Five inspiring cafes for a coffee date in New York City
Advanced roasting techniques, international selections of sustainably sourced coffee, stunning interiors, and lattes masquerading as works of art… you’ll find some of the most exciting places for a caffeine fix in New York City—and some of the most beautiful, too. While you can grab a strong cup of coffee on every corner, there are some places where the design is just as special as the brew. From Park Avenue to Bushwick, and everywhere in between, here’s where to have a coffee date in New York City.
A walk around the West Village—but first, coffee at Old Rose
Tucked inside the gorgeous and historical Jane Hotel, Old Rose is the perfect spot to grab a coffee (or espresso martini) before a walk through the West Village. It’s an all-day cafe shaded in tones of white, grey, and black, with plenty of plants and an abstract-patterned banquette circling the space.
Designed by The Jane's hotelier himself, Sean MacPherson, whose other projects include The Bowery Hotel & The Ludlow Hotel, it has a sophisticated yet playful vibe. Larger-than-life illustrated murals by artist Stefano Castronovo adorn the walls, with abstract Picasso-esque characters imbibing, playing music, and otherwise living their best lives. And while The Jane is known for its late-night bar scene, Old Rose makes a great case for stopping by midday instead for a coffee or pastry.
Bask in the beauty of Felix Roasting Co.
Famed interior designer Ken Fulk is known for his colourful, fanciful, and arguably over-the-top style, and his work for Felix Roasting Company is no exception. Step under pastel pink marble arches, across an artfully patterned floor that brings to mind ancient mosques, and up to a curved wooden bar. Brass coffee accessories complement the colours of the space, while a stunning floral arrangement and coffee machine compete for your eyes’ attention.
The space is lit by fringed chandeliers that cast a warm glow on the deep blue Renaissance-esque murals and patrons sipping coffee cocktails with chocolate-nut rims and burnt marshmallow garnishes. Should you stick with a cup of drip, know that they’ve got almond milk on tap for self-service. Sound a little “extra”? It most certainly is.
See for yourself at Sey, the ‘Best Coffee Shop in America’
Bushwick’s Sey is an airy warehouse with a commitment to sustainability and a no-tip policy that has made headlines. They take a thoughtful approach from farm to shop, barista to customer, earning themselves the title “Best Coffee Shop in America" by Food and Wine in 2019.
The space has a very modern-day Brooklyn feel. A glass-panel front window rolls up to let the breeze in, while numerous large skylights flood the cavernous space with natural light—it’s no wonder the abundance of tropical plants are thriving. It’s a good place to bring your laptop and work at one of the long communal desks, or meet someone promising for a coffee date fueled by Ethiopian bean brews with a “ripe peach sweetness.”
Grab a freshly baked cookie & stay a while at Maman
A French touch and a feminine flair. You’ll find both at Maman: a local chain of coffee shop-slash-bakeries inspired by the founding partners’ childhood memories of the South of France. In keeping with the concept, the menu is mostly drawn from their mothers’ recipes—things like ratatouille hash with fried eggs and white chocolate raspberry rose cookies.
With eight locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, each Maman is more inspiring than the last. The charming spaces are all adorned with floral arrangements by the Floratorium team, with lush greenery and pastel flowers lending a storybook, enchanted garden kind of feel.
Stop by this Williamsburg favourite for a strong Colombian brew
It’s hard to stand out as a coffee spot in Williamsburg, with so much quality coffee to be had in interesting spaces. But Devocion does exactly that. It’s found in a former warehouse, and the space maintains its bones—with reclaimed wood, bare brick, and steel beams complementing wooden and leather design elements.
A floor-to-ceiling living wall adds a biophilic spin to the otherwise industrial space, while massive skylight floods the coffee shop with natural light. Meet a date on one of their tufted leather couches and sample a couple of strong Colombian brews before heading to Domino Park or doing some antiquing in the area.
Inspiration comes easy at these five beautiful coffee spots in New York City. Why not grab a coffee and then visit one of New York’s best parks and green spaces for a nature-fix in the concrete jungle? And if you’re in need of an inspiring out-of-city escape, we’ve got you covered—here’s our pick for a gorgeous upstate getaway this spring.