Best Coffee Shops in Midtown NYC | Quality + Atmosphere • Abroad with Ash

Overwhelmed by the number of coffee shops in Midtown? I'm here to help! Whether you're looking for a place to work or chat with friends, a coffee to-go, or a spot with a full food menu, I've got the place for you!

Midtown is home to many of Manhattan's top sights, including the base of Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the High Line, Chelsea Market, and the Empire State Building. It's also a hub for corporate offices and business headquarters.

This creates a fun vibe of locals grabbing coffee on a quick work break and tourists finding their caffeine fix between sights.

Midtown is jam-packed with coffee shops, including more Starbucks than you can count. If you don't do your research, the chances of stumbling upon a disappointing coffee are high. I'm here to help you avoid the subpar spots and discover the coffee shops worth visiting.

While my other coffee shop posts stick to the "top 5" format, this quickly became impossible for Midtown.

Therefore, I've broken this post into three sections:

coffee shops with a great atmosphere that are perfect for working or to hang out with friends
coffee shops that are best for takeaway
spots that are more cafe than coffee shop and perfect for when you need a full menu or are craving avocado toast

I've made sure to include coffee shops throughout Midtown and close to popular tourist sights, so no matter where you are, you'll never be far from a quality coffee.

This map shows each Midtown coffee shop included in this post. Click the icon at the top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Select the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

Blue - best coffee shops in Midtown NYC for atmosphere (space to sit)
Red - best coffee shops in Midtown NYC for takeaway
Purple - cafes that are best for pairing a meal with your coffee

Best coffee shops in Midtown NYC for atmosphere

These coffee shops offer space to sit and are great options if you need a place to work, study, or meet with friends.

1. Remi Flower and Coffee

ONE OF THE BEST Coffee SHops in MIDTOWN FOR Instagrammable drinks

Judging by the photos on Google Maps, I was nervous this would be a "style of substance" type spot. I mean, the latte art is something to write home about!

After visiting (now multiple times), I can honestly say it exceeded all expectations.

Remi is part flower shop part coffee shop. There are a few tables inside as well as a cute sidewalk patio set up during the warmer months. I was lucky to grab a spot inside each time I visited.

If you're looking for a drink almost too beautiful to drink, this is your place. Some of the popular items include the purple lavender latter, red beetroot latte, blue butterfly pea flower latte, and pink rose latte.

Regular coffee drinks are available, as well as loose-leaf tea from Harney and Sons.

WiFi is available if you need it.

Remi Flower and Coffee now has three locations, two in Midtown and one in the Financial District.

The original location on 2nd and 48th is quite small. If you can find a seat, it's the perfect spot to take a quick break to enjoy your coffee or chat with friends. Laptops are not allowed here given the limited seating.

Just down the street is Remi's second Midtown coffee shop. Remi43 Flower and Coffee is on 43rd and 2nd street. This location is spacious and always buzzing. You'll find a mix of patrons typing away on laptops and meeting with friends.

If you're looking for a coffee shop near Grand Central Station, Remi43 is an 8-minute walk away.

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2. Devocion

ONE OF THE BEST MIDTOWN COFFEE SHOPS FOR hipster vibes

Devocion is all about having the freshest coffee experience possible. Their Colombian coffee beans are flown to their roaster in Brooklyn, ensuring the beans are never more than 10 to 45 days old. They claim most coffee shops are using beans 150 to 365 days old because they use third-party exporters.

While I am no coffee expert and have no idea if that's true, I will say their coffee tastes fantastic.

This a great place to order drinks with minimal milk. The cortado is especially good.

The interior feels like a dimly lit study or living room in a cozy home. The place is always packed.

The croissants are also very good at Devocion. The guava and cheese is insane as is the leek and parmesan.

WiFi is not available at the Midtown location.

Devocion is one of the best coffee shops near Madison Square Park and Union Square Park. It's just 4 minutes to either!

3. WatchHouse

Top-notch specialty coffee, delicious pastries, WiFi, and a clean modern atmosphere...this Midtown coffee shop ticks all the boxes

WatchHouse is one of my favorite coffee shops in Covent Garden (London). I was so excited when I learned they made their way to the US with their first location on 5th Avenue in NYC.

While it's not as good as the London WatchHouse in terms of food and space, it easily makes the list for one of the best coffee shops in Midtown NYC. This was my favorite flat white on my most recent trip to New York.

The space is beautifully designed with an airy, open feel. There are a few areas to sit and free WiFi.

You'll find a nice selection of baked goods including sweet and savory croissants, cardamom buns, banana bread, and cookies.

This is the best coffee shop near Rockefeller Center. It's a 2-minute walk around the corner.

4. Cafe Ambrosia New York

One of the best coffee shops by The High Line

I happened upon Cafe Ambrosia New York by accident during my daily walk to The High Line.

What a surprise! This cute cafe just opened and exudes such a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. It has a bit of a mid-century modern vibe to it.

This is a great spot to catch up with friends or work for a bit. I'll also note that the music selection was top-notch each time I visited...super relaxing and chill.

The coffee was great, though the latte art was severely lacking. Which didn't surprise me since I saw they were looking to hire a "head barista".

Given time, I'm sure this place will become a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

5. Ariston Coffee Bar

One of the most spacious coffee shops in Midtown

Similar to Remi Flower and Coffee, Ariston Coffee Bar is a dual flower and coffee shop. With two levels of seating and free WiFi, it's easy to see why this place is packed with students and digital nomads typing away on their laptops.

Not surprisingly, the most popular drink is the rose petal latte. Not too sweet and beyond Instagrammable.

A full food menu is also available including salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and pastries.

6. Stumptown

A must for nitro cold brew

Stumptown is connected to the ultra-hip Ace Hotel in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building. The common lounge area serves as a working space for both patrons of the hotel and Stumptown customers.

You'll find plenty of locals and tourists typing away on their laptops in the dimly lit living room space. The WiFi is also strong and free.

Stumptown also makes some of the best nitro cold brew. The espresso-based drinks are also solid. The flat white is always a winner.

7. Variety

One of the best priced coffee shops in Midtown NYC

Variety seems to be a hot spot with locals. Plan on it being especially busy on weekday mornings as people stop by on the way to work.

I can see why it's so popular as it's one of the best-priced coffee shops in Midtown: $3.50 Americano, $4.50 cappuccino, $4.50 cold brew. That's on par with Dallas prices!

The espresso is dark and bold, like what you would find in Italy.

While the location on 7th Avenue is fairly spacious, it's not a very cozy vibe to stay and hang out.

8. Intelligentsia Coffee High Line Hotel Coffeebar

One of the best patios in NYC

Hailing from Chicago, Intelligentsia has one of the BEST patios in Midtown. Technically it's the "front garden" of the High Line Hotel, but Intelligentsia customers can use it. There's also a courtyard in the back.

The superb coffee quality and ample outdoor space make this a win win for nice weather. Otherwise, grab your drink to-go before walking the High Line since the inside space is limited with almost no seating.

Photo: Culture Espresso

Best coffee shops in Midtown NYC for take away or a quick stop

These coffee shops offer a smaller footprint. Some have a few places to sit, but the overall atmosphere isn't one where I would choose to stay and hang out. The coffee is quality and perfect if you need something to-go.

1. 787 Coffee

Rum infused coffee beans...need I say more? If you want to jazz up your iced americano but aren't into milks or sweeteners, this is the coffee spot for you.

Choose between rum, whisky, or tequila infused coffee beans. Rum is the best, IMO.

Those with a sweet tooth should try one of the specially lattes: pina colada, dulce de leche, marzipan, or horchata.

2. % Arabica New York

Jake and I discovered % Arabica during our time in Kyoto, Japan. The coffee quality is legit. To say I was surprised when I found % Arabica had traveled all the way the New York is an understatement.

There are currently three % Arabica New York stores (two are in Midtown)...though I'm sure more will open. The design is sleek and modern. While there is a bit of space to sit, it's not really the type of place to linger. I'll also note that only to-go cups are used.

Two of the most popular drinks are the Kyoto Latte (just a touch of sweetness) and the Dark Latte (made with premium French cacao).

While some say the quality justifies the cost, this is one of the most expensive coffees in New York with a mere espresso ringing in at $4.75. An iced Americano is $5.50 and the 12 oz. Dark Latte is $7.00.

3. Culture Espresso

Culture Espresso is a Midtown coffee shop that really prides itself on providing a quality coffee experience from the beans they source to the method the coffee is prepared. They partner with different roasters that align with their principles and quality standards. One roaster is featured at a time.

I was particularly impressed by their pastry selection. Culture goes out of their way to source baked goods from the best of the best. You'll find croissants, handmade pop tarts, scones, artisan donuts, and more from top bakeries around NYC.

Culture Espresso is known for their signature chocolate chip and oatmeal cranberry cookies, which are made in-house daily.

There are three locations in Midtown all fairly close to each other. WiFi is provided and there is seating and counter space, but it’s limited.

My favorite location with the most space and best feel with floor to ceiling windows is on 72 W 38th Street. This is also the best coffee shop near the Empire State Building (8 minutes) and Grand Central Station (12 minutes).

The location at 247 W 36th Street has some seating but feels more confined with its narrow layout and dark lighting. The 307 W 38th Street also has seating but feels a bit sterile and empty.

Best cafes in Midtown NYC

These spots are best for pairing food with your coffee...more of a cafe experience than a coffee shop.

1. Little Collins

Little Collins deserves a stop if you're looking for a solid avocado toast or eggs benedict with your coffee. The banana bread topped with ricotta, berries, honey, and almond brittle is divine.

The cafe prides itself on being a mix of NYC and Melbourne...so you can be sure they make a mean flat white.

Photos: Bluestone Lane

2. Bluestone Lane

I just love the Bluestone Lane brand…even if it is becoming a popular chain with 38 locations and growing across several states.

The avocado smash toast is one of my favorites alongside their gluten free banana bread with whipped ricotta and berries. I’m also a fan of their granola, rainbow bowl, and salmon brioche.

Bluestone Lane has multiple locations in Midtown, but I only recommend three. Manhattan West Cafe, Chelsea Pier, and Hudson Yards. All offer a wonderful design and space to sit.

The other Midtown locations are better for to-go as they are very small. These locations also seem to be inconsistent in quality.

AwA Tip: swing by the UES location if you find yourself in the area. This location is one of my favorite Upper East Side coffee shops for brunch and is right by Central Park.