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Home > Restaurants > Life Cafe

Life Cafe

343 E. 10th St., New York, NY 10009
at Ave. B  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-477-8791 Send to Phone

  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Reader Rating:

    8.0 out of 10

    2 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Cuisine: American Traditional, Southwest, Vegetarian/Vegan
Photo by Youngna Park

Hours

Sun-Thu, 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 10am-2am

Nearby Subway Stops

L at First Ave.

Prices

$10-$20

Payment Methods

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

  • Brunch - Weekend
  • Delivery
  • Good for Groups
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Take-Out

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Not Accepted

Delivery Area

Houston St. to 14th St., Ave. D to Second Ave.

Profile

Life is about as storied a café as you’re likely to find in the East Village: For almost a quarter-century it has fed the artists, actors, and assorted bohemians who hang around this corner of Tompkins Square Park, and its late patron Jonathan Larson immortalized it in his hit Broadway musical Rent. All of which doesn’t mean the food is good—or bad. The menu’s a hodgepodge—burritos, organic salads, Southern fried chicken, pastas, and a slew of vegetarian dishes. You’ll probably be happy with the three-bean chili or brunch (the usual egg dishes, a “vegan scramble,” plus alcohol options that include pints of beer), especially if you enjoy them out on the sidewalk, in the leafy shade from the park.

Brunch

Sat.—Sun., 10 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Happy Hour
Daily, 4 p.m.—8 p.m. and 10 p.m.—midnight; $3-$4 drinks

8.0 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10
Write Your Own Review

A Living Testament to Anyone Without Restaurant Owning Experience

tampamainstay from 11215 | Posted on 2/10/08

Overall Reader Rating: 6 (Mixed Reviews)
Food: 5
Service: 8
Décor: 2
Value: 1

It was originally an antique shop. Then a coffee house. Now, Life Cafe. Originally made for the artists of Thompkins Square, it's become an over priced, vegan friendly spot known for the $2.50 side of tofu sour cream. You...Read More

livin' large @ LIFE CAFE

work4matrix from East Village, NY | Posted on 11/27/05

Overall Reader Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 9
Décor: 10
Value: 10

This place is CLASSIC. Wanna see why Jonathan Larson wrote the story RENT there? You damn-well should! I used to live just a couple of blocks away from there, and now I have to take a dang taxi to get...Read More