The Story Behind The Monkey Cup, Harlem NYC
A Harlem local told me about the Monkey Cup. This unique coffee shop, owned by Laura and Alfredo from Venezuela, opened in 2017. A true American story, theirs begins with escaping the chaos and turmoil happening in their home country of Venezuela and seeking refuge in America. Ultimately they landed in Harlem…in 2013. They first opened their Harlem location in 2015. However, when a larger space became available in 2017, they jumped on it.
The Monkey Cup Harlem
My friend told me nothing about this coffee shop, except that the married couple were hard working people from Venezuela. When I first walked in, I was greeted by the smiling face of Alfredo. He was behind the coffee machine, as he nodded to me and continued making coffee. The coffee bar was a gorgeous live edge wood counter. I slowly scanned the room. The ceiling was covered in leaves and glimmering lights. A fantastic tree sculpture spanned across the wall. Its branches double as book shelves creating a community library…take one, leave one.
I briefly spoke with the couple about what type of coffee was available, espresso, lattes, etc. Then the pastry case caught my eye. There were all types of fresh baked croissants, strudels, muffins and more. It was quite enticing. I ended up settling on a caramel latte with a turkey and cheese croissant. Both were amazing.
When my coffee was ready, I saw that Laura had created a monkey in the foam…Ahh, the Monkey Cup. This imaginative duo had created a Venezuelan urban rain forest in the heart of Harlem NYC. But why is the monkey from the Monkey Cup so important…you may ask?
Here is how the story goes…Alfredo’s mother gave him a cute poster when he was just a child. It featured a chimpanzee on a toilet all wrapped in toilet paper. It made him giggle each time he looked at it. His mom started to call him her little monkey. So for Alfredo, the name ‘monkey’ brings to mind love, as well as family. Plus the rainforest interior brings back memories of home to share with their NYC community.
For the Love of Coffee
Coffee has always been a big part of both Laura and Alfredo’s lives. However, when they first moved to Harlem, finding the quality of coffee that they were used to became an issue. They both yearned for a neighborhood coffee house that offered an eclectic selection of coffee at a good price. This would become their home away from home. Since they were unable to find a suitable match, they decided to create their own. Hence the Monkey Cup was born.
The jungle-theme coffee shop is a neighborhood favorite. As I sipped my delicious caramel latte, I watched patron after patron come in, say hello, and engage with the couple. They knew their customers. They also cared about them. It was obvious.
One of the things I love most about my job at EatTravelGo.com is finding out about the people behind the businesses. The Monkey Cup is a unique and unusual coffee shop. I highly recommend it. Be sure to visit the website to find out more. The Monkey Cup, 1965 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, (118th street), New York, NY 10026; https://www.themonkeycup.com
