Breakfast And Dessert Cafe Opens In Downtown Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Emrah and Merve Aykanat of Rutherford always dreamed of owning a restaurant after their kids flew the nest and they could retire. Emrah has been a chef for 20 years, including at high-end Michelin-rated restaurants.

“After the kids left, we said, ‘The restaurant’s not going to happen…” He said on Tuesday. The pair kept putting it off, then realized they had to start small.

Tuesday morning, the pair opened Little Mingo, a slim breakfast, coffee, and dessert shop on Hoboken’s historic First Street. The street is full of other quaint businesses and shade trees.

Emrah Aykanat showed off the menu at the store on Tuesday.

They serve up a variety of waffles and sweet crepes (from Oreo Island to Tropical Twirl, coffee and espresso varieties, a menu of herbal teas, non-caffeinated beverages (such as ginger honey lemonade and green detox lemonade), and frozen desserts with toppings.

Emrah said he got the name from his nephews, who can’t pronounce flamingo but say “Mingo.”

An apt name for a café that may look small, but is full of color and sweetness.

Little Mingo Café is located at 305 First St., Hoboken.