photo by Tesa Pesic
Food & Drinks
11 Essential Coffee Shops in NYC for Locals & Visitors Alike
It goes without saying that the New York City coffee shop scene has exploded over the last few years. New Yorkers, and visitors, seem to be choosing craft coffee over mass-produced corporate coffee in vast numbers. Even with notable...
photo by Tesa Pesic
It goes without saying that the New York City coffee shop scene has exploded over the last few years. New Yorkers, and visitors, seem to be choosing craft coffee over mass-produced corporate coffee in vast numbers. Even with notable forerunners in the caffeine mecca of NYC, such as Stumptown Coffee and Starbucks, the number of small batch roasters and cafés continues to grow.
Craft coffee has become the norm in Manhattan. Across the East River in Brooklyn, cafés are popping up left and right. With that, you won’t have a hard time finding a place to sit down, relax, snap a pic and enjoy a hand crafted beverage.
Reporter: Tesa Pesic
Notable Contributor: Plant Theory Creamer
Devoción prides itself on bringing coffee from farm to cup in just 10 days. Grown in Colombia, the beans are roasted on site in Williamsburg which guarantees freshness. Devocion has two equally gorgeous locations with beautiful tiles, skylights, comfy leather seats and an abundance of plants in each.
A small batch roaster located in Brooklyn, Toby’s unique blends have garnered it a large and loyal following. Each location in the city is always packed, so finding a seat can be difficult (your best bet is the cozy West Village location) however, it’s a must when in New York so don’t let that deter you. Toby’s also offers special seasonal drinks, ranging from Espresso Mint Julep to Strawberry Matcha Lemonade, so be sure to ask about those as well!
I know, La Colombe isn’t from NYC, but it had to make the cut because of its gorgeous NOHO location. Probably the biggest one in the city, this La Colombe has ample seating and huge windows that are perfect for people watching. Few outlets and no wifi mean no distractions. It truly brings you back to what cafes are really about: winding down with a good cup of joe (yes, coffee can be relaxing), catching up with friends and taking in the scene around you.
Reported by our good friends @ Plant Theory Coffee Creamer
Reported by our good friends @ Plant Theory Coffee Creamer
Maman is a French and North American inspired cafe and restaurant known for its cookies, blueberry lavender loaf, quiches and beautiful interiors. Their rustic look, vintage cups, saucers and hanging tables in Greenpoint, create the perfect photo opp. Maman actually serves the aforementioned Toby’s Coffee, specifically the delicious chocolatey Flatiron roast.
Even though Woops! exists all across the US, its roots are proudly in NYC. And although they are most famous for their macarons, they do serve their own blend of espresso which pairs perfectly with all the sweets they have to offer! The Williamsburg location is open until 11PM/midnight, so if you’re out late and a coffee snob, or if you’re living that freelance life and need to work overtime, you can always count on Woops.
Mixtape is not your traditional coffee shop as it operates through a take out window. There’s only a few outdoor bar stools where you can enjoy your coffee and bagel if you decide to stay. Mixtape roasts their own Redux Coffee while sometimes using Ritual as well. This spot represents everything Bushwick has to offer – cool people, chill vibes, awesome graffiti and great coffee.
The first thing I wrote down about Butler was, 'food and pastries are out of this world.' One Google search later and I discovered that the pastry chef, Ryan Butler, is decorated with a Michelin star. Fine dining food in a casual cafe environment is what sets this place apart. That, and the fact that they serve Intelligentsia Coffee.
A big Thank you Plant Theory Coffee Creamer for the great find!
A big Thank you Plant Theory Coffee Creamer for the great find!
Even though Variety has many locations throughout New York, each of them feels like a cafe of its own accord serving equally delicious espresso drinks, cold brew and teas. The UES location that opened recently kept the stunning art deco features of the space. The original Variety in Bushwick also perfectly fits the neighbourhood and is home to their roastery. It’s great for when you need to work remotely – lots of seats, outlets and great wifi that reaches their patio too!
If you find yourself in the Lower East Side and in need of a caffeine fix, be sure to check out Ludlow Coffee Supply. It’s also a great spot for people watching, getting work done and, of course, meeting friends over amazing coffee. Besides their grand offering of sweets and pastries coming from local NYC bakeries, their avocado toast and almond butter & banana toast are a must try – some of the best out there!
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Tucked away in what used to be a pharmacy from the turn of the 20th century, Smith Canteen is a great grab-and-go cafe in Carroll Gardens. It serves delicious baked goods, salads and sandwiches, as well as rich tasting coffee you can enjoy with house-made almond milk. This cute coffee shop is also vowing to become plastic free by the end of 2018 by never using single-use cups and straws again!
What started out as a bread bakery in 2009 is now, luckily, a full fledged cafe with incredible pastries (go for the scones!) and coffee roasted by Bakeri itself. If you’re looking to enjoy some peace and quiet with your latte, both locations are a great option, but especially the beautiful back garden in Williamsburg that boasts grape vines and a koi pond. Inside tip: Beware of their $10 card minimum!
Follow Tesa around NYC to see more of her top coffee shops, restaurants, shops and more at @thenamestesa →
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