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The 13 Best Coffee Shops in NYC

Maria Gracia Santillana Maria Gracia Santillana | January 22, 2023 | Food & Drink

Coffee

This city runs on black gold. From cart and bodega $1 coffees, to local roasters and NYC chains, every New Yorker has a go-to spot for their daily caffeine fix.

Coffee can be more than just a caffeine pick-me-up. With roasts from Africa, to Central and South America, the United States and more, there is literally a whole world of flavor to explore. Maybe you're looking for a quick cup of joe on your daily walk, or maybe coffee is the excuse to get out of the house, get some fresh air, or in pre and post-COVID times, get some reading or work done in a change of environment.

See also: The 10 Best Bakeries in NYC

We put our nose to the grinder and sought out the best cafes from Williamsburg to the West Village and beyond. Some of these cafes on our list offer snacks, atmopshere, subscription services and even some karmic gold stars. Whether you're looking for a local roaster or a specially-curated blend; searching for espresso, lattes or even coffee cocktails, here are the 13 best coffee shops in NYC.

Devoción

276 Livingston St.; 25 East 20th St.; 69 Grand St., Williamsburg / Website

Devoción's mission is to provide the freshest coffee imaginable by shortening the time between roast and brew. Starting in more than 1,000 local farms in Colombia, the beans pass through a dry-mill in Bogotá before being flown to Brooklyn. They're roasted and brewed right in the borough, and Devoción sells wholesale coffee to partner cafes across New York City. Packs of their roasted blends in a variety of grinds are also available for purchase on their website.

O Café

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482 6th Ave. / Website

This Brazilian coffee shop, located in the West Village, is known for its mesh of scandinavian design and latin warmth. Serving Brazilian staples like Pão de Quiejo (GF) and regional favorites like arepas, good coffee is always accompanied by yummy snacks. From lattes to pour-overs, O Café serves Brazilian organic coffee that'll make you smile. Now open for delivery and take-out, O Café has also expanded to selling packaged coffee, sauces and snacks. Some of their brunch options, like the sandwich platter and Roasted Yams and eggs seeded spread, are also available in family sizes.

Café Integral

149 Elizabeth St. / Website

Serving Nicaraguan coffee in their Nolita flagship, Café Integral founder César Vega curates their monthly blends. Other than Nicaraguan roasts and espresso, the coffee shop also boasts coffee blends including floral and chocolate tones. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, Café Integral now offers a subscription service where you can get their coffee blends mailed directly to your door on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis.

Abraço

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81 East 7th St. / Website

For more than 10 years, Abraço has served the East Village with South American coffee in a cozy neighborhood spot on East 7th St. Named after the portuguese word for “hug,” owners Liz Quijada and Jamie McCormick have kept a pretty stable menu. They only serve organic whole milk and half-and-half, while sweetener options are limited to evaporated cane sugar. Their home-made pastries change from day to day, but their famous olive oil cake and cured olive cookies are Abraço staples.

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Little Collins

708 3rd Ave.; 570 Lexington Ave. / Website

In a field of Starbucks and Le Pain Quotidiens, Little Collins’s midtown locations offer a homey feel amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City. The Australian-run coffee shop utilizes beans from the lauded North Carolina roaster Counter Culture, serving coffee blends with coffee from around the world. They also offer an array of foods, including an avocado smash, a schnitzel sandwich, and their signature “Green Eggs N’ Damn!”

Everyman Espresso

136 East 13th St.; 162 5th Ave. (Brooklyn); 301 W Broadway (temporarily closed) / Website

Everyman Espresso serves coffee with a twist. From traditional espresso drinks and pour overs, all their coffee comes from Black & White Coffee, the North Carolina roaster. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some of their signature coffee cocktails, including the panacea (espresso, lemon, honey, and bitters), or an espresso old-fashioned (espresso bitters, and sugar). With a couple of tables outside the small shop, the drinks will surely keep you warm.

Sey Coffee

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18 Grattan St. / Website

Sey (“yes” spelled backwards) Coffee was named “Best Coffee in America” in 2019. With blends from Burundi, Ecuador, and Colombia, you can learn more about your coffee from harvest to brew on Sey’s website. Their subscription program has soared during the pandemic, bringing the shop’s hallmark sustainable blends to your home. Roasting operations are held in the back of the café, an ode to founder’s Tobin Polk and Lance Schnorenberg’s start on the fourth floor of a Bushwick building.

Coffee Project

239 East 5th St.; 155 7th Ave.; 78 Rockwell Pl.; 21-10 51st Ave. / Website

From deconstructed lattes to specialty pour-overs and more, Coffee Project specializes in the coffee experience as much as the coffee itself. With award-winning owners and baristas, get ready for extreme latte art and gluten-free baked goods. Not only is the coffee experience incredibly fun, but Coffee Project’s brews come from small cooperatives and farms that pay their employees a livable wage, and they often partner with local bakeries for their accompanying pastries and baked goods.

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Hi-Collar

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231 East 9th St / Website

Coffee shop during the day, sake bar at night, Hi-Collar is inspired by kissatens, Japanese coffee and tea. With a variety of beans and brewing methods available, Hi-Collar serves good coffee as well as a great experience. Japanese pastries and sandwiches are also available. They currently are open for pick-up and delivery, and have partnered with New York-based roasters since August to support local businesses.

Felix Roasting Co.

104 Greene St. / Website

If you’re looking for a carefully-curated, luxurious coffee experience, Felix Roasting Co is just the place. While their Park Slope flagship remains closed, head over to their Soho location for a shot of espresso served in a wine glass with tonic water. Open for take-out, they also boast a heater and blanket-filled outdoor seating space, and Felix is always stocked with house-made non-dairy milks and proprietary syrups.

Porto Rico Importing Co.

201 Bleecker St.; 40 ½ St. Marks; 636 Grand St. / Website

With three locations across Downtown Manhattan, Porto Rico Importing Co mainly sells coffee beans for brewing. Their locations, however, also serve some of their own coffee. Whether you grab a cup of their drip or linger with a latte, make sure to pair it with a home-made Rugelach. Don't foget to snag some bags of roasted beans and chocolate candy on your way out.

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Variety Coffee

Multiple locations / Website

Variety Coffee is a Brooklyn-based roasting company. Offering wholesale to a multitude of smaller NYC coffee shops, Variety also has its own coffee shop locations in the Upper East Side, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and its flagship Bushwick stores. Leo's baked goods are available on site and pair perfectly with Variety's coffee. Amidst the pandemic, Variety has joined other roasters and coffee shops to implement a subscription program. Whether it be weekly or monthly, you can now get your favorite coffee shipped directly to your home.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

212B Pacific St.; 30 W 8th St.; 18 W 29th St. / Website

This Oregon-based chain is one of the most popular coffee roasters in the coffee world. With three locations in New York City, the popular coffee and Supermoon pastries creators welcome loyal customers. You can also buy Stumptown blends online for a home-brewing experience.


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