New Food Options at Metro Café Opens at Former Site of The National Restaurant & Coffee Shop

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES

OUTSIDE THE METRO Café on its Grand Opening on July 13, 2026 at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx, it was a busy day as people walk by.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Patrons of the former National Restaurant & Coffee Shop which, as reported, used to be located at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue for 43 years prior to its closure some time around May 2025, have some new eatery options following the Grand Opening of the Metro Café at the same location on July 13.

MARIA VEGA AND co-owner, Ale Coronel, of the new Metro Café, located at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx, greet customers at the Café’s Grand Opening on July 13, 2026.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Described by co-owner, Ale Coronel, as a “fantastic addition to Bedford Park Boulevard,” the location is right across from a major transit hub at Bedford Park subway station serving the 4 train, and a short distance from Lehman College. Coronel added, “The corridor gets a lot of foot traffic from students, commuters, and the community who are always looking for quick, fresh options.”  

A CUSTOMER BUYS the Acai Bowl (with Acai, strawberries, bananas, granola, blueberries and coconut flakes) at the new Metro Café on its Grand Opening day on July 13, 2026 at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx. 
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Coronel went on to say that the Café’s 24/7 schedule is “a total game-changer” for the neighborhood, especially for anyone catching an early train or heading home from a late shift. “Balancing out the super healthy acai bowls and smoothies with a classic burger-and-fries option means there’s actually something for whatever mood you’re in,” he said.

MARIA VEGA AND a staff member hand out free samples of food outside the Metro Café on its Grand Opening day on July 13, 2026 at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx. 
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

There is currently no seating at the Cafe but one of the other co-owners told Norwood News on July 28 that the management team are considering this for the future.

Free samples were handed out to the public at the Grand Opening.

INSIDE METRO CAFE, a wide range of food items are available on the Cafe’s Grand Opening day on July 13, 2026 at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx. 
Photo by Miriam Quiñones

Depending on their respective locations, new and existing local small businesses in Norwood and Bedford Park may be eligible to receive small business support and resources from the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) and / or Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC).

Additionally, NYC Department of Small Business Services offers a wide range of services and supports to small businesses across the city.