Café Lafayette

It was convenient to BAM, across from Greenlight Bookstore and reliable for after theater/​movie bite. Now closed. Too bad. I’d been dropping by for several years.

The food is great hands down but the women that work in there are very RACIST as a black person I would never go there again… TOO RACIST FOR ME…

It reminds me of Paris so much.

One of the older restaurants in Fort Greene that feels like a local staple. It was sitting pretty well before the rapid gentrification which occurred after the Barclay Center opened.
Their food is pretty good, solid 3 stars, would be even better if the salmon were wild, and the ingredients were fresher (i.e., the fries are good, but they were frozen) etc… BUT their drink deals can’t be beat in the area, plus their service is superb, so I’m adding a star.
The restaurant itself is small, it feels Parisian in that sense. However during brunch their mimosas are $ 5 and ALL bottles of wine (which are predominantly French and very well picked) are $ 22 (!). Let me repeat, all bottles of wine are $ 22 and they are good!
We recently had dinner there and ordered the mussels and then I had the salmon burger (at the recommendation of the server). I will say that the bread they use for the burgers is so good, I believe it’s brioche? The food itself was good, tasty, but it was clear that the mussels were not the best we have had, neither was the actual salmon.
Overall, I would definitely come back when I want to split a bottle and have something to nibble on when in the area.
Café Lafayette is a Ft. Greene neighborhood staple and I truly hope they survive.

I love this place! I used to live nearby before I got married and it was my usual hangout for not only is the food they serve outstanding but the service is always impeccable.
I always order the spinach and goat cheese crêpe .it is delicious and cooked to perfection. .My husband opted for the salmon burger that never fails to please.
Their wine is of a good quality and not overpriced. Our waitress made good suggestions. .Their desserts are delicious. from the crème brûlée to the lava cake you are in for a treat.
It is a tiny spot so my husband and I left right aftet we were done to allow others to have a taste of paradise. .Definitely recommended for a date or if you are
heading to BAM..

I’ve been to Café Lafayette twice now, and have had great experiences both times. My only beef with this place is that it’s incredibly small (is this a restaurant for ants?!).
I highly recommend the salmon burger and goat cheese salad– absolutely loved both. They also have delicious soups and desserts (chocolate lava cake will not disappoint).
As far as service, the last time I was there, we had a great hostess/​waitress. I asked for recommendations, and wasn’t sure about one of the appetizers, and she actually brought out a small sample of the dish. It was her favorite and she was really gunning for me to become a shrimp fan (sadly, I still didn’t like it. But this is 100% because of the fact that I just can’t do shrimp). She let us sample the wine, and came out and sang happy birthday when my boyfriend mentioned we were celebrating. She even wrote the name of a cute salsa club in the area for us to try. I wish I remembered her name!
Love, love, love this place. The food, the service, the whole vibe. It if was just a tiny bit bigger, I’d give it 5 stars!

Café Lafayette is an awesome little place, a spot where it’s easy to sit back, relax and watch the day go by. The atmosphere is just right (sort of a fancy casual) the music is good and the staff is attentive and friendly.
The place has an intimate feel that you can’t find in most restaurants in the big box dominated NYC. On most visits, Café Lafayette feels something like a return back home.
I personally enjoy the veggie burger which goes well with a coke. It’s a good spot for vegetarians.
Make the trip!

We’ve been eyeing this cute café ever since moving to the neighborhood last year. We decided to find a spot for dinner this evening and ended up here, finally.
We walked in and the small place was pretty crowded, which is usually a good indicator. The hostess sat us in a cramped spot and it was SO cramped that I almost got up and walked out to find another place to eat. I couldn’t even remove my jacket without bumping elbows. TAKE A TABLE OUT OF THERE, PLEASE!
I ordered the veggie burger and my boyfriend ordered the escargot starter and hamburger. He said the escargot was pretty good, but he didn’t have a chance to finish before the waitress (who was also the hostess) delivered our entrees. The table was pretty small, so I’m not sure why she couldn’t have waited an extra minute. She wasn’t that personable, so I didn’t expect much from her.
Anyway, the veggie burger was clearly not made in-​house (a perfectly round compact patty probably of the frozen variety). It was kind of burnt but still edible. My boyfriend took a bite of his hamburger and instantly said it was not good. What’s not mentioned on the menu is that there are peppers in the burger… it’s a problem to not mention this anywhere.
Additionally, we arrived after viewing the dinner menu online, which included some pasta options. These were not available.
So, final conclusion: this place fell FAR below my expectations. It was cramped, lacked good quality food, and did I mention cramped? I almost had an anxiety attack in here. Additionally, it took about 20 minutes after we were done to receive our check.
Bummer.

I have been living in the neighborhood for several years and Café Lafayette is one of my favorite places for brunch and dinner. It is comfy and laid back, and the food, while not knock-​your-​socks-​off, is consistently delicious and filling. Among my favorites– for brunch: French toast, eggs florentine (and good mimosas!). For dinner: the moules frites with coconut sauce, the rack of lamb with yummy, garlic-​y mashed potatoes. The warm spinach salad is delicious and the French onion soup is the best I’ve had anywhere.
I have always gotten friendly, helpful service at CL. Only one waitress ever had an attitude with me (I chalk it up to a bad day?) and she no longer works there anyway. Glad that this neighborhood gem is still here.

I give it 4 stars for the atmosphere, the waitress who was perfect and the special on Wednesday (half price on selected wine bottles).
I had a goat cheese salad which was average, composed of two pieces of toasts with low quality goat cheese spread and a green salad. A little expensive for such a simple dish.
The veggie burger is a little disapointing, the bun is good but the patty is tasteless. All in all, the food is very average (or even a little less than just average…) but the restaurant is so cute and the waitresses so adorable that it still assures you a nice evening.

This was my second time at this restaurant. I ordered the lamb chops and my husband ordered the burger Lafayette the first time. The food was good (lamb was a little over-​cooked) and the service was OK; the waitress earned 15%.
Tonight, the same waitress was very distracted; went outside to speak with her friends who were passing by. She did this several times, leaving the patrons to wait patiently while she wrapped up her personal business. Then my steak came out; one of the cheapest pieces of meat I’ve ever been served, over-​cooked, accompanied with a moldy-​tasting peppercorn sauce atop. I waited about 8 minutes to send my food back while she chit-​chatted outside.
It was cooked properly the next time, although I had to ask for the other sauce they offered (she brought it out in a cold lump on a dish) and when she was clearing our plates, she finally asked if my steak was OK this time. I said it was indeed cooked to medium rare this time and she told me of; saying that when they cut into my first steak (down the middle) it was medium rare and I had been wrong. Ummm, steak is supposed to be the proper temperature ALL the way through, not just in the center!
We asked for the check and she had painstakingly written out what she thought her tip should be beginning with 18%. She took over 10 minutes writing out the «proper tip amounts» we were supposed to give her while the other tables languished.
I waited tables and bar tended for over twenty years and I have learned, like every other profession, no one owes you anything and if you want the highest paycheck you have to earn it by going above and beyond. Will NOT be going back.

I love the food and the service was excellent. It hurts me to write this but I do pray that they rectify the issue immediately.
After my meal I went to use the bathroom and the stench and odor was so bad that I literally wanted to throw up. The mildew around the face basin was so evident it made me wonder if it was intentionally ignored?
Please fix this ASAP as this cozy place in the Neighborhood can be a regular for me but only after the problems are resolved.
I would really love to return but not until the bathroom is

This place is adorable, just as a French café in Brooklyn should be. A super tiny joint full of great food and wine. I usually get the goat cheese burger or the steak sandwich. I’m not a huge goat cheese fan, but at Café Lafayette I most certainly am. For dessert I usually go with the crepes, which are absolutely divine. Also, they serve exceptional coffee, so don’t forget to order a cup with dessert.
I definitely want to come here for brunch, since I haven’t tried their brunch yet! I’ll be back again very soon.

I love this little place. It is small, intimate and is great for family lunches, romantic dates and catching up with old friends. I’ve had stuff from the brunch, lunch and dessert menus (do yourself a favor and try the chocolate volcano) and am never disappointed.

My first time here the waitress was very rude, but I decided to give it another chance because it’s tiny and dark and good for a quick bite and glass of wine.
A few weeks later I was meeting two friends for dinner and arrived 5 minutes before our reservation time. Several people were sitting inside drinking wine, but the waitress ran over and blocked my way as I entered, and as I was saying hello, rudely spoke over me saying, «We’re closed.» I told her I had a reservation and she again interrupted me, saying, «Doesn’t matter. We’re not ready yet. Come back in 20 minutes.» I told her the time of my reservation and asked why there were at least 5 people sitting inside drinking wine, and she just said, «They were here earlier. We’re closed now. 20 minutes,» before literally shutting the door in my face.
I’m sad because it’s cute and decent and I work in the area, so I was hoping this would become a regular spot for me, but NEVER again. There are just too many options in this city to put up with being treated that rudely.

Has to be one of my favorite places. Very intimate, and a perfect date spot. One of the waitresses suggested her favorite salted crêpe, which isn’t on the menu. It’s to die for. It’s the caramelized onions and mushrooms with chicken and swizz cheese. Get it. It will change your life.

An adorable little café nestled into the ground floor of a brownstone. Walking past on a cold winter’s day, you might just miss it. I stopped by for lunch on a week day. The space itself, small but inviting, was lovely but the food was nothing special. Perhaps what put me off was watching the waitress take out the bread that is brought to every table out of a plastic bag (you know the sort your take out is delivered in, the one with the smiley face) stuffed into a drawer. I understand business is slow on weekday afternoons and you do what you must to cut costs, but it was still a little off-​putting.
I might still return in the warmer months to sit at one of their tiny bistro tables outside but if I did, I’d probably steer clear of their bread.

Cute and quaint.
Café Lafayette is a very small establishment, but definitely a place to visit. It’s surrounded by other cool spots in Fort Greene, but it’s a must try.
The chicken and avocado panini is one of my favorite options.
The bathroom is always clean and smells amazing! I want to steal the air freshener or whatever they use LOL

The food is fine, nothing special, but I’m adding a star for their a awesome wine deals: half-​price bottles of wine on Wednesdays and two glasses for the price of one on Tuesdays. I’ve ordered the French onion soup, goat cheese salad, spinach salad and chicken panini. All totally passable but nothing I would need to have again. But given that it’s a cute café near my apartment and I’ve always been able to get a seat, I’ll be back for sure.

My friend brought me here on a Sunday afternoon, insisting that it was her favorite. I have walked past this place many times but never stopped in because it seemed a bit small.
It is a bit small, but they fit about 5 or 6 tables inside, including the long table and both by the window which can comfortably sit two parties. The waitress here is really polite and the space itself is relaxing.
I ordered a nutella crêpe, which was fantastic and green tea. The crêpe came with some raspberry spread on top, which was a nice touch. Overall, well priced for the quick brunch!