New York Cafes
 

Hiya,
I will be in New York in a few weeks..Wanting to know of some cafes other than starbucks!

Thanks!

Higher Grounds, 9th Street in alphabet city, near Ave C maybe.

There are tons all over the city. In the village off Washington Square Park, there are several, on 3rd and 12th, and of course in Italy.

Also my personal favorite is Veniero's which is pasteries and coffee, on 1st and 11th.

Have a great time while you are here.

Caffè Dante, on McDougal Street between Bleecker Street and Houston Street in the Village.

The cramped, dark and old-fashioned Caffè Regio on McDougal Street in the Village.

Ferrara's (Little Italy), although very touristy, still serves some good coffee and Italian pastry.

MMM

Higher Grounds is said to have some of the best espresso shots in the city of you catch the right barista on duty. Cafe Gitane is also said to have great coffee and espresso drinks but is oh so hip and beautiful so I'm waiting for some slow mid-afternoon time to visit. Cafe Sabarsky on the upper east Side is asspciated with a small museum of Austrian art that was founded/funded by the Lauder's (I think - as in Estee Lauder). It's supposedly a true ASustrian style cafe and has Julius Meinl coffee - supposedly great stuff but they get $5 or $6 a cup - too rich for my blood.

I've heard that Grey Dog (somewhere down near the Village or Chelsea I think) is good but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. There are over 60 Starbucks in Manhattan and they're wildly variant in quality of drinks (surprising for a chain with supposedly tight quality control) but not my cuppa joe anyway.

You must visit Caffe Reggio despite the fact that their espresso and cappuccino is very middle of the road - it has a totally cool old time atmosphere and they have great panini sandwiches. There's an old Bezzera espresso machien on display that was the first commercial espresso machien installed in North America (in Reggio for their 1927 opening). I've been meaning to try Dante, also on MacDougal, as I have heard good things. Just up the block on same street is La Lanterna - very romantic atmosphere but pricey and their coffee drinks really aren't all that good.

Depends on what you want:
1. To sit outside and watch people go by: any of the places just south of Washington Square park - the MacDougal, West 3rd, Bleeker street area. Caffe Raffaela on 7th ave south is also a good choice. - S. of WSP can be crowded and loud, Raffaela's is quieter with more space. (I prefer Raffaela's)
2. Good pastry and good coffee drinks - Veniero's on 11th st between 1st and 2nd ave. (try the iced mochaccino or iced lemonade- mmmm.) - gets VERY crowded on weekend nights.
3. Good food as well as coffee - Le Gamin on 9th ave and 21st st in Chelsea, excellent crepes. (although, all the Le Gamin's and Deux Gamin are fine)
4. Place for men to watch/meet men - the Big Cup on 8th ave and 19th street in Chelsea
5. Quaint West Village type place - Cafe dell'artista on Greenwich Ave at Charles St.
I don't really understand how Starbucks even stays open in NYC - I guess New Yorkers just drink that much coffee.

Grey Dog on Carmine St in the West Village has a very cool vibe and is a good choice. One of my favorite places to go and makes GREAT lattes is City Bakery on 18th Street in the Flatiron section. Not exactly a cafe, but their baked goods are terrific and it has a fun atmosphere. My favorite neighborhood spot is 71 Irving, on Irving Place b/w 18th & 19th. It is in the Gramercy park section and is wonderful! Great outdoor seating and people watching. You definitely get a feel for the neighborhood. Love their croissants too! Enjoy!

Hey Everyone,
Thanks so much for all the tips!
Owen, I will be sure to check out Cafe Regio...Also, I have heard good things about Veniero Cafe..My boyfriend and I will be in town for 6 days..Im sure we will hit all the cafe's mentioned!