The 14 very best coffee shops in NYC

What is it? Harlem's one-stop shop for curated home goods, coffee and a place to get your hair right. 

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 and thumb through the handblown glassware, body wash and hair oils sitting on shelves, all sourced from Black, POC and LGBTQ+ vendors. But the spacious back room is where most 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 

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

What is it? A Danish-based coffee company that's certainly found a following in New York.

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, which we attribute to time and the spread of shops that now dot the city, as the brand followed up with locations in SoHo and a roastery in Bushwick (and one more soon to land in Chelsea). 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, hand-laminated croissants, fruit tarts that turn with the season, and the forever favorite: the cardamom bun, incredibly fragrant with crunchy sugar flakes folded right in. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A small group of posh cafes whose beautiful interiors match the program they serve. 

Why we love it: Coffee shops can often be a grab-and-go situation, with the rhythmic sounds of cups slamming on counters and a rotating rush and shuffle of clientele on the go. Felix Roasting Co. is guaranteed to make you stay, or at least make you stop and take a gander at the whimsy of it all. The latest local in Midtown is perhaps one of the most eye-catching of the bunch (there are four locations in the city) with velvet chairs that blush and shake with fringe, hand-laid mosaic floors and an egg-shaped copper dome that hovers over the counter, its underbelly hiding a magical starry scape (and an easter egg that nods to the owner and his family). Take it all in over one of the fancier cups, if you have the time, such as the hickory smoked s’mores latte that steams with hickory smoke before serving or the deconstructed espresso tonic, that drinks ever so fragrant with a bushel of basil, lemon zest and a spritz of rose water. 

Time Out tip: But if you really have to go, you can get your fancy coffee, springs of mint and all, canned by the staff and ready to go. 

Address: Multiple locations

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

Why we love it: From the outside, 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 inside and out. It's certainly a mood as the dim storefront leads to dark marble countertops and slate gray on the floors. The contrast to the darkness? The colorful brews. Fruit-forward coffee blends dominate the menu as strawberry and mango compotes pool at the bottom of matcha drinks and lattes come with a shake of fresh durian and red bean. 

Time Out tip: The matchas also get a little fruity, with your choice of a cream topper, flavored with peach, pineapple or passionfruit. But if you'd rather have a little savory something, we say go for the salty black sugar.  

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

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Fri–Sun 8am–6pm; Wed, Thu 8am–5pm 

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. However, the front of the shop has plenty going for it as well, especially once the garage door flips open when the weather is nice. 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: The cafe follows limited laptop usage during the weekday, so plan to take a break here during your workday as opposed to setting up shop here. 

Address: 18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7am–5pm; Sat, Sun 8am–5pm

What is it? A Flatbush cafe that brings Haitian and Dominican flavors together in harmony, following the motto: One Island, One Love.

Why we love it: Dru Goicochea and Erick Nicoleau bring their Dominican and Haitian cultures together under one roof. Coffee serves as the vehicle for a middle ground, the viral plantain brûlée included, whose caramelized plantain sweetness meets warming notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The food pulls from each culture, at times separately (such as the excellent fried griot with pikliz and tostones) before joining together, particularly with the saltfish bánh mì. The pint-sized cafe keeps things minimal, with marble tables and a long one for working and a few moka pots on the shelves. Small as it is, the cafe can be used for a bit of work as long as you don't mind the banging playlist of Prince and Q-Tip. 

Time Out tip: Yes, the plantain brûlée latte is the viral hit. But may we suggest the oat milk hibiscus chai? The housemade sorrel tea brings brightness, smoothed out by an undertone of chai flavors. It also deserves a spot on your IG stories, because with one stir, the drink turns into a purple sunset. 

Address: 1170 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY11225 

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–7pm; Sun noon–5pm

What is it? A lifestyle and design store in Bed-Stuy that invites you to linger over Earl Grey matchas and zesty lattes.

Why we love it: If Solange decided to own a coffee shop, we imagine it would look and feel a little something like Apartment Ra'el. But giving props where props are due, the collection of vintage goods, faux yak chairs and tomes of Afro-Atlantic histories goes to Rachelle Kirindongo, as her curated Bed-Stuy coffee shop also functions as a concept store. Meaning that the mirrored ice bucket on the shelf, the squat cow print bench near the door and the chair that you may just be working from are all for sale. But coffee and chill are also part of the mix; the nutty maple black sesame latte and the mont blanc with fragrant strips of orange zest serve as a welcome refuge. Just please, mind the furniture.

Time Out tip: Apartment Ra'el makes for a good landing place to get some work done, that is, if sipping coffee while listening to the crooning call of Marvin Gaye are things you find ideal.

Address: 1124 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216 

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–4pm; Sat, Sun 9am–4pm

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What is it? A Flatbush community staple that blends Caribbean culture with coffee. 

Why we love it: Mother and son duo, Jamane and Donna Weekes, serve more than just water and beans to the people of Flatbush via Lips Cafe, running on the motto, “We don’t serve coffee, we serve community.” The cafe functions more like a social club, one that hosts art shows, musical showcases and conversations over coffee and cocktails. With an ear toward the people of Flatbush, the family leaned on their St. Vincentian roots for the food, drumming up bake and saltfish for breakfast and jerk salmon wraps for lunch.

Time Out tip: In need of some new decor? Much of the wall art features artists from across the area and is available for purchase. 

Address: 1412 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 8am–9pm; Sun 9am–6pm

What is it? A B Corp-certified coffee shop that partners with independent coffee producers in Colombia.

Why we love it: 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 various locations about town (Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Nomad and Flatiron) follow the same theme, as coffee is served in a tropical paradise, as the entryways often sprout with trees and flora. We personally think the Downtown BK location is one of the more transformative shops, as an oasis of plants and palm trees welcomes you to sit in the center of it all. 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.

Time Out tip: Each shop has a wall of beans to peruse if you'd rather blend your own brew at home. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A community-minded coffee shop that's stood in the East Village for 19 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 served with a dollop of whipped cream. 

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

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 8am–8pm; Thu–Sat 8am–10pm; Sun 9am–6pm

What is it? A British coffee import that deals in well-crafted coffees and rare beans, if you've got the spend. 

Why we love it: One of Britain's best coffee brands has staked a claim in New York, as four WatchHouse locations have opened up around the city in just a two-year period. We are partial to the location inside the Chrysler Building, as it gives us an excuse to finally hover inside the Art Deco building without the security throwing side-eye at us. And also because the coffee shop pays close attention to its beans and its brews, complemented with a spread of plenty of good pastries (we are partial to the spiced Nduja Pain Suisse). 

Time Out tip: The international brand also brought over its Rarities Program, brewing hard-to-find beans priced. But they do come at a cost, ranging from $14 to $52 for a pour-over—and that's not a typo. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A used bookstore that touts a cafe in the back. 

Why we love it: 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.

Time Out tip: You can also come and sell your gently used books seven days a week from noon to 6pm. There may be a wait time, making for even more of an excuse to get a cup and sit a spell.

Address: 7-88 Woodward Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–7pm; Sat, Sun 10am–7pm

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 freshmen—can hang out and dish. And dish they can, as the hangout offers an all-day brunch deal of $23 that includes your choice of buttermilk pancakes, avo toast, and more, paired with a 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

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–11pm; Sat, Sun 8am–11pm

What is it? A kissaten-style cafe by day, a jazzy Japanese revue by day. 

Why we love it: 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, easily enjoyed at the front counter or at the peaceful rock garden-like space in the back. You can really let your collar down when the sun sets, as the cafe transforms into a jazzy scene with Japanese whisky and shochu cocktails aplenty. 

Time Out tip: The daytime hours also include brunch with a choice of omurice, tangy egg salads and milk breads piled high with berries and honey. 

Address: 231 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–4pm