1. La Colombe Torrefaction
Official Website: lacolombe.com Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-6:30pm
Price: $$$$
Coffee lovers, look no more. This subtle yet beautifully designed espresso house serves up top-quality quality beans. After being long-time suppliers to the acclaimed NYC restaurants Le Bernadin and Daniel, Todd Carmichael and Jean Philippe decided it was time to open up their own hot-spot. Thus, La Colombe opened up on Lafayette street in 2006. When you first walk in, it's difficult not to notice the wonderfully branded bags of coffee beans lining the walls with descriptions under. However, if that only makes your decision-making more difficult, ask one of the friendly baristas there to assist you and offer tastings. Not only is it a true experience to watch the barista do some latte art in front of you, but it's also one of the best coffee shops to engage in some casual people watching. All the fashionistas and trendy office workers go to La Colombe for their afternoon fixes. However, if people watching isn't your "thing" you can sip your coffee by the window and read, chat with the baristas by the bar, or order a decadent pastry served in beautiful china. Either way, you won't regret going, because La Colombe's espressos taste fresh, as if the beans were just roasted moments ago. This is because the company not only heavily controls the quality of their brews, but also because they are 100% environmentally friendly. So go in, relax and indulge.
2. Caffè Bene
Official Website: caffebeneusa.com
Hours of Operation: Monday-Wednesday & Sunday, 6:30am-1am; Thursday-Saturday, 6:30am-2am
Price: $$$$
Caffè Bene is a Korean coffee shop that specializes in quality espressos and Belgian waffles. Don't have a sweet tooth? –that's fine too. Just order one of their many savory items, like their sandwiches, paninis or wraps, and you'll satisfy every craving. Caffè Bene is substantially large for being a Times Square coffeehouse, with four main spaces. The first space is in the entrance, where you place your food and drink order. The other three spaces are where you can lounge and enjoy your coffee served in a beautiful ceramic cup. The most impressive of the three spaces is the "Book Cafe," pictured above. Here, you'll find a large community table surrounded by a series of other small tables and walls lined with books that you can actually read while sipping on your espresso. It's a great place to work, meet up with old friends, or just hang out and indulge.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Wednesday & Sunday, 6:30am-1am; Thursday-Saturday, 6:30am-2am
Price: $$$$
Caffè Bene is a Korean coffee shop that specializes in quality espressos and Belgian waffles. Don't have a sweet tooth? –that's fine too. Just order one of their many savory items, like their sandwiches, paninis or wraps, and you'll satisfy every craving. Caffè Bene is substantially large for being a Times Square coffeehouse, with four main spaces. The first space is in the entrance, where you place your food and drink order. The other three spaces are where you can lounge and enjoy your coffee served in a beautiful ceramic cup. The most impressive of the three spaces is the "Book Cafe," pictured above. Here, you'll find a large community table surrounded by a series of other small tables and walls lined with books that you can actually read while sipping on your espresso. It's a great place to work, meet up with old friends, or just hang out and indulge.
3. D'Espresso
Official Website: despresso.com
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-7pm; Saturday, 11am-7pm
Price: $$$$
This exquisite 500 square-foot coffee bar is only a block away from the New York Public Library at Bryant Park. However, better than the location is the design. Owner Eugene Kagansky envisioned that his coffee bar should resemble a library. So, with the help of nemaworkship, a local NYC design firm, he did something very unique– a sideways coffee shop. There are tiles printed with images of books that create the illusion of bookshelves on their sides. These tiles run along the ceiling, down the back wall, and onto the floor. The wall nearest the coffee tables is covered in herringbone-patterned oak flooring, and the large round glass lights come out horizontally from behind the bar. D'Espresso uses top-quality Danesi beans to produce a bold, satisfying espresso that will linger with you long after it's enjoyed. Not to mention, they serve their coffee in preheated heavy porcelain, so no matter what else you've got to do, your coffee will stay perfectly hot.
5. Macchiato
Morning rush? The sleek Macchiato Espresso Bar caters to those who don't have time to sit and sip on their coffees. However, for those who do have the luxury of lingering in the morning, Macchiato has eighteen seats and serves H&H bagels and chocolate, butter, or ham and swiss croissants. From perfect espressos, to creamy lattes, rich mochaccinos and foamy cappuccinos, Macchiato has just about everything to satisfy the connoisseur's palate. However, that's not all they specialize in. If you happen to come around lunchtime, be sure to try their made-to-order salads and sandwiches made with high-quality, imported ingredients. The prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella di bufala sandwich is most definitely a favorite, packed with avocado, basil, olive tapanade, and fresh tomatoes gently dipped in balsamic vinaigrette. Space may be more of a challenge at lunch, but for what you'll get at such a reasonable price, it's unbeatable.
6. Culture Espresso
Official Website: http://www.cultureespresso.com/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-7pm
Price: $$$$
Looking for that perfect, quaint setting to drink your coffee and read Sunday's New York Times? Culture Espresso offers the perfect atmosphere for New York coffee and fresh baked goods. With a prime focus in "preparation and presentation," Culture Espresso establishes a unique quality in their little shop. Solely focused on the make-up of each individual brew, Culture Espresso only partners with one coffee roaster a season--making sure that every aspect of your service is concentrated and perfected from placing your order with the barista, to indulging in your first sip of Culture Espresso's finest.
7. Stumptown Coffee
Official Website: http://www.irvingfarm.com/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 6am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday, 7am-8pm
Price: $$$$
This is THE place to go if you are looking for the old-fashioned coffee shop experience. Stumptown Coffee prides itself on not only the finest Costa Rican brews, but on building neighborly relationships with its coffee lovers. Stumptown Coffee creates an enriching and trusting atmosphere for its consumers, employees, and the farmers they partner with.
8. Irving Coffee Roasters NYC
Official Website: http://stumptowncoffee.com/location/new-york/manhattan/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-9pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-9pm
Price: $$$$
This New York based coffee shop is perfect for consumers looking for not only a peaceful cafe experience, but to purchase products from a sustainable source. Irving Coffee Roasters has its own farm in Millerton in which it grows it own coffee beans. Irving Coffee Roasters is as passionate about New York as it is about coffee, and will be sure to provide the best quality coffee for you, your friends, and your family.
9. Joe Coffee
Official Website: http://stumptowncoffee.com/location/new-york/manhattan/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 7am-8pm and Sunday, 8am-8pm
Price: $$$$
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-12am,Saturday 8am-12am, and Sunday, 8am-11pm
Price: $$$$
Think Coffee is a casual coffee shop in which one can feel completely relaxed. It holds the same atmosphere as Starbucks, but with a lot less money! This is a kid-friendly shop, and offers unique pastries, wine & beer, as well as an amazing array of coffee selections to choose from.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-7pm; Saturday, 11am-7pm
Price: $$$$
This exquisite 500 square-foot coffee bar is only a block away from the New York Public Library at Bryant Park. However, better than the location is the design. Owner Eugene Kagansky envisioned that his coffee bar should resemble a library. So, with the help of nemaworkship, a local NYC design firm, he did something very unique– a sideways coffee shop. There are tiles printed with images of books that create the illusion of bookshelves on their sides. These tiles run along the ceiling, down the back wall, and onto the floor. The wall nearest the coffee tables is covered in herringbone-patterned oak flooring, and the large round glass lights come out horizontally from behind the bar. D'Espresso uses top-quality Danesi beans to produce a bold, satisfying espresso that will linger with you long after it's enjoyed. Not to mention, they serve their coffee in preheated heavy porcelain, so no matter what else you've got to do, your coffee will stay perfectly hot.
4. Saturday's Surf NYC
Official Website: saturdaysnyc.com
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm
Price: $$$$
Saturday's Surf NYC is 1/3 cafe, 1/3 surf shop and 1/3 outdoor oasis. They serve rich, creamy and velvety La Colombe coffee and have free WiFi. Although it does tend to get extremely busy on the weekends, it's a perfect weekday getaway. The one downfall? –cash only. However, that's only a small price to pay for what awaits you at this hidden gem. Owners Josh Rosen, Morgan Collett, and Colin Tunstall opened Saturday's Surf NYC in 2009 to fulfill their passion for the ocean, clothing and coffee. Instantly, it became a favorite hangout spot for fashion lovers, the caffeine addicted, and other fellow wave-riders. The outdoor patio is an oasis, so even if you're not into the whole surf thing, it's worth a visit. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm
Price: $$$$
Morning rush? The sleek Macchiato Espresso Bar caters to those who don't have time to sit and sip on their coffees. However, for those who do have the luxury of lingering in the morning, Macchiato has eighteen seats and serves H&H bagels and chocolate, butter, or ham and swiss croissants. From perfect espressos, to creamy lattes, rich mochaccinos and foamy cappuccinos, Macchiato has just about everything to satisfy the connoisseur's palate. However, that's not all they specialize in. If you happen to come around lunchtime, be sure to try their made-to-order salads and sandwiches made with high-quality, imported ingredients. The prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella di bufala sandwich is most definitely a favorite, packed with avocado, basil, olive tapanade, and fresh tomatoes gently dipped in balsamic vinaigrette. Space may be more of a challenge at lunch, but for what you'll get at such a reasonable price, it's unbeatable.
6. Culture Espresso
Official Website: http://www.cultureespresso.com/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-7pm
Price: $$$$
Looking for that perfect, quaint setting to drink your coffee and read Sunday's New York Times? Culture Espresso offers the perfect atmosphere for New York coffee and fresh baked goods. With a prime focus in "preparation and presentation," Culture Espresso establishes a unique quality in their little shop. Solely focused on the make-up of each individual brew, Culture Espresso only partners with one coffee roaster a season--making sure that every aspect of your service is concentrated and perfected from placing your order with the barista, to indulging in your first sip of Culture Espresso's finest.
7. Stumptown Coffee
Official Website: http://www.irvingfarm.com/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 6am-8pm and Saturday-Sunday, 7am-8pm
Price: $$$$
This is THE place to go if you are looking for the old-fashioned coffee shop experience. Stumptown Coffee prides itself on not only the finest Costa Rican brews, but on building neighborly relationships with its coffee lovers. Stumptown Coffee creates an enriching and trusting atmosphere for its consumers, employees, and the farmers they partner with.
8. Irving Coffee Roasters NYC
Official Website: http://stumptowncoffee.com/location/new-york/manhattan/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-9pm and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-9pm
Price: $$$$
This New York based coffee shop is perfect for consumers looking for not only a peaceful cafe experience, but to purchase products from a sustainable source. Irving Coffee Roasters has its own farm in Millerton in which it grows it own coffee beans. Irving Coffee Roasters is as passionate about New York as it is about coffee, and will be sure to provide the best quality coffee for you, your friends, and your family.
9. Joe Coffee
Official Website: http://stumptowncoffee.com/location/new-york/manhattan/
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 7am-8pm and Sunday, 8am-8pm
Price: $$$$
Joe Coffee is the hip, modern coffee shop that one must go to with his or her friends. It resembles that downtown NYC bar scene, but with coffee--so all ages can enjoy. Joe Coffee is a trendy shop that offers more than just your average cup of joe. The brand has classes for people to take on becoming a barista, and also offers catering services where the barista could be at the desired location preparing beverages on site, or could have Joe Coffee's catered products available for pick up/drop off.
10. Think Coffee
Official Website: http://thinkcoffeenyc.com/Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7am-12am,Saturday 8am-12am, and Sunday, 8am-11pm
Price: $$$$
Think Coffee is a casual coffee shop in which one can feel completely relaxed. It holds the same atmosphere as Starbucks, but with a lot less money! This is a kid-friendly shop, and offers unique pastries, wine & beer, as well as an amazing array of coffee selections to choose from.
