88 Orchard (CLOSED)

The location across from the Lower East Side Tenement Museum leads to a lot of tour-bus traffic, but somehow, the bright café stays tidy and mellow and never feels overcrowded. Two walls of windows (open on warm days), a white pressed-tin ceiling and pale mint-colored walls contribute to the pleasant atmosphere. Tasty edibles—buttermilk waffles for breakfast, crisp pressed sandwiches for lunch—do the rest. Lattes are particularly delicious; muffins come from nearby Clinton Street Baking Company; and bread is from Blue Ribbon Bakery. The downstairs section is big enough to host a small lunch meeting.