Looking for a caffeine fix between tourist sites in NYC? Discover the BEST coffee shops in Midtown that offer quality espresso, delicious baked goods, and a welcoming atmosphere! I've also included coffee shops that are good for working or studying...which can be hard to find in NYC.
NYC has such a large number of noteworthy coffee shops that it made the most sense to break my usual TOP 5 post into separate posts by neighborhood. Today I'm focusing on the Midtown area.
Midtown is where you will not only find many tourist attractions like the base of Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the High Line, Chelsea Market, and the Empire State Building, but is also where many businesses have their offices.
This creates a fun vibe of locals grabbing coffee on a quick work break and tourists finding their caffeine fix to keep their energy up.
There is no short supply of coffee shops in Midtown NYC and it was hard to narrow it down to my TOP 5. When researching and ranking each Midtown coffee shop I look not only for quality espresso and bites but also a nice atmosphere, good service, and space to sit and work. WiFi is always a plus on the ranking scale.
This map shows the Midtown coffee chops included in this post. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click 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 - top 5
- Red - honorable mentions
1. Remi Flower and Coffee
ONE OF THE BEST Coffee SHops in MIDTOWN FOR Instagrammable drinks
Remi is my newest discovery for Midtown coffee shops. 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, 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 setup 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 spot. 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. The croissants are from Ceci Cela (on my list of the best croissants in NYC).
WiFi is available for those looking to work.
If you're looking for a coffee shop near Grand Central Station, Remi is a 14 minute walk.
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2. Devocion
ONE OF THE BEST MIDTOWN COFFEE SHOPS FOR a hipster vibe
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 say most coffee shops are using beans that are 150 to 365 days old by using 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 get those 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. Culture Espresso
One of the best coffee shops in Midtown for chocolate chip cookies paired with a legit flat white
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.
4. Paper Coffee - Made Hotel
One of the best coffee shops in Midtown to work or study
Paper is one of the best coffee shops in Midtown for those looking to stay a while and work. Located inside Made hotel, the atmosphere is cozy and chill.
The decor is simple with Bohemian touches. Warm woods mixed with large windows give a distinct natural and sleek feel. There is WiFi and plenty of space to spread out…perfect for work or study days.
Paper Coffee offers beans from Brooklyn’s Devocion Roasters along with other rotating roasters. Loose leaf tea by Rishi is available alongside top notch pastries and other snack items like granola bowls, avocado toast, and breakfast sandwiches.
If they aren’t sold out, try the black sesame kouign amann.
Finding a coffee shop with not only WiFi but a comfortable space and solid coffee is rare in NYC. This would absolutely become a regular spot of mine if I lived here.
Paper is one of the best coffee shops near the Empire State Building as it's just 7 minutes away.
Photo: Seven Grams Caffe
5. Seven Grams Caffe
One of the best midtown coffee shops for vegan cookies and friendly baristas
Seven Grams Caffe will great you with a minimal and clean design; light woods and floor to ceiling windows. The space is filled with patrons typing away on their laptops and meeting with others. The baristas are extremely friendly and you can tell they're proud of their Midtown coffee shop.
Seven Grams Caffe's motto is to combine their two great passions; premium coffee and artisan baked goods. The founders were tired of quality coffee shops always outsourcing their pastry and food items and awesome bakeries offering subpar coffee. Seven Grams Caffe decided it was time to create a place where you can find both!
The pastry selection is made in-house daily from scratch and they've become famous for their extra thick, extra gooey cookies. There are both vegan and vegan plus gluten-free options. The vegan tahini chocolate chip is insanely good and pairs well with Seven Grams Italian style coffee.
I will also mention that their serve-ware is adorable and the little details like warming your cup before pouring your drink show the true passion Seven Grams Caffe has for offering a perfect experience.
Seven Grams Caffe has two Midtown coffee shops and one in Lower Manhattan. If you're looking for coffee near Madison Square Park, stop at the location at 76 Madison Avenue (2 minutes). The location at 275 7th Avenue is an 8 minute walk from Madison Square Park and 12 minutes from The High Line.
Honorable mentions for the best Midtown coffee shops
Little Collins
Little Collins is more of a cafe than coffee shop and deserves a stop if you're looking for a bite with your coffee. They have an awesome avocado toast and banana bread topped with ricotta, berries, honey, and almond brittle. The main location is at 708 3rd Avenue. Little Collins has a second outpost at a small food hall called Urban Space a few blocks down at 570 Lexington Avenue.
Photos: Bluestone Lane
Bluestone Lane
Like Little Collins, Bluestone Lane is more of a cafe than coffee shop. I just love the Bluestone Lane brand…even if it is becoming a popular chain with 38 locations and growing in 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 gets an honorable mention for their Midtown coffee shops because all but two of these locations (Manhattan West Cafe and the Chelsea Pier...both beautiful designs) are pretty small and more of grab and go type spots.
Bluestone Lane currently has eight Midtown coffee shops and cafes. Chances are you'll never be far from a Bluestone Lane when a coffee craving hits you.
Their UES location does make my list of best Upper East Side coffee shops. This Bluestone Lane makes for a perfect brunch spot.
Birch
Birch is a popular NYC coffee chain that roasts its beans in Long Island City. There are several locations throughout NYC. Most are on the small side and better for grab and go. There's no WiFi at any of the locations, so prepare accordingly.
Birch Coffee not only has quality coffee but also does a wonderful job at sourcing delicious treats from some of the best bakeries in NYC. You'll find gluten free items, artisan donuts, and homemade pop tarts.
Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee gets an honorable mention for the best Midtown coffee shops. The five Blue Bottle Midtown coffee shops are all very small and good for to-go orders.
In Summary
These are my favorite coffee shops in Midtown and I'm sure at least one of these will be exactly what you're looking for. Head to Remi for Instagrammable pours, Devocion for a hipster vibe, Seven Grams Caffe for vegan cookies and baked goods, Paper and Stumptown for space to spread out, and Culture Espresso for scrumptious treats.
And of course there's the big brands with multiple locations like Bluestone Lane and Bluebottle.
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TOP 5 Midtown Coffee Shops | NYC
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