In search of the best coffee on the Upper East Side? As a local with a passion for all things caffeine, I’ve scoured this posh neighborhood to bring you a quick roundup of the best cafes in the neighborhood. Whether you’re after a quiet corner for your morning ritual or a stylish venue for an afternoon pick-me-up, this list is for you.
You might enjoy reading. 15+ Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side (our most popular guide!)
The Best Coffee on the Upper East Side
Table of Contents. Best Coffee on the Upper East Side
Table of Contents. Best Coffee on the Upper East Side
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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 for First Timers & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Ralph’s Coffee
- Website. Ralph’s Coffee
- Address. 888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
- Upscale, outdoor seating, photo-worthy
Ralph’s Coffee in the Upper East Side gives off a very charming retro vibe. Between the elegant decor and knock-out. The menu features classics alongside specialty coffee drinks, and offers an assortment of light bites and pastries.
While the coffee is great, Ralph’s is all about the experience. This a place to see and be seen. It’s one of the most all around beautiful and European cafe experiences on the Upper East Side.
There’s a handful of outdoor tables for lounging, but don’t expect to find any open seats easily because they fill up quickly. There’s no denying that Ralph’s is one of the most popular cafes in the Upper East Side so you won’t want to miss it.
You might also be interested in reading.10 Delicious Bakeries on the Upper East Side
Inès
- Address. 419 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021
- French inspired fare
It seems like every time I pop into Inès there’s always a line. And while it’s not true of all Upper East Side coffee spots, the line is definitely warranted here.
This quaint Upper East Side serves top notch coffee and tasty bites. What more can you ask? I love the charming striped awning outside as well as the french-inspired interior. It feels like Europe.
787 Coffee
- Website.787 Coffee
- Address— 228 E 80th St, New York, NY 10075
- Artisan coffee and cozy vibes
I love the purpose-driven mission of this charming Upper East Side cafe – to provide a farm-to-cup coffee experience while supporting the local community. The coffee is grown and processed on a farm in Puerto Rico by the owners of the cafe.
The goal is to grow coffee in a sustainable manner and offer livable wages to the locals they hire. The coffee is consistently great and the baristas are always top-notch. Swing by and see why locals love this spot so much.
Local tip. Here’s something most visitors don’t know. the best time to visit is right when they open. You’ll beat the crowds and get the full experience.
Oslo Coffee Roasters
- Website. Oslo Coffee Roasters UES
- Address. 422 E 75th St, New York, NY 10021
- Hidden gem, quaint cafe vibes
Hailing from Brooklyn, Oslo Coffee Roasters has amassed an enthusiastic fan base around their velvelty smooth pours. Tucked snugly into a small shop on a lively tree-lined street (75th), this pretty Upper East Side cafe is as quaint as can be.
The best part? The cafe’s commitment to supporting the local community. They only source ingredients from local vendors and strive to minimize their impact on the environment. Everything can be traced back to an NYC-based business and it’s hard not to love that.
Hutch + Waldo
- Website. Hutch + Waldo
- Address. 247 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028
- Great brunch and coffee, relaxed vibes
When it comes to instagrammable cafes in the Upper East Side, Hutch + Waldo is hard to beat. Founded in 2016, this cafe strives to recreate the coastal vibes of an easy-going Australian cafe.
Serving great coffee in the Upper East Side in a relaxed setting, this place fills up with locals during the busy brunch hour. They have an impressive food menu full of delicious breakfast dishes like scrambled eggs, burritos, avocado toast and smoothies.
Speaking of which, you might be interested in reading— 10 Flavorful Brunch Spots on the Upper East Side
Unpopular opinion. Hot take. you don’t need to spend $7 on a latte to get great coffee in Upper East Side.
Cafe Bleriot XI
- Address. 226 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
- Quaint cafe with European vibes
Offering great coffee in the Upper East Side, Cafe Bleriot XI is a cozy old-fashioned cafe full of charm. It opened in 2018 and was named after French aviator Louis Blériot’s plane (Bleriot XI). He was the first person to fly an airplane across the English Channel and (according to legend) credited his success to eating a good breakfast.
The cafe is run by a talented local painter named Georgi Dimov whose watercolor paintings of NYC are striking!
Birch Coffee
Website. Birch Coffee
Address.134 1/2 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
Solid coffee, rustic, cozy
You can find Birch Coffee all over the city because locals can’t get enough of their really good roasts. Swing by for locally sourced beans. As for the atmosphere, it’s just what you’d expect from a great Upper East Side cafe. rustic and cozy. This the kind of place that makes living in NYC feel worth the astronomical rent, if only for an hour. I first discovered this place on a whim and it immediately became part of my regular rotation. The consistency is what keeps me coming back. you always know what you’re getting.
Bluestone Lane
Website. Bluestone Lane UES
Address.1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Australian brunch
The Upper East side edition of Bluestone Lane is easily my favorite in the city. Referred to as the “Church Cafe”, this Bluestone is situated within the stunning sandstone arches of the historic Church of Heavenly Rest on 90th Street.
Having to wait in line is practically guaranteed during the weekends, but the colorful Aussie brunch menu is worth the wait. I make a habit of swinging by whenever I visit The Met (here’s 20 epic art pieces you can’t afford to miss). It’s always a good time.
FAQ – Best Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side
The best coffee shops on the upper east side are.
Ralph’s Coffee
Oslo Coffee Roasters
Bluestone Lane
Cafe Bleriot XI
Hutch & Waldo
Birch Coffee
787 Coffee
Inès
The cutest coffee shop on the Upper East Side is Ralph’s Coffee.
The coziest date spot cafe on the Upper East Side is Cafe Bleriot XI.
Maman is a great choice to Savor French-inspired pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat.
Upper East Side Coffee
In sum, here’s a quick list of the best cafes in the Upper East Side.
- Ralph’s Coffee
- 787 Coffee
- Oslo Coffee Roasters
- Bluestone Lane
- Cafe Bleriot XI
- Hutch & Waldo
- Birch Coffee
- Inès
Map of the Cute Upper East Side Cafes
Further Reading for the Upper East Side
UES Brunch Spots. 10 Flavorful Brunch Spots on the Upper East Side
Things to Do UES. 15 Fun Things to Do on the Upper East Side
Best Restaurants UES. 15 Best Restaurants on the Upper East Side
Best Bakeries UES. 10 Delicious Bakeries in the Upper East Side
Best Bars UES. 15 Great Bars on the Upper East Side
Best Happy Hour UES. 12 Epic Happy Hours on the Upper East Side
Best Pizza UES. 10 Best Pizza Joints on the Upper East Side
Best Bagels UES. 12 Tasty Bagels on the Upper East Side
Cheers!
Still exploring? You should also see my 17 Best New York City Cafes (Serving Great Coffee in NYC). it’s a must-read for any NYC food lover.
I want to hear from you. Which neighborhood has the best coffee scene in NYC? I have my answer but I want to hear yours.
Planning a visit soon? Tell me in the comments what you’re most excited to try. I might have a few extra tips for you.
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