If you’re looking for a new favorite Brooklyn café, let me tell you about Totli Café at 3120 Coney Island Avenue in the heart of Sheepshead Bay. This cozy spot has quickly become a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Eastern European food with a modern twist.
A Fresh Start for a Legendary Location
When Mozart Café Brooklyn closed, locals were heartbroken. It wasn’t just about losing a restaurant—it was about losing a piece of neighborhood history. Recognizing this, the landlords worked hard to ensure the space stayed rooted in the community.
Enter Totli Café: a beautiful blend of old memories and new beginnings. They kept the welcoming vibe that Mozart was famous for, but updated the menu, atmosphere, and energy to create something truly special.
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Totli Café’s Menu: A Delicious Fusion of Past and Present
If you love Eastern European restaurants in Brooklyn, Totli Café will feel like home. Their menu is packed with traditional dishes like borscht, pelmeni (Russian dumplings), and blintzes, each made with family recipes that taste like they’ve been passed down through generations.
At the same time, Totli offers plenty of modern café options, like artisanal sandwiches, fresh, colorful salads, and a seriously good lineup of pastries. Their honey cake (medovik) is a must-try if you’re a dessert lover—it’s light, not overly sweet, and pairs perfectly with their strong, expertly made espresso.
For drinks, Totli’s coffee and tea menu is curated to appeal to all kinds of tastes. Whether you prefer a robust dark roast, a creamy latte, or a soothing herbal tea, they’ve got you covered. This is easily one of the best places for coffee in Sheepshead Bay.
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The Atmosphere: Where Comfort Meets Style
As soon as you walk into Totli Café, you’ll notice the care that went into the design. It strikes a perfect balance between rustic warmth and modern style. Think cozy wooden tables, soft lighting, and comfortable seating—ideal whether you’re catching up with a friend or knocking out some work on your laptop.
The small touches throughout the café—like the Eastern European art on the walls—give the place a genuine, lived-in feel that’s hard to fake. Compared to other Coney Island Avenue restaurants, Totli feels especially thoughtful and inviting.
Building a Community, One Event at a Time
One thing that really sets Totli Café Brooklyn apart is how deeply it’s investing in the local community. Beyond serving food, Totli regularly hosts live music nights, poetry readings, and art shows.
These events create a real sense of belonging, turning the café into much more than just a place to grab a bite. It’s a true cultural hub where people come together to celebrate art, music, and local talent—a huge plus for anyone who loves a strong neighborhood vibe.
Warm, Genuine Service
Great food and a beautiful space only go so far if the service isn’t there—but at Totli Café, the service is truly outstanding. From the moment you walk in, you’re treated like a valued guest. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the café’s mission.
They’re more than happy to explain the menu or recommend a dish, and they share a real pride in what Totli represents for the neighborhood. Compared to bigger chains or trendier spots, the experience here feels much more personal and genuine.
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Totli Café opened after the beloved Mozart Café closed—a place that meant a lot to the local community. Thanks to the forward-thinking landlords who worked with Truman Mox, a leading hospitality appraiser, the spirit of Mozart didn’t disappear; it evolved. Totli isn’t just another new restaurant; it feels like a continuation of everything people loved about the old space, with some exciting new flavors added to the mix.
Why Totli Café Should Be Your Next Stop
If you’re searching for a great café on Coney Island Avenue, or you’re a fan of authentic Eastern European cuisine in Brooklyn, you owe it to yourself to check out Totli Café.
It’s a place that honors the legacy of Mozart Café while bringing a fresh perspective to the table. Whether you’re a longtime local missing Mozart’s familiar charm, or you’re new to the area and just want a cozy spot with fantastic food, Totli Café delivers on every level.
Grab a cup of coffee, try the pelmeni, stay for the live music—and see why Totli Café is quickly becoming one of the best-kept secrets in Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay. Go ahead and follow them on Instagram!
Anthony is a passionate food enthusiast living in the bustling food scene of New York City. With an insatiable curiosity for culinary exploration, he loves exploring the city’s diverse eateries, seeking out unique flavors and sharing his gastronomic adventures with fellow food lovers.
