The 13 very best coffee shops in NYC

What is it? Harlem's one-stop shop for curated home goods, barbershop, braiding studio and coffee.   

Why we love it: Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to get a cup of coffee at The Oma, Shop II Coffee+ Lifestyle and walk out the door. But lifestyle is part of the name now, isn't it? And once you come inside Lizzy Okpo's curated space, you'll certainly feel the draw to stay. It is natural to linger at the stainless steel counter at the front, thumbing through home goods from Black, POC and LGBTQ+ vendors as you wait for your coffee or tea to be brewed. But it is the spacious back room where most people gather, whether it's to catch a movie screening or get a quick trim inside the barbershop, all while the DJ spins some tunes. 

Time Out tip: If your midday coffee happens to drift into the nighttime, you can find a menu of natural wines and bites to welcome you to the evening. 

Address: 2754 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10039 

Hours: Sun 9am–4pm; Mon, Wed 7:30am–5pm; Tues 7am–5pm; Thu, Fri 7:30am–8pm; Sat 8am–8pm; Sun 9 am–4pm

What is it? A Danish-based coffee company that's certainly found a following in New York, with three locations across the city. 

Why we love it: La Cabra's arrival in New York caused quite the stir when it landed back in 2021, as coffee aficionados lined the streets of the East Village just for a taste of its rare blends. The fervor has since died down, perhaps due to the spread of locations in SoHo and a roastery in Bushwick. But our love for La Cabra has never waned, as the shop still gives the utmost care to our daily ritual with baristas who have mastered the art of beans and brew.

Time Out tip: Yes, the pastry counter is one of the best perks of the visit. Peer behind the glass pastry counter (each location has one) for burnished Pain Au Chocolates, fruit tarts that turn with the season and the forever favorite: the fragrant Cardamom Bun with crunchy sugar flakes folded right in. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? An East Village coffee shop specializes in coffee that’s sweet and tart, really anything but bitter.

Why we love it: From the outlook, Not As Bitter reads as a bit of void on the corner of 10th Street and 1st Ave as the black on black ethos colors the front and the interior with dark marble counter tops, walls and slate gray flooring. Yet contrast is found in its colorful brews. Fruit forward coffee blends dominate the menu as fruit compotes of strawberries and mango pool at the bottom of matcha drinks and lattes are shaken with fresh durian.

Time Out tip: The current eye catcher is the Double Pistachio Latte, made with a vibrant green pistachio cream and a dust of pistachio right on top. 

Address: 241 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Daily 8am—6pm 

What is it? A sleek, lightwood-laden coffee connoisseur’s paradise. 

Why we love it: A respite from Bushwick’s hippest parties, latest gallery openings and trendy restaurants, SEY Coffee is a peaceful place where you can watch the coffee being roasted in-house—in fact, the resulting lighter roast is so popular, it has popped up at Rucola and some of our other favorite restaurants. If you want to deep dive into the third-wave coffee movement, there are “cupping sessions” where you can sniff, swirl and sip any number of beans.

Time Out tip: There is a no laptop policy here, so don't expect to work, expect to relax. 

Address: 18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Hours: Mon—Fri 7am–5pm; Sat, Sun 8am–5pm

What is it? A cool coffee shop in Bed Stuy that also moonlights as a late night vibe for drinks. 

Why we love it: Serving up Sey and Uncommon beans, this coffee shop is one for the coffee-heads. It’s also one for the egg sandwich fanatics. Its gigantic version features pimento cheese, green tomatoes and paprika mayo, turning the classic bodega BEC into a destination-worthy meal. The cafe’s interior is small and slick-ly designed (the owners of Che also run the cool-kid concept shop, Sincerely, Tommy), so it’s one of our top picks for impressing on a getting-to-know-you coffee date.

Time Out tip: The weekends are reserved for classic cocktails and natural wines that rotate on a weekly basis. 

Address: 302 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, New York 11233

Hours: Wed—Sun: 10am—3pm; Fri—Sun: 6–11pm

What is it? A community-minded coffee shop that's stood in the East Village for 17 years.

Why we love it: We have been enjoying the supremely intense coffee at Abraço since it opened in its original location in 2007. The beans are sourced from South America and roasted in-house and the cow-only milk is organic, but the menu doesn’t brag about any of that. It lets the buzzy atmosphere, rich pour-over and famous homemade olive oil cake speak for themselves. 

Time Out tip: Lift your spirits with the effervescent Sparkling Cream Espresso, an espresso-y, seltzer-y drink with a dollop of whipped cream. 

Address: 81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Mon–Thu 8am–8pm; Fri, Sat 8am–10pm; Sun 9am–6pm

What is it? A coffee shop/all-day restaurant that hits us right in the kitschy feels. 

Why we love it: If Mud ever closed, we would cry. For so many New Yorkers, Mud has become more than a coffee shop; it’s a lifeline where the downtown set—and NYU freshman—can hang out and dish. And dish they can as the hangout offers an all day brunch deal of $23.95 that includes a dish, your choice of beer, mimosa, orange juice or coffee. 

Time Out tip: The back patio alone is reason enough to visit as the stained glass roof gives an ambiance like no other. 

Address: 307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–11pm; Sat and Sun 8am–11pm

What is it? A coffee shop/all-day restaurant that hits us right in the kitschy feels. 

Why we love it: If Mud ever closed, we would cry. For so many New Yorkers, Mud has become more than a coffee shop; it’s a lifeline where the downtown set—and NYU freshman—can hang out and dish. And dish they can as the hangout offers an all day brunch deal of $23.95 that includes a dish, your choice of beer, mimosa, orange juice or coffee. 

Time Out tip: The back patio alone is reason enough to visit as the stained glass roof gives an ambiance like no other. 

Address: 307 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–11pm; Sat and Sun 8am–11pm

Morning commutes are chaotic, no? That’s why we prefer the tranquility of Devoción, which gives us hope that a vacation is just around the corner. Its Williamsburg location has big windows that are full of light, an island of tropical plants and—up front—a fishtail palm tree. Sip your coffee from one of the signature yellow mugs and note the flavor profile of its Colombian beans, sourced by Medellín-born founder Steven Sutton.

There’s so much to poke fun at at this chichi coffee shop (like the Pepto-pink details that could double as a Wes Anderson set). But our cynical hearts are melted by its new-age java creations. A standout is the "Deconstructed Espresso Tonic," which comes in a Bordeaux wine glass filled with tonic water, non-alcoholic Campari reduction and lemon-basil leaves. 

Winner’s flagship spot serves up a great latte alongside their house-made sourdough croissants and egg sandwiches. As they expand further into Brooklyn—an outpost inside Prospect Park is ideal for stopping by during off-leash hours with your dog—the original location still attracts a long line every morning. If you hate to queue, come by early, but we promise that the coffee’s worth the wait. 

Taking its name from a fashion term popular during the Japanese jazz age, this kissaten-style café specializes in East-meets-West fare. During the day, the East Village spot serves siphon brews made with varying blends. When the sun sets, sidle up to the wooden counter for Japanese whisky and shochu cocktails.

If you’re in Ridgewood, Topos Bookstore Cafe is the requisite hangout. Filled with charming details (a Felix the Cat clock, psychedelic hanging planters), this laid-back, brightly lit store is worth checking out for its coffee and its savvy new and used book selection. Co-owner Anny Oberlink has a knack for procuring hard-to-find titles, such as a 1975 children’s crafting book that you can flip through while sipping that cup of joe.

A favorite of coffee purists, this mini-chain of cafés has several locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, plus its own roasting space. Baristas prepare artisanal espresso alongside a selection of French pastries.

Portland, Oregon's artisan coffee company boasts two NYC locations, serving espresso-based drinks and seasonal matcha lattes. While you’re sipping your coffee, snack on a croissant from Pain D'Avignon or Austin-style breakfast tacos from King David Tacos.