CafeWashington HeightsAudubon / W 165th St
Salento Colombian Coffee & Kitchen
A good breakfast or coffee-and-snack stop with real Colombian specialties; check freshness expectations, as a few reviewers mention inconsistency.
2112 Amsterdam AveAmsterdam Ave at W 165th St
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What it is
Salento Colombian Coffee & Kitchen is a community cafe at 2112 Amsterdam Ave. Its website says it aims to share flavors from Colombia through seasonal menus paired with coffee, and its About page explains the name: Salento is a small town in Colombia’s coffee-growing region, and the abuela behind the cafe played in its streets as a girl.
Who it’s for
Breakfast-goers, coffee drinkers, and anyone looking for Colombian pastries and savory snacks. The Infatuation’s 2023 guide called it one of the best places in the neighborhood for coffee and a bite or a substantial breakfast.
Standout details
The Infatuation described a large display case of buñuelos, puff pastries filled with guava and cheese or chicken, mushroom, or beef, along with empanadas, arepas, and the bandeja paisa, a platter with beef, chorizo, chicharrón, arepa, sweet plantains, and a fried egg over rice and beans. The restaurant’s website lists the cafe’s hours as 8am to 8pm every day.
Honest verdict
A friendly, specific Colombian cafe that adds something different to the neighborhood. Recent reviews summarized in a restaurant review aggregator praise the pastries, ajiaco, coffee, and service, with some reports of inconsistent pastry freshness, so go earlier in the day for the best selection.