Nestled at the bustling intersection of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy, where the Broadway and Myrtle Avenue transit hub pulses with Brooklyn’s signature energy, The Concrete Jungle offers an unexpected oasis of calm. As I push open the door, the chaos of the street gives way to a verdant sanctuary that feels worlds away from the subway rumble outside.
The concept is brilliantly simple yet uniquely New York: a specialty coffee bar meets plant shop, where the boundaries between café and greenhouse beautifully blur. Founded by David Bueno, a New York native with a vision to “Make Brooklyn Greener,” this space has quickly become a neighborhood gem since its opening in June 2022.
First, there’s the ritual of ordering (everybody knows I take forever with menus) – the baristas craft the drink orders with the same care that goes into selecting from the shop’s massive collection of indoor plants. I, personally, opted for their Iced Jasmine Green Tea while my boyfriend – the non-fan of caffeine – ordered a coconut water. As for light bites, the croissant was massive and had the right amount of fluff, it also tasted delicious! The banana bread I ordered was also a win in my book!
What strikes me about this cafe is how the space transforms what could be a quick coffee stop into an invitation to linger. Plants of all varieties line the surfaces and climb the walls, their leaves creating natural partitions and pockets of privacy. It’s also very serene and aesthetically pleasing.
The genius of The Concrete Jungle lies in how it addresses a fundamental urban need: the desire for connection to nature within our concrete landscape. Each plant in the ever-changing inventory offers city dwellers a chance to bring a piece of this serenity home. It’s not just about selling plants; it’s about promoting a lifestyle where urban living and natural elements coexist peacefully.