The 32 Best Coffee Shops in Manhattan + Why I Love Each One!
Let’s talk coffee!
As a freelancer who’s lived in NYC for two years, I’ve checked out a ton of cafes. And let me tell you, this city has some pretty incredible coffee shops. As a love letter to NYC’s Coffee shops, I put together my list of the best coffee shops in Manhattan. Not all of these are great for working, but they each have a specific reason why I love them.
So if you are looking for a coffee shop in the city, check out one of these great options.
Oh and if you are here, I’m guessing you like food just as much as me, so you might want to check out some of my other NYC food posts:
Where to Find the Best Doughnuts in NYC
30 Famous New York Desserts You Need in Your Life
One Perfect Afternoon at the MET Rooftop Garden Bar
Your Ultimate Guide to the BEST Ice Cream in NYC
The 32 Best Coffee Shops in Manhattan
Devoción
Devoción tops the list because it is my absolute favorite coffee shop in New York City. This Colombian and Brooklyn-based company prides itself on its 10-day origin to cup coffee. The menu is espresso-based and straightforward. And whatever you do, don’t skip the croissants.
Locations: There are four airy locations in NYC (2 in Brooklyn and 2 in Manhattan). These cafes are beautifully designed and feature tons of plants. My favorite Manhattan location is in Flatiron at 25 East 20th Street.
Best For: Relaxed Saturday mornings with a fresh-baked croissant
Birch
Birch is a specialty coffee shop that unapologetically does not offer WiFi. Instead, Birch aims to cultivate a community by encouraging its customers to interact. You can grab a table-top conversation starter if you are interested in meeting new people.
Location: You’ll find cozy locations all over Manhattan including my favorite spot at 171 East 88th Street on the Upper East Side.
Best For: Unplugging and having a conversation
Joe Coffee Company
Joe Coffee Company started as a simple West Village cafe and now has locations all over the city. Most of their cafes are small and it can be hard to snag a table. So maybe save this for a grab-and-go situation. They make excellent iced lattes and some locations offer Espresso Workshops and Latte Art classes.
Location: There are tons of locations around Manhattan but I especially love the outpost in Bryant Park.
Best For: Taking your coffee on a walk around the city.
Think Coffee
If you are looking for a spot to work, Think is a great go-to option. Each cafe has plenty of seating and most offer reliable WiFi. They have a full menu of pastries, lunch items, and specialty coffee drinks. If you like flavored drinks they have syrups (unlike some coffee shops in the city).
Location: This is a local chain so you’ll find a few cafes around Manhattan. I particularly like the Bowery and Meatpacking locations.
Best For: Making a social impact with your latte. Read more about what Think is doing to support their coffee farmers.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Stepping into the Starbucks Reserve Roastery is a unique experience. You’ve likely never been to a cafe quite like this before. The Roastery has 4 bars where you can order specialty coffee drinks, cocktails, pizza, and pastries. At this sleek space, you can watch as the beans are roasted and processed. Plus, you can try drinks that aren’t found on a traditional Starbucks menu.
Location: 61 9th Ave. right next to Chelsea Market
Best For: Taking Instagram pics and trying coffee flights
Gregorys Coffee
Gregorys Coffee is an NYC-based roaster that follows the mission to “see coffee differently.” Basically, this means they aim to create a cafe with high-quality customer service and healthy dietitian-created bakery items that are made from scratch daily. I’ve been to a few Gregorys Coffee locations around the city and its obvious that this NYC chain attracts a loyal following of regulars.
Location: There are more than 20 locations in NYC and honestly it’s hard to pick a favorite!
Best For: A reliably great cup of coffee near almost every major tourist attraction in Manhattan
La Colombe
To me, La Colombe = draft lattes. You might have seen their canned draft lattes at Trader Joes or another grocery store. But, you can try a fresh latte on draft at their NYC cafe locations. It does go flat quickly, so it isn’t one to sit and sip on. But it’s so tasty you probably won’t have to worry about that.
Location: Of the 8 locations in NYC, the Tribeca cafe on 319 Church Street is my favorite.
Best For: A unique, airy latte unlike anything else you’ll find on this list
Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle is a Cali-based coffee shop and my go-to drink is a New Orleans-style coffee. Go figure. Each location is bright and airy. You can tell the baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about serving an excellent cup of coffee.
Location: I love the 450 W 15th St location for taking a coffee on the High Line.
Best For: Sipping a New Orleans iced coffee on a sunny summer day
St. Kilda
After traveling to Australia I started noticing how many Aussie cafes there are in NYC. The Australian coffee culture is strong and I’m a huge fan of flat whites now. St. Kilda is an exceptional Australian-style cafe near Times Square. It’s a basement cafe and easy to miss, but it’s well worth seeking out.
Location: 328 W 44th St
Best For: Getting delicious coffee near Times Square
Saltwater Coffee
While we are on the topic of Australian coffee shops, I have to mention Saltwater. This is a cozy and welcoming cafe where you’ll be able to enjoy delicious flat whites and Supermoon Bakehouse treats.
Location: There are two spots in the city but I especially love the 126 Waverly Pl location.
Best For: Journaling, reading, or just enjoying a great cup of coffee in a relaxed space.
Variety Coffee Roasters
Variety is a Williamsburg-born roastery with excellent coffee. The cafes are beautiful and it is a great place to get work done (thanks reliable WiFi!). You won’t feel rushed to give up your table, but that can make it hard to find an empty one.
Location: The Upper East Side location is my favorite, but the one in Chelsea is pretty great too.
Best For: Setting up and working for a while (that is if you are lucky enough to get a table)
Brooklyn Roasting Company
Yes, it has Brooklyn in the name, but there is actually a Manhattan location. Brooklyn Roasting Company roasts its sustainable coffee in the Brooklyn Naval Yard. The Manhattan location is simple and a great no-frills spot to get an afternoon pick-me-up.
Location: You’ve got one location in Manhattan: 50 W. 23rd Street
Best For: An afternoon pick-me-up or a quick work session
Felix Roasting Company
If you are looking for NYC’s most beautiful cafe, you’ve found it. When you step inside Felix Roasting Co. you might think you’ve been transported to Europe. It’s glamorous but doesn’t feel pretentious. The baristas are friendly and inviting. It’s a great spot to work during the week or to enjoy a leisurely weekend breakfast.
Location: Right now there is just one location (450 Park Ave. South) but hopefully they’ll open more soon!
Best For: Luxurious Instagram pics
Daily Provisions
You might not go here just for coffee, but you’ll need a coffee to accompany their signature crullers. These fried doughnuts are so sweet and an unsweetened coffee really helps balance them out.
Location: You’ll have to go to Union Square or the Upper West Side for this cafe.
Best For: A sweet pastry that just screams for a coffee
Bird & Branch
Bird & Branch is a cozy coffee shop in Hell’s Kitchen that serves the sustainable and socially conscious Saint Frank Coffee. It’s a small cafe just a few blocks from Times Square, but it feels like a local’s only hidden gem.
Location: 359 West 45th Street
Best For: Catching up with a friend over a great cup of coffee
Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee
Jack’s is a 100% organic coffee shop and vegan bakery. This coffee shop has been in the city for more than 15 years and was a pioneer in the crop-to-cup movement. Jack’s uses a patented sir brewer to extract the perfect flavor for its coffee.
Location: There are 8 locations in Manhattan but I especially love the cozy location on 138 West 10th Street.
Best For: Supporting the ethically-sourced coffee movement
Bluestone Lane
If you thought I was done with Australian cafes, you’d be wrong (but who really wants to be done with these exceptional cafes?!) Bluestone Lane was the first Aussie cafe I tried in NYC and it feels like a true cafe you’d find in Melbourne. It’s a great spot to go for brunch or to try an Australian iced coffee, which is made with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Location: There are tons of locations around NYC but the Upper East Side cafe in a historic church has to be my favorite!
Best For: Not feeling guilty about having ice cream in your coffee
Ground Central
Ground Central was created as a love letter to New York. The cafes are decorated with dynamic murals by the Australian street artist Heesco. The cafe feels very rock-n-roll and when I stepped in, I thought “I’m not cool enough to be here” (lol) but the baristas were very friendly and once I ordered and found a seat I realized this was the place was actually awesome. Kinda just like NYC…
Location: There are four locations in Manhattan but I love the one at 800 Second Ave.
Best For: A welcoming rock-n-roll vibe
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Stumptown is a Portland, Oregan-based roastery but they have a few outposts in NYC. I especially love the cafe in the Ace Hotel. Order your coffee and then find a comfy spot on a couch or at the long table. It’s a great place to get some work done!
Location: Check out the Ace Hotel location at 18 W 29th Street
Best For: Actually enjoying a weekend work session
Black Fox Coffee Co.
Black Fox is a specialty coffee company that uses a few different roasters, including one of my favorites from Vancouver– 49th Parallel! The cafes are sleek and the coffee is notably a bit pricey but very delicious!
Location: If you are in FiDi, check out the 110 Wall Street location but just know that it is closed on weekends.
Best For: A craft mocha
Intelligensia High Line Coffeebar
Let’s go to another hotel cafe. The Intelligensia Coffeebar in the High Line Hotel is a great spot for takeaway or relaxing. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and the space is always expertly decorated for the holidays. Intelligensia is a Chicago-based roastery and was at the forefront of the third wave coffee craze.
Location: The High Line Hotel (180 10th Ave at 20th St)
Best For: Pretending you are fancy enough to stay at The High Line Hotel
Shakespeare & Co.
You might be surprised, but one of the best coffee shops in Manhattan is actually in a bookstore. Shakespeare & Co. serves an excellent menu of coffee, iced drinks, and pastries. You can browse the shelves of the independent bookstore or work on the next great American novel while you sip your drink.
Location: The 2020 Broadway has a lot of seating and a window-facing bar
Best For: A quiet workspace where you’ll be surrounded by inspiration
Joe & the Juice
Joe & The Juice is a coffee chain with more than 300 locations around the world. When I first moved to NYC, I thought it was a local spot. But as I started traveling, it felt like Joe & The Juice followed me to Iceland, England, and Australia. If you want a break from coffee (but why?), they also serve fruit smoothies.
Location: There are at least 15 locations in NYC but I like the ones in FiDi because most other cafes there shut down on the weekends.
Best For: Healthy(ish) bites to go along with your latte
The Donut Pub
I couldn’t make an NYC food list and not mention Donut Pub! Sure, you’re gonna come here for the donuts. But you also need to get an unsweetened iced coffee to balance out all the sugar.
Location: Go to the original in the West Village and if it’s a nice day, bring your treats to the High Line
Best For: A side of coffee with your donuts
Gotan
Gotan embraces the freelancer lifestyle and I love them for that! If you need a workspace, you’ll appreciate the communal tables and reliable WiFi. Plus they serve Counter Culture coffee which is delicious.
Location: There’s a spot in Tribeca and Chelsea but I was particularly impressed by how spacious the Midtown location (20 W. 46th Street, New York) is!
Best For: A welcoming workspace
PlantShed
I’ve mentioned a few hotel cafes but this is the first plant-shop cafe on the list. It may seem a bit unconventional, but there’s something about a cafe in a flower shop that just works. Sip some coffee and go home with a freshly-cut bouquet.
Location: The Nolita and UWS flower shops are two locations have in-store cafes.
Best For: Sipping your coffee surrounded by flowers
Matto Espresso
In a city where $5 is the standard for a cup of coffee, Matto is a welcomed exception. Just like the sign says, everything is $2. That includes pastries and espresso drinks!
Location: There are about 10 cafes in NYC but I can’t help but love the one near my apartment on the UWS.
Best For: Delicious coffee that won’t break the bank
Gasoline Alley Coffee
The cafes are small but if you want some great coffee to go, stop by Gasoline Alley. The Flatiron location is near Madison Square Park and it’s a great place to sip your coffee while people-watching or catching up on a good book.
Location: Besides the Flatiron cafe, you can find Gasoline Alley in Noho, Soho, and the West Village
Best For: Taking coffee to the park
Granja
During my last trip to Spain, I fell in love with cafe con leches. These are so hard to find in the States, but Granja in Mercado Little Spain does it perfectly. Mercado Little Spain is an excellent Spanish-style market and you should probably pick up some churros while you are here.
Location: Inside Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards
Best For: Reliving your time in Spain
Irving Farm
Irving Farm has been a prominent part of NYC’s coffee scene since the 1990s. The cafes are spacious and the coffee is always fresh and balanced. They also offer some great lunch options and a nice selection of locally-made pastries.
Location: There’s a bunch around NYC but the Upper West Side spot is especially spacious
Best For: A (fairly) reliable table and grabbing lunch to go with your coffee
Black Press Coffee
Yes, that is a waffle espresso shot. But that’s not the only reason I love Black Press. When I first visited the UWS location, I realized that this was a space that works to create a sense of community. You could tell regulars were in there and it wasn’t just the incredible coffee that was bringing them back. Don’t expect a spot to get work done, but instead get a coffee for a nice walk around the UWS.
Location: I recommend the spot on 274 Columbus Ave but there’s also a location on 100 Lexington Ave.
Best For: Trying a waffle shot because why not?
Third Rail Coffee
Although Third Rail is at the end of my list, it was actually one of the first coffee shops I visited in NYC. It’s a small down-to-business cafe with great espresso drinks. There isn’t a lot of space but it’s worth stopping by and ordering a coffee-to-go.
Location: The original location is in the East Village but you’ll also find a spot in Greenwich Village.
Best For: Ordering coffee from baristas who, you can just tell, really know what they are doing
I hope you enjoyed my list of the 32 best coffee shops in Manhattan. Are there any I left off? Let me know in the comments below!
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