The 21 very best coffee shops in NYC

Want a cold brew with a side of … fruit? Not As Bitter specializes in coffee that’s sweet, tart and anything but bitter. Cold brew shaken with fresh grapes, a durian latte and even a “Butter Beer”—that’s coffee and syrup whipped into a sweet and creamy foam—star on their menu, which changes with the seasons. The colorful cups look good on the ‘gram, but they’re also legitimately delicious. While we like a cup of bitter, black coffee first thing in the morning, a fresh strawberry matcha makes for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. 

Serving up Sey and Uncommon beans, this coffee shop is one for the coffee-heads. It’s also one for the egg sandwich fanatics. Its gigantic version features pimento cheese, green tomatoes and paprika mayo, turning the classic bodega BEC into a destination-worthy meal. The cafe’s interior is small and slick-ly designed (the owners of Che also run the cool-kind wine bar Daughter and concept shop Sincerely, Tommy), so it’s one of our top picks for impressing on a getting-to-know-you coffee date.

We have been enjoying the supremely intense coffee at Abraço since it opened in its original location in 2007. The beans are sourced from South America and roasted in-house and the cow-only milk is organic, but the menu doesn’t brag about any of that. It lets the buzzy atmosphere, rich pour-over and famous homemade olive oil cake speak for themselves. 

The sleek, lightwood-laden Sey Coffee is a coffee connoisseur’s paradise. A respite from Bushwick’s hippest parties, latest gallery openings and trendy restaurants, it’s a peaceful place where you can watch the coffee being roasted in-house—in fact, the resulting lighter roast is so popular, it has popped up at Olmsted, Rucola and some of our other favorite restaurants. If you want to deep dive into the third-wave coffee movement, there are “cupping sessions” where you can sniff, swirl and sip any number of beans.

If Mud ever closed, we would cry. For so many New Yorkers, Mud has become more than a coffee shop; it’s a lifeline where the downtown set—and NYU freshman—can hang out and dish. 

Morning commutes are chaotic, no? That’s why we prefer the tranquility of Devoción, which gives us hope that a vacation is just around the corner. Its Williamsburg location has big windows that are full of light, an island of tropical plants and—up front—a fishtail palm tree. Sip your coffee from one of the signature yellow mugs and note the flavor profile of its Colombian beans, sourced by Medellín-born founder Steven Sutton.

There’s so much to poke fun at at this chichi coffee shop (like the Pepto-pink details that could double as a Wes Anderson set). But our cynical hearts are melted by its new-age java creations. A standout is the "Deconstructed Espresso Tonic," which comes in a Bordeaux wine glass filled with tonic water, non-alcoholic Campari reduction and lemon-basil leaves. 

Paolo Maliksi and Alejandro Ceballos, the minds behind Regalia Coffee, have opened a coffee shop named for Ceballos’ abuela. They’ll be serving up Regalia coffee, of course, along with croissants and cookies baked in-house. 

Winner’s flagship spot serves up a great latte alongside their house-made sourdough croissants and egg sandwiches. As they expand further into Brooklyn—an outpost inside Prospect Park is ideal for stopping by during off-leash hours with your dog—the original location still attracts a long line every morning. If you hate to queue, come by early, but we promise that the coffee’s worth the wait. 

Drip Coffee isn’t just the name—it’s also what your coffee will do while you wait for your handcrafted pour-over. Nigel Price, who started Drip out of a mobile cart, believes that coffee is worth slowing down for. (And really, who couldn’t use a minute to take a few deep breaths on a Sunday morning?) If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to wait for your caffeine fix, they do have an espresso machine, but you might find yourself appreciating that extra moment of calm in your day.

Developed by a chef with a fine-dining pedigree, East One’s menu includes house-made granola, autumn grain bowls and malted pancakes, among other brunch-y items that make this all-day café a winner.

Taking its name from a fashion term popular during the Japanese jazz age, this kissaten-style café specializes in East-meets-West fare. During the day, the East Village spot serves siphon brews made with varying blends. When the sun sets, sidle up to the wooden counter for Japanese whisky and shochu cocktails.

If you’re in Ridgewood, Topos Bookstore Cafe is the requisite hangout. Filled with charming details (a Felix the Cat clock, psychedelic hanging planters), this laid-back, brightly lit store is worth checking out for its coffee and its savvy new and used book selection. Co-owner Anny Oberlink has a knack for procuring hard-to-find titles, such as a 1975 children’s crafting book that you can flip through while sipping that cup of joe.

Portland, Oregon's artisan coffee company boasts two NYC locations, serving espresso-based drinks and seasonal matcha lattes. While you’re sipping your coffee, snack on a croissant from Pain D'Avignon or Austin-style breakfast tacos from King David Tacos. 

A favorite of coffee purists, this mini-chain of cafés has several locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, plus its own roasting space. Baristas prepare artisanal espresso alongside a selection of French pastries.

Be honest: Do you want a cup of coffee, or do you want to get a photo for the ‘gram? Grace Street makes a super-solid brew, but they also serve up gorgeous desserts (think milk tea boba toast, mountains of black sesame snow and matcha beignets). The drinks are made to be photographed, too, with a standout Dalgona coffee with boba and baby-pink rose petal milk tea.

Surfing and slang aren’t the only things Australians do better than New Yorkers; they also know how to make a killer cup o’ joe. Down Under’s renowned coffee culture has proliferated in recent years, and no shop eases you into that flat-white phenomenon quite like Bluestone Lane. The charming café chain—which offers brunch at certain locations—sources Brazilian and Colombian beans for its drip and cold brew.

Founded in Chicago in 1995, Intelligentsia is one of the country’s oldest and most respected coffee chains. Serving seasonal Direct Trade coffees, you can order up an espresso tonic or an “Iced Angeleno” made with four shots of espresso, milk and vanilla syrup. Located inside the stylish lobby of the High Line Hotel, its to-go coffees are perfectly suited for a stroll along the nearby elevated park.

The beloved Bourke Street Bakery, first opened in Sydney in 2004 by Paul Allam and David McGuinness, debuted in NoMad with its first-ever New York expansion. Expect Australian flat whites served alongside its beloved savory sausage rolls.

Renato Poliafito, co-founder of the Red Hook bakery Baked, brings his beloved baking to this Italian-leaning spot. The pastry menu—pistachio croissants, Sicilian sandwiches and banana walnut bread—is best paired with coffee served in ceramics made down the street.

This pint-sized French café brings Southern France to Soho. The mini-chain’s locations are awash in country charm, with reclaimed farmer's tables and vintage colander chandeliers. The nutty chocolate chip cookies are so amazing, they made the list of Oprah's favorite things—and the coffee, although not celebrity-endorsed, is pretty good, too.