Red Horse Cafe
When I lived in Manhattan, Joe the Art of Coffee was my coffee shop of choice. And then I moved to Brooklyn and spent many months trying to find an equivalent in my new neighborhood; every place I visited was good, but not perfect – either too crowded, too loud, too quiet, or too distractingly decorated to provide the optimal environment for writing.
It was with great joy that my husband and I stumbled on Red Horse Cafe. The decorations are chill and modern without being chilly or unwelcoming; seating options include armchairs, couches, window-mounted bars with stools, and traditional cafe tables. The baristas play music at just the right volume that is cool without being obnoxious. There’s free wireless, and you can sit there for hours without anyone bothering you or without feeling like you’re hogging the space.
The coffee, of course, is superb, with every traditional espresso option as well as a myriad of teas, juices, and even wine and beer. There’s also an assortment of tasty pastries and other edibles. Budget conscious? On weekend nights from 7-10pm, selected beers and wines are two-for-one. And their hours are extensive enough to satisfy anyone’s coffee consumption schedule. It’s the kind of neighborhood cafe you’ve only dreamed about – until now.
Red Horse Cafe
497 6th Ave, Brooklyn (at 12th Street)
F/R/M to 9th Street/4th Ave
718.499.4973
Monday – Thursday: 7:00am – 10:00pm
Friday: 7:00am – midnight
Saturday: 8:00am – midnight
Sunday: 8:00am-10:00pm

In Brooklyn, a borough filled with “chill” bars, it can be surprisingly difficult to find one that strikes the right balance between good food and drink, a friendly-yet-safe environment, and plenty of good art and music available to tickle the creative nerve.
If you’re looking for a cozy cafe with great food and a homey vibe, look no further than Grey Dog Cafe. It’s a little bit of rural Americana nestled into the West Village.

