Halal · walk-in · Astoria’s Little Bangladesh

First Cup Cafe

An overhead table of First Cup drinks and food — masala chaa in a clay cup, gulab jamun latte, doi fuska, croissant, matcha
First Cup Cafe mascot
First Cup

Your first cup — & the start of our story.

A halal, family-owned Bengali-American café on the corner of 36th Ave & 29th St, in Astoria’s Little Bangladesh.

স্বাগতম — welcome in. (shwagotom)

Halal · walk-in · come early, chai’s on

The first cup

A really good cup of chai — and a family’s fresh start.

“First Cup” means two things at once: your first cup of the day, and the first chapter of our family’s story in Astoria. We opened our doors on the corner to build a space where tradition meets modern comfort — a place to connect, unwind, and enjoy a great cup of chai.

Masala chaa poured into a carved clay cup. A gulab jamun latte next to a warm croissant. Doi fuska, mango matcha, a Dhaka chopped cheese on the weekend. Everything’s halal, and our menu keeps growing.

Read our story
Yelp 4.7★ #2 — NYC’s Best Family-Owned Cafes Featured by The Infatuation Halal · family owned & operated

From the counter

Chai & specialty lattes

Masala chaa served in a carved terracotta clay cup

Masala chaa, in a carved clay cup

Our house chai, spiced and simmered, poured into a traditional carved matir clay cup — the way it’s meant to be. It’s the drink the whole café is built around.

Not too sweet, always fresh-made.

Gulab jamun latte at First Cup Cafe
Gulab jamun latte signature
A Bengali sweet, poured over espresso.
Mango matcha at First Cup Cafe
Mango matcha iced
Stone-ground matcha, ripe mango.
Malai chai latte at First Cup Cafe
Malai chai latte
Creamy, cardamom-warm.
Nawabi lacchi at First Cup Cafe
Nawabi lacchi
Rich, rosewater-cooled.
Rooh Afza matcha at First Cup Cafe
Rooh Afza matcha iced
Rose syrup meets green tea.
Biscoff latte at First Cup Cafe
Biscoff latte
Spiced cookie-butter comfort.
View the full menu

On the plate

The Bengali-American kitchen

Doi fuska — crisp shells with cool yogurt and tamarind

Bengali snacks and comfort food, all halal, all made with love:

Dhaka Chopped Cheese weekend + daily
Our signature — smashed, Dhaka-style. Ask us or see DoorDash.
Doi fuska
Crisp shells, cool yogurt, tamarind — the real thing.
Kathi roll
Warm, wrapped, spiced.
Samosa chaat
Crushed samosa, chickpeas, chutneys.
Shahi Haleem weekends only
Slow-cooked, rich.

Our menu keeps growing — check Instagram for today’s New Menu.

See the full menu

Pickup or delivery, on DoorDash.

Or just walk in — we’re on the corner, and the chai’s always on.

Our corner

The neighborhood’s living room

A bright, floral little corner on 36th Avenue — big windows, a neon sign, and pink curtains. Pull up a chair and stay a while.

Board games for rent — bring a friend.
Work-friendly — wifi, a warm corner, good chai.
Pet-friendly — the dog’s welcome too.
Budget-friendly — chai under $3.
More about us
A dessert by the plant-and-flower window at First Cup Cafe

Come find us

On the corner in Little Bangladesh

First Cup Cafe 29-01 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
(corner of 36th Ave & 29th St)

Phone: (718) 808-1503

Halal · walk-in only — no reservations. Family owned & operated.

Hours vary (Wed closed) — please check Instagram @firstcupnyc or DM to confirm.

Subway: 36 Av (N/W), a couple blocks. Street parking.

“Family owned cafe. The gulab jamun latte is delish.”
— Jami, on taste

Follow along

Today’s specials, the New Menu, and our real current hours live here first.