The New Cafes, Bars, and Restaurants on Driggs Avenue
182 Driggs Avenue, between Newel and Diamond streets
This charmingly small, bright and clean place offers a low-key vibe with its typical coffeehouse fare (Toby’s Estate coffee, espresso drinks, a light dose of posh snobbery). A polite married couple opened the cafe and run it by themselves. Crema has nestled into its ‘hood quite nicely, tossing together a harmonious mix of studious hipsters inside and cigarette-puffing Greenpoint-lifers on the bench outside. It may be especially ideal for the freelancer seeking an escape from the oft-overstuffed Cafe Edna across McGolrick Park. Besides essential wifi, Crema also has four varieties of ciabatta rolls!
Biggest perk: They take cards and, get this—there is no minimum charge.
Biggest bummer: Vegan milks aren’t available at the coffee fix-it station; they’re behind the counter, where they come with a small $0.50 extra charge.
Try: The almond croissant, $3. The cafe’s pastries arrive daily from Balthazar. Coarse sugar granules and dainty almond slices provide a satisfying crunch around the soft, flaky center. Also, the macchiato, $3. A double-shot of Toby’s espresso with just enough milk to cool the drink to shootable status—a bonus in any morning commuter’s book, right?
Hours: Monday through Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm.