The very best espresso in NYC

Catie Kelly, Lonely Planet’s Government Vice President, moved to NYC in 2023. Comply with her quest to get to know town, one cup of espresso at a time.

I’m a espresso connoisseur.

So after I relocated to New York City final yr – after dwelling a little bit of a nomadic life in locations like Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; and London, England – I believed I’d put my espresso like to good use. So to get the lay of the land in my new hometown, I challenged myself. I’d drink 100 cups of espresso, from 100 totally different espresso spots.

In Cleveland and Charlotte, the concept of craft espresso was nonetheless new – these cities solely have a handful of locations that fee excessive on the coffee-culture chart. London already had a espresso tradition, although after I lived there, my espresso palate wasn’t as refined. I bear in mind vividly strolling round London consuming a Pret espresso and dunking a croissant in it. There, that felt like probably the most regular factor on the earth.

A gentlewoman in New York

I didn’t know most of the neighborhoods in New York. And I needed to. Notably ones close to my dwelling and workplace, however there have been different areas I needed to discover out of curiosity. This espresso quest gave me the drive to find totally different components of town, and to immerse myself of their specific vibe, which I discovered matched up properly with the extra in style espresso outlets.

On the Higher East Facet, the perfect espresso is Ralph’s, the place Ralph Lauren’s preppy, clubby model is unmistakable. I discovered that individuals on the Brooklyn outlets are friendlier, whereas the West Village is stylish and vibrant, and everybody appears to be doing crucial issues.

To curate the checklist of espresso outlets and cafes I’d enterprise to; I watched a lot of TikToks of different individuals attempting espresso. I additionally in all probability learn one million pages on Google. Earlier than I knew it, I had an inventory of 20 outlets. Then I turned it right into a shareable notice to which others might add their favorites. 

Wish to know extra about the place the locals eat in Brooklyn? Try our list of the best bites, by our personal Brooklynite Chamidae Ford.

Tasting notes 

My ranking system was primarily based on my style alone. Generally my ranking has extra to do with the vibe or vitality of the espresso store than the rest. Three vital particulars about my problem:

• My taste profile is creamy and easy; I keep away from something bitter or acidic.
• I ordered the identical plain latte, generally sizzling generally iced, all over the place I went to make sure that my scores and comparisons had been…scientifically legitimate(ish).
• I rated every spot 1, 2 or 3, with 1 being the very best – these locations I’d enthusiastically advocate. A 2 signifies a much less enthusiastic suggestion – it’ll do if you happen to’re close by. And three – nicely, we gained’t discuss in regards to the 3s.

A couple of extra particulars from my quest: I realized that the expertise of a restaurant improved primarily based on…nicely, not the precise espresso. A heat smile, a thoughtfully designed paper cup, the vibe within the cafe: these components often affected my ranking. 

I undoubtedly drank extra iced lattes alongside the best way and located the scale and high quality of the ice affected the espresso’s style profile. (Nobody likes a watery latte.) Additionally, New York Metropolis has banned plastic straws (yay setting!) – however paper straws don’t fairly do it for me as a alternative. Since I couldn’t rely on the identical sipping expertise with no respectable straw, I like to recommend carrying a pleasant steel one with you. 

Out of the 100 coffees I attempted and examined, solely 78 had been in tier 1 or 2. You could discover many neighborhoods on this checklist are close to each other – however I’ve a busy job and will solely enterprise to date afield. So that is under no circumstances an entire checklist for the whole metropolis.

However it’s adequate for me, and I hope it’s useful and galvanizing for you.

The outcomes are in…

With out additional ado, listed here are my high espresso outlets, together with just a few temporary and unembellished notes I took whereas consuming. 

1. Koré Coffee (Chinatown)

This place is the one which blew me away probably the most. Normal espresso is scrumptious and made with care. The tiramisu latte is an enormous deal with – an enormous standout of the entire journey. Subsequent stage. This store rotates a really creative menu so if you wish to strive one thing seasonal or new, cease by, however notice the store has restricted seating.

2. Devoción (Flatiron and different places)

Service is excellent. At all times a queue; by no means an enormous wait. Should you like easy espresso, do this place. Very silky, very yum – the extra I’ve, the extra I would like. Additionally, they’ve one in all my favourite plain croissants. Bonus: pistachio milk. Devoción roasts single origin espresso from Colombia and boasts the freshest espresso – they course of their beans in as few as 10 days earlier than they make it to the roaster in Brooklyn!

3. Stumptown (Greenwich Village and different places)

Seattle roaster. Very creamy. Oat milk is their normal, so it is advisable choose into dairy. Additionally they promote foil-wrapped King David breakfast tacos (made at their headquarters in Brooklyn). Order the PEC (potato, egg and cheese) with inexperienced salsa. It is a winner. Stumptown has actually moved previous being an area store, as their espresso could be bought at Goal or loved on an Alaska Airways flight, however I stand by the truth that the in-store espresso tastes really scrumptious.

4. Interlude (Tribeca)

Their iced latte may be very creamy. The blocks of ice are excellent. Get the honey butter scone. I’ve heard the meringue pop tart can also be a particular deal with however have to be pre-ordered. Interlude roasts espresso from George Howell Espresso, who is called a legend within the espresso business.

5. Buddies  (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Tiny store, and filled with character and good vibes. They roast all of their very own beans, and the espresso is totally delish – it was my first expertise being served espresso in an “Anthora” New York City to-go paper cup. It felt iconic. Additionally of notice: This ubiquitous NYC cup is so beloved that there is a ceramic model bought on the MoMa Design Store.

6. Kobrick Coffee (Meatpacking District)

So old-school that it has been round for over 104 years, and it is one of many cities oldest roasters. 4 generations of Kobrick have made this espresso their livelihood, they usually’ve had the identical roastmaster for over 30 years. Their iced latte is supreme to near-perfect – sturdy ice cubes, creamy milk, and a pleasant straw. A lot of seating obtainable (each inside and outdoors).

7. WatchHouse (Midtown)

This was a late-breaking addition to my checklist. I adored WatchHouse after I lived in London, and it simply opened an outpost in Midtown. I really like that the usual latte is served as 8 ounces (versus the standard 12) – this feels extra coffee-forward with a touch of sweetness and creaminess. They’ve nice branding. Their sandwiches appeared tempting

8. Ninth Street Espresso (East Village and different places)

One in every of few outlets that also takes money (and also you get a reduction!). This store has zero faff and feels really native. I laughed after I checked out their web site, which claimed they’re dedicated to snobbery-free customer support,” they usually undoubtedly nail it. Their first store opened in 2001 on East ninth Avenue, and has since expanded to extra places in NYC, Brooklyn, and Lengthy Island Metropolis. 

9. Cafe Integral (SoHo)

Feels native with actually well-done espresso. It’s a heat store seemingly all the time crammed to the brim with individuals having fun with one another’s firm. Opened in 2012, Cafe Integral roasts Nicaraguan espresso, the place the house owners are from. Should you’re up for one thing distinctive, strive the Horchata latte or the Olivia, an iced drink with espresso, almond milk, and dates.

10. % arabica (Dumbo and different places)

Feels very craft. It takes them some time to make your espresso, nevertheless it’s tasty. The Dumbo location has a beautiful view of the Brooklyn Bridge, they usually simply opened a second store in SoHo. Its first was in Kyoto, Japan. They’ve over 150 outlets worldwide – they’ve 70 outposts in China alone.

11. Enly Coffee (SoHo)

A really floral-forward espresso store. Actually impressed by their menu variation – in addition they have cocktails. Additionally, Enly began as a candle store so it’s also possible to buy a really luxe candle. After visiting I observed it was blowing up on TikTok, which defined the hefty queue. Nonetheless completely value it!

12. Abraço (East Village)

Should you google “greatest espresso in NYC,” Abraço will come up. Their espresso is just too daring or intense for my profile, however I actually respect this store and its dedication to the craft of espresso. The olive oil cake was stable, and I used to be undoubtedly tempted by their frittata. Essential notice: This store is closed on Mondays. 

13. Fellini (West Village and different places)

If you wish to fake you are in a beautiful European espresso store and never NYC, go right here. The West Village store is tiny. I drank a espresso subsequent to a woman in a beret – what enjoyable! I really like that the espresso is served at an out of doors window, and others appear to love it, too. Fellini just lately expanded to SoHo and can launch one other new store in Chelsea quickly! Additionally they serve wine within the afternoon.

The runners-up

Listed below are the opposite spots I cherished probably the most. These remaining espresso outlets are categorized into two tiers to distinguish between those I cherished versus these I simply favored. 

Tier 1: I’ll be going again. And infrequently.

A number of NYC places: 
:3
Amano Cafe
Blue Bottle
Café Kistuné  
Drip 
Coffee RX 
Cōpper Mug
Hungry Ghost
Irving Farm
La Cabra 
Partners
Plantshed
Variety
White Noise

Single location:
Little Canal (Decrease East Facet)
Rigor Hill (Tribeca)
Butler Bakeshop (SoHo)
Brewlita (Nolita)
Cafe Lyria (Soho)
The Lost Draft (Nolita)
Do Not Feed Alligators (West Village)
The Elk (West Village)
Cafe Panino Mucho Giusto (West Village)
Lê Phin (East Village)
Mud (East Village)
Foreigner (Flatiron)
Gotham City Roasters (Flatiron)
Third Rail Coffee (Greenwich Village)
Kona Coffee Roasters (Chelsea)
Yanni’s (Chelsea)
Artison Flowers and Cafe (Union Sq.)
Sorella Coffee (Kips Bay)
10000 (Midtown)
Common Address (Midtown West)
Remi Flower and Coffee (East Village)
Mast Market (Higher West Facet)
Gertrude (Higher West Facet)
Plowshares (Harlem)

Tier 2: I’d return, however provided that I occur to be close by.

A number of NYC places:
787
Bluestone Lane
Bourke Street Bakery
Drip Coffee
For Five Coffee
Ground Central
​​​​​​Gumption
La Colombe
Marathon
Madman Espresso
Mah-Ze-Dahr 
Poetica Coffee
Ralph’s Coffee
Seven Grams 

Single location: 
Kaffe Landskap (Tribeca)
Current Coffee (Bowery)
Gasoline Alley (SoHo)
Urban Backyard (Nolita)
Pâtisserie Fouet (Greenwich Village)
Merriweather (West Village)
Smør Bakery (East Village)
Felix Roasting Co. (Nomad) 
Terremoto (Meatpacking)
Intelligentsia (Chelsea)
Aficionado (Midtown)
Loveless (Williamsburg)
Sey Coffee (Williamsburg)
Rhythm Zero (Greenpoint)
Room 205 (Gowanus)

Final, however undoubtedly least

There have been round 20 outlets that I merely can not advocate as a result of their espresso…was too bitter, was not sturdy sufficient, had an excessive amount of acid, appeared stylish and tasted unhealthy, tasted too candy, got here on the fallacious temperature…or was merely gross.