21 Best New York City Coffee Shops

From FiDi to Bushwick, here are the city’s top coffee spots

by Team AGNP

When high-quality coffee emerged as a major trend in the mid-2000s, New York City was at the forefront of the scene. The third wave of coffee was ushered in with spots like Ninth Street Espresso, Joe Coffee Company, and Café Grumpy, all of which focused on intentional sourcing and skillful roasting. Since then, the city has remained a leading destination for quality beans and innovative caffeinated drinks.

While there are tons of worthy cafés across the five boroughs, there are specific criteria I consider when choosing a coffee shop. Preparation is at the top of the list. For me, the perfect coffee shop goes beyond espresso, with pour-over and other nerdy methods. (I’m looking at you, Coffee Project NY.) The food situation must also be top-notch. A good pastry program like Café Integral’s is necessary, but I’m particularly hooked when there’s a larger menu featuring delicious hot items like there is at Little Collins. Of course, aesthetics bring something to the table as well. And then there is the neighborhood context. A cool, downtown coffee shop is great, but what about a place serving perfect espresso on the Upper West Side? That’s harder to find, but all the more satisfying when you come across Box Kite.

I’ve spent the past eight years living in New York and using these indicators to scope out the city’s absolute best brews. I have a go-to (or four) in every neighborhood, so I’m never far from a quality cup — and you don’t have to be either. I’ll let you in on all my caffeinated secrets. Here is my definitive list of the best coffee shops in New York City.

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NYC’s Best Coffee Shops

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Honorable Mentions

The below list encompasses my favorite coffee spots in the city. These are the places you’ll find me sipping my morning cortado in any given neighborhood. However, it's also worth noting that there are a handful of other shops—both single locations and small chains—that produce great drinks made by skillful baristas. If you see any of these cafés while you’re out and about, they’re worth stopping into for a cup.

Bakeri, Birch Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, Bluestone Lane, Brooklyn Roasting Company, Chalait, Citizens, Flora Coffee, Gimme! Coffee, Golda, Hi-Collar, Hungry Ghost Coffee, Intelligentsia Cafe, Interlude, Irving Farm, Kaffe 1668, Maman, Ninth Street Espresso, Round K, Seven Grams Caffe, Shuteye Coffee, Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen, Two Hands, Variety Coffee Roasters, Win Son Bakery, The Elk.