These NYC cafes are worth the visit
That's that NYC espresso
I’ve tried countless cafes in the past four years. Some are a hit and others a miss. After upgrading to a Breville coffee machine from a Nespresso earlier this year, I never leave home without a double shot of espresso. Any additional caffeine purchased throughout the day is just for fun. These are my favorite cafes ranked based on taste, staff friendliness, and overall aesthetic.
La Cabra
My favorite cafe in NYC, hands down. I usually order a small hot latte with a Swedish Cardamom bun. Sometimes I order hot green tea for less caffeine. La Cabra’s ambience always makes me feel calm and relaxed.
Librae Bakery
Librae is a Middle Eastern cafe and bakery serving fresh pastries like babka, plain and chocolate croissants, and more. The kitchen has a see-through door so you can see the pastry making in action. My go-to order is a latte or matcha.
The Lost Draft
Incredible iced coffee and unique cafe aesthetic. Inside you’ll see an old typewriter and ample seating. Here you can grab a coffee and work/study for a couple of hours. My usual order is an iced latte.
% Arabica
A favorite when I’m craving something a little sweet but also not too heavy. I usually opt for a regular latte, but here, my go-to order is a hot Kyoto latte. A Kyoto latte is a Japanese-style coffee with an Arabica blend base. It’s the perfect level of sweetness.
Not As Bitter
This place opened in March 2024 and since discovering it in April, I’ve been here about four times. I get the same thing: Coconut Matcha. You can adjust the sweetness and caffeine levels.
Enly
Go here if you want to try a delicious matcha tiramisu latte with homemade cream. I actually witnessed the owner making the cream from scratch! Substitute matcha with espresso if you prefer.
MUD SPOT aka Mud
MUD is an East Village favorite according to Timothee Chalamet. They have distinctive orange cups that can be seen from a mile away. My go-to order is a vanilla latte and it doesn’t disappoint.
Kona Coffee Roasters
My work from home days were spent here. I typically order the Hawaiian Latte—a macadamia coconut flavored latte with espresso and milk.
To sum it up…
A great part about NYC is that there’s always something going on—new cafes or restaurants opening, brand pop-ups, and businesses giving away free food. I’m looking forward to new cafe openings in the future.