Routine Vegetarian Cafe: Serving Up Fresh, Local Fare In Bushwick
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Routine is now permanently closed (and sorely missed!).
Located a block away from the Wilson Ave L train stop, Routine is a spacious cafe housed in modern, semi-industrial space. The exposed brick wall behind the register reminds me of many of the homes here in Brooklyn, giving it a cozy, welcoming feel. There’s plenty of seating and free wifi, making it an ideal place to get some work done. When the weather is nice, you can also take advantage of the outdoor seating available out back. Routine is a hipster’s dream: lattes served in mason jars and $12 avocado toast. But all jokes aside, there are some real gems on the menu at Routine and most of the prices are comparable to other cafes in NYC. Here’s what I love most about Routine.
Lavender Lattes
Lavender latte and vegan carrot cupcake with cashew cream cheese
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good lavender latte, especially when the weather is warm and I can order it over ice. When I order flavored lattes, I tend to prefer more traditional, sweet flavors like caramel or vanilla. But lavender mixed with espresso and milk results in such a unique, faintly sweet, slightly herbal flavor. The lavender lemon poppy seed muffin at Routine (pictured at the top) is the perfect pastry to pair with a lavender latte, and it’s one of my favorite menu items.
Pastries Galore
Cinnamon coffee cake
Loaves, and scones, and muffins, oh my! In addition to the lavender lemon poppy seed muffin, the vegan carrot cupcakes with cashew cream cheese frosting, blueberry muffin, cinnamon coffee cake, and banana walnut bread are also among my favorites. All of the pastries at Routine are baked fresh daily and they’re always tasty. If you’re not usually into vegan baked goods, the pastries at Routine will surely change your mind.
Other menu Highlights
Morning Sunrise Bowl
The morning sunrise bowl is made with coconut yogurt, blueberries, house-made granola, organic peanut butter, bananas, poppy seeds, and shaved coconut. It’s surprisingly filling and predictably tasty. My only grievance has to do with the texture, not the taste: the peanut butter and yogurt are both pretty thick, and the addition of granola and poppy seeds can leave your mouth feeling dry.
Drink Up
Fall Spice Latte
As far as drinks, while the lavender lattes are my favorite, the fall spice latte is also tasty, as is the brewed coffee. Routine has recently added smoothies to the menu, and while I’m sure they’re delicious, I just can’t bring myself to shell out $9 for something I can easily make at home. On the weekends, you can get unlimited mimosas for $10 with the purchase of food, so if you like boozy brunch but still want to eat healthy, Routine is the place to be (they also serve beer). My advice: order the lavender latte and one of their muffins: you can’t go wrong. Ask for a punch card and your 10th coffee is on the house.
Routine is located at 631 Wilson Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11207