This list of the best coffee shops in New York City was written by Alejandro Beltran, a coffee-loving local and writer for New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps) .
New York City is known for offering the best of everything, and coffee culture is no different. Chock-full of top-notch cafes, you’ll find everything from the latest artisanal brews to beloved, time-honored institutions that have been serving New Yorkers for 100+ years.
From the trendy neighborhoods of Brooklyn to the bustling coffee shops in Midtown, here’s a quick roundup of the best coffee shops in New York City.
The Best Coffee in New York City
Top Cafes in NYC: Table of Contents
Table of Contents: New York City Coffee Shops
Devoción
Website: Devoción
Neighborhood: Three Cafes in Brooklyn, Two in Manhattan
Address: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 (Flagship)
Best For: Fresh Colombian Coffee
Devoción, a favorite among locals, is unapologetic ally committed to serving the freshest cup of coffee in New York City. How so? Their unique approach involves sourcing beans directly from Colombian coffee producers, dry-milling them in Bogotá, and then rapidly shipping them to their roastery in New York, ensuring that their coffee is served roughly 10 days after being picked.
And as if the coffee alone wasn’t enough to draw you in, all of their cafes in New York City exude an air of rustic charm. Think restored historic buildings with exposed brick and wooden floors that provide a cozy spot to nestle in with a fresh cup of coffee.
Address: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Porto Rico Importing Company
Website: Porto Rico Importing Co.
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, East Village, Lower East Side
Best For: Buying Coffee Beans, Old School Vibe
Serving New Yorkers since 1907, Porto Rico Importing Company is one of New York City’s oldest coffee shops. Found in the East Village, you couldn’t miss it if you tried, the smell is intoxicating! Run by the third generation of the Longo family, Porto Rico Importing is known for offering 130 varieties of coffee from around the world.
Open sacks of coffee beans are stored under vintage signs, oozing an old-world charm few can resist. From Indonesia to Brazil, expect to find top-notch coffee sold in bulk. Don’t need 5 pounds? That’s fine too, you can order coffee by the cup at checkout.
Bakeri
Website: Bakeri
Neighborhood: Williamsburg & Greenpoint
Address: 105 Freeman St, Brooklyn, NY (Greenpoint) & 150 Wythe Ave Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg)
Best For: Coffee Dates, Pastries
Bakeri has three things going for it: top-notch baked goods, great coffee, and it’s one of the cutest cafes in New York City. Opened in 2009 with the goal of bringing European-style bread to the community, it didn’t take long for them to branch into homemade pastries and high-quality coffee.
Ten Thousand Coffee
Website: Ten Thousand Coffee
Neighborhood: Two Cafes in Midtown, One in the Financial District
Best For: Foamy, Fun Coffee
Ten Thousand Coffee is the new kid on the block, but they hold their own among the best coffee shops in New York City. The cafe gets its name from the 10,000 hour rule, which says that 10,000 hours of practice leads to expertise. Fans of sweet, fun drinks will love Ten Thousand Coffee, their two signature drinks (einspänner and an espresso cream latte) are thick and foamy, like a caffeine-filled dessert.
Maman
Website: Maman
Neighborhood: 17 Cafes in Manhattan, Three in Brooklyn
Best For: Coffee Shop Dates, Widely Accessible
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.
One of the best things about Maman’s success is they’ve been able to expand to more than a dozen locations in Manhattan. Regardless of the neighborhood, I’m usually within walking distance to one of the best and cutest coffee shops in New York City for a date.
% Arabica
Website: % Arabica
Neighborhood: Dumbo & Lower East Side
Address: 20 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 1120 (Dumbo) & 8 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 (LES)
Best For: Bright, Modern Cafes with Fresh Coffee
At % Arabica you get coffee with a view. Enormous half-dome windows perfectly frame the Brooklyn Bridge making this one of the most Instagrammable coffee shops in NYC. But don’t make the mistake of thinking such a cute cafe produces sub-par coffee. On the contrary, the in-house roasting machines ensure every cup is perfeclty smooth.
Something to note: The matcha at % Arabica has left me disappointed more than once, stick to coffee.
PlantShed
Website: PlantShed
Neighborhood: Five Cafes in Manhattan
Address: 555 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024 (UWS Flagship)
Best For: Unique Coffee Dates
All my fellow plant moms will be in a state of euphoria at PlantShed. The original Upper West Side outpost has been one of the most treasured coffee shops in New York City for more than 40 years. The plants & flowers are available for sale, so it’s not uncommon to see folks walking out the door with a latte in one hand and a hanging basket in another.
Kobrick Coffee Company
Website: Kobrick Coffee Company
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District/Chelsea
Address: 24 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014
Best For: Sustainable, Small Batch Coffee
Kobrick Coffee Company has withstood the test of time, providing locals with some of the best coffee in New York City for more than 100 years (they opened in 1920!). The four generations of Kobricks to run the coffee shop have fine tuned the roasting process.
In order to maintain optimal freshness, the coffee is roasted in small-batched. They serve Fair Trade, organic, and Rainforest Alliance certified drinks so New Yorkers can rest assured knowing they’re sipping on a sustainable cup of Joe that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Qahwah House
Website: Qahwah House
Neighborhood: Williamsburg & Greenwich Village
Address: 162 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 1121 & 13 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014
Best For: Yemini Coffee, Sweet Coffee & Pastries
Qahwah is the Arabic word for coffee, and Qahwah House is a Yemeni coffee shop in Williamsburg. They serve organic Yemini coffee, including a Yemini Latte that’ll satiate even the most unrelenting sweet tooth. Pair it with the Khaliat Alnahl, (a cheese filled buttery roll with honey) and you’ll understand why Qahwah House is one of the most unique coffee shops NYC has to offer.
The staff behind the counter are extremely friendly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the employees are eager to share their traditional drinks and pastries with their neighbors.
Hungry Ghost
Website: Hungry Ghost
Neighborhood: Nine Cafes in Brooklyn, Two in Manhattan
Best For: Convenient & Quick Coffee
Serving exceptional Stumptown coffee, Hungry Ghost has 12 locations in New York City. All their cafes are sun drenched and exude an airy feel, but I’m partial to the Park Slope location (a great cafe to work from). The founder of Hungry Ghost approaches coffee like a sommelier, with a focus on proper sourcing, roasting and brewing techniques, he’s keen to produce the best coffee in New York City.
Ralph’s Coffee
Website: Ralph’s Coffee
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Best For: Elegant Coffee Date That’ll Make Your Instagram Followers Envious
Ralph’s Coffee in the Upper East Side is clad with opulence and gives off a very charming retro vibe. This is one of the most popular coffee shops in the New York City, as evidenced by the long lines. Between the elegant decor and knock-out coffee (using La Colombe beans), you’ll feel like a million bucks. There’s a handful of outdoor tables to lounge at, but don’t expect to find any open seats easily because they fill up.
You Might Enjoy Reading: 15+ Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side (Local’s Guide)
Partners Coffee
Website: Partners Coffee
Neighborhood: 4 Cafes in NYC
Best For: Working Remotely, Buying Coffee Beans
It didn’t take long for Partners Coffee to become a NYC staple. In 10 years, the brand has gone from a single cafe in Williamsburg to 5 cafes in NYC. They roast the bean in-house at their Williamsburg flagship location. I often pick up a bag to brew at home, it’s always a hit with out-of-town guests.
Sey Coffee
Website: Sey Coffee
Neighborhood: Bushwick
Address: 18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Best For: Rich Coffee Flavor, Bright Cafe
You’re not going to find a list of the best coffee shops in New York City that doesn’t include Sey Coffee in Bushwick. In the off-chance you do, then don’t trust it because this cafe is a gem! Their light, smooth, and aromatic coffee make them one of the best cafes in town. Don’t just take my word for it, Food & Wine crowned them the best coffee shop in New York State.
Local’s Tip: Sey Coffee has a popular subscription program where you can sign up to receive new coffee beans monthly. It’d be a great gift for a coffee connoisseur!
Do Not Feed the Alligators
Website: Do Not Feed the Alligators
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Address: 337 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Best For: Unique, Laptop Free Coffee Shop Experience
Do Not Feed the Alligators (DNFA) sources beans from small roasters to make expertly brewed pour-overs and espresso-forward drinks. The warm, mismatched furniture invites conversations, while the curated bookstore adds a touch of intellectual intrigue to the popular NYC coffee shop.
Come evening, the lights dim, the wine flows, and the café transforms into a bustling bar, showcasing DNFA’s chameleon-like charm. Laptops aren’t allowed, which makes it a great NYC cafe to meet someone new (the exceptional coffee definitely helps).
Abraço
Website: Abraço
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Best For: Feeling like a Local, Cozy Coffee Shop Dates
Renowned for its meticulously crafted espresso drinks, Abraço is where flavor and ambience collide. Located in the basement of a charming East Village apartment building, the space is irresistibly cozy and inviting. The backyard patio is a hit during the summer months — invite a friend, pick up two Portugese olive cookies and spending time catching up over proper coffee and delightful treats.
P.S. Abraço makes great cocktails in the evening! Served in a super relaxed and friendly setting, I swing by often when I’m in the area.
Best NYC Coffee Shops: Frequently Asked Questions
Caffe Reggio in the Greenwich Village is the oldest coffee shop in Manhattan, serving New York City since 1927. It’s said the first cappuccino in America was made at Caffe Reggio.
Most locals tip anywhere between 15-25% at coffee shops in NYC.
Sey Coffee, Devoción, and Partners Coffee serve some of the best coffee in Brooklyn.
After the pandemic many coffee shops across New York City opened their doors to remote workers, and many cafes still provide WiFi, outlets, and coffee to help you have a productive day.
Best Cafes in New York City (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the top spots to enjoy the best coffee in New York City.
- Devoción
- Porto Rico Importing Company
- Bakeri
- Ten Thousand Coffee
- Maman
- % Arabica
- PlantShed
- Kobrick Coffee Company
- Qahwah House
- Hungry Ghost
- Ralph’s Coffee
- Partners Coffee
- Sey Coffee
- Do Not Feed the Alligators
- Abraço
Map of the Best Coffee Shops in New York City
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Best Cafes in Brooklyn: 10+ Bold Brooklyn Coffee Shops (You’re Guaranteed to Love)
Best in the West Village: 12 Gorgeous Greenwich Village Coffee Shops You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Coffee in SoHo: 15 Satisfying SoHo Coffee Shops (Locals Can’t Live Without!)
Best Cafes in the Lower East Side: 15 Essential Coffee Shops in the Lower East Side (You’ll Adore)
Hope you enjoyed my quick roundup of the best coffee shops in New York City. Cheers!
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