Before moving to New York, coffee shops weren’t a huge part of my routine but I’ve quickly learned the special place coffee shops hold in the culture of a neighborhood.
Besides being a place to grab a coffee (duh), it’s the casual meet-up spot, the “I can’t work in my apartment one second longer” escape, and the prime place for people (and dog) watching and daydreaming. What a lovely place to be – you get to know the people in your neighborhood and baristas become your friends. It’s a place nobody needs to be in but one that always delivers a small window of solid enjoyment.
Living in the West Village, I’ve visited most of the neighborhood shops and these are the ones that you must visit (in my humble opinion).
Partners
Vibe: I’m on the clock but want to be in the sun
Partners Coffee has my heart! The baristas are so friendly, the branding is bright and cheery, and there are lots of tables outside to sit and work. It’s also perfectly situated on 7th Ave for great people-watching. My favorite drink here is their iced chai latte. Their sandwiches are amazing too!
Cafe Kitsune
Vibe: I’m so chic
The original Cafe Kitsune is in Paris and the cool/elegant factor has definitely remained! Cafe Kitsune makes everybody look special. This is where people will stroll in with poetry books and sip cappuccinos then bump into friends who will crowd around their table and share champagne and snack olives. The interior is beautiful but I love the tables outside.
The Elk
Vibe: Relaxed
The Elk is a great place to meet up with people or meet new people. Located on a quieter street, they’ve snagged some space to build an outdoor dining area in a semi-enclosed booth. There’s always traffic coming in and out and you might even spot a celebrity too! Inside they have some local goods/snacks for sale so be sure to check those out too.
Oslo
Vibe: Coolest kid on the block
This teeny shop doesn’t have any seating inside and only a couple of seats outside but you’ll see people all around carrying the iconic blue stamped cups. Everything about Oslo is cool. From the music to the baristas to the love notes in their window they have that effortless New York vibe. The coolest.
Blackstone Coffee Roasters
Vibe: Just give me good food and a coffee
Run by a few brothers, Blackstone Coffee Roasters feels like family. It’s not fancy or fussy but is reliably good. They have a fairly large menu of bagels, sandwiches, and pastries for breakfast and lunch. There’s always a line around the corner, especially during weekends but it’s worth it for the weekend whitefish bagel + oj.
Amano
Vibe: Where you’ll make bffs
At Amano, you’ll find probably the friendliest baristas of all. They’re always so kind and quick to remember names and orders. This is the type of place where people quickly become regulars. The interior is small but super cozy but there is outdoor seating as well!
There you have it! Much love & coffee shop time to you all xoxo.
love this post! coffee shops are my fave.
this sentence was the best ‘It’s a palace nobody needs to be in but one that always delivers a small window of solid enjoyment.’