Great Cappuccino in New York City

Cafe Reggio
119 MacDougal Street                                                        

Al Pacino at Reggio 1989

 New York NY 10012
212-475-9557

Cafe Reggio is an excellent relic of cafe society in Greenwich Village, NYC. After a long morning of sightseeing, if guests at our New York bed and breakfast need a little more caffeine or a inexpensive snack coupled with some great people watching Cafe Reggio can't be beat! This place has history, atmosphere and the oldest cappuccino machine in the country. Many classic New York movies, TV shows, and celebrities including Al Pacino, Next Stop Greenwich Village, and Law and Order have used Reggio as their backdrop. In 1927 New York got it's first taste of cappuccino when Dominic Parisi spent his life savings of $1,000 to import the chrome and bronze cappuccino machine from Italy to MacDougal Street which is still on display. Served on tiny marble-topped tables with iron-backed chairs and some carved wooden benches, the menu is simple and the coffee is grand! Ivy Terrace's guests have enjoyed the desserts, crepes and simple pastas offered at this cash only cafe. Two of my favorites are ravioli al pesto and the apple-walnut salad. Cappuccinos here are excellent and lingering is allowed  which is unusual for Manhattan.
Locals, students, and tourists alike enjoy sitting outside in the warmer weather with an iced cappuccino and a great book. On chilly or snowy days snuggle inside with a hot chocolate before or after a movie.One downside of Reggio is the bathroom, it is the smallest, poorly lit toilet I have yet to experience, but hey, it's clean. I personally have been here more than 500 times!  If you just get a hot drink to go, make sure you tip the guys who make it, they have worked there more that 20 years.
 Unlike most things in New York, Cafe Reggio hasn't changed since I started going there in 1979.

 Vinessa,  Ivy Terrace