Friends’ Central Perk is finally getting its first-ever permanent location in NYC—orange couch included

Get ready to pivot your weekend coffee plans: Central Perk is finally coming to Manhattan. The modern-day spin on the beloved Friends hangout will open in Times Square in fall 2025, giving sitcom superfans, tourists and curious New Yorkers a chance to sip a latte where Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe once (fictionally) lingered.

This isn’t just a pop-up or photo-op. Central Perk Coffee Co. is a fully functioning café at the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 47th Street, complete with a “cozy Orange Sofa room” inspired by the iconic set piece. The concept builds on the success of the first location in Boston, which debuted in 2024. The New York version will lean into both nostalgia and modern coffee culture, with artisanal drinks and a series-inspired menu crafted under the guidance of none other than Tom Colicchio, the Top Chef judge and James Beard Award winner.

RECOMMENDED: Let me tell you—I’m a ‘Friends’ superfan and the show’s NYC immersive experience surprised me

The project comes courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, Central Perk Coffee Co. and CenPer Holdings. Their aim is to bring the enduring spirit of Friends to life in the city where the show was set but never actually filmed. “Friends is one of those rare shows that continues to bring people together, generation after generation,” said Peter van Roden, EVP at Warner Bros. Discovery. “At the heart of that story was always Central Perk… a place where laughter, connection, and unforgettable moments were shared.”

Beyond the novelty of ordering a cappuccino under the glow of Times Square billboards, the café promises exclusive merchandise only available at the New York location, alongside Central Perk’s six signature coffee blends. Those beans—available ground, whole or in compostable capsules—will also be on sale to take home. (If you’d rather stay in your own apartment like a true New Yorker, you can already find them online or at select H-E-B stores.)

Whether you’re a lifelong fan who can still recite “Smelly Cat” or just someone looking for a new coffee stop in Midtown, the timing feels right. With Friends still streaming, syndicated and meme-ified three decades after its debut, Central Perk is less of a throwback than a cultural mainstay. And now, instead of watching reruns on your couch, you can drink coffee on theirs.