(002-01) La Cabra in SoHo, Manhattan.
Cafés in New York City
Words MILES REDFER
Photos JASPER LENNOX
Spaces for pause, coffee, and the pastry you didn’t plan to order.
Whether you’re looking to reset, slow down, or just get a well-made cup of coffee (and maybe a pastry you didn’t plan on), these spots offer a bit of calm. A mix of longtime favorites and recent finds, this list moves naturally from uptown to downtown to Brooklyn.
RALPH’S COFFEE (UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN)
Inside the Ralph Lauren flagship, this café feels more like a study than a coffee shop. Deep green walls, polished wood, and brass details give it a certain hush. The drinks are classic—espresso, tea, the occasional hot chocolate — and the muffins and cookies are solid companions. A seat outside, if the weather allows, is the best kind of pause.
888 Madison Ave, New York, NY — Opens 8 am
SEVEN GRAMS CAFFE (MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN)
Tucked into a corner of Madison Avenue, Seven Grams is a Midtown refuge. The light is generous, the space open, and the cookies—rich, barely holding their shape — worth going slightly out of your way. Coffee is reliable, the staff efficient but warm. Best between meetings or before heading downtown.
275 Madison Ave, New York, NY — Opens 7 am
CAFÉ KITSUNÉ (WEST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN)
Japanese clarity meets French charm in this West Village outpost. Fox-shaped cookies, matcha lattes, and clean wood interiors create a setting that feels both thoughtful and playful. There’s always someone reading outside, and inside, the hum is just right. A good place to drift or write.
550 Hudson St, New York, NY — Opens 8 am
(002-03) La Cabra in SoHo, Manhattan. La Cabra started in Aarhus, Denmark, and became recognized for its light-roasted Nordic-style coffee, emphasizing clarity and natural flavors.
(002-04) If you enjoy their coffee, you might want to take home a bag of their freshly roasted beans.
LA CABRA (SOHO, MANHATTAN)
Scandinavian in origin, calm in spirit. La Cabra brings Nordic-style light roasts and in-house cardamom buns to SoHo with minimal ceremony. Filter coffee is brewed with precision, but it’s the way the space slows you down that lingers. A place that values clarity — in design, in coffee, in conversation.
284 Lafayette St, New York, NY — Opens 8 am
BLACK FOX COFFEE (FINANCIAL DISTRICT, MANHATTAN)
A Financial District standout, Black Fox offers rotating guest roasters and carefully brewed filter coffee without the pretension. The interior is warm, the tones soft. Whether you’re staying for ten minutes or an hour, it doesn’t rush you. Good pastries, great tea, and a welcome break from glass and steel.
70 Pine St, New York, NY — Opens 7 am
DEVOCIÓN (WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN)
Lush, open, and full of light, Devoción’s Williamsburg space feels like a greenhouse crossed with a library. Their Colombian beans are roasted in-house, and the espresso is always bright. Sit near the living wall, sip slowly, and don’t skip the pastries. If it’s sunny, the outside bench is its own kind of luxury.
69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY — Opens 8 am
SEY COFFEE (BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN)
A neighborhood favorite with global reach, SEY focuses on single-origin light roasts served in a bright, minimalist setting. The communal table feels lived-in, and the fruit tarts often disappear by noon. It’s unassuming but precise—coffee done well, without show.
18 Grattan St, Brooklyn, NY — Opens 8 am
(002-04) Librae Bakery in East Village, Manhattan. Pair your coffee with unique offerings like rose-pistachio croissants or spiced honey buns.
ONE MORE…
LIBRAE BAKERY (EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN)
Middle Eastern notes meet Scandinavian precision in this East Village bakery. Spiced honey buns, rose-pistachio croissants, and a small menu of carefully brewed drinks make it hard to leave with just one thing. The light is soft, the space considered. Come mid-morning, no agenda required.
35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY — Opens 7 am
Opening times are subject to change. Check each café’s website for the latest hours.
Words MILES REDFER
Photos JASPER LENNOX
