Stumptown's Ace Hotel cafe in NoMad New York City has poured Portland-roasted Hairbender espresso since 2009. Cold brew bottles, leather banquettes off the lobby.
Tip: Use the Ace lobby seats if the cafe is full; same wifi, same vibe, more room. Closes 20:00 daily.
Address: 20 W 29th St, The Ace Hotel, New York, NY 10001, New York City
Ralph Lauren's Madison Avenue cafe pours a custom-roasted house blend in Midtown New York City. Green-and-white striped counter, almond croissants from a Brooklyn bake.
Signature drink: Ralph's blend latte
Tip: Twelve seats inside, six on the sidewalk. The chocolate-chip cookie is the unanticipated standout, not the latte.
Third Rail on Sullivan Street has poured Stumptown espresso in Greenwich Village, New York City since 2010. Three counter stools, four sidewalk tables, no food beyond pastry.
Signature drink: Stumptown espresso
Tip: Closes 18:00 daily. NYU students fill the seats from 14:00; come early or late for room.
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.
Signature drink: Chocolate egg cream
Tip: Egg cream is a $6 single-pour at the counter; the butter burger and the Lexington special sandwich are the lunch orders.
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.
