Cafe Yaya

137 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012, United States
$$$ Cafe
(48 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

If you're looking for a charming and stylish spot in the heart of New York City, look no further than Cafe Yaya. Positioned at 137 Thompson St, this delightful cafe invites you to experience a palate-pleasing selection of sandwiches, salads, and desserts, served in a cozy yet modern atmosphere.

As soon as you step inside, you'll feel the warm welcome from the friendly staff, who are always eager to help you navigate the menu. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between vibrant and relaxed, with plenty of natural light illuminating the space, complemented by carefully curated music that sets the ideal scene for a leisurely meal or a catch-up with friends.

Cafe Yaya prides itself on crafting delicious, high-quality dishes that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are flavorful. Must-tries include the Turkey and Cheese Sandwich, a delectable combination of tender turkey, creamy Emmental, and buttery avocado, all nestled between slices of organic sourdough bread for a satisfying bite. For those who adore a classic twist, the Tuna Melt is a fan favorite—imagine a blend of savory tuna, zesty capers, and mouth-watering cheeses, all perfectly melted together. Compliment your meal with the Spicy Kale Peanut Salad or the delightful Canoise Salad, both bursting with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors that leave you feeling light yet satisfied.

Of course, no meal at Cafe Yaya would be complete without indulging in one of their heavenly desserts. The Chocolate Cake is rich and decadent, while the Chocolate Chip Cookie offers a classic touch, delivering a perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and gooeyness on the inside. Reviewers rave about the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere; one patron mentioned that the Tuna Melt coupled with the Canoise Salad was a standout, while another highlighted the attentiveness of the staff as a cherry on top of their delightful experience.

One visitor, Kristen Johnson, captured it perfectly when she shared, “The avocado toast was seasoned fantastically and utterly generous in portion!” Her sentiments echo the feelings of many who've found their way to this growing neighborhood favorite. Whether you're stopping in for a leisurely brunch, a quick lunch break, or just a refreshing iced coffee (which one reviewer hailed as perfect), Cafe Yaya is dedicated to serving you not just food, but a memorable experience.

To best enjoy your visit, consider stopping by during the breakfast hours, as they’ve recently added a breakfast menu—an opportunity for you to try even more delicious offerings! Whether you're a local looking for a new gem or a visitor seeking a taste of New York, make sure Cafe Yaya is on your must-try list. You won't regret it!

Service options
Kerbside pickup
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 07:00 PM

48 Reviews
Kristen Johnson

21 Sep 2025

Soo lovely!! I’m impressed. Super friendly service, and provided great recommendations for me. I ended up getting the avocado toast, and at first I was thinking it was a little overpriced, but when it came it was not only huge (two huge pieces of bread with a whole large avocado (or more), I couldn’t even finish it), but it was seasoned fantastically. I usually don’t love avocado toast without egg, but this was seasoned so well I didn’t even need anything else on it. Latte was delicious as well.

andrea hakim

26 Aug 2025

Food is delicious. Highly recommend the club sandwich and the spicy peanut kale salad. Can’t go wrong with any of the deserts, I had the red velvet cheesecake and the chocolate sundae. Great service and good quality food, will definitely be coming back!

Kevin Xu

22 Aug 2025

Turkey club sandwich is delicious. they give you a side of cornichons when you get it to go too! Super cute space as well

ash collins

20 Aug 2025

Absolutely loved this place! The food was incredibly delicious — everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I especially loved Tuna melt and canoise salad! The staff were super friendly, attentive, and made us feel really welcome from the moment we walked in. The atmosphere was cozy and stylish. They also started to serve breakfast-definitely on the to do list next time. Highly recommend this restaurant — can’t wait to come back!

Valentina Maciel

30 Jun 2025

SO GOOD!!!! Tuna melt is a must. Definitely try one of the salads. finish the meal off either with the sundae or cheesecake After we sat down, the owner approached us to say hello, which added to the warm and friendly ambience of the cafe. Great lighting and music choices. The service is excellent Best new spot in town

Yamit Florentin

18 Jun 2025

I’ll be honest—I initially walked in because I noticed they had a bathroom! I’d been walking around a lot (visiting from California) and had just picked up some bagels from Pop-Up Bagels next door. I really needed a break—and some iced coffee. The woman at the front desk was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I ordered a regular iced coffee with dairy milk, which hit the spot. The space itself is quiet and peaceful—an unexpected little retreat from the city buzz. Glad I stopped in!

Ednjen NY Foodies

28 May 2025

Had lunch at this new spot in the neighborhood and was please with the simple design and small menu try out 2 sandwiches but wanted more.. Limited selection good matchstick fries accompanied the sandwiches.

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