Not As Bitter
Not As Bitter — photo 2
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Not As Bitter

241 E 10th St, New York, NY

★★★★4.2(268 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Tucked away in the East Village, this chic matcha-forward café punches way above its weight with wildly creative drinks like Double Pistachio Matcha and Lychee Peach Coffee that actually deliver on their ambitious flavor combinations. The cozy, darker aesthetic and consistently quick service make it feel like a hidden gem worth the splurge, though fair warning: the prices are steep and you'll want to double-check your milk preferences since mistakes do happen. It's the kind of place that works equally well for a slow afternoon of people-watching or a quick specialty drink run when you're craving something genuinely unique.

What to expect

Matcha & teaSignature drinksTraditional drinksQuick grabMeetingsEspresso focusedSlow sitSpecialty drinks

Google Reviews

Cass
★★★★★a month ago

The prices are absolutely cooocoo bananas but honestly my coconut matcha was phenomenal. As it is, the milk is pretty sweet so it definitely didn’t need sugar. It’s also HUGE. The hot drink was massive. There’s quite a bit of seating. It was good for a work meeting on a weekday.

Mona Khuanhat
★★★★2 months ago

I have lactose intolerance. I ordered a matcha with oat milk, and after he put my order in, I saw him pour whole milk into the drink. I wasn’t sure if it was mine at first, but then he handed the matcha to me. I asked him twice, “Is this with oat milk?” but he ignored me and did not respond. Please be more attentive when customers mention allergies or dietary restrictions. If staff members are unable to confirm an order or answer questions clearly, you should use the kiosk instead.

Anna D
★★★★5 months ago

A super inconspicuous coffee & tea spot on the East Village - I don't know why I haven't been before! The menu is fairly robust - I had to ask a few questions and the staff were very patient with me and others as well. The coffee is strong, I was NOT ready. My friend tried the cloud top matcha with peach and I got the osmanthus tea - this comes with the tea, Americano, coconut water, and a splash of coconut milk. This was so strong, honestly maybe it's just me but wow. My friend really liked the cloud top matcha with peach flavor - he finished it super fast. The matcha is strong as well, I overheard the staff letting a customer know they do 3 scoops. Both drinks came to about $20 so you get what you're paying for! There's actually plenty of seating and it's relatively quiet - people had laptops and also were just casually chilling. I think I'd come back because it's so quiet to work, and try a fruity tea for myself.

Bella Lu
★★★★★7 months ago

I stopped by this chic little matcha café and loved everything I tried! I had their Double Pistachio Matcha and Mango Madness Matcha, plus a Lychee Peach Coffee, all super unique and flavorful. For sweets, I tried the Pistachio Matcha Cookie, Sourdough Cookie, and Chocolate Espresso Cookie. The cookies were soft, fresh, and paired perfectly with the drinks. The whole space has such a quiet, black-toned, minimalist design that gives off a very chic, Instagram-worthy vibe. It feels calm, stylish, and different from most cafés in the city. Their drink flavors are so creative and stand out in the best way. Definitely a place I’ll come back to whenever I’m craving something special and aesthetic.

John Gonsalves
★★★★★8 months ago

Not as Bitter has such a cool vibe with its cute, darker style decor that makes the space feel cozy. The service is really quick and the drinks come out just right every time. Love the consistency here it’s always spot on.

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