Hi friends,
After two weeks on European soil (this was very me), I’m coming to you live from a joyful (post-mayoral primary) albeit very hot New York City!
My west coast move is quickly approaching (🥲🫠😵💫) so this felt as good a time as any to draft another dispatch in our NYC mini series. I put together a list of spots that I and other New Yorkers actually go to grab coffee, matcha or tea in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Saving a special one I’ve been gatekeeping for last….
As always, taste is subjective!! But, this is here for you, if you’re ever in NYC and need a pick-me-up.
— Cait
1. Petit Paulette
By day, French pastries and coffee. By night, a low-key wine bar. To me, a perfect place! Most importantly, they serve their iced coffee over pebble/crushed ice — or “hospital ice” as it’s called in Pangares/Schwartz household. Once when Jess was visiting, we were raving about the *super chic ice* at our neighborhood coffee shop and she politely explained that it’s not exciting for her because it’s… what they give all their patients at the hospital she works at. One man’s trash, another’s treasure?
2. IXV
The coolest, eco-friendly coffee shop built into an airy Brooklyn garage. The owner used to be a buyer for J Crew and now repurposes old button-downs in new ways and sells them at the shop. Plus, they have homemade treats for dogs!
3. Saturday’s NYC
This surf-inspired menswear brand store/café is home to the chillest backyard in Manhattan. Get your coffee “to stay” and sit in their little oasis!
4. Dae
An elegant, minimalist Carroll Gardens all-day café with specialty coffees, excellent matchas and cool glassware. Try the sweet corn latté in the fall and thank me later!
5. Cafe Lyria
Now a TikTok sensation (🥲) but the cappuccino freddos and Yiayia cookies (which legitimately taste like cookies my Yiayia used to make) are reason enough to brave the lines! My aspiration is to find a similar “chic Greek” café in Portland! Or, if it doesn’t exist, maybe build it myself…
6. Rita and Maria
The epitome of a great Brooklyn neighborhood café. So relaxed, excellent scones.
7. Lucia Alimentari
The criminally underrated counterpart to Lucia Pizza, this café does incredible focaccia sandwiches and blueberry corn muffins as well as great espresso!
8. Salter House
Home to the best chai in BK! This is a go-to stop on Brooklyn Heights promenade dog walks for us. Bonus, they also sell cute home stuff and carry brands like (oft-mentioned in OT) CouCou!
9. Paquita
My source for loose-leaf tea in Manhattan! I brew their London Fog Earl Grey almost daily (it’s great iced!) and also love their Scarlet roobios tea. Their tea service is very sweet, but I prefer Tea & Sympathy if you’re looking for a full-on crust-less sandwich situation.
10. Quarters
Definitely the most stunning place you can grab a cup of coffee in lower Manhattan. This showroom-slash-café is located in a second-floor loft in Tribeca, which makes it feel like someone’s actual home, too. You’ll at the very least leave inspired or maybe with a few new things to add to your home.
11. Abraço
The sparkling espresso cream is a must if you, like me, are an espresso tonic obsessive! Their olive oil cake and mini egg sandwiches are also fantastic.
12. Interlude
What I love best about Interlude is that they have teeny to-go cups for coffee or matcha, which is nice as someone who doesn’t like to consume a TON of milk (aka am lactose intolerant and in denial)! Their new Tribeca space is a true stunner.
13. Prima
A Clinton Hill staple for coffee, natural wine and sunny, outdoor seating. Rosie also approves this message!
14. Un Posto Italiano
Park Slope’s finest! Italian pastries, espresso, imported pantry items and a super cute back garden that feels transportive/European — always the goal, for me.
15. Purslane Cafe
Nestled into the Prospect Park Boathouse, this is a little-known gem! You can’t beat the view, either.
16. Octavia
The sweet owner recognizes regulars by name and drink order — as OT guest editor Lindsay (who lives nearby) rightly puts it, “very Stars Hollow” in the best way!
17. Head Hi
An art book/independent magazine store meets coffee shop just outside of Ft. Greene park.
17. Anäis
The best all-day café to work at in Boreum Hill!
18. Casseta
Another great afternoon spot for apertivo, coffee or tea. If they have the cherries on ice, get it — I promise it weirdly makes them taste better!
19. Poppy’s
Cobble Hill’s hottest club is the Poppy’s line after school drop-off. Don’t miss their donuts — a sleeper hit!
20. Burrow
The most special café tucked inside an industrial building in DUMBO. Their coffee is excellent and their pastry program is in the style of a Japanese patisserie. Grab a slice of spiral coffee cake and a cortado, browse the shelves at Hudson Wilder and then walk the Brooklyn waterfront after — dream morning!
That’s all for Cait’s NYC coffee shop round-up! To see more of what she linked to, follow our Instagram @opentabsletter or you can always shop all of our issues here.
This is a great list. Some of these places I know well and some I can’t wait to check out - thanks!
Goldmine!