From Designer to Historic: Our Favorite Coffee Shops in Manhattan
From the early morning commuters clutching their to-go cups to the weekend brunch crowds savoring meticulously brewed lattes, coffee is the lifeblood that fuels New York City. But in a place as diverse and dynamic as NYC, the coffee scene is more than just a quick caffeine fix, it’s a culture unto itself. Whether you’re looking for a great cup of coffee or a cozy new cafe to add to your repertoire, these are some of our favorites to check out.
How we narrowed down the list
Cortado at La Cabra
Needless to say, favorites are personal. Here’s what we like, so if you find yourself in a completely different camp, you can say, “no, thank you”, and save yourself some time. Lynn prefers an Americano, while Justin generally takes his coffee with milk, preferably from a great upstate New York dairy farm like Battenkill Creamery. We drink them hot most of the year, but switch to iced versions during the dog days of summer. We usually enjoy medium roasts with tasting notes of chocolate (we wrote a Chocolate Lover’s Guide to NYC, after all) and fruit, but we don’t generally drink flavored coffees. Justin does get adventurous, though, and may enjoy a specialty coffee drink, like a coffee tonic or signature latte, from time to time.
Birch Coffee in Lower Manhattan
All our selections in this guide are what most consider third-wave coffee shops, which emphasize high-quality, ethically sourced beans, precise brewing methods, and a deep appreciation for coffee as an artisanal product. We’ve chosen to highlight local purveyors who roast their own beans, or in some cases, create their own blends with local roasteries. And while there are many variables, like the different house roasts or baristas, we’ve chosen spots where we’ve consistently had positive experiences.
Best Local Coffee Chains in NYC
Irving Farm New York in the Upper West Side
Irving Farm New York in the Upper West Side
Some of the biggest and most recognizable names in specialty coffee, from Seattle to Australia, have staked a claim in New York City. But we have our fair share of hometown coffee behemoths too. These local coffee chains were born and bred here, and we think they embody the city’s scrappiness and tenacity. One of our local pioneers was Irving Farm New York, established in 1996. The self-taught founders converted a carriage house in bucolic Dutchess County into a roastery, and their 20+ years of experience and expertise is evident. Ninth Street Espresso was another trailblazer in New York's coffee scene, opening its doors in 2001. Known for its simple menu and dedication to quality, it's a favorite among coffee purists who appreciate straightforward, excellent brews.
A deconstructed latte at Coffee Project NY in Long Island City
Coffee Project NY is our local mad scientist, focusing on showcasing coffee's unique flavors through careful roasting, blending, and preparation. Their deconstructed latte is a popular choice, and their Coffee Academy in Long Island City offers a deeper dive into the world of coffee. What sets Birch Coffee apart is their dedication to fostering a strong sense of community. Instead of free wi-fi, their locations feature mini-libraries, inviting you to disconnect and linger. And though it has expanded far beyond New York City, Cafe Grumpy has deep roots in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where it originated. In a quintessentially New York story; the name was coined after a less-than-stellar coffee experience. The name and the iconic logo are a playful jab at the city's fast-paced lifestyle and the importance of a good cup of coffee in staving off that morning grumpiness.
Top Neighborhood Cafés in NYC
Abraço in the East Village
A third space is a social environment distinct from both home and work, where people gather to relax, socialize, and build community. Neighborhood coffee houses are important third spaces. They are spots locals don’t want outsiders to know about, where baristas know their regulars as well as their drinks. We try to feature as many as we can in our neighborhood guides (sorry, locals!), because they offer an entirely different coffee experience than the one you get from the larger, uber-efficient, impersonal chains. In our Upper West Side guide, we feature Plowshares Coffee, a boutique roaster with a large, welcoming space. In our East Village guide, we highlight Abraço, a neighborhood institution offering fantastic coffee and an array of delectable confections from their in-house bakery. In Harlem, Black-owned I Like It Black spotlights a different Black- or Latino-owned coffee roaster every quarter.
Café Reggio in the West Village
In the West Village, people come from far and wide to visit one of its most famous coffee shops. Caffé Reggio is rumored to have introduced the cappuccino to the United States, and is a historic landmark. Built in 1927, the café transports you to a different time and place. Its unique interior features provocative artwork, a bench that belonged to the Medici, and the 100-year-old espresso machine that started it all. It’s also been featured in a number of movies, including Godfather II and the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis.
Cute and Trendy NYC Coffee Spots
Felix Roasting Company in NoHo
Iced Americano and Iced Latte at Felix Roasting Company
Though good coffee is always the main priority when we’re choosing where to grab a cup, New York City has several stylish cafes that turn caffeinating into an artful experience. Felix Roasting Company may be the pinnacle of this concept. Renowned interior designer Ken Fulk introduced the maximalist aesthetic that has become their signature, which extends all the way to their sugar packets. And yes, the coffee is superb. Bask in the ambiance at their many locations.
Ralph’s Coffee in Flatiron
Another stylish option is Ralph’s Coffee, which boasts a fashion pedigree. Designer Ralph Lauren opened his first café in his boutique on Fifth Avenue, offering the brand’s own special blends of La Colombe coffee. Today, Ralph's Coffee has a flagship location on Madison Ave, a café in the Flatiron District, and a cute vintage coffee van at Rockefeller Center. All represent, as you might imagine, the brand's distinguishable aesthetic.
Kobrick Coffee in the Meatpacking District
Devoción Coffee in the Flatiron District
Located in the Meatpacking District, Kobrick Coffee manages to mix an Old New York feel with the uber-trendy vibe of its surroundings. Distressed wood accents and exposed brick merge perfectly with floral wallpaper and potted plants, creating the perfect locale for a coffee date. In a converted artist’s loft with warm tones and a stunning plant-covered chandelier, Devoción serves up delicious Colombian coffee in their Flatiron café.
NYC's Best Coffee Shop Treats
Latte and Chocolate Chip Cookie at Culture Espresso
Whether it's to satisfy those early morning hunger pangs, midday munchies or an aching sweet tooth, excellent baked goods always pair perfectly with a delicious cup of coffee. Don’t worry, we’ve tirelessly sampled pastries, breads and sweet treats all across the city to ensure we have you covered on this front! Along with a consistently good cup of coffee, Culture Espresso's two Midtown locations arguably offer the best chocolate chip cookie in the city. If you’re lucky enough to arrive when a fresh batch is coming out of the oven, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Iced Coffee and Sweet Bun at La Cabra
La Cabra, an outpost of the renowned Danish coffee company, not only serves carefully curated, consistently excellent coffee, they also offer a fantastic selection of expertly baked pastries and breads. They were one of the welcome additions to the post-pandemic coffee scene, and their seats in both their East Village and SoHo locations are some of the most highly coveted in the city on a weekend morning. Only the East Village has an open kitchen where you can see the mouth-watering cardamom buns, caneles and croissants come together, though.
Conclusion
New York City’s coffee scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, offering a rich tapestry of flavors, atmospheres, and experiences that cater to every kind of coffee lover. As you sip your way through the best coffee spots in NYC, you’ll find that these cafes are more than just places to grab a quick cup—they’re spaces where you can connect with others, discover new flavors, and experience the city from a unique perspective.
