selection. Their cocktails are fantastic!!! That’s where Ethan comes in… he’s constantly creating something new and delicious for the season. 5 stars!!

Ethan Verchot

I always have a great time at this bar. I’ve met some of the most interesting people sitting at the bar and always enjoyed a good drink. Some of the best deals on whisky in the city from a monthly happy hour whisky that is 50% off before 7 to a full on whisky club that offers free tastings and hard to get bottles. They’ve got a really fun and inventive cocktail program for those who don’t drink whisky that they change seasonally. The bartenders are all really fun to talk to and really knowledgeable about whisky and cocktails. The music is always 🔥

Terry Shot

Such a cozy little Scottish styled pub, great whisky selection with very knowledgeable bartenders. When I first went in a few years ago I didn’t know much about scotch, through their whisky club and fantastic bartenders, I’ve discovered so much about this wonderful spirit and it is now my favorite. They also carry more than just Scotch, they have a wide selection of Bourbons, Ryes, World Whiskies, and phenomenal cocktail menu for those who don’t drink whisky. Not to mention they always have mocktails for those who don’t drink. This was clutch when I was doing dry January.

Rachael Phillips

I love this bar so much, great selection of whisky, the staff is super knowledgeable and friendly! The regulars are some of the best I’ve met and made some amazing friends. They offer a whisky club which is also a plus, it’s warm and inviting and they never make you feel dumb for not knowing about whisky. 100/100 will come back

James

No food but they let you order/bring your own food. Dark cozy wood setting with extensive whiskey menu. Hot Toddy & Dave Elly milk punch were 10/10

Pablo M

I was looking for a good place with knowledge in whiskey and cocktails and this is an oasis in the UES. Bar tenders are knowledgeable about the whisky, the cocktails are refreshing and good quality. Price is hight but it worthy. Good atmosphere to relax. The bar is just tight with the seat but overall best place to enjoy whiskey and cocktail. I will be back. Ps: music is cool

Alexander Chou

What a great bar! Met a friend after work for a drink. It was the perfect atmosphere, quiet and low key. The bar has a really great selection of whiskeys/whiskys. The bartender was super knowledgeable and really knew her stuff (which was great for a novice like me). For those in the neighborhood, it's such a fantastic place to grab a drink and learn more about whiskey/whisky.

A.K. Lewis

I am not a whiskey drinker myself, but I came to Caledonia to arrange a curated tasting for my parents as a gift. I was put in contact with the owner, Alan, who in spite of welcoming a child into this world (congrats to the happy couple) was very accommodating and helped put everything together. I got to name my price range and we settled on a date and time. My folks got to sample 5 whiskies new to them, with a complimentary cocktail to start and a second pour of their favorite to cap off the evening. The guide, Kevin, was extremely friendly and patient. As I bore witness, being the designated driver, my parents got to have their fill of increasingly tipsy conversating and drinking both. Kevin prepared something of a small presentation about each whiskey, giving some interesting background facts as well as his own professional opinions. I also spoke to Rachael via text beforehand, to whom I sent an encyclopedia-length list of all the whiskies I knew my parents have tried, liked, and keep at home, to better offer them a selection they wouldn't have had before. With success! Everything was new to them, and not only that, but they both found a whiskey they liked enough to want to introduce into their daily selection to sip at home. They also both raved about the place afterward and expressed an eagerness to find a reason to come back. And this last bit is a personal thing, but my parents (especially my mom) both have pretty thick accents, and when I'm out with them I often notice people will be impatient or outright rude to them because of it. I'm pretty sensitive to it, as I hate to think that they are being given disrespect or worse service for the crime of speaking two languages. And naturally, being a bit drunk doesn't improve the communication situation. However, Kevin remained positive, attentive, and kind throughout the entire tasting. Not a single "I don't understand your english" or looking to me to "translate". It might not be a big deal to some, but I appreciate that they were treated with courtesy from beginning to end. Overall, a 10/5 experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in whiskey, expert or novice. They'll have something for experienced drinkers and newbies alike, and the kind of quality service that warrants a thousand-word review.

+1

Savitri Balram

Pretty decent bar with vast collection of whisky. Would definitely recommend the working class flight and the grilled cheese!

Anonymous

Amazing service, atmosphere, and drinks. "GRAHAM" the bartender is amazing. He knows his stuff.🥃☝️ Wonderful spot for relaxing night of legitimate whiskey and scotch and impressive and dim lit great "date spot" as well! :)

This corner coffee shop has a cool vibe inside. After ordering an iced latte I was accosted by two happy dogs, not something I was upset about. There is a nice outdoor patio to sit at. The cafe just opened, so their kitchen isn't open yet. Once they have some food to buy I will be sure to return.

Came here because I used to have a Black Lab and miss her terribly, so hoped for some Black Lab related theme. I'm surprised that they don't even have a pic of black labs on their walls while having some other smaller sized breeds. No tennis balls, nothing Black Lab related, really... The food was ok, but not to come back for. Cappuccino was alright.

C Saurabh

one of the best whiskey cocktails. easy to have a conversation without loud music. p.s. once rhe bartender refused to give us more drinks because he thought we had too many 😊

Tapan Desai

I live close to this place and it's quickly turning into my favorite spot. The bartender is friendly and it has a great vibe. Perfect spot for a date as well. Great cocktail and whisk(e)y selection. I love their Old Fashions.

!!No longer dog friendly!! Should have been open and communicated this or tried for partial hours that were dog friendly. Instead just showed up one day (with the pup) and can no longer go in. There were many many other problems with the business that should have been addressed first before banning dogs…strange move. I know the team tries hard but have to be honest here, food is nowhere near good enough to survive as cafe alone. Coffee is fine but not worth going out of your way when there are other great options in the neighborhood

All these one star reviews are completely correct. This place was such a great addition to the Upper West Side. But now that they don’t allow dogs anymore, why bother? There are plenty of places to get coffee and such. Why couldn’t the owners just leave well enough alone? They will certainly my not make more money as a no dogs allowed cafe! That was the whole point in going there!

My recent experience at Black Lab Cafe in New York City was far from what I expected. Despite its name hinting at a pet-friendly vibe, I was surprised to find out that pets weren't allowed inside. This decision took away from the cozy atmosphere I was hoping for. Walking in, I immediately noticed the lack of warmth. Instead of the lively presence of pets, the space felt cold and unwelcoming. This absence definitely dampened the mood. On top of that, the service was mediocre. The staff didn't seem very engaged or interested in making the experience enjoyable. It felt like they were just going through the motions. The food and drinks also left a lot to be desired. The coffee was stale, and the pastries were dry. It seemed like attention to detail was lacking across the board. Overall, my visit to Black Lab Cafe was disappointing. It's unfortunate that such potential is being held back by their no-pet policy and lackluster execution. Unless they reconsider their stance and improve their overall experience, I'll be looking for other cafes that prioritize hospitality and inclusivity.