12 editor picks in New York City.
12 cafe places in New York City we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in New York City | Cafe across every city.
New York's cafe culture splits between old neighborhood counters and a wave of single-origin roasters that arrived over the past two decades. Abraço in the East Village and Devoción in Williamsburg represent the specialty-coffee side, while Lexington Candy Shop on the Upper East Side keeps a pre-war luncheonette running almost unchanged. Russ & Daughters Cafe on the Lower East Side ties the city's coffee habit back to its appetizing tradition.
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.
TipCash 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. Located in Lower East Side. At 127 Orchard St..
TipBrunch 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. Order the maple latte. At 128 Charles Street. Booking recommended.
TipTwo 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. Located in East Village. Order the filter coffee. Booking recommended.
TipThe 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. Order the new orleans iced coffee.
TipPark benches across the street are part of the order. Avoid 08:30-09:30 if you want a fast cup.
Kos Kaffe roasts its own beans on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue in New York City. Order the single-origin espresso. At 251 5th Ave. Booking recommended.
TipOrder at the counter, sit on the back patio. Saturday brunch has a 30-minute wait; weekday mornings are open.
Devoción on Grand Street in Williamsburg flies fresh-harvest Colombian beans into the cafe every week in New York City. Order the cold brew on tap.
TipThe greenhouse skylight room at the back is the working-from-cafe spot. Closes 19:00 on weekends, 20:00 weekdays.
Stumptown's Ace Hotel cafe in NoMad New York City has poured Portland-roasted Hairbender espresso since 2009. At 20 W 29th St. Booking recommended.
TipUse the Ace lobby seats if the cafe is full; same wifi, same vibe, more room. Closes 20:00 daily.
Ralph Lauren's Madison Avenue cafe pours a custom-roasted house blend in Midtown New York City. Order the ralph's blend latte. At 888 Madison Ave.
TipTwelve 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.
TipCloses 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.
TipEgg 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.
TipThe chocolate egg cream is the order. The tuna melt and the Flatiron Delight sandwich keep the room's Jewish-deli line.
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