Where to Find NYC’s Best Coffee

by Sung Jun Kim

“Bad coffee is better than no coffee” is simply not true in a city such as this. Around every corner, in every nook-and-cranny, is a small coffee shop serving great espressos and lattes.

Starbucks is not the only coffee shop that New Yorkers go to. The New Yorker that wears a trench coat, holds a cup of Starbucks, while upstreaming a cab only exists in the movies or when one is late for work. Although distracting Starbucks chains are on every other block, great coffee can still be found if you know where to look.

Manhattan

 

Voyager Espresso

110 William St., lower level

M-F: 7.30am–3pm

Voyager Espresso is a sleek, futuristic coffee shop with a modest menu of gourmet toast, smoothies and chia pudding. Voyager can be difficult to find. Why? It’s underground. Located in an underground corridor at the Fulton Street Station, the Australian-owned shop is a great place for coffee. Voyager Espresso rotates coffee grounds every so often. There are two different coffees that can be brewed to your liking. Be sure to make a return visit for a new taste!

Birch Coffee

Flatiron: 21 East 27th St. (M-F: 7:30am-5pm; Sat & Sun: 7:30am-4pm)

FiDi:  8 Spruce St. (Everyday: 7:30am-4pm)

Birch Coffee’s 27th street location has this thing called an ignition initiative. You pick up a card with a question that usually goes along the lines of “Tell me about…” Take that card, put it on your table, and meet someone new. Did I tell you about the library? Yep. They have a small library for coffee drinkers who want to relax with a good book.

La Colombe

67 Wall St.

M-F: 6:00am-6:00pm

Sat & Sun: 7:00am-5:00pm

La Colombe has more than five locations in NYC. But don’t reduce this to another typical chain like Starbucks. La Colombe serves lattes, macchiatos, and cold brews paired with standard pastries and treats. La Colombe gives off an elegant aesthetic with its wood panel walls and marble countertops. The Financial District location is small and intimate. In my first week of coffee runs to La Colombe, the baristas already knew who I was and what I would be getting.

 Stumptown

30 W 8th St.

Everyday: 7am-5:30pm

Stumptown Coffee is a roaster originated in Portland. If you are an iced coffee drinker, Nitro coffee must be crossed off your list. Forget about Dunkin’s Iced Coffee and forget about Starbuck’s cold brew. A Nitro coffee is infused with nitrogen gas, hence the name Nitro. Infusing a drink with nitrogen gives a stout-like look much like a Guinness. It is creamier than any other iced coffee or cold brew you’ve ever tasted and also served on tap. If you like coffee without cream or sugar, give Nitro brew a go.

Brooklyn

 

Brooklyn Roasting Company

25 Jay St.

Everyday: 8:30am-5pm

Located in the heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn Roasting Company serves its customers in an open warehouse. The Jay Street flagship building is a great place to set up your laptop and work.This location is by far the most spacious of any coffee shop in NYC. Their interior is decorated with a vintage diner in mind. If you’re looking for a relaxed environment with good music, make your way to Brooklyn Roasting Company.

Blue Bottle Coffee

203 7th Ave.

Everyday: 7am-5:30pm

Stay on the R train for a few stops and end up in charming Park Slope to visit this neighborhood favorite. Blue Bottle Coffee is known not just for pour over and espresso coffees, but a delicious lunch and breakfast selection. Take your laptop and work on your freelance career or write an email back home in this cozy spot.

Enjoy these NYC coffee shops and let us know what your favorites are.