Atlas Cafe
CUISINE: Coffeeshop
ADDRESS: 116 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
PHONE: 718.782.7470
HOURS: Daily, 7am-10pm
CARDS: Cash Only
BOOZE: None
SUBWAY: L at Bedford Ave. ; G, L at Metropolitan Ave.-Lorimer St.; J, M, Z at Marcy Ave.
MAP: Click Here
CUP ON NY SAYS: Atlas Cafe is perfectly located for people-watching. The floor-to-ceiling windows along two walls of the cafe let in a ton of light too, so it's a fun place to sit and relax over a cappuccino, which is well made... As a plus, if you go before around 2:00 on a weekend, it's easy to find a seat -- unlike most coffee shops in less densely-hipsterized areas.
NEW YORK MAG SAYS:
There's something about this coffee shop that has the feel of a college town cafe. The two floor-to-ceiling windows of the corner place fill the room with sunlight, making it particularly attractive for the laptop writers who occupy their tables for hours at a time, digging the free Wi-Fi and occasionally spacing out to the wall-sized map of the world. Large, milky pendant lights and wooden tables lend a softness to the room, and two outside benches take on some of the extra traffic when the turnover slows down. Everything is served at the counter, and hot and cold drinks run the typical gamut-cappuccino, espresso, mocha, sweet and spicy chai latte, and a strong yet delicately foamed macchiato, as well as Odwalla juices and Boylan's sodas. The edibles cover basic breakfast pastries-soft scones, danishes and muffins from Tomcat Bakery in Long Island City-as well as a few lunch items, like mozzarella, pesto and tomato or a nicely mashed tuna salad on a baguette. Bagels also go over big, especially topped with creamy hummus or tender slices of lox. The cafe largely empties out by nighttime, leaving plenty of seats for freelancers on an evening schedule. Recommended Dishes: Bagel with cream cheese and lox, $6; tuna salad on baguette, $6
Comments
I was one of the chubbly girls that once worked for atlas. If I was trying to be cool in any way, I apologize. I only wanted to deliver you the best coffee.
On Walters defense, his temperament has nothing to do with its customers-it's strictly a personal problem.
Like anything, Atlas will have its good days and bad days, but really-it is just a cafe on the corner.
Posted by: bonanza | November 20, 2006 11:19 PM
i love walter. he may not kiss everyone's ass who goes in there, but why should he? he's funny and nice and always pleasant when i'm in there.
Posted by: Joy | September 11, 2006 04:04 PM
I'M SURPRISED NOBODY'S GOTTEN WISE AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. MORE DRUGS THAN THE CORNER PHARMACY.
Posted by: richie salvatore | August 14, 2006 06:55 PM
The reason Walter is so damn nasty is because he's fat, ugly, middle aged gay man living in New York. He'd just love to get his chubby little fingers all over one of us rippling young boys. Isn't that right, Walter, you fat, old man?
Posted by: Goldstein | July 17, 2006 07:28 PM
I know there is a lot of people defending Atlas and it's staff, but I'm afraid I'm another ex-customer that comes down on the other side of the argument. The coffee is so so; pastries are often stale; but what really keeps me away from Atlas is (yes, you've heard it before) Walter. I don't support businesses when the owner feels the need to be so dang nasty to people... What gives Walt? What'd we do to you?
Posted by: Lila Lightnin' Bolt | July 4, 2006 08:26 PM
I love Atlas and I have friends that work there...that being said I barely go there because the owner is a big jerk....he will be a total ass to you and then be sweet to the person that you are with, and it's not just me because on occaision the situations were reversed... why be mean when you can be nice?
Posted by: Ninja Pete | June 24, 2006 07:15 PM
I believe some people who have posted here have personal problems with the staff-- there are all super friendly and efficient and awesome, ESPECIALLY WALTER! Stop with these personal attacks, the coffee and pastries are excellent and atlas is by far my favorite coffee shop in the hood.
Posted by: jen | June 3, 2006 09:14 PM
Maybe some people who have posted here have personal problems with the staff-- there are all super friendly and efficient and awesome, ESPECIALLY WALTER! Stop with these personal attacks, the coffee and pastries are excellent (try the bear claw and cinnamon bun) and atlas is by far my favorite coffee shop in the hood. Great bagels too.
Posted by: jen | June 3, 2006 09:13 PM
the coffee is great, the staff are always very nice. great atmosphere, too. my favorite neighborhood coffee shop.
Posted by: sooze | May 6, 2006 10:26 PM
A coffeeshop run by dickheads. 'Nuff said.
Posted by: Miles | April 29, 2006 02:32 AM
My favorite coffeeshop, because it's fun to work there, I've met great people by spending the day there with my laptop and an endlessly refilled San Francisco mug, and the huge windows make for a lot of sun. It's open late, the staff is incredibly patient with the extra duties of maintaining the wireless, the music is consistently good, and the hummus is -- yes -- wonderful. Make it your home.
Posted by: Amelia | April 17, 2006 11:12 AM
A completely lackluster coffeeshop with a rude staff and lame decor. Walter, the owner, is a big insecure putz. I hate this place. Even though Atlas is closer to my apartment, I walk a couple of extra blocks to get my fix at Lucky Cat. Which I suppose I could say is the "anti-Atlas".
Posted by: Mike | March 14, 2006 06:26 PM
atlas is a great coffeeshop. the staff gets a bad name; they are friendly and often go out of their way to be nice. the windows are great, as is the willy nelson fused with 70's funk. the tea isn't bad either, especially the white peony and wood dragon. the map on the wall is mesmorizing -- who knew how big greenland is? and there's lots of wood.
Posted by: Jefferson | March 1, 2006 10:30 PM
The coffee at Atlas is really strong, so drink in moderation. The map on the wall is there from the previous ownership, which I have heard was a car rental agency? I imagine they may have named it Atlas based on the Atlas of the world on the wall. And if that is true it gives the place not just a name, but a meaning aswell. I recommend the bear claws with marzipan. For sugar feinds go for the white frosting covered danish things. They have consistent hours and consistent emoployees. They also sell the newspaper which is conveniently located right at the front so you can read the front page while you wait for your stuff. What I really like is the environment. No advertising, just brown tables, brown benches, and chairs. I also like the wire globe thing they have on a shelf which makes pretty shadows on their back wall.
Posted by: birdie | February 13, 2006 01:30 AM
I LOVE THIS COFFEE SHOP! The staff is great the music is great the atmosphere is great, oh yes and the coffee is great. Finally a coffee shop thats a coffee shop. They have large windows and internet access. I will be making this my regular morning stop.
Posted by: Joe | January 22, 2006 12:46 AM
You know, the muffins are usually stalish, the coffee is ok, and the staff are usually cold/nasty/condescending depending on who is serving you. The gay hawaiian punch looking guy acts like he's doing you a favor by letting you eat and drink at his place....Last time I went there, I got so little hummus on my bagel, I should have just ordered a plain bagel. Try Fabiens on Bedford and North 3rd, they are outstanding.
Posted by: native | January 7, 2006 12:15 AM
the coffee sucks at atlas... seriously, they play good music - vibe is a little pretentious... but my god, what i wouldn't give for a Gimme Coffee on our block....... Someone from Atlas needs to hike over to Gimme and learn how to make a good pot.
Posted by: coffee lover | December 2, 2005 05:40 PM
A partially pleasant staff (well, maybe just Ed). A couple of the chubbly girls just think they're a little too school for school. It's sort of the barista cliche (I've worked at a couple of coffee bars in my life, but I've never really felt the need to be a jerk about it). Walter; the owner of the drab coffeeshop; is pleasant or not depending on whether he's on his medication. What gives? If you're going to be nasty, just be consistent. I really am not looking to make more friends. Jesus. The warm and cold flip is just confusing. Pretty good coffee though.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 26, 2005 01:53 AM
Atlas has a great staff and good, cheap coffe and pastries. their bagel with pesto, cream cheese, and tomato is soooooooo yummy. i haven't had better coffee yet!
Posted by: Amy | October 5, 2005 01:40 AM
good coffee. pleasant staff. internet. yeah, it looks like a mac ad. but it's good.
Posted by: al | June 6, 2005 01:43 AM