If you’re looking for the best cafes in Greenwich Village you’ve come to right place. Like most Americans, I run on enough caffeine to kill a horse and thankfully New York is a great city for coffee.
Not to mention, within New York City, Greenwich Village has some of the best cafes you’ll find anywhere. With most shops sharing a commitment to creating fresh and bold coffees it’s hard to go wrong.
But with as many cafes as there are in the Village it’s hard to know which ones are worth stopping at. Especially if you’re only here for a short trip!
That’s where I come in! With years as a local under my belt and seemingly trying a new cafe every other week, I’ve narrowed down my list to 12 of the best cafes in Greenwich Village. So without further ado, let’s jump in.
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Best Coffee Greenwich Village
#12. Amano Cafe
The West Village boasts one of the best coffee shops in New York City in Amano Cafe. An airy, light filled coffee shop brightens up the day and is a local favorite Greenwich Village cafe.
Amano handpicks the harvests they purchase before bringing them to New York to be roasted in house. In fact, that’s how they chose their name. In Spanish “a mano” means by hand, a nod to the simplest way to ensure quality.
The boldness of their coffee can be tasted both through simple drip coffee or creative drinks alike. The best coffee in Greenwich Village is memorable by taste, and Amano definitely fits the bill.
Further Reading: Amano is also on our list of 20 Irresistible Coffee Spots in New York City
Address: 172 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
#11. Partner’s Coffee
Although not exclusive to the neighborhood, Partner’s Coffee is still one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Roasting all their coffee out of their flagship Williamsburg location, New Yorkers are guaranteed a fresh cup of joe. Regardless if its home brew coffee beans or a prepared drink, quality is sure to follow.
It’s top tier, quality coffee and after one sip it’s easy to taste why it stands out as one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Address: Multiple locations in New York City
#10. Third Rail Coffee
When the COVID shutdowns took place there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding small businesses. Luckily, Third Rail Coffee was able to survive a brief closing of their doors and is back as one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
They have all the regular cafe fare including croissants, muffins and cookies to accompany whatever drink the occasion calls for.
Another reason New Yorkers consider this one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village is because of how close it is to Washington Square Park. One of my favorite weekend activities is stopping by for an iced coffee and heading to the park for people watching!
Added Note: Since the pandemic Third Rail Coffee hasn’t allowed customers back into the shop. There is a register at the door so guests can place their order and wait on a bench outside until the barista brings it out.
Address: 240 Sullivan Street New York, NY 10012
#9. Mah-Zeh-Dahr
Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, if I could marry you, I would. Opening in 2014, Mah-Ze-Dahr is like the new kid on the block but within a mere seven years, they’ve became known as one of the best bakeries in New York City. Although a bakery at heart, I still consider this one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
The owner, Umber Ahmad is a James Beard Award semi-finalist (a huge deal in the culinary world) who left the lofty confines of the financial world to purse her dream of baking. She’s lovingly called a banker-turned-baker, and we’re all better for it, she’s incredibly talented.
Pair the treats with a cup of coffee and you’ll see why I consider this one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Every tempting baked good is memorable and I find it impossible to stay away too long. I can’t get the chocolate cake out of my mind and don’t even get me started on those delectable chocolate chip cookies.
Further Reading: Mah-Ze-Dahr is also listen on 10 Delightful New York City Bakeries (Easily Worth the Calories)
Address: 28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
#8. Prodigy Coffee
Prodigy Coffee is everything I want the best Greenwich Village cafes to be. It’s clean, bright and intimate. Small enough to be cozy but big enough to allow me to hunker down with a book (+ an outdoor seating area!).
They also serve a mean cup of coffee! They import beans from all around the world and have them roasted in Brooklyn to provide optimal freshness.
As one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village this coffee shop serves what young folks call, vibes. It’s cute, simple and welcoming with delicious coffee.
Address: 33 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
#7. Café Kitsuné
Kitsune was founded in 2012 as a clothing brand + music label, and in 2019 opened their first cafe in Paris. The Japanese/French company has gone on to expand all around the globe, including opening one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
There’s plenty of seating at the cafe, with both tables and booths available. There’s more than enough space for friends to meet up for pastries and (incredibly delicious) coffee. My go-to order is the New York Signature Latte which is inspired by black and white cookies.
Cafe Kitsune also has one of the most iconic pastries, a sugar fox cookie. It’s a nod to their namesake, since in Japan a Kitsune is a mythical fox known for its wisdom and supernatural abilities.
And before taking off don’t forget to check out their boutique that’s accessible through the cafe. They have swag available for purchase. How cool is it that one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village also has a designer store?
Local Tip: Because of its popularity and their desire to host as many folks as they can the interior is a laptop free cafe. The outdoor seatings is fair game though, and it’s not uncommon to see folks clicking away outdoors.
Address: 550 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
#6. Rosecrans
Rosecrans combines two of my biggest loves, plants and coffee. The greenery provides a reprieve from the often gray city and is why I consider it one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Most of the tables are taken during the morning hours, but that’s okay since you can drink your coffee while perusing their collections of plants and flowers available for purchase.
The second the door swings open the air is filled with incredible floral scents.
They have beautiful bouquets for sale and it’s a great spot to take a special someone on a date. You can buy them their coffee and flowers all in one shop!
Address: 7 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
#5. El Condor
When two successful businessmen decide to get into the coffee business you get El Condor, one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
In a neighborhood filled with coffee shops, El Condor distinguishes themselves by aiming to be less bitter than traditional American coffee. By aiming to brew more European style coffees they fill a niche sweet coffee drinkers (like me!) can appreciate.
They have a full array of pastries, as well as a food menu for those looking for something more fulfilling. The AB&J (almond butter & jelly) comes on multigrain toast with kumquat preserves and is a must-try for any first time visitor!
Also now offering beer and wine, El Condor has really made themselves available no matter what locals are after. New Yorkers will be glad to know one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village can be had at any point throughout the day!
Address: 95 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
#4. The Elk
Inspired by founder Claire Chen’s roots in the Pacific Northwest, The Elk resonates with rustic & woodsy charm. Even the name evokes the spirit of the outdoors.
But the true magic behind the Elk is found within its walls. It’s both a general store and one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village! Now it won’t replace your local bodega, but there are beauty and wellness goods as well as household items available that might save you a trip elsewhere.
There isn’t a ton of indoor seating so don’t expect a giant cafe. However The Elk does have a decent outdoor area that’s covered and provides shelter from the elements.
Address: 128 Charles St, New York, NY 10014
#3. Buvette
Stepping into Buvette feels like stepping foot into an authentic Parisian cafe. Which is precisely why this is one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village for Francophiles.
The interior of the restaurant is as cozy as can be and the food is equally delicious. The escargot is worth a shout-out and seasonal menu items are guaranteed to delight.
Swing by for a quick bite or if you need to rest your legs. Make sure to linger over a warm coffee drink or glass of wine — it makes people watching all the better.
But bear in mind that many folks consider Buvette one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village, so reservations are hard to get and the wait time is notoriously long. Show up at an odd hour or prepare to wait. But trust me, after your visit you’ll see why this is one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Address: 42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
#2. Maman
Ask any local about the best cafes in Greenwich Village and the honest ones will mention Maman. Offering a whimsical and charming vibe, this is one of the most popular spots to meet an old friend.
Originally started as a French bakery and cafe in SoHo, Maman quickly became renowned for perfectly executed baked goods. But what really put them on the map was Oprah listing their nutty chocolate chip cookie as one of her favorite things.
I never miss an opportunity to order the quiche, chocolate croissant or their famous macadamia nut cookie. Plus, they serve some of the best coffee in New York City (not to be underestimated at a bakery) cementing them as one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
Address: 67 University Pl, New York, NY 10003
#1. Cafe Reggio
The best cafe in Greenwich Village also happens to be the first one to introduce cappuccinos to America. Cafe Reggio opened in 1927 and has been a Greenwich Village favorite for a long time.
The coffee shop oozes old world history. There are paintings dating back to the Italian renaissance as well as a bench that belonged to the Medici family (a prominent Italian political family that also produced 4 Popes).
Cafe Reggio also serves full fledged meals. Whether its breakfast, lunch, or dinner those that are hungry can find something to eat at one of the best cafes in Greenwich Village.
But at it’s core its famous for one thing: coffee. Beautiful, delicious, fresh coffee. Whether you’re after a shot of espresso, an original cappuccino, or just drip coffee it won’t take long to see why this is the best cafe in Greenwich Village.
Address: 119 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Best Cafes in the Greenwich Village (Post Summary)
- Cafe Reggio
- Maman
- Buvette
- The Elk
- El Condor
- Rosecrans
- Cafe Kitsune
- Prodigy Coffee
- Third Rail Coffee
- Mah-Zeh-Dahr
- Partner’s Coffee
- Amano
Best Cafes Greenwich Village Map
And there it is my friends! Our list of the best cafe’s in Greenwich Village. Hope you enjoyed!
Cheers!
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