Amazing sandwich party platter again this year- everyone loved. very prompt replies and delivery

I had the best vegan Sharma outside of my own kitchen , calm ambiance and exceptional service MEI was polite and pleasant taste made it a 10 but mie made unforgettable I’ll surely be back !

Super friendly stuff & real nice food. Definitely coming back.😁

Excellent food! I wanted to try a sample of tuna before I ordered a Tunisian tuna sandwich. No problem. Friend had the falafel platter. Delicious with enough of everything. The challah French toast was great too. Reasonable prices.

Pretty good brunch reasonably priced.

Effy’s was fantastic. The service, food, and atmosphere were all perfect for a cafe. Cant wait to be back. The sabich sandwich, labneh, bread with honey, everything was so yummy. We will be coming back as soon as we can. Come, it will not disappoint!

The avocado toasts are great. Nice coffee. Staff is very friendly and there's a cozy atmosphere

Great, simple food, Kosher restrictions if needed, but that doesn't prevent a great meal if you're not Kosher, and terrific mimosas to top it all off!

Great food! Fast service. Dose get busy on weekends but food is really good

Love Effy’s! The lattes are divine - a secret gem and perfect way to start the meal. We got the Middle Eastern breakfast and the labneh and beets were so fresh and delicious. We also go the Italian Omelette which came with a decadent side salad! The service was fantastic and attentive. We took a smoothie to go which was the perfect dessert. Highly recommend!

Delicious, pleasingly presented Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes. Excellent, pleasant service. Quiet, calm ambiance. An oasis of a place.

Loved what I ordered so did my two friends. This is the second time, I've been here. The coffee is great too, and the green hot sauce is AMAZING, and I mean really good and hot... I'll be back! 🔥😀🤩

An amazing lunch at this wonderful little Cafe on the WestSide. Forgot how good split pea soup and fresh mozzarella can actually be! Reasonably priced, proportions were perfect, and food was uber fresh👌🏼. Loved it! ❤️

Nice spot for breakfast/brunch. So many options! We tried buttermilk pancakes and power wrap. Everything was delicious. The service is great too. Everyone was very polite. They open large sliding doors for the summer, so even sitting inside you get lots of fresh air.

This is my go to spot for lunch in UWS. Love the dips and sandwiches

What a find!! We were strolling our way up to Upper East and then cut through to Upper West from 96th to find a place to eat and here came Effy’s on the search! Great service and even better food and freshly pressed juices!! Loved every bite of it 🥰

Tasty and healthy + a great bang for your buck. Effy’s cafe is a lovely neighborhood spot offering a wide array of vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options — all kosher! I highly recommend their vegetable barley soup & spicy fish sandwhich. Of note, the temperature can get a little chilly in the winter. Bring a sweater if you plan on staying for a bit — part of the charm.

Amazing food! I've had most of their menu and honestly can't pick my favourite dish. The Effy's Salad, Grilled Cheese, Salmon Bagel, Moroccan Branzino, and of course the fresh juices are some of my highlights. Prices are also very reasonable for the quality of the food. The service can be a bit slow when they're busy, but it's never too slow that it's not worth waiting for such delicious food. I'll be back as often as I can!

I can't believe that Effy"s Cafe has been neatly tucked away on the corner of 96th street and noone told me. The Mediterranean Kosher menu has an array of inviting dishes to chose from. We couldn't resist trying out a few dishes. To our amazement each dish was more delicious than the next. I sipped on my perfectly mixed mimosa with joy while my girlfriend happily drank her coffee. The atmosphere is comfortable and airy with hushed whispers and crunching of a packed house. The staff is small, but they are very accommodating and friendly. My friends coffee mug nor my glass of mimosa was ever empty. Stop by and experience this cozys spot vibe. i promise you eont regret it!

+1

An amazing small little gem on the upper west side. Both the food and the service is always amazing never had a problem with them once. I usually get the spicy fish sandwich and their very berry smoothie. def recommend !

Such a cute cozy place, staff super friendly and attentive, best French toast I had in town 😍 Will definitely be back!

I ate brunch there with two others recently. The varied menu offered both regional dishes and standard American breakfast food. When the food arrived, it was fresh, plentiful, and well presented. The price is very acceptable for the location. The seating was tight but comfortable. I would definitely return.

I was actually on my way to get coffee somewhere else and was just drawn to this place. It had a great Friday morning vibe. Full but not too full. Friendly bustling staff. The coffee for my taste was not the greatest but didn’t even mind. Sometimes you go to the right place and just have what they have. I didn’t try the food but it looked great and fresh

I love the challah French toast ! Good service and very good ambiance. Highly recommended

Ordered two Shak Shuka, regular size. One with gluten-free bread. One glass of red wine. One Super Green.

I really love this place. Non pretentious, great food with a lot of variety. Sometimes I come for a smoothie with a book, sometimes for dinner and wine with my husband. It’s a beautiful small business I’m happy to support.

Great vegetarian options at a really fair price. Loved the coffee here too!

Great little spot for Mediterranean veggie dishes for breakfast brunch and lunch! The service was quick and easy and the outdoor dining was lovely.

delicious food! The service wasn’t super great but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Amazing food! Service was lovely too-quick and friendly! Can't wait to come again :)

Had an amazing experience at Effy's Cafe - 96th Street! The food was fresh and full of flavor, especially the Effy’s Breakfast. The staff was warm and attentive, and the cozy atmosphere made it the perfect brunch spot. Can’t wait to come back!

Delicious Israeli and Mediterranean food! We love going there and are never disappointed. Great service too.

I’ve been coming to Effy’s Café for a while now, and it never disappoints. The quality is always consistent, and the staff make you feel like family. Definitely a neighborhood favorite!

Quality cafe conveniently located on w96th St. A good spot for breakfast and brunch - and all day breakfast. The coffee is good and they refill. I like the Middle Eastern flair with hummus accompanying your eggs. Their sides - Israeli salad, other salads are fresh. The wraps and sandwiches are solid as well. Service is attentive and friendly.

+2

The service at Effy’s Café is outstanding! Everyone is so friendly and attentive. The food comes out quickly and tastes amazing. You can tell they really take pride in what they do.

I can't believe I had not tried Effy's sooner- the food is SO delicious! I have now ordered twice in one week- first from uber eats and then the 2nd time I just ordered on the website- super easy! We wanted something healthy and satisfying for lunch- but also having a few monday indulgences (see amazing fried pickled and chocolate ESPRESSO milkshake) Everything tasted So yummy ! I had the Tuna Melt Sandwich w side salad (so fresh) and my bf got the lentil soup, and espresso milkshake Do NOT sleep on the INCREDIBLE Fried Pickles (incredible really even delivered they were crispy fresh tasty and hot!) Tuna Melt was so satisfying. Had the most perfect tasting avocado as well! My BF loved the flavorful lentil soup, later tried the zucchini soup (dairy free) - sooo delicious and a great deal for $5 Will definitely be ordering from Effy's again

+2

Excellent breakfast at very reasonable prices! Great coffee, two of our party raved about the smoked fish platter, and I had a very tasty and filling California omelette. Service was friendly and quick. We will definitely come back!

On Sunday morning be prepared for waiting in line as the place is fully packed. Food we got there was amazing! Eggs on a avocado pita come with a special green dip that tastes delicious. French toast with fruits are the real banger!

I had breakfast here a few days ago. It is a cozy place I loved the way they serve coffee (in a mug and it is flavorful) and they give you a jar of water😌Breakfast was delicious. It is Middle Eastern food (I think Israelí). Waitresses were very friendly.

+1

Excellent coffee served in a mug. Sweet server, nice atmosphere, but the most important was a great breakfast. Hubby had a nice bowl of oatmeal topped with berries and bananas. I had an excellent Smoked salmon sandwich on a delicious "everything" bagel. And it was more than just lox and cream cheese - also had white fish salad, thin slice of red onion, tomato, olive slices, capers, cucumber. Hit all the right taste buds! Will definitely return.

Have known this place since 2015. Never gets old, always on top! Love to sit in and have a bite, any time of the day. Great kosher food and very friendly staff! A must in the neighborhood <3

My visit exceeded what I expected. The restaurant's quality shows through their food and staff performance. The staff provided remarkable customer care and the food was exceptional. Every table and surface is properly sanitized. The quality remains consistently high.

Effy’s Cafe is such a hidden gem. The food is consistently delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. Everything from the brunch dishes to the coffee feels thoughtfully made. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff always make you feel at home. Definitely one of my go-to spots — highly recommend!

Great food, kind staff. I went in for breakfast and enjoyed my meal quite a bit. The place is Kosher!

I had a wonderful experience at this kosher restaurant! From the moment i walked in, the atmosphere felt welcoming, clean, and beautifully maintained. The staff was attentive, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the menu and kosher standards. Definitely coming back!

Had this and it was really good. Creamy hummus, perfectly cooked eggs, warm pita, and everything tasted fresh. Super filling and satisfying. Service was friendly and attentive too… I’d definitely come back.

ILYA VASILYEV

A wonderful breakfast. Everything is served neatly and with care: crispy, hot fritters with a soft texture inside, paired with fresh sauces that complement them perfectly. The portion is well balanced — filling but not heavy. The cozy atmosphere, with a small flower on the table, makes it an ideal start to the day.

+4

Hendrik van hove

Absolute gem!! Been in nyc so many times and Effy’s Cafe is one of my favorite discoveries by far. Incredible menu (healthy!!!), amazing atmosphere, suuuuper friendly staff. 10/10 from a european

A Ciment

Their food is delicious. Fresh and tasty. Easy to order online and fast turnaround. Great kosher dairy place for everyone visiting NYC.

Brant Schwartz

Effy’s Cafe is the best! The food and service quality are top notch. The entire menu is delicious and I highly recommend if you’re in the Upper East or Upper West area. The employees are all warm and friendly. Mei has been particularly kind and attentive to detail.

Rebecca Bryan

We are early risers and were staying on the upper West side - having trouble finding a good breakfast (more than pastries) before 10 am. Then we found Effy’s Cafe and loved it! Staff are friendly and welcoming, cozy ambience and good food. The place has a constant flow of local customers. I had an everything bagel with cream cheese and lox - fresh and delicious, perfect NY bagel. Highly recommend!

Luis Martinez

Cozy little place, in the upper West Side, offering Israeli dishes, fresh Mediterranean food, from tasty shakshuka, brioche sandwiches, and vegetarian shawarma wraps. Last time we visited was for Brunch and we had the “Power Wrap,” Two Eggs, Cheddar, Beyond Sausage and Avocado and a “Middle Eastern Breakfast:” Two Eggs Any Style- Served With Hummus, Labneh, Feta, Isareli Salad and Whole Wheat Pita. Coffee with milk. The food was delicious, as usual however, service was slow. Had to wait for spoons to sweeten my coffee and in the end had to go to a waiter to get it. Coffee got cold. “Eat deliciously “

Katherine Ng

Review: Effy’s Cafe – A Cozy Ritual on the Way to the Park Effy’s Cafe isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—and thank goodness for that. It’s charming, dependable, and refreshingly unfussy, which is exactly why it’s become my go-to stop before a stroll through Central Park. Think of it as your neighborhood’s warm hug disguised as a café. I keep it simple here: a coffee (always solid, never burnt or dramatic) and a classic cream cheese bagel. No gimmicks, no sourdough experiments—just the familiar comfort of a well-toasted bagel with a generous, unapologetic schmear. If that sounds boring to you, you’re clearly not in your breakfast era. The outdoor seating is non-negotiable for me. It’s where I get to enjoy the real luxury of New York mornings: sipping my coffee slowly while my dog does their highly scientific sniff-review of the sidewalk. There’s something grounding about it—the clink of silverware, the occasional pigeon drama, the steady stream of regulars who also seem to love this little corner of calm. Effy’s doesn’t try too hard to impress you. That’s its charm. The vibe is consistent, the service is friendly, and the whole place feels like it’s on a first-name basis with your routine. In short: if you’re looking for a dependable, quietly delightful café to anchor your morning—and perhaps reflect on your life choices over a bagel—Effy’s is the one.

Alan Hale

Visiting a relative who lives on the UWS, we decided to try this place. They had a lot of great menu options. We all got something different. I had the Smoked Salmon Sandwich which came with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and tomato. French fries were perfect - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Every liked their food. Appetizers like halloumi and hummus/pita were also good. They brought out the wrong sandwich but quickly fixed it. Then they let us take the other one home (instead of taking it back to the kitchen and putting it in the trash). The server kept our drinks full. It's a cozy place, with not a lot of room for a big party, but it's nice and comfortable. What was really nice, since it was 98* outside, was that the air conditioning worked.

Kenken

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.

Surprisingly varied menu for such a small place includes fish tacos, a shakshuka Israeli breakfast dish, grilled cheese sandwiches, various salads, and pancakes. All moderately priced! Very kid friendly Nice staff provide quick service so there is a lot of turnover. Limited outdoor seating is very popular. Delicious... Now we know why there's always a line waiting to get in.

Had lunch for 5 yesterday. Sat on the sidewalk seating area. A little tight for 5, but ok. The food was very good and the prices , for today's high prices,, was fair. Very extensive dairy menu with great choices. As the restaurant was completely full , the service was a little slow. Would return

Great eggs and home fries. Lovely serving person. Broken window in the door made it freezing inside and tippy table never stabilized, so we shivered through breakfast in our lightweight October-appropriate NYC jackets. Overall, Effie’s needs maintenance.

Just ordered effys breakfast which was surprisingly tasty. Wasn’t expecting much from delivery since delivery usually isn’t as good compared to eating fresh food in person. However, food came on time via seamless and tasted great. the hummus, feta, eggplant, tuna, and salad with pita was the perfect combination! Really enjoyed it. The eggs were standard. Overall, good place and left me feeling satisfied (from my experience).

We need more neighborhood spots like this! Affordable, cozy, and loving. Care for each customer, no price gouging, and good comfort food.

Came here for a quick breakfast on a Saturday, staff was friendly and fast, food was good with good prices ;) I ordered the french toast and was just great, coffee not so much.

Busy and vibrant cafe. Food was excellent and very well priced. Four stars because the staff seemed to enjoy dragging furniture around and banging crockery and cutlery which just exacerbated the noise.

We ordered to go, quick sandwhiches and ice tea to eat in the park. Delicious.

Well lit and comfortable. I had the fish taco platter with vanilla chai. The French fries were piping hot and remained crisp. Convenient and worth the $22.

Great little place. Each visit has been busy, but the service is pretty quick, and the food is great. Love this spot on the Upper West Side.

I came across Effy’s Cafe in NYC and I’m so glad I did! We decided to stop in for breakfast and had the avocado toast with egg and a delicious coffee latte. The food was fresh and flavorful, and the service was absolutely amazing. The staff was friendly and welcoming, making the experience even better. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking this place out. A great spot for a tasty meal and excellent service!

Great place for brunch! Very cozy restaurant with bunched up seating. Unfortunately they don’t take reservations so the wait for more than 4 was a bit long. The food was delicious and service was great.

Waited a little for a table but it was worth it! The food was divine!

+2

David K

Food was excellent, service was quick and friendly. But in two consecutive visits, they got our orders wrong. Once they were busy, once they weren't. And in one instance, they argued about it. They eventually made it right. That's not enough to put me off going there, but definitely something to watch for.

Katie Hill

Stopped in for breakfast on my first day in New York. The pancakes were lovely and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Nicky S

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.

Ameya Bhakay

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.

+1

Bhakti Dalvi

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.

+1

Sue Duong

06-02-24 Everything was piping hot. Cucumber salad was refreshing and perfectly seasoned. Like the fact that the staff took our order while we waited for our table. Ordered: 4/5 -Power Wrap $14.95- I ordered mine with mozzarella instead of cheddar cheese. They accommodated me without any hesitation. -Smoked Salmon $15.95 -Bagel w Tuna $11 -Brioche Egg $10 -Oatmeal $6 -the best I ever had. Drinks: -Hot Coffee (2) $6 -Ice Coffee $4 We enjoyed our dining experience here and hope y'all will too!

Rebekah S

Effy’s Cafe is a charming neighborhood gem serving kosher cuisine with a focus on vegetarian and fish options—no meat available. Despite this, the menu is extensive and packed with delicious choices. The café boasts a cozy atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating that enhances the inviting ambiance. It’s a delightful spot for a casual meal and a great addition to the local dining scene.

Daniella Fodera

Food was tasty and very reasonably priced. All dishes are kosher friendly making this also a great option for vegetarians. I really enjoyed the falafel platter. Hummus and the eggplant spread were the stars. Eggs were good although the toast was barely toasted. Coffee was extremely tasty and served in adorable cups. Biggest complaint was the wait time. We were seated immediately but it took at least 10-20 minutes for a server to come over and take our order and give us water.

+1

We didn’t asked for fries but are added for $8 each. When i said i didn’t asked for them the waiter said i was cheap and walked away. I paid 28$ . the serves is snobby while they serve you- wild. I paid because i didn’t want to embarrass my daughters. food is delicious but they know how to make you feel like you don’t belong

Stopped for a quick dinner after walking in Central Park. The food was very good and fresh but the atmosphere could be better. The waiter felt rushed and no overly friendly. There was constant noise of very loud slamming dishes and pushing metal chairs around, wasn’t very welcoming to have a conversation. If it wouldn’t be so hot, perhaps sitting outside would be a better option

Was ok. I had a sparkling wine but it had strange taste. Staff was nice and friendly. Food was ok. I don’t think I will come back here.

Super packed and loud during lunchtime so I did lunch take-out which took about 15m. The spicy fried fish sandwich was not the best, the fish was lacking flavor and its breading was soggy not crispy. I felt it was overpriced at $25 with tip for a sandwich that came with small fries, plus a 16oz bottle of water.

J. Gurung

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.

Stopped by for brunch. We ordered the shakshuka and pancakes with beyond breakfast sausage. None of these tasted good. The shakshuka lacked flavor and depth; and the pancakes also lacked flavor and had an odd texture. I wish they were thicker and fluffier. Additionally, the space was cramped and hot. The iced tea was refreshing, and the servers were quick and kind. I really wanted to like this place, but the food needs to be improved.

Ben Holzwarth

Prices seem decent, but by the time I added chocolate chips and asked for syrup with my pancakes, boom $20 for 2 small pancakes with no sides. Felt ripped off and didn’t know there was a $3 up-charge for syrup when they offered it. Service was meh overall - very short and to the point. Won’t be returning. Side note, my friend got really nauseous right afterwards but unknown if it was from the food or something else

On Sunday EFFYS canceled my delivery. They said I would receive a refund. But charge is on my bill. Again EFFYS took my money and didn’t deliver. Terrible. I will not order from them again.

Lunch here yesterday (4/29/25). This was a first: ordered a portobello burger and was serviced 1 mushroom cap inside a bun, for $14.95! Complained that there was no burger, and waitress said yeah, it's just a mushroom patty. But there was no patty, just one mushroom cap, and not an especially large one. She took the plate to the kitchen and they added another grilled mushroom cap. This place is a ripoff!

Unbelievable. Me and my partner sat down to eat and dine in for some breakfast. After sitting and waiting for over thirty minutes for French toast and pancakes, we see people order after us and still get their orders before us. Okay we understand it can get busy sometimes. But for a group of 10+ to walk in and the waiter to ask us to move to accommodate people that just walked in when we were already sitting in a corner because the other two tables were filthy is hilarious. We were already trying to take less space to help blend in since we obviously stood out. We asked to sit in the corner to ease the waiters job because of the dirty tables that we were told to sit at by the waiter. Obviously we were fine when we asked the waiter if we could sit by the corner .. so why would you ask us if we were “comfortable”when the group of people asked the same waiter if we could move somewhere else to accommodate them knowing we asked to sit there to begin with? What a way to start the New Year. Do not Recommend. Waste of time.

Vegan Sausage Shakshouka has eggs and is actually a vegetarian sausage shakshouka. Something labeled as vegan should not have animal products. If you have allergies do not come here.

I visited Effy’s Cafe today and unfortunately had a disappointing experience. I ordered several items from the menu. That was overly salty and very oily. The pancakes were overcooked, not fluffy, and also oily. Overall, the food did not meet my expectations. The café atmosphere was quite loud — music was playing, and guests were chatting at a regular volume. I had an important video meeting and, since I had forgotten my headphones, I needed to attend briefly without them. I was approached by a server who informed me that another guest was irritated by my call. What confused me was that the café itself was already noisy, and people were speaking freely at their tables. It made me wonder — in a lively café environment, does someone need a special “right” to speak? If regular conversations are acceptable, it seems inconsistent to single out a short work-related meeting. I fully respect shared public spaces and try to be mindful of others. What felt uncomfortable was that the person complaining was speaking to themselves loudly. I could clearly hear their conversation. However, the combination of disappointing food and this uncomfortable situation left me with a negative impression.

I've been here several times and ordered an omelet, which was fine. Today I ordered fish with vegetables, but everything was overcooked and terribly oversalted. I told the waitress that the food was too salty, to which she replied that it was seasoned. I said that I understood that it was seasoned, but it was terribly salty, so I refused to eat it, and she threw it away. Terrible service, very cramped and noisy. Sitting next to the door and opposite is generally bad in winter, people are constantly coming in and cold air is blowing on you.

Matthew Swing

We’ve visited Effy’s Cafe a few times now and always hoped it would improve. Today, my wife, our 10-month-old, and I sat outside for breakfast, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. After placing our order, we waited 45 minutes without anyone checking on us to refill our tea (it was a bit chilly) or providing any update about our food. Meanwhile, we saw four other tables who arrived after us get their meals first. While we appreciate the location and have tried to give the place a fair shot, the food has consistently been underwhelming, and today’s lack of service was frustrating. We want to like Effy’s, but sadly, we left feeling let down.