Coffee. The bitter sweet nectar that gets you up in the morning and keeps you awake on those extra-long days. Life’s too short for bad coffee and if you’re anything like me a cup of coffee can be the difference between a good day or a bad day. I like to call myself a coffee enthusiast and as such I have taken it upon myself to find the best cups of Joe in New York City. Here are my top 5:
1.Gregory Coffee
I’ve noticed these springing up around the city and couldn’t be more excited. Their drip coffee is bold and smooth with just the right kick to get you going. Now, the thing to try is their specialty blend which they brew on the spot using the fancy Aeropress brewing system. I recommend my favorite single origin coffee, “El Zarzal”, a blend from Colombia with notes of brown sugar, grapes and walnuts, yum! Pair it with a Rice Chex treat or their special glazed donuts for a nice afternoon snack.
2. Fika Coffee
Let’s get fancy here for a second. Fika Coffee is a Swedish coffee shop that opened its doors back in 2006 and has expanded into new locations all around the city. Their drip coffee is bold and smoky with hints of caramel and dark chocolate. A friend of mine, who also happens to be a chef, raved about the croissants and award winning truffles as she dragged me to the 23rd st. location. Boy, I was not disappointed. I have been hooked ever since and I haven’t even mentioned the lattes. In case you’re wondering…they’re also amazing.
3. Stumptown Coffee
You’ve probably seen Stumptown Coffee’s cold brews floating around all over the city and for good reason too, It’s delicious! This place is my all-time favorite, I even have a bag of beans sitting on my kitchen counter. There are a variety of different flavors to choose from, each with a unique flavor, which makes it all the more exciting. I highly recommend the cappuccino and a vegan poptart. Actually, all the vegan treats are tasty which makes it hard to choose but that’s all the more reason to keep coming back.
4. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
If you’re a fan of hazelnut coffee this is the place for you. Coffee & Tea Leaf adds a powdered mix to their hazelnut coffee that is truly different than any other hazelnut blend. It’s rich and nutty with just the right amount of sweetness. They even sell the powder so you can enjoy it anytime at home.
5. Argo Tea
Okay, technically this isn’t a coffee shop BUT they create specialty teas that sure taste like lattes. My go to drinks are the hot Mate Latte and the iced Vanilla Earl Grey Tea, talk about a pick me up! The Mate Latte is smooth, aromatic and the Mate tea in it is revitalizing while the iced Vanilla Earl Grey is cool and refreshing. They also offer specialty teas that are caffeine free for those who are caffeine sensitive or if you want a latte-like experience without the jitter.
The world of coffee is immense. Go forth and discover all it has to offer, trust me you won’t regret it.
