When I first started becoming an "active" yelper, KAVA was one of the first places I reviewed. I gave it... read moreWhen I first started becoming an "active" yelper, KAVA was one of the first places I reviewed. I gave it 5 stars and I still award it 5 stars. I come here at least once a week, and spend hours sipping my hot Americano, twirling my garlic pesto zoodle (zucchini) pasta with my fork, and writing my dissertation like a mad women in front of their cozy fireplace in the center of the shop.

As a graduate student, I live at coffee shops. I can't function without coffee. However, most of the time I am STARVING while I study and I'm on a very limited diet as to what I can and cannot eat. The average coffee shop has muffins, a variety of pastries, bagels, an occasional wrap. Well for someone like me who is on a modified paleo diet, I can't eat any of this! Kava, however, understands! They have veggie/cheese omelettes, egg white omelettes, and my favorite shakusha (poached eggs with tomato sauce, peppers, spinach) etc.! You can get a side of hash browns or toast with all these entrees. The hash browns are FRESH, it's like your eating a baby red potatoe diced up, crispy, and with a buttery finish. Yum!
Salads! Kava has endless salad choices, that are huge and do not leave you hungry! I enjoy the salmon salad the most, but the tuna is a close second. You get REAL salmon with this salad, it's blackened and delicious with omega 3's!
The dinner menu is equally fantastic, although you can order breakfast all day if you like 🙂 Besides the pesto zoodle pasta, I recommend their whole wheat veggie or cheese quesadilla dishes as well as their new gluten free veggie pizza. Yes, gluten free! They also have stuffed portabella mushrooms and these amazing spicy cauliflower bites, for we paleo eaters!!! I've never had their mac n cheese, mushroom ravioli, or penne vodka due to my dietary restrictions, but I've see the plates. I'm there long enough to drool over what could have been in my tummy! haha!
I think it is important to note that everything here is FRESH. Depending on what you order, you may have to wait 10 minutes (especially if you come around lunch time). This isn't a fast food joint, however. It's an independent coffee shop. You are served quality food with fresh and healthy ingredients. If you are in a hurry, they do have a DRIVE THRU!

The staff at KAVA is incredible. Paul and Jeanine, barista and servers combined into one, are great. They know me by name, my "usual order," and Jeanine can even recognize my voice when I order through the drive though! Apparently I sound "very happy" in the morning.. by why wouldn't I be?... I'm at Kava!!! I've also met one the owner/manager, Joe Jaffe, who greeted me personally one afternoon and made sure I was happy with my order. Since then, when he is at the location, I've had several conversations with him. He asked me about my dissertation topic, school, etc.,. Kava is a busy place but when the owners, managers, and employees take the time to get to know their guests, that is what separates a "good" from a "great" establishment.

Coffee Coffee Coffee, let me not leave this out! I must say, that if you are looking for single origin coffee, Kava is not the place. Most of my friends know I'm obsessed with single origin coffee, but I make an exception at Kava because their coffee is pretty good.... and I can eat and study at the same time! I order their cafe Americano most of the time, it's bold and strong. I've had their signature dark roast, which is also very good. Kava stands out in their latte, frappuccino, and speciality drink department. I'm a simple coffee drinker, so I cannot vouch for the taste of these drinks, but from what I have seen on my weekly visits to Kava these coffee drinks look like milkshakes! Fancy ones! 😉 For example, they have a S'mores lattee with steamed milk, chocolate syrup, toasted marshmallow syrup, and graham cracker topping. That sounds to me like a girl scout cookie and a roasted marshmallow on a stick old school style all in one!! WHOA NELLY! I would order that if I could have sugar... I'm going to splurge one day... I will, I tell you!
I am going to admit at this point that I consider myself somewhat of an annoying customer because I like my coffee HOT and I drink it slow. I'm always asking for my coffee to be reheated. No problem at kava! Paul doesn't just reheat my coffee, he pours me a fresh cup on the house 🙂 Thank you Paul!

To close, I mentioned this in my last review and I will reiterate: This is a Jewish owned establishment. Honestly, besides the fact they are closed on Saturdays and close early on Fridays, I don't even see how this matters. Reviews below, however, seem to imply that "outsiders" are "unwelcome" by the majority of Orthodox and Hasidic community that frequent Kava. I am a Catholic and I have NOT experienced this. The customers at Kava are great and I'm here at least once a week. Throw out any preconceived notions you have about this community and give Kava a chance. read less

Geat Spot To Land After High Line! My daughter and I were in ManHattan for one of our 3 day intense break from our busy lives. After... read moreMy daughter and I were in ManHattan for one of our 3 day intense break from our busy lives. After seeing a few plays and then walking the High Line it was fantastic to find Kava coffee. Best Latte I've ever had anywhere! Cute and a little hipster, great find. Be sure to check it out! read less

Great coffee, friendly service The coffee is great. Good options. Service was also friendly & fast. Will definitely return when in the area again.

Amazing Neighborhood Coffee Shop When I think about the quintessential neighborhood coffee shop, Kava is my first choice. I live in the Meatpacking and... read moreWhen I think about the quintessential neighborhood coffee shop, Kava is my first choice. I live in the Meatpacking and am so happy to call this place my local coffeeshop. Kava is one of those rare, cozy, beautifully designed coffee shops that blends the spirit of the Meatpacking, inspires interaction and has truly incredible coffee. The space is thoughtfully designed to look like a 1960s-cruise ship, and offers a variety of roasts from Colombia & Ethiopia. I almost always order the latte which is the perfect blend of caffeine and deliciousness, but sometimes I also get a cappuccino. Super chill in the afternoon as they have a beer and wine happy hour-- so it's great for dates as well. read less

Super nice Great drinks. Extremely nice guys working here. When you are tired from walking on the High Line, pop in here... read moreGreat drinks. Extremely nice guys working here. When you are tired from walking on the High Line, pop in here for a welcome break. read less

Our Local Coffee Place for our Visit to NYC Great coffee. Great guys that work there. Very friendly. Perfect start to our day everyday. After 10 days in NYC... read moreGreat coffee. Great guys that work there. Very friendly. Perfect start to our day everyday. After 10 days in NYC we were locals at this small coffee hub as we visited everyday, sometimes twice.
Recommend.

No Wifi. Only downside. read less

Excellent coffee Enjoyed perfect cappucino as I start walk on high line path. Banana Bread was very tasty and service Impeccable !

The best place ever amazing drinks and food I love the Greek salads there also I highly recommend this place

This place reminds me of home. Would 100% return back here again for my morning coffee

Best coffee in the neighborhood Great place to grab a break between the Whitney and shopping. Coffee, croissant and sandwiches. Luv it.

Really nice coffee house with plenty of comfortable seating. I had a medium coffee with milk, sat back on the... read moreReally nice coffee house with plenty of comfortable seating. I had a medium coffee with milk, sat back on the couch and relaxed for a good half hour. What a nice place to hang out and to be with friends. read less

Best breakfast we could wish ! What a perfect place for a great tasting coffee, take away breakfast or sitting brfst. Very friendly, hardworking staff. Every... read moreWhat a perfect place for a great tasting coffee, take away breakfast or sitting brfst. Very friendly, hardworking staff. Every dish is fresh made. And the taste is fresh and good ! Love it. Start your day with a big smile. read less

Great coffee and was able to charge my phone Got a delicious keto decaf iced coffee with sugar free vanilla syrup and managed to charge my phone and people... read moreGot a delicious keto decaf iced coffee with sugar free vanilla syrup and managed to charge my phone and people watch. Right next to the Highline read less

Perfect for a Quick Bite and Coffee Granite bar, nice low lit ambiance (even in the morning) to drink a very good latte and have a snack.... read moreGranite bar, nice low lit ambiance (even in the morning) to drink a very good latte and have a snack. The pastries looked simple but good, and the yogurt parfait was excellent. Unsweetened yogurt was very airy, and strawberries and blueberries were fresh and ripe. Granola seemed to have big coconut flakes.

Way better than Starbucks. read less

Cute coffee shop. I love the hot choclate! Gotta sit by the super awesome fire place its super cozy 🙂

Great coffee Best coffee i’ve tried in NYC, fresh with exceptional taste and smell. Great place and great guys making that coffee.... read moreBest coffee i’ve tried in NYC, fresh with exceptional taste and smell. Great place and great guys making that coffee. Must stop by if in chelsea read less

great coffee, european mood one of those kafes where u can feel like home ... mix of tourists and locals makes that place simply... read moreone of those kafes where u can feel like home ... mix of tourists and locals makes that place simply just fine. read less