Coffee Shops of NYC, New York

New York City is the capital of unique coffee shops. In no other city can you find a cozy place to hang out on every street corner. And its not all Starbucks and Gregory's either. Through my two years of studying at The King's College in NYC, I've had to seek out places to work when I need a break from the school library and my tiny apartment. Lucky enough, NYC has plenty of supply!

One of my favorites, Birch Coffee in Downtown NYC, is dedicated to providing craft coffee to the neighborhood finance aficionados and studying PACE students. They also have a library wall where you can take a book and leave a book for someone after you.  

Visit virtually through this video shot by the illustrious Marina Barham.

Here are some of my favorite unique and independent coffee shops to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon in New York City...

Maman Coffee, Bakery, and Kitchen

Welcome to Maman; coffee shop, bakery, and kitchen. Maman's light and airy atmosphere welcomes you in with open arms. With raised white ceilings and delft blue accents, you'll think you've stepped into a Danish porcelain parlor.

http://www.candicekayedesign.com/maman-nyc/

 Entrepreneur and designer, Elisa Marshall says of her vision for Maman, "It's a mutual passion for delivering exceptional food within an artful and warm setting."

Maman Tribeca has two sections; a coffee shop, and a dining room in the back. If you're here to study, grab a seat on the first blue-cushioned couch that faces the window out to the cute Tribeca square. Sit farthest towards the right wall to keep away from the outside air whenever the door opens.

Order your $5 latte to stay, it will be served in a darling Delft teacup. Or, if you're on the run, even their to-go coffee cups are decorated with Delft blue. If you couldn't tell, I LOVE Delft! Ceramic to-go cups are for sale, but I haven't had the courage to cough up $20 for one yet. Maybe for my birthday? (Mom, this is a hint.)


http://www.candicekayedesign.com/maman-nyc/

Time for a study break? Walk to the hostess stand towards the back of the shop. Its right next to their icebox filled with homemade Italian gelato. A hip, smiling waiter will seat you at a worn-wood table with miss-matching Delft porcelain ware. 

http://www.mamannyc.com/instagram/

Take a close look at all the menu items because each one is handcrafted by Michelin Star French chef, Armand Arial and presented beautifully. Armand's $12 quiche is hands down the best I've ever had. I've heard that Maman's brunch cocktails are also delicious. 

Maman has several locations throughout the New York City area. These include Soho, Tribeca, Greenpoint (LIC), and the ICP.


TRIBECA LOCATION:
211 West Broadway (on Franklin Street)
New York, NY 10007

Ground Central #3

"We designed Ground Central around the ritual of coffee. 

The smells, the sounds, the quiet hum of people working or chatting…"

http://www.ground-central.com/

Tucked between Lexington and 3rd Avenue on the Upper East Side, Ground Central offers a rustic warmth that contrasts with the chilly winds coming off the East River. Once you enter, you'll feel nostalgic with the sounds of the 80's floating all the way to the back of the shop, where there's a cove filled with comfortable couches and wing-tipped chairs. 

Order your creamy Dirty Chai Latte (Chai tea prepared with steamed milk and an espresso shot) and one of their delicious raspberry mango muffins. GC's mochas are also pretty darn good, but be warned that they tend to be served more bitter than sweet. Be sure to claim your spot in the dimly lit back cove before lunchtime because this location fills up with investors and bankers coming in for their lunch dates. Business slows back down around 3pm.

http://www.ground-central.com/

Got your work done early? Grab one of the hundreds of books lining the back wall and stay for a while. I've seen a novel about Israeli-Russian relations on the shelf and I can't wait to go back and curl up on the couch to read it. 

While you're there, check out the mural on the wall facing the register. They say of themselves, 

"Ground Central is our love letter to New York, so we designed the space to reflect everything that makes this vivacious city what it is. Famed Australian street artist Heesco made our murals, which tell the dynamic story of New York, with coffee as its lifeblood and rock & roll as its voice."

Check out the video of the mural being created here: https://vimeo.com/85012293

Ground Central Coffee Co. has two other locations, including one in the Financial District near Stone Street called Ground Central #3. It has a wonderful little front porch with benches to sit on and outdoor electricity plugs. The best time to study outside is between 12:15 and 3:00 when the sun fills the porch. (I can never get too much sun!)

Ground Central #3, Financial District

INFORMATION

http://www.ground-central.com/

155 E 52nd Street (take the 6 train to 51st)

(646) 964-4438

SCHEDULE:

MON - FRI 6:30AM - 9PM
SAT - SUN 9AM - 6PM

More NYC Coffee Shops

For more New York Coffee shops to study or hang out at, visit my site...

http://suzysstudyspotsnyc.blogspot.com