Looking for the BEST Upper East Side coffee shops? You've come to the right spot! The UES is home to designer boutiques, upscale real estate, leafy streets, and numerous cafes. If you find yourself in need of a caffeine fix between museum visits or shopping, head to one of my TOP 5 Upper East Side cafes!
Photo: Bluestone Lane
The best Upper East Side coffee shops are...
1. Bluestone Lane
One of the BEST Upper East Side cafes for a solid brunch menu and avocado toast
Bluestone Lane is an Australian based coffee chain influenced by the cafe culture of Melbourne. This is hands down one of my favorite UES coffee shops! There are several locations in Manhattan and this is by far the most unique as it's nestled next to a beautiful church and features sandstone archways.
Bluestone Lane is also a popular brunch spot with a full menu of healthy options like avocado smash toast, gluten-free banana bread with whipped ricotta, and colorful salads.
There are plenty of tables and chairs outside but very limited seating inside. If you're coming on the weekend prepare for a long line. Come either when the weather is nice and allows for patio seating or go right when they open at 7:30am. Otherwise, weekdays will be your best option to visit this upper east side coffee shop.
2. Oslo Coffee Roasters
One of the best Upper East side coffee shops for high quality espresso
This small craft artisan coffee roaster first opened in Williamsburg in 2002. The UES location is a tiny hotspot with locals. The coffee quality is absolutely outstanding and why Oslo Coffee Roasters has established such a following with New York residents. Stay simple with an excellent americano or cold brew or go for the highly reviewed cortado! Oslo Coffee Roasters is the best Upper East Side coffee shop to visit when ordering to-go.
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3. Hutch & Waldo
One of the best upper east side cafes for healthy bowls and smoothies
Hutch & Waldo is Australian owned and offers a coastal boho vibe. A major highlight of this Upper East Side coffee shop is their menu filled with healthy bowls. Try the blue smoothie bowl with blue algae, banana, coconut, kiwi, and granola. Go savory and order the nude bowl with scrambled eggs, pesto, sweet potato and avocado. I've seen few coffee shops that offer such a large and varied menu filled with seasonal and local ingredients. Hutch & Waldo would make for the perfect post workout stop to refuel with quality nutrients.
The bowls aren't the only winners on the menu. The avocado toast, wild mushroom and ricotta sage toast, and smoothies are on point! My favorite is the cacao champ smoothie with cacao, espresso, banana, and peanut butter.
This Upper East Side cafe brings a strong coffee game and offers all the classics with several options for alternative milks. Try something different and order the beet or golden turmeric latte!
Hutch & Waldo makes a great choice when the weather is nice with their garage-door style windows opened all the way and a handful of tables and benches outside.
Photo: Birch @BenjaminKanes Angelys Ocana @_angelys_
Photo: Birch @BenjaminKanes Angelys Ocana @_angelys_
4. Birch Coffee
One of the best upper east side cafes for sweet treats and baked goods
Birch Coffee is a popular NYC coffee chain that roasts its beans in Long Island City. The cold brew is especially good. There are two locations on the Upper East Side:
134 1/2 E 62nd St. – This location is TINY and is best for takeaway or a quick espresso shot while standing.
171 E 88th St. – A little larger than the above location with more standing room and a few seats.
Birch Coffee 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. Grab a bag of their coffee beans on your way out!
5. Irving Farm Coffee Roasters
The best upper east side coffee shop for working and studying
Out of all the Upper East Side cafes and coffee shops this is your spot if you're looking for a place to have a seat and chill a while. Most coffee shops on the UES (and all of NYC for that matter) tend to be on the small side where it’s best to get your caffeine fix to-go. Not Irving Farm! This UES coffee shop offers 1,700 square feet of space and is their largest location. It makes for the perfect choice when looking to catch up with friends or need a place to work.
The UES location also offers a full menu from their kitchen including overnight oats, pumpkin bread, scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes and kale salad, bagels and lox, and a display full of baked goods.
These are my absolute favorite spots for a coffee break when I'm wandering around the UES. Whether I'm craving a healthy snack, some seriously delicious baked goods, a space to work, or a nice patio to people watch...these coffee shops deliver. I hope this list of the 5 BEST Upper East Side coffee shops steers you in the right direction for your caffeine fix.
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