Category: Shop Tours / Coffee Shop
Sometimes the best coffee breaks are the ones you don’t plan. I was recently passing through Fort Lee and stopped by Cafe Et Lait on Main Street. It’s a cozy spot serving cakes, sandwiches, and, as it turns out, some genuinely serious coffee. While they don’t have a full website, you can find them on Instagram at @cafe_et_lait_486.
The Pour-Over
I stopped in during the late afternoon, looking for a moment to decompress. I noticed they were serving beans from Gotham Coffee Roasters, so I decided to sit down for a pour-over.
I went with the Lintong Mutu Batak Sumatra.
Sumatra coffee often gets a reputation for being earthy and heavy, but this was something special. It is a “wet-hulled” coffee with notes of lemonade, black tea, and baking spices. It was exactly what I needed: a clean, flavorful cup that turned a quick stop into a stress-free break.
Actually, the cup was good enough that it sparked my curiosity about the roaster. I’m definitely planning to stop by Gotham Coffee Roasters the next time I have a chance to be in the city.
The Lineup
While I sipped my Sumatra, I took a look at their pour-over board. For a local shop, their lineup is surprisingly curated. They aren’t just stocking a generic “House Blend.” They are rotating through distinct origins and processing methods.
Just look at the variety in the photo below:
- The Heavy Hitters: A Colombia Gesha (often a premium, floral varietal) and an interesting Finca Las Afiladeras from Ecuador.
- The Fruit Bombs: Two different Ethiopians—a washed Guji and a natural Qabballe.
- The Comforts: A natural process Brazil for those sweet, chocolatey notes.
It’s a menu that tells you someone here cares about the craft. It covers the whole spectrum of flavor profiles, from the floral and tea-like to the rich and fermented.
I also noticed they have a dedicated tea station with various options. I’m not much of a tea drinker, so I passed on that for now and can’t say much about the quality. However, if you are a fan of tea, it looked like there was plenty there for you to explore.
The Verdict
Cafe Et Lait is a humble spot, but the coffee punches above its weight. It was a good coffee in the late afternoon—simple as that. I’m planning to stop by again when I pass through Fort Lee, specifically to try that Colombia Gesha.
Cafe Et Lait 486 Main St, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
