Where to Find the Best Coffee in NYC
While Shaine was out of town (off stuffing his face with tapas, sipping on tinto de verano, and exploring southern Spain), I was left to my own devices in one of my favorite cities in the world, New York City. It just so happened that the week he was away, the 3rd Annual NYC Coffee Festival was happening at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 125 West 19th Street.
Shaine attended the festival in its first year back in 2015 (you can read all about his experience here) and had nothing but great things to say that I had to check it out for myself this year.
And, I was not disappointed. While I probably sampled way too much caffeine than I should have, I left the festival with delicious new coffee & tea brands to try (I’m looking at you, Masala Chai Latte by Chalo), and most importantly five lovely coffee shops in NYC.5 Coffee Shops With the Best Coffee in NYC
Table of Contents
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
Devocion
In addition to great, seriously fresh coffee, their location on 69 Grand St in Williamsburg is a personal favorite. It’s an Instagram lovers dream with all the natural lighting, dark Chesterfield sofas, and bright green vertical garden that consists of Colombian and coffee plants.
Cafe Grumpy
This is a cafe that Shaine has talked a lot about but never taken me to, so I had to try them out for myself at the NYC Coffee Festival. Hand roasted in Brooklyn, I think my favorite part of the brand is their logo – it definitely expresses my inner self when commuting in the city!Irving Farm Coffee Roasters
I got my first taste of Irving Farm at their Upper West Side location back in 2014/15 and was happy to find a location on the Upper East Side. While pricey, their location on E 81st and 3rd ave is large and great for getting work done or grabbing a coffee on your way to Central Park (I’m loving the History Fangirl’s travel podcast episode on the history of Central Park).
The last time I was in, I tried their Fall special which was a lavender latte – if it’s still around, I highly recommend trying it.
Birch Coffee
If you find yourself in the Upper East Side, in need of coffee and a chat with like an actual person, stop by the Birch on E 88th. What I love about it is that they don’t have wifi – so you can get off your devices – and actually promote starting up conversations on their communal bench.
They even have little ‘conversation-starter’ cards to help if you don’t know what to say to the person sitting next to you!
- Samples, samples, samples…what better way to start your day than with sampling some of the best coffee New York City has to offer
- Discover some of the best coffee in New York
- Find your new favorite NYC neighborhood coffee shop
- In addition to exhibitors, you’ll also get to watch the Coffee Masters NYC barista championship (seriously, it’s an art form in itself)
- Education workshops related to your favorite beverage, coffee. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of coffee, or how to set up your own coffee shop, this is the place to be
- Coffee-related music and art projects
Navigating the popular and ever-changing New York coffee scene can be intimidating for visitors to the city, so hopefully my little list and checking out the annual New York Coffee Festival will help you get started.
What are some of your favorite neighborhood spots – let me know in the comments below. I spend so much time in the city, I’m always looking for new places to discover or work from!
Recommended Reading for Planning your Trip to New York City
- New York can be such a expensive city to visit and explore. Check out these 7 awesome New York City budget travel hacks to experience the best of the Big Apple on a budget!
- If you’re a museum enthusiast like I am, then you’ll want to read my guide to all the Free Times to Visit NYC Museums – there’s nothing better than saving $25 in admission!
- You can put your saved museum admission fees to good use, by dining out and exploring NYC’s diverse food scene. Here’s a list of my favorite places to eat in NYC
- Speaking of foodie finds, why not book tickets for some of the best NYC Culinary & Cultural Tours?
32 Comments
I think this post is practically forcing me to go and make myself a cuppa. While I’m actually in the jungle now (no funky coffee shops nearby), in Thailand, the good news is that they have quality Thai coffee beans here. I can roast and grind the coffee beans myself. The smell is just <3 Thanks for the post!
Ooh, I don’t believe I’ve had thai coffee before…plenty of Thai ice tea. I’ll have to make sure to get myself some coffee beans when I’m in Thailand next year!
Most of the travelers that I follow always say that coffee in New York is the best. And maybe I should really believe them now hihi. I’m not quite a coffee lover but maybe when I go to New York, I wouldn’t leave without tasting one of the world’s best tasting coffee. ;D
People in NYC sure do love their coffee!
Coffee Lover here!
I would like to try that Grumpy Coffee, looks so cute. If ever i’ll be in NYC, i will def try this! 🙂
Yes! Their branding is adorable, one of the reasons I like them so much 🙂
As a tea person can not but ask you – How did you find the Masala Chai Latte? Coffee festival sounds fun. May be we should have one for chai drinkers as well.
I love Masala Chai – this tasted like what I’ve had in India, so it brought back memories! You know, that’s a great idea, I’ll have to go on a tea-drinking spree in the city and report back 🙂
I am a coffee lover and simply enjoyed watching your post (And details). a good guide for people traveling to NYC.
Thanks, Sapna! Yes, NYC is a coffee lovers dream!
What a fun festival and all of the coffee looks so amazing. We love to discover great local coffee shops. Keep enjoying yourself, even when he is off enjoying tapas. LOL!
Haha, thank you! I definitely enjoyed myself and totally made tapas myself so I wouldn’t feel left out 🙂
I drink coffee occasionally but I like the smell of coffee. Just being there probably will make me happy and try one or two. My recent favorite is a coffee from Wae Rebo village in Flores, Indonesia. Too bad I only bought one pouch when I went there last summer.
Ooh I know Indonesia makes some good coffee, I’ll have to remember that when I’m there!
I feel like I probably have walked by some of them when visiting NYC last time! Thanks for putting together the list and the Coffee Festival sounds awesome. Do you need to buy tickets in advance for this? I think the best coffee to date I’ve had still has been in Italy!
I would recommend getting it in advance especially if you know you’ll be in town when it happens. Ahh, Italy, of course they take their coffee very very seriously!
I can’t believe that I had no idea that New York had a coffee festival! Definitely adding that to my bucket list. This is an essential guide for someone like me who always makes it a priority to try new coffee places when traveling. Thanks so much for putting it together!
It’s quite new, this year was its third year but it’s grown so much since the first time we checked it out. I’m always on the lookout for coffee shops to try and work out of, glad this list is useful!
I LOOOVVEE coffee and New York City! I had no idea there was a coffee festival so this is 100% on my list now! Thanks 🙂
These places look awesome! Definitely need to try some of these out on my next trip to nUC! Thanks for sharing!
The New York coffee festival sounds riiiiiight up my street! All of this coffee chat has got me craving a cup of joe now… love the latte art on these cups too!
Thank you for sharing your tips! I visited NYC just once (and went also to Devocion – loved it!) but I just need to go there again. And try all the coffee places 🙂 Another coffee I really liked in Brooklyn was Toby’s Estate Coffee!
I adore NY I have only been there once but talk about a trip of a lifetime. I don’t care what anyone says New Yorkers are awesomely friendly and helpful and I do prefer visiting he neighbourhoods for coffee shops and places to eat – trust a local is my opinion. Not to mention NY does coffee right.
There’s some seriously good looking coffee here!
You had me at coffee. Guess where I’m reading this – in a cafe, sipping a latte. Can’t wait to visit in NYC and try all these hipster cafes! Thanks for sharing!
I agree with this list full heartedly! I would also add Culture Coffee in Midtown (2 locations), and 9th Street Espresso (in Chelsea Market & on 9th Street in Alphabet City)!
A good coffee is a gift from the gods, the thing I miss most about N. America is the ability to find good coffee everywhere not to mention having it at home. Here is Ireland they drink instant coffee – disgusting.
When I say “I’m saving this”, I MEAN IT for this post! I LOVE coffee and a little bit of a coffee snob (from living in Seattle for 5+ years!). I’m definitely going to use this and go on a little coffee hunt the next time I’m in NYC! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday – hope to see you again this week! xo
YAY, I’m so glad to hear. I love exploring coffee shops when I travel, NYC just happens to have a ton of them! 🙂
I am heading to NYC tomorrow so this is great timing! I am always keen on new coffee shops to try! October when the festival is on I will jot down to try and get to as well! See you at Fly Away Friday this week!
Hope you had a great, caffeinated stay in NYC!
Great share.. NYC is a coffee lovers dream!I believe your share seems to be so tempting that it is letting me come to NYC and have a cuppa. Making your own coffee from the beans is best. Thanks for sharing such information with us. I am a big time coffee lover.
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