Verified Company
Banter in the West Village has officially become one of my comfort spots in the city. The space is bright and relaxed, with that easy Australian café energy and a steady hum of conversation that feels very neighborhood in the best way. You can sit inside and watch the baristas work or grab a sidewalk table and people watch your way through brunch. 
The matcha is fantastic here, smooth and well balanced without being too grassy or too sweet, and the ginger tangerine tea is exactly what I want on a chilly day, fragrant, citrusy, and soothing.  The kale and avo salad with grilled chicken is a standout, hearty enough for a full meal yet still light, with quinoa, creamy avocado, and a sweet and spicy dressing that ties everything together.  The avocado toast with a perfectly poached egg hits all the right notes, great sourdough, generous avo, and that runny yolk situation that makes every bite better. A side of bacon is crispy, smoky, and very shareable, although you may not want to. 
Service is friendly and efficient, even when it is busy, and it feels like the team genuinely cares about the experience. Knowing that Banter is now employee owned makes the hospitality make even more sense, there is pride in how everything comes out of the kitchen and how guests are treated.  If you are in the West Village and craving a great matcha, a bright tea, and fresh, thoughtful food, Banter should be on your short list.
The beautiful Brit bird brought me the best healthy breakfast, ever. Adept baristas and staff suggested banana bread to keep me from falling too deep into those greens of hers. The Mona Lisa, and a movie star greeted me at the door. Pictures of food? Go. Taste. Gaze. Redux! Update: 3 visits. No fluke. Really good, solid fare. “Penelope the Strong” found the juice. “To the moon and back…”
