(002-01) La Cabra in SoHo, Manhattan.
Cafés in New York City
Words MILES REDFER
Photos JASPER LENNOX
Places to pause. For coffee, quiet, and the pastry you didn’t plan on.
Whether you’re looking to reset, slow down, or simply enjoy a well-made coffee (and perhaps a pastry you hadn’t planned on), these cafés offer a sense of calm. A mix of longtime favorites and recent finds, the list moves from uptown to downtown to Brooklyn — naturally.
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 the space a kind of hush. The drinks are classic—espresso, tea, the occasional hot chocolate — and the muffins and cookies, quiet 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 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. Or simply to watch the light shift.
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 quiet precision. Filter coffee is brewed with care, but it’s the way the space slows you down that stays with you. 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 affectation. 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. Unassuming, but exact — 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 rush. No agenda.
35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY — Opens 7 am
Opening hours may shift. Best to check their websites before you go.
Words MILES REDFER
Photos JASPER LENNOX
