A cup of joe, a fresh brew, a bold espresso—no matter what you call it, coffee fuels life in New York City.

We can’t imagine starting the day without a solid caffeine kick at Foods of New York Tours. You’re in good company if you also rely on a dose of black gold to power through. We teamed up with Craft Coffee Spot to share how coffee culture in NYC has developed.

Together, we’re showcasing some of the best coffee shops in the city for your daily dose of high-quality caffeine.

Favorite Coffee Shops That Keep NYC Running

In New York City, coffee isn’t just a habit—it’s a necessity. Navigating crowded streets and tackling the daily hustle without caffeine? Unthinkable.

Did you know that New York City is where coffee drinking in America started? Let’s go back to the mid-1600s. While all the other (English) colonies were drinking tea, New Yorkers (Dutch) drank coffee.

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, New York City—especially lower Manhattan—had become the largest hub for coffee roasting in the United States.

Here are some facts about coffee that show how deeply-rooted coffee culture is in NYC:

New Yorkers have traded taverns for small cafes over time. However, they continue to fuel their days with coffee. Other cities may grab the coffee spotlight momentarily. Nevertheless, New York always brings it back with its deep-rooted coffee culture.

Evolving Coffee Culture in New York City

We talked about how ingrained coffee culture is in New York. It goes as far back as the first New York settlers.

It’s no coincidence that two of NYC’s most iconic sitcoms—Friends and Seinfeld—built their narratives around coffee shops, where characters gathered to talk, laugh, and refuel with caffeine.

Back then, a simple cup of coffee was the norm for many New Yorkers and these TV characters. However, would they order the same drink today? Probably not. Coffee culture in New York never stands still. It keeps changing as coffee lovers continue chasing the perfect brew.

New York has seen several coffee waves so far, with the current trend being third-wave coffee. Third-wave coffee is all about high quality. This means sourcing single-origin beans that are usually lightly roasted to bring out the coffee’s distinctive flavors. Let’s discover where you can get this high-quality coffee.

Third Wave Coffee Shops in New York City

  • Caffe Reggio

Caffe Reggio is the grand dame of Greenwich Village coffee shops. It was first opened in 1927 by Domenico Parisi, an Italian immigrant. This was the first coffee shop in the US to serve cappuccino.

Caffe Reggio will wow you with Italian furnishings and a 1902 chrome and bronze espresso machine. The shipping of the machine from Italy cost the owner $1,000. Nowadays, this is considered the oldest espresso machine in NYC.

This coffee shop is located in the heart of Greenwich Village — 19 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012. Don’t miss it on your Heart & Soul of Greenwich Village food tour.

  • Meow Parlour

Meow Parlour is NYC’s first cat cafe. Here you can get your caffeine and kitty fix. An Asian kitten and caffeine trend inspired the cafe. This unique cafe experience is located at 46 Hester St., New York, NY 10002, and it’s the perfect stop after your Flavors of Chinatown food tour.

You can spend an afternoon getting your caffeine pick-me-up. Enjoy playing with furry friends while you eat cat-shaped macaroons.

  • D’Amico Coffee Roasters

D’Amico Coffee Roasters will give you a glimpse into New York coffee history. This Brooklyn coffee shop was established in 1948 by Italian immigrants. It was one of the first roast-to-order places in Brooklyn. Since its opening, it’s been an obligatory coffee shop in the neighborhood.

They have a range of coffee options — choose between classics such as an Americano, an espresso, or one of their different roasts. You can find D’Amico Coffee Roasters at 56 Nelson St #2, Brooklyn, NY 11231 when you go on your The Best of Brooklyn food tour.

  • Intelligentsia Coffee Highline Coffeebar

Intelligentsia Coffee stands out due to its coffee plus phenomenal views. They source and roast only specialty coffee, so you’ll get a world-class brew.

This coffee shop stands out for its great coffee and its breathtakingly beautiful outdoor seating area. The team created a true coffee oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle using local art, string lights, and plenty of greenery.

Find them at High Line Hotel 180 10th Ave at W 20th Street, when you go on the Chelsea Market and the Highline tour.

  • Caffe Palermo

Since it opened in 1973, Caffe Palermo has been a Little Italy institution. It’s been voted the best cannoli in NYC so that you can get some mouth-watering treats with your coffee.

Thanks to the outdoor string lights, it has a minimalistic interior that especially wows at night.

There’s no better way to spend time in Little Italy than by visiting this coffee shop. Find them at 148 Mulberry, Little Italy, New York, NY 10013, after your Nolita & Little Italy secrets tour.

  • Big Mouth Coffee Roasters

Big Mouth takes specialty coffee seriously. This cafe and roastery roasts its beans and serves a carefully curated lineup of top-quality third-wave coffee.

Big Mouth sources single-origin and micro-lot coffees. They also highlight information on the growing regions, conditions, and processing methods behind each roast. One of their goals is to make specialty coffee more accessible while offering excellent flavors and service.

You can stop at Big Mouth at 387 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, on the Hudson Valley Food & Farm Tour.

Our favorite coffee shops reflect the energy and diversity of New York City, from the storied streets of Greenwich Village to the creative corners of Brooklyn and beyond. Foods of New York Tours loves connecting people to the local food scene, and coffee plays a significant role.

Our guided food tours include more than just great eats. We highlight local cafes, roasters, and spots where New Yorkers refuel. We also offer private group tours, day trips to the Hudson Valley, and gift certificates for anyone who wants to experience NYC through its flavors.

Come hungry, leave caffeinated. Let’s hit the streets and sip the best brews in the boroughs—one cup at a time.