This list of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
You might have 99 problems, but finding a good coffee shop in the Lower East Side (LES) isn’t one of them. The neighborhood is known for being diverse, and the options for exceptional coffee are endless.
With one swipe of your subway card, you are steps away from experiencing all the flavors of the world in a single neighborhood.
The Lower East Side is full of colorful cafes that can trace their roots all across the globe. From Korea to Morocco, each cafe brings new and unique flavors for you to enjoy.
If this list helps even one person, then all my caffeine jitters will have been well worth it.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the best coffee shops on the Lower East Side.
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 Lower East Side Coffee Shops
Table of Contents: LES Coffee Shops
Ost Cafe
Instagram: Ost Cafe
Address: 511 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
Ost Cafe is what my dream New York City apartment would be – bright, full of plants, and charmingly timeless. Despite its small size, Ost Cafe is one of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side, offering a variety of quality coffee and tasty pastries.
Although there are only a handful of chairs available, it’s not hard to find an open seat where you can cozy up with a book. Manned by friendly baristas, this laid-back LES cafe provides a comfortable environment to linger, making it an ideal spot to rest your legs.
Cafe Grumpy
Website: Cafe Grumpy
Location: 13 Essex St, New York, NY 10011 & 115 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
Established in 2005, Cafe Grumpy ventured into in-house coffee roasting in 2009, propelling their coffee to new heights and capturing the hearts of locals. The company expanded its footprint across NYC to meet the rising demand, establishing two coffee shops in the Lower East Side.
Cafe Grumpy’s distinct logo, featuring a somewhat unenthusiastic (or grumpy) caricature, has become a marketing triumph. The emblematic design on cups and storefronts draws in curious folks to these LES cafes.
What initially may have attracted crowds for a snapshot of the logo keeps them returning for some of the best coffee in the Lower East Side. With two easy-going coffee shops in the area, Cafe Grumpy stands ready to satisfy all your caffeinated cravings.
The Cafe Grumpy on Delancey St. is inside the Essex Market. Enter the market, head downstairs and head towards the neon grumpy logo. The Cafe Grumpy on Essex St. is a standalone cafe.
Little Canal
Website: Little Canal
Address: 26 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
Little Canal, a sunny Lower East Side spot at the bustling intersection of Canal, Essex, and Rutgers St., is the quintessential LES cafe. Renowned for its top-notch drinks crafted by quick and friendly baristas, it’s perfect for a speedy to-go coffee. If time allows, enjoy their mouthwatering breakfast dishes, like the delicious hangover wrap (fried eggs, cheese, bacon, potatoes, chipotle sauce). Note: Laptops aren’t allowed here, so if you need to work, consider other coffee shops in the Lower East Side from this list.
The Grandaddy
Website: The Grandaddy
Address: 290 Grand St, New York, NY 10002
The Grandaddy boasts spacious communal tables, making it easy to get comfortable. It strikes the perfect balance – quiet enough for focused work but not so silent that you feel isolated, making it my ideal Lower East Side cafe.
What’s more, it’s budget-friendly, with reasonably priced coffee (an americano is less than $4). For a unique twist, try the signature black sesame latte. While it may not be the go-to spot for breakfast due to its pastry-heavy menu, The Grandaddy is an excellent pit stop for a quick recharge.
Round K by Sol
Website: Round K by Sol
Address: 78 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
Once a top Lower East Side coffee shop, Round K closed during the pandemic. Thankfully, Hansol Kim, a former employee, revived it as Round K by Sol with permission from the original owner. This uniquely Korean cafe offers items like kimchi butter and kimchi ranch, and it’s a great value brunch spot with most items under $15.
Known for the visually stunning flat purple coffee made with ube, Round K by Sol stands out in the LES coffee scene. For outdoor seating, the cafe has a private and covered backyard, making it a favorite spot for a delightful spring morning with a good book.
Black Cat
Website: Black Cat LES
Address: 172 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
When it comes to studying in Lower East Side coffee shops, Black Cat takes the lead. With free Wi-Fi, a printer, and plenty of outlets, it doubles as a convenient makeshift office. While its popularity means constant activity, it’s an excellent spot for group projects or business meetings. If you work up an appetite, there’s a decent-sized breakfast menu to choose from, as well as fresh pastries.
The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
Website: The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
Address: 72 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003
The Lazy Llama is a petite café that offers coffee, tea, and pastries—a perfect pit stop to recharge for the day ahead. True to its name, the LES coffee shop embraces a llama theme, even featuring llama-themed merchandise. Each cup bears an adorable llama logo, making it hard to part with afterward.
Although seating is limited, you can enjoy your drink at First Park across the street, where Llama At The Park, an extension of the café, offers additional coffee options from a small shack.
Bonus: While you’re in the area, make sure to check out Russ & Daughters for a bagel and Katz Deli for a pastrami sandwich. The Lower East Side staples are two of the most iconic restaurants in New York City.
Ludlow Coffee Supply
Website: Ludlow Coffee Supply
Address: 176 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Ludlow Coffee Company may seem small and simple, but it’s one of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side. Despite its minimalist look, the coffee is flavorful. Thanks to a shoutout from Dua Lipa in a Vogue video, the cafe gained popularity. It might have a line sometimes, but it moves fast.
What sets Ludlow Coffee Company apart is its signature lattes—bourbon vanilla, maple, and salted caramel are top picks (my favorite is maple). With plenty of tables and natural light streaming through large windows, it’s a great Lower East Side coffee shop to work in while enjoying your drink.
Davelle
Website: Davelle
Address: 102 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002
Davelle, a tiny coffee shop in the Lower East Side, is a Japanese-style cafe known for its Instagram-worthy toast. Despite its small size, accommodating around ten people inside with a few outdoor tables, the service is quick, and the staff is friendly. Everything at Davelle not only looks good but tastes even better.
With options like savory ham and egg or sweet berry and cream cheese toast, it’s a top-notch LES coffee shop. The menu, adorned with hand-drawn doodles, adds to the adorable charm of this cozy hidden gem. Alongside their famous toast, Davelle offers a selection of delightful Japanese meals and drinks, including exquisite matcha.
Caffe Vita
Website: Caffe Vita
Address: 124 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
Founded in Seattle in 1995, Caffe Vita has steadily expanded and, lucky for us, opened one of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side. The secret to their success is truly in the coffee; the company partners with farmers all around the globe to make sure the coffee beans used are of top quality. The beans are then roasted in-house in Seattle before being brewed into your coffee.
You’ll find talented baristas at Caffe Vita making expertly crafted drinks. For those of you who like espresso, I’m convinced this Lower East Side coffee shop has the best in the city. If you see a line out the front door, don’t fret; the cafe is small, so it always seems busier than it is. Plus, since there isn’t much seating (just a small counter at the window), folks are in and out, and the line moves quickly.
Koneko
Website: Koneko
Address: 26 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Koneko, meaning “kitten” in Japanese, is a unique three-story cafe in the Lower East Side where you can enjoy your favorite caffeinated drinks while hanging out with friendly cats. This special coffee shop offers more than just beverages—it also provides an opportunity to adopt a furry friend, as the cats at Koneko are available for adoption through their partnership with Anjellicle Cats Rescue.
Even if you’re not looking to adopt, Koneko stands out as one of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side, thanks to the delightful company of the cats. Alongside the furry companionship, the cafe offers an extensive menu of small bites inspired by Japanese cuisine, including freshly made croissants and gyoza, ensuring you rarely leave Koneko with an empty stomach.
Reservations are required and can be made on Koneko’s website, with a cost of $20 per person. Guests are allowed to play with and pet the cats, but are asked not to pick them up.
Good Thanks Cafe
Website: Good Thanks Cafe
Address: 131 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Good Thanks Cafe, though small, impresses with its creative menu featuring fresh ingredients. Renowned for its brunch options, this LES coffee shop offers heavy-hitters like the short-rib sandwich and kimchi scramble (kimchi, scrambled eggs, sourdough bread).
The coffee is equally noteworthy—sometimes, I stop by just to get my hands on their iced americanos. Skilled baristas create stellar lattes, making it a go-to when I’m in the neighborhood. Like clockwork, the cafe fills up around 10 AM, a testament to its reputation as one of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side. With no reservations, arriving early is encouraged to avoid waiting in line.
Pause Cafe
Website: Pause Cafe
Address: 3 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Since opening in 2011, Pause Cafe has been a go-to in the Lower East Side, prompting a recent move to a larger space due to constant lines. Boasting a breakfast menu loaded with healthy options, including delicious super-food bowls, it attracts locals seeking a nutritious start to their day.
Inspired by the owner’s Moroccan roots, the cafe emanates a vibrant North African and Mediterranean atmosphere, with mosaic-tiled bistro tables echoing the colors of its fruity breakfast bowls. Offering halal choices, Pause Cafe stands out as a top LES coffee shop for practicing Muslims.
With such variety, leaving hungry is not an option! Don’t miss the (working) Moroccan fountain embedded into the wall, adorned with small sea-blue tiles and brass accents, during your visit to this Lower East Side cafe.
Lower East Side Coffee Shops (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a roundup of the best coffee in the Lower East Side. This is the same list I share with to dear friends who are visiting, whether for the first time or the tenth.
- Pause Cafe
- Good Thanks Cafe
- Koneko
- Caffe Vita
- Davelle
- Ludlow Coffee Supply
- The Lazy Llama Coffee Bar
- Black Cat
- Round K by Sol
- The Grandaddy
- Little Canal
- Cafe Grampy
- Ost Cafe
Further Reading For the Lower East Side
Where to Eat: 15 Flavorful Lower East Side Restaurants in New York City (Everyone Must Try)
Things to Do LES: 15 Things to Do in the Lower East Side
The Best Rooftop Bars: 5 Rooftop Bars in the Lower East Side (You’ll Adore)
Satiate a Sweet Tooth: 15 Breathtaking Bakeries in the Lower East Side (You’ll Love)
More Neighborhoods to Explore
The Best of Greenwich Village: 20 Great Things to Do in the West Village (+Helpful Advice)
SoHo’s Top Things to Do: 15 Fun Things to Do in SoHo (Local’s Guide)
Highlights of the Lower East Side: 15 Exciting Things To Do in the Lower East Side (You’ll Love)
The Best of Brooklyn: 15 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn (Helpful Guide & Tips)
Things to Do in Greenpoint: 15 Great Things to Do in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Local’s Guide)
Map of the Best Coffee Shops in the Lower East Side
There you have it, that is our round up of the best coffee shops in the Lower East Side! We hope you enjoyed our list, and let us know if you think we missed a spot.
Cheers.
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