535685 Sat Jul 05 09:07:40 -0700 2008 42 21 The Best 0 3840711 Just having been to Spain, I find that the coffee in New York is severely lacking. Does anyone know where to go in New York for a REALLY consistently good cup of coffee that isn't brackish, bitter, sour or otherwise offensive to the taste? Sat Jul 05 09:07:42 -0700 2008 188514 skpow 1 3840724 espresso, not from starbucks will replicate spain the best Sat Jul 05 09:24:50 -0700 2008 3840711 135229 thew 2 3840728 yeah, tried that. But still find that most of the espresso here pales. Do you have any specific suggestions? Sat Jul 05 09:29:44 -0700 2008 3840724 188514 skpow 3 3862239 I love the espresso at Cafe Dante. I believe they use Illy. You can also get great whole beans at Porto Rico on Bleecker. Sat Jul 12 07:50:55 -0700 2008 3840728 149592 iluvcookies 2 4949580 Dunkin donuts is the best Sat Aug 15 17:05:04 -0700 2009 3840724 199593 Donks13 1 3846861 i admit, ive been living in the city for less than a month. However, i know good coffee when i drink it. gimme coffee in nolita is good. the baristas are coffee geeks http://www.gimmecoffee.com/static/feature_nolita.aspx Mon Jul 07 17:41:10 -0700 2008 3840711 155746 cls105 2 4967716 I second Gimmee Coffee. Sat Aug 22 06:07:08 -0700 2009 3846861 999258 davr73 1 3847365 Joe on 13 between 5th & University is a great cup. Mon Jul 07 20:46:23 -0700 2008 3840711 203536 Spends Rent on Food 2 3862235 Joe also has a spot in Grand Central in the Graybar Passage. Excellent coffee and friendly staff. Sat Jul 12 07:48:06 -0700 2008 3847365 149592 iluvcookies 1 3848633 Zibretto Espresso on 56th and 7th, Mud on 9th street in the East Village or Jack's Stir Brew in the West Village. The best option, however, is to get a french press, learn to use it properly and find a coffee that you like and make your own. Try experimenting with Illy, Citarella brands, Oren's, etc and different strengths, acidities. Tue Jul 08 09:42:04 -0700 2008 3840711 133413 offthebeatenpath1 1 3849841 Go ask Rich or Tone (Anthony() at Fairway on 125th Street to make you a mix based on your likes & dislikes. They will come up with a smooth roast for you. Tue Jul 08 14:32:46 -0700 2008 3840711 36195 Hondo3777 1 3850069 9th St. Espresso (ave c and 9th st) Zibetto Cafe Regular in Brooklyn Joe on 13th Tue Jul 08 15:34:36 -0700 2008 3840711 40207 frankbooth 2 3850508 I second 9th Street Espresso--both locations (9th St and Chelsea market) Also Abraco on 7th Street. Tue Jul 08 17:52:23 -0700 2008 3850069 68636 EVOhNo 2 3850989 Definitely 9th Street Espresso (both locations -- as pointed out by EVOhNo). Their espresso is probably the most chocolatey, aromatic, intense espresso I've ever had anywhere in the world. Nothing like doing a little grocery shopping at Chelsea Market before or after grabbing a bracing espresso. Joe's (13th/University and West Village) is very comparable and has the virtue of serving a wider selection of coffee and non-coffee drinks. They also have several other locations. I also like Abraco in the East Village. The coffee is not quite as intense as the above two but has a smoother, more elegant finish. The vibe of the place is also very charming. Their olive oil pound cake is delicious. Tue Jul 08 21:06:20 -0700 2008 3850069 187329 yogaboy 1 3850493 Cafe Grumpy on 20th St. in Chelsea has excellent espresso, full flavored with a thick crema, and it also makes individual cups of coffee from a menu of 4 or 5 beans that change monthly. They're serious coffee people. Ninth St. Espresso and the place on 13th St. and 3rd Ave that used to be 9th St. both serve excellent espressos as well. Tue Jul 08 17:48:40 -0700 2008 3840711 15022 iraform 1 3850753 Hands-down: The coffee at Cafe Sabarsky at the neue gallerie. Tue Jul 08 19:28:57 -0700 2008 3840711 207951 pressurecooker2 1 3851243 Hi skpow, just ignore all the posts below and trust this one, for I am spaniard and a true coffee lover. There are only two coffee houses in NY worthy of my money. The first one is Ninth Street Espresso and the other is Joe The Art of Coffee. Ninth Street Espresso has two locations. One on Ninth Street and Avenue C and the other inside the Chelsea Market, at 75 9th ave. between 15th and 16th street. They have a third location slated to open later this summer at 341 East 10th Street, between Avenues A and B. Here is their website: http://www.ninthstreetespresso.com/ Joe The Art of Coffee has four locations. You can find them here: http://www.joetheartofcoffee.com/locations.htm They both have superb coffee and the baristas really know what they are doing. I hope this helps. Take it from a Spaniard! :) Hasta luego... Tue Jul 08 23:34:33 -0700 2008 3840711 30165 asg749d 2 3864095 Many thanks! Sun Jul 13 05:53:12 -0700 2008 3851243 188514 skpow 1 3851620 I love the coffee at Cafe con Leche on Amsterdam between 80-81 Wed Jul 09 06:31:13 -0700 2008 3840711 208016 cmcp 1 3851729 have you tried the espresso at despana (408 Broome St)? i go to that store for my go-to spain needs. plus they have a cafe in the back that sell tortillas, pinxtos, almond tarts and bocodillos as well as coffee. the only thing they don't sell unfortunately are claras and orange fanta. lol here's the link to the store: http://www.despananyc.com/ Wed Jul 09 07:06:40 -0700 2008 3840711 122845 felizglfr 2 3851838 both despana and tia pol (my favorite tapas place in nyc) will make you a killer cortado. that's if you're looking for a spanish coffee experience. for the best cups in town, I agree that ninth street espresso, abraco, grumpy, gimme and joe are all your best bets. Wed Jul 09 07:37:22 -0700 2008 3851729 14414 janejane 1 3852217 I second Cafe Regular in Brooklyn (11th st. and 5th ave) and also would add Taralucci e vino (1st ave and 10th st.) Wed Jul 09 09:09:33 -0700 2008 3840711 200015 littlesuits 1 3852507 Everyman Espresso, 13th St. between 3rd and 4th, can pull God shots. The occasional espresso isn't quite hot enough, but when they hit it, it's as good as it gets. Grumpy is also great, and 9th St., too. If you happen to be in Williamsburg, check out Oslo (not in the over-extracted style of these other places) and El Beit, though I noticed the other day that they aren't using Counter Culture and I haven't had a shot since they switched). Just be glad you didn't move here 10 years ago. Wed Jul 09 10:21:44 -0700 2008 3840711 61060 jimmyr 1 3864043 Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! I'm going to take a coffee tour of the city and report back on my findings. Muchas gracias! Sun Jul 13 05:04:36 -0700 2008 3840711 188514 skpow 1 3874543 Alright. I have the answer for you! First of all-lucky you to have been in Spain recently!!. The next best thing in NYC (if you aren't lucky enough to be in Spain)is going to Despaña on 408 Broome Street (take the R train to Prince Street) get off and go 2 blocks south and 2 blocks East. Here is the site: http://www.despananyc.com/ The coffee is wonderful. Ask for a double cortado. They can always adjust it for you to perfection. Just ask. Most of the people there are Spanish (Basque region, Mallorca etc) . Along with the coffee -you can get Churros con Chocolate (not as good as in Madrid-like at San Gines) but probably as CLOSE as you can get to the real thing. They DO use real Spanish rich chocolate called VALOR for the hot chocolate part that you dip your churros in. The Churros are imported from Spain (half cooked/fried) and they do the rest here. They also have TO DIE FOR Bocadillos/tapas/pintxos --especially good is the Bocadillo Despana with Serrano Ham (poor pigs :(,with a creamy and delectable goat cheese and tomato-garlic spread). It's just out of this world- truly lovely. In fact, everything there is delicious and IMPORTED from Spain. It is as AUTHENTIC as you can get here in NYC. All other Spanish restaurants/shops pale by comparison. This shop has Spanish people working there and Spanish ingredients in everything. Top quality. They even have tortas de aciete cookies from Seville, IBERICO Ham $$$ (I love pigs though-so I don't understand why I eat that)..and..olive oils, Piquante (peppers), a panoply of Spanish goat/sheep and cow cheeses, chorizos and other meats, an assortment of Turron (1880) almonds and honey brittle or soft... oh yeah--and COFFEE!! Beautiful Coffee. . Someone else mentioned Despana on this site. Believe me-it's great. Also-there is always ZABARS on 80th and Broadway (one of the finest/most famous gourmet shops in NYC) where you can buy coffee beans- ITALIAN/FRENCH blend or SPANISH and have them ground on the premises and take home. I wish you good luck.!! Wed Jul 16 12:59:42 -0700 2008 3840711 210367 EveSimone 2 3884881 Thanks so much for the great reply! Sun Jul 20 06:44:43 -0700 2008 3874543 188514 skpow 1 3874812 Cafe Sabarsky serves my favorite brand: Julius Meinl. Even mit Schlag, it's the deepest, most robust coffee you can imagine. Wed Jul 16 13:58:58 -0700 2008 3840711 68363 JungMann 1 3876717 One more Brooklyn suggestion: Hotel Delmano. Oh yeah, they're serving coffee and pastries in the morning. And the espresso ROCKS. They're using Stumptown, they know how to pull a shot, and you get a little glass of seltzer on the side. I'm not an employee or investor, just a happy neighbor. Thu Jul 17 07:34:00 -0700 2008 3840711 61060 jimmyr 1 3894616 Totally unscientific and subjective NYC coffee test session #1 & 2: Despana and Joe Grand Central. First, some full disclosure. I do not drink coffee regularly. I quit drinking it altogether about ten years ago for a variety of reasons and did not really miss it at all. It wasn't until after I had a post-dinner espresso at a fantastic restaurant in the middle of the Tuscan countryside that I fully understood why I didn't miss it. So now, I drink the occasional coffee on vacation, especially if I'm someplace where the locals know from really good coffee. I tried Despana this weekend and had a single cortado. It came pretty close to the coffee I had in Spain, but the first sip was just slightly harsh and powdery. I'm picking nits admittedly. Overall, a good cup of coffee. Today, I tried Joe in the Graybar passage. Again, I ordered a cortado. First sip, a little strong. I'm wondering how much of that has to do with temperature or the paper cup. The flavor of the coffee is mellow, a little chocolately. Again, a very good cup of coffee. Stay tuned. More experiments to come. Wed Jul 23 11:15:34 -0700 2008 3840711 188514 skpow 1 3973499 abraco....7th street off 1st ave Wed Aug 20 16:39:40 -0700 2008 3840711 20000 mindy 1 4186743 If you're stuck in midtown, the ING Direct Cafe on 49th between Park and Madison serves Peet's Coffee, which I love. I think it may be the only place that has it in NYC (at least, I haven't found any others). Otherwise, I second many of the downtown cafes recommended above. Wed Nov 19 13:10:59 -0800 2008 3840711 154634 ScienceMike 2 4206904 Upscale; Taralucci y Vino Not Upscale: La Taza de Oro (sit at the counter in the AM and take in the local flava - mucho sabor) Also, believe it or not, Elite Instant Coffee (from Israel, in a Red Tin) has a flavor that reminds me excactly of the Cafe con Leche I enjoyed while in Madrid at Cafe Gijon. You can buy that coffee in NYC at most Associated Supermarkets or in any kosher market in Flatbish, Brooklyn. Enjoy it with warmed milk. It's terrific! Fri Nov 28 12:13:32 -0800 2008 4186743 229681 chocolatebirthdaycake 1 4255582 There is a new spot (kaffe 1668 or something like that) across from Whole Foods in Tribeca. Very good espresso. they also have like 10 varities of single cup brews. I like Cafe Cafe in SoHo as well. Absoloute best for me is Jacks Stir Brew. I think there are two, one in WV and one in South Street Seaport. Wed Dec 17 20:26:19 -0800 2008 3840711 249447 Agedbeef 2 4783803 The coffee tastes good but I can't get past the baristas using their bare hands in the coffee grounds each time they brew the individual cups. Especially after one just wiped sweat off his face. Thu Jun 18 06:25:46 -0700 2009 4255582 222269 Alfvaen 2 4799276 agree on kaffe 1668 although i've only had the espresso based drinks. but nonetheless, they're terrific. Also la colombe torrefaction on church st and Joe (multiple locations). Tue Jun 23 14:26:05 -0700 2009 4255582 200400 slicknik 1 4809021 Any suggestions for the best INSTANT coffee in NYC? Thanks, Sid Fri Jun 26 12:12:22 -0700 2009 3840711 214347 sidd 2 4933942 I love Sicaffe' at 964 Lexington (70th St). I usually don't travel for coffee - but I do for this place. It reminds me of coffee in Italy (they make a great cappuccino) and every time I go, I see many of my Italian teachers there (that must mean something...). Mon Aug 10 13:15:49 -0700 2009 4809021 1100645 ladymbl 3 5097785 yes sicaffe is great -- grab a leather chair Mon Oct 12 14:32:51 -0700 2009 4933942 27711 sadie1 1 4967196 La Colombe (Church Street, TriBeCa & Lafayette/Prince) are the most professional and consistent in the city. Their beans - roasted in North Philadelphia - are served in many high-end dining rooms around town; the cafes are a recent addition, and very, very welcome. Fri Aug 21 18:55:35 -0700 2009 3840711 46213 biryaniboy 1 4971498 Buon Italia in the Chelsea Market pulls a great espresso. Sun Aug 23 20:58:08 -0700 2009 3840711 1103871 hellomarisa 1 4971512 - 9th Street Espresso (espresso, cappucino, etc) - Abraco (best iced coffee ever!, cappucino) - Cafe Sabarsky Sun Aug 23 21:05:17 -0700 2009 3840711 255446 Gigi007 2 4976476 Hands down, 9th Street Espresso's cappucchinos! http://earthlyepicurean.blogspot.com/ Tue Aug 25 11:35:31 -0700 2009 4971512 30114 allieb2031 3 5113619 Stumptown Coffee from Portland recently opened in the Ace Hotel at 29th and Broadway, bringing North-west quality coffee to New York. Sun Oct 18 23:31:12 -0700 2009 4976476 1115009 hafnerd