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The 15 Best Independent Coffee Shops in New York City to Visit Now

From East Village stalwarts to Bushwick micro-roasters, these single-location cafes are where New Yorkers linger over their coffee.

New York City runs on coffee, so it’s no surprise that the city is replete with excellent coffee shops—and we’re not talking about the big chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Tim Hortons and Peet's Coffee.

Over the years, plenty of beloved brands have staked their claim in New York and expanded—Joe Coffee, La Colombe, Think Coffee—and for good reason: they’re all excellent. But there’s something to be said about the little guys. The truly independent spots that fuel New Yorkers’ endless days, while also providing the kinds of spaces the city has become known for: Vibey, cool rooms filled with eclectic ephemera, unique paintings or the owners’ own fascinations. (We just heard about a plant store-cum-dry-cleaners that’s opening soon in New York City.)

In many ways, these singular shops provide the beating heart of the city’s culture. Walk into one on any given day, and you’ll likely find students camped out with laptops, remote workers tapping away between meetings or a parent grabbing a much-needed pick-me-up after school drop-off. If you really want to understand the vibe of a neighborhood, spend time in its independent coffee shops. Pay attention to who’s there, how long they stay and what the room’s atmosphere is like—you’ll quickly get a sense of the people who live there and the character that defines the area.

And so, given the plethora of top coffee shops across the city, we’re focusing here on the truly indie ones; those that boast just a single location. The reasoning is simple: when there’s only one shop, owners and staff tend to pour every ounce of energy into making it exceptional—from top-notch coffee (sometimes sourced from far-flung countries and brewed using specialized techniques) to pastries that won’t leave you feeling weighed down and, most importantly, the kind of atmosphere you’ll want to linger in. 

We’re also conscious of the fact that a couple of viral local spots are not on this list—and that’s intentional. Although the likes of Nolita’s Enly, known for its tiramisu iced latte, and Caffe Paradiso—trending for its salted brown butter oat milk latte served on tap—are certainly deserving of attention, we tried to steer clear of overly crowded coffee spots where it might be hard to find a place to quietly sip your drink.

Here are the best independent coffee shops in New York City, with just one location that’s worth making the trip to visit.

The Best Independent Coffee Shops in NYC

Afficionado Coffee Roasters

Principles GI Coffee House

81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Smack-dab in the middle of the Ukrainian Village enclave of the East Village, Abraço holds true to its name, which means “hug” in Spanish—the space feels like just that, even with the music blaring from the at-times on-site DJ. Walk in, and you’ll be immediately wrapped in the smell........

© Observer