The East Village and surrounding areas all have a laidback, colourful vibe. Topkins Square Park in Alphabet City and the range of vibrant off-Broadway theaters in the East Village are woth a visit, while the Lower East Side is packed with trendy shops, vintage stores, contemporary art galleries, rich local history and vibrant nightlife. The neighborhood still retains much of its Jewish heritage in the buildings, restaurants and synagogues that were established by immigrant communities during the 20th century.
Here are six great coffee shop picks.
City of Saints Coffee Roasters East Village
79 East 10th Street
With its extremely friendly service and thoughtful but effortless design (lots of wood and epiphytes), City of Saints is remarkably welcoming and relaxed for the often sharp-edged, fast-paced East Village neighborhood. Go for a single-origin coldbrew, they roast their own beans in Bushwick, and skip the milk to fully taste its light, floral, black-tea-esque complexity. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the lavender agave latte (available hot or iced), which has a nice rosemary flavor peeking out behind the agave.
Frisson Espresso East Village
3rd Avenue
Reasons to love Frisson: 1. It’s home to some of the most refined latte art in New York, with a Brazilian-dominant medium roast house blend creating a canvas for smooth, caramel-esque espressos. It’s equally glorious served straight up or with a dash of silky milk to soften the hit. 2. Floor to ceiling windows open up the petite L-shaped store and provide front row seats to bustling Third Avenue. Snag a countertop stool and indulge your inner voyeur.
Gasoline Alley Coffee Noho
325 Lafayette Street
Gasoline Alley’s Lafayette Street location is the perfect place to pop in and refuel during a long day of shopping. The warehouse aesthetic is made chic – fitting in effortlessly with the Noho vibe. Customers flow in and out of this busy shop, whose stripped down seasonal menu prides quality above all else. Those with a sweet tooth ought to pair their beverage with a delicious chocolate chip cookie. During the summer heat, this shop serves a small selection of refreshing organic iced teas.
Irving Farm Coffee Roasters Lower East Side
88 Orchard Street
It’s Saturday morning brunch rush, and every coffee spot is slammed, but you live downtown and need your cold brew and avocado toast fix. Look no further. Maybe it’s 6pm, you just left the office and want a quick pick-me-up prior to dinner. Irving Farm on Orchard is your answer. The service is consistently speedy and pleasant, and you are never short a place to sit. They offer a rotating menu of single origin coffees, all quite unique in flavor, but still rich and robust. Make the most of the distinct flavor profiles by opting for one of their pour overs. Also well known for their craft cold brews, you can expect a smooth but potent version here. Located in the heart of the Lower East Side, your best bet is to grab a seat by the window and enjoy the people watching while you wait for your food and coffee. Lower Manhattan authenticity at its best.
Ludlow Coffee Supply
176 Ludlow Street
Ludlow Coffee Supply's excellent espresso from D'Amico is so strong that their latte (made with Battenkill Milk) tastes like some of the best cortados you might have had. But the real standout is the bourbon vanilla latte-made with real vanilla and bourbon, and almost no added sugar, which once and for all dispels the notion that a vanilla latte shouldn't be a drink of choice. With great background music and free WiFi, this is a great place to sit with your laptop and get some work done, or relax into their comfortable sofas out the back with a delicious latte and a good book.
Saltwater Coffee
12th Street
Located in the East Village, Saltwater Coffee is a beautifully unassuming Aussie outpost serving coffee from Sydney’s Little Marionette Coffee Roasters. With white walls, marble counter tops, and light wood, you’re transported to a beachside café the moment you walk through the door. While it might be difficult to secure a table to work at (as there are only 2 tables and a 3-seat bar), those who do are treated to a hip spot to chill and sip. Their pour overs and turmeric lattes stand out, appealing to both savvy coffee drinkers and those on the prowl for something tasty and caffeine-free. And don’t pass up the chance to sample a skilfully pulled espresso shot in a classic flat white. While the coffee might be far from its Australian home, everything else about this shop is as comfortable and inviting as that famous Aussie charm.
If you enjoyed this, you can purchase The New York Coffee Guide here.