The sun is beaming, the birds are chirping, and you just got a Teams message from your boss telling you that you have a new project to work on; let’s change your scenery a little! New York City is renowned for its chic, eccentric-yet-classy coffee shops. Whether you’re into the dark academia vibe, a hip breakfast scene for some tasty homemade pastries, or simply a place to curl up with a good book while sipping an Americano, it’s possible to find a place for all of your desires.
If you’re looking for a low-key, cozy location to work remotely or a cute café spot to catch up with your best friends, Gazette Gal has you covered. Here are our recommendations for some of the most charming and hip coffee shop locations whether you’re in Williamsburg, Greenwich Village, or upper Manhattan — there are no deficits of cafés in the Big Apple!
Copper Mug in Williamsburg is the hot spot for everyone in the neighborhood. The scene is cozy yet lively, filled with people working remotely to old friends catching up over house-made avocado spread on warm sourdough. They offer vegan and gluten-free options as well, boasting an inclusive menu for all who’d like to try out some of their pastries and hot delicacies. The charm of the café lies in the outdoor dining area; turf grass covers the entire square footage of their backyard (so we don’t dirty our favorite pair of sandals) and they have a number of picnic tables so you can enjoy your coffee in the confines of a private patio strapped with string lights. The coffee shop is a comfy oasis and is reminiscent of a home away from home.
This cozy café-bookstore hybrid has three locations. One is located on the Upper West Side, another on the Upper East Side, and my favorite location — Lincoln Center. Don’t worry if you forgot to bring a book to curl up with while you enjoy a cold brew; the entire back portion of the store is permeated with tall bookshelves that can cater to your every interest. I’ve purchased most of my paperbacks here in addition to most of my favorite coffee beverages. They have seating inside opposite of the café bar and additional seating outside if you want to take in the fresh air. Make sure to get there early — this is an NYC hotspot and seating is definitely more on the limited side. Luckily, you’re only a few blocks away from Central Park and you get to taste their delish pastries and lattes.
Located in my favorite neighborhood Greenpoint, Paloma is relatively new to the coffee shop scene in NYC. Previously a chocolatier store, the location has an old-school charm that is hard to find in the age of modernization and monotonous design. Their pastries are all made in house and from scratch. My favorite beverage is definitely their maple latte, made with NY maple syrup. They have limited indoor and outdoor seating, but we think that’s what makes it so special. Take a seat at the window bar, or some circular tables inside or outside. Stop by and grab their pistachio chocolate croissant — you won’t be disappointed.
Located half-way underground on the Upper West Side, Solid State Coffee is a (quite literally) hidden gem in NYC. I stumbled upon this coffee shop by accident, but boy am I happy I did. This location is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of their food is impeccable. Their carbonara toast and cacio e pepe grits are deliciously unique, but they also offer your typical breakfast staples. The setting is cozy, leaving you feeling comfortably tucked away underground. They offer bar seating, regular square low tops, and even some snug fabric chairs if you want to get introspective with a good philosophical read. Don’t forget to order their salted caramel latte — it’s very popular.
.png)
Boasting several locations all over New York, Café Grumpy is definitely the place to be. The location in Greenpoint sets the scene for HBO Girls’ Ray, who works at the coffee shop to make ends meet in the unknown trajectory of his life. This location has been around since the early 2000s, and for good reason — this is one of the most classic-yet-hip scenes to get your work done or meet your special someone for a coffee date. It might as well be a tourist attraction given how its popularity has grown since being a long-time featured location in the HBO series. Channel your inner twenty-something and head down to Café Grumpy to make all of your main character dreams come true.
La Cabra on the Lower East Side is very well known for their baked goods, pictured above. The spot offers indoor and outdoor seating, great coffee, and their popular warmed cardamom bun. The Lower East Side is always lively, making this scene the place to be every morning, but especially on Sunday mornings for a cute bakery date. The quality of service despite the longer lines during peak hours is what makes this location so special. You need not anything more than good pastries, toasty lattes, and quality service to show that the folks at La Cabra bakery really want your experience to be a special one. If you don’t believe us, try it out for yourself if you’re a native or hoping to make your way to the City That Never Sleeps!
Devocion, located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, is the rustic-modern hybrid spot of your dreams. The walls are all exposed brick, giving an industrial yet undeniably cozy vibe to all of its patrons. They source their coffee beans from independent coffee producers in Columbia, roast them in Brooklyn, and send them to their respective locations throughout the city. Meaning, their coffee is as fresh as they come. Grab a drip coffee or a pour over, in addition to their daily pastries. This spot gets all of their hype for a reason. Find out for yourself!
