Coffee Shops in NYC

Sweetleaf Coffee is an emerging new coffee chain in New York City, originally opened in 2008 on Jackson Avenue by owner and Queens native Rich Nieto. The roasters offer up a wide variety of fine coffees meant to reflect the diversity and sophistication of the iconic city, using a methodical cupping process to reproduce the best characteristics of each roast and a refractormeter system for measuring total dissolved solids. High-quality espresso drinks include unique iced coffee offerings, such as the company's Vietnamese-style Voodoo Child and chicory-and-maple-infused Rocket Fuel cold brew. Free wireless internet is offered for all customers, along with a record room with a turntable and vinyl selection.

10-93 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101, Phone: 917-832-6726

Everyman Espresso is a retro-styled cafe offering three locations throughout New York City, including outposts in SoHo, the East Village, and the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope. The pint-sized cafe, which is owned and operated by Sam Penix and Sam Lewontin and has been acclaimed by publications such as Food and Wine and Bon Appetit, serves up high-quality coffee shop beverages prepared with Counter Culture Coffee blends, including pourovers and AeroPress-prepared beverages. Signature drinks include Espresso Old Fashioneds, which eschew the bourbon of the traditional cocktail but blend other key ingredients such as bitters and simple syrup. Coffee catering is available for private special events, including corporate events.

301 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013, Phone: 212-533-0524

The ELK is a specialty cafe and general store in Manhattan's West Village, owned and operated by Vancouver native Claire Chan. The rustic-style coffee shop is infused with a rugged Pacific Northwestern flair, with decor elements crafted with the outdoors in mind. Sustainably-sourced single-origin pourovers are served up each morning, along with a wide variety of coffee shop beverages, including cortados, Americanos, and specialty lattes and mochas. Non-coffee drinkers can enjoy a selection of assorted loose-leaf teas, delicious ginger and lemon steamers, or superfood-infused smoothies highlighting ingredients such as blackberries, kale, and coconut milk. A light menu of cafe fare is served daily, including items such as baked egg toasts and brûléed grapefruit. Visitors can also purchase a selection of home items, ranging from homemade jams to succulents and locally-produced candles.

128 Charles St, New York, NY 10014, Phone: 212-933-4780

Coffee Shops in NYC For a Date

Birch is one of New York City's most popular regional coffee shops, offering 10 locations throughout Manhattan, including locations in Columbus Circle, SoHo, Murray Hill, and the Financial District. The coffee chain, which roasts its beans in Long Island City, offers a wide variety of light and dark blends, available in classic hot and cold beverages such as cortados, flat whites, cafe au lait, and cold brews. All coffees are sustainably sourced, with alternative non-dairy options available in all beverages, including hemp milk. The chain also strives to serve as a respite spot and a beacon of community in an otherwise fast-paced borough, offering take-a-book, leave-a-book lending libraries at all of its locations and encouraging diners to get to know one another through its Ignition Initiative icebreaker game.

750 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025, Phone: 212-665-1444

Roots Cafe is a charming South Slope cafe owned and operated by Patricia and Gareth Manwaring, known as a common hangout spot for New York-based indie rock artists such as The National, St. Vincent, and Sufjan Stevens. The coffee shop, which was originally opened by Jamey Hamm in 2008, serves up classic espresso beverages available with customizable flavor shots such as caramel, maple, and honey cinnamon, along with specialty concoctions such as iced coconut Americanos and "Redneck Mochas," which blend espresso with Yoo-hoo chocolate milk. A simple breakfast and lunch menu highlights burritos, loaded grits, and vegan entrees, including beet and hummus wraps, peanut butter and hemp seed toast, and tofu scrambles.

639 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, Phone: 929-301-5535

Hi-Collar is a unique concept cafe and bar located in Manhattan's East Village, named for a fashion term popularized during Japan's jazz age. From 11:00am to 4:00pm, the restaurant operates as a Western-inspired kissaten Japanese-style cafe, serving up an extensive rotating list of beans that can be prepared via pourover, siphon, or AeroPress. Mizudashi cold brew is also available, along with Japanese-style iced coffee and a variety of hot and iced teas. A limited lunch menu highlights variants of omurice omelette-style rice cakes, along with a variety of Japanese-style sandwiches. During the evening hours, the restaurant transforms into a bar serving up sake, imported Eastern beers, and delicious desserts such as coffee zenzai.

214 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003, Phone: 212-777-7018

Southside Coffee is a South Slope neighborhood cafe, originally opened in 2009 by Daniel Rojo, the co-owner of neighborhood favorite New American-style bistro Lot 2. The shop, which is co-owned by Lot 2 pastry chef Amber Sather, offers up a full menu of coffees and espresso beverages provided by popular national roaster Counter Culture Coffee, ranging from simple drip coffees and cold brews to delectable lattes and mochas. House-baked pastries and pies are served up daily, along with breakfast and lunch sandwich favorites such as tuna melts, veggie sandwiches, and elegant grilled cheeses prepared with New York yellow cheddar and bacon. Catering is available for private special events, including corporate events.

652 6th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, Phone: 347-599-2884

For Younger Couples

Stumptown Coffee Roasters is one of the United States' most beloved artisanal coffee roasters, originally opened in Portland, Oregon in 1999. Today, the company is operated as a subsidiary of Peet's Coffee and offers six locations throughout Portland, along with outposts in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, and the New York City neighborhoods of Midtown, Greenwich Village, and Cobble Hill. Signature espresso beverages are available, along with cold brew variants, French press coffees, and the company's popular Hair Bender coffee blend, available for grab-and-go purchase on nitro in cans. A selection of pastries is also available at all locations, sourced from favorite NYC bakeries such as Ovenly, Milk Bar, and the Doughnut Plant.

18 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 347-414-7805

Little Collins is a gourmet coffee shop in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood, offering a respite from the neighborhood's heavy saturation of chains such as Starbucks and Le Pain Quotidien. The Australian-based coffee shop, which is named in honor of one of Melbourne's most bustling business corridors, has been named as one of America's best coffee shops by MSN, Zagat, and USA Today. Industrial-style decor is designed to engage the senses, complementing carefully-cultivated breakfast, lunch, and cafe beverage menus. Classic beverages such as flat whites are available, along with upscale espresso drinks such as the Big Trouble, which blends Guatemalan and Papua New Guinea roasts with rich caramel nut chocolate. Delicious cafe fare includes avocado-feta smash toast, schnitzel sandwiches, and roasted chicken, squash, and lentil salads.

667 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022, Phone: 212-308-1969

Third Rail Coffee is a popular Manhattan coffee chain that offers two locations in the Greenwich Village area, including a location near New York University. The chain, which is helmed by owners Rita McCaffrey and Humberto Ricardo and opened its first location in 2009, has been named as one of New York City's top 10 coffee shops by The New York Times, serving up a simple but elegant menu of classic coffee shop beverages. Several espresso blends roasted by Counter Culture Coffee are available at any given time, available straight or in beverages such as cortados, macchiatos, and lattes. Diners can also choose from single-origin coffees brewed to order in a Chemex or enjoy decaffeinated beverages such as hot chocolate crafted with Omanhene cocoa and Battenkill Dairy Farms milk. A limited selection of baked goods and pastries is also available, including gourmet scones and muffins.

240 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012, Phone: 646-580-1240