La Cabra (East Village)
Some of the most unique coffee shops go beyond just their food or beverage offerings. Similar to Mind Coffee in Berkeley, California, there are certain cafes that stand out and provide the customer with an elevated experience of the senses, whether that be visual, auditory, or something else. La Cabra in the lively East Village neighborhood of Manhattan is one of these gems.
Funny enough, La Cabra wasn’t natively founded in New York City, or even the United States for that matter. Founded in 2012 in Denmark, La Cabra’s mission from the start has been to offer customers a unique experience that stretches the definition of a coffee shop.
This is not to say that they skimp out on any of their food or beverage offerings though. La Cabra fully sources coffee on their own and roasts it in-house with a set of innovative and almost scientific procedures, creating a more authentic product that aligns with their vision of quality and ethical honesty. Their unique sourcing and preparation methods have built them a reputation and subsequently have allowed them to ship their beans all over the world in over sixty countries. Since its founding, La Cabra has opened locations all over the globe, even two in New York City, but this review will focus on the East Village location.
La Cabra’s pastries are also excellent, with the various Danishes being especially popular amongst guests. However, apart from their coffee, a common local favorite is their chai latte. Recommended to me by a friend, they are very popular when prepared hot.
It is entertaining to watch the baristas prepare your drink in front of you with high-tech machines and standing in front of a massive piece of modern artwork while ethereal music plays overhead. The baristas themselves are dressed in uniforms that align with the shop's color palette. In addition, the rest of the cafe’s details are also meticulously chosen, with Hans Wegner chairs provided for guests, and the interior boasting brutalist concrete walls somewhat reminiscent of an art museum, hence providing the unique experience mentioned above.
As for the chai latte itself, it is absolutely surreal. The traditional chai flavors are brought out through their preparation method, and it manifests in a creamy sweetness that is subtle and rich at the same time. While it has hints of spiciness, no singular part of the latte overpowers another, and everything is delicately- and intentionally- balanced out. If you do not drink dairy, oat milk with the chai latte is highly recommended as an option as well.
While I can only go so far about a cafe and its drinks, La Cabra is certainly one of the most memorable cafes in New York City. I highly encourage you to go try it for yourself because that is the only way that you can really immerse yourself in La Cabra’s pensive and unique atmosphere. If you would like to try their coffees but cannot visit any of their locations, La Cabra offers an online store as well as a subscription model for their coffee beans.
