Flying Saucer Cafe

The Flying Saucer Café is a very strange place. I don’t necessarily mean this in a particularly bad way… I’m pretty strange myself.
If the few random people who come in to visit (most likely from the halfway house located about a block away) freak you out then you may want to look elsewhere. Most of the people of the people who hang out there are actually completely harmless despite appearing a little bit unsavory.
Anyway, to review the café, I usually stick to their coffee and a bagel whenever I’m there. Both are usually fresh and decent enough. The music that is plaed is pretty sweet and the café is never overcrowded with people when I’ve visited.
The guy behind the counter dances around quite a bit, or maybe he was in a particularly antsy mood when I was there, either way in added to the charm of the place. Everything about this play is pretty eclectic (people, décor, music) which gives it a very down to earth vibe that is much less stressful than seeing people run in and out of any local Starbucks.
Also: Bonus points for being open late during the week.

We ordered a decaf Americano and a chai latte. Both were very weak and watery. I’ve added one star to my rating because our friends in the neighborhood said good things about Flying Saucer, so we may have just gotten an inexperienced barista.
The music inside was very loud. I suppose some customers like that, but a lot of people want to be able to hear their friend talking or hear themselves think.

I don’t know if it was the comfy seat, the hidden patio, the groovy bathroom wallpaper, the macchiato served in a homely chipped mug, or the Rolling Stones playing on vinyl that let me know it was a keeper.

After an early afternoon visit to the gym, I was starving. I knew this café was on my walk home and had always wanted to pop in to see what it was all about, so I did. This place in some ways reminds of the inside of a crazy old lady’s house (think: grey gardens). Random and often bizarre knickknacks, eclectic paintings and a pile of random stuff including a drum set in the back. It also happened to be halloween, so the fake cobwebs just made my theory come to life! The music that was playing when I was there was folk-​esque, didn’t bother me like it has other reviewers. The guy behind the counter was friendly and it was definitely not crowded on a Monday afternoon.
As for food — I originally ordered a chai (in a tea bag), when the guy behind the counter mentioned they make their own chai mix. I’m always cautious given that my mom makes a killer chai, but I figured I would try it. I also ordered a grilled cheese panini with tomato because of the cold weather. The chai mix had too much cardamom but not enough of cinnamon, black pepper and ginger. It was also grainy. Definitely not mom’s mix! (Should have stuck to the tea bag). The cheddar panini came a few minutes later, with some mesclun sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. The panini was oozing with cheese, a bit much for me and the bread was that generic panini bread. Not a gourmet sandwich by any means, but if you’re hungry, it gets the job done! And for $ 5.50… not terrible.
So, while this place isn’t winning me on my biggest category (food!), the service, the free wi-​fi and the laid back nature on a weekday could bring me back.
PS. If you ever want to know how to make a good cup of chai, not «chai-​tea» as stupid starbucks has branded it, message me, happy to lay it out :)
PPS. I’m still here and the once chill folksy music of the afternoon has become jarring something kind of music. I now am not able to focus and will depart! It changed around 5:30pm.

The Flying Saucer is one of those interesting places in a part of Brooklyn that is rapidly growing and modernizing, its aesthetic is that it does not reflect the Manhattanization of Downtown Brooklyn. In the midst of all the gentrification The Flying Saucer is the only constant (thing) in an ever-​changing environment.
It is not ultra-​modern, it is not self serving, it is not demanding nor undeservedly pretentious. To be honest, it restored my faith in the local coffee shop (rather than New York’s coffee scene altogether). I discovered this little gem by simply exploring, admittedly I was unimpressed with many new establishments that tried to be a «jack-​of-​all-​trades» and lost focus with their prime product: the coffee and the art of it.
I slowly found myself falling in love with this shop, from the homely and artistic furniture to the eclectic music to the laid back baristas that were not afraid to greet their customers let alone strike up a conversation while prepping an order.
It’s quirky, bizarre and friendly-​all the things that make for a great establishment, personally I find the best to visit is during the late evening, when Downtown Brooklyn is most vibrant and charming. However, It’s truly the bohemian nature and indie vibe that makes this place ever so inviting, on many an occasion I’ve found myself, spending several hours at once never wanting to leave, just enjoying everything-​one sip of my cappuccino at a time.
In essence it became a home for people like me that longed for an artistic establishment that enjoyed its customers and that admire the art of coffee (not to mention their food menu is worth a look) all without taking itself too seriously. It provides a unique feel in an evolving part of town, something of which I hope never goes away.
Also: If you are a fan of Gorilla Coffee like I am this shop pridefully sells it which is a personal plus next to bathroom with the comic book wall paper-​if not one of the most amazing things, the MOST amazing thing I’ve ever seen which automatically gives this place instant geek credibility.

I’d wondered where Flying Saucer got their name… until one. Cold. Night.
My question was answered in a beard n’ caffeine-​fueled frenzy!. Aliens had abducted the closing-​shift guy’s clothes… right off of his body!
I may have been too late for a cup of coffee, but the night guy’s sweat-​drenched gyrations shook me awake. Clean never looked so dirty.
The sidewalk’s perfect for budget bachelorette parties. Bring a 40!
I wonder if the staff wear clothes during the day?
Actually, I kinda’ like the glass partition.

The food here is all pretty good. There is a curry chicken salad sandwich that I can’t get enough of. I’ve never been disappointed with anything I have ordered here. I also love the atmosphere although it can sometimes get a little hipster-​y for my taste.
Why 3 stars though? I think it’s a little over-​priced and the service tends to be REALLY slow.

It’s been a trying few months for me. Moving to Brooklyn, I was stuck without a place to relax with a good book or to study some new technology textbook for work.
Sure, there are the Starbucks and libraries but, I’m used to the cliched mismatched couches, chipped coffee cups and hipster baristas. I searched Cobble Hill but found nowhere I could plop down for hours, surrounded by other studious, caffeine-​addicted folk and highlight to my hearts’ content.
Then one morning I was coming in from Queens, when the F and G weren’t running, into Atlantic Terminal and walked. I passed by this funky little coffee shop and decided to explore.
Mismatched couches sprinkled along the L-​shape floorplan, leaving little nooks and shadowed parts for curling up and reading, unfolded in front of me, a nice barista-​lady asked for my order, ‘Oh, tofu cream cheese! I haven’t seen tofu cream cream cheese in ages’ I yipped. A bagel with tofu cream cheese and a scrumptious latte followed me to a cozy little booth looking out to their garden seating area.
I sat for one hour reading my latest novel, then another hour, then another until my friend called me asking where I was. The place was so charming, I completely forgot about my brunch plans. I can definitely see this becoming a habitual problem.

Cute place tucked in between some random storefronts on Atlantic. Decent food and drinks and a nice ambiance with a surprising amount of space.
Sign said that they had A/​C. Bit of a stretch. It was cooler than outside by maybe 10 degrees, and the A/​C they did have did help get the humidity down, but not much helps when it’s 103 outside…
I would go again though, if there is ever another occasion in which I am walking down Atlantic and am dying of heat and need an iced coffee and a salad…

Stopped in with my boyfriend on a Sunday afternoon. Although the place is cute (has a wooden table with wooden chess set in the middle), it is a bit cramped. We sat at a bar by the window and the seating was hard without much back support. We moved to a table in the front and I sat on the couch which was much more comfortable.
Although the ambience is cute, it’s a good place to relax but not to do reading or work that requires a lot of focus and comfort and space to lay out documents.

When I’m at Flying Saucer Café, I feel like I’m traveling out of my elements. Worth a try every once in a while when you’re strolling Atlantic Ave’s retail corridor and sufffering from a severe snack attack. It’s a high-​traffic space with lingering wi-​fi patrons so there’s aways just one seat available. Don’t come here for mood or the wi-​fi. Better yet, be disconnected and just soak-​in the random crowd. Come for the charming art, funny side-​conversations, and the Nutella with peanut butter panini. The grilled cheese sandwich ain’t bad either. It’s like visiting a vortex but not in a bad way.

Haven’t been here in a while for these reasons:
Those windows are drafty and cold as hell and I’ve gotten earaches from sitting near one.
Music’s kind of really loud all the time.
Gets crowded in this not so cozy way.
Most of the seating is too dark for any work other than staring at a computer screen.
Oh well. Not the worst though.

Serve a very good decaf coffee, which is too rare! I walk out of my way to get it and you get a bucket for $ 3. Also free water on the side — such a small thing but so welcome.
I stick to my fave sandwiches — banana and Nutella on wheat, or Curry Chicken on rye which they sometimes run out of, but the Tuna is also good.
People look like they use it as an office and mainly we’re all regulars. Also seen birthday parties there and they are happy for me to bring my huge stroller in as there is lots of room.
Nice vibe, chilled out and friendly.

This is one of my favorite cafes, and I’m a café junkie, having been throughout Brooklyn. The vibe is very cozy and chill, the coffee is always excellent, their prices are fair, and the staff is warm and friendly.
BIG plus is the free-​wifi and the good taste in music. It’s never too loud, and makes a nice place to study for a couple hours.
Definitely try this place out!

A mixed bag, but on the whole a good mix:
Mediocre coffee
Good bagel
Excellent scallion cream cheese (with fresh, recently-​cut scallions mixed into the cream cheese as you order)
Charmingly ramshackle backyard garden
Cheerful, peppy décor
Four stars, in a generous mood.

My interaction with this venue was short but pleasant.
On Brooklyn’s first 102 degree day of the year I stopped by seeking wifi, air conditioning and food. Although their air conditioning wasn’t doing a great job (which I don’t blame them for THAT much. It was 102 degree’s for Jupiter’s Sake) the barista offered me a glass of ice water after seeing that I was drenched in sweat. That was a very kind thing to do and for THAT I logged on to my computer to give a review.
The Cubano I ordered wasn’t exactly a Cubano but that was more my fault for not reading their ingredients. I’m used to a Cubano with roast pork as opposed to a a glorified ham, swiss and pickle panini. The sandwich was fine, it just wasn’t quite what I was in the mood for. Although I didn’t find the Café cool enough to park my laptop the niceness of the guy behind the counter would definitely have me come back another (less hot) day…

Definitely my favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn, despite the fact that they do not have any vegan desserts. (That’s actually probably for the best, on a fiscal and weight-​gain level, but not really relevant for the review, other than to say: no vegan desserts.) And that’s sort of saying a lot. What they do have for vegans, though, is a glorious thing that happens when Tofutti cream cheese, strawberries, and walnuts are mixed together, spread on a toasted bagel, and shoved into your gob. If you’re thinking that such a combination sounds gross, I will say that too was once a nonbeliever.
Also, their coffee is just really good. Nice flavor, and brewed strong. They even give you a free refill if you’re hanging out. Flying Saucer is the best café I’ve found to get some work down in. It’s very spacious (and nicely decorated, especially the bathroom), has a ton of seating, free-​wi fi, and very accessible outlets. And they have a nice patio out back.
I have met two of the three owners of this place, and they are just very rad, down to earth people who really care about the sustainability and quality of their business. It’s in a great location too; just a few blocks from the Atlantic Center. Places like this really need community support, so be sure to check it out.

My experience was one of rudeness. We sat down and I went up to order; as I did, the owner asked whether my friends were also going to get anything (they were, they were just opening their computers). When my friend went up to ask the internet password owner said, «You have to order something to use the internet,» (duh). She said, «I was going to.» He needs to chill out.
Also, while we can debate the tenets of grunge thoroughly, the owner’s Pearl Jam/​Nirvana mix was a little much for 9:30 in the morning. I’d like to more generally say that coffee shop music ought to be 30% choice of barkeep/​fit with the aura of the place, but 70% to please customers and create a conducive background. Owner failed here at that.
He should stick to managing the books.

I came here for a friend’s reading on a rainy Tuesday. As I was walking along Atlantic, admiring the new storefronts, I dreamt of a bagel and chai, the perfect coffeeshop dinner (yes, I like bagels for dinner). I vaguely recalled prior visits, the prior summer, where the bagel sandwiches were particularly good.
So I walked in the door to find an almost empty café. I asked the guy behind the counter for a chai. «A what?» he asked. «A chai and — .» He interrupted me with, «You mean chai tea or chai latte?» «Chai latte, and -» He interrupted me again. «No food.» «What?» I asked. «Kitchen’s closed. When Ivan comes he’ll open the kitchen again.» «Um, I can’t just get a bagel?» I asked. «Yeah, I can give you a bagel just like that.» I looked at their bagel sandwich menu. That was not part of my vision of coffeeshop dinner when I walked over, and I said no.
Who closes the kitchen just before their replacement comes? Even if it’s that’s the shop’s policy, it’s not a reason to be rude to customers, and, well, it’s downright weird.
To top that off, as I’m sititng down, the counter guy goes, «Why did you look shocked?» I mumbled, I figured it wouldn’t be that hard to toast a bagel, not in the mood to get into it with him — especially since he was still holding onto my frothy chai. He said, «What?» Was this guy itching for a coffeeshop brawl? His aggressiveness was very offputting and entirely out of place.
So finally I sit down with my chai, ready to do a little work prior to my friend’s reading. A long list of locked networks appeared. «What’s the wireless network here?» I ask. «Not working,» the dude said. Perfect.
And then he played that song Birthday Sex really loud. Not sure if that made things better or worse.

I love the look of this place. I would definitely like to go back on a rainy day with a book and just sit and drink something other than coffee…
The coffee wasnt bad… just a little too starbucky for my taste.
They have a nutella creation i need to try too!
Free wifi is great!