The Best Coffee Shops in New York City (NYC)
As the best coffee shops in New York City remind us, no matter what time of day it is, sometimes, we all need a caffeine fix. But the sheer amount of options when it comes to grabbing a quick cup of Joe can be difficult to navigate in a town of the Big Apple’s size. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered: Check out the following list – which details several of New York City’s best coffee shops – to discover who’s serving up some of the best mugs in town.
Multiple Locations
If you like to read while you sip, you’ll be happy with the lending library at Birch Coffee. Cozy up with the book of your choice and pick from any of the light or dark roasts on the menu. Coffee is roasted locally in Long Island City and brewed fresh daily. Try a Cafe au Lait or Tokyo Drip instead of your daily brew. It’s a tranquil space, so if you’re working from home and need some peace, you’ll find it at any one of the Birch locales.
231 E. 9th St.
If you haven’t tried Japanese iced coffee (hand-drip brew over ice), Hi-Collar is the place to go. Here, you can choose your own brewing method and bean type to customize your coffee experience. Either way, you’re going to want to pair it with the omurice (omelet over tomato sauce, rice, and bacon), which can be topped with sausage, cheese, kinoko, or katsu. Be sure to come back in the evening when the coffee bar turns into a cocktail bar and partake in some sake mixed drinks as well.
81 E. 7th St.
This spot fuses together Italian, Spanish, and Middle Eastern traditions in order to create the perfect cup of coffee. Order an espresso macchiato or any of the pour-overs, and snack on finger-food like olive oil cake or brioche on a cinnamon bun. Be warned: Abraço’s cash only with limited seating. Don’t forget to go to the ATM first before snagging a coveted seat.
639 5th Ave., Brooklyn
Roots Cafe makes its cups of cortado and dirty chai with beans from Forty Weight Coffee Roasters, based in upstate NY. Bring your order out to the patio area for when the weather is warm. Luckily for those who are looking for a quick bite, breakfast and lunch are served until 5PM. At night, the cafe hosts a monthly music and poetry nights.
251 5th Ave, Brooklyn
Kos Kaffe is where most Carroll Gardens locals bring their laptop to knock out some work and sip on coffee. Most likely, they’re making deadlines over a caramel latte or the cold-brewed iced coffee. When lunchtime strikes, get the bacon and feta frittata or the Indian chicken sandwich.
1434 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn
The interior of Dweebs looks more like an art gallery than a coffee shop, most likely because they host monthly art shows. While the vibe is laid back, the coffee (from its in-house Spectrum Coffees brand) is strong: When you drink a Dweebs espresso, you’ll definitely feel its effects. If you have some downtime (or the buzz is kicking in) choose from one of the many books the venue offers free to customers or play some Connect Four to keep you entertained.
69 Grand St., Brooklyn
Devoción is one of the most spacious coffee shops in all of Brooklyn. Its wall of plants and huge skylight make the place feel more open. The coffee is extremely fresh, as the beans arrive from sourced places like Colombia within a week of being picked. Try The Connoisseur, which is Devoción’s version of a nitro cold brew, or the Kyoto-style cold brew.
Multiple Locations
If you’re in the Greenpoint/Long Island City area, Sweetleaf is the ideal place to hang out for a while. All serve all the caffeinated classic like espressos, chai lattes, and cortados. However, swap out your usual order for the house’s Voodoo Child (a Vietnamese-style coffee with sweetened milk) or Rocket Fuel (cold brew with chicory maple syrup and milk.)
Multiple Locations
From coffees named after the various districts and boroughs of NY to Columbian and even Ethiopian and Rwandan roasts, Partners has it all. Formerly Toby’s Estate Coffee. They also have a Rockaway Cold Brew that is definitely an eye opener.
Cheat Sheet
For more on New York City’s best coffee shops and coffeehouses, also be sure to see:
● Eater NY – 27 Essential Coffee Shops in NYC
● TimeOut - Best Coffee Shops in NYC