NEW YORK COFFEE
Abraco, 86 East 7th Street, East Village +1 212 388 9731
If you’re a coffee purist, and don’t believe in syrups, soy nor skim milk, we guarantee you’ll find what one fan calls “the spiritual center of my coffee universe” at Abraco (meaning ‘hug’ or ‘embrace’ in Portuguese) Their lattes are dark and bitter, smooth and creamy, and the beans are fair trade. Every cup of drip coffee is made to order. Rich, robust and deep. (Just like a Portuguese hug, we’re guessing?)
Cafe Grumpy, 224 West 20th Street, Chelsea +1 212 255 5511 (see website for other locations)
With locations in Greenpoint, Park Slope, Chelsea, and LES, Cafe Grumpy has a following of addicts bearing similarly pre-caffeinated faces. Australians will not be disappointed. Neither will the traditionalists: laptops are not permitted. Bring a book! Beans are ground before you, loose leaf tea is steeped individually, and soy milk is offered at the bar without scorn.
Kaffe 1668, 275 Greenwich St # 4, Financial District +1 212 693 3750
Rumoured to be owned by Swedes rocking a Clover coffee machine costing $10K, Kaffe 1668 makes a variety of drip coffees to order. The baristas are knowledgeable, talented, and the mood in-house is mellow – extra points for the free wifi, great teas (Mayan Chai, Sencha), no minimum on credit cards, and communal table for the laptopians.
Joe: The Art of Coffee, 405 West 23rd Street, Chelsea +1 212 206 0669 (see website for other locations)
One of New York City’s original “speciality” coffee chains. The coffee comes from Santa Rosa, a California-based Ecco Caffè. Independently owned, the employees care about coffee as much as you do. Your order will be carefully poured and well-balanced, and is consistently good. They also offer classes on brewing and different aspects of coffee. Cash only.
Ninth Street Espresso, 700 East 9th Street, East Village +1 212 358 9225; 341 East 10th Street, East Village +1 212 777 3508 (see website for other locations)
Ninth street Espresso is in fact both on East 9th street and East 10th street, with a booth open in the Chelsea markets, too. Intelligentsia-roasted coffees, perfectly balanced mochas, free wifi, free soy milk, and cane syrup for iced drinks are top features. An open space with high-tables along the walls and front window, plus a bench outside, are the only seating options: Great for people watching. Cash only.
Bluebird Coffee Shop, 72 East 1st Street, East Village +1 212 260 1879
Votes go to Bluebird for the coffee shop with the best ambiance. Pastries are baked onsite daily, and the coffee is puritanically exceptional. Katie Duris is one of the country’s most respected baristas, and sets a high standard. Sadly, the shop recently changed hands – and while the “bright and lush” espressos are still the best anywhere, some of the regulars are saddened by the vibe change.
Third Rail Coffee, 240 Sullivan St (between Bleecker St & 3rd Street), West Village +1 212 555 0812
Third Rail uses both Stumptown and Intelligentsia coffee beans, both highly rated sources of crack, we mean caffeine. Smooth and strong, artfully presented, the coffee is top notch. Australian’s rejoice, they know what a flat white is!
Gimme Coffee, 228 Mott Street, Nolita +1 212 226 4011; 107 Roebling Street, Williamsburg +1 718 388 4595 (see website for other locations)
Good strong coffee made by experienced baristas (who all seem to arrive to work on their rather impressive fixed gear bikes). It can sometimes be a wait at this local Nolita spot but well worth it. Good strong cappuccinos and lattes made with quality local farmed milk. Try an espresso at the bar or for something in between: a Cortardo (espresso with a shot or two of foamed milk). They also have some of the best croissants in the city from French patisserie Ceci-Cela.
La Colombe, 270 Lafayette Street, SoHo +1 212 625 1717; 319 Church Street, Tribeca +1 212 343 1515 (see website for other locations)
Ethically traded coffee with a ‘Strictly Earth Conscious’ stamp of approval. The iced Americano coffee here is killer – an espresso shot topped up with regular iced coffee instead of water will have you wired for hours (if you’re into that kind of thing) And you have to try the olive oil cake – to die for. Great fast service to top it all off.
Ground Support, 399 West Broadway, SoHo +1 212 219 8722
Firstly, this has to win the award for the best named coffee shop. Australians, they also offers the much loved flat white. A good place to sit and grab a quick salad or sandwich with your coffee.
Brown, 61 Hester Street, Lower East Side +1 212 477 2427
Very good coffee with delicious organic milk which they don’t change extra for. Ceci-Cela Croissants and pastries, and freshly baked muffins every morning – get in early enough and they’re still warm!
Blue Bottle, 160 Berry Street, Williamsburg +1 718 387 4160
Located in a large warehouse space, some pretty nifty age-old Japanese techniques are used here to achieve the perfect cup of coffee (see their preparation methods) The New Orleans is a must try – iced coffee with chicory and sweetened to perfection. There are also some yummy homemade treats on offer, like cookies and rosemary shortbread.
