AMA LA VITA: A Cozy and Kosher Pizza Cafe in NYC's Chelsea

AMA LA VITA Introduce

In the vibrant and bustling neighborhood of Chelsea, a true gem for locals and visitors alike has emerged:

AMA LA VITA

. This charming kosher cafe and pizzeria offers a slice of coziness and a taste of Italy with a unique New York twist. More than just a pizza place, it’s a destination that perfectly blends the casual comfort of a local coffee shop with the delicious offerings of a top-tier pizzeria. The name, which translates to “love life” in Italian, perfectly captures the inviting and warm atmosphere of the space.

AMA LA VITA has quickly become a standout for two primary reasons: its fantastic personal pizza pies and its exceptional coffee. Patrons rave about the quality of the coffee, often calling it "one of the best in town." This reputation is built on their dedication to a wide variety of coffee and espresso drinks, from classic lattes and cappuccinos to unique options like a Flat White or an Affogato. This focus on high-quality beverages makes it the perfect spot for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat.

The pizza menu, while focused on personal pies, offers a delightful range of flavors. From the traditional 11-inch

Margherita Pizza

to a unique

Black Truffle Pizza

, there is a pie for every palate. The

New York Style Pizza

has received particular praise, with one reviewer even preferring it over the classic Margherita. This balance of traditional Italian flavors and beloved New York style demonstrates a deep understanding of what a great pizza should be. The menu also includes a variety of other delectable options, from fresh salads and savory sandwiches to delicious pastries, ensuring that there's always something to satisfy your craving.

The cafe's atmosphere is casual and cozy, making it an ideal place for solo dining, a weekend brunch, or a quick bite with a friend. The decor is described as "super cute," and the presence of

outdoor seating

allows you to enjoy your meal while soaking in the energy of the neighborhood. The fact that it is a kosher dairy place also makes it a valuable and convenient dining option for those in the Jewish community, filling a void for a casual, high-quality spot in the area.

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Location and Accessibility

AMA LA VITA is located at

121 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011, USA

, nestled in the heart of Chelsea. Its central location makes it a convenient stop for anyone in the neighborhood, whether you’re a local grabbing a quick bite or a tourist exploring the area. The cafe’s placement on a main street makes it easy to find and a great destination for a planned meal or a spontaneous visit.

The restaurant offers several service options to fit your needs. You can choose to

dine-in

and enjoy the cozy atmosphere, with seating both indoors and outdoors. For those on the go,

takeout

is an efficient option. Additionally, AMA LA VITA provides

delivery

and

no-contact delivery

services, bringing their delicious pizzas and coffee right to your door.

In terms of accessibility, the cafe has a

wheelchair accessible entrance

, ensuring that it is welcoming to all patrons. While parking in the area consists of paid street parking, its central location in Chelsea means it's easily reachable via public transportation. This accessibility, combined with its service options, makes AMA LA VITA a convenient and practical choice for a quick and satisfying meal.

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Services Offered

Dine-in and Outdoor Seating: Enjoy a comfortable meal in the cafe’s charming interior or opt for their outdoor seating to take in the street life of Chelsea. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
Takeout and Delivery: For a convenient meal at home or the office, AMA LA VITA offers quick and easy takeout service. Their delivery and no-contact delivery options ensure that you can enjoy their food and drinks without leaving your location.
Brunch and Lunch: The menu is designed for a variety of meal times, making it a popular spot for both lunch and a weekend brunch. With offerings like Avocado Toast, sandwiches, and personal pizzas, it’s a versatile place for a casual meal.
Coffee and Drinks: As a cafe, they are well-equipped to serve a wide range of coffee and non-coffee beverages. From hot drip coffee to iced lattes and chai, their drink menu is as impressive as their food, making it a great destination for coffee lovers.
Dessert and Pastries: AMA LA VITA offers a selection of pastries and sweets like pound cakes and biscotti. These items, along with their delicious coffee, are perfect for a quick dessert or an afternoon snack.

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Features / Highlights

Kosher Dairy Cuisine: This is a major highlight that sets AMA LA VITA apart. As a kosher dairy establishment, it provides a valuable and delicious dining option for those who observe kashrut. This is particularly important in a neighborhood where kosher options can be limited.
Exceptional Coffee: The coffee is consistently mentioned as a top feature, with reviews praising it as "one of the best in town." This commitment to a high-quality beverage program is a significant draw, turning the cafe into a destination for coffee aficionados.
Personal Pizza Pies: The focus on personal pizza pies makes the menu accessible and perfect for solo diners or those who want to try a variety of flavors. The
New York Style Pizza
and
Black Truffle Pizza
are particularly noteworthy and show the cafe's ability to master both classic and gourmet options.
Cozy and Casual Atmosphere: The cafe's vibe is described as "super cute" and cozy, making it a comfortable and inviting place to spend time. It’s a great spot for a relaxed meal, whether you're working on your laptop or meeting a friend.
Good for Kids and Solo Dining: The menu and atmosphere are suitable for all ages, making it a good choice for families with children. It's also recognized as a great spot for solo dining, a testament to its casual and welcoming feel.

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Contact Information

Address: 121 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
Phone: (917) 531-7991

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What is worth choosing

When you choose AMA LA VITA, you're choosing a place that excels at a few key things, making it a truly worthwhile stop. The most important thing to try is their coffee. The quality is a major draw for locals, and it pairs perfectly with their food. Whether you prefer a simple

Drip Coffee

or a more complex

Mocha Latte

, you won't be disappointed.

For a meal, the personal pizza pies are a must-try. The

New York Style Pizza

is a particular standout, offering a delicious taste of a city classic. For a more adventurous palate, the

Black Truffle Pizza

is an excellent choice, showcasing a gourmet flavor profile. Beyond pizza, the menu offers great choices for a light meal, such as the

Avocado Toast

for brunch or the

Caprese Salad

for a fresh and simple lunch. The

Truffle Cream Pasta

is also a popular and delicious choice for a more substantial meal.

The atmosphere is another compelling reason to visit. The cafe’s cozy and casual vibe makes it an easy choice for any occasion. It's the kind of place you can pop into for a quick bite or linger for a while with a book and a coffee. The availability of outdoor seating adds to its appeal, especially on a nice day.

Finally, for those who keep kosher, AMA LA VITA is an invaluable find. Its status as a kosher dairy place means you can enjoy delicious pizza, pasta, and baked goods in a welcoming environment without any worry. This unique feature, combined with its fantastic food and coffee, makes AMA LA VITA a true gem in the Chelsea dining scene.

AMA LA VITA Food & drink

All Day - Menu
Mozzarella Sandwich $9.75
Ciabatta bread with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, tomato slices, and pesto sauce.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich $8.90
Golden, melted cheese nestled between buttery, toasted slices of bread.
Truffle Cream Pasta $16.50
Penne pasta with a rich truffle cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper.
Marinara Pasta $15.99
Marinara sauce, garlic, onion, herbs
Avocado Toast $9.75
Watermelon Feta Salad $12.75

All Day - Pastries
Biscotti $3.50
Crunchy twice-baked almond cookies with a hint of vanilla and scattered with chopped nuts.
Pistachio Pound Cake $3.50
Walnut Pound Cake $3.50
Marble Cake $3.50
Slice of vanilla and chocolate marble cake.
Chocolate Chip Cake $3.50
Moist cake with rich chocolate chips embedded in a soft, tender crumb.
2x Mini Vanilla Croissants $3.50
Mini vanilla croissants: Flaky, buttery pastries typically infused with vanilla essence. Ideal for a light snack or with coffee.

All Day - Coffee & Drinks
Hot Chocolate $4.90
Rich chocolate beverage topped with a generous layer of whipped cream. Choose from oat milk, almond milk, no milk, skim milk, whole milk, or half n' half.
Chai Latte $6.20
Chai latte with choice of hot or iced, and various milk options including oat, almond, skim, whole, or half 'n' half.
Hot Tea $4.25
peppermint, english breakfast, chammomile
Flat White $5.90
Flat white with your choice of milk: oat, almond, no milk, skim, whole, or half n' half.
Red Eye $6.50
Coffee with a shot of espresso. Available hot or iced. Milk options include oat, almond, skim, whole, or half n' half.
Drip Coffee $3.30
Choice of milk options: oat, almond, no milk, skim, whole, or half n' half.
Americano $4.40
Rich espresso with hot water. Choose from oat, almond, no milk, skim, whole, or half n' half.
Mocha Latte $6.50
Mocha latte, hot or iced. Choose from oat, almond, skim, whole milk, half n' half, or no milk.
Cappuccino $5.40
Cappuccino with choice of milk: oat, almond, no milk, skim, whole, or half n' half.
Cortado $4.65
Silky espresso with your choice of milk: oat, almond, skim, whole, or half-and-half.
Macchiato $4.65
Rich espresso topped with a splash of milk. Available with oat milk, almond milk, skim, whole milk, or Half n' Half.
Cold Brew $5.90
Latte $5.90
Creamy espresso with your choice of oat, almond, skim, whole milk, or half n' half. Available hot or iced.
Iced Tea $4.50
Refreshing iced tea with a hint of citrus.
Espresso Shot $3.90
Espresso shot with choice of oat, almond, skim, whole milk, or half n' half.
Matcha Latte $6.40
Matcha latte with choice of hot or iced, and milk options including oat, almond, no milk, skim, whole, or half and half.
Affogato $6.50
Decadent espresso shot poured over creamy, velvety ice cream. The perfect blend of bitter and sweet.

All Day - Personal Pizza Pies
11" Margherita Pizza $16.90
Fresh mozzarella, organic basil, organic tomatoes.
11" New York Style Pizza $14.90
Mozzarella cheese, organic tomatoes.
Green Olive Pizza $14.90
Thin crust pizza with tomato sauce, green olives, and cheese.
Pesto Pie $14.90
Half Olive Half Pesto Pie $14.90
Cheese pizza with green olives on one half and basil pesto on the other.
Black Truffle Pizza $16.50
Topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, black truffle, and basil leaves.
Half Margharita Half NY-Style $15.90
Tomato sauce, fior di latte, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil on one half, with New York-style thin crust and traditional toppings on the other.

All Day - Salads
Mesclun Salad $15.90
Mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil dressing
Arugula Salad $12.75
Arugula, Pecorino romano cheese, olive oil dressing
Caprese Salad $14.90
Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic dressing

AMA LA VITA Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great coffee

Popular for
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee
Quick bite

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Crowd
Locals

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Paid street parking

AMA LA VITA Photos

AMA LA VITA Location

AMA LA VITA

New York New York County New York West 19th Street

121 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011, USA

AMA LA VITA Reviews

An average rating of ★4.9 from 93 user reviews.

coffeeatmospheremargherita pizzalunchpastriesarugula saladgrilled cheesechalav yisraelcappuccinomeeting

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Great kosher dairy place. Amazing pizza, also the pasta is delicious.But the main thing is coffee! It's one of the best in town.
August 22 · Ronin N
The place is super cute - perfect for a weekend brunch. It's also kosher (halavi). They have some outdoor seating as well. The NY-style pizza was really good, I actually preferred it over the regular margherita. I also really enjoyed my vanilla iced latte. The arugula salad wasn’t my favorite - maybe it was the lack of dressing. We were a bit disappointed by the use of plastic plates, though :(
May 29 · Mary Grant
Great food and good pricing. Their cold brew was extra smooth and the place had lots of seating and solid air conditioning. Would recommend!
July 25 · Ronen Halevy
The store itself is very nice. Great decor. The staff and service are courteous. The food was delicious! We had the arugula salad, margarita pizza and grilled cheese. Amazing! Must visit this place. The pastries looked really good too!
August 14 · Abe Fried
Had a Margherita pizza which was interesting (mostly in a good way)- more cheesy than most of its type. Crust was a bit sour, which I was less enthused about. Service was very fast and friendly. Atmosphere was very laid back when I came (530 pm).
February 19 · Michael Lewyn