Café Ole

Stumbled upon this mom and pop shop, and it feels like you’ve left NYC and instead are in a café in Europe right when you walk in — the music, the décor. It is relatively small with very few table seating (maybe 3?) so may be best to order and go.
There is only one lady who runs the café so expect at least a 10 min wait for your food, but it is SO worth it! Everything also seems to be homemade — especially the sides, which gives this café even more charm. At first glance, the prices for sandwiches may seem high, but you get what you pay. I ordered a baguette with goat cheese and roasted peppers (which was very tasty btw) and it was LOADED. I kid you not. She did not skimp out on the cheese and peppers at all.
Will definitely be coming back again. Also, bring cash since credit cards are not taken.

Generous portion sizes, nice atmosphere and great service. The veal and chicken served is extremely tender, and the variety of menu options is surprising given how usually there are one or two pages on a menu. Prices are also reasonable. Would definitely recommend bringing a small crowd here!

Café Olé is a great lunch addition if you work in this area, since they’re not open for dinner time. Their fancy glass-​walled exterior opens to a homey, simple café, scattered with mismatched chairs and tables, serving simple, satisfying sandwiches and salads.
I am in love with their tuna salad & pesto & mozzarella panini, as the tuna salad has the perfect tuna-​to-​mayo ratio studded with crunchy capers for that burst of sourness. The turkey, apple & brie panini is also a winner. The baguettes on the sammies are always fresh, with a great exterior crunch and soft middle. They are generous on portion size as well, to the point where I wish they offer half sandwiches because I always save the second half for later. Yum.
Then, you must get the CHEDDAR TOMATO SOUP!!! I’m not sure what they put in it, but it’s sinfully addicting — hearty, creamy, satisfying, not overly sour (which many tomato soups are guilty of), and perfect for dipping your panini in. I dream about it when the weather gets cold. If you get the soup by itself they also give you a piece of the yummy baguette.
Coffee and lattes here are standard, consistent, and pretty good. Kudos for soy milk option. The soda/​drinks selection in the small fridge next to the door also have some good options. I can’t really speak for their salads as I haven’t tried them.
However, since they’re not some high-​end delicatessen, some items are misses. For example, DO NOT get the prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich — that was a mistake that almost swore me off of Café Olé. The prosciutto cuts are just… not good. Sometimes they also run out of certain ingredients (ex: I have not had the chance to try the chicken artichoke panini after several attempts).
All in all, a good change from other eateries in Hell’s Kitchen if you want something simple, solid, and homey.
Cash only!

A gorgeous little coffee shop and deli run by an amazing Spanish woman. If you are looking for something a little off the main road, with warm hospitality and divine coffee — then this is yr place. We quickly left the overpriced and overdone Starbucks and started everyday of our New York adventure with a delicious coffee at Café Olé. Highly recommended!

Very cute little sandwich shop. Delicious big sandwiches and a great value. The staff is very friendly.

Got the mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich and the mozzarella tasted really foul. First time here, and definitely won’t be returning.

Amazing and generous sandwiches, fresh ingredients and they’re so nice there.
They’re cash only, and I didn’t have the money once, so they told me to come back and let me have my sandwich anyway. Amazing!

THE BEST! You feel as though you are transported to somewhere in Europe as you walk through the door, and the food is just amazing. The women who run it are not rude, as some people have noted. I wish I worked closer to this great lunch spot.

Five stars because their tomato cheddar soup is just THAT GOOD. Creamy and flavorful. Paired perfectly with their turkey, apple, brie panini. Had hubby pick up a hearty lunch for me here while I was staying at Mt Sinai Roosevelt. WAY more satisfying than hospital food, haha.

A breath of fresh air in the midtown lunch scene.
Not cheap, but would you rather eat Pax for about the same cost? Mmm hmm. Exactly.

Charming small business with a friendly owner. Sandwiches are simple, fresh and great value. One of my go-to’s in this part of town.

This place is adorable. Great vibe aesthetically, and the food absolutely lives up to it! Everything is fresh and inventive and ultimately delicious. I had the turkey Brie and apple panini and could not be happier. I look forward to returning soon!

I previously wrote a review on Cade Olé but I’m here again to update everyone who wants to give this place a try or who already knows… the tuna is just Ah-​Maze-​Ballz here! Hands down the best tuna fish on multi-​grain bread with lettuce and tomato I ever had, ever! You also win, every time with their soups. It is hot & humid today and not really soup weather but I’m slurpin’ down a carrot, coconut & cumin soup right now and it’s delish! Yes, they don’t take credit cards but I ran across the street to CVS to get some cash for Café Olé. Run, don’t walk. YUM.

The best place in Hell’s Kitchen to get an inexpensive, fresh, homemade meal.
Yes, it’s cash only. No, you won’t be in and out in 2.5 minutes. Quality takes time… and cash.
By the looks (and taste) of it, everything in this shop is homemade. From their soups (tomato cheddar soup is fantastic on chilly days), to their sandwiches (turkey brie apple on a beautiful french banquette? tuna pesto mozzarella panini? GENIUS and delicious), to their salads (the nicoise salad = tuna, red potatoes, green beans, hard boiled egg, red onion, black olives crammed into a «small» container for $ 8.25. It’s the most flavorful salad I’ve had in Hell’s Kitchen).
And today, it seems Café Olé has succeeded on yet ANOTHER frontier: dessert. While paying for my nicoise salad, I noticed a large plate of green macarons next to the cash register. This is the first time I’ve seen something sweet being offered from my favorite lunch spot. Obviously, I had to have one. To no one’s surprise, this was definitely a HANDMADE macaron. Pistachio, to be specific. The cookie was crunchy, light and chewy without being too heavy or sweet. I could EASILY eat a dozen of them in one sitting. BRAVO!
I look forward to exploring more of the menu next week :)

It is with great regret that I write this review. I LOVED Café Olé. Yes, they are expensive, but the food is fresh and really good. Today, I went in to order my sandwich and a GIGANTIC WATERBUG/​ROACH came running past my feet… in the restaurant. I realize this is NYC, but the women behind the counter didn’t seem surprised at all… I walked out and sadly, will not be back. If you don’t mind roaches, this is the place to go. The food is awesome.

My last day in Manhattan, I wanted to find someplace, anyplace, where I could talk to a real person and experience something outside of the tourist realm. My friend and I weren’t sure about the place; from the outside, the neighborhood seemed uninteresting, and the glass and metal front was a little imposing. But the bright colors and décor invited us in. We saw a coffee menu, a few somewhat unappealing wrapped up pastries, and a refrigerated display case of what looked to be mid-​Eastern deli dishes. But we were there for coffee, and ordered that. Sipping my very good mocha, I eventually struck up a conversation with the owner. She comes from Morocco, and in no time flat we were enjoying a great conversation about dishes and seasonings. I appreciated that she was kind enough to take the time to chat… so happy to have discovered this tiny, hidden gem and I wish them all success.

Just swung buy for the first time to get some nice lunch, cute place off the main road and a nice «mom and pop» deli. It has a feeling like a French lady is running it, that could be the case.
Two ladies behind the counter, I think they are fine. Not sure what other people are requiring… perhaps they need to be verbally serenaded in stores when they walk in or something. They were courteous and I was able to place an order and take to go. It has some seating too if you are not in a rush.
I got one of the sandwiches called special on the menu, and a small soup. Both were really really good.

My husband and I love sandwiches and it’s one of our go-​to meals for lunch or dinner. We were tired of the Subway and Lenny’s scene and wanted something different so we stumbled upon this hidden gem! It caught our eye cause of the unique glass/​metal front window but I can see how it’s easy to pass by since it’s sort of hidden.
We went during lunch time so the there was bit of a line and wait time for food but that’s only because they make their sandwich fresh and hand carve the meats! I ordered the turkey, brie and apple panini and my husband got the mozzarella, basil, sun-​dried tomato panini with a tomato cheddar soup. On paper these sounded like ordinary sandwiches but it was SO GOOD! The turkey, brie and apple complimented each other so well and it’s the best when you eat it right away when it’s still warm.
They were generous with the mozzarella on the mozzarella/​basil sandwich and the best part was when the melted mozzarella oozed out on the side. The sun-​dried tomato makes it flavorful enough and the basil was so fresh and aromatic.
The tomato cheddar soup is really delicious! It goes perfectly with any sandwich and it’s addicting!
The two ladies working there look intimidating but they’re really sweet and they even remembered me when I came in a second time. I’m so glad we found our favorite sandwich spot in Hell’s Kitchen!

I’m a regular customer and I love their food, But —
1. The two ladies working there (might be the owner) are not polite at all. They never smiled or said hi once. I expect a friendly environment in these type of small business.
2. They charge me different price for the same food every time I go. And I really wish they accept credit cards.

I love this place! It’s so low-​key that every time I go, I think I’ve found a hidden gem!
It is tiny with limited seating, but I absolutely enjoy the atmosphere whenever I go there. CASH ONLY!
They play awesome salsa music that makes you want to dance (and the owners occasionally break out their dance moves, too)
MUST TRIES:
–Tomato Cheddar Soup (IS A-​MAZING!)
Sandwiches
–The Brauer Special (with Salami, Mozzarella, Pesto Sauce and Basil)
–Turkey, Avocado, Arugula (They add this mustard sauce that is really unique! & I ask them to add in Artichoke for even more awesome flavor)
–Prosciutto, Mozzarella
My goal is to try everything on their menu! UPDATE TO COME if I find another favorite!