You walk in when you want. Press what you need. Get exactly what you ordered. No waiting behind someone fumbling with their order, no hoping the person behind the counter heard you right over the noise.
Our self-serving coffee machines put you in control. Strong espresso when you need that Monday morning kick. Smooth latte when you’re catching up with family. The machine doesn’t judge your third cup of the day or rush you because there’s a line forming.
Between sips, you’re surrounded by rotating local art that actually means something to this community. Not corporate decorations chosen by someone in a boardroom, but work from artists who live here, who understand what Longwood represents.
We opened The Café Galerie because Longwood deserved a coffee spot that actually gets it. Not another chain that treats Latino culture like a marketing campaign, but a place where café cubano traditions meet modern convenience.
We’ve been serving this community since day one, understanding that coffee here isn’t just about caffeine. It’s about the conversations that happen over shared cups, the way families gather on weekend mornings, the quick break between shifts that keeps you going.
Located right on the subway lines that connect you to the rest of the city, but rooted in the culture that makes this neighborhood home. When you’re here, you’re not just getting coffee – you’re supporting a business that chose to be part of Longwood’s story.
Walk up to any of our self-serving coffee machines. The touchscreen shows you options in both English and Spanish because this is Longwood and we respect how people communicate here.
Select your drink – from traditional American coffee to espresso-based drinks that honor Latino preferences. Choose your strength, your size, your milk preference. The machine grinds fresh beans for every cup, not the pre-ground stuff that’s been sitting around losing flavor.
Press brew and watch your coffee come together. Takes about 90 seconds for most drinks, during which time you can check out the current art exhibition or just enjoy not having to make small talk when you’re not in the mood. Your coffee comes out consistently perfect because the machine follows the same precise measurements every time.
Ready to get started?
Every cup comes with access to our rotating art gallery featuring local Latino artists whose work reflects the real Longwood experience. Not tourist-friendly stereotypes, but honest artistic expression from people who call this place home.
The space itself is designed for how people actually use coffee shops in this neighborhood. Tables that accommodate families, not just laptop workers. Seating arrangements that encourage conversation, not isolation. Lighting that makes everyone look good in their morning selfies.
Our self-serving technology means you’re never waiting for someone else’s complicated order to finish. But the community atmosphere means you’ll often end up chatting with neighbors anyway – because that’s how Longwood works. The machines handle efficiency, the space handles connection.
The touchscreen interface is designed to be intuitive, with clear icons and text in both English and Spanish. You start by selecting your drink type – regular coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, or specialty drinks. Then customize your preferences: size (8, 12, or 16 oz), strength (mild, medium, strong), and milk options (whole, skim, oat, almond).
The machine guides you through each step with visual prompts. If you’re unsure about anything, there are usually other customers happy to help – it’s that kind of neighborhood. The whole process takes less than two minutes once you get the hang of it.
Most people find it easier than ordering from a traditional counter because you can take your time reading options without feeling rushed by a line behind you.
Every cup is made fresh when you order it, not poured from a pot that’s been sitting for hours. Our machines grind beans immediately before brewing, which preserves the oils and compounds that give coffee its full flavor profile. You’re getting café-quality extraction without café prices.
The flavor profiles are also designed with Latino coffee preferences in mind. Our espresso blend has the bold, rich characteristics that work well with milk-based drinks, and our regular coffee has the body to stand up to the way many families in this community traditionally prepare their morning cups.
Plus, the self-serving aspect means your drink is made exactly to your specifications every time. No hoping the person behind the counter remembered you wanted extra foam or understood when you said “not too strong.”
The space is specifically designed for how people in Longwood actually socialize over coffee. We have several larger tables that can accommodate families with kids, plus smaller intimate spots for couples or friends catching up. The layout encourages conversation rather than isolating people with laptops.
Weekend mornings often see multi-generational families sharing different types of coffee drinks, which is exactly what we hoped for when designing the space. Kids are welcome, and the art on the walls gives families something to talk about besides just catching up on each other’s weeks.
The gallery setting also means there’s always something new to look at during longer visits. Local artists rotate their work monthly, so regular customers get to experience their neighborhood’s creative community while enjoying their coffee.
We’re open seven days a week, with extended evening hours because we know this community doesn’t run on a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Monday through Friday we open at 6 AM for early commuters and stay open until 10 PM. Weekends we open at 7 AM and close at 11 PM.
The later hours serve shift workers, students, and families who want a coffee shop experience after traditional dinner hours. It’s also when we sometimes host community events or when the art gallery aspect really comes alive with people having time to actually look at and discuss the current exhibition.
Self-serving machines mean you can get quality coffee even during our quieter evening hours when we might have reduced staff. The technology ensures consistent quality whether you’re grabbing your first cup at 6 AM or your evening coffee at 9 PM.
Our self-serving machines offer multiple milk alternatives including oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk alongside traditional dairy options. You can also adjust sweetness levels or skip sweeteners entirely. For those watching caffeine intake, we offer decaf options that go through the same fresh-grinding process as our regular coffee.
The machines are programmed to handle requests for extra hot or cooler temperatures, and you can customize the strength of your drink from mild to very strong. This flexibility is especially important in a diverse community where coffee preferences vary significantly based on cultural background and personal taste.
We also keep the ingredient information clearly posted for people with allergies or specific dietary needs. The beauty of self-service is that you control exactly what goes into your cup, which gives people with restrictions more confidence in what they’re drinking.
The gallery features rotating monthly exhibitions of work by local Latino artists, with pieces available for viewing during all coffee shop hours. It’s not a separate space – the art is integrated throughout the café, so you’re experiencing it naturally while enjoying your coffee rather than feeling like you’re in a formal gallery setting.
Artists are selected from the Longwood and broader Bronx community, with preference given to work that reflects authentic neighborhood experiences rather than generic or tourist-oriented themes. Opening receptions happen monthly and are free community events with coffee and light refreshments.
The combination creates something unique in the area – a place where you can have a quality coffee experience while supporting local artists and seeing your community represented in creative ways. Many customers time their visits around new exhibitions, making it both a regular coffee stop and a cultural destination.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in Longwood
