Welcome to Café Calaca
At Café Calaca, located in the heart of Brooklyn, a vibrant story unfolds through its unique offerings of delectable empanadas and artisan coffee. Our emphasis on fresh, homemade ingredients creates a warm, inviting atmosphere where customers feel like family. Each dish, from our Cochi Empanada to the flavorful Frijol Toast, showcases a blend of traditional flavors with a contemporary twist. With a commitment to kindness and community, our friendly staff ensures that every visit is special. Join us for a delightful experience, where every bite and sip reflects the love and care that goes into our food.
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505 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238 Hotline: (718) 483-9832
Welcome to Café Calaca, a delightful gem nestled at 505 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY. This charming café has quickly become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike, offering a warm atmosphere, friendly service, and a menu brimming with tantalizing dishes and drinks. With a cozy interior consisting of just a few quaint tables, it's the perfect place to unwind with a pastry or enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
At the heart of Café Calaca is their commitment to quality and flavor. The menu features mouthwatering empanadas, including the delightful Cochi Empanada—a slow-roasted pork treat wrapped in plantain leaves and served with salsa verde for just $4.50. Vegan options are available too, such as the generous Vegan Empanada loaded with spinach, almond ricotta, corn, and potato, ensuring that everyone finds something delectable to savor.
Don’t miss out on their stellar range of drinks, which cater to every palate. Whether it's the zingy Matcha Latte for $5.25 or the unique Chagaccino, a mushroom coffee substitute priced at $4.75, each sip is crafted with care. The Butterscotch Latte is highly recommended, providing a sweet, rich flavor experience made with house-made butterscotch—something you won't easily find elsewhere.
Customer reviews highlight the café’s vibrant energy and attentive service. Rachael M. shared how they accommodated her running club perfectly, even with a large group of 25 people, while others like Esther C. praised the cozy feel and the freshness of their food. With dishes like Chilaquiles simmered in salsa verde and topped with a fried egg, and the flavorful Chorizo Burrito omelette, guests are in for a treat that goes the extra mile for breakfast. If you're looking for a plant-based option, the Vegan Burrito with roasted poblano peppers and turmeric-infused rice won't disappoint.
Overall, Café Calaca is more than just a café; it's a haven for food lovers. Its combination of fresh ingredients, delightful flavors, and thoughtful service creates a space where you not only enjoy great food but also feel right at home. Next time you're in Brooklyn, make sure to stop by this neighborhood favorite where every visit leaves you with a smile and a satisfied palate.
Cute hole in the wall with all day breakfast. Seating is limited--about 6 two-person tables. I wouldn't have found the front door if a friend hadn't recommended this place! I ordered a latte and a vegan empanada to get my fill of veggies for the day.
I got a chai latte and it was great, not the best but good. However, they made up for it with their chorizo burrito which had to be one of the best I've ever had!
My running club came here last week after our run and the staff were so accommodating for us. They provided us all with our post-run coffee and fuel and were so nice and fast given our large group (~25 people). They have a lovely little backyard (covered) to enjoy your coffee in. Thanks for having us!
Service is always great and the owner is so kind! I love their food and their coffee is always so good!! They recently changed their avocado toast which used to have seaweed and spicy picked radish I believe! I miss it! Bring the old one back it was so much better! I come here all the time and they are probably the nicest people ever. Love it here.
Cute local coffee shop. Their coffee is consistently delicious and I love their frijole toast!!
The kindest team, really great vegan options and a very cute neighborhood gem. I just love how they make me feel so welcome when I come by!
*Updating my review to the one below. Unfortunately - I ordered again a tasty breakfast burrito --- there were (oh no) eggshells in it...I'm sure if I called the owner would have reimbursed me (he is that nice a guy) but it was just a busy morning for me...I still of course will be back, but do not expect perfection - it is a small operation so could be that. Delicious food, delicious coffee -- not bad for delivery too! I just have to say I ordered from grubhub - the delivery man forgot my drinks and the owner of this cafe came back to personally deliver them himself - he even refunded the order for the inconvenience - thank goodness for cafe calaca
OMG im in love with this place!! This is my first time here and I'm so happy to have discovered it. it's the cutest local coffee shop with an amazing menu, fresh food, and a lovely staff. I could see they make everything in house and with love :) It's one of those places where you walk in and immediately feel warm and safe!! You know?! I got the.. butterscotch latte - delicious. perfect for my sweet tooth and you can actually taste the flavor! Vegan empanada: - i'm not vegan at all but this one sounded really good and it was delicious. a really generous size too! They have the cutest interior with exposed brick and lots of natural light and a lovely backyard as well. Looking at the menu, i cant wait to try everything else! A lovely local cafe to support, with affordable prices and a great staff.
The best part about this place is the friendly staff! Smiling, helpful with selections, and gives that 'neighborhood' vibe. Seems like they have some regulars who stop by often since the staff recognized them. I had THE BEST vegan butterscotch latte. House-made butterscotch, espresso, steamed milk, topped with nutmeg....yes please! You can taste the difference from other coffee shops that use artificial syrups for flavoring. I highly suggest getting this if you're on the fence about a drink. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet. Just right! I selected the vegan empanada and once again this place knocks it out of the park! What's nice is they bake (not fry) them and the spinach and corn really work well together. The dipping sauce is perfectly paired with the empanada. They have indoor seating (4-5 tables for two) and also a small outdoor seating area in the back. Bonus - there is a restroom too! Located in a busier area of town and close to subways. About a 30 minute walk to Fort Greene Park. Grab coffee and an empanada to go as you walk in the park. Great local spot!
I had been deeply saddened when Calaca closed its main restaurant during COVID - their huitlacoche was my favorite Mexican dish in NYC. The good news is Cafe Calaca is great, and the better news is their full-service restaurant is scheduled to reopen later this year on Nostrand! If you don't feel like waiting on line for brunch at some of the neighborhood competitors, Cafe Calaca offers an enticing backyard perfect in good weather. Paired with a refreshing iced rosewater latte and a plate of scrumptious (and perfectly tender) chilaquiles verdes, it's enough to transport you back to the brunch vibes of Roma and Condessa. The vegetarian empanada was also very flavorful and is a good option if you're looking for a lighter bite.