Ms Dahlia’s Cafe

expensive, but not fresh and nothing to tell about
tired vegetables, good over-​price buscit with butter, average minus coffee, and not so great hot chocolate.
It is also loud and unpleasant to sit there, especially if you came for the wifi…

Not sure why this place doesn’t have a higher rating – stopped in when we were in Brooklyn for a few days and staying at a hotel on Atlantic Avenue. I had the «classic» egg sandwich with cheddar and bacon and it was just so delicious. The biscuits, fried chicken, and gravy are all excellent. Service was great too, and they were playing killer music to boot: Janet, Michael, and Destiny’s Child. Will definitely come back next time I’m in Crown Heights!

Oh my raisin oatmeal cookie… Went in for a coffee to go and saw this baking tray of freshly-​baked cookies peacocking by the till. Had just enough cash for one — and thank god — it was so flipping good that I (seriously) had to call my mother (I know) back in Ireland (look…Mammy wants to know) to tell her about it. Cappuccino was top notch also. Barista told me my accent was adorable, so she wins points for flattery and general niceness. It’s as cosy as my Irish mammy’s kitchen in there. V good stuff!

I go here often because I work around the corner. The staff is super friendly and always has good recommendations. The options for breakfast and lunch all sound delicious, but my personal favorite is the Lena Horne.

I ordered here to sit down once or twice and didn’t really have any issues at the time, except that the service was a bit slow.
I ordered take-​out another day, specifically a chicken Caesar salad. When I got to my destination and opened everything, I realized that they had never put the chicken in the salad. I wasn’t close by anymore, so I could not go back to have them make me another one. I don’t think that this is acceptable for an eating establishment to not even complete a dish properly before giving it to someone for take out. They also charged significantly more to add the chicken to the salad.
I haven’t been back since and wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. There are much better cafes in the area to try.

Great breakfast spot! Small neighborhood café: food is fresh, tasty, and homemade. I had the «Biggie» which was eggs, waffles, and the choice of turkey bacon or sausage; very filling. I like that you can see the kitchen, which is very clean; they prepare everything in front of you which is a plus. As for beverages their cucumber lemonade is nice! Small place, so I would suggest avoiding peak times.

Just had an impromptu brunch here when we didn’t feel like waiting for peaches hotshop and needed to find another viable option in the area. I was skeptical at first– it’s a small café with a rather limited menu. But the food and service turned my whole mood around. I was having a not so great morning and coming here made me feel a lot better. I had the Lena Horne– egg whites with spinach and bacon on a buttermilk biscuit, along with the ginger honey iced tea. I honestly didn’t have high expectations but everything was delicious! My bf had the chicken and waffles, and I had a few bites. We both agreed it was the best chicken and waffles we’d had– and we have it often! The service was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed and casual. I’d definitely check this spot out again next time I’m in the area.

I told myself that I had to write a review for this place because I have nothing but great things to say. I was pretty excited about the free cucumber lemonade, which turned out to be really refreshing. It definitely has a more cucumber kick in there than I imagined, but is still great! All the items on the menu look divine but my eyes couldn’t escape the southern comfort. The biscuit, the fried chicken, the bacon, the runny egg, the spicy sausage, and that brown gravy were all so yummy. I was so full and wanted to take my leftovers home and experience the rest-​soggy or not haha. The staff are hospitable despite how busy it got– I appreciate that sort of stuff.

Yippee! I came here a couple weeks ago on a friend date and had a great time! I really liked the cucumber lemonade and though I only had a sample, that Green Velvet cake is a must. I have a refined palate so I’m pretty picky and it was excellent. The staff was really warm and they all said bye when we left. Just a really nice place. I’m queer and I’d be comfortable going on a date here. Highly recommended.

I love this place! It’s so homey and neighborhoody. It’s hard for me to go there and not have the Mos Definitely: biscuit and spicy sausage gravy with a fried egg nestled inside. They have an appealing selection of baked goods and a great lunch/​breakfast menu. Good coffee, good food, good music, comfy garden and friendly staff. Not for a big group, but I see a lot of dads bringing their kid in, or a cozy couple on a brunch date.
I’ve never been there at night, but the cocktails look interesting.

This is a welcomed transplant off of bustling Nostrand and Fulton Ave. This cute café is an extension of your Brooklyn apartment. It’s cozy and best part is they have an expresso machine. If you happen to grab a stool at the counter you will be face to face with your breakfast being made. They offer hot full breakfast, warm pastries along with fresh juices and coffee. I looove my caffeinated beverages and the latte here definitely made the cut.
Although I have many good things to say, I thought my Biggie breakfast was a tad bit average. It was good but seemed like it could be achieved by myself at home. I prefer more kick ass flavor that reminds me why I don’t cook more at home.
This café is a cool go to place if you want a homemade type of meal that’s light and different from the others options in the area.

About 2 weeks ago 2 of my friends and I went to this place for brunch on a Sunday. The place is very small and can be cozy no more than 15 people maybe can sit inside. They have seating for outside, but that’s minimal too but the weather was not the best that day to be outside. You step in and the order counter is right there a little to the left with a display case of food. To the left of the order counter were 2 people cooking the food as the long flat grill is right there.
We sat at the tightly space bar which you can see the grill and cooks. There were dirty used plates of the previous customer, you have to order at the register. I figured between the guy at the register or the cooks someone would move these plates and wipe down. All 3 of us ordered came back and sat down and had to ask for the plates to be moved.
A couple got up from a more roomier spot so we moved their plates and sat there. This was a busy little place. Definitely food is fresh and made to order, breakfast that is… one minor screw up on our order, no biggie.
We ate we all enjoyed our meals, we sat and talked some for a little bit. I could only give it 3 stars bc of the delay with the dirty plates. This place is too small to have dirty plates n tables just sitting there.
Again nice an cozy spot, good location. I’d give them another shot when the opportunity arises.

I’m giving them such a high rating because the food is delicious and the customer service is excellent.
Don’t be dismayed by the menu because at first glance you will think who in the world can afford this?
What they don’t tell you is they love free styling. So if you just want a bagel sandwich or just a biscuit and coffee you can do that without breaking your wallet.
This café is a refreshing change from your typical coffee shop in Brooklyn. They’ve mastered the art of gentrification and created a new age hip coffee shop which serves soul food.
Does anyone realize how difficult this is to do?
I would definitely recommend stopping by if you’re into good quality food.
–
Joseph Matos

I stopped by to get some work done and have a biscuit (with butter and jam) and an iced tea. You order at the counter and then can sit wherever you like. There are three outdoor tables, which I think are the best, since they’re perfectly positioned for people watching on Nostrand Avenue (and generally procrastinating).
My biscuit was absolutely delicious. As was the jam, which was a specialty blueberry bourbon (I think) that they also sell in the shop. The ginger honey iced tea was a little sweet for my delicate palate, but that shouldn’t be a surprise from something with «honey» in the name.
As other reviews have pointed out, the girl who works at the counter is great. So was the chef, who suggested the delicious jam. I’ll definitely be back.

I’ve probably been to Ms. Dahlia’s Café a dozen times before the rustic interior renovation, and one time after it. Always good food but slow and you-never-know-what-you’re-gonna-get service.
I went in with my son for a blueberry muffin and a breakfast sandwich on a croissant. Of course they got the order wrong and gave it to me on a biscuit. I believe they charge extra for the croissant so that mistake is pretty much unforgivable and should never happen.
I could’ve taken the time to go there and exchange it but it took so long to get the sandwich in the first place that I’d run out of time to do anything but get my butt on the train to work.
I’d like to try the biscuits and gravy though, so I’ll be back.

I’ll just get straight to the point. I was really disappointed with this place. I ordered the Southern Comfort biscuit and Ginger tea. The total was $ 18 – 19. I was quite shocked when the cashier told me and asked «how much is the biscuit?» He said it’s a lot of food! At that point I told myself, ok… just enjoy your biscuit and don’t worry about the price. The biscuit itself was hard. The piece of chicken was an actual nugget and the eggs were too salty. The biscuit was basically inedible and the gravy didn’t even soften how hard it was. The tea was great.
Unless I hear something has changed about the portions, I will not return and will not recommend. Do not recommend!

It’s a small place but the food is fresh and delicious. Nice atmosphere, friendly professional service. I ordered as breakfast sandwich called «the Lena Horne» which tells you all you need to know about the sensibilities of the place. If you’re looking for a great breakfast experience in Brooklyn, this is the place.
I’ve read some of the other less enthusiastic reviews. We didn’t have a bad experience but we went during off-​peak hours and didn’t have stellar expectations for a small café. Was the place clean and pleasant looking? Yes. Was the food tasty and fresh? Yes. Did the staff make me feel welcome and do their best to accommodate my requests? Yes, absolutely.
The place is small… idea for a pair of people, There’s only one spot for a party of 4 to sit together. I agree with some of the 2 and 3-​star reviews that the place didn’t seem very well organized. I had to remind them of one part of our order that they missed, but the place is being run by human beings. If you ding a place for not being flawless, you are going to spend a lot of your life unhappy.

Ok Miss Dahlia’s, y’all done messed up. I ordered the Southern Comfort biscuit & a coffee without looking at the menu. When the young lady said, «$ 17+», I was taken aback. We talked about it for a bit but I said (in my head), ok relax, maybe it is that awesome. YOLO.
To arrive home and open the box & find this chicken McNugget inside of this giant biscuit? You are officially on blast with me, now & forever. I don’t like crap like this.

Wound up in BK today looking for a good brunch at a delicious go-​to spot on Nostrand only to find out they were closed today (and potentially for good?). Whipped out the trusty phone to see what was nearby and Ms. Dahlia’s Café came up.
Cut to the quick; I wanted Ms. Dahlia’s to be a five star experience, but only wound up giving it three stars. That said, I’ll be back, I just don’t know if I’d go all the way to BK solely for Ms. Dahlia’s Café (I would have for the other place I was actually in BK for in the first place).
From what you see online and upon first glance about Ms. Dahlia’s is that its about the biscuits. I guess. To me the biscuits were m’eh. My brunch date and I had the shrimp and grits (which comes with a medium fried egg and biscuit) and the ‘Biggie Bedstuy Breakfast’ which is waffles with scrambled eggs and cheese and turkey bacon or chicken sausage.
Now both dishes were delicious. Better than average I’d say. The grits were creamy (not soupy, just sayin) with a hint of butter, salt, and cheese (parmesan). The shrimp were grilled deliciously well with onions and peppers. There wasn’t much sauce — mostly grits with some shrimp — but the dish as a whole was pretty good especially for the price.
The stars of my ‘Biggie Bedstuy Breakfast’ were the waffles and, surprisingly, the eggs. The eggs were particularly fluffy and with the right amount of cheese. It’s really hard to mess up eggs, but it’s also hard to make them stand out too. Here they did. Additionally, my waffle felt light and airy and had a spicy hint, almost citrus if I’d have to give it a name.
We also had the ginger iced tea and the cucumber lemonade. Both refreshing stars in our opinion.
So with all the accolades, why three stars?
Well minus one and a half stars for the service. It wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t what I expected from here. One exception, the chef, he’s amazingly awesome behind the counter and in front. That frontline staff needs more training and product knowledge. When I tell you I want shrimp and grits and you ask me to show you on the menu, that’s a problem.
The space is very cozy. Don’t go with a group larger than 4. You’ll have problems navigating the café, placing your order, and eating. As it stood, they lost a party of four as I was standing there waiting to place my order mostly because of that. They became frustrated with the size and apparent lack of order and organization of the café and left before spending any $$$.
The other minus half star is for the lack of real maple syrup. If you’re trying to push yourself off as something other than IHOP or run of the mill diner, you have to manage the details. Hot syrup and fresh soft butter for the waffles (or the biscuits) would have helped make this a much better experience.
Hence the overall grade — good, but not great. Three stars.

I decided to come to Ms. Dahlia’s without reading any reviews, it’s rare when I do this. I was simply looking for a decent breakfast sandwich without high expectations.
I was impressed with the amount of choices on the menu. I ordered the «Most Definitely». I’ve been listening to a lot of Mos Def lately, and biscuits and gravy have a special spot in my heart, so why not.
Unfortunately, I did not realize the gravy was super spicy. I offered to pay for a another sandwich that wasn’t spicy, but one of the gentleman’s was very accommodating and told me he would make something else without me having to pay again.
I wanted the mushroom gravy but they were out of it so I had a turkey bacon, eggs and cheddar on a biscuit. It was delicious!
They were also out of the Cucumber Lemonade so I had a Ginger Lemon Iced Tea which was very refreshing!
The décor is super cute.