
Poetica Coffee
Set on the historic Gem Spa corner, this East Village cafe pairs Uzbek hospitality with a shelf of free banned books.
- Mon – Fri, 07:00 – 18:00; Sat – Sun, 08:00 – 18:00
- $
- 131 2nd Ave
- 4.4 (207 reviews)
People
Parviz MukhamadkulovOwner
Description



Inside, a vintage interior filled with neon pothos plants, local art, and an event board reflects an Uzbek tradition of radical hospitality. Beyond the take-home reading shelf, sales of the 451 drink directly fund efforts against book bans. It functions as a cozy neighborhood workspace during quiet stretches, pairing Poetica coffee and chai lattes with blueberry scones. Expect a warm, retro feel, though take note of limited seating and no public bathroom.
Good to know
No public bathroomLimited seating