The fashion industry’s lunch-break spot channels lazy afternoons of sipping cafe au lait on the Seine.
Cafe Gitane, 242 Mott Street, at Prince Street (212-334-9552).
Owners/sisters Emily and Melissa Elsen churn out seasonally flavored sweet and savory pies. Put them down with Irving Farm organic coffee and look for breakfast nibbles, quiches, salads, and sandwiches.
Four & Twenty Blackbirds, 439 Third Avenue, at 8th Street, Gowanus (718-499-2917 or birdsblack.com).
A quick read through the small (but worthy) drink menu proves coffee doesn’t get clouded by other ambitions at Ninth Street Espresso. The Alphabet City blend is a star.
Ninth Street Espresso, 700 East 9th Street, between Avenues D and C (212-358-9225). For more locations, go to ninthstreetespresso.com.
A must-visit for lovers of the European cafe, Cafe Angelique serves tasty bites, sweets, and coffee worth sitting down for.
Cafe Angelique, 68 Bleecker Street, between Crosby Street and Broadway (212-475-3500); 49 Grove Street, at Bleecker Street (212-414-1400 or cafeangelique.com).
Ponder the rotating art on the walls of the modern-design coffee shop that goes above and beyond by filtering most of its brews in Chemex flasks.
Third Rail Coffee, 240 Sullivan Street, at West 3rd Street (thirdrailcoffee.com).
Though small in size (basically a storefront window), Abraço serves real-deal olive oil cake alongside espresso and drip coffee.
Abraço, 86 East 7th Street, between First and Second Avenues (abraconyc.com).
Veteran baristas froth milk and pull espresso shots at the quiet East Village coffee bar.
Bluebird Coffee Shop, 72 East 1st Street, at First Avenue (212-260-1879 or bluebirdcoffeeshop.com).
Life is conspiring to keep your big Japanese sojourn a Far East fantasy. (Frankly, you lack the time, yen, and Tinsley Mortimer advertising contract.) Instead, head to Kyotofu to try one of the many tempting desserts — each with a boozy pairing suggestion.
Ground Support brews Intelligentsia coffee in a relaxed atmosphere, complete with wooden picnic tables and a repurposed park bench. Order the prosciutto and strawberry-rhubarb jam sandwich.
Ground Support, 399 West Broadway, between Spring and Broome Streets (212-219-8722).
Portland’s claim-to-fame coffeehouse is making sure New Yorkers get their fair share. If you seek those who brew with care, look no further.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters, 18 West 29th Street, at Broadway (stumptowncoffee.com).
Coffee in a surf shop? Why not. Check out surfboards and beach shorts over a latte — or take time to relax on the back patio.
Saturdays Surf & Coffee Shop, 31 Crosby Street, between Broome and Grand Streets (212-966-7875 or saturdaysnyc.com).
One pull and twist of the steamer results in the creamiest sustainable cup of coffee. (Just don’t forget to order a buttery croissant.)
Gimme Coffee, 228 Mott Street, between Prince and Spring Streets (212-226-4011 or gimmecoffee.com).
Chocolate icon Oded Brenner highlights caffeinated creations and locally sourced ingredients at his UES corner shop. Perk up with Nutella lattes, dulce de leche coffee, and other dreamy drinks made with Hudson Valley Creamery milk and Van Leeuwen ice cream.
Little Brown, 1269 Lexington Avenue, at East 85th Street (212-828-2233 or ourlittlebrown.com).
Food writer St. John Fritzell’s bar-cafe-resto recalls colonial days with a historic fort as its backdrop. The joe is revolutionary.
Fort Defiance, 365 Van Brunt Street, at Dikeman Street, Red Hook (347-453-6672 or fortdefiancebrooklyn.com).
We’re drawn to the unique roasted blends, expert barista techniques, and stunning interior design at minimalist La Colombe.
La Colombe Torrefaction, 319 Church Street, at Lispenard Street (212-343-1515); 270 Lafayette Street, between Jersey and Prince Streets (212-625-1717 or lacolombe.com).
Swedes love their coffee, and Kaffe 1668 — founded by Swedish twin brothers — is proof. Single-origin coffees and an expansive tea selection meet Scandinavian interior design in the bilevel cafe.
Kaffe 1668, 275 Greenwich Street, between Warren and Murray Streets (212-693-3750 or kaffe1668.com).
What started out as cookie designing ended with an entire coffee shop devoted to the art. Try one of the many precisely decorated shortbreads, macaroons, tarts, or cakes.
Cookie Road, 94 Franklin Street, at Oak Street, Greenpoint (718-383-8094 or cookieroad.com).
Meticulously trained baristas (who take their roast, grind, and foam seriously) give coffee the sort of care usually reserved for wine, cheese, and chocolate. No wonder the cafe inspires such cultish devotion.
Joe the Art of Coffee, 9 East 13th Street, between University Place and Fifth Avenue (212-924-7400). For more locations, go to joetheartofcoffee.com.
Using a patented stir-brew method (literally stirring the coffee as it’s brewing), Jack’s ensures every cup is rich and robust without bitterness.
Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee, 138 West 10th Street, between Greenwich Avenue and Waverly Place (212-929-0821); 222 Front Street, between Peck Slip and Beekman Street (212-227-7631 or jacksstirbrew.com).
The Randolph treats coffee like a fine spirit — and baristas like mixologists. Get lost in the Fountainhead, a freshly ground and pressed brew infused with sarsaparilla, star anise, and birch.
The Randolph, 349 Broome Street, between Elizabeth Street and Bowery (randolphnyc.com).
Asian flavors meet American style at Ian Chalermkittichai’s ecofriendly sweets factory. Head downstairs for Japanese almond cookies or white miso semifreddo.
Spot Dessert Bar, 13 Saint Marks Place, between Second and Third Avenues (212-677-5670 or spotdessertbar.com).
Antique schoolroom maps adorn the walls of the red and brown jungle-themed coffee shop. Kick back with a macchiato and listen to the espresso machine roar.
Gorilla Coffee, 97 Fifth Avenue, at Park Place, Park Slope (718-230-3244 or gorillacoffee.com).
Roasted in the Hudson Valley and sourced from fair trade, single-origin beans, Irving Farm’s coffee is serious. And we’re pretty serious about its homemade waffles.
Irving Farm, 71 Irving Place, between East 18th and 19th Streets (212-995-5252); 56 Seventh Avenue, between West 13th and 14th Streets (212-475-5200 or irvingfarm.com).
Neue Galerie’s Cafe Sabarsky brings the Viennese coffeehouse experience to New York. Delve into traditional Austrian treats over a glass of Einspänner (double espresso with whipped cream).
Cafe Sabarsky, Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Avenue, at 86th Street (212-288-0665 or cafesabarsky.com).
Stop into Fernando Aciar’s Brazilian coffee nook for Bahian chocolate-infused lattes, savory pao de queijo (a toothsome roll made from yucca flour and Minas cheese), and New Amsterdam Market favorite pao de mel (dense honey cakes flecked with walnuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves).
O Cafe, 482 Sixth Avenue, at West 21st Street (212-229-2233 or ocafeny.com).
The Greenpoint coffee start-up has been spreading its beans across the city. Carefully blended brews and seasonal pastries keep you satisfied.
Cafe Grumpy, 193 Meserole Avenue, at Diamond Street, Greenpoint (718-349-7623). For more locations, go to cafegrumpy.com.
Linger over lattes with downtown fashion types at the low-key, rustic hangout.
The Smile Cafe, 26 Bond Street, at Bowery (646-329-5836 or thesmilenyc.com).
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