Incapable of playing second fiddle, New York City offers the best of everything and coffee is no exception. Chock-full of charming corner cafes and shoe-box sized coffee shops, you’ll find everything from the latest artisanal brews to time-honored institutions that have been serving New Yorkers for 100+ years. On that note, here’s a quick roundup of the best coffee in New York City.
The Best Coffee in New York City
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Best New York City Cafes (Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Devoción
Website: Devoción
Address: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 (Flagship)
Known for: Fresh Colombian coffee brewed within 10 days of being picked
Devoción is unapologetically committed to serving the freshest cup of coffee in New York City. How so? For starters, beans are sourced directly from Colombian coffee producers, dry-milled in Bogotá, and then rapidly shipped to New York for roasting. This ensures the coffee is served roughly 10 days after being picked.
In terms of ambiance, all three locations exude an air of rustic charm. Housed in restored historic buildings with exposed brick and wooden floors, it’s the perfect place to nestle in with a fresh cup of coffee and good book in hand.
Porto Rico Importing Company
Website: Porto Rico Importing Co.
Locations: Greenwich Village, East Village, Lower East Side
Known for: Bulk coffee order, old school vibes
Serving New Yorkers since 1907, Porto Rico Importing Company is one of the oldest coffee shops in New York City. Founded in the East Village, you couldn’t miss it if you tried because the smell is intoxicating. Run by the third generation of the Longo family, Porto Rico offers 130 varieties of coffee from around the world.
Open sacks of coffee beans are stored under vintage signs, oozing an old-world charm few can resist. From Indonesia to Brazil, expect to find top-notch coffee sold in bulk. Don’t need five pounds? That’s fine too, you can order coffee by the cup at checkout.
Abraço
Website: Abraço
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Best for: Felling like a local and cozy coffee dates
Opened in 2007, Abraço is a cozy European-inspired cafe that moonlights as a cocktail bar in the evenings. Using beans roasted in-house, the espresso is arguably the best in the city, and that’s not an exaggeration. Always balanced, the rich shot is the closest you’ll get to Italy without checking bags.
Considering Abraço is an espresso bar first and foremost, you can be sure that any espresso-based drinks will impress, but locals know that’s only half the story. The party doesn’t start without a gander at the pastry case, the olive oil cake is a must-order in my book and pairs perfectly with a cappuccino.
The petite outdoor patio is a hit during the summer months, so invite a friend, pick up a slice of olive oil cake and spend time catching up over proper coffee and delightful treats.
Good to know: Abraço is one of the few New York City coffee shops that doesn’t offer alternative milk options, only whole milk on offer. A bit unusual, so it’s worth calling out.
Joe’s Coffee
Situated on a scenic corner between Waverly Place and Gay Street, Joe’s flagship location in the West Village is the quintessential New York City neighborhood coffee shop. You’ll find Joe’s all over the city (there’s 25 outposts now), but the West Village location is worth the trek.
The endearing vibes alone warrant a visit, but thankfully Joe’s serves some of the strongest drip coffee in NYC, making it an easy morning habit for locals. There’s ample indoor and outdoor seating and the cafe stays open until 8pm, it’s the perfect place to retreat for some respite before dinner.
Arabica
Website: Arabica
Locations: Dumbo & Lower East Side
Known for: Epic view of the Brooklyn Bridge
Hailing from Kyoto, at Arabica you get coffee with a view. Enormous half-dome windows perfectly frame the Brooklyn Bridge making this one of the most Instagrammable coffee shops in NYC. But don’t make the mistake of thinking such a cute cafe produces sub-par coffee. On the contrary, the in-house roasting machines ensure every cup is perfectly smooth.
Something to note: The matcha at this NYC cafe has left me disappointed more than once, stick to coffee.
Coffee Project New York
Website: Coffee Project New York
Best for: Coffee connoisseurs
Helmed by certified coffee grader and roasting championship competitor, Chi Sum Ngai, you can bet Coffee Project New York serves some of the best coffee in NYC. Sourcing the finest coffee from around the world, the company’s ethos focuses on improving the quality of life for every person involved in the coffee supply chain.
As such, there’s an emphasis on small-scale producers and family farms that prioritize improved working conditions for farmers. Hard not to love that. In terms of coffee, Ngai’s perfectionism shines through, each cup is expertly made to let the beans sing. Excellence is the only word that comes to mind.
Sey Coffee
Website: Sey Coffee
Address: 18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY
Known for: Bright cafe, great coffee
Airy and bright, this New York City cafe strives to produce beautiful coffee in a peaceful, plant-filled space. Seasonally sourced, the been are delicately roasted to highlight the nuanced range of aromatics and flavors of various regions. The hard work pays off, Food & Wine recently crowned them the best coffee shop in New York State.
Local’s Tip: Sey Coffee has a popular subscription program where you can sign up to receive a monthly supply of coffee beans. It’s a great gift for a coffee connoisseur!
Kobrick Coffee Company
Website: Kobrick Coffee Company
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 24 9th Ave, New York, NY
Known for: Sustainable small-batch coffee
Kobrick Coffee has withstood the test of time, providing locals with some of the best coffee in New York City for more than a century (opened in 1920!). The four generations of Kobricks to run the shop have fine tuned small-batch roasting over the past hundred years.
There’s an emphasis on organic, fair trade and Rainforest alliance certified beans, so New Yorkers can rest assured knowing they’re sipping on a sustainable cup of coffee that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Qahwah House
Website: Qahwah House
Locations: Williamsburg & Greenwich Village
Best For: Yemini coffee and great pastries
Qahwah House is a popular Yemeni coffee shop in Williamsburg that serves organic coffee imported from Yemen. You can order a strong drip and find yourself content, but if you want to dive into a more exciting afternoon, opt for the Adeni chai.
Deeply aromatic and rich, the chai is made with evaporated milk and served in a glass carafe to be enjoyed at your leisure. Pair it with the sabaya pastry (flaky layered pastry made with Yemeni butter and honey) and you’ll be in for quite the experience.
The staff behind the counter are extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to ask questions. They’re eager to give recommendations on traditional drinks and pastries.
Partners Coffee
Website: Partners Coffee
Known for: One of the best laptop-friendly cafes in NYC
Within a decade of opening, Partners Coffee has gone from a single cafe in Williamsburg to five across the Big Apple. The beans are roasted in-house which results in consistently smooth and strong coffee, making this a reliable working cafe in NYC for uncompromising coffee aficionados.
Scoring a table shouldn’t prove too difficult at the spacious cafe. The best part? Once seated, you won’t need to do any notorious juggling acts. The tables are large enough to comfortably fit a laptop, notebook, coffee and meal from the tantalizing lunch menu.
Ten Thousand Coffee
Website: Ten Thousand Coffee
Locations: Midtown and Financial District
Best for: Creative foamy coffee drinks
Ten Thousand Coffee is the new kid on the block, but they hold their own among the best coffee shops in New York City. The cafe gets its name from the 10,000 hour rule, which argues that 10,000 hours of practice leads to expertise. Fans of sweet drinks will love this spot because the cafe specializes in creamy and foamy concoctions, think caffeinated desserts.
PlantShed
Website: PlantShed
Address: 555 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024 (Flagship)
Known for: Part cafe, part plant shop
All my fellow plant moms will be in a state of euphoria at PlantShed. The original Upper West Side outpost has been one of the most treasured coffee shops in New York City for more than 40 years. Plants and flowers are available for sale so it’s not uncommon to see folks walking out the door with a latte in one hand and hanging pothos in the other.
Hungry Ghost
Website: Hungry Ghost
Neighborhood: Brooklyn and Manhattan
Known for: Great on the run coffee option
Serving exceptional Stumptown coffee, Hungry Ghost has 12 cafes in New York City. Each location is sun-drenched and exudse an airy feel, but I’m partial to the Park Slope locale. The founder of Hungry Ghost approaches coffee like a sommelier, with a focus on proper sourcing, roasting and brewing techniques, he’s keen to produce the best coffee in New York City.
Ralph’s Coffee
Website: Ralph’s Coffee
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Known for: Posh vibes and intragram-worthy photo ops
Ralph’s Coffee is a posh Upper East Side cafe with very charming retro vibes. It’s one of the most popular coffee shops in the New York City and has the long lines to prove it. Between the elegant decor and knock-out coffee (using La Colombe beans), you’ll feel like a million bucks. There’s a handful of outdoor tables to lounge at, but don’t expect to find any open seats easily because they fill up.
You Might Enjoy Reading: 15+ Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side (Local’s Guide)
Do Not Feed the Alligators
Website: Do Not Feed the Alligators
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 337 Bleecker St, New York, NY
Known for: Cafe that turns into a cocktail bar in the evening
Do Not Feed the Alligators (DNFA) sources beans from small roasters to make expertly brewed pour-overs and espresso-forward drinks. The warm, mismatched furniture invites conversations, while the curated bookstore adds a touch of intellectual intrigue to the popular NYC coffee shop.
Come evening, the lights dim, the wine flows, and the café transforms into a cozy little bar, showcasing DNFA’s chameleon-like charm. Laptops aren’t allowed, which makes it a great NYC cafe to meet someone new (the exceptional coffee is an easy ice breaker).
Best NYC Coffee Shops: Frequently Asked Questions
Caffe Reggio in the Greenwich Village is the oldest coffee shop in Manhattan, serving New York City since 1927. It’s said the first cappuccino in America was made at Caffe Reggio.
Most locals tip anywhere between 15-25% at coffee shops in NYC.
Sey Coffee, Devoción, and Partners Coffee serve some of the best coffee in Brooklyn.
After the pandemic many coffee shops across New York City opened their doors to remote workers, and many cafes still provide WiFi, outlets, and coffee to help you have a productive day.
Best Cafes in New York City (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the top spots to enjoy the best coffee in New York City.
- Devoción
- Porto Rico Importing Company
- Joe’s Coffee
- Coffee Project New York
- Ten Thousand Coffee
- Maman
- Arabica
- PlantShed
- Kobrick Coffee Company
- Qahwah House
- Hungry Ghost
- Ralph’s Coffee
- Partners Coffee
- Sey Coffee
- Do Not Feed the Alligators
- Abraço
Map of the Best Coffee Shops in New York City
NYC Coffee Guides
Most Instagrammable Coffee Shops: 20 Cute Cafes in New York City (Worth Stopping for a Photo)
Where to Get Some Work Done: 25 Wonderful Cafes to Work Remotely in NYC (You’ll Adore)
Best Cafes in Brooklyn: 10+ Bold Brooklyn Coffee Shops (You’re Guaranteed to Love)
Best in the West Village: 12 Gorgeous Greenwich Village Coffee Shops You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Coffee in SoHo: 15 Satisfying SoHo Coffee Shops (Locals Can’t Live Without!)
Best Cafes in the Lower East Side: 15 Essential Coffee Shops in the Lower East Side (You’ll Adore)
Hope you enjoyed my quick roundup of the best coffee shops in New York City. Cheers!
Leave a Reply