Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Inside Coppelia, A New 24-Hour Cuban-Influenced Luncheonette
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 5, 2011
Modified Apr 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Grilled Skirt Steak/ Moros / Sweet Plantain, $16.95
View all 11
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 5, 2011
Modified Apr 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Named after a popular Havana ice cream shop, Coppelia is a 24-hour, NY-style luncheonette featuring a Cuban-inspired menu from Julian Medina, the chef/owner of Toloache, Yerba Buena, and Toloache Taqueria. As you can see, it's a cheery little spot that seats about 70. There is a large marble bar with spinning stools for counter-service seating, or you can get fresh in one of the booths meant to evoke the backseat of a 1950s Chevy. Weather permitting, an additional 25 diners can be accommodated in the garden.
Breakfast is served all day at Coppelia, with seven varieties of Huevos (eggs) and an "extensive" Cuban coffee service. The lunch and dinner menus ranges from small plates like Yucca Rellena, yucca croquettes filled with beef picadillo to sandwiches such as Pan con Lechon, roasted pork chicharron, red pickled onion, mojo. Entrees include options like Camarones Enchilados, dark rum glazed shrimp, tomato salsa, white rice, tostones; and Pescado Encendido, potato crusted tilapia, tomato salsa, fufu.
They don't have a liquor license yet, but they're compensating with dessert, which comes from consulting pastry chef Pichet Ong, a talented man known for his sweet and savory flavor combos. His menu features "traditional American favorites accented with a variety of Latin flavors, like tamarind, avocado, cajeta, cinnamon and chipotle." Click through to peruse the photos and dessert menu in full.
207 West 14th, (212) 858-5001
Tagged
Chelsea
coppelia
dining
gallery
photos
restaurants
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .