The Bushwick cafe closest to Ridgewood.

The Brooklyn-Queens border doesn't exist for daily life. If you live in Ridgewood — especially the western half, near Myrtle-Wyckoff or Forest Avenue — Café Mia at 1128 Broadway is closer than most of the cafes you'd consider "yours." Here's the case for crossing the line.

How close we actually are

Why Ridgewood customers cross the line

• Matcha. Ridgewood's specialty matcha scene is still emerging. Café Mia's ceremonial-grade matcha program is the most consistent reason Ridgewood regulars cross the border.
• The room. Worth experiencing once. Photogenic interior with cherry-blossom installation, emerald seating, pink-lit walls.
• The food menu. Real breakfast and light bites, not just pastries.
• Quieter than Williamsburg. The Williamsburg cafes you'd otherwise consider are 30+ minutes and usually packed.

What to do while you're across the border

If you're crossing for Café Mia, make a half-day of it. The walk back to Ridgewood passes through some of Bushwick's best blocks:

• The Bushwick Collective murals — south of the cafe, dense with street art.
• Maria Hernandez Park — green space midway between us and Ridgewood.
• Bogart Street galleries — independent contemporary galleries, open Thursday-Sunday.
• The Wyckoff/Knickerbocker corridor — vintage, restaurants, the corridor that connects the two neighborhoods.

Address, hours, payment

Café Mia · 1128 Broadway · Brooklyn, NY 11221. Two minutes from the J/M/Z at Kosciuszko Street, ten minutes from the L at Jefferson, fifteen minutes walking from Myrtle-Wyckoff. Open daily 8 AM – 5 PM. View on Google Maps.

Frequently asked questions