This list of best coffee shops East Village was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
The East Village is a vibrant neighborhood with a rich history of artistic rebellion, attracting creatives since the 1960s. Known for its diverse dining scene, historic charm, and contributions to music culture, it remains a dynamic and inclusive neighborhood both locals and visitors can’t help but visit.
After trying out (way too many) local cafes, I can finally dwindle down a list of the best coffee in the East Village. If you’re in need of a midday pick-me-up while wandering the neighborhood, you’re in the right spot—here’s your guide to the best East Village coffee shops!
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 (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Coffee in the East Village
Table of Contents: East Village Coffee Shops
Table of Contents: East Village Cafes
La Cabra
Website: La Cabra
Address: 152 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Established in 2013, La Cabra, meaning “the goat” in Spanish, has earned its reputation as the GOAT (greatest of all time) in the eyes of the hip and young, thanks to its in-house coffee roasting. Originating from Denmark, the East Village coffee shop offers locally sourced food and exceptional coffee in a friendly atmosphere.
The cozy and inviting space mirrors traditional Danish cafe aesthetics, offering some of the best coffee in the East Village alongside delectable baked goods – a testament to La Cabra’s exceptional quality despite its small size.
MUD AKA MUD SPOT
Website: MUD AKA MUD SPOT
Address: 307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
Built off of strong relationships, good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere, MUD is one of the best coffee shops in the East Village for those looking to hangout for a few hours. This is the type of spot you go to when you want to linger or escape life for a bit because you know you won’t be rushed and the service is great.
There is a large heated outdoor garden area in the back of the cafe perfect for catching up with friends. MUD is also one of the few spots in the East Village that serves an extensive menu for a cafe, including an all day brunch. Luckily, MUD is able to live up to the hype and proves daily that it serves some of the best coffee in the East Village.
Fun Fact: In an interview with Fashion Magazine, icon Timothée Chalamet claimed that MUD was one of his favorite coffee shops in NYC.
Librae Bakery
Website: Librae Bakery
Address: 35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003
Librae is a top-notch coffee shop in the East Village, perfect for pastry lovers. Although technically a bakery, Librae serves a mean cup of coffee and is a charming spot to relax and enjoy your drink. Upon entering, the air is filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods, enticing your senses and triggering an instant craving as you survey the tempting array of treats.
Ordering the pistachio rose croissant is non-negotiable! Fair warning, this East Village coffee shop is very popular and long lines tend to form. I suggest coming early or on a weekday since things sell out quickly, you want to have a fair chance at a good selection.
Abraço
Website: Abraço
Address: 81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Abraço, a beloved neighborhood spot since 2007, offers both coffee and cocktails with a cozy European espresso bar ambiance. What sets them apart is their steadfast commitment to an unchanged menu for over 15 years, promising strong coffee, inventive drinks, and the irresistible olive oil cake – a must-try NYC delicacy. Trust me, it’s worth adding to your order!
The Bean
Website: The Bean
Address: 31 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003 & 771 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
The Bean opened their doors in 2003 and have since made a name for themselves as one of the best coffee shops in the East Village. Over the years, what started as a single shop has expanded into three beautiful cafes located in Manhattan (and now Williamsburg too!). All locations are spacious and casual with plenty of seating and the ideal work-from-home spot.
The Bean believes not everything in life needs to be taken so seriously, and the coffee here speaks to that. To keep things light-hearted, The Bean came up with fun names for their coffee.
The menu features the Nutella Fitzgerald (espresso, Nutella and milk) and the Mona Lisa (Espresso, ice and milk). This East Village coffee shop also serves an impressive amount of food and quick bites for a cafe. The Bean has your typical savory and sweet pastries, along with Acai bowls and smoothies.
Kona Coffee Roasters
Website: Kona Coffee Roasters
Address: 57 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
I accidentally discovered Kona Coffee Roasters in the East Village, I was drawn in by their Waikiki Matcha drink. With pineapple puree, milk, coconut cream, and matcha, it turned out to be one of the best matcha drinks I’ve had in NYC – the coconut subtleness and pineapple tartness were game-changers.
Sourcing coffee beans directly from Hawaii, Kona Coffee Roasters is known as one of the best coffee shops in the East Village. Though slightly pricey, around $5-$8 for a latte, the refreshing matcha makes it a worthwhile treat for a mid-day boost, just not an everyday necessity.
787 Coffee
Website: 787 Coffee
Address: Multiple locations
Now this next East Village coffee shop isn’t special to the neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve a shoutout. 787 Coffee is some of the best coffee in New York City, period. The coffee is consistently great and the baristas are always top-notch. I especially love the purpose-driven mission of this charming 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. It’s a beautiful thing and the end result is exceptional – some of the best coffee in the East Village! Swing by and see why locals love this spot so much.
Saltwater Coffee
Website: Saltwater Coffee
Address: 345 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Saltwater Coffee is a small neighborhood cafe that really pays attention to quality making this one of the best coffee shops in the East Village. Sourcing all their coffee beans from Sydney and roasting them in NYC, this Australian coffee shop serves a mean cup of Joe.
Since Saltwater Coffee is on the smaller size, this is a great spot for a grab-and-go when you’re in need of some caffeine but don’t have much time. The service is always pleasant and the staff works quickly to get folks in and out and on their way.
I highly recommend ordering the maple latte or the flat white — both were suggested to me by a barista and changed my life. Luckily, this is one of those coffee shops in the East Village that also sells canned cold-brew products, so if you like the coffee, make sure to take some home with you!
B Cup Cafe
Website: B Cup Cafe
Address: 212 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
One of the most vibrant coffee shops in the East Village is B Cup Cafe. The exterior and interior both ample with color along with the lively atmosphere and friendly staff make for a great experience. B Cup Cafe is a neighborhood staple and if you frequent enough, they start to remember your name and order, making you feel like a local celebrity.
One of the reasons I consider B Cup one of the best coffee shops in the East Village is for the fantastic food options. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients B Cup Cafe is able to serve well-crafted wraps, sandwiches, salads and more.
The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
Instagram: The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
Address: 72 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003
The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar is a a llama themed cafe and one of the best coffee shops in the East Village. Offering coffee, tea and pastries, the pocket-sized cafe is the perfect spot to re-fuel before going on with your day. Just as the name suggests, the coffee shop sticks to the llama theme and even sells merchandise with llamas plastered everywhere. That’s reason alone to visit this East Village coffee shop, right?
Each cup is adorned with the cutest little llama logo, making it hard tossing it in the trash once you’re done because of how adorable it is! While there isn’t much seating available at this East Village coffee shop, you can head across the street to the small shack in the nearby park called Llama At The Park (an extension of the cafe).
Bonus: While you’re in the area, make sure to check out Russ & Daughters and Katz Deli about three blocks away.
Ninth Street Espresso
Website: Ninth Street Espresso
Address: 700 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009 & 341 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009
Ninth Street Espresso is one of the first coffee shops in the neighborhood to prioritized customer interactions and quality coffee. Opening their first location in 2001, the cafe has since opened two more spots with one mission in mind, good coffee can be simple.
Today, you can expect your typical hipster coffee shop that serves great coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. Be warned though, this is not an ideal spot to work-from-home since there is no wi-fi or charging outlets.
This East Village coffee shop is always consistent and forces folks to strike up conversations or be present to enjoy a cup of coffee instead of clicking away on laptops. I tend to come here when meeting with friends or when I have a good book I want to read.
Coffee Project NY
Website: Coffee Project NY
Address: 239 E 5th St New York, NY 10003
One of the most unique coffee shops in the East Village is Coffee Project because you can get a deconstructed latte here. Severed as a tasting flight, the deconstructed latte comes out on a tray with a small glass of espresso, milk, and a complete latte.
The latte is one of the best I’ve had in the city and the whole expierence is innovative and nothing like I’ve ever seen before. Coffee Project is a quaint, little spot with limited seating indoors. The coffee really is worth writing home about and the laid-back vibes make for a memorable time.
The second you step foot into this East Village cafe, you’re instantly greeted with the aroma of coffee and any caffeine feen feels right at home. What some consider an addiction, I consider a lifeline — so if loving coffee is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Everyman Espresso
Website: Everyman Espresso
Address: 136 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
Everyman Espresso, opening its doors in the East Village over a decade ago, aimed to serve exceptional coffee – and judging by the long lines of eager New Yorkers, they’ve succeeded. Despite the city’s abundance of coffee shops, the wait is worth it for their quality brews.
With efficient service and a cozy atmosphere, it’s one of the best spots in the East Village for espresso lovers. While some have had mixed experiences with the staff, my visits have been consistently pleasant. Give it a try for a killer cup of espresso, and if you choose to stay, enjoy your coffee in an actual mug!
East Village Coffee Shops (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a roundup of the best coffee in the East Village. This is the same list I share with to dear friends who are visiting, whether for the first time or the tenth.
- La Cabra
- Everyman Espresso
- MUD Spot
- Abraço
- Coffee Project New York
- Ninth Street Espresso
- The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
- B Cup Cafe
- Saltwater Coffee
- 787 Coffee
- Kona Coffee Roasters
- The Bean
- Librae Bakery
Further Reading for the East Village
Where to Eat in the East Village: 20 Memorable East Village Restaurants (Foodie’s Guide)
Happy Hours in the East Village: 12 Epic Happy Hours in the East Village (You Can’t Help But Love)
East Village Bakeries: 10 Top-Notch Bakeries in the East Village
Best Bars in the East Village: 15 Exciting Bars in the East Village (You Won’t Soon Forget)
Iconic Spots in NYC Everyone Needs to Try
Best Pizza in NYC: 15 Best Pizza Joints in New York City
Iconic Restaurants in NYC: 10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try
Mouthwatering Bagels in NYC: 15 BEST Bagels in New York City
Unbelievable Brunch Spots in NYC: 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
Map of the Best Coffee in the East Village
There you have it, that is our round up of the best coffee shops in the East Village! We hope you enjoyed our list and let us know if you think we missed a spot.
Cheers!
Leave a Reply