In search of the best coffee on New York’s Upper East Side (UES)? As a local with a passion for all things caffeine, I’ve scoured this elegant neighborhood to bring you a guide to its finest coffee shops and cafes. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, think of this post as your guide to the best coffee experiences in the Upper East Side.
In this article, I’m excited to share my favorite UES coffee spots – places I return to time and again for that perfect cup. From quaint, artisanal cafes that feel like a second home, to more vibrant, bustling spots that capture the essence of the Upper East Side’s chic vibe. Whether you’re after a quiet corner for your morning ritual or a stylish venue for an afternoon pick-me-up, my list has something special for every type of coffee enthusiast.
You might enjoy reading: 15+ Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side (our most popular guide!)
The Best Cafes 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
787 Coffee
Website: 787 Coffee
Address: 228 E 80th St, New York, NY 10075
Known for: Cozy, quaint, artisan coffee
I love the purpose-driven mission of this charming Upper East Side cafe, which is 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.
Ralph’s Coffee
Website: Ralph’s Coffee
Address: 888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Known for: 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 coffee (using La Colombe beans), you’ll feel like a million bucks. The menu features classics alongside specialty coffee drinks, and offers an assortment of light bites and pastries.
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
Oslo Coffee Roasters
Website: Oslo Coffee Roasters UES
Address: 422 E 75th St, New York, NY 10021
Known for: Hidden gem, quaint, great coffee
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, 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
Known for: Bright, brunch, great coffee, relaxed
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
Cafe Bleriot XI
Website: Cafe Bleriot XI
Address: 226 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
Known for: Cozy, quaint, cute, date-spot,
Offering great coffee in the Upper East Side, Cafe Bleriot XI is a cozy old-fashioned cafe full of elegance. 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 painter named Georgi Dimov. His watercolor painting of NYC are striking!
Birch Coffee
Website: Birch Coffee
Address: 134 1/2 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
Known for: Solid coffee, rustic, cozy
You can find Birch Coffee all over the city, locals can’t get enough of this delightful roasts. Swing by for locally sourced beans (roasted onsite, to boot) and exceptional toasted almond tea. As for the atmosphere, it’s just what you’d expect from a great Upper East Side cafe — rustic and cozy.
Bluestone Lane
Website: Bluestone Lane UES
Address: 1085 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128
Known for: Popular, long lines, brunch
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 Cafes & Coffee Shops on the Upper East Side NYC
The best coffee shops on the upper east side are:
Ralph’s Coffee
Oslo Coffee Roasters
Maman
Bluestone Lane
Cafe Bleriot XI
Hutch & Waldo
Birch Coffee
787 Coffee
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.
Best Coffee On the Upper East Side
In sum, here’s a quick list of the best cafes in the Upper East Side:
- 787 Coffee
- Ralph’s Coffee
- Oslo Coffee Roasters
- Maman
- Bluestone Lane
- Cafe Bleriot XI
- Hutch & Waldo
- Birch Coffee
Map of the Best 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!
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