Lexington Candy Shop at 83rd has poured chocolate egg creams from a 1940s Hamilton Beach mixer on the Upper East Side of New York City since 1925.
Tip: Egg cream is a $6 single-pour at the counter; the butter burger and the Lexington special sandwich are the lunch orders.
Address: 1226 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10028, New York City
S&P Lunch on Fifth Avenue reopened the former Eisenberg's counter in Flatiron, New York City in 2022 under Court Street Grocers. Same egg cream.
Signature drink: Chocolate egg cream
Tip: The chocolate egg cream is the order. The tuna melt and the Flatiron Delight sandwich keep the room's Jewish-deli line.
Abraço on East 7th has poured a single-origin cortado in the East Village, New York City since 2007. Standing-only counter, olive oil cake, no Wi-Fi, no laptops.
Signature drink: Cortado
Tip: Cash and counter-only. The savoury empanada is the lunch order; the olive oil cake is the dessert.
Russ & Daughters Cafe on Orchard Street is the sit-down sister of the Houston Street counter in New York City. Lox boards, egg creams, black-and-white cookies.
Signature drink: Egg cream
Tip: Brunch books two weeks out on weekends. Tuesday and Wednesday lunch is the easy walk-in for the same plates.
The Elk on Charles Street runs a quiet, daylight cafe in the West Village, New York City. Counter-roasted beans, maple latte, sourdough toast with cultured butter.
Signature drink: Maple latte
Tip: Two tables, four counter seats, no laptops at peak weekend hours. Tuesday afternoons are quiet enough to work.
Saltwater Coffee on East 12th roasts daily in-house in New York City. Single-origin filters, a flat white from a Marzocco lever, and pastry from Bourke Street Bakery.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: The communal table at the back is wifi-friendly until 16:00. Counter ordering only; no table service.
Blue Bottle's Bryant Park counter in Midtown New York City pulls 48-hour-old roasts under the public library steps. Pour-over by the cup, NOLA iced coffee year-round.
Signature drink: New Orleans iced coffee
Tip: Park benches across the street are part of the order. Avoid 08:30 to 09:30 if you want a fast cup.
