New York City is known around the world for its first-class food and beverage scene, serving up cutting-edge cuisine offerings from around the world and perfectly-mixed drinks of all kinds. Coffee is no exception, with a plethora of upscale and casual cafes available to fuel the city that never sleeps. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy brews from top national chains or try craft beverages from local favorites.
Sweetleaf Coffee
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
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
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
Birch
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
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
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
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
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
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
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
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
Box Kite
Box Kite is a unique multi-roaster cafe that has been acclaimed by major publications such as The New York Times and Gothamist as one of Manhattan's best coffee spots, offering locations in the East Village and the Upper West Side. The quaint coffee shop showcases a wide range of coffee styles from the best independent roasters throughout the United States, showcasing fine, sustainably-sourced beans from around the world. An accessible cafe menu strives to highlight the unique flavor profiles of each coffee in unpretentious formats such as pourovers and classic lattes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily at the cafe's first-come, first-served 12-seat dining room, featuring innovative dishes such as chickpea lasagna, roast lamb sandwiches, and fava bean toast. A nightly pop-up tasting menu also highlights the works of up-and-coming New York City chefs, complemented by a curated selection of wines, beers, and ciders.
128 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, Phone: 212-574-8202
Breukelen Coffee House
Breukelen Coffee House is a charming local coffee spot near Brooklyn's Prospect Park, located in the neighborhood of Crown Heights. All coffee beverages feature locally-roasted beans from Stumptown Coffee Roasters, produced at the company's Red Hook roastery and delivered fresh daily. A curated beverage menu ranges from staples such as cortados and cold brews to delicious homemade chai lattes and Nutella-infused mochas. A selection of hot and iced teas from New York company SerendipiTea is also served, along with rich pastries such as housemade banana bread, doughnuts, and pecan sticky buns. A large meeting room is available for customer use, with special events such as live music performances and art showings hosted monthly.
320 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn NY 11238, Phone: 718-744-7687
Coffee Project
Coffee Project is a trendy cafe in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, originally founded in 2015 as a passion project for owners Chi-Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh. The coffee shop, which also offers a location in downtown Brooklyn within the Pioneer Building, is best known for its unique three-course deconstructed lattes, which serves up shots of espresso and milk alongside a fully-prepared latte to help drinkers more wholly identify flavor notes in the completed beverage. Nitro cold brew is also available, along with flavorful takes on standard beverages such as cappuccinos and made-to-order Chemex pourovers. Knowledgeable baristas explain each beverage carefully, striving to educate customers as they refuel for their day.
239 E. 5th St New York, NY 10003
Toby's Estate
Toby's Estate is an upscale coffee roaster offering three locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, including locations in Williamsburg, Flatiron, and the West Village. The company, which originated in Australia, has become a popular spot for hip and elite locals and tourists alike, serving up high-quality coffee shop beverages crafted from La Marzocco Strada espresso machines. Diverse seasonal menus highlight top coffees from the world's best growing regions, with a focus on single-origin coffees and pourover and press offerings. Regular barista and latte art courses are offered at the company's Williamsburg location, along with weekly public cupping events.
44 Charles Street, New York, NY 1001, Phone: 646-590-1924
Dweebs Brooklyn
Dweebs Brooklyn is one of Bushwick's newest coffee shop offerings, opened in 2015 by owners Mike Golfo and Will Douglas. The Dekalb Avenue cafe's name is a reference to and rejection of the upscale nature of trendy coffee culture of the early 21st century, promising customers an ego-free, high-quality coffee experience. Unpretentious espresso beverages use beans roasted by local NYC company Spectrum Coffees, complemented by a selection of black, green, red, and herbal tea offerings. A simple cafe fare menu emphasizes favorites such as chia pudding, avocado toast, and bagel sandwiches, with bread and pastries sourced from bakers L'imprimerie. Board game nights are hosted at the cafe each Thursday nights, and rotating displays of artwork are showcased each month.
1434 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237, Phone: 347-413-5272
Sey Coffee
Sey Coffee is a high-quality coffee shop in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, owned and operated by lifelong best friends Lance Schnorenberg and Tobin Polk. The cafe originally opened in 2010 under the name Lofted Coffee and recently changed its name to avoid confusion with San Diego company Lofty Coffee. Ethically and sustainably-sourced coffees are roasted in house to emphasize unique aromatics and flavor profiles, with different single-origin roasts offered for each type of beverage on the cafe's menu. All beverages are served on flight boards, complemented by glasses of sparkling water for palate cleansing. Though a full cafe menu is not offered, a selection of pastries is provided by Bushwick bakery L'imprimerie.
18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11206, Phone: 347-871-1611
Black Fox
Black Fox is one of downtown Manhattan's most popular cafes, opened in the borough's Financial District in 2016. The cafe, which is owned and operated by Clement Coffee Roasters founder Kris Wood and business partners Gary Hardwick and Daniel Murphy, focuses on high-quality customer service and consistently fantastic coffee shop beverages, housed within a sleek spot offering long wooden tables and interior greenery. Elegant espresso and filter coffee options highlight floral and fruity notes, served up alongside classic favorites such as macchiatos, cortados, and flat whites. Iced beverages include 18-hour cold brews and clever espresso tonics blended with lemon bitters and Fever Tree tonic water. A limited breakfast menu highlights egg-forward dishes and avocado toasts, served up alongside superfood smoothies with ingredients such as acai berries.
70 Pine Street, New York, NY 10005, Phone: 917-742-0133
Sweatshop
Sweatshop is one of Williamsburg's trendiest coffee shops, described as a community hub for both coffee aficionados and interior designers by its owner Ryan De Remer. The quaint cafe is a public front for the design studio that shares its space, serving up Australian-influenced beverages such as flat whites alongside favorites such as cappuccinos and piccolo lattes. Its signature beverage, the Sparky, combines tonic water and lime with espresso for a lighter warm-weather beverage. A simple cafe menu highlights acai bowls and avocado toasts alongside clever sandwiches such as the Dirtybird, which pairs roast turkey breast with pickled jalapeno slaw and peri peri mayonnaise. Visitors should note that the coffee shop fills up very quickly in the mornings and should plan to arrive early to stake out work space.
232 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, Phone: 917-960-7232
Devocion
Devoción is a popular New York City coffee shop that serves as an outpost of a fair-trade coffee roaster of the same name in Bogota, offering cafe locations in Flatiron, downtown Brooklyn, and Williamsburg. All of the company's beans are ethically imported directly from Colombia only 10 days after being picked, ensuring prime freshness and taste. In addition to French press, pourover, and espresso coffee variants, the cafe also serves up delicious Colombian favorites such as steamed water aromaticas, cascara tea, and fresh-fruit-infused salpicon. A limited selection of Colombian food is also served up, along with croissants and other pastries. Free wireless internet is available for all customers, with decor and ambiance elements emphasizing the shop's Colombian roots, including a vertical green garden wall showcasing more than 2,000 types of exotic plants.
69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, Phone: 718-285-6180
Patent Coffee
Patent Coffee is a hip coffee shop located on the basement level of Manhattan's historic Radio Wave Building, known as a major New York City landmark and the former home of inventor Nikola Tesla. The cafe's menu focuses on lighter roasts highlighting flowery and fruity flavor notes, available as pourovers or in traditional coffee shop beverages such as cappuccinos, cortados, and nitro cold brew. A delicious rotating seasonal menu offers more upscale beverage concoctions, ranging from iced coconut matchas to CBD-infused cold brew. Single-origin boxed coffees are available for sale, along with pastries by Pain D'Avignon and a selection of overnight oats and chia jars. The cafe's Li'l Pat coffee cart is available for rental for private special events, including corporate functions.
49 West 27th Street, Radio Wave Building, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 212-689-4000
Daily Press Coffee
Daily Press Coffee is a world-class Brooklyn cafe, offering locations in the borough's Bedford-Stuyvesant and Ocean Hill neighborhoods. The company, which was founded on principles of community and neighborhood heritage preservation, serves up locally-roasted beans in a wide variety of classic cafe beverages, including cortados, cappuccinos, Americanos, and cold brews. Coffee alternatives include chai lattes, hot chocolate, and a variety of hot and cold tea offerings. A variety of pastries and baked goods are served up alongside beverages, including vegan and gluten-free options. Breakfast menu offerings include breakfast burritos, yogurt parfaits, and hand pies prepared by local bakers Four and Twenty Blackbirds.
505 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238, Phone: 347-240-1101
Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists
Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists is the Gowanus outpost of a popular Brisbane-based Australian coffee roaster, originally opened by former Di Bella Coffee owners Phillip Di Bella, Karl Jameson, and Logan Kedwell. The coffee shop, which opened to the public in 2007 within a 27,000-square-foot converted warehouse space, roasts all of its beans in house weekly, also sourcing roasts to local coffee shops such as Gold Roast Cafe and Paradigm. Single-origin brews and blends are served up in espresso-based beverages, including matcha and turmeric lattes. The cafe also sells a wide variety of coffees and cafe pantry supplies, including flavor syrups and chai concentrates. Coffee training sessions are open to the public for free, teaching skills such as latte art.
573 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, Phone: 347-384-2862
Culture Espresso
Culture Espresso is one of Manhattan's most chic coffee shop chains, originally opened in 2009 near Bryant Park. The cafe, which opened a second location within the Garment District in 2014, serves espresso beverages prepared with beans by popular national roasters, including Chicago's Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea and Portland's Heart Coffee Roasters. Beverages include some of the borough's best flat whites, available hot or iced and with alternative milk options such as oat milk. Breakfast and lunch menus highlight options such as truffled egg salad sandwiches and homemade muesli. A variety of cookies baked in house are also sold, including the cafe's signature chocolate chip cookies, the winner of NYC's Chocolate Chip Cookie-Off in 2017.
72 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018, Phone: 212-302-0200
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