Qathra Named One of New York's Top Coffee Shops

Ditmas Park's  has been named one of New York's 30 best coffee shops by the New York Coffee Guide 2012. 

"The warm and friendly atmosphere at Qathra once and for all dispels the notion that a serious coffee shop need feel like an art gallery," the New York Coffee Guide noted.

"...Qathra serves Counter Culture espresso alongside an extensive rotating pourover menu [prepared] by a staff of helpful baristas," the guide continued. 

The first-ever New York Coffee Guide was launched at Toby's Estate in Williamsburg this month and is now available both in book form and on the guide's website.

The café recently made a series of changes to its operations to up its game and further its competitive edge in Ditmas Park, incorporating low coffee tables and benches for a more homey feel, according to Tyson Stagg, Qathra's coffee guru.

The cafe has also begun to use Brooklyn's Mast Brothers chocolate in its flavored drinks for a more savory flavor, Stagg said.

Rather than using a syrup, the cafe melts down bars of the chocolate, he continued, adding that smaller bars of the chocolate are for sale. "It's time to up the game," he said.