TAP Brazilian Café brings healthy, flavorful Brazilian cuisine, vibrant culture, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to NYC’s NoMad neighborhood in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
When a new health-conscious food spot opens up, it simply warms my heart. Surrounded on all sides by the ever-present fat and grease enticements that functionally support our modern society, it can be tough to stay the course on my health grind and not give in. As a vegetarian and aspiring vegan, having the availability of these choices means the world. Enter TAP Brazilian Café, a brand delivering delicious food, nutrition, and culture all bundled in a feel-good package.
I was invited to the opening of TAP’s newest location, in NoMad. The first thing I noticed was the excitement and energy in the air, which to me was atypical of a restaurant or café opening. A DJ spun latin-fused bangers, waiters swung around with giant smiles on their face, and guests were on their feet and bopping to the music. I got the opportunity to try some of the food right away, and as I munched, one of the employees explained the concept behind the café.
First: I had no idea what I was eating but it was absolutely delicious. The waiter explained that it was a traditional Brazilian delicacy called pão de queijo, a small ball of bread stuffed with cheese. I ate it as it was presumably fresh out of the oven, and its warm cheesy aroma filled the air. What I did not expect was the mouthfeel: an almost marshmallow-esque chewiness that was honestly half the experience. The waiter said this was one of the foundations of the café: TAP stood for tapioca, açaí, and pão de queijo, all of the brand’s initial offerings. The biggest surprise: everything on the menu was 100% gluten free, thanks to the use of tapioca and cassava flour for all “bread” items.
Gluten-free Tapioca sandwiches
-Courtesy of The Knockturnal
I was able to try one of these next, a mushroom BBQ sandwich. The tapioca bread was very different from regular bread, but had its own chewy and satisfying mouthfeel. It very much reminded me of a traditional Indian dosa crepe, and I loved the deep flavor. It was also great how every item had a vegetarian or vegan variant on request, and I really commended the inclusivity of the menu in general. I finished off my meal with several smoothie samplers, which all had the fresh tropical taste that was simply refreshing on a summer evening. My personal favorite? The mango passionfruit, which immediately transported me to an island.
The DJ bumping Latin jams
-Courtesy of The Knockturnal
With this new NoMad location now joining TAP’s growing lineup across New York and Miami, there’s plenty of reason to stop by and see what all the Brazilian buzz is about. Between the nutrient-packed açaí bowls, tropical smoothies, protein-forward options, and those amazing chewy pão de queijo that I loved, the menu manages to somehow feel indulgent without leaving you feeling like you’ve completely abandoned your health goals. The ingredients themselves are a little adventure, with açaí sourced from Brazil’s Amazon rainforest and tapioca imported directly from Brazil and coffee beans from Minas Gerais. The location itself is dripped out in colorful murals, and a larger-than-life toucan sculpture. With the upbeat Brazilian soundtrack, and TAP feels like more than just a place to grab a quick bite—it’s a little slice of Brazil dropped right into NoMad. Whether you’re looking for a post-workout pick-me-up, a quick breakfast, or simply an excuse to try something new, I’d say TAP is well worth adding to your next NYC food stop.
