Cafe Mogador is a mecca for students, a diverse international crowd and other generally hip East Village types. A perfect neighborhood spot for relaxing and sipping on some Moroccan tea, Turkish coffee or a glass of wine (while you study, of course), Mogador sports a handful of sidewalk tables looking out onto St. Mark's Place. A few steps down from the street, the main dining room exudes a relaxed café feel, with cream-colored walls and green trim, hanging lamps, wine racks, and chalkboards showing the daily specials. The menu consists of Moroccan and some Middle Eastern classics such as falafel, a few varieties of couscous, and hummus with a spicy crushed red pepper and olive oil mixture on the side. Tagines, slow-simmered spiced stews, are the best-selling item and come with lamb (on the bone) or chicken, and rice or couscous, in a choice of five different sauces - try the spicy, green charmoula on a cold, rainy day for soulaffirming inner warmness. Breakfast draws a crowd as well with creative offerings, including Moroccan eggs (poached with a spicy tomato sauce, home fries and pita) or the Foul Madamez, a hard-boiled egg with fava beans and hummus. Full bar. Serving breakfast Mon–Fri, lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Sat–Sun brunch 9 am–4 pm.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Best Moroccan in NYC
Top 100 Restaurant, New York City
"Considered a pioneer of Moroccan restaurants in NYC, Café Mogador is a delectable haven ... in the heart of the East Village. ‘La Carte' proposes a wide selection of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. ... Café Mogador also distinguishes itself with its lively brunches hailed 'the Best in the East Village.' "
– Café Mogador website
"Grad students and French expats fill this crowded, noisy brick-walled café, nibbling olives and sopping up tagine drippings with piles of couscous."
—New York magazine
"Here you'll eat simple, filling Moroccan food with thoughtful touches, like fresh shallots in the mussels broth (a frequent special) and extremely tasty olive oil drizzled atop hummus and baba ghanoush."
– Time Out New York
"This is a gathering place for the East Village set. ... It stays open late, to suit the locals, and has an outdoor cafe, cheerful when the sun shines. Good for vegetarians, too."
– Newsday
"Moorish lanterns, jars of spices and black-and-white photographs of Morocco lend an exotic air to this little café ... service is cheerful and attentive."
—Michelin New York City
How Others Rate Café Mogador
Zagat 2009
21 food rating (very good to excellent)